Toolbox?

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For a long time, I've been looking for an old wooden toolbox to fill with seasonal sundries for the center of my dining table.  Little did I know, I wasn't looking for an "old wooden toolbox", I was looking for an "old carpenter's box".  The lady that taught me this lesson wasn't the kindest of teachers.  As a matter of fact, I found what I wanted at her shop, but because she WAS NOT filled with the holiday spirit I decided I'd go home and make it myself!  And then I could call it whatever I wanted to call it! 

But wait, in her competitor's window, could it be? 

Yes, it was! 

Perfect!

Take a look. 

 ( I was so excited that I forgot to take a picture without the stuff! )

It does have compartments that will look kind of cool filled with candles after Christmas.

The other side...

... and the best part of the whole thing is that it has

these sweet metal trim pieces. 

What are these? 

 Can you see them on the edges?

Can you tell I'm infatuated with this somethin'-somethin' I'd never seen before?

Consider yourself educated on the whole "carpenter's box" issue. 

Blessings- B

Happy Thanksgiving!

Good Thanksgiving morning to all!

I'd like to take this opportunity to share my "Thankful 30 List".

1. A loving husband that actually knows me better than I do.  He takes care of us - simply put.

2. 5 HEALTHY kids

3. 5 SMART kids that put up with me ( and M ) always trying to teach them something.

4. Parents that gave me the education, courage, and wings to make it all the way out here to the prairie.  (Thanks for the never ending support, Mom & Dad)

5. My father-in-law... a wonderful man.

6. My sister... need I say more?  When M & I started having babies, I said that we would keep going until everyone had a brother and everyone had a sister.  A sister is a precious gift.  My sister is the only one I know who can be goofier than me.

7. My little brother - we dressed him up as a girl when he was little and I think he liked it.

8. My BFF Janet - she's the friend that I may not talk to for 3 months but I know she's there when I need her.  Her thankful list looks much like mine.

9. Sitting around the kitchen table eating pizza and having drinks and LAUGHS with my in-laws.  (I had a blast last night, guys)

10. Having cousins and in-laws that live so close and are SO, SO good to my kids. 

11. Farm life - trying at times but the best place to raise our children.  Everyday is take your kid to work day.

12. Being a mom.  It's a lot of work but when you think of how important your mom was to you, it makes the job not seem like such a job.

13. My other job - I complain about it but I love it... and I get to work with Scooter.  (See, I told you I'd get you in there) 

14. Fresh smelling laundry - this is HUGE.  Most everything we own has cow #$%@ on it somewhere.

15. The kids' Christmas lists - too funny.

16. Just-after-a-bath smelling babies

17. The kids watching TV with the "outside" cats on their laps.  Lucky cats.

18. Clean sheets

19. My vacuum cleaner

20. Board Games

21. Sewing - thanks for teaching me how to sew, Mom

22. Building - thanks for teaching me how to build, Dad

23. Brownies

24. FOOD in general.  I. LOVE. TO. EAT.

25. Family hugs - ask #4 what that is. As if you couldn't imagine.

26. The smell of a roast in the oven after church on Sunday.

27. DOGS - gotta love a dog.

28. HORSES - riding is one of my happy places.  Unless, I'm riding the 5 year old mare.  Then the experience isn't so relaxing.  She likes to go.

29. Reading

30. Watching the kids play (not fight) with each other and stick up for one another.  We must be doing something right?!

I could go on but I don't want to get silly or sappy and make people throw up a little in their mouths so I'll stop.  This was a good exercise for me.  When every one's done eating and taking the much needed naps this afternoon, take a moment to make a Thankful List.  It's kinda fun.

Turkey Blessings -

B

Christmas Gift #1

Here you go...

I'm keepin it real with this pic.  This is what I should be doing. 

Laundry for 7 is my own personal monster. 

I consider sorting socks PURGATORY!

Kids 1, 2, &3 are in school.  #4 is in a tractor with Dad spreading fertilizer and #5 is taking a morning nap.

I'm left with this for company...

She looks sad because she's being held against her own will for chasing cats. 

Punishable offense around here.

Anyway, I'd like to share the best 4-H project ever.  It's the best because we can actually USE it.  Hands up former, future, and current 4-H families who still have posters, matchy matchy drawstring skirts, and crosstitch projects floating around in their nether regions.  You know what I'm talkin' about!

We found this on a blog (of course) somewhere.

We called it a "Child's Art Caddy" for achievement day purposes.

It's taken up permanent residence on the dining room table (a.k.a. Homework Central).

This was we have all the school supplies in one place.  We went through the boxes upon boxes of crayons and markers and sorted down to what you see.  I have NO time for dry markers or non-sharp crayons. 

There's nothing better in life than SHARP CRAYONS!

Here's what you do...

Rummage through Goodwills until you find a lazy susan.  Then go to Target and buy some of these fabulous $1 buckets.  Spray paint the lazy susan to match the theme.  If you have buckets with handles... cut 'em off. Then hot glue buttons where the handles were to add a little somethin - somethin.

Use a metal drill bit to drill through the bottom of the buckets.  Then screw the buckets onto the lazy susan.

Holy "buckets" these things rock!  A perfect and economical gift for families, crafty ladies, teachers, etc.

I wish you well in the search for lazy susans.

Blessings - B

Flashcards!

I'd like to start this post by saying...

THE BEANS ARE DONE!!!!

{For those of you who have no idea what I mean by the above statement... we are done combining soybeans and we're moving on to corn after the calves get weaned today! 

Perfect harvest so far!}

Let me share a simple project I just finished between all of the fall activities.

Here's the frame I bought at Habitat's Re-Store for $3.00. 

{Love that place but it seems to be getting a bit spendy... good cause, though.}

It's actually plastic and I never have liked that "tiger"- thingy-a-ma-jig finish.

So, I painted it with "Oil-Rubbed Bronze" spray paint, roughed it up a bit, and rubbed stain on the rough areas. 

 Here's the finished project.  A cheap frame, flashcards that I bought for $1 each, and a piece of "tobacco" - colored art paper from Hobby Lobby for $1.49.

 I'm so in love with flashcards.  I've spied a few old sets at school.  I'm waiting for the perfect time, when no ones watching, to switch them with a new set!  HA 

Get it?  There are 7 people in our family... kinda cute, huh?

Blessings - B

The Best Dip Ever...

Need a new "dip" to take to your next party? 

{Or maybe just to make and then sit on the couch and devour}

 May I present...

Jalapeno Popper Dip

2 - 8 oz packages cream cheese, softened

1 cup mayo

1 - 4 oz can chopped green chilis, drained

1 - 2 oz can diced jalapenos, drained

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup bread crumbs

Mix the first 5 ingredients together.  Place in an oven safe dish.  Top with the bread crumbs.  Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes or until the edges are bubbling.

This originally came from allrecipes.com.  I've tweaked it a little to my liking  - more cheese is never a bad thing.  We think it tastes best with something like pita chips or a plain kinda cracker.

Enjoy!  You're gonna love it!

Blessings- B

How Do You Cook?

Sister Jen asked me for my Potato Salad recipe.  Uhhh... well...  I don't really measure anything but I can tell you WHAT I put in it and what it should look like.  Does anyone else do this? 

I didn't know that this type of cooking was permissible in the homemaking realm until one weekend when my dear friend, "J", was staying with us. 

I said to J, "how much of {insert ingredient here} do you usually use in {insert dish here}?" 

She replied to my utter amazement in a cool and calm tone, "whatever I have." 

Can you believe that... WHATEVER YOU HAVE! 

How can one cook without following directions?  But since she's been a darn good cook since our college days, she must know what she's talking about.  Needless to say, this is the only way I cook now.

So, Jen, here's my Potato Salad recipe...

Potatoes - as many as you think you'll need for your crowd.  I usually use around 8 when I'm taking it to a function or for supper in the field.

Mayonnaise - only use Hellman's Real Mayonnaise - 

DO NOT USE SALAD DRESSING (Miracle Whip)

Onion - about 1/2 of a medium white onion, diced.

Celery - 3-4 stalks diced

Salt & Pepper - I use quite a bit

Here's the key...

BAKE THE POTATOES!

 

The baked taste is what makes this version of potato salad shine!  Peel and cube the taters.  Mix in celery, onion, and salt & pepper.  Then comes the mayo.  This is totally personal preference.  I like just enough mayo to add the zing and hold everything together.  Some like it creamier. 

Around here we probably use about 1 1/2 cups of mayo.

Clear as mud?  Now go bake some taters and give it a try.

Blessings - B 

Back To School

Everyone back in the groove, yet? 

Here are a few pics from our first day of school...

Aren't they angelic?

They love each other so much and treat each other with kindness and respect all. the. time.

{Oh my gosh - I'm laughing SO hard right now.  Let's just say that the house is void of the intense altercations that have filled the place over the last 3 months - ahhh, the silence!} } 

We always take a "silly picture". 

These turn out better than the others most days.

#3 off to Kindergarten!

No worries here.

#2 the big second grader this year.  Has assured me that she will handle the en route care and transport of the Kindergartner until said Kindergartner reaches her final destination (her classroom). 

This is sure to cause a fight.  #3 is a bit strong willed.

Strike a pose!

#1 - the oldest and the wisest... the 3rd grader.

Got contacts this year.  He's sure no one will know who he is.

His biggest concern - "Tell me again why I have to let my sisters on the bus first?"

And - "Why do you always say that "c-h" word, Mom?"

IT'S CHIVALRY!!!!

{I'm trying my best to raise a gentleman!  ugh!}

"Hey, where are the other kids, Mom?", says #5.

"The went back to school, #5."

"Oh my, I forgot"

{She doesn't really talk - I'm just being silly}

#4 is pleased as punch to get a new shirt out of the deal.

Enjoy the back to school quiet!

Blessings- B

Detour... What?

On Wednesdays I travel to the big city to the southwest.  Today... I was late.  Today... there was a carnival in town.  Today... the carnival was set up on Main Street.  Today... I had to take a detour.  Today... I was mad.  But wait... today... ON WEDNESDAY... there was a garage sale!  A garage sale on Wednesday? Unheard of! The stars were aligned and I spotted this sweet little dresser. 

Suddenly, I wasn't so late.

$15.00 later - she was mine!

  The gentleman that sold her to me was so proud of the way he had refinished the old girl - stripped - sanded - sanded some more - painted - painted - and painted again.  I didn't have the heart to tell him that she was going to my garage to be abused by an electric sander and stripped of that beeeaaauuutiful brass hardware.

I did just that.  The handles were too gold and the paint was too perfect.  In a matter of an hour, the finish was now less than perfect.  Then I went over the bare wood spots with wood stain in one of my favorite Min-Wax colors - "Gunstock".  {My other favorite is "Early American"}

When all was dry, I gave it a good polish with this amazing stuff -

We sprayed the drawers with Febreeze and then painted the drawer pulls with "Oil-Rubbed Bronze" spray paint.

Fabulous!

With any luck, she'll be resting comfortably in her new home by tomorrow afternoon.

Detours are awesome!

Blessings - B

Showtime!

Summer vacation?  Ugh... the activities!  There's really no need in explaining why I haven't blogged in darn near 2 months, is there?

#2 and #3 have been playing T-ball.  Their last "tournament" was today.  How can you call 2 games in which no one keeps score a tournament?  I'll spare you my thoughts on that subject. 

Check out my chicks...

Between games, #5 and I watched #1 show Billy the Calf for the first time ever.  {In case you're wondering where #4 is - we didn't know but we did find him around 5 o'clock this evening}  We took him to an open show for a little practice for both the "shower" and the "showee" before Achievement Days. 

Billy weighed in a little over 1400#.  In the world of 4-H Market Steers... he's just a bit big! 

So #1 weighs about 65# and we send him into a strange environment to control a 1400# beast ALL. BY. HIMSELF.  While thousands of people watch! {Alright, maybe just 30} Parenting skills at their finest, I'd say. 

I said, "M, aren't you going in the ring with him?"  M said, "No, Nelly, I am not."  Discussion closed and Mom starts to get a little queezy.  That's okay - I'll just document the whole thing in case photos are needed in our courtroom defense.

The first time around the ring Billy was a smidge excited and took our first born for a quick jog.  But that's our county extension agent talking #1 through things and he recovered nicely.

Look how he set him up!  Would ya look at that?!

Dad thinks Billy looks good here..

Good showmanship here also.  Look at that kid watch the judge!  Do ya see it?

And finally, the cutest Wrangler butt I've ever seen.

I love being a mom to these kids.  That's probably why I was full of pride and tears when they left the ring.  I never realized parenting involved so much crying!

Summer Blessings - B

Paper Trail

Mom Tip #253

Paper, paper, and more paper.  The kids go through a rain forest of it in a week.  The local newspaper was advertising "end rolls" for sale.  I had no idea what an end roll involved but I had to find out.  JACKPOT!!

Big honkin' rolls of any weight of paper one can imagine. Once again, the best part was the price of $10 to $15 per roll.  Keep in mind this goldmine may only exist in small towns with small town newspapers.  Another perk of living close to nowhere.

This roll has lasted 4 Picassos almost a year.  That's huge!

 I think this is the start of a Mother's Day masterpiece.  She told me to close my eyes while I took the picture!

Pretty good heart for a 5 year old.  Can't wait to see it completed and the smile of pride on her face.

Good luck in the quest for large, cheap rolls of paper!  They're fun to have around even if you don't have kids.  Imagine the "banner" possibilities.  Welcome Race Fans... Welcome Rodeo Fans...  Happy Birthday, etc.   Are ya pickin' up what I'm puttin' down?

Blessings - B

I'm Back

Hey... I'm baaack!  April was a little tough on the Beckster and I didn't pay any attention to this journalistic masterpiece.  But now I have a few things to share.  First up is our new bed.  We were in bad, bad need of a new mattress.  We bought the new set and, of course, we HAD to have a new headboard.

I found the plans for this beauty at Knock Off Wood. 

 Have you been there yet?

Isn't it beeeaaauuutiful?  I took a few more pics just in case you wanted to see it 30 more times...

The top trim piece was suppose to be a 2X4.  However, I didn't feel like going to the feedlot, picking out a 2X4 most recently used for forming cement and then coming home and sanding the living tar out of it only to be questioned later by the farmer who may be missing said piece of lumber.  Sooo, you use what you have and the 1X4 was what I had and it turned out just fine.  Don't ya think?

The best part is the price.  Are you ready?  All the wood came from Menards.  I bought a few "select" pieces of wood {aka "Black Label" in Menards terms} but most pieces were out of the "quality" bins.  I had the stain and varnish so we don't count that as a cost, right? 

Drum roll......

**$49.00**

I am so thrilled!  The best part was M's reaction.  He said that the kids will fight over it someday!  Did I marry the best guy ever, or what?  Ahhh...

Oooo... I can't forget the ugly little lamp.  Unfortunately, I didn't take before pictures so use your imagination.  It was a Habitat Restore treasure for $1.  It was yellow with a blue lamp shade.  After a coat of "Oil Rubbed Bronze" metallic spray paint and a charming new $8 lamp shade from Kmart, we have this-

I sure do enjoy "this little light of mine"!

Blessings - B