Bench from a Bed-Updated

Thank you all for participating in the Thrifty Thursday yesterday. What fun! There were some really great thrifty finds out there. I am so envious of many of you! Hate I didn't "find it first".
Oh, well, if not me, then you! Great job!

Now onto a thrifty project....

I have a thing for old doors, windows and beds. I like the solidity of them. They make a statement. It is so sad for me to go into an antique store or a thrift store and see those once loved beds (and doors) stacked up against a wall. Unloved. I get the same feeling by walking and seeing puppies at the pound. You just want to take them all home and love them.
But, realistically, I can't do that for all of them. But you can help....in the case of the pound and the beds. Adoption.

Lost? No, I am not on medication.....Stick with me.....

All those unloved beds, there is possibility and promise out there. You just have to look beyond the ugly. Beyond the scratches, the bad paint jobs and ugly decals. Those things can be sanded down, painted over or removed. Think out of the box.

Have you ever seen a bed bench? It's an actual bench made from a unloved, or even a dearly loved bed. The same can easily be made with an old door.



It is really isn't difficult, if you know a thing of two about using a powersaw and screwdriver.
Both of which I have no skill at so I am looking for a good carpenter. Know one you can loan me?
Years ago I inherited my mother's bed that she had when she was a little girl. It currently sits in my basement, awaiting to properly be loved once again.
I would LOVE to repurpose it into a bench for my mother. What a perfect Mother's Day Project. (one that I just blew if my mom happens to read today).
Want to try making a bench too? Here are the basic instructions. Just don't email me with questions....unless you can answer mine. Where can I find a good carpenter locally?

Bench from a Bed Instructions
1.Find yourself a bed (headboard and footboard)

2.Cut the FOOTBOARD in half (not the headboard, thank goodness some of you caught my typeo. I would hate for you to mess up the headboard and send me an ugly email. Don't do it! Cut the footboard in half, it will be the sides. The headboard is the back of your bench. Whew! That was close!!!)

3.Screw one of the headboard pieces to the side of the footboard.
4.Repeat with the next piece of headboard, afixing to the other side.

5.use a side rail if you have it. If not try using a 1x 6 piece of wood. Screw to the front of the footboard pieces. This will form the seat. It should be about 14-17 inches from the floor. (Depending on your size of bed, and the height of the person)
6.Take a 1x4 and screw it into the back of the 1x 6. Then take another 1x4 and screw near the bottom of the headboard. These two boards should line up together. These will hold the slating for the seat. Be sure to use a level. No one wants a slanted seat!

7.For the seat, cut 1x4 slats like the ones you used on the bottom of the bed...or you can cut a solid piece of plywood and use that to make a cushion by stapling batting and foam to the plywood. Or...purchase a cushion.

So??? You have you adopted a good bed?

Yes? Well then, at the risk of sounding like Bob Barker, please visit your local shelter and adopt a puppy. There's alot of love out there. Love back.

Thrifty Thursday and a Tablescape

Welcome one, welcome all to Thrifty Thursday here in Bloggeritaville. It's also Tablescape Thursday so it has to be a party! Grab yourself a Thrifty Thursday button and let's get started!For those that don't know, Thrifty Thursday is a show and tell of sorts. It is time for you to showcase your thrifty find. It can be an old find or a new one. It might be something that you found at a thrift store, a consignment store, flea market, garage/yard sale, antique store. It's it was a thrifty find, then it meets the requirements. I am not picky, It can be a great pair of boots & a killer vintage dress, jewelry, home decor, even fishing lures. It is your thrifty find. Tell me about it. Where did you find it? What is it? What do you plan to do with it or how do you plan to use it in your home? Do you want to sell it? Thrifty Thursday's are about the thrill of the hunt...and the treasure you found. So....do show and tell!
My Thrifty Thursday find this week is a $10.00 find that I snagged at a garage sale. I had been eyeing the antique ceiling tin tiles. I got lucky when I came across this one, that had been handmade into a great mirror.

It would be an easy process to duplicate. A frame was for the tile to be adhered to.

Here is a look at the back, where a basic mirror was placed and glued to secure. Hinges were screwed into the corners for hanging purposes.

And there you have it, my $10.00 Thrifty Thursday find!

Now, onto a tablescape....Tablescape Thursday is hosted by the lovely Susan of Between Naps on the Porch.


The following Tablescape Thursday is a throw back to an article that I wrote for Kids Life Magazine. This is not the article in it's entirety, but this portion was perfect for a tablescape Thursday, and it brought back many memories.
My six-year-old daughter and I got a real treat when we went to Magnolia and Ivy Tearoom, located in the village at San Destin.

This unique tearoom is owned by the sister duo, Kay Snipes and Terri Eager. Both sisters are certified in tea etiquette and teach classes to children and professionals alike. When we stepped inside the doors of Magnolia and Ivy, we immediately channeled our “royal” selves and deemed ourselves Queen and Princess for the day.
Tables were set for full service tea!




There are old-fashioned hats and stoles everywhere throughout the tearoom to try on to aide in your teatime experience. After my daughter and I finally picked out our favorite hats and put on our gloves and stoles, we ordered tea.

I got autumn apple tea. Our server, Chesed, was very helpful and suggested the pink princess tea for my daughter. We also had lunch. The tea and the food were incredible! On gorgeous china plate was a multitude of delights, such as a cucumber sandwich (cucumber/dill packages), an almond lemon square, a chocolate and coconut encrusted truffle, Irish potato and parsley soup, three cheese and vegetable quiche, fresh fruit, a carrot raisin muffin, and an orange poppy seed scone to make our teatime experience complete.

It was one of the most memorable meals I have had.

My daughter and I both agreed that this was the highlight of our trip. This is necessary experience for any queen, be it the domestic variety or the royal one! Be certain to take your little princess, or royal mum for a truly delightful experience.
-END---------------------------------------------------------

I think it is important to moms and daughters to have time together. It forms those bonds and opens up the lines of communication. Sister Sledge and I are already looking forward to a future lunch at a local tearoom very soon. Reservations have been made and we are already trying to decided what we will order! Good times, with my favorite girlfriend!

The tearoom look can easily be duplicated on a thrifty budget. Shop thrift stores for mismatched tea cups and saucers. The mismatched cups and plates only add to the cottage tearoom charm. Make tea time, anytime by just shopping at the right places and keeping your eyes open for great tablescape finds. Good Luck!
Thank you for dropping by my blog for Thrifty Thursday and to those that popped in from Susan's Tablescape Thursday. I love new friends! Join me for next week's Thrifty Thursday!

Be sure to link and comment as well! Thanks Y'all!

A Meme and a Reminder- Thrifty Thursday

The Alphabet Meme. Someone (forgive me I cannot recall, shoot!) asked if I would play in an alphabet meme. I LOVE meme's so the answer was SURE! I would love if you'd play along too. Let me know in comments so I can read there or on your blog.
A is for your age: 38
B is for your burger of choice: I don't eat burgers. Not even in Paradise. But I can sing a great song about one....
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/j/jimmy+buffett/cheeseburger+in+paradise_10150068.html
C is for the car that you drive: Honda Odyssey
D is for dog's name: There are five, thankyou. Miley Sue Joanna, Charlotte Ann, Lucy Lu, Jeffery Windham, and Jane Aire
E is for an essential item you use each day: aside from the hygentic items, my computer.
F is for your favorite television show: Seinfeld/The Office. I also love King of Queens.
G is for favorite game: Uno, Balderdash, Pictionary, Clue. I also love the scene it's.
H is for hometown: Helena, which also begins with H
I is for instruments played: guitar. I play it, but need lessons.
J is for favorite juice: grape or pineapple
K is for what you'd like to kick: Seriously? What kind of question is that? Is this a set up?
L is for last restaurant you dined at: How is that L? Pateras Pizza tonight after my son's tennis match. It's a hole in the wall, one that I don't like the environment, but I like the pizza. And it was quick.
M is for your favorite muppet: Kermit and Animal. Kermit owned me every time he sang "Rainbow Connection" and how could anyone not love Animal with his unrestrained style.
N is for number of piercings you have: 4. My ears, thank you.
O is for overnight hospital stays: Hmmm.....four? One time for each of my babies and once for removal of my appendix.
P is for people you were with today: Like personally saw and interacted? Big Daddy, Bama, Sledge, Smooth, the tennis team and parents. I spent four hours today waxing floors. I hardly left the house.
Q is for what you do in quiet times: Blog. Cuddle and watch tv with the family. Read.
R is for regrets: None really, you learn from mistakes. And perhpas that slice of cake.....
S is for status: Huh? Currently I am "tard".
T is for time you woke up today: to early!
U is for what you consider unique: individuals. We are all unique in our own ways.
V is for favorite vegetable: Wow. That's hard! I LOVE vegetables. It's a tie between corn, carrots and cauliflower. Really any veggie that begins with c.
W is for your worst habit: indecision, which may or may not be my problem.
X is for x-rays you have had: arm, chest, ankle, back
Y is for yummy food you ate today: pizza.
Z is for zodiac sign: I don't believe in that junk. But if you do...I am a leo.

I want to remind all of you about Thrifty Thursday! I will post Mr. Linky on Wednesday night at 9PM so you can link up to the party.

What's Thrifty Thursday, you ask? For those that don't know, Thrifty Thursday is a show and tell of sorts. It is time for you to showcase your thrifty find. It can be an old find or a new one. It might be something that you found at a thrift store, a consignment store, flea market, garage/yard sale, antique store. It's it was a thrifty find, then it meets the requirements. I am not picky, It can be a great pair of boots & a killer vintage dress, jewelry, home decor, even fishing lures. It is your thrifty find. Tell me about it. Where did you find it? What is it? What do you plan to do with it or how do you plan to use it in your home? Do you want to sell it? Thrifty Thursday's are about the thrill of the hunt...and the treasure you found. So....do show and tell!

****Be sure to grab a button and post it on your Thrifty Thursday post...and don't forget to come back and link either this evening or tomorrow so that every one can drop by your blog to check out your Thrifty Thursday post.*****

Sterling Silver and the Story of Grace?

I have told you of my obsession with white plates.....but here is another. Silverware. Actual silver that is etched with the name or initials of someone, or somewhere.
This serving fork is an antique etched with "National Hotels".



I imagine that it served up some Sunday brunches in it's day....perhaps lunches to ladies in dresses and fancy hats taking tea. Ya think?
This next one is special to me, it is my mother in law's baby spoon. It has her name on it.






It's pretty easy to find these pieces in antique stores. And usually is it reasonably priced.
These have the initial "W" on them.

And these next ones have a "B"! I found a "B"! For my last name! I was really excited about this find. It is a set of several spoons.

This one came from a place. My grandmother gave it to me. She got it on a trip when she was a child:

Now this next silver spoon doesn't have an initial, but I liked the intricate detailing in the pattern.


Here is a closer view, although any of these pictures you can click on for more detail. I know it is hard to see.



Finally, this is one of my favorite finds. It is a set of serving spoons with the name Grace initialed on each one.


I think it is my natural curiosity that intrigues me. I wonder how the person named Grace acquired the spoons......
Perhaps is was......
Grace was a young farm girl. The time period was way back in the 1800's. She was 24 years of age, getting older by the standards of that time in being a single woman. Most of her friends had found Mr. Right, but Grace never really dated anyone. Her time was spent working the fields and working the farm animals on her parents farm, where she still lived. Grace was a natural beauty, her neighbors and the church members (of the only church in town) often wondered why Grace had never married. They felt sorry for her. "Poor Grace", they 'd say, "She probably will not find anyone at her age. She's growing long in the tooth...." Grace heard their comments, but she ignored them. Naysayers!
One day, when Grace was working the farm, she heard her father yell. There had been an accident. Her father had severely injured his arm while working. He had crushed his arm between two large logs. It took Grace and her mother to move the log off. Grace had to take the horse and buggy two towns away, to fetch the nearest doctor, Doctor Winston. She promptly brought him back to the farm, where he was able to save her father and his arm. They had little money, but the good doctor was happy to work a payment plan for them. A good home cooked meal, and fresh eggs and milk to take back with him would suffice.
That evening Grace and her mother prepared a feast, using what was available to them on the farm. Fresh baked bread, a cured and salted hog, fresh vegetables, and the summer's best tasting fresh picked blackberry pie one could ever imagine. During supper the doctor chatted up the family, but it was Grace who he was really interested in. After supper, Grace prepared the eggs, milk and another pie for the trip when she was to take Dr. Winston back to town. Dr. Winston checked once more on her father, gave him some medication and bid Grace's mother ado. Grace was already on the buggy waiting. It was a long trip back, it had grown dark, but the moonlight on the dirt trail made it light enough to see. Grace and Dr. Winston had great conversation. Not only was it a means of killing time and staying awake, they got to know one another very well. Perhaps it was the moonlight? Dr. Winston didn't care what it was, all he knew was that he was very interested, and curious in Grace. How could someone this beautiful and this hard working not be married? Certainly it was by the grace of God. It was to his favor. By the time they made it to the town of Berkshaw, the sun was rising and bouncing rays of sunlight off of Grace's strawberry bond hair. Dr. Winston knew that if he ever wanted to see Grace again, this would be the time to inquire."Grace, would you be interested in corresponding with me? I would love to keep in touch..." "I would love to". Grace smiled shyly.
The doctor and Grace began their courting through letters that came almost daily for the next three weeks. Grace was surprised to see Dr. Winston riding up to the farm one day, she had not expected him. "Dr. Winston, what brings you here?" "I am here to check on your father, it has been weeks since the accident, I wanted to pay a visit to see how he was doing." Dr. Winston smiled at Grace as he made his way to the house. Grace continued her work, gathering vegetables in the garden. Some time later Dr. Winston made his way down to the garden to talk to Grace. "Your father has greatly improved. He almost at full usage of his limb. He is very lucky....I am glad you got to me in time to assist." "Dr. Winston, I cannot thank you enough for helping father. This is his life. He he weren't able to farm and provide for mother....."
Dr. Winston interjected, "He's a lucky man. But the way I see it so am I. Grace, I got to meet such a lovely family." Grace was a bit embarrassed and looked down. Dr. Winston continued, "Grace, I spoke with your father. You and I have courted through letters for several weeks. It's not a proper courtship, but it has worked for us. However, I would like to see you more often. Grace, I have asked your Father for your hand in marriage. He approved." Grace was completely surprised. She smiled, not fully knowing how to react. She looked up at the house, where her mother and father stood in the doorway smiling approval.
"Grace, I don't have a proper ring for you right now, I have ordered it from Chicago, but I couldn't wait it's arrival. Grace, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
"YES!"Grace shouted and ran to the doctor to hug him. "Grace, the ring is expected to arrive in a couple weeks, but I wanted you to have this..", the doctor reached into his doctor bag and pulled out a package of tissue paper and twine." Grace, it isn't much.....but they are silver." Grace carefully unrolled the tissue paper. Inside there were three serving spoons, reading her name, Grace, beautifully engraved on the sterling.

It was the most beautiful thing Grace had seen. She had never seen anything with her name on it, much less silver. "Grace, I have come to love you. And please, call me Michael..."
And they loved happily ever after.....
.............................................................................................................................................................
True. I will never make it as a romance writer. And perhaps it is the cough medicine. But I can't help that my mind wanders, and wonders the stories of how the names and initials came to be. What things to you collect? Do you like monogrammed and initialed pieces?

Rocking Weekend, Literally

I hope you had a great weekend! I actually had a long weekend, starting off on Thursday night with a girls night honoring my friend "The Boss", who was to be married on Friday.

We had supper together at a local restaurant and each of us toasted (no, not roasted! I said toasted) our friend on her impending nuptials.

"Stunt Woman, Mama Joy, Leigh & Terminator"

"Thiller, The Boss & Xanadu"

Group Shot (click for closer view of the who...)

On Friday, I had the pleasure of being a witness (and photographer) at my friend, "The Boss'" Wedding to the dashing Mr. Rick on Friday night. The wedding came amidst tornado watches and thunderstorm warnings. I had heard of talk of someone building an ark, that's how bad it was raining! But it all went off without a .....well, actually WITH a hitch! And you know what they say about rain on your wedding day? It's good luck! The Heavens were rocking and rumbling in approval. It was a wonderful evening. I couldn't be happier for my friends. For more on the wedding and to see pictures from the special night click here.

A short little memo to those that read my last Thrifty Thursday post...This is in regards, in particular to my ball fringe bed skirt and $23.00 brand new matlasse quilt (see pictures in the link above, or by scrolling down to last Thursday's post). I just have to say, I was glad to have gotten those pictures taken and posted when I did. Because shortly thereafter, all, uh, "vomit" hit the fan. Let me tell you what happened, Saturday night when I was laying in bed (following the wedding) and I felt by bed moving! I got up and looked underneath and two of my dogs were pulling on that bed skirt and it had separated from the seam! I could've killed them! I don't sew. I am going to have to find someone who does. Then to top it off, I put the puppy (who was pictured in the post) into bed with me, as she usually does. A bit later I heard a noise that only brings terror....sounds of someone or something trying to vomit. I sat up and then" blap". It was to late. It was as if my puppy Miley were channeling the exorcist. She vomited just short of her head spinning. She threw up all over my bed. I couldn't figure out how all that came from my little pup. I had to get up and change the sheets and wash them before I could go back to bed. Thank goodness it did come out. But this is just a glimpse of my life in paradise. Have you ever heard that song, Just another Day in Paradise? Well, that pretty sums up my life. But I wouldn't change it. As for the bed skirt...I have hope for it. That's all I can say. (If you listen to the song...and I hope you do because the words are just precious, dont forget you might have to pause my playlist on my sidebar).

Saturday, Big Daddy, the kids and I met up with our friends, The Young's for yet more fiesta time. It has been far to long since we have spent quality time with the Young's. They actually used to be our neighbors, but life took them in another direction and now we find both one other burning candle sat both ends with kids, jobs and life in general. It is always fun when we get to play catch up. At lunch, something was brought up about our Wii game system. I began to recount my love for the Wii Rock band. I have become a rock band moocher. It really is quite embarrassing, for I hate a moocher mentality, it doesn't come naturally for me. But admittedly I have jumped on that cart at any chance I have gotten. I think it finally sank into Big Daddy's thick head how serious I was about Rock Band (if you know me...well you know my secret fantasies of being the next Lita Ford), or perhaps that last rendition of Bon Jovi's Living on a Prayer, sung acoustically by moi in the shower, really impressed him. I really don't care which it was, all I know is that on the way home, he took a side trip to Best Buy and purchased a Rock Band for the Family Circus Home. More on that in a minute.....

I want to show you the big story around these parts that happened this weekend...SNOW! We got snow. We had about 3 -4 inches in our yeard. It was so beautiful to look at, but was gone by late afternoon. The kids really had fun in it, being their first "big snow". Yes, that is BIG for these parts. I will never forget waking up to the sounds of my kids running in my bedroom, "Wakeup! Wake Up! Snowwwwww..." and they pulled the blinds and looked. It was like that moment from "A Christmas Story" movie where we ohhhed and ahhhed. A magical moment between us. The street was still and quiet and we watched it snow. For all of two minutes and then the kids were out in it. Here are a few pictures from the fun:

Sorry to jump so much in this post, but there is alot to cover. Back to Rock band, All five of us did little else for the remainder of the weekend (after the snow melted), than try and decipher our roles in the family band. It still is up for debate, depending on who you ask. But if I can get Big Daddy to downsize the videos, I will post them on here so you can get a listen for yourself. That's a warning to ya.....proceed with earplugs. Except for Sister Sledge, who is a natural.

Who knows, we may just get ourselves a bus and take this show on the road!!

Sister Sledge on guitar, Big Daddy rocks it out and Bama pounds the drums.

Sister Sledge belts it out.

And so....in the name of fun....who wants to challenge us to a rock off? Anyone interested in posting your family rocking out to rock band? It has to be you singing...and your video. Leave a comment and email if your interested. Or, email me. My email is on my profile. We'll see if we can't have us an old fashioned hoe down, a rock off, a Bloggeritaville Battle of the Bands.

Stay Tuned.....