Check this out.

 
What was once an innocent french fry basket is now a jewelry holder!

 
 
There are several rows of skinny horizontal bars to hold earrings with smaller wires…

 
 
And a heavier bar on top to hold the larger ones.

 
 
The little ramekins normally used for ketchup and dipping sauces are the perfect little spots for rings and necklaces.

 
 
The best thing about it? The price. Google “French Fry Baskets” and you’ll find many choices around the $6 to $10 mark.

I love things with a dual purpose.

Last year, we had to replace the three large vertical windows on the far right. The old windows were kaput anyway, but then a hailstorm came along and put the final nail in their coffin. Problem was, when the guys went to install the windows, they found that the boards surrounding them were rotted out because, well, the windows were kaput and had let in water. So we wound up having to replace all the cedar siding on that small section of the house. I was amazed at how beautiful the siding looked—that was exactly how the older siding looked when it was installed decades ago. So we decided to put a clear sealer on it so it would retain that lovely color, thinking maybe we’d want to replace the siding on the rest of the house.

But then we realized there’s nothing wrong with the old gray boards on the rest of the house. They’re not kaput at all. They just don’t look as young and vibrant as they used to.

Hmmph. Join the club!

Then I started working on the stairs with the lovely Layla. (I should have an update soon.)

Then Marlboro Man and I started working on the old building in town.

Then we got busy doing 49,000 other things.

 
Then we decided we don’t need to replace the old gray siding on our house. It’s perfectly good siding even if it has lost its luster.

And who cares if it doesn’t match the new stuff? It’s not like we have any drive-by traffic, anyway!

And even if we did, maybe they’d think the two different colors was intentional!

Anyway, my point is that we’re not replacing the siding now.

Maybe we will later. Maybe not.

I’m so glad we had this talk.

Last week I wrote about a missing floor in an old building we’re working on.

Monday I posted about what’s growing in my raised beds.

Today, to follow the perfect trail of logic, I’m writing about mascara.

I know it must be nice to come to this section and always know what to expect.

Aside from a few other things I’ve had going on in my life for the past few months, I’ve been on a bit of an eyelash odyssey. I blogged several months ago about the whole subject of false eyelashes, and received many helpful information about what lashes are good, how many of you like to wear them, and how to learn how to put the suckers on.

I failed miserably at that last part. To this day, I can not put on a false eyelash to save my life. It’s comical. Glue winds up all over my face and the eyelash somehow winds up between my third and fourth toes.

Several months ago (I think that’s when it was) I decided to try eyelash extensions—individual eyelashes that are glued to one’s own lashes and that fall off naturally. Eyelash extensions are like acrylic nails in that you have the initial set applied, then you go back for “fills” every two or three weeks.

I really liked them at first, for one important reason: They eliminated the need for mascara. The lashes are already thick, as if they’re coated in mascara, so zero mascara is needed. This means I basically went months without wearing mascara, which was a major development in my life. It saved me scads of time, not to mention even when I woke up in the morning, I looked like I had mascara on. Only it wasn’t smudged all over my face.

I loved the lashes at first, but over time it became difficult for me to worry about getting them spruced up every two or three weeks—but if you don’t get them spruced up (filled), they can start to look a little crazy. So a few weeks ago, I had them removed thinking I’d get them put back on again soon…but I just haven’t gotten around to it.

So I’ve had to reenter the world of mascara.

Wasn’t that a compelling human interest story?

 
The point of today’s post is to tell you about this mascara. I had used it before, but got sidetracked…and have just recently started using it again.

 
 
 
It’s from Benefit and is called “They’re Real” because when you wear this mascara, people think you have on false eyelashes.

No, really! There’s something about it. It really, really makes for thick, vampy lashes.

 
 
 
I’m sure it’s partly to do with the formula of the mascara itself, but I also attribute it to this very fine-toothed (but still thick and substantial) brush, which keeps the lashes nice and separated as the mascara goes on. A tube has lasted me quite awhile, too, as somedays I use much less than others.

I realize I’ve sung the praises of mascaras before…but I really mean it this time! Ha.

Give it a try next time you need a new mascara. If you’re wanting the big eyelash look, this is probably the next best thing to false ones.

Love,
Pioneer Woman

Not a paid advertisement. I just love this mascara, man. Over and out.

My “main” garden is behind me as I take this photo, and houses most of my full-sun vegetables like squash, zucchini, peppers, corn (half of which our ranch horses have now eaten; I never, ever learn) and more tomatoes than I will ever in a million years know what to do with.

In July, when I realize it takes seventy hours a day to water everything, I’ll wonder what in the world I was thinking. It happens every year. I have watering amnesia.

But today, on this sunny, glorious day in May, I’m just gonna love my garden.

While we were there, however, I became totally sidetracked on a project that’s going on as we speak.

 
This section of the downstairs floor was cut out/ripped out earlier this week because the floor was completely rotted and unsafe, and in order to continue working on the building we needed to have it redone. I knew this was happening. I knew, because Marlboro Man and I got an estimate for the fix, and I was even there a few days ago when the guys started sawing holes in the floor and clearing it out.

 
 
 
What I did not stick around for the other day, and what I did not expect to see today, was how incredibly cool this space is without the floor. Clear view from the top of the ground-floor wall all the way down to the rock basement below. I gasped when I saw it today. My heart leapt. I had paroxysmal supra-ventricular tachycardia.

What I’m saying is: I found it quite lovely.

And my mind suddenly started racing. What a great, unique space in the back of The Building, one that could be used for any number of purposes, and one that gives you a clear glimpse into its history.

“Do we have to put the floor back in?” I asked.

They all looked at me like I was crazy.

 
 
 
I started spouting off all the great things we could do down there. And we could build a cool railing and give this whole corner of The Building some unusual dimension and texture.

 
 
 
Then we all stopped and stared. And thought. And imagined.

Then Marlboro Man and Jerry (who’s handling the floor project) whipped out their realism and started pointing out the potential leakage and dampness problems for the basement area. And in fact, there are signs of dampness along the bottom of the rock walls.

But I don’t care! We can…we can…we can put down towels! I’ll go down there every day with a hair dryer!

I just hate to cover it up again.

 
 
 
Oh, and one other thing. Jerry’s crew is arriving late this afternoon to begin building back the floor. Their schedule is tight and the work on the rest of the building will be slowed down until the floor is replaced…

Unless we decide not to replace it.

And so, in the absence of any other plan, I ran home to ask you about it.

I want to be practical.

But then again, I don’t want to be practical.

I hate pressure situations.

But then again, I don’t make decisions unless I’m in pressure situations.

I love the natural beauty of this building, and I want people to be able to see it.

But then again. Water.

What should we do?

I’m chubby.

But I don’t like to exercise.

I have to let Jerry know today.

No pressure, of course…

Sigh. I love this photo.

 
 
 
This is the building now.

 
 
 
This is the inside of the building before. It was a mercantile.

I’m obsessed with old mercantiles.

 
 
 
This is the building now.

We’ve got a lot of work to do!

I have lots and lots of photos of the old mercantile building in our small town, at various times in the twentieth century. The town has changed a lot during that time…but the heart of the building has stayed the same.

I’ll share more pics here soon!

If you missed the post about The Building a couple of weeks ago, here’s a look at the inside.

The Building, Inside

 
 
I love this old building. And I have some old—as in, old, old—photos of the outside of the building in its glory days. I’ll share them as soon as I:

1. Find the old photos of the outside of the building in its glory days
2. Figure out how to work my scanner
3. Find my brain
4. Unpack
5. Which means it could be 2096 before I share them. But I’ll try for 2092!

Just wanted to give you a quick peek now.

And boy, is it good to be home.

Can you tell what they are?

 
 
 
Barrettes, maybe?

Does anyone use the term “barrettes” anymore?

 
 
 
In this case, it doesn’t matter. They’re rings! Adjustable leather rings with all sorts of beaded coolness going on.

It’s quite possible these have been around for decades. But this is the first I’ve heard of them.

So cute, and I especially loved the price: Fifteen bucks each.

Grabbed a small handful, one for me and the rest for gifts.

These rings didn’t have any identifying labels or tags, but a quick internet search brought me to this page:

Nakamol

I’m sure there are plenty of other places these cool, casual rings can be found. They’re worth a look.

#197 Becky L: “It was this afternoon on cable and I just love this old movie, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof! Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor are great together!”
#2203 erica P: “I saw Drive with Ryan Gosling and I LOVED it. A little violent for some, but I thought it was so well done – the cinematography, music, acting, everything!”
#9629 pepper: “Doctor Zhivago….and Tangled, but that is always on in our house these days!”
#10222 Gina: “The Hunger Games”

Congrats, winners! Contact prizes@thepioneerwoman.com to claim your prizes.

 
I love this old school style of Cuisinart, because it reminds me of my mom and graham cracker crusts and my childhood.

So today…

Because it’s almost May…

Because I love food…

And because I love ya, I’m giving away four (4) of these 11-cup Cuisinart food processors.

TO ENTER

To enter this giveaway, just answer the following question in the Comments section of this post:

“What’s the last movie you saw/watched?”

Was it The Hunger Games? Or was it an old black-and-white on cable?

Just shout out the last movie you watched (and whether or not you loved it) and you’re entered to win a Cuisinart! (I realize the question has nothing to do with food processors…but that’s how my mind works.)

THE RULES

One entry per person, please.

Winners will be chosen randomly and announced Saturday morning.

Good luck!

Sponsored by Pioneer Woman.

 
 
 
This is for my makeup. So the inside of my purse doesn’t get covered in Pat Benatar black eyeliner and crumbled pink blush.

I’m hard on makeup. Are you?

 
 
 
The totes are just dreamy, and come in a million different designs.

Raise your hand if you’re addicted to tote bags.

I love them.

 
 
 
I think this one’s my favorite, though.

 
 
 
Love.

Blue Q totes range in price from $9.99 to $14.99, and come in different shapes and sizes. They’d make a fun gift for a teacher, a mom-to-be (who needs expensive baby bags when you can just use a Blue Q tote? You’re going to get milk all over the thing anyway), a book-lover, or just anyone who loves fun patterns and designs.

Here’s the link to the totes. Check out all the awesome choices:

Blue Q Totes

Not a paid advertisement. I just love Blue Q totes, man.