Author Archives: countrygirlbling

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About countrygirlbling

Hi, I'm hoping that my blog and my experiences will help to encourage you. Our journey through life can be unpredictable at times but KNOW that if you are a believer in Christ, HE will always have your best interest at heart! (Even when things don't make sense!) Toodles
Jun11

Save Your Scraps!

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I’ve alwayssss told my friends when scrap-booking to save your scraps.  You just never know when you might need that little piece of scrap paper that is just perfect for the next project!  Well I hate to even tell you (so I won’t) how long ago I pulled up the carpet in my front room and put down Pergo laminate flooring (I also did my kitchen).  But when I did, I didn’t finish the very small coat closet.  Soooo, since I’m wanting to sell my house I have a check list of things I need to complete and the coat closet was on my list.   When I got to the back of the closet I needed a board 3″ deep to finish it off and I didn’t have a jig saw to cut one down.  Soooo, I will tell you that I was doing a happy dance when I found the PERFECT 3″ deep board at the right length to finish it off . . . . because I had kept my scraps!!!! Yahooooo!!! Just a tip . . . . if you don’t want to replace your old beat up baseboards (it WAS just a closet) remove them, take out the nails, fill the holes with wood putty, clean them off & polish them with DARK – Old English Polish – it’s amazing!! Oh, and I number them so I can remember which one goes where – it’s a bit easier to put them back exactly where they came from! 😉

Jun9

Bistro Set

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I found this cute Bistro Set at Home Depot.  It’s by Hampton Bay & I love it!  I wasn’t sure if I had enough room on my porch but it fits perfectly and is actually pretty comfortable.  The table top is 24″ round and is stone – very well made set if you need one, it was $49 on sale.  Just need a little something for my tabletop 😉

Jun5

Giving it a Try!

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Every time summer rolls around I think I should try growing a tomato plant.  I realize that most of you may think that’s hilarious but I seriously don’t have much of a green thumb.  Over Easter weekend I was at Home Depot with Jason & Tara and she loves to garden.  She starts most of her garden from seedlings she starts in egg cartons.  Anyway, she encouraged me to try it so here we go! I bought this plant and at the time it already had two very small tomatoes on the vine.  Thought I’d share this pic with you.  So far so good!!  I see tomato sandwiches in my future, YES!!

Tomato Plant

Jun4

The Johnson Farm

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The Johnson Farm – well that’s what we all call it but it doesn’t look like the picture in your head, lol!! Beautiful home & great family. It belongs to  Robin’s daughter, Jena, & her family.  Jamie, Jena’s husband, gave me some good tips on raising a few chickens (yes, I’m actively pursuing my own little farmhouse, which will also not look like the picture in your head, lol!)

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Jun3

McKinney, Texas

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Over Memorial Weekend I went to Texas to visit my Texas Bestie and her new granddaughter, Little Miss Olivia.  Olivia is 10 days younger than our Little Belle.  Had a great time, some great food and I loved downtown McKinney.  I can’t believe I didn’t get pictures of the square downtown, very cute and some great old houses.  Some farm pics tomorrow . . .  wish it was all closer, a tad to humid for me, but great for my skin, LOL!

May21

The Olive Tap

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The Olive Tap

Amie & I went down to Colorado Springs a couple of weeks ago to go to this great Kitchen “Stuff” sale and to visit Matthew’s  parents.  Matthew is Amie’s boyfriend & he’s out of town for awhile.  His parents took us to Manitou Springs which is the cutest little town in the mountains and The Olive Tap is the coolest little store!  It has a huge selection of 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oils, Flavored Olive Oils and Flavored Balsamic Vinegars.  You can taste every oil & vinegar they have – even Chocolate Balsamic!  We bought some Cranberry Balsamic  & some Blueberry Balsamic -YUMMMM!! Looking forward to some summer salads.

May19

YESSSS, It’s That Time Again!

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Yesterday it was 84 degrees here and the warmest day since probably last November!  I was grocery shopping Saturday and a most brilliant idea crossed my mind . . . it was time for Iced Coffee!!! Seriously, it makes me smile in the morning knowing that I have Iced Coffee to come home to after work, LOL!  If you haven’t tried it yet THIS could be your first summer sipping along with me.  I normally use generic coffee “Breaksfast Blend” but I had some Starbucks coffee I hadn’t opened yet so I used it instead.  The vanilla flavor was a bit sweeter & ohhhh sooo delicious, but you can use any coffee you want.  Directions below . . . (if you search “coffee” on my blog, I have a tutorial I posted last year)

Iced Coffee – Before
Iced Coffee – After

I normally make this either in the morning before I leave for work or before I go to bed.  It should “cold brew” about 8 hours, don’t get crazy on the time – give or take 8 hours.  I always put mine in the fridge for the 8 hours but you can just leave it on your counter.  All you have to do is add the water to the coffee grounds, let it brew (sit), strain and voila! I use 1 1/4 cup coffee grounds to 8 cups of water.  When the liquid gold is ready . . . add ice, sweetener, a bit of milk and a bit of 1/2 & 1/2 . . . ENJOY!!! (original recipe comes for thepioneerwoman.com)

May15

A New Painting

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One of my wonderful gifts for Mother’s Day was this painting that Tara did for my bedroom.  I went to Hobby Lobby, bought a mat and one of their barn-wood frames that I love . . . She is pretty talented . . . I love it and it looks great in my bedroom! 😉

May14

Wow Me Wednesday

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Ok, so I’ve been a little busy and haven’t put much effort into cooking these days.  I’ve seen this on Pinterest and Amie was home this weekend so we decided to give it a try.  Just preheat your waffle iron and cook rolls 2 min. – I think next time I’ll try 1.5 min.  They were good, crunchy and took no time to cook, I just like them a bit softer.