A Graduation Party And Some Technical Difficulties

I am so happy to finally be doing a post.  I have missed blogging but have had some technical difficulties.  I tried to do this post a month ago and was not able to because I had used all my free picture storage.  I was not aware that I had a limit on picture storage so after cleaning up my Picassa account of duplicate photos I was able to add the pictures in this post.  I then tried to make this post and kept getting error codes every time I tried to login to my blog.  Has anyone else had similar issues?  I hate to purchase additional storage if I am not always going to be able to make posts.

Now on to the fun stuff.  This May my daughter graduated from high school.  I had so much fun getting ready for the open house.

May favorite thing that I made for the party was this banner.

 

I cut the pendants out using my Cricut machine and the graduation cartridge.  I then tore out pages from a paperback and glued them on the back of the pendants.

I just love the little metal clips I used to attached the pendants to the cord.  I found them at Hobby Lobby.

I also cut these numbers out using my Cricut and clipped them to a cord with some black and white photos.

Her school colors were red and white so I did a fun display with candy.  This was a big hit with the kids. 

 I also thought this was a great way to display her gown.

Thanks as always for stopping by and if you are a blogger and have any words of wisdom for me on my recent blogger issues, please leave a comment.  Thanks!

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Primp Your Stuff Wednesday
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Spring Break Down South

I just love spring break, a timeout from the normal routine to spend with your loved ones.  My family and I took a trip to Nashville, Tn. and toured some beautiful plantations.  The first place we toured was the Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tn.

If any of you have read Widow Of The South, this plantation is the inspiration for that novel.  I did an early post on this plantation, click here to see it.

One thing all the plantations we visited had in common was a beautiful garden. Since it was March things were just starting to bloom but they were still beautiful.  This pathway was in the garden.  Can you imagine how beautiful it would be with the vines in full bloom?

The next place we visited was Andrew Jackson's plantation, The Hermitage, located in Nashville, TN.

The garden behind this home was beautiful.

All of the gardens had pathways for you to walk along and benches to sit on to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

The final plantation we toured was Belle Meade, also located in Nashville, TN. 

This home was the largest of the three we visited.  Sadly none of the homes would let you take pictures inside, but let me tell you they are beautiful.

Another beautiful garden.

Between Tennessee and Kansas we made a stop at the arch in St. Louis.  It was such a beautiful day when we were there.

Thanks for letting me share some of my vacation photos with you.  I hope all of you had a wonderful Spring Break also.


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Adding Spring Touches To The Fireplace

I wanted to keep my mantle this spring simple.  I have really enjoyed the little bit of sparkle the mercury glass has added to my mantle so I kept a lot of the same pieces I used at Christmas. 

You just can't have a spring look without bringing some outside in so I added some pots with greenery at the hearth of the fireplace.

 Here is a closer look.

Of course you must add a little nest complete with eggs.

I have spring fever really bad this year.  All I want to do is sit on the back porch sipping iced tea with big slices of lemon in it and maybe even a sprig of mint.

Thanks as always for stopping by!


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Craig's List Buffet Redo

Sorry I have been away so long.  There seems to be so much to do and so little time to do it lately.  I did however want to show you my latest project.  

I found this wonderful buffet on Craig's list a few months ago for $80.00.  Here is a picture of how it looked before the miracle of white paint.

Can you see how rough the finish was?  Especially the top of the buffet.  There were chips out of the top and water stains.

Now here is what the buffet looks like after just one coat of paint,

and a little sanding.

I was going for that wonderful white, chippy look.  Before I put the paint on I sanded the whole piece lightly, the top I sanded a bit more to try to even it out before I painted it. I think it turned out pretty well.  It was a quick, easy project.  I topped it off with a burlap runner, a 3-tier plate, and a crate of silver platters.  All garage sale finds I might add.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit.  I am off to add some touches of spring to my decor.

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Valentines Day Dinner

Ever year for Valentines Day I make what my family calls a "fancy" meal. A "fancy" meal at my house is when we get out the crystal and put candles on the table.  This year I tried to dress the table up a bit by using silver platters as chargers.  I had seen this idea on pinterest and thought I would try it.  The table really turned out pretty.

Of course I did not have four matching silver platters so I used what I had.

 I put some mercury glass candle holders in the middle of the table and done.  It looked gorgeous, a lot prettier than the pictures make it look.  I seem to have a real difficult time photographing my table. 

On the menu for this "fancy" meal was Stuffed Mushrooms, Chicken Breast Supreme, Asparagus, and Red Velvet Cake for desert.  It was yummy!

 Hope all of you have a wonderful Valentines Day and thanks for stopping by! 

Lots of Love,

Ruth

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A Few More Valentines

Here are just a few more Valentines I have sitting around the house that I thought I would sneak in before the actual day.  I can not believe that Valentines Day is next Tuesday. 

I picked this book up this year at the antique mall. I think it is just perfect for Valentines Day.  The copyright is from 1951.  I love that!

And this cute little apothecary jar is an unexpected surprise from a friend.

 

  It doesn't scream Valentines Day but that cute little calling card nestled in those white buttons give it the feel of Valentines Day.

Isn't it sweet!?!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope all of you have a wonderful Valentines Day!

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Red Velvet Cupcakes

Red Velvet Cupcakes are perfect for Valentines Day.  They are beautiful and they taste great!

I'm not sure if they are prettier with or without frosting.

 They are even pretty before they are baked.

 But they definitely taste better baked with frosting, lots of frosting!

Here's the recipe I use

Red Velvet Cupcakes

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cup white sugar
2 large eggs
3 T. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 T. red food coloring
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup water
1 tsp. cider vinegar
1 tsp. baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease 24 muffin tin cups or fit the cups with paper liners.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.  Beat in eggs.  In a small bowl, make a paste of cocoa powder and food coloring; blend into creamed mixture.  In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well.  Beat in buttermilk, vanilla and water.  In a small bowl, combine vinegar and baking soda; fold vinegar mixture into cake batter just until blended.  Spoon batter evenly into the muffin cups.

Bake the cupcakes for 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Let the pans cool on  a rack for 10 minutes before removing cupcakes from pans to cool completely.

Meanwhile, prepare the frosting.  Beat together frosting (recipe follows) until smooth and creamy.  Spread frosting on cupcakes.  Serve promptly or refrigerate.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. clear vanilla extract

Enjoy!

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Love Letters

I was getting out some of my Valentines decorations today and I have to say, I am a helpless romantic.

I think that is why I like to decorate with antique and vintage pieces.

I like to imagine a story to go along with a lot of the pieces I buy....

for example can't you just picture a handsome man sitting down at this very typewriter and typing out a love letter to his sweetheart?

Or a beautiful woman typing a love letter to her hubby thanking him for the beautiful flowers and chocolates.

 I can, so that is how this vignette came to be.  

I hope all of you get lots of love letters this Valentine's Day!

XXXX

OOOO

I will be sharing at

 LaurieAnnas Farmhouse Friday

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 Stuff-and-Nonsense Fridays Unfolded
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A New Angle

It was a beautiful day here in Kansas yesterday so I grabbed my camera and went on a walk.  I purchased a new camera last month, nothing fancy, I just wanted a small camera that I could put in my purse and easily carry with me.

Here are some of the photos I shot.

Look how blue the sky was, GORGEOUS!

Look who else was out enjoying the day.

Not bad pictures for a little, inexpensive camera.  If you were wondering the camera is a Nikon Coolpix S3100.  Thanks as always for stopping by and I hope 2012 has started out great for all of you.  Hugs, Ruth

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