Thursday, July 17, 2014

My Summer Love Affair

I know it’s only going to last through the summer, but all the same I’m in love.  If you’re not from the south, you may not be familiar with the summer love affair we have down here.  It’s sort of an open relationship; we talk about it with others and eagerly share.  It happens every year and once again, I am in love.  My love affair started in childhood with… The Tomato Sandwich!  Pure and simple with juices running down your arm so bad you either eat it over the kitchen sink or outside.  The lunch or dinner that reminds us how heavenly it is to have homegrown tomatoes.  Of course, they are good for breakfast or a snack as well.  As a child, I would grab one and eat like an apple.  Actually, I still eat them like an apple.  Fresh, succulent, real tomatoes - not those things the supermarkets ship in and try to pass off as tomatoes.


I have to believe this deliciousness is enjoyed in my local area of southern homes from Thornblade to the trailer parks.  We don’t judge (unless you use any mayo besides Duke’s).  I’m sure there will be a few people who disagree and use Hellman’s, but as for me and my family, anything but Duke’s is blasphemy. Using Miracle Whip is a plain out sin!

Up until the first ripe tomato, the anticipation builds, our mouth waters and we check the vines daily just waiting for that hearty red, luscious, nectar from the Gods.  Finally, we are blessed with the delicacy unmatched by any other.  I’m surprised it isn’t said Eve was tempted with a tomato instead of an apple.  Personally, I try to get the red heirloom tomatoes from the farmers market or someone else who has a beautiful garden.  Of course, I try to grow my own too, but a girl can never have too many tomatoes in the summer.  If you do, then fix up a batch of fried green tomatoes.  We all know those are wonderful – they even made a movie about them.  But there’s truly something special about the first tomato sandwich of summer.  Whether it’s heirloom or better boy, as long as it homegrown and ripe it deserves a special place on bread.

The perfect tomato sandwich takes less than 5 minutes to make and leaves you feeling oh so satisfied but longing for more.  Some of the simplest things in life bring the most pleasure. 






Here’s what you need.
White bread. (the cheaper brand will do fine – it’ll absorb all that juiciness)
Fresh, red ripe tomato
Duke’s Mayonnaise.
Salt/Pepper
Take two pieces of white bread
Slather both pieces with Duke’s
Then add the tomato slices to one piece of the mayo bread.  I use a whole tomato sometimes for one sandwich but it depends on the size and how thick you like your slices.
Salt/Pepper to taste
Add the other piece of bread on top.
Stand over the sink to eat or grab a roll of paper towels and eat it outside .  No point in using a plate as it’s going to be juicy perfection dripping all over the place.

Southern Scrumptiousness!

For variation a lot of people will add bacon and lettuce and make a BLT.  I admit that since I have a 22 year old son, I sometimes do that as well.  I suppose ours are more along the lines of artisan BLT since I usually buy fresh rosemary bread at the farmers market when serving as a meal.  Prepare as recipe above but add bacon and romaine lettuce. 

Also delightful is a grilled Mozzarella or Havarti cheese with tomato and basil. I suppose that's a grilled caprese.  However, none tempt the palate as much as a plain ole “mater” sandwich.

Yours truly,

Tina

Old Windows become New Photo Display!

I have an open floor plan and I've always thought there was too much empty space on one wall.  How to fill the void?  Buy a pair of 100 year old windows, paint them and add some of your own photography.  First, I purchased the windows for $20.  Bought a sample jar of Valspar gray paint and got to work.  I sanded as much of the old paint off as I could.  I'm sure lead paint was probably used and some of it will not come off of the panes but I seriously doubt anyone is going to be up there licking on them.  So, a little lead paint will have to be alright!

I decided to use some photos I have taken over the past couple of years.  Photography is another hobby of mine.  If I'm not being a dimestore DIY diva, there's a good possibility I'm taking pictures or hiking somewhere.   I used a few fun photos and a few from vacations we've taken.

Loving the outcome!


Friday, July 11, 2014

Chalk Paint Adventures!

It's been a while since I've posted anything to the blog.  Not that I haven't been crafty, It's just that they've been very simple things and probably not worth bragging about.  That is not the case with this new love of mine.  While having lunch with a few friends earlier this week one mentioned a friend of hers painting with chalk paint.  Say What?  I am behind on this new trend!  It's suppose to offer no sanding with just painting and a little sanding to get that distressed look.  I'm all for that!

Needless to say, I'm too frugal to spend $40 a quart on the name brand stuff.  So I did what any Dimestore DIY Diva would do and looked up some recipes to make it myself.  I found several and decided to go with plaster of paris for my first recipe.  I already had some aqua paint from my fun fence project out back. (I'll post a photo of that too.  It's just something to brighten up the space and prove that I'm no artist.)

I bought this handmade wooden secretary looking thing about 20 years ago at local craft festival called Aunt Het Day.  I stained it way back then and it has definitely seen better days.  I decided this was to be my first chalk paint project.  I halved the recipe since it was not a very large piece.

Recipe for Chalk Paint
1/2 C. Plaster of Paris
1/2 C. Water
Mix Thoroughly
Combine to 1 C. Latex Paint
Stir well.  You will notice it will start to fluff and thicken.
Apply to furniture.  (I've ready you can use it on fabrics too)



 This is one coat of the chalk paint.  Already looking better!

I had to add a little more water to the mixture here to start applying a second coat.  It dries very fast.  Once it dries simply take some sandpaper and go around the edges or other places you want to add a more distressed look.

And here's the final grouping for this episode of chalk paint!


I'm suppose to pick up two 100 year old windows from a lady this weekend and  I already have a DIY project in mind for them!  Stay tuned!

Just for grins, here's the fence section that cheers me up when I walk out back.


And the awesome Pergola my brother built for me a few months ago!



~Peace Out~

Sunday, July 14, 2013

De-Vinyl Dragonflies and Butterflies

I seen this on an upcycle post for old vinyl records so I thought I would give it a try to decorate the patio fence area.  Trace the shape of your dragonfly/butterfly, etc onto the record with a crayon.  Use a dremel to cut the shape then bake in the oven for a few minutes to make it pliable.  Old LP's are usually less than $1 at thrift stores.







I also made use of some left over pallet boards and paint.  Thrifty fun on a rainy weekend. 







Friday, July 5, 2013

My BFF's Counter top Make-over

After seeing how awesome the counter top in my kitchen turned out my best friend decided to do hers.  She went with more of the browns that will compliment the flooring and the rest of her house.  She purchased her rustoleum and put the base coat on one night.  I stopped by and helped with the sponging the next day and she completed the project the next morning with the application of the Envirotex lite.  I believe she came out at about $80 in her kitchen makeover.  I love the new look and think she did an awesome job!

A little more inspiration for anyone thinking about doing it.  

Before - white on white

Wheat tinted Rustoleum counter paint

 The sponging process - copper, brown, tan and a few specs of black were used

The awesome finish!  


Sunday, June 30, 2013

Diva with a Dremel

I recently ordered a rotary tool from amazon.  I think this may qualify as my first power tool even though family and friends try to tell me it's forbidden due to my accidental prone self.  If I prove I can master this without any stitches, maybe they will agree I'm ready for a skill saw or drill. :)  

Here's one of my first projects with the dremel tool.  Drilling holes into pretty blue beer bottles donated by a bestie to make birdfeeders.   I hope to get better but it's a start and it's upcycling! :)

Supplies:
Safety Glasses (protect those peepers)
Bandanna or something to be sure you don't breathe in glass particles
Rotary tool or dremmel with diamond bit to drill through glass
Copper wire (actually needed a thicker grade but went with what I have)
Small plates (goodwill for 50 cents)
E6000 glue to adhere bottle to plate



Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Penny Pincher Pallet Porch (Pallet Deck)

I’ve been trying to think of a way to raise the level of my patio to meet the sliding glass door on a budget for some time.  Over the years and the good intentions gone bad from a friend moving dirt around in my patio area several years ago, the dirt and water causes a huge mess when it rains.  It has the appearance of a small pond after a heavy rain.  Well, maybe not a pond; more of a huge mud puddle. 
Years ago I had a Jacuzzi on a deck that I built beside the concrete patio.  It didn’t flow well then and I’ve talked about using pallets or scrap lumber to build it up and blend the area more.  (I got rid of the Jacuzzi a while back.) As luck would have it, one of my BFF’s dad had some pallets in his barn and said I could have them!
Day 1
What does any Dimestore Diva do?  We loaded up the truck and moved them to the Gypsy Hut!  Also known as my humble domain, me casa, crib, cottage, dwelling, home.   Moving these heavy pallets from the upstairs level of a barn and hauling them to my house was very tiresome.  We definitely got a good workout that day! 
So, after we load and unload, we sorted through and used the best ones for the base.  The original plan was to use leftover hardwood flooring (also donated by Du’s parents) to fill in the gaps between the pallet boards.  I suggest if you plan to use pallets, make sure they are the heavy duty type.   We were steadily cutting pieces to fit into the spaces and trying to disassemble the other pallets.  Remember, pallets are built to hold a heavy weight for shipping, thus they are NOT EASY to dismantle.

Day 2
My friends were supposed to be bringing more scrap hardwood pieces for the completion of filling in the gaps.  What a nice surprise when they showed up with decking boards!  Their logic is decking boards aren’t the main expense of building a deck and the foundation was there from the pallets.  We spent about four hours drilling screws into the deck boards connecting them to the heavy pallets below.  The result is pretty awesome and on a budget!  I still have some finishing touches to do and we have a few more boards to complete, but the bulk is finished.  I owe these guys for sure!

These two BFF's are Exhausted!


I think the next pool party and cookout will be much more enjoyable!  However, now  I realize how desperately I need new patio furniture.  I see more thriftstore shopping in my future!
What you need!
Awesome Friends! (time, muscle, and ambition)
Pallets ( these can also be found free on Craigslist.  Make sure you get the quality/heavy pallets for the Deck frame)
Deck boards
Deck screws
Power Drill