Stuff and Nonsense

Memorial Day {Re-post}

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Sun, 27 May 2012 18:03:00 +0000

memorial day is one holiday

that has always moved me deeply

each year we take our kids to the

local parade

we line up

in our usual spot

surrounded by friends

flags

the requisite garb of red

white and blue

it always begins the same way

the proud veterans

standing at attention

taps played by a lone bugler

an old soldier laying flowers on a grave

thousands of people

standing quiet

hushed

then the drums rumble

as veterans begin their slow march

we bring our hands together

as applause rolls through the crowds

flags flutter

a blur of colors

even my youngest son

stands respectfully at attention

as they pass

subconsciously aware

perhaps

of the solemn nature

of this slow procession

hours later

whilst the sun begin to drop in the summer sky

we will walk across the street

from our house

to an old cemetary

and place flowers on the graves

of men who saw battle in

the Civil War

WWI

WWII

those flowers

and my words today

are just a feeble attempt to say

thank you

to those who have made

the highest of sacrifices

for the freedom i enjoy today

and for those who have given loved ones

to the cause of this very freedom

i am reprinting the words of a grateful president

written to a grieving mother

To Mrs. Bixby, Boston, Mass, Executive Mansion

Washington, Nov. 21, 1864

Dear Madam,

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the alter of freedom.

Yours very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln

Happy Memorial Day

Fridays Unfolded & a Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:21:00 +0000

welcome to the 67th edition of

i'm glad you're here
because i have
a little treat for you today

my friend Sandy
who is a sales consultant for
Blessings Unlimited
has offered you the chance to win
this Grace and Gratitude
Queen Anne's Lace Pitcher

isn't it lovely?

to enter
just leave a comment here
telling me how you would use this pitcher
(gift? vase? etc.)

for extra entries you can

link a post to Fridays Unfolded
follow me on Facebook
follow me via GFC or email
follow Sandy's blog Recognize and Remember
tell others about the giveaway via Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, etc.

be sure to leave a comment

for each entry

and good luck!

giveaway offer is only for US residents age 18 or older

now for some wonderful features

from last week's

first up

is a stunning guest room makeover

from Dixie Delights

something tells me

i won't be the only one featuring Miss Dixie's room this week!

and take a look at this fantastic bathroom renovation from Soul Style

Rebekah from Woven Home

blew my socks of

with her son's bedroom makeover

this sunroom before and after

shared by For Whom The Bell Told

is so light and pretty

and done just in time for summer

My Very Education Mother shared a recipe for

Chocolate & Sweet Potato Scones

that i'm dying to try

next up are some mouth watering

Chili Rellanos from Kathe With an E

this twist on an old classic

looks delish

Grilled Ham and Cheese sandwiches with apple slices

from A Pinch of Joy

i love this idea for

chic and thrifty gift wrap

from a single sunbeam

then there's this

creative idea from Jen at Harrison Home for gussying up

that mostly unreachable cupboard

above a fridge or range hood

whew

that's a lot of inspiration for one day

there are always many more links
than i can feature here

but did you know
that i like to highlight many of your posts on the Stuff and Nonsense Facebook Page, Pinterest Page and Twitter Page?

i sure do!
so if you're not yet a fan
click here and here and here to become one

if your post was featured today
be sure to grab a button

and now it's your turn

to show us what unfolded for you
this week
or last week
or

well

you get the idea

the rules are simple:

follow Stuff and Nonsense

in some fashion

(fb, twitter, pinterest or GFC)

and leave a comment

so i can return the favor

link up your recipe, sewing project, decor, craft, poem, essay, tutorial, etc.
whatever 'unfolded' for you this week

be sure to link back to your post and not just your url
(by joining Fridays Unfolded you are giving me permission
to use your photos for features on Stuff and Nonsense, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter)

visit a few of the other links and leave a comment
(it's just polite)

post my button on your blog
so others can join the fun

if you're feeling pinteresty

please click the link

and pin photos from the owner's blog

rather than pinning features photos here

after you link up here
i would love for you to
visit my friday friends
and join their linky parties as well

The House Where Pooh Lived

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:08:00 +0000

i just read a post about this house
on Hooked on Houses
and had to share with you

this delightfully charming country home
called

Cotchford Farm

is the place A. A. Milne lived
whilst writing the Winnie The Pooh books

and it's currently on the market
for £2,000,000

how delightful

are these rooms?

and then there's

nine acres of this

oh how i'd love

to open that door

and walk through

to nose around in person

wouldn't you?

A Lego Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:12:00 +0000

a couple weeks ago
toot turned 8

i can't believe
my baby
is a baby no longer

sniff sniff

for this momentous occasion
my little man chose to host
a Lego themed party

i may
or may not
have influenced him just a tiny bit
when i found these awesome candles

how ca-yute are they?

of course

my enthusiasm dimmed a little

when i realized i would have to concoct

some kind of Lego cake

but Pinterest came up trumps

and gave me lots of gooey ideas

and while i'm no confectioner

i settled on one i thought i could make

i started with a simple

chocolate sheet cake

cut into basic brick shapes

stuck together with canned icing

and topped with large marshmallows

then more icing

food colored to death

i did a crumb coat

and stuck it in the freezer for about

a half hour to harden

then frosted

to the best of my limited ability

once i had the cake

out of the way

the decorating could commence

okay

let me just say

i knew that no 8 year old kid

would don one of those party hats

without a fight

but don't they look pretty

set out on the table?

and you mums know

that my decked out room

looked like this

for about eleven seconds

once the guests arrived

the candle blowing

cake eating

present opening

party games

playing

sweating

were pretty much a success

and this little man

marked his special day

with lots of sweet memories

mission accomplished

Welcome to Fridays Unfolded

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:28:00 +0000

do you feel
a little neglected lately?

i fear
that this week
i've spent more time
visiting with Chad's parents
(who are in town from Denver)
than cruising the blogosphere

which is as it should be

but it is always so good
to come here each week
to chat with you at

and see what's been happening
in your neck of the woods

have you been primping your home
for the coming days of Summer?

i bet i'm not the only mum
who received some garden goodies
on Mother's Day

or maybe you were able
to do a little tag sale-ing over the weekend

whatever is keeping you busy these days
i hope you have a few moments
to stop
read
and linger
over some delightful posts
from last week's

this week
i am delighted to introduce you to
a new sponsor here at Stuff and Nonsense

Little Yellow Barn
is a wonderful site
where you can find tutorials on

photography

furniture refinishing

sewing

and much much more

plus
right now
the authors are running a fabulous giveaway
that you can enter by clicking here

be sure to stop by

and say hello

now
for our fabulous features
from last week's

first up

is one lovely living room from classic casual home
with updated accessories
for the Summer months

and this gorgeous renovated guest room
from Life on Mars

The Blissful Bee wanted a factory cart so badly
that she decided to make one herself
and included a step-by-step tutorial
so you and i can too

i always enjoy Pinterest-inspired projects
like this crocheted basket
from Creative Passage

Oxford Impressions sewed up a beautiful quilt
for her niece's graduation gift
(lucky girl)

Once Upon A Chocolate Life
whipped up a delectable
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake
with which to tickle our taste buds

Todd & Lindsey shared their recipe
for Low Carb Pizza

and last
but certainly not least
a single sunbeam gave us a tutorial
for making our own Citrus Cleaner

there are always many more links
than i can feature here

but did you know
that i like to highlight many of your posts on the Stuff and Nonsense Facebook Page, Pinterest Page and Twitter Page?

i sure do!
so if you're not yet a fan
click here and here and here to become one

if your post was featured today
be sure to grab a button

and now it's your turn

to show us what unfolded for you
this week
or last week
or

well

you get the idea

the rules are simple:

follow Stuff and Nonsense

in some fashion

(fb, twitter, pinterest or GFC)

and leave a comment

so i can return the favor

visit a few of the other links and leave a comment
(it's just polite)

post my button on your blog
so others can join the fun

if you're feeling pinteresty

please click the link

and pin photos from the owner's blog

rather than pinning features photos here

after you link up here
i would love for you to
visit my friday friends
and join their linky parties as well

this week's party

is sponsored by

Playing Dress-Up

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 17 May 2012 00:22:00 +0000

i've been having
way too much fun lately
playing virtual dress-up
on Polyvore

have you been there
to spend time

mixing and matching
lovely pieces of clothing
and disgustingly gorgeous accessories

to create looks
for the everyday

and the
just-in-case-i-get-invited-to-next-year's-Oscars-and-i-better-be-prepared ensemble?

oh man

i'm so hooked

Welcome to Fridays Unfolded #65

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:40:00 +0000

hello lads and lassies
and welcome to

i'm feeling a wee bit
Scottish today
since i've been reading
some new mysteries
set in the highlands
by the author M.C. Beaton

oh they are
full of quirky characters
and charming scenes

not to mention
a good deal of murder and suspense

do ya ken how verra verra good
they aire?

she said
with her best brogue

though i could go on with my gushing
i won't

because i know you are
ready for some fabulous features
from last week's

let's start things off
with this gorgeous bathroom makeover from Soulstyle

this newly refinished basement from hello lovely
is now a sleek and open space
including a pretty new bathroom

from Generation to Generation shared this transformation
of an old dresser
into something gracious and lovely

before

after

Happy in Red showed off
her sewing skills
with this sweet pleated bag

i love this home crafted
3 tiered tray in galvanized metal
from daisy mae belle

wanna know how to make
strawberry jam
with just 3 little ingredients?

check out this recipe from Simply Sweet 'n Savory

Treat & Trick shared this mouth watering recipe
for Caramelized Onion Flat bread

and last
but not at all least
is this ingenious quickie recipe
from Shaken Together
for making Cinnamon Roll Waffles

seriously going to have to try that one

i wonder how they'll go
with homemade strawberry jam?

whew
those are some pretty cool posts

and you know
there are always many more links
than i can feature here

but did you know
that i like to highlight many of your posts on the Stuff and Nonsense Facebook Page, Pinterest Page and Twitter Page?

i sure do!
so if you're not yet a fan
click here and here and here to become one

if your post was featured today
be sure to grab a button

and now it's your turn

to show us what unfolded for you
this week
or last week
or

well

you get the idea

the rules are simple:

follow Stuff and Nonsense

in some fashion

(fb, twitter, pinterest or GFC)

and leave a comment

so i can return the favor

visit a few of the other links and leave a comment
(it's just polite)

post my button on your blog
so others can join the fun

if you're feeling pinteresty

please click the link

and pin photos from the owner's blog

rather than pinning features photos here

after you link up here
i would love for you to
visit my friday friends
and join their linky parties as well

this week's party

is sponsored by

where you'll find lovely hand crafted items like

happy linking!

Small Changes and Smashed Potatoes

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:26:00 +0000

i'm a little giddy here

typing on my new laptop
curtesy of Chad
who was apparently weary
of listening to my growling and grumbling
about working on our ancient desktop pc

so my fingers are fairly flying
across the keyboard
as i take this puppy out for a spin

a couple weeks ago
i shared this post
about making some small changes
in my kitchen

this photo
is a couple years old
but shows an adequate 'before'

and here are a few photos
i snapped in haste

and totally unstaged

after putting up
my new knife rack and pot rack
all my my onsie

it's quite nice

having my chopping and cooking tools

so close to hand

for instance

when trying out a new recipe

found on Pinterest last week

Smashed Potatoes

the recipe

originally came from here

and last week

i tried them out for my family

to make

you will need

2 lbs of small red spuds

6 tablespoons EVOO

herbs of your choice

salt and pepper to taste

scrub tats and spread on baking sheet. add 3/4 cup water. cover with foil and bake in preheated 500 degree oven on center rack for 30 minutes.

remove from oven and let cool for 10 min. then toss potatoes with 3 T EVOO until each is coated with oil. using a glass, smash each spud to about 1/2" thick. drizzle remaining oil, sprinkle with s&p and herbs of your choice.

placing oven rack in top position, bake potatoes for about 15 minutes. then put them on next to the bottom rack and bake another 25ish minutes until golden brown.

my kids absolutely loved these

and we all agreed

smashed potatoes

would make an excellent finger food

for our next barbecue

enjoy!

Welcome to Fridays Unfolded #64!

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:25:00 +0000

hello
and how are yinz doing today?
(that's Pittsburgheese for you all or you uns or
whatever your local colloquialism is)

under the category of
'be careful what you wish for'

it's currently
hotter than ten thousand bad guys out there

i've been pulling weeds
and transplanting shrubs
getting sweaty

and it feels mighty nice
to come in out of the heat
and sit here to party with you at

and i am so excited
to introduce you to
the newest sponsor here at Stuff and Nonsense

Sutton Place Designs
is an Etsy shop
filled with custom designed and crafted items like these

everything in the shop
is designed and made by owner Ann Drake
using linen and vintage fabrics
as well as designer textiles

Ann also writes the delightful blog
On Sutton Place
where she shares her thoughts
on home and garden design

be sure to stop by

and check out more of Ann's goodies!

now

let's party!

last week
you shared
plenty of awesome posts

in the Renovated Rooms category

a gorgeous new vestibule
from Eclectically Vintage

this gorgeous kitchen transformation
from Amy at Blissful Blooms

before

after

so light and pretty!

a drool-worthy craft room
from Decorating Hemlock

in the Get In My Belly Right Now category

cinnamon roll pancakes from Pine Cones and Acorns

Mock n Cheese casserole
from A Pinch of Joy

and how about a little Lavender Cream Soda
from I Gotta Create!

in the Craftily Creative category

a perfectly pretty Paint Chip Calendar
from Sew Fantastic

a French Chair makeover
from Lilyfield Life

a cool ski pole lamp
from Reposhture

in the Green Thumb category

a DIY Hanging Herb Garden
from Small Garden Love

and finally
in the Tips and Tricks category

Time and Money Saving Tips
from Saving 4 Six

and finally
Uses For Paint Sample Cards
from April at Holistic Homemaking

whew
those are some pretty cool posts

and you know
there are always many more links
than i can feature here

but did you know
that i like to highlight many of your postson the Stuff and Nonsense Facebook Page
and Twitter Page?

i sure do!
so if you're not yet a fan
click here and here to become one

if your post was featured today
be sure to grab a button

and now it's your turn

to show us what unfolded for you
this week
or last week
or

well

you get the idea

the rules are simple:

follow Stuff and Nonsense

in some fashion

(fb, twitter, or GFC)

and leave a comment

so i can return the favor

visit a few of the other links and leave a comment
(it's just polite)

post my button on your blog
so others can join the fun

if you're feeling pinteresty

please click the link

and pin photos from the owner's blog

rather than pinning features photos here

after you link up here
i would love for you to
visit my friday friends
and join their linky parties as well

happy linking!

Summertime

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Tue, 01 May 2012 21:38:00 +0000

and the living's easy

at least

almost

right about now
is the time of year
when it becomes
incredibly difficult
to do school work

or any kind of work
really

last night
i started hanging our porch flags

and i may
or may not
have picked up a couple of pots
of cherry red impatiens
at the market

truth is
i just about live for summer

warm nights
relaxing on the front porch
sippin' a frosted glass of sweet tea

{via}

loads of sunshiny days
spent poolside
perpetually smelling of sunscreen

fireworks
parades

lots and lots of
sparklers

{via}

cookouts with friends

watermelon
popsicles
dripping their juices down small chins

kids running around
clad in as little as they can get away with

mostly
swimsuits and sweat

running in the house every so often
to feel the sweet coolth of the indoors

and rushing out again
screen door slamming hard

oh yeah

it's coming soon

Fridays Unfolded #63

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:36:00 +0000

welcome to the 63rd edition of

as i sit composing this post
i am gearing up
for my second visit to
Zumba class

yikes

last week
a girlfriend and i went

and spent a wicked hour
shucking
jiving
huffing
puffing
and sweating something fierce

let me just tell you
that it took no small amount of courage
for us to walk through the door of that college fitness center

knowing that all the other girls in the class
were half our age

but we went
and we shall go again

and after all
who cares if our butts
were shaking
just a little bit more than theirs

hmm?

but i know
you didn't come here
to listen to my blathering on about sweat and sore muscles

you came to PARTY

so let us commence with the fun

last week
Julie from Less-Than-Perfect Life of Bliss
crafted some cute Rolled Fabric Flower Belts

Forever Decorating showed us a chic new idea
for using salvaged brick as garden edging

Angie from The Blooming Hydrangea
showed off her daughter's newly redone
vintage inspired bedroom

i love how light and bright and lovely
this dining room from Decorate With a Little Bit turned out

it went from

to

the talented Cristina from Remodelando la Casa
gave her boring builder grade vanity a gorgeous
and sleek face lift

Go Ahead...Take a Bite! fixed up some
Oven Baked Blueberry French Toast
to make our mouths water

and i assure you

mine is

be sure to check out
all the

there are always many more links
than i can feature here
but did you know
that i like to highlight many of your postson the Stuff and Nonsense Facebook Page
and Twitter Page?
i sure do!
so if you're not yet a fan
click here and here to become one

if your post was featured today
be sure to grab a button

and now it's your turn

to show us what unfolded for you
this week
or last week
or

well

you get the idea

the rules are simple:

follow Stuff and Nonsense

in some fashion

(fb, twitter, or GFC)

and leave a comment

so i can return the favor

visit a few of the other links and leave a comment
(it's just polite)

post my button on your blog
so others can join the fun

if you're feeling pinteresty

please click the link

and pin photos from the owner's blog

rather than pinning features photos here

after you link up here
i would love for you to
visit my friday friends
and join their linky parties as well

this week's party is brought to you by

where you can create

your own personalized stationary,

invitations, announcements and more

happy linking!

Sourdough Starter and Bread Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:52:00 +0000

for the past month or so
i have been baking
all of our bread

using the same recipe for starter and bread
that my mom and sister began using
about 25 years ago

it is a healthier alternative
to preservative laden
store-bought breads

and oh so fresh and wheaty

did i mention
it's also easy
and nearly fool-proof?

and this bread makes
like
the best toast in the whole wide world

if you you want to print the recipes
just go to the bottom of the post
and click the 'print' button

Sourdough Starter

you will need:

3 T instant mashed potato flakes
3 T white sugar
1 C warm water
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast

Combine all ingredients in a covered container. Let the starter sit on the counter for 5 days, stirring daily with a wooden spoon.

On the morning of the 5th day, feed the starter with 3 T instant potato flakes, 3 T sugar and 1 C warm water. In the evening take out 1 C of starter to use in your bread. Refrigerate the remaining starter.

Sourdough Bread

you will need:

1 C sourdough starter

1 1/2 C warm water

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 C white sugar

1/2 C corn or vegetable oil

6 C white flour (i use 2 C whole wheat flour and 4 C white flour in my bread)

Mix sugar, oil, salt, water and starter in a large bowl. I use my Kitchenaid mixer with the dough hook attachment. Sift flour into mixture. Mix until ingredients are incorporated. Dough will be sticky. Grease another large bowl and set dough in it. Cover with a damp dish towel, set in a warmish place and let rise overnight.

The next morning, knead dough on a well-floured surface for about 10 minutes, adding flour as needed.

Divide in half, and place in two greased bread pans (I am often able to get 3 smaller loaves out of one recipe). Cover and allow dough to double in size.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes, or until bread is golden brown and taps hollow. Turn out on wire rack to cool.

i make this about twice a week now

so that i always have at least one loaf

in my freezer

but sadly

it's not unusual

for one of those

to be sliced

buttered

and gobbled up

straight from the oven

happy baking!

Fridays Unfolded # 62 and a Winner!

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:51:00 +0000

welcome to

i don't know about you
but this week has lasted about 15 days

it's never a good sign
when Tuesday rolls around
and you think it should be Friday already

but
like death and taxes

Fridays are always sure
to unfold eventually

and thankfully
it's (almost) here

at last week's party
we had ourselves a little

giveaway

for a $50 Amazon gift card

and the winner is
(drum roll, please)

link #120-Tina from Our Home in the Maples

congratulations Tina!

now
i have some fabulous features
to highlight from last week's party

first we have
a gorgeous vintage vanity makeover
from De la Chambre

i think
that these DIY pallet shelves from Turnstyle Vogue
look like a simple and chic project
that even hapless me could do

check out this once dated bathroom vanity from One Artsy Mama
that is now sleek and sassy
with the addition of some craft paint and stenciling

and this rehab-ed
burlap backed hutch from SkyBluPink Creations
is lovely in its new coat of paint

in the
i-want-to-eat-that-right-this-very-moment category
is this recipe for
Homemade Oreos from French Press

and these exceedingly cool
tattooed 'taters from Rooted In Thyme

which would likely go well with
this Honey Mustard Dill Salmon from Alderberry Hill

the award for
best before and after project
goes to Little House in the Big D
for her thrifted settee makeover

and last
but not at all least
is this wonderfully creative Percy Jackson birthday party
posted by RE-invented style

be sure to check out
all the

there are always many more links
than i can feature here

but did you know
that i like to highlight many of your posts
on the Stuff and Nonsense Facebook Page
and Twitter Page?
i sure do!
so if you're not yet a fan
click here and here to become one

if your post was featured today
be sure to grab a button

and now it's your turn

to show us what unfolded for you
this week
or last week
or

well

you get the idea

the rules are simple:

follow Stuff and Nonsense

in some fashion

(fb, twitter, or GFC)

and leave a comment

so i can return the favor

visit a few of the other links and leave a comment
(it's just polite)

post my button on your blog
so others can join the fun

if you're feeling pinteresty

please click the link

and pin photos from the owner's blog

rather than pinning features photos here

after you link up here
i would love for you to
visit my friday friends
and join their linky parties as well

this week's party is brought to you by

where you can find bobs and bits like

happy linking!

Open Shelving. To Do or Not To Do.

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 22:03:00 +0000

i cannot tell you
how much i want
to rip out my upper kitchen cabinets
and put up open shelving

and then stick a wall mounted pot rack
above the kitchen sink

this photo

inspires me big-time

it's been on my pin board
for evah

along with

and

but could i
should i
would i
want to have everything out in the open?

would i regret it?

would it be a huge misstep?

would everything get horribly dusty and disheveled?

isn't the whole point
of cabinet doors

to hide all the clutter
of everyday not-so-pretty items?

would what looks gorgeous
in other folks' kitchens
just look busy and messy in mine?

all i know is
that this pot rack

and these shelves

and this magnetic knife bar

have been sitting
on my Amazon wish list
for months

the truth is
when it comes to
these types of projects
i'm kind of a

coward

i mean
there's nothing really wrong
with my current kitchen

other than the fact that i'm
a little bored with it

and frankly
if
and when
i start ripping cabinets down
i'll have to strip more wallpaper

and if i strip wallpaper
then i'll have to paint the wall

and if i'm going to paint the wall
i'll have to replace the dated back splash

and if i'm going to replace the back splash
then i might as well get those new counter tops

and if

and if

i think you see where this is going

and now perhaps
you can also understand
why i'm dithering back and forth
unable to make up my mind

so tell me

what do you think i should do?

An April Night

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:14:00 +0000

Lever de Lune (Moonrise) by Charles Francois Daubigny

The moon comes up o'er the deeps of the woods,
And the long, low dingles that hide in the hills,
Where the ancient beeches are moist with buds
Over the pools and the whimpering rills;

And with her the mists, like dryads that creep
From their oaks, or the spirits of pine-hid springs,
Who hold, while the eyes of the world are asleep,
With the wind on the hills their gay revellings.

Down on the marshlands with flicker and glow
Wanders Will-o'-the-Wisp through the night,
Seeking for witch-gold lost long ago
By the glimmer of goblin lantern-light.

The night is a sorceress, dusk-eyed and dear,
Akin to all eerie and elfin things,
Who weaves about us in meadow and mere
The spell of a hundred vanished Springs.

~Lucy Maud Montgomery

Fridays Unfolded #61 And a Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:12:00 +0000

welcome to
the 61st edition of

i do hope
that you've had a wonderful week

and that your Easter was delightful

our family

had a glorious day together but
Easter evening ended with
yours truly
struck down with stomach 'flu
in a fierce way

but i'm finally
getting back to normal
and feeling more like myself

which is lovely because
i would hate to miss this time with you

especially because
i have a little something special for you today

$50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

yes indeedy

this week's Fridays Unfolded
is sponsored by Appliances Online

and that means
that one of you lucky linkers
will win a $50 voucher to use on Amazon!

this giveaway does have
a few hoops to jump through

but it will be worth it to win

to enter

you must do just 3 things:

1. add your link to this week's party

2. then copy & paste the following clickable tagline in your linked blog post:

My entry into Fridays Unfolded sponsored

by Appliances Online and Bosch Washing Machines

3. leave a comment and tell me which number your link is

1 link = 1 entry

(feel free to link up more than once

but be sure to follow the entry instructions

for each link)

winner will be contacted by email

so make sure I have a way to contact you

good luck!

you are still welcome to link up

the normal way

even if you aren't entering this week's giveaway

now

on to the fabulous features

from last week's

this Subway Cross from Green Willow Pond

is the perfect reminder of Easter

all year long

i need me one of those

The Speckled Dog showed off

a sweet and pretty nursery

created for her little girl

this master bath renovation

from My Covered Bridge

knocked my socks off

from dated and disco

and really brown

to chic and beautiful

here's a remarkable kitchen renovation
from Are We There Yet?

i'm like
totally digging
this slammin' rock and roll dresser rehab
posted by Bliss Ranch

and now i'm like
totally singing 'jenny'
for the rest of the day

this recipe for Asparagus and Bacon Quiche
from Go Ahead and Take a Bite had me at hello

my mouth is watering
just looking at this Salmon with Dijon Sauce
from The NY Melrose Family

drool

there are always many more links
than i can feature here

but did you know
that i like to highlight many of your posts
on the Stuff and Nonsense Facebook Page
and Twitter Page?
i sure do!
so if you're not yet a fan
click here and here to become one

if your post was featured today
be sure to grab a button

and now it's your turn

to show us what unfolded for you
this week
or last week
or

well

you get the idea

the rules are simple:

follow Stuff and Nonsense

in some fashion

(fb, twitter, or GFC)

and leave a comment

so i can return the favor

visit a few of the other links and leave a comment
(it's just polite)

post my button on your blog
so others can join the fun

if you're feeling pinteresty

please click the link

and pin photos from the owner's blog

rather than pinning features photos here

after you link up here
i would love for you to
visit my friday friends
and join their linky parties as well

this week's party and giveaway

are brought to you by

Appliances Online

happy linking!

Three Ancient Days

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 21:25:00 +0000

i hope
that you all are feeling
Easterish this week

it's a beautiful thing
to stop and focus in
on the greatest weekend
in the history of time

to pause
from our routine pursuits and preoccupations

and meditate for awhile
on those ancient days of atonement

from weeping in a midnight garden
to astonishing betrayal

to shattering pain and terrible alone-ness
impaled upon the executioner's tree

to the Trinity riven
for a finite period of hellish torment

death appeased

to His battered body washed and anointed

lovingly bound in fragrant linen

to the brutal reality of His death
so achingly mourned
by shocked and stricken friends

to an upper room
filled with uncertainty

air cloyed with fear

to glorious morning

a hollow hill
and covenant fulfilled

two simple women
astonished to find Him gone
even though He said He would be

two disciples running flat out
competing to get there first

breathless

astonished

as they shouldn't have been
to find Him gone

because He had said He would be

a Savior

bled and broken for you and me

risen for all time

maybe Easter is really the reason
i come alive in in the Spring

and my prayer for you
is to feel some of that life
thrumming through your veins

in awe and love
this weekend
as you commune with the saints
mourn His death
and celebrate His resurrection

and raise the roof with joy-filled praise

death has been swallowed up in victory

Happy Easter

Fridays Unfolded #60

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:16:00 +0000

welcome again
to another installment of

are you ready for Easter
my friends?

i so am

ready to worship
rest
celebrate

and i fervently hope
you are too

at last week's party
there were oodles of inspiring posts
linked up for our perusal

did you see this a m a z i n g Chocolate Silk Cheesecake
from Woven Home?

yeah

i may or may not
have gained 3 lbs. just looking at it

now this here Dandelion Bread
shared by Walnut Acre
is a new one to me

but i've been on such a bread-making kick lately
that i think i'll just have to give it a go

besides
what else are dandelions good for?

here's a fun way
to grow your own green onions
from The Traveling Spoon

my kids would love trying that

and how lovely
is this light and airy dining room
shared by hello lovely inc.?

she's got talent
that one

and so does Laura from I'm Not a Trophy Wife
who was so inspired by some pinterest photos
she decided to installed some beautiful barn doors in her own basement

my poor front door
is quite bare these days

but i'm thinking that
this DIY Bird's Nest Spring Wreath
from avery & anderson
would look awfully good on my entry

and finally

this informative post on furniture refinishing
from Alchemy Fine Living
has some great tips
for taking an old and stained piece
and giving it new life

lovely
don'tcha think?

there are always many more links
than i can feature here
butdid you know
that i like to highlight many of your posts
on the Stuff and Nonsense Facebook Page
and Twitter Page?
i sure do!
so if you're not yet a fan
click here and here to become one

if your post was featured today
be sure to grab a button

and now it's your turn

to show us what unfolded for you
this week
or last week
or

well

you get the idea

the rules are simple:

follow Stuff and Nonsense

in some fashion

(fb, twitter, or GFC)

and leave a comment

so i can return the favor

visit a few of the other links and leave a comment
(it's just polite)

post my button on your blog
so others can join the fun

if you're feeling pinteresty

please click the link

and pin photos from the owner's blog

rather than pinning features photos here

after you link up here
i would love for you to
visit my friday friends
and join their linky parties as well

this week's fiesta

is brought to you by

where you can find delightful duds

unique decor

and sweet baby things

happy linking!

Because Sometimes You Just Need Frisbee-Sized Doughnuts

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:28:00 +0000

several weeks ago
a local variety shop
began offering Oram's doughnuts
for sale each morning

so instead of having to drive
all the way downtown (a whole 10 minutes)
when we get the doughnut urge

we can just hoof it up the block in a jiffy

now i know you Oram's aficionados
reading this
are beginning to salivate
at the mention of these spectacular pastries

but for those of you
unfortunate enough
to not know
what the heck i'm swooning about

stick around

because you will soon come to understand
and appreciate
why photos
and drooling
are required

so anyway
once my kids saw the doughnuts sign
they gave me no peace
until i promised to take them some morning

last friday
was the day

and we trotted to the store
and got our big box of Oram's

(actually
i got them Orams
and restrained myself
since i'm on a diet
and just one of those suckers
would blow my calories sky high)

did you think i exaggerated?

uh uh

i've traveled a fair bit

in my time

and never have i stumbled across

anything close to as yummy as these babies are

and big

like the size-of-your-head big

actually good and big

don't really cut it

they are light

sweet

cinnamony

gooey confections

of the highest order

and big

really

i 'spose they sell

other varieties of doughnuts

but this is the only kind i've ever eaten

and now

i've officially inducted my offspring

into the Oram's fan club

i may live to regret it

but i don't think they will

Fridays Unfolded #59

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:30:00 +0000

welcome m'dears
to the 59th edition of

as you can probably tell
i've been tinkering a bit
with my blog design

you see
i am something of a commitment-phobe
when it comes to online style

i tend to stick with neutrals
(boring, i know)

but last week
when i was trawling online
for free images

i came across my header pattern
and fell in love

now
i am certainly not
the most gifted of blog designers
(don't you adore my gift for the understatement?)

and who knew it could be so hard
to choose fonts?

but after some trials and errors
and with more than a little help from this site

i managed to come up with something
pleasing to my eyes

and hope you'll like it too

so if you'd like to grab a new button
you'll find them on my Buttons Page

as part of my redesign
i also decided to remove my followers boxes

i've thought about doing that for awhile now
but was skeered i would lose followers if i did

but finally decided that
my mood was too easily altered
by noticing one more
or one fewer followers

faint not nor fear

if you use blogger
you can still click 'follow'
on the navigation bar at the top of my blog

or

you can sign up by email
to have new posts sent directly to your mailbox

go ahead

you can tell me if you think i'm crazy or not!

now
onto the real reason
you are here today

last week
here at Fridays Unfolded
you all shared some killer posts
and here are just a few
of my favorites

nikki from Thrifty Decorating
used some GW finds
a can of spray paint
and some grass seed
to craft this adorable Easter display

and Linda from lindapendante dreams
sewed up a pin tucked duvet cover
to pretty up her bedroom

you all know
how much i like writing on stuff

so when i saw
this creative idea for gussying up
a boring white plate from Kelly at Eclectically Vintage
i knew it would be a feature this week

for the past two and a half weeks
i've been dieting (-9lbs!)

but if i weren't
you can bet your sweet bippy
i'd be wrapping myself around a few of these
Cinnamon Roll Bar Cookies from Blissful Whimsy

this sweet little this 'polky-nots' dress
made by sew easy being green
makes me wish my Fiona was small again
(and that i could sew)

and there's no way
i could fail to mention
this awesome achievement by Rachel from Quiver Full of Blessings

who was so inspired by Beth Moore's bible study

that she set out to memorize
the entire gospel of James

for tips on how she did it
please click through to her post

well done Rachel!

there are always many more links
than i can feature here
butdid you know
that i like to highlight many of your posts
on the Stuff and Nonsense Facebook Page
and Twitter Page?
i sure do!
so if you're not yet a fan
click here and here to become one

if your post was featured today
be sure to grab a button

and now it's your turn
to show us what unfolded for you
this week
or last week
or
well
you get the idea

the rules are simple:

follow Stuff and Nonsense

via GFC and Linky Followers(and leave a comment so i can follow you back)

link up your recipe, sewing project, decor, craft, poem, essay, tutorial, etc.
whatever 'unfolded' for you this week

be sure to link back to your post and not just your url
(by joining Fridays Unfolded you are giving me permission
to use your photos for features on Stuff and Nonsense, Facebook and Twitter)

visit a few of the other links and leave a comment
(it's just polite)

post my button on your blog
so others can join the fun

after you link up here
i would love for you to
visit my friday friends
and join their linky parties as well

this week's fiesta

is brought to you by

where you can find unique

and customizable gifts like these

for all the kids in your life

happy linking!

My Clear Skin Secret

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 23:33:00 +0000

let me begin by saying
that this entry is not
a paid review
or sponsored post

i simply want to let you in
on a great little product
that is wonderful (really really wonderful)
for clearing up acne

but first
a little background is necessary

growing up
i had great skin
(not the beginning you were expecting, eh?)

rarely a break-out
except the occasional monthly spot
on the tip of my nose

but when i hit the ripe old age of 22
my skin turned on me

i began noticing pimples
(don't you loathe that word?)
mostly appearing on my chin
in all their gruesome glory

so
like any normal person
i headed to the nearest pharmacy
to pluck the typical Oxy-titled tubes and pots
from the plethora of product available

but here's the problem

i have dry skin
and every one of the acne jams and jellies i tried
just made my skin more dry and irritated
without fixing the pimple problem

so i got really good
at using those concealer sticks

years passed
and as i blossomed in and out of
four pregnancies

my acne would clear for months at a time
only to return with a vengeance

all of which
made me realize
that my break-outs were hormonally triggered

i also read
that if pimples occur on the lower half of a woman's face
they are nearly always caused by hormone fluctuations

and my acne was also very painful
with the actual red bumps
sticking around for a couple weeks

and new pimples erupting (another awesomely icky word)
every few days

plus red marks lasting for about two months

all of which meant
that my skin always looked
red
bumpy
inflamed

awful

finally in tears one evening

i plopped down in front of my computer
and typed in 'cystic acne'

the very first article that came up
was titled
The Top 10 Acne Products You've Never Heard Of

which sounded promising
so i clicked

and product numero uno
was this

the article stated
that Dermamed's acne gel
was all natural
organic

and best of all
perfectly suited to those of us with dry skin

here's the product blurb:

DermaMed Acne Gel contains pure extracts of naturally astringent and cooling herbs that soothe the skin surface and penetrate it with healing nutrients. Provides anti-bacterial activity against Propioni-Bacterium acnes and other causative organisms of acne, and helps normalize sebum secretion to avoid follicular plugging, an aggravating factor of acne. Modulates the inflammatory response to reduce redness, swelling and scarring. Formulated in a unique, transdermal delivery system that provides optimal absorption of nutrients, DermaMed Acne Gel quickly penetrates into the deeper layers of the dermis where its healing and regenerative action takes place.

dijya get all that?

and now the ingredients:
Water, Aloe Vera Gel, Viola Tricolour Extract, Tea Tree Essential Oil, Rose Hip Oil, Vitamins A and E, Grapefruit Seed Extract

finding that i could buy a small tube

for under $15
i clicked and paid lickety split

one week later
on a sunny afternoon
a little brown package 'o magic
dropped into my mailbox

i tore into it
ripped off all the safety seals
and angels started singing

okay okay

i ripped off all the safety seals
squeezed out a dab
and smeared it on my face
right over all the makeup and concealer

and then
for good measure
smeared on a bit more

and repeated the above
about 5 more times that first day
and every day

during that first week
i got no new pimples
(a small miracle)

and had no drying or other side effects

two weeks later
my skin was starting to look a little better

one month later
i actually looked into the mirror and saw

clear skin

now you can cue those angels

and i'm not exaggerating even a little bit here
because this stuff is that good

7 years have passed
since that precious little package
arrived in the post

and i still use the gel
every day
morning and night
after using this gentle exfoliating cleanser

and just before i slather on this moisturizer

and i still have clear skin

each tube of Dermamed gel
lasts me about 3 or 4 months

so really
my whole skin care regime
is quite affordable

my 13 year old son
now uses the gel as well
and it cleared up his mild adolescent acne
in just a couple of weeks

so that's my story
and i'm sticking to it

if you want to try some Dermamed yourself
you can click here

and once again
all of this
is merely my own humble opinion
and not related to
or paid for by Dermamed

who
i'm pretty certain
doesn't even know i exist

the end.

The One Where My Daughter Took The Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 23:59:00 +0000

so i decided
that it's time for a new profile photo

and since
i don't have a tripod
and haven't practiced
using the timer on my camera

i figured
that Little Miss
could have a go
at taking some photos of me

to which she happily agreed

okay mum!

not gonna lie

it took some practicing
with the settings and light and stuff

plus
it's not so easy
posing and grinning
and trying not to feel
ridiculously self-conscious

the whole time

i kept thinking random things like

are my wrinkles to wrinkly?

i think my front teeth are off-center

chin up?

chin down?

just how grey does my hair look in these?

however

Little Miss had no such worries

indeed

she worked like a pro

mum

look at me

now look away

now look at me again

smile

don't smile

fluff out your hair

click

she's kinda bossy sometimes

we picked out a few

that we liked

and now

you get to throw your two cents into the mix

ready?

this one's my favorite

except

isn't like

a rule or something

that you have to be facing toward the camera?

here's another of the finalists

slightly out of focus though

this is me looking demure

which

in real life

i ain't

call me crazy but

i adore my hair in this one

however

my shoulders are too scrunched up

or something

this one

i fondly refer to as

la airhead

now here's one i kinda like

i don't know

but this one's where i'm

clutching onto the pillow for dear life

thinking oh my lands are we done yet?

is still my favorite

are you tired of looking at me by now?

well then

hurry up and pick one already

(and mom

if you're reading this

don't even think about

leaving a comment like

they're all lovely!)

Fridays Unfolded #58

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:30:00 +0000

welcome to another week of

the sun has been shining
all week long here in my neck of the woods

and i'm starting to realize
just how much
my mood and outlook
are affected by blue skies
and warm breezes

are you like that too?

all my chores seem
a little easier
and even

funner

when the weather's happy

although
to be perfectly honest

these balmy days
make doing schoolwork inside
a little challenging

but we're getting in
lots of PE class outside

and i can tell
by the many Spring-themed post
linked up last week

that you all
are welcoming this change in the air too

but before we get into our
feature-fest

i want to just say a word about Pinterest

are you all reading about the controversy
over copyrights and things?

i have decided to delete a few pinboards
and delete all pins that could be infringement

though it's hard to tell sometimes

and i want to say
that you are welcome to pin
anything of mine you'd like
as long as you link properly

and if you see a feature here
that you're dying to pin

please click through to the actual post
so that the photo's owner can get
proper credit

k?

now

last week on

i was enthralled by
this $10 metal orb fixture
inspired by Ballard Designs
made by My Covered Bridge

Betsy Speert showed off
her lovely kitchen renovation

i am
a little in awe of Small Home Love
who made her very own Sunburst mirror
using math and stuff

how sweet and flirty
is this ruffled sink skirt
crafted by Harrison Home?

if you are a Girl Scout cookie fan
you'll want to check out these
samoa stuffed brownies made by Shaken Together

yowsa

there are always many more links
than i can feature here
but

did you know
that i like to highlight many of your posts
on the Stuff and Nonsense Facebook Page
and Twitter Page?

i sure do!
so if you're not yet a fan
click here and here to become one

if your post was featured today
be sure to grab a button

and now it's your turn
to show us what unfolded for you
this week
or last week
or
well
you get the idea

the rules are simple:

follow Stuff and Nonsense

happy linking!

Bloom

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:53:00 +0000

happy
just doesn't cut it

for describing
the joy that's pulsing through
my very veins

for the weather here

in southwester pa

is as unlike March

as it could possibly be

80 degree days

open-window sleeping

delicious breezes

ruffling white curtains

and the blooms

oh the blooms

golden forsythia and daffodil

the colors of the sun

sweet lilac

purply hyacinths

whose scent washes over me

each time the screen door opens

and the promise

of so many more to come

welcome Spring!

now

off to unearth the sprinkler

for my bathing suit-clad children

oh happy day.

Birthdays, Babies, Books and Skinny Jeans

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:23:00 +0000

on Sunday
my eldest child
turned 13

13

i am now the parent
of a teenager

ready or not

can you guess

what particular item

was on his wish list?

skinny jeans

my un-fashionista boy

has gone trendy

he got 'em

and they make him look

exactly like a teenager should

i 'spose

2 cool

2 be

4 gotten

we celebrated with a small family gathering

on his actual birthday

and this friday

he will have some chums over to 'hang out'

which interpreted means

eat junk food

and play video games

and stay up all night

this momentous occasion

leaves me:

1) looking for some small sign

of my formerly chubby baby

hidden beneath the skin

of this suddenly tall, gangly almost-man

2) trying not to eat

the remaining Black Magic Cake

that beckons so seductively

3) wondering why he lost his baby fat years ago

but i still have mine

4) questioning where the necessary wisdom and patience

is going to come from

for us to safely navigate this beautiful boy

through the unpredictable waters of adolescence

5) praying

a lot

6) anticipating the incredible ways

he will grow and change and develop

into a man after God's own heart

how does it all happen so fast?

and speaking of babies

(we were

weren't we?)

Chad and i got to visit some friends

who recently birthed their first

a precious baby girl

they kindly let me

snap as many photos as i wanted

to practice my fierce (ha) skilz

i could just gobble her up

and speaking of gobbling

i've been devouring the following books lately

(and consequently

ignoring household tasks a little bit)

3.5

and since reading this trilogy

cannot wait

for the film to open

in fact

a friend and i

are dragging our non-reading husbands

on a double date next week

to see it

eek

i hope it lives up

to my unrealistic expectations

next on my reading list are

and

i think

that should just about

catch us up

but tell me do

what books have you been eating up lately?