Friday, May 22, 2020

 

Hello Friday!

A few house updates to share.

The last time I shared with you on our long time adventure in building a home,

we were not close to the interior finishes.

There still are many projects left to complete on the outside (stucco and stone).

 

 

Today, I thought I would share some of the interior choices made.

Hang in there…there are a few pictures!

 

Flooring

Paint Color

Granite

(Granite and Cabinetry)

 

Fireplace and Stone

(Stone is Pennsylvania Drystack)

Please checkout our rustic mantle.

This is a 12×12″ Blue Pine solid timber.

 We injected the natural elements of the stone and rustic mantle

to highlight a truly modern farmhouse style that was custom to us.

My husband installed the rustic timber that we chose.

 

Lighting Fixtures

Kitchen and Dining Room Lighting

Pendant Lighting

Island lighting

(3 mini lights over the island)

 

Kitchen Sink Lighting

Dining Room Chandelier

Lamps Plus

Foyer Lighting

Home Depot

 

Ceiling Fixtures for Bedrooms,

Closets, and Laundry Room

 

 

Bathroom Vanity Lighting

Master Bath Vanity Lighting

Lamps Plus

 

 

Powder Room Vanity Lighting

off the Great Room

 

Vanity Lighting in Guest Quarters

Purchased at Home Depot

Vanity Lighting

 

Tile Backsplash In Kitchen

White subway tile

Playing with Contrasts of white subway and “Natural Gray” grout.

Range Hood

Our range hood is from Home Outlet Direct

Range Hood

A little on the “Modern Farmhouse” style.

 

Barn Doors

To replicate the everyday appeal of modern farmhouse decor,

we are adding barn doors for the rustic, vintage feel.

 

Our inspiration is from Rustica Hardware Barn Door

 

I will share the final on how this all comes together later.

I hope that this inspiration sparks some ideas for you

if you are working on a renovation or new build!

We are finding ways to mix natural elements with vintage accents

and industrial touches to create a beautiful look!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my post.

XXOOs

These are not sponsored posts.

Just sharing my home purchases.

 

Friday, May 8, 2020

Happy Mother’s Day!

Since Mother’s Day is this Sunday, I wanted to wish moms a Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day is a special day to celebrate mothers and grandmothers.

This post is all about Mother’s Day love!

Mother’s Day is a day that brings up a lot of emotions,

as I am missing my mom!

 

I love the quote,

“Mothers hold their children’s hands for a while, but their hearts forever.”

 

So true!

Because you never forget your mom or the special bond you have with her.

Thank you to my Mom and the most incredible grandmothers that have graced my life.

 

 

Wishing all the women who are mothers in every way, shape and form

a very Happy Mothers Day and a wonderful Sunday!

XXOO

 

 

Friday, April 17, 2020

Happy Friday!!!

 

During this crazy time in the world, we ALL have a little more time to think

and feel a little less uninspired than usual.

Some days it takes me A. Lot. to be inspired or inspiring.

While taking a walk around our property, I came across this piece of lumber.

Ready to throw it on the woodstove burn pile,

I took a moment to examine this rustic piece for it’s natural, worn character.

Bringing my piece of lumber into the shop, my husband looked at me and said a bit sarcastically, “What are you going to do with that?

Make a candle holder out of it?”

And… of course my mind went to thinking about putting some candles with it.

After all it is soon to be Earth Day, and the 50th Anniversary,

so I thought it should be reclaimed!

And… to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

It’s crazy how you remember these things.

I am a retired educator and always touched on the need to be a steward of the land in my classroom.

So here is my sustainable, rustic, modern, reclaimed wood candleholder!

 

The rustic character of the wood adds and compliments a modern style.

 

 

The natural markings and color variations are visible and add to it’s rich character.

 

Yep, it weathered with cracks, plenty of notches, knots, dings, and a bit wonky.

 

A rustic candleholder brings natures organic beauty to your indoor spaces.

Handcrafted from reclaimed wood.

Finished with natural stain and beeswax.

This piece exhibits it’s own distinct texture and grain.

 

The Moore, wooden candleholder adds a welcoming centerpiece

on a coffee table, dining table console, or buffet.

 

Due to the natural material and handcrafted nature of the product,

each piece is unique.

No two are exactly alike.

That’s the beauty of it!;)

Using my real world experience to promote authenticity

to a western way of living.

 

 

A little wild west stylin’ for a little wild west livin’.

“Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart.”  ~Elizabeth Gilbert

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

 

 

Monday, April 13, 2020

Building A New Home!

Figuring out your passion and purpose can be a challenge.

Sometimes when you find your way, the path can change,

leaving you to question yourself,

doubt yourself, and have to start all over again.

 

I never thought we would be building our dream home!

 

 

We have waited about 6 years, and it has taken us that long

or better to get the ball rolling.

We started out with a comfortable little modular for the last 20+ years

until we out grew that little coop.

 

 

Believe me when I tell you that this has been a bit of an uphill adventure.

My husband and I heard all the comments from, “Most married couples don’t weather the building storm” to “Why are you doing that?”

“You trying to keep up with the Jones’?”

Well, who are the Jones’?

We wanted a new home!

One that was larger with different amenities.

We didn’t want to move from our current property

which has our barn/shop, horse barn, roping arena,

and a field with a creek running through it.

So our adventure began with the moving of the modular.

 

With complications that included permits from the state and county …

all which requires timing and their communication

it took over a year for people to understand what we wanted to do.

It all began with humble beginnings!

The final process started this past fall,

finalizing the house plans and moving the modular.

It took an additional month for the contractor to break ground.

Some walls…

…to more walls.

We have made a few tweaks here and there along the way.

Today we are in the third and fourth step of the construction of  plumbing,

electrical, HVAC,  insulation, and drywall install of a ten step process.

 

 

We have already started to visualize living in our new home and how we will use it –

imagining what furniture goes where and

how we will entertain friends and family there.

Fireplace Area In the Great Room

Kitchen Area

Dining Room

Pantry

Someone said, “Growth ain’t for weenies!”

I couldn’t agree more! I can tell you from personal experience

that this has been a trying adventure.

Have There Been Sacrifices?

You bet!

None, that have been seriously too painful.

I have sacrificed my pretty yard!

Only, that the hubby has started making new plans that include a gas firepit.

(Hopefully I can share the vision later with you all.)

This journey has been full of twists and turns.

At times, I have felt certain, and then uncertain.

Strong in my convictions, then very insecure.

Fearless and fearful.

There definitely has been growing pains.

I’m sure we aren’t done yet.

Unfortunately, during this current pandemic,

I have learned a great deal about what I need to be happy.

I am happy with what I have!  Good health!

I don’t need a ton of fashion and fancy things.

I just hope that I feel the same when my house is done.

Blessings to All!

Happy Monday!

 

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Hello!

Most of us are all busy being socially distant while still working from home.

While wanting to take a walk or run, the dang wind the past couple of days,

like the pandemic as held me captive to my living quarters.

This is definitely spring weather, not knowing if it wants to be winter

or somewhere in-between spring.

Most days it’s wild rags, ball caps and snow pants.

All of which changes minute by minute especially the weather!

With the pandemic news dominating most of our thoughts these days it is very easy to fall into dark thinking.

All of which we should avoid!

We need lots of distractions right now, and one of those is hopefulness!

It is as much a requirement as sunshine and rain to seed.

We are required to be socially distant from friends and family and to stay

hunkered down waiting for this virus to go away.

I often miss my social gatherings (brandings and team roping) with family and friends.

However, I am very grateful to be living in a small town.

Once this is over it will be easy to find each other.

While trying to keep myself occupied, positive, and self isolated,

finding a “How to Paint Lavender” on Pinterest from the blogger, Feeling Nifty, I applied her technique (somewhat modified) to a rusty bucket.

I took out this old junkin’ bucket and tried my hand at painting some lavender flowers.

 

Want to Learn to Paint Flowers?

Lavender flowers to be exact.

For how to paint the lavender flowers go to:

https://feelingnifty.com/how-to-paint-lavender-acrylics/

I knew that if I botched the bucket too much…

from the dump it came, to the dump it could return.;)

A true “rustic” treasure! It once had a bottom.

Now it has plenty spots of rusted out and decay.

 

 

 I call it a painted can of hopefulness.

Hopefully I can do this!

See…I haven’t always been an optimistic person.

However, that optimism has developed over this past year through a process of design and learning how best to manage my situations.

Mostly through prayer.

Because I don’t know what some of you may think, I know I can’t do it alone.

I constantly remind myself of my New Year’s Resolution, which is to live intentionally.

 

 

Intentionally to be positive. So I put forth some effort into being creative.;)

 

 

Lavender is a super simple flower to paint which makes it perfect for a beginner,

and Feeling Nifty has a great beginners guide.

Don’t worry if it doesn’t look perfect. I say it’s perfectly imperfect!

I guess it’s the beauty with abstract painting.

You can leave the stress of perfection behind.

Lord knows my bucket is far from perfect!

In fact it brings to mind
a song about “My Bucket Has A Hole In It.”

 

 

The first step is creating stems for the lavender.

I used the recommended different tints of green for the stems to give more dimension.

 

The second step is to apply the lavender paint using a Q-tip.

Using the Q-tip, dab the paint and start dotting it around some stems

to form the petals of the lavender flower.

 

Once dry, I added the darker purple color over the pale lavender to add dimension.

 

Again, once all of this was dry,

I added dabs of white paint to create highlights on the petals.

I used paint colors I had on hand.

 

My last and final step was to spray a clear acrylic to seal it.

For a great step by step, please see the tutorial at Feeling Nifty.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Some wild west stylin’ for some wild west livin’.

April 4, 2020

Happy Saturday!

How do you set a table?

Do you set your table with a matching set of dishes or china?

I have multiple sets of dishes and one set of fine china.

You know the white china with the gold trim? I do love that set.

I also have a set of Blue Willow dishes which are a collected set.

A collection of mismatched Blue Willow dishes, some old and some new.

While I adore my white china, I have found that at times it can be a bit boring to set an entire table with the same pieces.

I love to collect vintage china and pretty dishes. My collection has grown!

Since collecting these new pieces, I love to set a table with mismatched pieces of china.

And…

Let’s face it… a collector of pretty dishes never stops collecting!;)

I adore vintage china or in other words… table top treasures;).

 

So Where Do I Go?

I will take to thrift stores and antique stores on the hunt for vintage china.

I love the thrill of the hunt, looking for various pieces and usually wanting them all.

My Insider Tips

#1: Begin with Basic White

While I love combing the thrift stores for beautiful plates and saucers,

I also think it’s important to have a foundational set of china or dinnerware.

 

 

That set could be as simple and as beautiful as a set of

white dinnerware (which is so versatile!) and easy to incorporate with the mixing of patterns. Begin with the basics.

#2: Mix Vintage & New

 

I love the adventure in the mix!

I look for the uniqueness of a piece and it’s beauty to add to my collection.

When finding incomplete sets, I enjoy mixing pieces together to create a different look.

Advice? Don’t be afraid of mixing vintage and new when it comes to a table setting.

It brings interest, charm and a little whimsey.

 #3: Pick a Color

 

Another way to unite a mismatched table setting is to pick a color scheme and run with it!

For example, pair mismatched plates with a black and white and gold theme to them.

(Maybe, pair it with black stem ware.)

Stick with the same color scheme or coordinating colors.

 #4: Pattern

 

 

Unite a mismatched table setting by picking a pattern element that your dinnerware may have in common.

For example, a vintage floral pattern with a gold trim can work nicely with silver rimmed stem ware.

A cream colored, gold trimmed cup coordinates well with the black and gold plates.

Many different, but similar florals can come together nicely.

I am talking all about mixing and mingling to get that collected look and uniqueness.

 #5: Layering Patterns

 

Layer different patterns and colors!

Different patterns can play nicely together to create a lovely layered effect.

Try mixing a small print with a larger pattern or band of color.

I always seem to be drawn towards vintage china

and especially pieces with pretty floral patterns.

I just love mixing vintage and new,

especially those pieces that are pretty and romantic.

I hope that my tips on setting a mismatched table is helpful.

Maybe you prefer an all matching set.

This is how I home.

Some wild west stylin’ for some wild west livin’.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

 

Monday, March 23, 2020

Zuppa Toscana!

A rich and creamy, hearty and warming soup.

A famous Olive Garden soup.

 

 

Happy Monday!

Through all of this COVID19 biz, staying at home,

I think that there is a peacefulness of slowing down,

buying less, and just having the basics,

and being grateful for everyday.

Less pressure and being positive about it all.

I find myself in the kitchen more.

More at home time for social distancing requires no eating out at restaurants.

Looking for hearty recipes, I searched for inspiration on Pinterest.

I found Zuppa Toscana a Copycat (Sausage, Potato, and Kale Soup).

 

Zuppa Toscana is a rich and creamy soup

made with Italian sausage,  potatoes, and kale.

It’s a copycat recipe of the soup at Olive Garden.

Zuppa Toscana is easy to make, all done in one pot.

 

Cooked sausage and onion

Added tablespoon of flour to the sausage

Slowly add the chicken broth to the incorporated flour,

stirring constantly to thicken.

 

 

Add the cream and stir very gently.

 

Just some of the ingredients I used.

I switched up the recipe a bit by using spinach instead of the kale

and Half & Half in place of the heavy cream.

I used the regular Italian sausage that I had on hand.

I also modified the amount of ingredients since there is only two of us.

Recipe is found at https://thefoodcharlatan.com/sausage-potato-and-kale-soup/

I served the soup with French bread.

It’s soooooo yummy!

Maybe not the most healthy, but it’s delish.

Definitely a warming, comfort food!

Stay healthy, stay at home!

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by.

~Tammy

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Welcome to Another Addition of Western Wednesday!

I once mentioned that sunsets and old board corrals make me a bit sappy.

And… they do.

Sunsets close on the day, good or bad.

(Because I never met a sunset I didn’t like.)

Old board corrals have held together and confined

a family’s lifetime of memories of brandings, cattle gatherings,

and cowboys’ bronc rides.

If only they could talk…

and tell their stories.

 I grew up on a ranch where we had lots of old board corrals.

In my memory, there was nothing more fun

than climbing those old boards and looking over the fence.

Sometimes I think I’ve been looking over the fence my whole life.

What are corrals?

You might ask.

My definition of corrals is a collection of old

(sometimes new) boards nailed together

to create an enclosure to gather cows, horses, and other livestock.

 

 

I recently learned that the word corral comes from the Spanish word corro.

Corrals are used to capture domestic and wild livestock.

 

These are some long horned cattle gathered for processing

and branding their calves.

 

 

Corrals support the usage of horses and cows

in ranching and sometimes other activities.

 

 

Old board corrals become great branding traps

used by the working cowboys/ranchers and buckaroos to hold

cattle during branding seasons.

 

 

They are also great for capturing western scenes.;)

 

 

Sometimes old board corrals are attached to old squeeze chutes to process cows.

 

For strength and stability old board corrals were attached to pipe/metal panels.

Story Telling Time On The Old Board Corral

Welcome to the top rail where two young cowboys

tell stories of roping steers,

riding wild broncs,

and how they’ve become real top hands.

Boards for Shipping

If old Shipping chutes could talk, what would they tell?

Of cattle sorted and loaded on trucks and big fat calves weaned in the fall?

 

Oh, these old boards!

With sometimes chipping paint, great graying color and patina

from being weathered and baked in the sun.

 

An old cow feeder.

With old board’s graying patina, and

crusty knots in the wood comes a little Rustic and Refound.

 

A bridle rack built from old corral boards.

 

A DIY rustic candle holder built from an old corral board.

I love the nostalgia of old boards from corrals.

Old board corrals inspired me with their perfectly imperfect distressing.

Their silvered and worn appearance. Used and abused.

Just loving how each board is different in texture, finish and distressing.

Thanks for hanging with me today on my Western Wednesday.

A little wild west stylin’ for a little wild west livin’.

~Tammy

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, February 14, 2020

 

Happy Valentine’s Day!

For the Heart!

Valentine’s Day is all about flowers,

 heart shaped boxes with chocolates, and

frilly cards filled with words of love.

 

Why am I sharing this?

My great admiration for flowers (obsession maybe)

began on Valentine’s Day many years ago when my husband

sent me red, red roses on this special day.

Today,

I thought I would share

 some flower arrangements in unique/vintage containers

that I had on hand at the time.

The containers I use are not expensive.

Turning grocery store flowers into little arrangements.

The key to simple but beautiful arrangements

can be a unique vessel.

 

Galvanized Buckets

Galvanized buckets make a great statement for pink blooms.

 

Ceramic Vase

Fresh cut pink blooms in this unique vessel definitely

makes a charming presentation.

Wooden toolbox

A rustic wooden toolbox is a fun way to display roses.

A little jar of water and a bunch of pink roses.

 

A Handmade Cedar Box

Did I say pink?;)

One of my favorites and literally so simple…

Jars filled with single blooms placed in the wooden box make a statement

as they march down the center of your table.

 

Crocks

And crocks filled with bunches of pink roses…

definitely one of my favorites.

 

Rusty Cans

Rusty cans with tons of patina and character

are fun and definitely inexpensive!

 

Faux Wood Bark Container

There are so many options for flower arrangements that you can use.

Finding these containers can be like a treasure hunt.

Let your imagination and things you have on hand

inspire you to make your own flower arrangements.

Think outside the box!

Leave folks talking about your creativity.

Just do what inspires your soul.

XXOO

~Tammy

 

Sunday, February  9, 2020

 

A little DIY project from the Rustic and Refound.

 

 

A home DIY decorating piece is my favorite!

My life is all about simple, easy ways to decorate.

 

 

To fuel my obsession with candles and candle light,

I’m always on the hunt for ideas to create candle holders.

My obsession with the ambiance that flickering candles

bring to a room, brings me create the warmth

for a whole lot of cozy for the long winter evenings.

 

 

When its cold and gray, and I repeat cold…

I like to turn the heat up and light a few candles.

 

I am a HUGE candle girl.

I love the flickering, warm light that candles bring.

Candles warm up a room.

 

Since I like to group candles…

This brought me to my DIY rustic sugar mold.

And…that wild hair…

Set my creative juices to turn a remnant board/post

with a perfect patina into a rustic sugar mold with farmhouse charm.

I think I’ve told you that I love the rustic and refound!;

 

DIY

My piece of lumber was already precut at

30 inches long and is a 3.5″ X 5.5″ board.

 

 

My wood post isn’t perfect.

There are holes, cracks in the wood,

notches, plenty of knots and some missing chunks.

After measuring the distance of the board,

measuring and determining where I wanted my holes…

 

I drilled my holes using two types of bits.

Since I wanted my holes to be 2″s, I began with a 2″ hole saw.

 

 

I then used a paddle bit to router out the holes to 1.5″s

and to a desired depth for my votives.

You can see that my paddle bit was much smaller.

I then needed to chisel out the remaining wood to complete

a 2″ hole.

Sounds a bit complicated?

Maybe.

But I managed.

There maybe an easier way.

I’m still researching and experimenting.:)

 

Next, I sanded all the edges with a power sander

to remove sharp corners and splinters.

 

Using a gel stain (Minwax, Aged Oak).

I rubbed the Minwax on spots that I wanted to darken,

like where the wood may have been handled repeatedly or to age the wood.

I was careful not to remove the original grayed patina of the aging timber.

(You can see the graying wood above)

 

 

Once I was satisfied with the look of the wood, using a wax,

I rubbed the edges to smooth and polish the piece.

 

 

I hope you like my DIY sugar mold project.

I currently don’t have a house to stage my piece in.

I will later share this project in my new home.

I like this little piece and it fits…

A little wild west styling for a little wild west livin’.

 

“Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart.”

~Elizabeth Gilbert

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

XXOOs

Tamy