Tuesday, February 26, 2013

A Literary Walk #8

I have been meandering around the 
English countryside on my way 
from London to my next stop,
Great Missenden.
38 miles




It's been a bit on the rainy side,
but what can you expect in jolly Old England:)
At least the foot paths are not busy this time 
of year and the views have been lovely.
Next up Roald Dahl...

Monday, February 25, 2013

New Techniques

I'm on a learning curve with the
projects for Rusty G.
Since I got into Annie Sloan Paint and
waxes it has made things a lot
more interesting.
Below is a bed tray that I painted for myself
 Before
 After:
The wooden caddy is painted and waxed
and the rack is painted, waxed and sponged to 
look like galvanized metal.
 This chalkboard was a cast off frame
that is painted, waxed and embellished with
a paper banner.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Gluten Free Maple Bars

YES!
Gluten Free Maple Bars!

I was craving a maple bar, really the 
only type of donuts I like and which
I have not had in 6 years.
This recipe is interesting as it has no yeast
but the dough ends up frying up like a yeast donut
not a cake one.
It was suggested on the site to eat while warm
but I actually enjoyed them even more 
when they had sat an hour 
and even the next morning.
Disclaimer:
I have not had a donut in 6 years!! 
I may not be the best judge of 
the texture and taste but my son
who has only been GF for a month 
said they were excellent.
Donuts
1 egg beaten
1 c. buttermilk
1/8 c. butter melted
 mix together

2 1/2 c.GF flour
(I used Mamas almond blend)
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
t tsp. xantham gum
mix together

Add wet ingredients to dry mix gently
then knead a few times.
Let sit for 15 minutes.

Roll out on rice flour dusted surface, 
to about 1/2 inch deep.
Cut into squares about 2x2.
Fry in very hot oil until brown on both sides.
Drain on paper towel.
Frost when mostly cool.

Maple Frosting
1/4 c. melted butter
1 tsp maple flavoring
1 T. milk
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
Beat until smooth

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Using the Fab Wax


 The Annie Sloan Wax is amazing!
For the pot rack above, I did a coat of flat black 
spray paint. Then I dipped my brush in the 
clear wax and then in a metallic acrylic and 
stroked and blotted it. 
There it is a faux galvanized metal pot rack...

This wicker ottoman was a basic red/brown color.
I spray painted it tan and then with the same
technique as above but with brown and black
paint I aged it. Now it matches my old 
ladder that I have in this room perfectly.
The wax dries very quickly too so no 
long wait to use your creation.
(by the way these are both thrifted items)

Monday, February 18, 2013

Craft Day/Girl Time

 Good food, lots of talking,
paper and fabric galore and we call it
Craft Day.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

It's My Place


It's a place of peace and tranquility...

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

A Literary Walk #7


A walk with Dorothy Sayers
15 miles
Around London

 Bloomsbury square


Dorothy Sayers was a mystery writer
who eventually went on to write
Christian books when she came to know Christ
personally.
I have only read her mysteries.

Favorite Character:
Lord Peter Wimsey
He is the detective with a great sense
of humor and a very persistent nature
especially when pursuing Harriet Vane
his future wife.

Favorite Quote:
"Oh, by the way--I don't positively repel you
or anything like that, do I?
Because, if I do, I'll take my name off the 
waiting- list at once."
"No" said Harriet Vane, kindly and a little
sadly. "No you don't repel me."
"I don't remind you of white slugs or
make you go goose-flesh all over?"
"Certainly not."
"I'm glad of that. Any minor alteration,s
like parting the old mane, or growing
a tooth brush, or cashiering the eye-glass
you know, I should be happy to undertake,
if it suited your ideas."
..."I'm not trying to black mail you into matrimony
you know. I mean, I should investigate this for 
the fun of the thing, whatever happened
don't you see."
"It's very good of you--"
"No not at all. It's my hobby. Not proposing 
to people, I don't mean but investigating things.
Well, cheer-frightfully-ho and all that."

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

When Love Isn't Enough

As Valentines Day nears and all around
I see the hearts and "I love you" candy, 
I feel like it is time to address a very
personal issue that I have never 
spoken of in exact words on this blog.

Someone I love is an addict.

It is the most heart breaking thing
I have ever experienced, much harder than
 deaths of those I love.
Because when you love someone who
is in bondage to a substance,
Love isn't enough to save them
from it...
you can love someone with all you are 
and have, giving 150% to a relationship
and think that love will conquer all.
It does not.
For 10 years I thought love was enough
to change the direction of this person's life
and that if I just tried harder to love
in different ways then the battle would be won.
It is not won.

But what I have found is that the
 Love of Christ 
can give me what I need to live,
forgive, love from a distance,
care for others and even laugh 
and grow despite everything!
God's love is always enough.

And if the addict never changes,
I know it's not because I didn't love
enough, its because they
are not willing to love them self enough
to fully surrender
to the all encompassing
LOVE
that rules both earth and heaven.



Saturday, February 9, 2013

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

This week I took a class with Lea
learning how to use the up and coming
(or should I say exploding!)
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.
These boards are a few of the many
techniques that can be done
with the products 
which are available at Rusty G.

I've been a spray paint upcycler
this past year so painting with a
brush and technique is a new approach for me!

This paint can be used on anything...even
Leather and Fabric!


Friday, February 8, 2013

A Literary Walk #6


A Walk with Paddington Bear
around London
15 miles
 Paddington Station

 Harrods
Portobello Road Market
Favorite Character:

Paddington of course! He is a very
resourceful bear who can manage to
get himself in and out of scrapes with ease
(and a penetrating stare if necessary!)

Favorite Quote:
"Well, I'm going to leave you now", (said Judy)
"so that you can have your bath and
come down nice and clean.
You'll find two taps, one marked hot
and one marked cold. There's plenty of soap and
a clean towel. Oh, and a brush so you can scrub
your back."
"It sounds very complicated," said Paddington.
"Can't I just sit in a puddle or something?"
Judy laughed...."And don't forget to wash
your ears. They look awfully black."
"They're meant to be black," Paddington
called indignantly as Judy shut the door.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Home Office

I have a little nook area
at the top of my stairs and that
is where I put my home office.
The desk is the very first painting/
upcycling  project I did.

Monday, February 4, 2013

A Literary Walk #5

East Sussex
 
A Walk With P.L. Travers
50 miles 
around the country side of East Sussex
 Castles and Gardens tour
 P.L. Travers was born in Australia
but wrote Mary Poppins in Sussex England.
I was unable to find any info on where the house
is that she lived and wrote but
it was a thatched roof cottage so I followed the
Sussex tour route instead.

Favorite Character:
Mary herself...she is so crotchedy
and so vain and is NEVER wrong
but underneath all that is magic that 
she will NEVER own up to have done
or seen even though she was there and 
made it all happen!

Favorite quote:
"Mary Poppins," she said, looking very hard at her,
"were you at the Zoo last night?"
Mary Poppin's eyes popped.
"At the Zoo? In the middle of the night? Me? 
A quiet, orderly person who knows that 
early to bed, early to rise makes
a man healthy wealthy and wise?"
"But were you?" Jane persisted
"I have all I need of Zoos in this nursery, 
thank you," said Mary Poppins uppishly
"Hyenas, orangoutangs all of you.
Sit up straight and no more nonsense."


Sunday, February 3, 2013

French Baskets

I found a super easy way to 
age baskets and give them that 
french vintage look that is so 
popular right now.

I began with these....
 Spray painted them dark brown...
 Then used gray and cream craft paint and water
to brush over the wicker to age it.
I added a French address on one with white paint.
These are actually my bike baskets
so when spring finally arrives I can do my 
shopping etc in town using my bike!

I also did a couple more with french muslin 
tags that are for sale at Rusty Glamour.