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

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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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Favorite Posts From 2011

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas!  I have totally enjoyed being with my family the past few days.  It seems like time just slows down a little bit around Christmas and we have a few days when no one has to go to work or school and we can all be home together.  I have been so blessed with a wonderful husband and two wonderful daughters.  I have also been blessed with so many wonderful friends and this year I made some new ones out there in blog land.  This has been my first year at blogging and I have really enjoyed it.  I was looking over the posts I have made in the past year and I wanted to share some of my favorites with you.

 This post showcased my key collection and how I display them around the house.  Click here to see the original post.

This post was called Decorating With Burlap Sacks.  I just can not seem to get enough of them. 

This post shows my Living Room Makeover.  What a transformation if I do say so myself.

Thanks to all of you have become followers or left comments this year.  You have been a blessing to me and I look forward to spending time with you in 2012.

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Christmas at Paramount

Paramount Antique Mall is my all time favorite place to shop.  It is a fabulous antique mall located off of Highway 54 in Wichita, Kansas.  If you are ever in the area you should stop by for a visit.  You will not be disappointed.   They were kind enough to let me snap a few pictures to share with you.

 I just love how they used a real horn in the middle of this wreath.

 And an ice skate in this one.

OK, so that was more than a few photos but there are so many pretty things to see.  Feel free to visit Paramount Antique Mall's web page for special events and further information.

Thanks for stopping by!

I will be sharing at 
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