Fall Mantel

Well I stayed up til early in the wee hours to finish my fall decorating yesterday/today.  I took lots of pictures and then after going to bed at 2 o'clock this morning, I slept for 6 hours, got up came down stairs and after looking at the pictures again said to myself, "these look awful".

The mantel has dried out over the years, the fireplace surround needs updating and it needs fire logs.

So, I got to work redoing the fireplace.  First I took 50/50 Lemon Juice and Olive Oil and brushed in on the mantel and while it soaked in I spray painted and glazed the surround.

First I sanded with 100 then 150 sand paper then I finished up with a 220 grit. Wiped it down and spray painted with Rust-oleum Flat Brown.  I liked it much better like this but I wanted some depth so I got my ''oops" glaze from Lowe's (marked down from $20.88 to $2.00). 

Next I went out to the wood pile and got some logs which were wet from last nights much needed rain. Thank you God!!!  

I'm so glad I did all this because I love with the way it looks now. 

My daughters cat MoMo looks like he wants the swan.

I know it's not my usual colorful decor but I have been looking for a large swan for almost a year now and I had to go all the way from Rockwall to Richardson (an hours drive) the other day to pick up two drawer pulls that their Hobby Lobby had. I put them on special order here and I've been waiting over two months for them to come in, then the lady tells me that they've been discontinued.  So, I started calling every HL around and they were the closest I could find.

That said, I stopped in at an Antique Mall on my home and spotted this little beauty under a cart with a bunch of stuff in front of it, all I could see was its breast, could it be? looking a little closer trying not to get to excited! YES!!! it was my long-looked-for-swan and an added bonus was it was 25% off so it only cost me a little over $10.00 with tax.

So, I decided to put him front and center.  I had been looking online and found these swans for almost $40.00 each at http://www.piperclassics.com/products/Carved_Brown_Swan-7646-26.html. I like the color of the black one but, with my rock on the fireplace being so dark I feel like it's best if I keep him light colored.

Hopefully the weather will start feeling a little more like fall soon. While it's not in the 100's the mid to upper 80's still feels like summer to me.  I hope it feels like fall where you live.

Thanks for stopping by. 

Hugs,

Theresa

I'm linking up with

Three Mango Seeds - http://threemangoseeds.blogspot.com/2011/10/link-up-motivational-monday-link-party.html

Savvy Southern Style - http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2011/10/wow-us-wednesdays-35.html

A TOUCH OF FALL

I went to First Monday Trade Days in Canton this past weekend and on my way home I stopped at a store called Paul Michael's.  It's full of wonderful decor and creative items.  I found some stuff to make a fall wreath with.

 I'm finished with the front porch yet but I've been working on Homecoming Mums and Garters (it's a Texas thang).

Will be back soon with the Mum and Garter Post.

Hugs,
Theresa

Linking Up With -
Not Just a Housewife - Show Me What Ya Got
Today's Creative Blog - Get Your Craft On
Ladybug Blessings - Handmade Tuesdays
Confessions of a Stay At Home Mom - Crafty Confessions
Blue Cricket Design - Show and Tell
Kristen's Creations - Share Your Creations Party
Savvy Seasons - Autumn Arrives Party

Help me with the name of this plant

I have a plant that I got last year and have no idea what it's called.  I would like to plant it in the ground but don't know if I can or not.  Do you know what it's called?

Thank you ladies.  Have a great day.

Theresa

Storing food so you can see it

I posted yesterday about eating healthier.  I have a few things I do that I know will help me stay on track. I am a visual person and like to see pretty things even in the refrigerator. I took peaches and put them in a glass container and had peaches and cottage cheese for breakfast.

And, I like to snack while I cook.  So I got some grape tomatoes and put them in a bowl on the counter.  I also found these apothecary jars at Ross and I put cranberries, pecans and sunflower seeds in them.

I like to make salads and put them on it.  It's what I had for lunch today.

I want to say, thank you for stopping by and visiting.

XOXO

Theresa

I'm talking about weight today

I am a believer of "you are what you eat" and when I was in my early 20's I ate very healthy.  I even taught aerobics at the gym I went to.  After I married and became pregnant, although I knew better, I  ate way too much unhealthy foods during my pregnancy. I craved Baskin Robins, Peanut Butter & Chocolate ice cream, which my husband drove by everyday on his way home from work.  As a result I gained 70 pounds my first pregnancy.  I quickly lost it because I went back to eating healthier.  My second pregnancy I craved toast with peanut butter, so when I gained 70 with it also I didn't think anything of it.  Afterwards, the weight didn't come off near as quickly and at the end of 6 months I still had 30 pounds I needed to lose.  I started keeping track of what I was eating and soon discovered that I was eating enough for at least two people.  I "tightened my belt" as the saying goes and started eating smaller portions and working out.  Then in 2002 I started slacking and gaining again.  As of three weeks ago, I have almost reached the weight I was, at 9 months pregnant.  I started keeping track again and see that I eat way to much restaurant food and I see I am a breadoholic.  I went grocery shopping yesterday to restock the refrigerator and pantry. Today I've started my path back to a healthier lifestyle once again.  I know that I will have fewer aches and pains, be more patient, have more energy and be able to fit into smaller clothes. For dinner I made Skillet Gnocchi with Chard & White Beans, although I used spinach instead of chard.  I loved it, my husband not so much.

I'm not a real open person so I don't know how much I will be talking about my weight. I do know if one person is going through some kind of a struggle, there are others dealing with the same thing.  God will put me on his back and carry me if we can't do it hand-in-hand. 

I will talk to everyone soon.

xoxo

Theresa