Finders keepers: neighborhood nostalgia & thrifty treasures {along with a little something extra!}

Last Saturday I hopped on my bike and visited a yard sale on the next street over.  I had seen hints at this neighbor's house a couple of days before, eluding to an upcoming yard sale.  I was so glad when I rolled up on my bike to see the yard sale was going on and that once again they had awesome junk stuff that I couldn't pass up.  This house was the place where I purchased our very utilized and loved porch table last year. 

With just a few dollars in my pocket, I was able to score some fun items to keep, gift and possibly sell. 





Sell you say?  Yes, sell is exactly what I said!  I had the thought the week before this yard sale that maybe I needed to open a vintage shop on Etsy!  Truth be told, I've had the dream at several times in my life to one day have an antique shop possibly with my mom.  Having an online Etsy shop seems like a much more realistic and low risk way to go.  So my goal is to open an Etsy shop this summer!  I will be keeping you all posted of the "opening" of my shop!

 

So, with my little vintage shop on the brain, I went to Goodwill today with my sister-in-laws.  After all, most everything was 50% off for the holiday... holler!  I found a couple more goodies that were too fun to not purchase and I think could be nice additions to the shop.  I especially love the plaid thermos! 

 

 

I look forward to bringing more vintage goodies to y'all and "opening shop" very soon.  What do you think of the finds and starting an Etsy shop?! 

Make it over: craft desk {&} mom's day dinner

Well after much time has passed, I finally got my craft desk finished last week!  It was one of those projects that you start and then don't get finished for several months later.  The last touch was adding on the casters, making it the right height and easy to move when needed. 

 

 

 

This desk was a purchase last summer at a neighborhood yard sale for only $5!  I did take before pictures, but finding them now several months later is proving to be more difficult ;) 

I'm glad I finally got this project done so I can enjoy using this desk for projects and crafts!

 

On another note, I hope you all had a great Mother's Day yesterday!  We had my mom over for dinner and got to treat her special.  I happened to find this beautiful Spring-y plates just a few days before mother's day and couldn't resist getting them.  I knew my mom would love them as much as I did, probably because they remind me of my great-grandma.

 

 

For dessert we had mom's favorite, sugar cookies and I tried my hand at mini fruit pizzas...delicious! 

 

 

Hope you got treated special yesterday or made your mom feel extra special!

Strawberry spinach salad

It has been quite warm in our neck of the woods, making it feel less like spring time and more like summer is already here!  With the warm weather, I seem to crave more fresh produce and light satisfying dishes. 

A new favorite fresh dish at our house is this strawberry spinach salad that makes a great side salad or a main course with some grilled chicken. 

For the salad combine:
-fresh spinach leaves
-sliced strawberries
-almond slivers
-crumbled feta cheese
-Newman's lite raspberry walnut vinaigrette

Serve up and enjoy!  No need to even fire up the oven. 

Spring time berry smoothies

Lately I have been hooked on berry smoothies as a morning booster!  While the convenience of having someone else make it for me at a smoothie shop is enticing, the cheap-o in me hardly ever actually goes to a smoothie shop when I know I can make it at home for a fraction of the price! 

These smoothies I've been making are a great breakfast on the go or even a treat for the fam.  Here's the scoop on how I make them (this is a single serve recipe of about 16 oz).

 

 

-Dannon light & fit vanilla yogurt 6 oz cup

-About 1 cup of frozen mixed berries

-5 or so ice cubes

-About 6oz of zero sugar added cranberry-raspberry juice.

Blend these all together until you get the consistency you desire.  Add more juice if you want a more liquid smoothie.

Serve up and enjoy! 

 

 

Hope you had a hoppy Easter!

This last Sunday wasn't just a celebration for Easter, our family also celebrated my mom's birthday.  The combined celebration included dinner, an Easter egg hunt, presents, desssert, and playing at the park (mom's favorite). 

 

 

 

Bright Spring colors, especially mom's favorite--green,  inspired the table setting. 

 

 

Vibrant colored Easter eggs were used at each place setting for name cards

 

Sugar cookie Easter eggs

 

Ths kiddos enjoyed the tree fort in our backyard after hunting for Easter eggs

 

Me & my momma! 

{trying out} my green thumb

After having a full year in our house (time flies!) I am now ready to try to tackle the yards.  I had great intentions last year to get the front and back yards in shape, but all the other little projects of first-time home ownership seemed to take precedence.

In the last couple of weeks though I've been motivated to at least make a little dent in the long list of outside projects I want to do on the house.

First one was planting flower in the front garden bed when you walk up to our house. 

 

 

While this may not look like anything spectacular, it has made me so happy to see a little color and smidge more curb appeal when you walk up to our front door.  I'm thinking of adding a few more plants to the flower bed soon, but for now I'm glad I at least have a start! 

 

My second project was to start a veggie garden!  I love veggies!  Ever since we moved into our house I figured I'd have an edible garden, but until 2 weeks ago I hadn't done anything to make that vision happen.   So with just over $20 and a lot of enthusiasm, I set out to get my veggie garden started.

 

 

 

I started several types of veggies both indoors and outdoors in hopes to at least get one or two types of vegetables to start sprouting. 

 

 

 

And after just two weeks, I'm starting to see some great progress!  I can't wait to keep these little guys going and hopefully get some delicious veggies as the season goes on!  

Crossing my fingers that I'll be able to keep this green thumb thing going so I can have a pretty (and edible) garden this year!

It's a green thing

Happy late St. Patrick's day!  I had good intentions of posting this over the weekend, but lost track of time...so better late than never, right?!  

While we didn't have corn beef and cabbage or do any big St Patrick's day celebrating, I did happen to make green rice crispy treats to take to my sweet young women at church and give to our neighbors.  Nothing says "I'm LUCKY to have you" more than food!  

With green things on my mind, I must share my latest thrift store find that I'm excited to put to use soon.  These kelly green and lemon-lime green bowls!  I happen to know a certain lady who loves green and has birthday around the corner, so these might be put to work as part of a table-top spread.  

And last but not least, I have this fun little vintage green book that was another thrift store find several months ago.  I love it and was shocked to find such an awesome vintage book at the thrift store.  Made me think, someone gave away this 1940s Girl Scout book?!  I couldn't pass it up.

Hope you enjoyed your St. Patrick's Day and maybe even found some green things to enjoy {whether it be green treats or green vintage finds!}