Lindsay's Back

Living with Lindsay is the first blog that inspired me to blog and do-it-myself. Somehow, she's been on hiatus, but she's back.

Today, she's having an impromptu, no theme McLinky party, looking for inspiration - it can be a funny story, DIY, you name it.

It's a genius way to let people know she's back, as well as get visibility to some of your older post.
Check it out - Lindsay's Impromptu Party

Reality Has Set In...

Nothing like confirmation that family is coming over to shift you into over drive. Those unfinished, undecided, incomplete projects -- either get done, get a band-aid or get put in the garage.

My mama, daddy, favorite cousin and aunt are coming over Sunday for dinner for my parent's 49th anniversary. The day after Symone's 5th b-day. Can you say ooo-weee?!

Symone and I are home sick, but I went into overtime to get his house into shape!

Dining Room:

Before

In Between:

with crooked curtains

Now:

The curtains are 108" long and for a change are too long. I did this with some stretch stuff out a sewing supplies bag I got at a resale store and pinned to the wall with an upholstery tack. I've seen them do this at fabric stores. Not sure which I like yet.

The table was done based on inspiration from Centsational Girl's sidebar.

Nothing close...but inspired nonetheless. This table is one of my favorite pieces in my house. Loving the turquoise and gold.

Also, updated mantle, changed front door wreath (you see the original one is now in the diring room), changed entryway table and rearranged living room.

Tired - will post more tomorrow. As always, what do you think?

It's Ready!!! My Couch, that is...

The upholstery company called and said my couch was ready and we need to schedule delivery. I snuck over there at lunch and took some pics.

Here's the original post for background.

$75 couch

Here's where I selected fabrics for my living room. Remember, I got the sofa fabric from fabric.com for $3.99/yd (it is a neutral mini-chenille).

And, now, without further a do...

I'm on my way to something like this.

What do you think?

Crock Pot Cooking - Beefy Onion Pot Roast

This week has been a very chilling week in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We actually got snow Wednesday....

Check out my baby rocking her robes and boots! You wish you could do that, don't you? LOL

Because it is cold and, as part of my quest to slow down and cook more home cooked meals, I decided to dust off the crock-pot. It came out SO good, I decided to share.

Beefy Onion Crock Pot Pot Roast

Ingredients:

• Meat tenderizer
• Seasonings (I used Rosemary Garlic seasoning from Sam's Club and a little Lawry's Season All)
• One Beef Pot Roast (mine was a Ribeye Roast - yum)
• Olive oil - maybe 1 1/2 tbsp (enough to coat the bottom of a skillet)
• One medium onion
• 1/2 bell pepper
• Lipton Onion Soup mix - 1 package (I used Golden Onion but they have other variations)
• 1 cup water

1. Season roast on both sides with meat tenderizer and desired seasoning (note: meat tenderizer can be salty if not using salt-free so keep in mind as you use other seasonings)
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil on medium-high.

3. Sear roast on both sides until you have a nice brown outside. (this is something my mama does before she roasts anything - pork chops, roasts, steaks, etc. because it gives nice color - not that overcooked grey you can get when you cook meat for a long time. Also, locks juices in your meat.)

Thrifting note - Heavy cast iron skillet: $5 from an estate sale

4. Put roast in crock pot.

5. Put cut up onion, bell pepper and onion soup mix on top of roast.

6. Pour 1 cup of water in crock pot and fire it up (on low).

Programming Note: I could not find my crockpot top. I took a top from something else and wrapped the top in foil to seal around edges.

I went to work all day and when I got home it was perfect.

For sides - I opened up a can of sliced potates and a can of green beans. Drained the green beans and added to a pot with potatoes, Rosemary garlic seasoning and some butter. *yum*

It was SO good, we just ate and I forgot to take plating pic.

I am a stove top and oven cook, but after this, I'm sure my crock pot will get ample use.

Have a warm and comfort food filled weekend - Tash

Don't Be Tardy For the Party!

I found the best list of weekly blog parties on a blog I found from Dayka's blog. *whew - that sounds like the source of a bad rumor*

Danielle at Transforming Home , who is having her first giveaway today (check it out), has the list below on the right panel of her blog. I thought it was good info to share, so...

Weekly Blog Link Parties
Mon - Made It Mondays - Persimmon Perch
Mon - It's So Very Creative - It's So Very Cheri
Mon - Motivation Mondays - More Than A House
Mon - Show Off Your House - House in Roses
Mon - Junkin' Monday - Nice and Easy Antiques
Mon - The DIY Show Off
Tues - Toot Your Horn Tuesday - Silly Little Sparrow
Tues - 2nd Time Around Tuesday - A Picture is Worth a 1000 words
Tues - DIY Day - A Soft Place to Land
Tues - Get your craft on Today's Creative Blog
Tues - Trash to Treasure Reinvented
Thurs - Thrift Thursday Bloggeritaville
Thurs - Transformation Thursday The Shabby Chic Cottage
Thurs - Thrift Store Thursday Homebody Holly
Fri - It's So Very Christmassy at It's So Very Cheri
Fri - Frugalicious Friday - Finding Fabulous
Fri - Creative Cats - Poppies At Play
Fri - Beautiful Life Friday - The Inspired Room
Fri - Show and Tell Friday - My Romantic Home
Fri - Furniture Feature Friday - Miss Mustard Seed
Sat - Saturday Nite Special - Funky Junk Interiors


Don't Be Tardy for the Party!

Kim - Real Housewives of Atlants (Bravo TV)

And the Winner Is...

...Messy Jessy!!!

Congratulations on your $5 gift card to Dollar Tree...don't spend it all at one time LOL

Contact me @ lygthatsme@hotmail.com and I'll get it in the mail.

I Have A Vision -- not really

You know I struggle with decor vision. I rely on inspiration from others (like here or here or here). The source of my pain is I am trying new colors this year instead of my regular reds and golds - silver, turquoise and, now, gold.

Can you help a (blog) sister out (CLICK ON PICS to enlarge?

I am uploading a couple of pics of areas I'm struggling with. Let me know what you think. Suggestions are welcome (help, even more welcome).

Most of what I used was purchased at Hobby Lobby at 90% off last Jan. or at the Dollar Tree this year.

1. Entryway table- put ornaments on a 12 votive candle holder, surrounded by silver ivy garland and "gift boxes" Wreath - white birds from Dollar tree and silver poinsetta leaves and other pics from HL

Dilemma(s) - how do I hide the cord from the wreath? Think it needs some height? Thoughts?

2. Mantle - have Martha knock-off hung (which is fab in person), but since using gold and silver with turquoise, I'm struggling to balance the mantle.

Dilemma(s) - Still need to hang stockings, but don't have silver or gold...struggling with color. I'm too embarrased to show the sad, little fireplace.

I started to buy some wood today to do this -- penguins are definitely on the resale shopping list :)

3. Tree - no explanation necessary -- it looks like the Charlie Brown tree (w/ one little turquoise ornament LOL)

I saw an HGTV special last year where they flattened the branches into shelves, and sat ornaments in the middle to make it look full. Have Googled for that video or instructions, but to no avail. Working on it tomorrow based on what I remember *pray for me*

Seriously, I miss my red and gold, but proud to be testing new waters (is that the right saying?)...stay tuned to see how it unfolds and PLEASE share your thoughts and ideas (it's already December!).

Sharing at It's So Very Cheri to get even more feedback! Thanks.