The Apple Street Cottage

We are starting off a week-long heat wave around here, so it will be a quiet week - too hot to tackle any major projects, but let me share this little owl I made for my daughter. As usual, he started off with me drawing and cutting some patterns: The overall size is approximately 8" high x 7" wide.   After cutting and sanding the pieces of pallet wood, I dry-brushed some white paint on them.  When the paint was dry, I rubbed them with walnut stain to give them a weathered look.   The body was glued together with wood glue and strapped with two pieces of paint stirrers.  They were attached with Liquid Nails.   I also added hanging hardware. I painted the feet and then I ran into a problem... I couldn't decide how to do the eyes.  First, I tried scrapbook paper and didn't like it.  I cut pallet wood in two circles, but that was too thick.  Finally, I found a piece of thin luan and cut the circles with my jigsa...

Are you ready for a delicious summer treat that doesn't require the oven to be turned on?  Introducing, Frozen Lemonade Pie ... Here's what you need: 1 graham cracker crust 1 8 oz. block of cream cheese - room temperature 1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk 1 16 oz. container non-dairy whipped topping 1 6 oz. container of frozen lemonade.  I can never find a 6 oz. container, so I buy the 12 oz. and use half of it.  You can make lemonade with the rest or use it for another pie! The first step is to place the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and lemonade in the blender.  I put it on high and let it whirl until the three ingredients are blended together. Once that is done, pour the mixture into a large bowl.  Be sure to scrape the sides of the blender...and you might want to take a little taste too..because it's already yummy! The next step is adding the non-dairy whipped topping.  I use about 2/3 to 3/4 of the container b...

Summer is finally here!  The flowers are blooming, the grass is growing, and so are the weeds!    So many times I hear people ask how to kill weeds without harmful chemicals.  Here is my solution: I start with a 24 ounce spray bottle and cover the bottom with salt.  I held it up to the light so you could see how much salt I use...since I don't measure it! Then, I fill it up with vinegar and add a few drops of dish soap.  Any brand will do since it just helps the solution stick to the leaves.  Shake it up and don't forget to label the bottle. The only thing left to do is spray the weeds.  As you can see, I got this one good and wet. Two hours later... Is n't that amazing?   I've been using this solution for years and it's never let me down.  One thing I will tell you, though, it seems to work better on a sunny day.   Do you have a 'go-to' weed killer?  Be sure to tell us about it in the comm...

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind.  We are all moved in, most of the boxes have been unpacked, and I've even had time to start a couple of projects.  If you follow me on Instagram, you've seen a couple of outside projects but, one of the first inside projects I tackled was giving our bathroom medicine cabinet a makeover.   It wasn't a bad medicine cabinet, just a little 'blah'. It also wasn't real wood, so I knew that any moisture from jars, etc. would take a toll on the surfaces.   To create this transformation, I went to the Dollar Store and bought two rolls of contact paper.  The first step was to remove the shelves and measure from the top of the cabinet all the way to the bottom shelf edge.  I wanted one, continuous piece.   I'm sure you know the rule...measure twice, cut once?  Well, that never seems to work for me.  It ends up being 'measure twice, cut once, SWEAR, and try to fix it'!  I'm talented ...

We moved.   It's all here...somewhere.   We LOVE the new Cottage.   Let's talk about Moving... You've heard all kinds of advice, but it's time to narrow it down.  Let's get started with the countdown... #10 - Purge Do it now.  Why move it if you're going to get rid of it anyway?  Go through everything - clothes, dishes, small appliances - if you're not using it, it goes!  Throw it out, donate it, sell it.  Trust me, it will be fewer boxes to pack and move. #9 - Reuse Boxes/Totes There are free boxes everywhere!  You know that tote-full of clothes you just purged?  You now have an empty tote! You're welcome!  Check with liquor stores, grocery stores, and schools - those copy paper boxes are great!  Craigslist is another great source for boxes, sometimes free or a low price.  Just be sure to use plenty of tape,  No one wants a box breaking open while they're carrying it! #8 - Label, label, lab...