Sunday, July 26, 2009

Thrifty Finds

Several of you wanted to see my Pottery Barn Console, I paid $64.99 for it, the original price was on the bottom, $349.00. I think I will be painting it black and distressing some. What do you think? I have black chairs and table that share this space in the breakfast nook.

My weekend was busy with guests and my husbands 30 year H.S. reunion this weekend so am posting some of my recent Goodwill finds. Please hook up with Mr. Linky on Rhoda's new blog at Southern Hospitality to see many more thrifty finds.














Laid my eyes on these the moment I walked in the door, 4 sweet bunny plates $.99 each.



Sweet platter for $.99. love it!



This is a decorative plate was $.50, label on back say's $9.99 HomeGoods


This whole container filled to the brim with Christmas ornaments, $3.99. There were layers of ornaments. Whoo Hoo love this one. I wasn't able to see the contents before I got it home,cause they had it all taped up, but that was part of the fun of it.
Been wanting one of these, $7.99 perfect condition, barely used.


This sweet little painting for $.99, perfect in our beach cottage guest room.












Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Boiled Peanuts-It's a Southern Thing





Have you ever eaten boiled peanuts? I had't even heard of boiled peanuts until I met my husband over 25 years ago. I thought that roasted peanuts were the only way to have them and of course there is peanut butter too. My husband grew up here in Northern Florida in the 60' and 70's. He has always fondly recalled church social gatherings where there would be a "peanut boil". The peanuts were boiled in a 55 gallon drum over an open fire. The fire was usually started just before dark, the peanuts were added to gallons of salted water. Peanuts were fresh, "green", from the fields. The youngsters would run around playing outdoor games, like hide and seek, tag, or catching fire flies. The grown ups sat around and talked about the good old days. Every few minutes someone would ask, are they done yet? I wish I could have had the same experience as a child. What happened to those days?


Well after a few years of marriage I learned to like those boiled peauts. My husband has mastered the technique over the years as well. So I thought I would share with you all our recent peanut boil. Since it takes at least 2 hours to boil them, we have found that doing it outside on the grill is a good way to keep the house cooler and cleaner. We let them boil on the patio while we worked on our flower beds and lawn. And of course we had to have mom and dad over to help us eat them.



Here in the land of the Gators at the University Of Florida, a game in the "swamp" wouldn't be the same without boiled peanuts. At home there is usually a game on the TV, that is made more enjoyable while eating boiled peanuts. I am not certain but I believe that harvest time for peanuts is late summer and into fall here in North Florida.



There really is no recipe, it is probably 3 or 4 lbs of "green" peanuts, a big cooking pot with a lid, and salt. But here are the steps:


  • Rinse peanuts well
  • Place peanuts in large stock pot
  • Fill pot with water
  • Add about 4 heaping tablespoons of salt
  • Cover and bring it all to a low boil
  • Water will evaporate after an hour or two, you will want to add more water and probably a couple more heaping tablespoons of salt
  • boiling time could be 2-3 hours depending on the size of the peanut
  • Our recent peanut boil took about 3 hours, because we used Jumbo peanuts
  • You will need to check them at about 2 hours and see it they are soft
  • Once the peanuts inside are soft, with the consistency of a cooked field pea or black-eyed pea, then they are done.
  • Turn off the flame and let them sink to the bottom, this is where osmosis takes place and they take on more of the salt and water, this takes about 20-30 minutes

To enter a giveaway sponsored by Nabisco, click over to Southern Hospitality and read Rhoda's review























Saturday, July 18, 2009

Favorite Goodwill finds

See Rhoda' finds at Southern Hospitality


I love to find deals at the Goodwill. Last week I really hit the Goodwill on a good day. I don't have pictures of what I got, but will post them later. I bought a console table for $64.99, I thought well that is high for Goodwill, but it was in perfect condition and very sturdy, well constructed and something I have been keeping an eye out for. When I went to purchase it one of the workers told me that this piece is really nice compared to what they usually see, he turned it over and it had the original price $349.00... and drum roll... from Pottery Barn. Whoo Hoo!


The following items were purhased at a different times.




I love shiny things and I collect pitchers great deal at $2.99 and a heavy weight I think it says Towle on the bottom.






Some napkin rings I couldn't resist.






Thomas Kinkade small about 8X10, only $3.99. I couldn't believe my eyes, it also has the certificate of authenticity on the back. Love love love this one.





Leaded Crystal candle pedestal was $6.99, a little pricey, but oh so beautiful and worth more.






This beautiful bowl for $3.00

















Friday, July 17, 2009

The family silverware

Hey I am reposting this post for Marie's Heirloom party, check it out here. I did not have time for a new post, but this one fits the bill.

This one says Baby Beatrice, my aunt (to enlarge any picture just click it)


A ladel



A relish set



This is a childs fork
See the letter "B" below







After reading Manuela's blog here http://pleasuresofhomemaking.blogspot.com/ on displaying silverware, and as always she is so creative! I decided to do a short post on some of my family silver. These pieces were my grandmother's, I never knew my Grandparent's on my dad's side, they were deceased before I was even thought of. I heard stories from dad who grew up in Hollywood CA in the 1930's and 40"s. His parents were very wealthy and had servants, who partially raised my father. Then the great depression came and they lost just about everything and then his father died while my dad was a teenager, so he and my grandmother did the best they could. I believe that many of the family heirlooms were sold, many for far less than their worth.





My parents currently have a few items, mostly some china and a couple of pieces of leaded glass ware. I recently aquired the few pieces of silverware. I remember as a youngster, pulling out all of these treasures and expecially shining the silverware and seeing the details appear magically. Even now I love to find a piece of silver and bringing it back to it's intended glory.














Thursday, July 16, 2009

Restoring antique mirror
















I should have posted this in the previous post. The mirror pictured there was a darker color, i picked it up at Goodwill for $8.00. Today I spray painted it with Valspar Porcelin Satin, spray paint and then to antique and hightlight the details I rubbed on Buf"n" Rub. The bookends were picked up at Beall's Outlet at 70% off I think something like $3.50 for both, they were originally gold, the birds I got at Hobby Lobby at 50% off, the pair was about $5.00 I think, they were a dull grey color.

New Adventure




So I think I have a lot to learn about this blogging world. I am starting this adventure right now. After months of stalking other blogger's I am determined to join in on the fun. I am not sure how much time I can put into this, but am looking forward to sharing and learning. Today was a big project day. I have a confession to make.. I have a Goodwill obsession. It seems that our Goodwill is the best place in our town to pick up bargains. I am usually working on the days that most people are garage saleing, but would love to do more of that in the future. Today I painted and antiqued a few recent finds. I learned how to do this on Rhoda's blog http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/ I will post some pictures if I can figure out how to. ha ha