tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85009067274919843362024-03-17T23:03:44.346-04:00One Simple Country GirlDonna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.comBlogger251125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-54570433817429357152013-07-25T22:16:00.000-04:002013-07-25T22:16:21.382-04:00My Burlap Kitchen Wreath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6oUzzhrHdsv1qP77umPaYtdEl4jUlmQRF2kZoTTxeqTwQzLObfYoa6AX0frnL_Z0tfAG_FJd-p2_iFNC3uHB11FbUP0w8Iyo57gGfXafKVpHkqjABo_yI0uWloR_lDygDE73IDILuUbb/s1600/burlap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6oUzzhrHdsv1qP77umPaYtdEl4jUlmQRF2kZoTTxeqTwQzLObfYoa6AX0frnL_Z0tfAG_FJd-p2_iFNC3uHB11FbUP0w8Iyo57gGfXafKVpHkqjABo_yI0uWloR_lDygDE73IDILuUbb/s320/burlap.jpg" /></a></div>Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-29483288586869162892013-02-05T10:51:00.001-05:002013-02-05T10:51:36.629-05:00The Perfect Way to Start Your Day!Hello everyone! What do you do with some over ripe bananas that no one in the house wants to look at, much less eat? You make banana nut bread, of course! Today, I'd like to share my favorite banana nut bread recipe with you.
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<b><i>Banana Nut Bread
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1 1/2 cups flour<blockquote></blockquote>
1/2 tsp. baking soda<blockquote></blockquote>
1/2 tsp. baking powder<blockquote></blockquote>
1/2 cup sugar<blockquote></blockquote>
1/2 cup packed brown sugar<blockquote></blockquote>
1/2 tsp. cinnamon<blockquote></blockquote>
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I like walnuts, but you can use your favorite)<blockquote></blockquote>
2 eggs, beaten<blockquote></blockquote>
1/2 cup vegetable oil<blockquote></blockquote>
1/2 cup mashed banana (I usually add about 3/4 cup cause we really like bananas)<blockquote></blockquote>
1 tsp. vanilla<blockquote></blockquote>
Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts in a a bowl. In a seperate bowl, combine eggs, vegetable oil, bananas and vanilla, mixing well. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well. Pour into a nonstick 5 x 9 inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 55-65 minutes or until loaf tests done. Remove to a wire rack to cool.</i></b>
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This is such a delicious, moist bread. You can also add a cup of chopped apples to this to make Banana Apple Bread. It's yummy, as well.
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Fresh and still warm from the oven, pair it with a cup of coffee and you've got the perfect way to start your day!
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Until next time...Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-49845947424821528362013-01-31T10:00:00.003-05:002013-01-31T10:04:58.695-05:00Pinterest InspirationI loving decorating and accessorizing my home. But in this economy, money is tight and we are trying to live on a budget so there's not a lot of extra money to spend on home decor. I get a lot of inspiration from Pinterest. It's amazing all the wonderful ideas that are shared on that site. However, like a lot of other people, my time is very limited, what with working outside of the home at least three days a week and then having to keep up with all the household chores we all have to endure. So I'm all about projects that are simple and don't take a lot of time to complete, but do make a huge impact. Here's some of my favorites I've pinned and plan on completing this year.
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This is a super cute idea using wooden utensils to create a paper towel holder.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigF7xobsJnWU4OEeGRWCWjRDiJqlIf2lFxNqUH4JveJQ3FA0jclFLNrDz0Q290OEQe6WdKwwQanDaqRSozNw33XPbKq19vsW2nFnKzh3tOMqws4GpUr7JyQVkDmJTRzQADmzs3zOLCA5Ay/s1600/Pottery-Barn-Cucina-paper-w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="280" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigF7xobsJnWU4OEeGRWCWjRDiJqlIf2lFxNqUH4JveJQ3FA0jclFLNrDz0Q290OEQe6WdKwwQanDaqRSozNw33XPbKq19vsW2nFnKzh3tOMqws4GpUr7JyQVkDmJTRzQADmzs3zOLCA5Ay/s320/Pottery-Barn-Cucina-paper-w.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://inmyownstyle.com/2012/12/pottery-barn-knock-off-cucina-paper-towel-holder.html">source</a>
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I've seen versions of this next idea all over blog land. I was recently gifted two old salvaged windows from a friend and I'm seriously considering transforming one of them into something like this.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtA4MFORhEJzWZsiIraPLxRTiBlmd1BHKfOILX6kychU_NlscpKj_x83-1hFiCS6j4TEzqc9zR5_opShZ8p07PU_qu4wwx-RFhxX9xwgWMANXn7nzMaHcrYkgqpmEbrRHLWO2HkTe_g8aN/s1600/chickenwire+window.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtA4MFORhEJzWZsiIraPLxRTiBlmd1BHKfOILX6kychU_NlscpKj_x83-1hFiCS6j4TEzqc9zR5_opShZ8p07PU_qu4wwx-RFhxX9xwgWMANXn7nzMaHcrYkgqpmEbrRHLWO2HkTe_g8aN/s320/chickenwire+window.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/2011/05/chicken-wire-memo-board.html">source</a>
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This next idea is one that I have already put my own spin on and will share with y'all in an upcoming post. It was simple, quick, easy and has really made a big impact on my bedroom wall. I'm in the middle of a small cosmetic master bedroom redo so this idea was perfect for my "new" bedroom.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6Iya8uT8XyKupvaxr5Mwrpx42Js99A95QpcM56ImXaGciH5eok-BeQB5Cgq2JnBra_bZk7DQ98xGFY0gF6sYhUzPJ7jhmRw0Vkvq_X-6o0AqmPXhDiHn4aHOPHhJh9JXG6RJX6ZFcA7P/s1600/frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6Iya8uT8XyKupvaxr5Mwrpx42Js99A95QpcM56ImXaGciH5eok-BeQB5Cgq2JnBra_bZk7DQ98xGFY0gF6sYhUzPJ7jhmRw0Vkvq_X-6o0AqmPXhDiHn4aHOPHhJh9JXG6RJX6ZFcA7P/s320/frame.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://twogirlzstuff.blogspot.com/2011/07/thrifting-thursdays-and-craft-fridays.html">source</a>
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And, finally, this little chalkboard tray is so cute. I think it would be perfect on a kitchen counter or baker's rack for grocery lists or a favorite recipe. The link to this has been removed so unfortunately, I cannot share credit for where this cute project came from.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNDrWsSiMjYAozqUFoZcGlLSVn0zNkHswWDgAPxNYR5c2iovUwX_F9yuM8nTH2sMh7prylaAvwL8h7OWaN5c0NcgXNAZohQvJ1G4SXklKaqDho9R4nokJvoJfwtDGrZhy1A3G1Tdng61X/s1600/chalkboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNDrWsSiMjYAozqUFoZcGlLSVn0zNkHswWDgAPxNYR5c2iovUwX_F9yuM8nTH2sMh7prylaAvwL8h7OWaN5c0NcgXNAZohQvJ1G4SXklKaqDho9R4nokJvoJfwtDGrZhy1A3G1Tdng61X/s320/chalkboard.jpg" /></a cre></div>
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There are tons of other projects I've pinned that I would like to attempt someday. There are just a few of my favorites. How about you? Does Pinterest inspire you to create?
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Until next time...Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-63178120946143925712013-01-29T18:44:00.000-05:002013-01-29T18:44:32.640-05:00Secret Ingredient MeatloafMeatloaf is one of my hubby's favorite meals. And I've made it several times over the course of our marriage. I like meatloaf as well as the next guy, but after a while, I get tired of the same old, same old. So one day, while perusing Pinterest (which I do A LOT!), I found a link for a meatloaf that used a "secret ingredient". It looked good and sounded simple, so I decided to give it a try.
This is my finished product:
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zYMYPqH47zACgaR9DOn71BA7dTtQAwK-NTt_EXz8R4afe1dPf77NpTMIhbMJfBLCcb1AiZyWyOXda0hA4h7xAcJ1hjkH7wEU0nYIasMxkW9LZc1BDsSw3FMf8ID_n4_pxack9965v8XE/s1600/P1270192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zYMYPqH47zACgaR9DOn71BA7dTtQAwK-NTt_EXz8R4afe1dPf77NpTMIhbMJfBLCcb1AiZyWyOXda0hA4h7xAcJ1hjkH7wEU0nYIasMxkW9LZc1BDsSw3FMf8ID_n4_pxack9965v8XE/s320/P1270192.JPG" /></a></div>
Looks yummy, don't ya think? And it tasted just as yummy as it looked! So, what is my "secret ingredient"?
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Here it is:
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26Eg8p3dv2BbK8CXl6-yYiGGvpQEuWLpjPpLpt7YSTFYZC64JPfNdJIcAFoJ4yKz4ugCWG_ZYsCqG5WwN4S4ukuQG9qYCp8dhQxAVKaDBp6nsdshUaY6SPTL6MbdYx01Ys4_8ip2qFwPm/s1600/P1250154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26Eg8p3dv2BbK8CXl6-yYiGGvpQEuWLpjPpLpt7YSTFYZC64JPfNdJIcAFoJ4yKz4ugCWG_ZYsCqG5WwN4S4ukuQG9qYCp8dhQxAVKaDBp6nsdshUaY6SPTL6MbdYx01Ys4_8ip2qFwPm/s320/P1250154.JPG" /></a></div>
Yep, Stove Top stuffing mix! I bought the herb seasoned flavor. And just substituted this for my breadcrumbs/oatmeal that I usually put in my meatloaf. It was so easy AND flavorful! Hubby loved it and so did I. The seasonings included in the breadcrumbs really gave the meatloaf a wonderful flavor.
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So, what's your take on meatloaf? Do you have a secret ingredient to make it taste even better than a tried and true recipe? I'd love to know!
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Until next time...
Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-3486094768905495322013-01-27T22:37:00.000-05:002013-01-28T18:30:17.499-05:00A Lampshade RedoI have had this sad little lamp sitting on my kitchen counter for quite some time. She has served me well. But, alas, she has paid the price. As you can see, she is a victim of kitchen mishaps. She's been moved around, she has stains on her and yet, she just keeps on shining.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKI0kkoIx6md2zXF_XH7fJGix-9-2F6hQEWftJod4ohOZw5o3BTROgdF4fE-U6op3Xi_jyLB-dLMNrwTXggh0ka2TL_Vq20uPiZg8owHrRa9fAjUDVYeGW7uvYBf9FjDaXC6JH4zdQ02K/s1600/P1270155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKI0kkoIx6md2zXF_XH7fJGix-9-2F6hQEWftJod4ohOZw5o3BTROgdF4fE-U6op3Xi_jyLB-dLMNrwTXggh0ka2TL_Vq20uPiZg8owHrRa9fAjUDVYeGW7uvYBf9FjDaXC6JH4zdQ02K/s320/P1270155.JPG" /></a></div>
Cute, but sad. So, to thank her for all her hard work, I decided to give her a little makeover. I searched the internet for inspiration and when I saw this photo, angels started singing! I kid you not.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXf4QZlUZH9MjKbxLKTVuKl3U2yzvBRFDMq2Qq19vFzQm6me3xqtEQcpZq6SEGuwbg6NdVGtpqh8oE9IeAplBpkJoCvF0fns4EV4PS5JK3ZEAuQVEZ0YdFIMIDUbzPtqtbZMgwW2M-dc_/s1600/DIY+French+Script+Lamp+Shade+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXf4QZlUZH9MjKbxLKTVuKl3U2yzvBRFDMq2Qq19vFzQm6me3xqtEQcpZq6SEGuwbg6NdVGtpqh8oE9IeAplBpkJoCvF0fns4EV4PS5JK3ZEAuQVEZ0YdFIMIDUbzPtqtbZMgwW2M-dc_/s320/DIY+French+Script+Lamp+Shade+2.jpg" /></a></div>
Isn't that the most gorgeous lamp you've ever seen?? This was done by Jeannine over at <a href="http://theconcretecottage.blogspot.com/2012/08/diy-french-script-lamp-shade.html">The Concrete Cottage</a>. Now, I know what you are thinking. My little lamp could in no way, shape or form ever look like her full sized "sister" lamp. And you'd be right. But, I knew I could take some inspiration from Jeannine and that's exactly what I did.
First, I gathered my supplies. Jeannine details how she copied images and taped them to the inside of her shade and traced them with a Sharpie pen. I loved that idea, but let's face it. I ain't got time for all that! So I decided to use a script stamp I've had forever and just stamp my shade. I also wanted to bling her up a little bit so I decided to use some hairy ribbon (my husband's term, not mine) around the top and bottom of her.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQN1GSx3OxsEY1rRG4Kthj5utoNTeiOJyKgVspeJmbmD_a2iup2ZECLQp2cZBwlf7M6uZ5voaYuXpY1iqKX-PgDObqUHe6C3ZCqtKz6tR1euY2IvGxyTqI23SCd94bOKxgUbij2nbAPGO/s1600/P1270163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQN1GSx3OxsEY1rRG4Kthj5utoNTeiOJyKgVspeJmbmD_a2iup2ZECLQp2cZBwlf7M6uZ5voaYuXpY1iqKX-PgDObqUHe6C3ZCqtKz6tR1euY2IvGxyTqI23SCd94bOKxgUbij2nbAPGO/s320/P1270163.JPG" /></a></div>
In choosing to go this route, I was aware that my script would not look perfect and would be more of the faded look. And I was ok with that. So all I did was stamp her all the way around, hot glue the ribbon to her, and voila, she was done!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGN3D3gjidxTonC817hABF3hpO83XclmBKMoIOUzToHilqrSkNEgsThAb8JXynCUFMXwVEZxe78xZiPFjO_PR_OhYy7Y4WZqhlqGY78mmzVNLc7SLQqgBb_qt23HJmZ4x9M6VTWJr8hjT5/s1600/P1270186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGN3D3gjidxTonC817hABF3hpO83XclmBKMoIOUzToHilqrSkNEgsThAb8JXynCUFMXwVEZxe78xZiPFjO_PR_OhYy7Y4WZqhlqGY78mmzVNLc7SLQqgBb_qt23HJmZ4x9M6VTWJr8hjT5/s320/P1270186.JPG" /></a></div>
I was so pleased with how pretty she looked, I decided to create a vignette starring her on my kitchen counter top.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdQ4r6qgERLi7jqNcz_VtwUc3QDZo7q1GKijJTzOrSHkQr6n6zIzmatVZu1EhZsdzBPcYICgF_nQWpfdz4O8QEx5lIEnJmcZOYcIrgMTgnmvyfMV1bkEYjVg55iuyPSBemT5vQS89lSWm/s1600/P1270168-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdQ4r6qgERLi7jqNcz_VtwUc3QDZo7q1GKijJTzOrSHkQr6n6zIzmatVZu1EhZsdzBPcYICgF_nQWpfdz4O8QEx5lIEnJmcZOYcIrgMTgnmvyfMV1bkEYjVg55iuyPSBemT5vQS89lSWm/s320/P1270168-001.JPG" /></a></div>
What do you think? Isn't she lovely??
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I'm linking to these parties this week:
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Debbiedoo's <a href="http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/winter-knock-off-decor.html">Copy Cat Party</a> and Marty's <a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/01/151st-table-top-tuesday.html">Table Top Tuesday</a> Party over at A Stroll Thru Life.
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Until next time...
Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-70195564267180027552013-01-16T17:43:00.000-05:002013-01-21T19:37:52.288-05:00Valentine Dollar Tree PartyHello everyone! Debbie over at Debbiedo's is hosting a Valentine Dollar Tree Party and I wanted to join in on the fun. So off to the Dollar Tree I went to see what I could find. I actually came away with two fun ideas!
For this first one, I purchased an 8 X 10 silver picture frame, a package of puffy, glittery heart picks, and a spool of Valentine themed ribbon. I also used two different scrapbook papers, but I already had these at home in my stash.
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I removed the glass from the frame and put it away to use at a later date. I then removed the puffy hearts from their sticks. I inserted the red piece of scrapbook paper in my frame and layered my patterned, translucent piece of scrapbook paper on top of it. Then I just used a dab of hot glue and glued three of my puffy hearts onto the paper. I used a thin tipped sharpie pen to free hand the words faith, hope, and love under the hearts. Then I took my ribbon and crafted a bow that I hot glued to the top of my frame. I topped the bow off with another one of the puffy hearts.
And this is what I ended up with:
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Isn't that cute?? And I only spent $3.00 on this project!! I decided to create a little table top vignette with it.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1kXyTB5CUGRZ1u3wq5_JtYu2JA0bEujypKP2KcecuHvuCLVBB6wDZjbz4TCZUrq3dFV5b1h1KkvQK-fT3Xy6nVRA6clqGuFMia99WqWGSN0X-5YmbVPrVjr9AgFKi6KIaLyxh1EEnd0n/s1600/P1150119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1kXyTB5CUGRZ1u3wq5_JtYu2JA0bEujypKP2KcecuHvuCLVBB6wDZjbz4TCZUrq3dFV5b1h1KkvQK-fT3Xy6nVRA6clqGuFMia99WqWGSN0X-5YmbVPrVjr9AgFKi6KIaLyxh1EEnd0n/s320/P1150119.JPG" /></a></div>
I am so pleased with how this little project turned out.
For my second project, I'll have to give you a little bit of background. Before I married my awesome hubby in 2009, my son and I lived with my Mom for several years. Every Valentine's Day, my Mom and I would buy little gifts for each other and let my son present them to us. We never spent more than a couple of dollars, it was more about just having fun than trying to buy expensive gifts that neither of us needed or used. Now that I am married and no longer live with my Mom, I still carry on this little tradition of buying or making her something for Valentine's Day without spending a lot of money on it. So while I was at the Dollar Tree, I decided to pick up a few things to put something special together for her. My Mom is a diabetic, so candy is out of the question. I decided to make her a "whipped cream topped milkshake". Here's what I used:
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTib5ZWJN0jPZJ0y4OeopkNZRkiBZwo4kjhQ72dgd6iwMXzk4ymIlqQpNcCM6l-F9Ga_PPnmY8ITzuV6X9oP5eX4bGoGOe1TVdNhxJyWXgatDC0SJ0hwm3azozirYamZUU7UmvM6YYFufW/s1600/P1120114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTib5ZWJN0jPZJ0y4OeopkNZRkiBZwo4kjhQ72dgd6iwMXzk4ymIlqQpNcCM6l-F9Ga_PPnmY8ITzuV6X9oP5eX4bGoGOe1TVdNhxJyWXgatDC0SJ0hwm3azozirYamZUU7UmvM6YYFufW/s320/P1120114.JPG" /></a></div>
I purchased a plastic cup that came with a lid and straw, two bottles of pink tinted bath salts (I ended up only needing one bottle and about a fourth of the second bottle), a white loofah poof, and I used one of the puffy heart picks from my picture frame project. So total spent (not counting the puffy heart) was $4.00! All I did was take the lid off of the cup, pour in the bath salts, smoosh the loofah poof down on top, and insert one of the puffy hearts through the loofah to simulate a cherry on top! I then stuck the straw back into the cup, going down beside the loofah poof. I thought it looked a little plain, so I tied a leftover piece of my Valentine's ribbon around it. And voila, a cute "milkshake" for my Mom for Valentine's Day! She will enjoy using the bath salts and the loofah to pamper herself with and she can use the cup and lid over and over again! I plan on adding a small tag that will read "You shake me up, Valentine!" Not bad for $4.00 if I do say so myself!
Here's a view of the front of my "milkshake":
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And from the back:
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This turned out so cute and I know Mom will love it! And this little project is proof that you don't <i>have</i> to always give your Valentine candy or flowers. Just give them a "milkshake" with whipped cream and a heart shaped cherry on top instead!
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Click <a href="http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/decorating-with-a-dollar.html">HERE</a> to pop over and check out all the other creative Dollar Tree ideas for your Valentine at Debbie's party.
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I'm also linking up for Marty's <a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/01/150th-table-top-tuesday.html">Tabletop Tuesday</a> weekly party over at A Stroll Thru Life. Please be sure to visit these sweet ladies' blogs. I promise you will leave very inspired!!
<center><a href=”http://www.astrollthrulife.net“><img src="http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o796/Marty_Oravetz/sm.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></center>
Until next time...
Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-39263787079734980352013-01-06T17:17:00.000-05:002013-01-06T17:17:46.997-05:00My Newest Endeavor....Hello everyone! I have always loved to crochet from the time I learned how way back when I was knee high to a grasshopper! Lately, I've discovered a new kind of yarn that looks like fishnet. A friend of mine posted some pics on Facebook of some scarves she made with it and I just fell in love! So, upon inquiring about it, she led me to a YouTube video that shows you how to make these beautiful ruffled scarves. I had to run out and buy a few skeins to try it out. Here's what I've made so far:
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Four scarves in just one day! They work up quickly and I think they are just beautiful!
This one is called "Salsa":
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I've already sold three of the four scarves! How awesome is that? I guess you could say I'm hooked! ;)
Until next time...
Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-14122453186018687082013-01-01T08:59:00.000-05:002013-01-01T08:59:49.215-05:00My Word for 2013I've seen several bloggers who chose a "word" for the upcoming year instead of making a lot of resolutions that, let's face it, usually get broken before the first day of the new year comes to a close! So I'm jumping on the band wagon and choosing a word for myself for the new year.
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2012 was a good year for my husband and I in a lot of ways. It was also a not so good year for us in a lot of ways. It's so easy to be upbeat and positive when things are going well. But when we hit a rough patch, sometimes it's very easy to sink down to a level of self despair that is very difficult to pull yourself out of. In light of these reflections, I've chosen the word "calm" as my word for 2013. You see, I tend to veer to the side of negativity and hand wringing despair when things aren't going so well in my life. Even though I always make it through the rough patches, I dwell on the bad things that are happening instead of focusing on all the good things that I still have in my life. So for that reason, in 2013 I'm going to learn to:
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaOQoIVfoe3z2jFHCMWOODPsHxaR9xaiZ1haQfXzpcjan3w0E4Q_NX9crLCSbhV8miGnClURlhfQmrrYjBMqb0AHdTEKkwZGOj4tVnqB3XQ0F6T-tlcmwDOhCgdeZ432i9baRTyKBhm6w/s1600/calm+red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaOQoIVfoe3z2jFHCMWOODPsHxaR9xaiZ1haQfXzpcjan3w0E4Q_NX9crLCSbhV8miGnClURlhfQmrrYjBMqb0AHdTEKkwZGOj4tVnqB3XQ0F6T-tlcmwDOhCgdeZ432i9baRTyKBhm6w/s320/calm+red.jpg" /></a></div>
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Because no matter what I'm facing in life, this, too, shall pass!
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Have you chosen a word for 2013? If so, I'd love for you to share your word with me.
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Until next time....Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-68424522914072340792012-12-30T11:02:00.000-05:002012-12-30T11:02:20.589-05:00A New Year....Hello everyone! Yes, I've been gone for quite some time. Seems like I just got in a blogging funk and had nothing inspirational, creative, or just plain "read worthy" to post. So I took a much needed, long blogging break. And I've decided I will not commit to making myself blog if I don't want to. I will blog when and if I feel like it and I think that will work out just fine for me. :)
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Hard to believe that in a few hours, a new year will be upon us. I've not set any unattainable New Year's resolutions for myself. I'm just going to take one day at a time and be the best person I can be each and every day. We'll see how that goes! Ha!
I hope to be more consistent with getting and keeping my home better organized, craft a little more (I miss that!), and honing my cooking skills. Which means I'll be sharing more good recipes with y'all as I come across them. I still have a crappy point and shoot camera so my pics will probably not be the best, but I'll try!
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So, if I have anyone left that still actually reads my little blog, my wish for you in 2013 is love, peace, and happiness. Be yourself in everything you do and never miss an opportunity to make someone else feel special. Happy New Year!
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Until next time...
Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-13193126560880061212012-12-13T22:34:00.000-05:002012-12-13T22:34:09.361-05:00My Next Project.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-4586266781272783312012-09-11T08:54:00.001-04:002012-09-11T08:56:08.024-04:00Just Hanging Around in the Living Room. . .Hello friends! Woke up to 40 something degree temps in the mountains here in Virginia this morning. That can only mean one thing ~ fall is quickly approaching! It's my favorite time of the year. As long as I don't dwell on what comes next, which would be snow and cold, cold temps. Oh well, we won't think about that today! Instead, why don't we focus on walls today. I thought it'd be fun to share some of the wall vignettes around our living room. Come join me for a tour!
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I love changing out my wall vignettes and I get lots of inspiration from some great blogs! Here's what you see when you walk in the door to our simple little (and I do mean little!) cottage:
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This is hanging above my couch which is currently flanking the far wall which faces the door in the living room. A simple print depicting a covered bridge and horse drawn buggy flanked by simple candle sconces and a vinyl "Welcome" greeting. Our living room colors are currently burgundy and tan. But, I am excited to announce that we have FINALLY agreed on a new sofa and recliner set in a sage green color so I will be incorporating some of that color in my future wall vignettes, I'm sure. I will post pictures of that at a later date.
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This next vignette is what is hanging over my television and is the wall to your right as you enter our home. A floral print flanked by small iron candle sconces with burgundy candles and some wall iron art above.
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And this is what is hanging over our fireplace, which is the wall opposite of the television:
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I found the large mirror at Lowes of all places, and the prints flanking the mirror were gifted to me by a family member. Another iron art piece above the mirror and I found the "B" at Hobby Lobby a while back and adhered it with a command hook. I tied a bow out of some burlap and burgundy ribbon for enhancement.
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And finally, this is what I have hanging to the left of the front door, and is what you would see when you are leaving our home. My wonderful "Amazing Grace" sign I bought on line several years ago, a small mirror, and a shelf with hooks for our keys. I am a huge lover of the Willow Tree figurines so I plopped one down on this small shelf.
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Thank you for joining me on this small tour of my living room wall vignettes. I'm joining Marty over at A Stroll Thru Life for her Table Top Tuesday Party. Click <a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2012/09/132nd-table-top-tuesday.html">here</a> to pop over and see lots of inspiration!
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Until next time. . .
Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-45940110031784279612012-09-09T17:49:00.001-04:002012-09-09T17:49:22.962-04:00Pinned It, Made It MondayHello all! Yes, I've been away for quite some time. Let's just say it was time for a much needed bloggy break for me. I will explain more in a later post.
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Tammy over at Country Girl at Home, hosts a Pinned It, Made It party every Monday and since I get so much inspiration from Pinterest (don't we all!), I thought it'd be fun to join this week.
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As most of you who read my blog probably know, the hubby and I did a makeover on our laundry room a while back. Well, of course, I've been doing some tweaking to it since then, which I will share in more detail in a future post, but this little project is one thing that I have wanted to do since I saw it over on Pinterest a long time ago.
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I don't know about y'all, but it seems like my dryer eats socks! And I always seem to have a pile of unmatched, lonely, sole mateless socks after every load. So I pinned this picture as my inspiration and I got to work:
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvdTT3bMApNbNKw3wQ4QWxw7GjAeDf0P9Y3DdCM-tsO1tD6rglON0oaCw4sHDFmMU_q9oXtYPPCS7c8hLyROnwlwzECAHGtNgql5L_Aa-tavZhdBqrowACu27W-Nd5tTYTVPifAcyXjZ9/s1600/socks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvdTT3bMApNbNKw3wQ4QWxw7GjAeDf0P9Y3DdCM-tsO1tD6rglON0oaCw4sHDFmMU_q9oXtYPPCS7c8hLyROnwlwzECAHGtNgql5L_Aa-tavZhdBqrowACu27W-Nd5tTYTVPifAcyXjZ9/s320/socks.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://dejongdreamhouse.blogspot.ca/2012/07/seeking-sole-mates-missing-sock-holder.html">source</a>
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I just loved the play on words on this little sign. I have decided to try the "use what I already have on hand" approach for a while as far as my craft projects go, so I shopped the house and came across a piece of wood that I had put back for making a sign "someday". I painted it a creamy color (again, using craft paint from my stash)and had hubby attached a length of black chain that we had laying around from a previous project. I then painted some ordinary clothes pins black and glued some scrapbook paper to the fronts of them. Then I attached them randomly across the bottom of my board with some hot glue. Then I just took a Sharpie marker and free handed the words "Sole Mates Wanted!" across the top of my sign. Now, it is definitely not perfect, but I don't mind because none of us are perfect and when we are searching for our "sole mate" in life, they have to understand that! :) I am pleased with how this turned out:
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4-xxY2VS-xynj1SlzhpPc8q20cI2YjqGCcspmUuN3sBwpuqrgYym-tSXYmsWYYITKmARcN5UXCmWLZjExgnjb21BIXNFcnEqCvu5aeEYxZqpecNiqAODsv-Lnyg40xrHWuyIntpFkEPH/s1600/P9070024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4-xxY2VS-xynj1SlzhpPc8q20cI2YjqGCcspmUuN3sBwpuqrgYym-tSXYmsWYYITKmARcN5UXCmWLZjExgnjb21BIXNFcnEqCvu5aeEYxZqpecNiqAODsv-Lnyg40xrHWuyIntpFkEPH/s320/P9070024.JPG" /></a></div>
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Sorry I couldn't get a better picture for you. My laundry room is tiny and I wanted to take the picture with it hanging up so you could tell how it is supposed to look. I may do another one in the future using some stencils, but for now, this will suffice just fine. And it's a lot easier to match these socks up with their true "sole mates" this way than it is to go through a pile of mismatched socks on top of the dryer.
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Please click on the button below to hop over to Tammy's party and check out all the other Pinterest inspirations.
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<center><a href="http://www.countrygirlathome.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx230/CountryGirlatHome/PinneditMadeitButtonSized.jpg"/></a></center>
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As always, thank you for visiting me and until next time. . .
Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-63805285197628170822012-07-14T08:11:00.000-04:002012-07-14T08:11:20.589-04:00What Am I Up To Now???What does this:
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitp1P0RAOG_8mpQL3Cxf3wmSWHoBWg2ikpdjidZV7AAZSiTuh0kUmrAnWB_hlPlIsFJK_wiw01xl5TvCAu3yoj669ZHSqoN5Qpp9rwLm9DCWmkWl3w8YGWr-gS0dly_B9mq9tMHuQ8ja9J/s1600/P7080342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitp1P0RAOG_8mpQL3Cxf3wmSWHoBWg2ikpdjidZV7AAZSiTuh0kUmrAnWB_hlPlIsFJK_wiw01xl5TvCAu3yoj669ZHSqoN5Qpp9rwLm9DCWmkWl3w8YGWr-gS0dly_B9mq9tMHuQ8ja9J/s320/P7080342.JPG" /></a></div>
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And this:
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Have in common? You'll have to wait and see!! :)
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Until next time. . .Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-2946682725397752462012-07-12T16:46:00.000-04:002012-07-12T16:46:49.970-04:00Homemade Laundry DetergentHello everyone! I've been seeing several bloggers blogging about making homemade laundry detergent. It piqued my curiosity, but I must admit, I was very skeptical. So I did what any responsible blogger would do. . .research, research, research!! I read every blog post I could find on it and it seemed like the overwhelming census was that it got the laundry clean and cost only pennies to make. So I decided to jump in and give it a try!<blockquote></blockquote>
Most of the "recipes" for this concoction are basically the same, but I decided to go with one I found over at the blog <a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/2012/04/stonegable-laundry-soap.html">StoneGable</a>.<blockquote></blockquote>
Here's a look at my ingredients:<blockquote></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKQiLl0-wmO4dIPcX4x_kgWY224BjsRa4SL4JGp3XtMxC1wvPUOl_47b5KKkHUNW18zqyKgXItktHkHTKN60I9GNTcZbPhK2gs93jL9v2UkMkoCDl_DE4_iWK8-Czb8FT2I-vNnzdedZj/s1600/P7100377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKQiLl0-wmO4dIPcX4x_kgWY224BjsRa4SL4JGp3XtMxC1wvPUOl_47b5KKkHUNW18zqyKgXItktHkHTKN60I9GNTcZbPhK2gs93jL9v2UkMkoCDl_DE4_iWK8-Czb8FT2I-vNnzdedZj/s320/P7100377.JPG" /></a></div><blockquote></blockquote>
Click on the StoneGable link above to get the exact measurements and recipe. I would list them all here for you, but I've already thrown away all the boxes! The total cost to make a batch of this detergent is around $30. And it makes a huge tub of the stuff, let me tell ya! All you do is grate your Fels-Naptha soap (it looks like cheese!) and then pour all the other ingredients in and mix, mix, mix!<blockquote></blockquote>
Here's what mine looked like after I mixed it all together:<blockquote></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2sVCtA8UAiUjnlgz3jLrvNTHhjPIcEpUZvpK4U8PBrFsZ2MzGvx_dhQg9WUe-5LMcoiGnaKWmYqHOrfpUOtb6C6sKiM-Dg3swBmyxAKwij6VxtSZKPvKNapfwWfYnFNcEszmeqg-1JwO/s1600/P7100378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2sVCtA8UAiUjnlgz3jLrvNTHhjPIcEpUZvpK4U8PBrFsZ2MzGvx_dhQg9WUe-5LMcoiGnaKWmYqHOrfpUOtb6C6sKiM-Dg3swBmyxAKwij6VxtSZKPvKNapfwWfYnFNcEszmeqg-1JwO/s320/P7100378.JPG" /></a></div><blockquote></blockquote>
Since you only use about 2 tablespoons per load, this batch should last me about a year! Thirty dollars for a year's worth of laundry detergent ain't too shabby, if you ask me! I used it for the first time today, and I really like it. My clothes came out fresh and clean without smelling perfumey. I don't have a HE front load washer, but all the info I read on this product states that it is safe to use in these types of machines. Also, it doesn't make hardly any suds so if you try it, don't think you aren't using enough. I used 2 tablespoons in the load I did today and it didn't suds up hardly any at all. But my clothes came out wonderfully clean! I did use my regular fabric softener but think I may now be on the hunt for a homemade version of that, too!<blockquote></blockquote>
Have any of you tried anything like this? If so, I'd love to hear about your experiences.<blockquote></blockquote>
Until next time. . .Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-48809633948910167242012-07-11T12:04:00.000-04:002012-07-12T14:03:41.611-04:00A Simple ProjectHi everyone! I have been seeing rope wrapped vase projects all over blogland and on Pinterest. Since simple is what I do best, I decided to give it a try. I gathered my supplies, which consist of a dollar store glass vase, rope I purchased from Lowes, some faux hydrangeas, and my trusty well used glue gun and got to work.
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<blockquote></blockquote>All you do is wrap your rope or twine around the jar, gluing as you go.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMoM3RaYaC72HI8r6KC28aEx01Sc92i4JEwKPvv-EhrBFpTulww-pwnII8vz894u19GvBTXaNVwcSBcgA6KXAoQlR5ZPd68Ri7dyuxH2NzzGX6fSs1EMUOy0flFt_pIMMFadeccUCyKLU/s1600/P7080367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMoM3RaYaC72HI8r6KC28aEx01Sc92i4JEwKPvv-EhrBFpTulww-pwnII8vz894u19GvBTXaNVwcSBcgA6KXAoQlR5ZPd68Ri7dyuxH2NzzGX6fSs1EMUOy0flFt_pIMMFadeccUCyKLU/s320/P7080367.JPG" /></a></div>
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And this is what it looks like when you are finished:
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5H8iq3QqCLtUqhVr4BMLVKgQx1Ovwatjk12iutrkSXXbHjZD139C0pfZPz-v9Er9ZF_cQkdggve3G6u-fAHzCf2dcs6neOOeRszvcBkVBtktdaNBqf_vNGEmJ2mU_IREfxKZhnWakpbxd/s1600/P7080369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5H8iq3QqCLtUqhVr4BMLVKgQx1Ovwatjk12iutrkSXXbHjZD139C0pfZPz-v9Er9ZF_cQkdggve3G6u-fAHzCf2dcs6neOOeRszvcBkVBtktdaNBqf_vNGEmJ2mU_IREfxKZhnWakpbxd/s320/P7080369.JPG" /></a></div>
<blockquote></blockquote>So Pottery Barnish looking, don't you think? I plopped my faux hydrangeas in it and, viola, a cute, summer look for just pennies! The most expensive part of this project was the rope. I think I paid around five dollars for it and the best part is, I have plenty left over for future projects. So for less than ten dollars, I have a stylish piece that is going to go into my "new" master bedroom. I'll share more on that with y'all in a later post.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8B41Y2h-t5DOWDvGGOt9d4JN8bbkjf5-q5VsU8qqrwfdOaba3XJ4PfnGwgcg7yMQreN7Bfl8-vVPQuJpwmnLNq-81jksC3lCJUm2U6SaB2SKJYVUmwV2xIEw5F7Yf-MEuu-jB8dYXUU2/s1600/P7080371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8B41Y2h-t5DOWDvGGOt9d4JN8bbkjf5-q5VsU8qqrwfdOaba3XJ4PfnGwgcg7yMQreN7Bfl8-vVPQuJpwmnLNq-81jksC3lCJUm2U6SaB2SKJYVUmwV2xIEw5F7Yf-MEuu-jB8dYXUU2/s320/P7080371.JPG" /></a></div>
I apologize for the quality of these photos. I did this project at night, while watching some mindless television. I think the whole project took me about an hour from start to finish.
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I'm linking up with these parties this week:<blockquote></blockquote>
<a href="http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/2012/07/sizzle-into-summer-its-party-73.html">Sizzle Into Summer</a> over at DIY by Design<blockquote></blockquote>
<a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2012/07/wow-us-wednesdays-74.html">Wow Us Wednesday</a> over at Savvy Southern Style<blockquote></blockquote>
<a href="http://kristenscreationsonline.blogspot.com/2012/07/share-your-creations-party-45.html">Share Your Creations Party</a> over at Kristen's Creations<blockquote></blockquote>
Until next time. . .Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-50890108873683667302012-07-06T07:54:00.000-04:002012-07-06T07:54:08.590-04:00Having Fun at a Wax MuseumA couple of weeks ago, my sweetie and I took an overnight trip to Pigeon Forge, TN. Which is really not news in and of itself, as we tend to go there a lot for overnight weekend getaways. It's only about a three hour drive from where we live so it makes for a nice little weekend drive.
<blockquote></blockquote>The last time we ventured down that way, we noticed they were building a new attraction but we couldn't really tell what it was going to be. Well, this time they had it finished and we decided to check it out. It's called The Hollywood Wax Museum. The hubs and I both decided that it was probably meant more for families with children, but it was very hot when we were down there and we figured we'd check it out since it was probably air conditioned! Much to our surprise, it was an awesome attraction where visitors are encouraged to interact with the wax displays.</blockquote>
A couple of shots of the outside of the building:
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<blockquote></blockquote>Once inside, we had our photo taken with King Kong and then we were ushered into the museum for a self guided tour.
<blockquote></blockquote>Lucy made me try some Vitameatavegamin.
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<blockquote></blockquote>Meet Agent J, Agent K, and my favorite man, Agent S.
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<blockquote></blockquote>Jeannie took me on a tour of her bottle.
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<blockquote></blockquote>Then I received a crash course on how to become one of Charlie's Angels.
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<blockquote></blockquote>Meanwhile, hubby tried to block Michael Jordan's shot and shared in a victory with race car driver, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
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<blockquote></blockquote>Leonardo made my heart go on and Forrest was kind enough to share his box of chocolates with me.
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<blockquote></blockquote>By this point, we were getting pretty tired, so hubby tried to get Spock's crew to "beam us up".
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<blockquote></blockquote>What a fun way to spend a couple of hours on a hot afternoon! There was lots more that we saw, but I won't bore y'all with pictures of everything. And there was also a couple of other additional attractions, like a haunted castle thing, and a King Kong experience, neither of which we did.
<blockquote></blockquote>Sometimes it's fun to just let everything go and be a kid again! If you ever get a chance to visit the Pigeon Forge area, this is an attraction that I highly recommend.
<blockquote></blockquote>Until next time. . .
Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-16520695531961792232012-07-04T08:58:00.000-04:002012-07-04T08:58:48.186-04:00Happy Birthday America!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote>Thank you to all the service men and women around the globe who sacrifice so much to keep us all safe. Happy birthday, America!!</blockquote>
Until next time. . .Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-51606756122695105592012-06-28T20:41:00.000-04:002012-07-05T16:39:39.361-04:00A Super Simple, Super Yummy Summer SaladWow! Try saying that title three times fast! I was browsing pinterest the other night and came upon this delicious looking salad from Paula Deen. I immediately pinned it and decided to give it a try tonight for dinner. I'm all for a simple, quick to fix salad and this one did not disappoint! The verdict: definitely a keeper!<blockquote></blockquote>
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<b><i>Cucumber, Tomato, & Onion Salad<blockquote></blockquote>
2 cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced<blockquote></blockquote>
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved<blockquote></blockquote>
1/2 Vadalia onion, very thinly sliced<blockquote></blockquote>
2 tablespoons chopped parsley leaves<blockquote></blockquote>
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar<blockquote></blockquote>
1 tablespoon olive oil<blockquote></blockquote>
salt and pepper to taste<blockquote></blockquote>
In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Chill for at least 10 minutes, preferably longer.</i></b><blockquote></blockquote>
I'm sharing this over at Kristen's <a href="http://kristenscreationsonline.blogspot.com/2012/07/share-your-creations-party-44.html">Share Your Creations</a> party. <blockquote></blockquote>
Until next time. . .Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-29599525214528935192012-06-21T20:02:00.001-04:002012-06-30T21:40:59.663-04:00A Visit to San Antonio - Part TwoDay two of our visit to San Antonio was a very exciting day - GRADUATION DAY!!!! We boarded a bus near where they guys and gals did their Airman's run on Thursday and were transported to the parade grounds. We got an early start so that we could get good seats and we were rewarded by this beautiful sunrise on our way to the base.
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Once there, I got my Mom settled and then took a little self guided tour of the parade grounds.
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There were a lot of these big, old planes around. I guess that makes sense, this being an Air Force base, huh? :)
On the back of the building sheltering all the dignitaries and special guests, this was what I found.
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"I am an American Airman, I am a Warrior, I have answered my Nation's call"
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVb9GN-8eqI_blyDYdQwIOtLUbaHtdJ2o8_RjsJE55zTNJmJGxjCoSXTMa6U2HtYSx5NMfP_AnWeUyqaQWKXWfZs36fvlxxAGhp_QsN2In6FtOCMfrlfEptkPjLOg1Z1mENfIxoCtqy0t/s1600/P5180087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVb9GN-8eqI_blyDYdQwIOtLUbaHtdJ2o8_RjsJE55zTNJmJGxjCoSXTMa6U2HtYSx5NMfP_AnWeUyqaQWKXWfZs36fvlxxAGhp_QsN2In6FtOCMfrlfEptkPjLOg1Z1mENfIxoCtqy0t/s320/P5180087.JPG" /></a>
"Integrity First, Service before Self, Excellence in all we do"
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The back of the grandstands were lined with all these colorful flags and plaques.
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Soon it was time for the graduation ceremony to begin. The Airmen marched out onto the parade grounds and lined up in formation. Each flight group was recognized and all the MTIs (Military Training Instructors) were introduced. Brandon's flight, along with his brother flight, Flight 350, were chosen to carry the American flags and all the US state flags. What an honor! Brandon carried Hawaii's flag.
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After hearing from a few keynote speakers, including one of the highest ranking Generals in the Air Force, the graduates were pronounced Airman Basic! No more trainees! Woohoo! They then marched around the entire parade grounds in front of all the proud family members. After reciting the Airman's creed and taking the Air Force oath, the graduation ceremony concluded with a fly over from a fighter jet. I didn't get a picture of that due to the fact that my camera is not a very high tech one and that plane flew by pretty fast!
My newly graduated Airman Basic, Brandon Scott Rash!!!
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I love this child with all my heart and I am so very, very proud of him and all that he has accomplished these past few months!
In a future post, I will share some of the fun stuff we got to do during our visit to San Antonio, so stay tuned!!<blockquote></blockquote>
Until next time. . .Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-48399411277221391232012-06-20T18:48:00.000-04:002012-06-20T18:48:04.942-04:00A Visit to San Antonio - Part OneLast month, my son, Brandon, graduated from Air Force basic training in San Antonio, TX. I was fortunate enough to get to fly out for graduation weekend. I flew out on Wednesday and flew back home on Sunday.
The graduation festivities began early Thursday morning with the mile and a half "Airman's Run". This is a run in which all the flight squadrons run in formation for a mile and a half. The families are invited to line the road side and cheer them on. A lot of us made signs to show our support for our Airmen.
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This picture is Brandon's flight, Flight 349. They were the "Bulldogs". Don't ask me which one he is. They ran by at a pretty good pace and I had no idea where he was in this picture. The only way I knew it was his flight is because each flight had a "bear", which is the person who carries a flag in front of the group. The flag has their flight number on it. The run was an awesome thing to watch. All the guys and girls running were singing "jodies" as they ran. A jodie is a chant or song. They did the run at 7 a.m. due to the hot temperatures in San Antonio.
A bit later in the day, we attended the coin ceremony. This is where each Airman is presented with a symbolic coin, signifying their transition from a trainee to an Airman Basic. My son is the Airman in the center of this picture.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5r8DzvQVhi-FbQjDoNeWk36DkgoPqVO53EgKA-FtP3EAhn6dxPtUqk6-VrkUYqVz4r1rBene8jNRTos5bOExJhbIA0JXdtK2KRFanisOrXLymRxkdFL0TL9pIcUEFGH8TFL1FQqLONOla/s1600/P5170025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5r8DzvQVhi-FbQjDoNeWk36DkgoPqVO53EgKA-FtP3EAhn6dxPtUqk6-VrkUYqVz4r1rBene8jNRTos5bOExJhbIA0JXdtK2KRFanisOrXLymRxkdFL0TL9pIcUEFGH8TFL1FQqLONOla/s320/P5170025.JPG" /></a>
After all the Airmen were presented with their coin, they were dismissed by their trainers to spend the rest of the day on the base with their families. But before they could be allowed to break formation, they had to be "tapped out" by a family member. This means that they had to be tapped on the shoulder by someone before they could break formation. Here's me tapping out Brandon. By far,the BEST moment of the entire weekend!!! There were lots of tears from me and from him since we hadn't seen each other in over two months.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IKf_2W5XfuusFonFjvO24z5U3Uc4fu4bxGYSQC8dhMTWboshmP2O2N3UPw54XRq5hlGqc4u1-bPH5pDnqPKz-2ltz7M66fDr7SrYams-E9o30jLcxRt_aQWcLT8NjHtMlz7gfej8yvxq/s1600/P5170036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IKf_2W5XfuusFonFjvO24z5U3Uc4fu4bxGYSQC8dhMTWboshmP2O2N3UPw54XRq5hlGqc4u1-bPH5pDnqPKz-2ltz7M66fDr7SrYams-E9o30jLcxRt_aQWcLT8NjHtMlz7gfej8yvxq/s320/P5170036.JPG" /></a>
The rest of Thursday was spent on base doing fun things. We went bowling, caught a movie, shopped at the BMX and mini mall on base, and ate a LOT of junk food! This was the first junk food they had been allowed to have since they arrived for the beginning of basic training. I think Brandon ate just about everything you could imagine. It seemed like he never got full!!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiL-UEfaTBsP5UfyoI0uT1Hz_S513gLrQUa-xdySYDjFyk7BD21aqsUeB9xmewue_r4xQZMH17Z-cbm4tgGb1yigbICx3XWNMcKAjr5C6ztezxLnUoGIaiP6SO-JUr_gDnCkJrbdxD9Qu1/s1600/P5170057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiL-UEfaTBsP5UfyoI0uT1Hz_S513gLrQUa-xdySYDjFyk7BD21aqsUeB9xmewue_r4xQZMH17Z-cbm4tgGb1yigbICx3XWNMcKAjr5C6ztezxLnUoGIaiP6SO-JUr_gDnCkJrbdxD9Qu1/s320/P5170057.JPG" /></a>
It was hard to leave him on base on Thursday evening. But I took solace in knowing that I would get to see him on Friday morning, all dressed up in his dress blues for the actual graduation ceremonies. Check back tomorrow for a post on that! I'll leave you with this picture of my Airman with his very proud Momma!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfSiKxnLcvbBj2-G3BwlBaFBK0uz8NJwFGLsrf6QAzpAggIems3WH-I3uT0Z7xCTaPtAkxPwbkcCVA11pTNBxDFw7vhcIhO935eX94O7L3YAeQoXF1GDuqi65gJXikoyys44fMQQc7Edq/s1600/P5170041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfSiKxnLcvbBj2-G3BwlBaFBK0uz8NJwFGLsrf6QAzpAggIems3WH-I3uT0Z7xCTaPtAkxPwbkcCVA11pTNBxDFw7vhcIhO935eX94O7L3YAeQoXF1GDuqi65gJXikoyys44fMQQc7Edq/s320/P5170041.JPG" /></a>
Until next time. . .Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-27677227693673010082012-06-19T19:47:00.000-04:002012-06-19T20:03:29.090-04:00My Pool Noodle Wreath!Hi everyone! Debbie over at Debbiedo's is hosting a Pool Noodle party and since we all know how much fun Debbie's parties are, I decided to join in by making a pool noodle wreath. I wanted to challenge myself by seeing how inexpensively I could create this wreath. I purchased my noodle at the Dollar Tree then shopped my craft room to see what other goodies I could find. I found some gingham fabric along with some scraps of coordinating solid fabrics, some buttons and some yarn. I felt like my wreath was lacking in something so I decided to try to create a banner that would hang across my wreath. I looked and looked for something to use as my banner pennants but could come up with nothing that would work. Then the hubs and I were walking through Wal Mart the other evening past the paint section and the proverbial light bulb went on over my head. Paint chip samples!! YES!!! So I grabbed a few of a couple of colors and raced home to put my wreath together. Here's my supplies I used:
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jbdfjQ3sn-eHaGnuxJ7m0sT5n49co4UaZTn9aW_SELpVEO8bqvqfks0RZhXpSRIFBAn277T5r8oBc9snMBazUrAMpH09K_pD99ACtwJbKLMGtyCb8a-2W1mBA_iGsgpQprPupKTHeD8h/s1600/P6170254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jbdfjQ3sn-eHaGnuxJ7m0sT5n49co4UaZTn9aW_SELpVEO8bqvqfks0RZhXpSRIFBAn277T5r8oBc9snMBazUrAMpH09K_pD99ACtwJbKLMGtyCb8a-2W1mBA_iGsgpQprPupKTHeD8h/s320/P6170254.JPG" /></a>
I started off by taping my noodle together with some packaging tape I had. I didn't cut any of my noodle before doing this step.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGk76FpTON1ZOrrpEAgvZRAV_s7_ymc7pVVL3wzEep0JeUTAnlS6RWfN-t72mV_jpCMskoSjQk2jy7HAsKkP7JUusZxK6TmYLqdRonoggJY5cfGsm4FlwdBQr8Hu1_0taZc5iuMoV-a34/s1600/P6170258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGk76FpTON1ZOrrpEAgvZRAV_s7_ymc7pVVL3wzEep0JeUTAnlS6RWfN-t72mV_jpCMskoSjQk2jy7HAsKkP7JUusZxK6TmYLqdRonoggJY5cfGsm4FlwdBQr8Hu1_0taZc5iuMoV-a34/s320/P6170258.JPG" /></a>
Then I tore strips of my gingham fabric and wrapped it around my noodle, hot gluing here and there as I went to secure it. I then created some simple flowers by taking a cookie cutter and tracing around it onto my solid fabrics. I then made some rosettes out of the opposite colored fabric and hot glued them together. I embellished each one a little bit different using buttons and scraps of yarn.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTxyjNsI_G7UtgGxi90RYNAc5je_iT8buAw1MwVpW6-s8Vmi1d_4JtNDYC8SEpMZuM9j0emPktDvc13docPmGeB_i1uPbGAk457T0SNaQDEyqm_zbPpSq1t3jLfs1b4OgdTU59fWtsiVF/s1600/P6180269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTxyjNsI_G7UtgGxi90RYNAc5je_iT8buAw1MwVpW6-s8Vmi1d_4JtNDYC8SEpMZuM9j0emPktDvc13docPmGeB_i1uPbGAk457T0SNaQDEyqm_zbPpSq1t3jLfs1b4OgdTU59fWtsiVF/s320/P6180269.JPG" /></a>
I created my banner by cutting triangle shapes out of my paint chips. Using a hole punch, I punched a hole in the top corners of each triangle. I used a black sharpie pen to write a letter on each triangle, spelling out the word "welcome". I then took some yarn and used it as my twine for the banner. I threaded it through my triangles and simply tied it onto my wreath. I then tied two little bows out of yarn and hot glued them on each end of my banner.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdd9ZhC8gqWyHOf4ncK0KvqRzjtZQA6UIFfZpXXBJqM-OVpKyPsiOFM107G9bvhYr3wY40x2itqccdnrfntfyZ-u8ERRDpYd_0GgorNUnYrHUuf_vedRYR9r_787abXVDQhcoDL4cnNxe3/s1600/P6180271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdd9ZhC8gqWyHOf4ncK0KvqRzjtZQA6UIFfZpXXBJqM-OVpKyPsiOFM107G9bvhYr3wY40x2itqccdnrfntfyZ-u8ERRDpYd_0GgorNUnYrHUuf_vedRYR9r_787abXVDQhcoDL4cnNxe3/s320/P6180271.JPG" /></a>
Here's my finished wreath:
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMOpjLqCUL1BaJRK4UryX4xRupF8v1L9r-ZsMncZvZHe9TbsfaPqyjhWIGUibIsaLOI9UG5WxDN7OfkJHZBlc9xeaceCa69rSVTb5a8sj9iZoW_9TsK19WX-_uoX0Jmo3B2Dz9p8Kvl06/s1600/P6180268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMOpjLqCUL1BaJRK4UryX4xRupF8v1L9r-ZsMncZvZHe9TbsfaPqyjhWIGUibIsaLOI9UG5WxDN7OfkJHZBlc9xeaceCa69rSVTb5a8sj9iZoW_9TsK19WX-_uoX0Jmo3B2Dz9p8Kvl06/s320/P6180268.JPG" /></a>
So cute!! And I only spent $1 and about an hour of my time making it! How cool is that?? I've already bought another pool noodle and can't wait to make another wreath. I took my wreath to work with me yesterday to show my friends, and one of my co-workers fell in love with it. Since her birthday is at the end of this week, I gave it to her as an early birthday present. No one at work was able to guess what I made my wreath out of and when I told them, they couldn't believe it!! I love projects like that, don't you?
I am linking up to Debbie's Noodle Party. Just click <a href="http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/2012/06/summer-pool-noodle-party-lets-get-it-on.html">here</a> to visit Debbie and check out all the other creative projects people have come up with using pool noodles.
Until next time. . .Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-35009327523296778072012-06-11T22:39:00.001-04:002012-07-05T20:14:42.276-04:00A Laundry Room Makeover!Yes, it's been quite a while since my last post. I was feeling a little burnt out and not the least bit creative so I decided to take a "blog break" for a while. There's been a lot happening in my life these past few months, and I'll share some of that in future posts, but first, I'd like to share a makeover my sweetie and I completed this past weekend on our laundry room.
I'm gonna take the plunge and bravely (or stupidly) share with you the "before" photos. Just please promise you won't call in the producers of "Hoarders" when you see these pics. My laundry room is small, only roughly 5 feet by 8 feet so my working space is very limited in there. Keep that in mind while viewing these photos.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DiktjrdaPd_wNWwBkwP-xGP7heB7IeX5faVIzuS73vzs3DozALo6bRSX_rviV22frVEOSAilkCiCf7jXODsbsvEB7s5wJb5gIQxzvqWyxWpA_zxjsfN3Bs4uyCVPiJvdwdEU1I1awXSW/s1600/P6090199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DiktjrdaPd_wNWwBkwP-xGP7heB7IeX5faVIzuS73vzs3DozALo6bRSX_rviV22frVEOSAilkCiCf7jXODsbsvEB7s5wJb5gIQxzvqWyxWpA_zxjsfN3Bs4uyCVPiJvdwdEU1I1awXSW/s320/P6090199.JPG" /></a>
So much clutter on this shelf! Mercy!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6EPPp39IHGxhil-_ySe32Ta1gIDlkxgDa1MD_RBihwnSPJOIj3g9DJANXnbZyZTKgAM9n8eNyG5e-AEDe92cHWM5n2Gz7SJn5IdARk4CXXoinZWTmRSRULdofBdGaglTj4nFksK2PRw4/s1600/P6090200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6EPPp39IHGxhil-_ySe32Ta1gIDlkxgDa1MD_RBihwnSPJOIj3g9DJANXnbZyZTKgAM9n8eNyG5e-AEDe92cHWM5n2Gz7SJn5IdARk4CXXoinZWTmRSRULdofBdGaglTj4nFksK2PRw4/s320/P6090200.JPG" /></a>
Shoes, coats, and more clutter on this side. Can you say ugly???
We started by taking everything out of this tiny room and stripped off the wallpaper border. Then we began painting. I used a color by Valspar called Evening Eclipse. It's a blue/gray color and I love it!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjach0soMS03wcYd9yJ_zdUt71VrXDf1qMEmO6JOgQtR8LVp2AjD6mTa6JrPKE6LhyOG9FkhmCpX3fM6KmIy2xSTEgeGjgZzXBC-i98qgUWatuCLrNAcPIdVsjPO1N9V9siVTIE7qZ1W_9H/s1600/P6100210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjach0soMS03wcYd9yJ_zdUt71VrXDf1qMEmO6JOgQtR8LVp2AjD6mTa6JrPKE6LhyOG9FkhmCpX3fM6KmIy2xSTEgeGjgZzXBC-i98qgUWatuCLrNAcPIdVsjPO1N9V9siVTIE7qZ1W_9H/s320/P6100210.JPG" /></a>
Paint going up!
Next, we laid down some new flooring. I love the black and white tile look and found a piece of vinyl flooring at Home Depot that fit the bill. I also wanted to keep the room from being too dark since we have no natural light in this small space, so I decided some beadboard and trim would work well for that.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc677Lod9uwGCZAVAiJuN1FFMfI7tf33vuXyvLb34fH6lDy0fkG5ZRmftUKOHkvDM7kkwJ4BzXUg6Dv_bw7HinOk4jN_qZD2DWyt0g8VPln84Fu1lFAZRraVgnpOckzMxjVwtuZmtqM-9_/s1600/P6100213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc677Lod9uwGCZAVAiJuN1FFMfI7tf33vuXyvLb34fH6lDy0fkG5ZRmftUKOHkvDM7kkwJ4BzXUg6Dv_bw7HinOk4jN_qZD2DWyt0g8VPln84Fu1lFAZRraVgnpOckzMxjVwtuZmtqM-9_/s320/P6100213.JPG" /></a>
A closer look at the trim we chose:
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6U3G20a9vl1_GekB-3cuTcjjiYsMb7wGV_WCnNVbQ5jHzk2MJlVtJl6JCCZ-avNbNCTLyivjI61DmlpQiz2zESvcSEcVz3UWrCs-Dz1TiB7Rigtwems-TkphznIsaWH8E6wjXB19sXXGP/s1600/P6100222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6U3G20a9vl1_GekB-3cuTcjjiYsMb7wGV_WCnNVbQ5jHzk2MJlVtJl6JCCZ-avNbNCTLyivjI61DmlpQiz2zESvcSEcVz3UWrCs-Dz1TiB7Rigtwems-TkphznIsaWH8E6wjXB19sXXGP/s320/P6100222.JPG" /></a>
To pull the black from the floor up into the room, I went with some black wicker baskets, which also help keep laundry tools and supplies organized. These baskets were purchased from Lowe's.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NYEpzhrb-Q8aJlYXDQEAw1rJR44jfhTckvAl5c-yGrFpiO5FJzKTpGBdgj7yeXZ_S5BftI3zmDkugQ7CvBTdRNjCKyTtIGkUkklja3KR9oLNbF_02C_rq7MSBSVMr5MVC7dyDNROW2n5/s1600/P6100246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NYEpzhrb-Q8aJlYXDQEAw1rJR44jfhTckvAl5c-yGrFpiO5FJzKTpGBdgj7yeXZ_S5BftI3zmDkugQ7CvBTdRNjCKyTtIGkUkklja3KR9oLNbF_02C_rq7MSBSVMr5MVC7dyDNROW2n5/s320/P6100246.JPG" /></a>
I shopped my home for most of the other accessories I used in this room. And I rehung our coat rack to use for our seasonal jackets and to hang my ironing board. I did purchase this plain little jar at Wal Mart for my laundry detergent and spiffed it right up with some scrapbook stickers and a pretty little bow.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBddxL3gmDMqs5hEtCN-hPvS5kA0nq7jUSxZ_h9Cp8foqVylJjCjhha8mbEV4F4CC26eBVogVrZtGp06n5CCo22OFvKoUoCcT0_jPAi5jyR9VaSadzHf6DdmSbzBryJGdJCbWUAxC2zDn/s1600/P6100245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBddxL3gmDMqs5hEtCN-hPvS5kA0nq7jUSxZ_h9Cp8foqVylJjCjhha8mbEV4F4CC26eBVogVrZtGp06n5CCo22OFvKoUoCcT0_jPAi5jyR9VaSadzHf6DdmSbzBryJGdJCbWUAxC2zDn/s320/P6100245.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW68kp0rQJpucG2JaD70LgHLcpfUGQXwuePHWPte4b2SYKiveuJelHIGT2AIS4pibI_cXyYP_IbHcWgp8Lf_YFEklozdzD-uFkBj3ZGYE_JjmwJUddNsTUjeFITCpGtSPurDHdmuk7alWg/s1600/P6100217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW68kp0rQJpucG2JaD70LgHLcpfUGQXwuePHWPte4b2SYKiveuJelHIGT2AIS4pibI_cXyYP_IbHcWgp8Lf_YFEklozdzD-uFkBj3ZGYE_JjmwJUddNsTUjeFITCpGtSPurDHdmuk7alWg/s320/P6100217.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rjZ9bF5Vug-1sD7G3TvbZo3DxsObw9kqGNUM0lvt4iVcm774dKmm0YufXzWK26c9hQY-sOH7jA9Octba4GCDLVpQXXv9Wru2fyzqV0cXQ959lPguyKKP0grqUA9htsfFRxhja8f9kAMW/s1600/P6100227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rjZ9bF5Vug-1sD7G3TvbZo3DxsObw9kqGNUM0lvt4iVcm774dKmm0YufXzWK26c9hQY-sOH7jA9Octba4GCDLVpQXXv9Wru2fyzqV0cXQ959lPguyKKP0grqUA9htsfFRxhja8f9kAMW/s320/P6100227.JPG" /></a>
I am thrilled with how this tiny room turned out! And it only cost $186 to make this room over!! Can you believe that?? Eventually we will be adding some crown moulding and my sweetie is going to build me a "clothes folding" table
which be installed under the coat rack to help make that job a little bit easier.
Here's the finished (for now) room:
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gr4sjz4D97qiLkgQSLynHmd5JQCNr9NgftlKBm5uzbHe0AE-UQNK2AfJhK8tOrZsD2zR5PBtWpyEt9myQN7ToNTLRa3QWpwbMBpoo4E02Kw3Rf8MNTI02tksQoyuIyPaX39oBYpRuJVq/s1600/P6100235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gr4sjz4D97qiLkgQSLynHmd5JQCNr9NgftlKBm5uzbHe0AE-UQNK2AfJhK8tOrZsD2zR5PBtWpyEt9myQN7ToNTLRa3QWpwbMBpoo4E02Kw3Rf8MNTI02tksQoyuIyPaX39oBYpRuJVq/s320/P6100235.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS74mVzSKOt4EWChivQkFjMGuTovhwCWwUm5ohp7Kes_s7ZjuQVylAA-vuK8GIj86Uj_h4QelF22p9kWQn5guzi9HxtvO2vnfI5kmT30i3bG5XHsyDKrlD2tYYUffKsAeKOjUs1IXOiwbK/s1600/P6100236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS74mVzSKOt4EWChivQkFjMGuTovhwCWwUm5ohp7Kes_s7ZjuQVylAA-vuK8GIj86Uj_h4QelF22p9kWQn5guzi9HxtvO2vnfI5kmT30i3bG5XHsyDKrlD2tYYUffKsAeKOjUs1IXOiwbK/s320/P6100236.JPG" /></a>
Not too shabby for less than $200! Now all I need is a new front load washer and dryer. Oh well, a girl can always dream, can't she?
I'd love to know what you think of my laundry room makeover!
I'm joining up with these parties this week:<blockquote>
</blockquote>
<a href="http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/2012/07/pin-the-tail-on-the-bloggy-time.html">Pin the Tail on the Blog</a> party over at Debbiedo's;
<a href="http://cozyhomescenes.blogspot.com/2012/06/your-cozy-home-party-23.html">Your Cozy Home Party</a> at Cozy Home Scenes; <a href="http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/2012/06/120th-table-top-tuesday.html">Tabletop Tuesday</a> at A Stroll Thru Life; <a href="http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/2012/06/flaunt-it-friday-107.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FSRimK+%28Chic+on+a+Shoestring+Decorating%29">Flaunt It Friday</a> at Chic on a Shoestring Decorating.<blockquote></blockquote>
Until next time. . .Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-2332760940351062022012-03-25T11:14:00.008-04:002012-03-25T11:35:33.594-04:00I'm Backkkkk!!!!!Hey everyone! Sorry for such a long absence. Life has kicked my butt these past couple of months with many different changes going on and almost no creativity which means nothing much to blog about. I have been around lurking, however, and still gleaning much inspiration from all of you.<br /><br />Here's a tiny recap of what's been happening in my life since January:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaWQA1qrUVEEto-jCY20_ZnZAgDDlSOaIxr4HKtyARnAkafx5pNu42t4lBbzPJ-ZmEhci51Xo2C2Q-WPoeMMf0ttKt-yhoOteFVhFhtGGrqv9tijfGx4Eisjn_s2YKwEEcX_chFVJOVA/s1600/doctor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaWQA1qrUVEEto-jCY20_ZnZAgDDlSOaIxr4HKtyARnAkafx5pNu42t4lBbzPJ-ZmEhci51Xo2C2Q-WPoeMMf0ttKt-yhoOteFVhFhtGGrqv9tijfGx4Eisjn_s2YKwEEcX_chFVJOVA/s320/doctor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723855504901253874" /></a><br /><br />I got a job! Yep, I'm back among the working. This time I'm in a doctor's office in my hometown. I really like it. It's a small practice and my experience and background in the medical field suits this job to a T. It feels really good to be working again. I was getting bored and depressed sitting around the house all day. And having the extra money is great too!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglvfnCIn46MVowcMLa7O8r95zRoeo2kMtDJ26x16Y22lT9lFO-z2AfvAvrFCcpcTwX8qBpecLJKreO5dKiA99Mw-UugJq0-ZQiugNMy-6aw8dT0XrmgADadwpusmHZ823_grtygxwkBg/s1600/air+force.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglvfnCIn46MVowcMLa7O8r95zRoeo2kMtDJ26x16Y22lT9lFO-z2AfvAvrFCcpcTwX8qBpecLJKreO5dKiA99Mw-UugJq0-ZQiugNMy-6aw8dT0XrmgADadwpusmHZ823_grtygxwkBg/s320/air+force.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723855809596466978" /></a><br /><br />My baby boy now officially belongs to Uncle Sam. *sigh* He left for Air Force Basic Training last week in San Antonio, Texas. I worry myself silly about him, but am so proud of his decision to join the military. It's not something I would have ever thought he would do, but he was really excited about it, so I hope it works out well for him. I am already planning my trip to San Antonio in May to see his graduation. I cannot wait!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSdKW1BOw-e6reejNhep1pFEmG-1NEe9VMGfYcjNIjl6-dLqNVca4K-0WqwoZ35mxMowrPmF9UIIuKK8QgSBfoGpMTIcFaNTtSfqigTLEkaa2MVtMgLl1iNa42c_ko9w1xKttZV0y8O0/s1600/Mia+014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSdKW1BOw-e6reejNhep1pFEmG-1NEe9VMGfYcjNIjl6-dLqNVca4K-0WqwoZ35mxMowrPmF9UIIuKK8QgSBfoGpMTIcFaNTtSfqigTLEkaa2MVtMgLl1iNa42c_ko9w1xKttZV0y8O0/s320/Mia+014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723856480572657586" /></a><br /><br />Meet the newest member of our family - Mia! She is a 9 week old Yorkie and boy, is she a handful! So full of puppy energy! Our other Yorkie, Sophie, is not very fond of her new sister, but I'm hoping over time, that will change. I forgot how hard it is to potty train a new puppy! Shew, I am about worn out with her!! But we love her already and she makes us laugh with her funny little puppy antics every day.<br /><br />I made an awesomely cute wreath for Valentine's Day, but I haven't downloaded any pics of it yet so I will share it with you in a future post. Other than that, I haven't had the time or energy to create much else these past few months. <br /><br />It feels good to be back in blogland!!!<br /><br />Until next time. . .Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-87227940779301424012012-01-29T10:21:00.002-05:002012-01-29T10:27:49.996-05:00The Winner Is. . .I want to thank all of y'all who entered my 400 followers giveaway! I can't believe I have surpassed 400 followers! I wish I could give each of you a gift card, but since I am currently unemployed, that ain't gonna happen! LOL! You all inspire me so much with your creativity and for that, I thank you. I'm sorry I wasn't able to get on here yesterday and announce the winner like I had planned. I had a lot going on and just didn't get time to do it. So, without further ado, the winner of the $50 Visa gift card is. . .<br /><br /><br /><em><strong>Kathy @ Dandelions and Dust Bunnies!!!!</strong></em><br /><br />Congrats to Kathy!! If you will get me your mailing info, I'll get your prize out to you as soon as possible.<br /><br />I have a few small projects I'm working on right now that I hope to share with y'all this week as well as some tweaking I've done on some wall groupings in my living room that I plan to share if the weather will cooperate and allow me to get some decent pictures of. So I hope you will check back in for all that. Have a great Sunday!!<br /><br />Until next time. . .Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500906727491984336.post-7298947309355836172012-01-23T16:05:00.005-05:002012-01-23T16:26:29.056-05:00400 Followers Means It's Giveaway Time!!Woohoo! Y'all rock! 400 followers ~ how awesome is that?? Pretty awesome, if you ask me! In light of this accomplishment, here's what one of you lucky followers is going to win:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3gHyvNXYSKehq7uM5rbQvDy4o6AkfOcoHn99VLcvTbUnE0_DE9t4uIIA45WwoiAgVP1c3H5yA0w0eX71W81BUQrGQ-E0EaIWDjgLvbLfWr1JnioBZFFEEUU5VG5konwBjp3KS3bF5tE/s1600/gift+card.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 128px; height: 79px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3gHyvNXYSKehq7uM5rbQvDy4o6AkfOcoHn99VLcvTbUnE0_DE9t4uIIA45WwoiAgVP1c3H5yA0w0eX71W81BUQrGQ-E0EaIWDjgLvbLfWr1JnioBZFFEEUU5VG5konwBjp3KS3bF5tE/s320/gift+card.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700938498179435026" /></a><br /><br /><em><strong>A $50 VISA GIFT CARD!!!!!!!!</strong></em><br /><br />That's right! A $50 Visa gift card to spend on whatever your heart desires! I have decided to leave this giveaway open until midnight on <em><strong>Friday, January 27, 2012</strong></em>. So if you haven't signed up for it yet, there's still some time to do so. And if you aren't following me yet, sign up and leave me a comment on my giveaway post <a href="http://onesimplecountrygirl.blogspot.com/2012/01/time-for-giveaway.html">here</a> letting me know. That's also where you will find all the rules associated with this giveaway. Good luck!<br /><br />Please note: <em><strong>COMMENTS LEFT ON THIS POST WILL NOT BE COUNTED!!!</strong></em><br /><br />I want to thank you all for following along with me these past three years. I know my blog is not the prettiest, fanciest, or most amusing blog out there, but it's who I am and I am honored that y'all think enough of me to want to follow along.<br /><br />Until next time. . .Donna~One Simple Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386112721487172023noreply@blogger.com4