Happy, Happy Birthday to my wonderful daughter-in-law, Tara!!! Anddddddd Happy 5th Anniversary to you both! Love you two! xoxo
Sep13
Author Archives: countrygirlbling
Sep12
Kitchen/Bar Side Wall – Done!
Before
After! My grand vision is coming together!
Sep11
DIY – Kid’s Picnic Table
I’m laughing because as I went to find the link I used for this table, I realized I put the legs on the wrong side of the supports!! LOL Anywho, as I’ve mentioned before, I have a lot of scrap wood in my barn. I also have some 2×4’s that my neighbor gave me because they were starting to warp.
This is where I just realized I messed up. The legs should have been on the other side of those supports. Now I understand why my center support was shorter than it was suppose to be, lol. Well . . . it looks good and should be ok?! right?!
I had pressure treated wood left over I used for the table top & enough of the warped 2×4’s to use for the rest.
Just need to stain or paint it! Here’s the original link – it’s an Ana White project: http://www.ana-white.com/2010/04/plans-bigger-kids-picnic-table.html
Sep7
Fresh from the Garden! Pepper Jelly
It’s pepper jelly time again! This is my second year of growing bell peppers. My bell pepper plants are producing some really good bell peppers this year. I think it’s the “Tums”. Every couple of weeks I push a “Tums” (I use plain ole fruity tums – generic brand) down into the ground around the base of the plant. I think the calcium is doing the trick. I haven’t experienced any blossom rot this year. This is what you need: 1 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers, 1 1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar, 6 1/2 cups sugar & 25 shakes of Tabasco – I used Texas Pete. Add those 4 ingredients to a pot.
Bring to full boil over high heat. Remove and set aside for 20 minutes. Return to heat, bring to full rolling boil and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, add 1 certo liquid package and 1 teaspoon green food coloring. Stir, skim if necessary, and pour into prepared mason jars.
Here’s my set up. Pot with pepper jelly & ladle, funnel, small pot of boiling water with lids, 4 oz mason jars (hot out of dishwasher) and the jar rings. Fill with jelly up to about 1/4″ – 1/2″ from the top of the jar, place hot lid on and twist on (with oven mitt) the jar ring. I turn the jars upside down until all jars are filled and I’ve cleaned up my mess. I want that hot jelly to get that lid hot for a good seal.
I got 14 – 4 oz jars out of this batch and another batch to do this weekend. My bell peppers are a plenty! LOL – 4 oz jars are the perfect size to pour over 1 8oz block of cream cheese. I love to use “Wheat Thins” as the dipper – a delicious combo!
Sep6
Kitchen/Bar Back Wall Completed – Check!
I finished the back wall Monday afternoon . . .
just need to cut some more metal and one more lattice piece for this side. So close!
Sep5
DIY Bench
I have a lot of scraps left over from my porch build and since they’re all pressure treated scraps I decided to build a little bench for my porch. I found a super simple DIY bench plan on Pinterest, here it is: http://www.hometalk.com/7428792/build-a-rustic-bench-for-8
I made a few modifications so it’s not exactly by the plans but it turned out pretty good! I painted it with some left over “red barn paint” by Behr.
So cute! Annnndddd thank you to my girlfriend Tammy in Cali who sent me a sweet surprise – a Home Goods gift card!! I picked out that very cool black metal lantern! Thanks Tammy!!!!! I found the pillow and flowers at Hobby Lobby and the ceramic vase was clearance at my grocery store!
Sep1
It’s Been 5 Years!
I saw my oncologist yesterday, Dr. DeSilva. It’s been 5 years since I completed my radiation treatments. This picture was taken after my last treatment. I am blessed to be cancer free and so thankful to God and to everyone whose helped me along this journey. I will continue to see Dr. DeSilva but now only once a year! God is good!
Aug29
Outdoor Kitchen/Bar
Soooo this is happening! Part of my grand vision was too build an area outside to use for entertaining. I’ve always wanted to re-purpose the left over metal I cut off the garden walls. My neighbor is helping me build this little area on one of the concrete pads I poured a couple years ago. We need to finish the roof with the metal panels and then I’ll need to put up the back wall and the left wall (bottom half with the left over metal and the upper half will be vinyl lattice. I wanted a place to put food and drinks so I don’t have to keep going back and forth into the house. I don’t think I’ll have time this year to build the lattice wall to the right of the covered area or time to build the bar on wheels. So those may have to wait til next year. Yes, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with stuff happening but trying to take it one day at a time. I’ve also had to deal with a roof leak in my house as well as a leaky roof in the barn! Just keep breathing, lol!!
Aug25
My New Cushions!
The cushions for my vintage bar stools finally came in!!! I ordered them from Overstock.com . . . pretty darn cute if I say so myself! LOL
Aug23
Drink Dispenser – Score!
I was in Walmart yesterday getting some canning jars and I came across this score!! It’s a Better Homes & Garden Drink Dispenser that was clearanced for $4.50!! Yesssss four dollars and fifty cents!! I can’t say no to things galvanized, lol.
Country Girl 