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Archive for the ‘Home and Garden’ Category

Vintage School Desk

I was taking a stroll with my family and noticed an old school desk sitting nicely at the curb. Wow! I thought. I can probably put it up for sale and get some cash for it. I ran back home to get my van so I can lug it back home.

When I brought home the school desk my girls immediately fell in love with it and asked me a bunch of questions. They wanted to know how old the desk was and if I used such a desk when I went to school. They told me not to sell it but to restore it to its former glory. They even promised that they would do their homework on it every day.

We decided to make a family project out of the desk. We went shopping for supplies at LOWES and got to work sanding, cutting, priming and painting. We replaced some of the wood and repainted the surface. The finished project came out amazing! Everyone loved it. Below are the pictures in its stages:

Stage # 1

Since the wood was split and weathered, it needed to be glued and clamped.The seat had a lot of splinters and loose wood that we removed. Wood filler was applied to all the cracks. When it was dry, the wood was sanded to a smooth finish.

School Desk Collage 1

Stage # 2

Since the desktop was decayed and beyond repair, we had to fabricate one out of solid pine. It was cut, sanded, primed, and painted. I removed the desk pole/bracket from the old desktop and primed and painted it a metallic silver by RUST-OLEUM. The desktop itself was primed with a RUST-OLEUM primer and painted a gloss purple with Painters Touch RUST-OLEUM paint. My daughters decided on the color purple since it matched her bedroom decor.

School Desk Collage 2

Stage # 3

The rust was sanded off and the chair was primed with RUST-OLEUM primer. The wood portion of the chair was covered and taped so that I can paint the metal part.Once the paint was dry I used # 7  polishing compound to have that extra gloss. I then did the reverse, covering the metal and painting the wood purple.

School Desk Collage 3

Here are the pictures of the before and after. My children loved it. Let’s hope they make good on their promise and do their homework diligently like they promised!

School Desk Collage 4

 

 

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Lots of quality time is spent around the table. We eat our daily meals of breakfast, lunch and dinner at the table. We have weekend get-togethers and gatherings for holidays, parties, and special occasions around tables. We even have picnics and enjoy the outside weather.

cobalt

 

It’s a good idea to cover the tables. We cover our tables for practical reasons to protect our fine tables from scratches and spills. We can also cover our tables to brighten up the decor of the room or to enhance the occasion. There are so many styles and colors to choose from.

Now the question is what is preferable? Placemats or Tablecloths?

Assorted Colors 1

 

Placemats can be used for every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some feel that it’s easier to clear off a small area than to wipe off and put away an entire tablecloth. In larger settings such as weddings and parties, placemats are used more as a decoration to liven up the event. In restaurants, they can be used to advertise menu items, specials, local businesses and/or games for children.

Tablecloths are an easier choice when you have lots of company. Food and drinks tend to spill especially when there is a lot of food being passed around and a tablecloth will protect the table.  If you prefer you can do both: use a tablecloth for practical reasons and placemats as a decorative option at the same time.

Let us know what you prefer: tablecloth, placemats, or both!

 

 

 

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Spring is in the air! Let’s rejoice by throwing a party together. Which are your favorite colors of spring? Is it bright pinks, a strong yellow, orange, and green? Or is it the pale pastels such as mint, peach, and pale pink?

english-rose

 

 

There are so many tablecloth colors to choose from. Basic Poly cloth tablecloths are available in over seventy colors and Miranda damask tablecloths have beautiful spring colors with a pretty white floral design. The Galaxy Vinyl Tablecloth has over thirty colors and perfect for indoor or outside use. It definitely adds to the decor and cheers up the whole surroundings.

cloth napkin ring idea

There are an abundance of gorgeous spring flowers that can be placed in the middle of the table as a centerpiece, as a place setting, or even to enhance your napkin rings. Place a napkin ring, greenery, or a thin string around a cloth napkin and then slide a flower through. It brightens up the table in a fresh and inexpensive way.

Fruit-Flower-Pot-Snack-1024x734

Celebrate with making your fruit and veggies into spring treats. Kitchen Fun with my Three Sons made a flower pot cupcake and used fresh fruit to make flowers. Carrots and hummus in a small terra planter is an adorable idea as well. Have fun with these ideas and let us know what you come up with. Enjoy the weather and enjoy celebrating!

carrots and hummus

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Valentines day is a special day to show our love to those that mean so much to us. Here are some great ways to celebrate this special day.

Giving gifts are nice, but when you take the time to present something in a nice, thoughtful way it means so much more.

A special lunch or dinner is a sure way to show appreciation. Food is a magic mood enhancer especially if its plated in an attractive and pleasing way. The setting too makes a difference. Brighten up the table with a bright red or white tablecloth to display food more attractively and to liven up your surroundings. Red vinyl placemats are also a nice option of adding color to your table.

Valentines Table Setting

 

Your silverware can be your display as well. Set a separate dessert table and display all those goodies you have for dessert.

DIY Valentines Napkin Rings

Dress up your table with DIY Valentine Napkin rings. It’s a great way to change the decor up a bit in a fun and inexpensive way. Add a bright red cloth napkin and step back and admire your hard work.

Valentines Tic Toc Toe

The most precious gift you can give is time. Spend some quality time with your spouse, child, friend, loved one. This cute tic toc toe game is fun activity that is easy to make with some felt and stuffing. Fun for everyone, enjoy the laughter and the fond memories it creates!

 

 

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Mouthwatering and Satisfying Recipe

YourTablecloth

Here is a great recipe which I thought would be a great addition to a new year’s dinner. With all the little appetizers and salads that we would like to make, here is an easy and hearty holiday treat that you’ll be sure to love!

potato pudding

Overnight Potato Pudding

5lbs potatoes peeled

1 large onion

8 large eggs

1 cup oil

½ cup boiling water

1 ½ TBSP salt

1/8 tsp pepper

overnight potato pudding

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. Grate potatoes and onion in food processor. Mix in eggs, oil, and boiling water. Season with salt and pepper
  3. Transfer to a 9 x 13 pan. Bake for 2 hrs uncovered. After 2 hrs cover tightly with 3 layers of aluminum foil. Place another pan halfway filled with cold water on lower rack directly underneath potato pudding pan. Lower oven temperature to 220F and bake 8hrs or overnight. Serves 8-10.

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This is delightful time of year! We decorate to uplift our moods and put us in the holiday spirit. We spend time thinking about small details such as party favors, centerpieces and table linens for our tables. Do we want Holiday colors of red and green? Shiny gold and silver? Festive blue and white? Here are some great suggestions:
This Miranda damask tablecloth is the perfect addition to your Holiday decor.  These tablecloths are rich in design and color choices such as pewter, slate blue, champagne, sienna, dijon, english rose, and chocolate. Add matching cloth napkins to finish the look.
champagne
Place your favorite color cloth tablecloth on the table and add a white Holly Vine Christmas tablecloth to enhance it. The Holly Vine design is so festive and the bright white brightens the whole area.
Holly Vine Round Tablecloth
Lots of decoration add holiday cheer. Decorate your door, walls and ceiling with streamers, greenery and homemade pictures. By putting decorations all over your home you will be spreading happiness to all!

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The weather out there is getting Brr Brr cold and if the winter season is anything  like last year that means freezing temps and lots and lots of snow.

What gets everyone excited about this time of year is the Holiday season. It brings family and friends together for merrymaking and fun.

You may want to liven up your decor a bit. To brighten things up you may want to try one of our Holly Vine Christmas Tablecloths. This white or red Christmas tablecloth has Holly leaves all over the border and comes in rectangle, round, or as a table topper.

Holly Vine Christmas Tablecloth

Another lovely item is the Winter Garden Cardinal bird placemats. Its design is a perfect cheer me up as you imagine the Cardinal hopping around and chirping merrily! Also available as a table runner. We also have Chickadee bird placemats and table runners-a beautiful option as well.

Winter Garden Cardinal bird placemats

So let’s do our best to liven things up and spread cheer this wonderful Holiday season! Stay Warm!

 

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Halloween is approaching and if you dare

Decorate your home for a one of kind scare

Some new items to liven your decor

with Spider and Pumpkins and so much more

Frightful Halloween Table Topper

Frightful Halloween Table Toppers that are orange bright

For a classy Halloween that will sure to delight

Gothic Table Runner

Or a Gothic look in a choice of two

Printed Spiders and Skulls is a great option too

The Spider Web Tablecloths are classy and delightful

Make this Halloween Fun and Frightful!

Spider Web Rectangle Tablecloth

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It’s Summer and we tend to want to take it easy-relaxing on the beach, grilling our dinner instead of making elaborate meals, and getting together for picnics with easy to prepare foods. People love using vinyl tablecloths especially this time of year since they are so easy to maintain. The are also an abundance of colors and styles so that you can match the decor as you wish. Turquoise is a great summer color for a party on the beach or pool party and hot pink is lovely for a baby girl shower.

tavern checks fitted round tablecloth

There are a couple of ways to maintain a vinyl tablecloth in order to keep them around longer. While its nice to know that it is easy to wipe up spills on vinyl, try to wipe up a spill promptly. This will prevent soaking up the tablecloth and going to the flannel backing on the other side. Fold up and put away the tablecloth when not in use to prevent the color fading in the hot sun or preventing the tablecloth from getting soaked from a strong rain. This will also prevent the tablecloth from getting mold on it from excess moisture.

Square Vinyl Tablecloth

Wiping down the vinyl tablecloth with mild soap and water and a rag will usually do the trick. Take care however when using tomato sauce for that tends to stain! Check out the link for stains that are tough to get out in a previous article: How to remove newspaper ink stain from a vinyl tablecloth

Have a healthy and wonderful relaxing Summer!

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Since we’re all getting ready for July Fourth we would like to share some easy and fun ideas. Some items have to be on hand beforehand such having table linens, tables and chairs, decor, etc. Not all foods could be prepared in advance. Fresh watermelon has to be prepared the day of. Here is a festive and refreshing treat with ingredients on hand by Almost Supermom that’s beautiful and easy in one. Who says easy can’t be beautiful?! star spangeled fruit skewers Another neat idea is decorating good old fashioned sugar cookies. Frost sugar cookies with white icing and sprinkle with crushed blue and red candies for a great fireworks display! july fourth sugar cookies Did you know how much food is consumed on July 4th? We’re talking 155 million hot dogs, $107 million spent on popsicles, and $167 million spent on watermelon. Plus, Independence Day is the biggest holiday for beer sales, topping Labor Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day and Christmas. Wow! Enjoy the food, party and company! Scroll through past blogs for more great ideas!

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