Thursday, August 6, 2015

DIY OUTDOOR COFFEE TABLE


Okay - this is going to be the most " positive " post ever - I want to see if I can do this...........

The GOOD thing about renovating a fixer upper that never seems to end is that you have a lot of supplies on hand ( and I DO mean a lot )

As in lumber !

Really thick lumber that was meant to make built in seats in the dormer upstairs
It doesn't matter at all that it almost fell on my head and killed me instantly trying to carry it through the house
phhht - that would be too negative.


And the really good thing about having a shed that's about to collapse into the ground is that there's bits of wood from the previous owners that's not as wide but the same thickness !
It doesn't matter at all that I now have a splinter in my finger that's basically a twig


It's a great thing that I buy furniture to restore - and that I once bought a trunk that fit in a stand and decided to remove the stand and place the trunk on a trunk like this


Because that means I still have the base
It doesn't matter that I had to climb on top of furniture precariously placed to retrieve it and almost toppled down a few times


And it was a great thing that the wind was going in the opposite direction from our neighbors across the street so they couldn't hear John yelling and mildly cursing that I had more wood for him to cut ..............again
And the neighbors we're attached to - A) vacation - B) work - what a stroke of beautiful luck !
Everything's coming up roses !



And it's great that John came home with the wrong color ( walnut instead of espresso )  stain for another project I was working on - because it was perfect for this one !


It's a great thing that the table base has a ridge so that the wood fits inside of it tightly


It's a terrific thing that we've had abnormal amounts of rain - because the grass ( and clover ) are vibrantly green !



You've got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mr Inbetween

( or so I was told as a little girl when this was sung to me. Often.  )

Hit it Bing and Bette !



You all have a POSITIVELY wonderful day !

Much love,
Me
Miss Susie Sunshine
( at your service )


P.S.  What a great thing IKEA was out of stock with the coffee table I wanted to buy - I think I like this better !!!


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THE CRAFTED SPARROW

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Shower gifts ( and a couple for me )

I thought I'd show you the gifts I bought for Ashley's baby shower this Saturday ( gifts = prizes - for games )


( but wait till the end - just wait till you see what I found for MOI !!! )

The apple is chalkboard paint - so you can label it however you'd like




An Olive Oil mister -


Exotic wood utensils.................


A set of 3 vanilla scented candles


A set of 3 lemon scented candles



A soap dispenser


Beachy Pot Pourri


Dish towels and cloths


A pack of 100 tea lights


And now -
For what I got myself - O.M.G. - you're going to love this - I just know it !!!


A galvanized basin - with rope handles - and those words?  They're cut outs and are on both sides of the basin - is it a beauty or what?



John says - Oh c'mon now - you don't need that
Suzan says - Yes I do - I absolutely NEED to have it
John says - What for?
Suzan says - ( frantically trying to come up with something )  I'll line it with plastic and use it as an ice bin for drinks outside for the shower
John says - AND THEN WHAT?  THE SHOWER IS ONLY FOR ONE DAY

But I'll think of something - oh I'll definitely think of something
When we finally redo the bathroom downstairs - I'll fill it with white fluffy towels ( or something - I'll figure it out )
and I really NEEDED to buy this too -  to put drinks on


It would appear I've been galvanized !

I've got chills..............they're galvanizing and I'm losing control  ♫ ♫ ♪


Have a wonderful day everyone
I WANNA live there Wednesday will be back next week
Hugs,
Me


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Tuesday, August 4, 2015

TROLLING CRAIG'S LIST

I do that sometimes..............just to see what's out there and every now and then I come across something that's out of this world !
(If you type in what you're looking for - it shows things in your area AND close by -
Vermont is close to Montreal................)

Have you ever seen anything like this?


Anyone in Vermont interested?
What a gorgeous set for a garden !
HERE











And then maybe these could be picked up ( HERE )
and spray painted white to match !


and then while the spray paint was out - you could quickly " spraint " this as well


I've asked about the light fixture actually because I still need a couple of lights for the upstairs bedrooms - this would go perfectly in one of them.

Have a great day everyone -
Check out your local Craig's list !

Hugs,
Me


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Monday, August 3, 2015

Broadway Baby...............

I'm not sure if it's the same for everyone................( although I'm sure everyone loves seeing live performances ) I don't know if it affects everyone the same way.

It doesn't have to be Broadway (although there's nothing like seeing 42nd street on 42 street let me tell you)

It's not uncommon to see me sitting there with tears running down my cheeks - simply because I'm witnessing such raw talent.
I get chills and I'm more moved by this art form than any other.

I'm the one screaming BRAVO loudest ( and I've been known to scream out I LOVE YOU on more than one occasion )
I'm the first one clapping - I'm the first one that stands for an ovation ( which is every single time really ) and I'm the last one to leave the building - always feeling overwhelmingly sad that it's over and terrified that I'll miss one last curtain call.

They stay with me a life time - lines that resonate are repeated until everyone I know is sick of hearing them.
I never am.

If I lived in NewYork I'd be at the theater constantly - I know that.
Here in Montreal I'd spend my last penny on something to wear - or eat.
But in New York?
I'd spend my last penny on something to see.

So I thought I'd share - via You Tube 2 shows worth their weight in gold.

When you find the time ( and I know sometimes it hard to find but these are oh so worth it - promise )

LIZA MINELLI  - this was broadcast on T.V. back in the 70's - and I love it as much today as I did then.
The show is magnificent.  Not a musical per se - but a concert that's every bit as good as one.
I was 13 years old the first time I watched it - in our living room - with my Mother.



And this next one?
What a lady - and one of the best one lady shows ever produced.
I can't say enough good things about it.............

The show opens with this line

" Yah - well it's like the prostitute once said - it's not the work - it's the stairs "

And goes on to talk in a frank ( and because of that - endearing ) way about her life - her entire life condensed of course and includes songs - it's out of this world fantabulous !

The INCREDIBLE ELAINE STRITCH !!!



You'll thank me.
As soon as you watch them.

Have a wonderful Monday everyone - it's the first one in August
Let this month last longer than June and July did - PLEASE !!!
From my ♥ to yours
Me

Sunday, August 2, 2015

A LITTLE BLING IN THE KITCHEN.................

I went to Ikea...............

To pick up a couple of " prizes " for games at Ashley's shower next weekend .................

But John is right.

I can't - I simply cannot walk into that store ( or any store if the truth be known ) and not go completely nuts.

So......................I bought 2 cutting boards for the counters
( If you remember we had a budget crises last year and ended up putting marble tiles down instead of a slab)
You can see it HERE

These cutting boards are great - I've been using them for many many years actually - because they have an edge to keep them in place - and if you turn them around they have a ridge to catch drippings.


Anyway - that's NOT what this post is about

Oh and then I found a round sisal place mat.............I only took one because I had an idea for it.

And an " Active Susan " ( I refuse to call it a Lazy Susan - it's a personal thing - I think they work pretty hard carrying heavy loads and twirling around all the time - like a ballerina holding an elephant )

I have a round marble piece ( from an Italian side table I bought many moons ago )
It sits on the island................( don't look too closely - the island top is made out of fence planks - I have an affinity for fence planks - you can see how we created it  HERE )


I placed the Active Susan on top of it  ( this is all about layering LMHO )


and then placed the mat on top of that 



WAIT !
DON'T GO !
JUST A COUPLE OF MORE LAYERS !!!

John walked by -
John says - ARE YOU TRYING TO BUILD A BLOODY CASTLE???

I placed a silver tray on top of it - ( you don't really need to see a pic of that, do you? )

And then I placed a dome from a cake stand on top of that - 5 layers everybody

But look how cute it looks !
(If I had any sense of deceny ( have you no decency Madam? ) I'd have washed the dome before taking photos)
Of course you could add height by placing a couple of bricks underneath ( that's a joke - cuz I'm funny )




Ok - I've washed it now and moved the corn for what reason I have no idea

John says - Why are you running around with the corn?
Suzan says - For staging
John says - YOU'RE STAGING WITH CORN IN THE COB ??????????
Suzan says - Don't you have mulch to put down or something?
John says - Do you want to scatter some of it on the table?

Not necessary John...............that's just over the top I think


Anyway - again -  that's NOT what this post is about ..............
It's about BLING - remember?

As in that gold light in the back ground................


Could you die?
I mean really - is that one gorgeous lamp?


I want to run back and buy a whole slew of them - a couple in the living room - the den - my bedroom -
OUTSIDE ON THE DECK !!!!!!!!!!
It gives off the most glorious sparkles !


They come in silver and gold - and though silver would have probably worked in this kitchen a little more cohesively - I just couldn't resist the gold !
It's like kitchen jewellery !

Did I tell you that last week I went to buy ant traps at Home Depot - and bought a kitchen stove instead?
He's 100% right, you know.
I'm certifiable.


But at least when I do it - it benefits the house.


John went out to pick up mulch yesterday and came home with these - which benefit no one but himself


John says - YOU'D BETTER NOT BE TAKING A PHOTO OF MY BOXERS -
Suzan says - Are you nuts?
Suzan says - You're getting really paranoid now

Anyway - that's NOT what this post is about 

It's about bling.
In the kitchen.


We're going to IKEA today to look at outdoor furniture -
Guess what I'll be coming home with?
It rhymes with SING.

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone
Much love,
Me


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Friday, July 31, 2015

A FRIDAY CHAT ( about this and that )

Good mornin' everyone !

HUFFINGTON POST

Josh Smith Discusses His Upcoming Struggle To Survive On $6.9 Million

#PrayForJoshSmith

Somehow, some way, Josh Smith and his family will have to figure out how to survive on just $6.9 million during the upcoming NBA season.
During a Los Angeles Clippers news conference on Tuesday to introduce the newly signed forward Josh Smith, the former NBA All-Star discussed the challenges he'll face as a result. 
"At the end of the day, you know, I do have a family," he told reporters. "So it is going to be a little harder on me this year. But I'm going to push through it, you know?"
Smith -- who has earned over $97 million from NBA contracts in his 11-year career, according to Spotrac -- signed a one-year deal with the Clippers earlier this month for the veteran's minimum of $1.5 million. His former team, the Detroit Pistons, will also be paying him $5.4 million to not play for them. (Smith was released last December by the Pistons after signing a four-year, $54 million contract in July 2013.) 
That adds up to just $6.9 million next season -- a far cry from the over $13 million he was making just two years ago. We weep for you, Josh Smith. 
In all seriousness, Smith seems to be paying homage to former NBA star Latrell Sprewell by focusing on his family's impending financial struggles. Remember when Sprewell deemed the Minnesota Timberwolves' three-year, $30 million contract offer as "insulting"?
"I'm at risk. I have a lot of risk here. I got my family to feed," Sprewell told the Free Republic in 2004. And so does Smith. But another thing that he's going to "push through" this year? The $100 million mark for total NBA earnings. 
_________________________________________________________________

I thought we'd start with that.
Just in case you were feeling all alone with your own personal struggles.
You're not.
I can't even add on that it's all relevant here - BECAUSE IT'S NOT !
The word " Struggle " should not be in the same sentence as SIX POINT NINE MILLION DOLLARS a year.
I know they live in some sort of alternate reality - but really?  Come on now !
_________________________________________________________________

For the past 3 weeks we've been emptying the skimmer every morning and finding 15 - 30 dead beetles 
( thank God for spell check - I spelled it Beatles - you have to forgive me - it's been a hard days night & I've been working like a dog................)
We appear to have an infestation.

The Ants?
They're completely taking over - you lay on a float in the pool and they're all over the float
We appear to have an infestation.

I can't sit outside after the sun goes down without coming in the house with more lumps than I had as a child with Chicken Pox - damned mosquitoes - 
We appear to have an infestation.

I also walk into spider webs every morning when I step outside - thrashing around and jumping up and down trying to remove them - 
We appear to have an infestation.

I watch as a swarm of wasps fly outside the office window - I've taped up every crack I can find because
We appear to have an infestation.

This summer our section of the city decided to cut back garbage pickup to ONCE every 2 weeks - 
are they insane?
In temps that hit in the 30's ( or close to 100 for you Americans ) they decide to let garbage rot outside our homes for 14 days?
So of course the flys are in rotting flesh heaven.
( It's enough to make you go vegan - seriously ) 
We appear to have an infestation.

The groundhog doesn't appear to mind at all..............neither do the skunks - although I've noticed the infestation of squirrels seem to be scratching more these days.

And now?
Well now we stepped outside yesterday to find 5 holes in our front garden - what made them we have no idea

I'm anti gun - but lately I fantasize about sitting outside on the back stoop with a rifle and just blasting everything to smithereens.
And I'm serious.

One of the twins ( Lindsay - who's a vegan ) gets upset when I talk like that - 

An ant was crawling up my leg and I killed it

Lindsay says - WHY?
Mom says - What?  It was an ant
Lindsay says - WHY DID YOU HAVE TO KILL IT?
Mom says - Listen - what I really wanted to do was torture it................
Lindsay says - I don't understand you at all
Mom says - I WANTED TO RIP IT'S HEAD OFF !
Lindsay says - relax - you sound crazed.
Mom says - Well I think YOU'RE a little crazy - it was an A.N.T.
Lindsay says - I don't kill anything at all.
Lindsay says - You could never be a Buddhist 

Ah well - such is life. 
I have no respect for the life of a bug.

Is anyone else noticing there's more this year than ever before?
Is it climate change?
_________________________________________________________________________________

I had a girlfriend whose stomach was shot to hell after her 3rd child.
Really - shot. to. hell.
She had what I called an overhang.................but she quickly corrected me - saying it was called
" an apron " - you know - when the fat hangs down ?
Well - I'm not proud of it - but I've developed " a maxi dress "
Jeezus................I HAVE to go on a diet.
Right after I finish that family sized bag of salt and vinegar chips in the pantry
I keep lifting my real maxi dress up to stare at it ( in morbid fascination ) and it looks like I STILL HAVE THE MAXI DRESS ON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Suzan says- I really need to get some Spanx
John says - Come here - I'll give you a couple
Suzan says - WTH?
John says - I'll spank you
Suzan says - THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT !
John says - oooh - you meant the frisky kind?
Suzan says - I MEANT A GIRDLE - you pervert!
John says - Well why didn't you say that - how the hell am I supposed to know what you mean when you say you need spanks?

God help me - for a second I wanted to smack him.
With my maxi dress.
The inner one.
_________________________________________________________________________________

My Son was over this for supper and swimming - and we had a contest.
He told me to jump with my legs directly out in front of me ( like you're sitting on a chair with an ottoman is the only way I can explain it )
Sure !
No Problem !!!
Sounds super easy !
Let's go.............

I even had a foolproof bathing suit on so I didn't have to worry about my puppies freeing themselves (which they sometimes do when I dive off the board )

I got to the edge of the diving board - jumped - stuck my legs out straight across in a sitting position - and the thought that hit me as I hit the water was

OMG - the skin on my thighs just came off my body !!!!!!!!
I frantically grabbed them to make sure they were intact.

Pain like you can't imagine.

I whacked my Son with a towel and

Mom says - DON'T MAKE ME DO THINGS LIKE THAT - I'M TOO OLD FOR IT !!!!!!!!!!!  ARE YOU CRAZY?

And then I sat down - depressed like hell that I was actually too old to do something like that in the water.

So I did it once more.................it was even worse.

Gordie says - Maybe it's because your skin has gotten looser ?

He got another whack of the towel for that one.

But it's true - if you're as loose as a caboose - don't try it.

You're better off diving and letting the top of your bathing suit fall off - than your actual skin
_________________________________________________________________________________

We babysat one of the " grands " for the last 2 and a half weeks.
She's a blessing - a joy to have around - and totally exhausting................
( so that front porch is STILL not finished )
Guess what I'll be doing this weekend?

Oh and trying my best to work on this


Which I picked up for Ashley ................

You all have the most wonderful of weekends - I think maybe the humidity has " broke " here - I can feel a slight breeze as I type - exciting stuff !

Hugs,
Me