Thrifty Finds

I feel like I haven’t been to the thrift store in a long time, so, to beat some cabin fever, my daughter, granddaughter and I hit the local Goodwill today.  While my daughter looked for some clothing to upcycle, I headed to the home décor section.  Here’s what I found and came home with.

This long wood piece ~ $3.99.  This will, of course, be getting painted.  I think it would make for a great sign and it would fit perfectly over the front door.  Now I just need to figure out what to paint on it.  Seen any interesting signs lately?

This French inspired clock ~ $4.99.  The first thing to grab me was the shape of this.  I don’t know if the clock even works, but if it doesn’t that’s okay.  I will take the clockworks off and this will be ready to become another sign.

The last thing I came away with was this wood candleholder ~ $1.99.  It looks like it has not been stained or painted and has some lovely detailing along the bottom portion.  This will be getting painted and I will have to make sure that detailing stands out.  Notice the little hooks? If I have any extra crystals left, I may hook them on.

I did not find this at the thrift store.  This nosy girl is Misty and she will be 14 in March.  She had to come over and get all up in my space while I was taking these pictures so I took hers.

All in all, a good trip to the thrift store!  We got out for a little bit and came home with some nice finds.

Gluten Free Shortbread Cookies

 

I had good intentions of painting a table after another snowstorm came through Ohio.  I just forgot to pick up paint brushes!  So, I decided to put some energy, that actually decided to show up, into action by making a Gluten Free Shortbread Cookie mix I picked up a few weeks ago.  I am not a baker, by any means, so I like the convenience of these types of mixes.

I love Shortbread cookies, plain to some, but they are made with a stick and a half of butter so they do have a buttery taste to them.  I used the Gluten Free Bob’s Red Mill Shortbread Cookie Mix.  I find these mixes convenient and they taste really good.  I made the Gluten Free Cornbread mix and we’ve also used the Gluten Free Pizza Dough mix.  Both are very good.  The pizza dough requires a little work {like the shortbread cookie mix}, but the cornbread mix is very simple.

I followed the directions on preparing the cookie mix, rolled out the dough as instructed and used a heart shape cookie cutter that I’ve had for years. 

I know a lot of bloggy buddies have recently had to go gluten free and, believe me, I know how difficult this can be after you’ve eaten “normal” or “regular” food for over 40 years.  Here are some of my favorite gluten free foods that actually taste good.  My “go-to” breads are by Udis.

Most gluten free breads that are pre-packaged {like a regular loaf of bread} are quite small.  I liken it to having a tea sandwich for lunch.  The Udi’s white bread is the best tasting I have found over the past five years of looking.  The bagels and cheese pizza are also very good.  I toast all the gluten free bread I eat.  It is the only way I can eat it.

The next brand I like is for breakfast on-the-go and snacks from Glutino.  The pretzels are pretty close to regular ones {and my non-gluten free granddaughter loves them, too}, the breakfast bars {like Nutri-grain bars} and pop tarts.  With the gluten free pop tarts you only get one in a package, which can be a plus if you are doing portion control. 

With cold Winters, I was really missing soups.  Last year I found soups by Gluten Free Café by Health Valley.  I find this soup at a local health food store, but I believe I saw Kroger had them recently.

I love pasta! The best pasta I have had, to date, is Organic Gluten Free by bionaturae.   They have spaghetti, elbows, fusilli, and penne that I have seen and tried.  I use the Udi’s French Bread loaves when I want to add some garlic bread to a pasta meal.

Of course, there are some companies that are naturally gluten free like the Chex cereals.  I always have a couple of boxes of them in our pantry. 

You can find a lot of these gluten free foods online, too, but the shipping can be exorbitant, so I stick to local stores.  Thankfully, they are a lot better than they were five years ago.

Back to the cookies, I went a little too thin on rolling out the dough in some areas and a few of the cookies got a little too brown, but I will still enjoy them.  I got 18-24 cookies out of this and my husband even ate some.

So while I’m not the best baker in the world, sometimes I have to force myself to try something new, otherwise I won’t get to eat it!

I have not been compensated in any way by the companies listed here.  This is just my honest opinion on food that has had to become a part of my diet from dealing with Celiac Disease.

Odds & Ends

Just some little things to share, so I thought I’d put them in one post.  I found some French journal pages that a bloggy friend sent me from a swap last year {or the year before} and I decided to put them in the cloche where I have the little PB Santos ornament.  I think it makes for a nice background.

That led me to change the cloche I have in our master bedroom.  I had a few clock faces in this one, but put in one of my fabric hearts and a Valentine Bingo card I printed out.

I performed some plastic surgery on “Teddy”, my granddaughter’s well-loved constant companion from the time she was a baby {she is 3 years old now}.

His nose got worn down so he needed a new one.  The pink button was the granddaughter’s choice.

Since it has been so cold and I’ve been inside a lot, I’ve also been doing a lot of reading and some cleaning, both the housework and organizing kind.  I’m looking for some good book recommendations, if you have any.  I love mysteries and thrillers, but often go off on a romantic theme {a la Tricia Ashley}.  I think I’m caught up with all the new books from my favorite authors, so I’m on the search for new and interesting books.

Valentine Swap

Since I was feeling a bit unmotivated creativity-wise at the beginning of the year, I decided to sign up for a swap and I was so happy to see there was a Valentine Swap going on at Etsy Cottage Style.  I signed up right away.  Funnily enough, I was partnered with my friend Marsha from Tattered Chick!

Here are some of the things I put together for Marsha’s Valentine.

I made the heart out of scrapbook paper, sewed it, and stuffed it with some fiberfill.   A red scrapbook paper on one side and a sheet music one on the other.

I also made the pocket/tote and filled it with some goodies.

Some Luscious Lips chocolates, vintage trims, a couple of Valentine’s Day Bingo cards I printed out, an Altoid tin with LOVE Scrabble tiles, a charm and an old key, some nice chunky buttons, some crystal charms, and a few other bits and bobs.

I couldn’t have asked for a sweeter Valentine to swap with!  Here is what Marsha sent me.

Marsha makes such beautiful things.  I’m so happy to have received some of her creativity! 

Master Bedroom Updates ~ On A Budget

I promised I would share what else I’ve done to update the master bedroom in my last post.   This new King size bed has been the bane of my existence!  One of those things was the update to our lamps that I shared here. 

I’ve been trying to get my master bedroom “just right” and I was able to continue with my updating, keeping budget in mind.  I found these panels at Hobby Lobby ~ 50% off ~ for $17.49.  I bought two. 

I hung the panels on the wall over each side table.  They were already this color and work well with the Duck Egg chalk paint on the other furniture in the room.  This wall really needed something and I think this accomplishes what I was looking to do.

I’m a lot closer to being happier with this room again.  I am hoping we might be able to paint in here at some point this year.

I will probably keep it neutral, just go a tad darker.  I’ve been thinking maybe Benjamin Moore Blonde Wood, which we used in the powder room at our old house.  It is a bit warmer than what is in this room now. 

For now, this will do!

Linking up with:

Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Inspire Me Tuesdays at A Stroll Thru Life

Winter Blues Wednesday at DIY by Design

Treasure Hunt Thurs. at From My Front Porch To Yours

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage