Country Living

My favorite magazine has experienced a make over. It's a larger size, not too big, but it is noticeable.

They still have great recipes. I am going to make this Israeli Couscous and Apple Salad. I bought all the ingredients to make it this weekend but never got around to it. Hopefully, I will have time later this week.

The recipes are printed in the back of the issue, as usual. But I think they are a little easier to find and also to read.

This is new, they have a little fashion section. I like it.

I actually really like this outfit. I always ask my daughter if I am dressed correctly before I leave the house. Well, not every time I leave the house. Just when I think I might of pushed the envelope just a bit. I do not want to look too young or too frumpy! But I think I could wear this outfit if I moved out west some where. I don't see that happening, but I still like the look!

The caption says "Get Crafty", okay I will. I would love to make a few of these. It is so cute. They tell you how to make it and where to get the dispenser. I will put this on my t0-do list.

The magazine still has pictures of beautiful homes.

I fell in love with this little space. Sometimes I wonder why I feel a little sad after reading these magazines. I like my house, but the homes in magazines like CL leave you wanting more. Are these magazines really inspiring us? Or are they depressing us? I will keep this post positive. I found a lot of great ideas in this magazine and that is a good thing. But, then again I really want this cute little space. But I have no where to put it! That I am positive about.

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Something for almost nothing!

I did a little crafting on Friday! I am happy with how it came out, that is not always the case. As you can see I made a container to hold some flatware. I did not actually make the container, it is a tin coffee can.

This is the above mentioned coffee can. My mother saves them for me.

I ripped a few pages out of a book I bought just for this reason. It was a bargain book. I did feel bad about tearing pages from a book that an author poured their her heart and soul into, but what was I to do? I really like the look of torn pages on craft projects.

The bird image is from Country Living. It is just recently that I have been able to part with my Country Living magazines. I tear out the pages I like and then give them to my Dad. He then gives them to a friend who has an antique shop who puts a few together and sells them. I am not sure what he asks for them, but my house is cleaner and that makes me happy.

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Thank you Mother Nature!

We are having one fantastic summer in Rhode Island as far as I am concerned! So this is where I hope to spend most of the weekend! The "dark side of the deck" will be behind me! I found that cute 4 foot umbrella at Lowe's for $5.00. I knew this would be a great spot for it. It will cast just enough shade so I will not get too much sun. Again, thank you Mother Nature and please forgive me for all my ranting about that last snowstorm in March!

Have a wonderful weekend!

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The darkside of the deck!

I did want to show you what is on the other side of the deck, this little mess.It is not very pretty! Last week we had two large trees and two over sized shrubs removed. This is what was left behind! It was my husbands idea to do this, we have too much shade in our yard. The trees did not allow any sun to shine on the deck or for that matter into the house. I hated how the yard looked at first, I wanted my trees back. The sunshine is nice though, I have noticed the difference already. My husband was right, again. I hate when that happens and it has been happening a lot lately! I hope it stops soon, I like being right! I hope he has an idea for this mess! I am sure he does.

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I love my deck!

I would like to tell you a little about our deck. The original deck lasted 26 years. It served us very well, but it had to go! It had become hazardous! All that is left of it now is the framing and the balusters.

I love big pots with pretty plants! This pot is on a base that has wheels. It can be moved around quite easily. Great idea! I love to change this around now and then. That is an understatement!

I had my doubts about having the balusters painted white. Okay, I down right hated them at first and let's just say I was almost in tears. It was a big change from the natural look they had been before. Now, I love the way they look. I guess it takes me a few days to get use to changes.
The stairs lead to my favorite little spot on the deck. The whiskey barrel has pink impatience and basil in it! Basil is so easy to grow and I use it all the time. I like going outside and picking a few leaves for sauces or pizzas. Stop by and pick a few leaves I have another basil plant on the deck.

My husband would love to keep this area empty, but what is the fun in that? I am hoping to find a few end of the season sales on furniture. I'd better hurry before the Christmas decorations are out.

The summer of 2010 has been sunny and warm in New England. I can start my morning off outside and I have sitting been outside reading until almost 9 PM. As nice as the summer has been that can change in a minute. I have to take advantage of every nice day and evening. I have not been doing too much crafting and I miss it. But that could also change. I have enough craft supplies and ideas to keep me very busy! I have crafted outside before, why not this year? Maybe because it is too warm!!!

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Crop It!

The other night while I was sitting outside reading and waiting for the first bat to make it's appearence. That is when I know it is time to go inside. I don't like bats, never have, never will! They have their place, I know that. But that is not the point of this post. I noticed how nice the lights look on the beam over the kitchen counter. I decided to take a picture of the kitchen from outside. Then when I looked at the picture, I noticed the ugly black wall phone next to the closet door! I should really get rid of that telephone. We never even use it , we always use the portable.

I can't get rid of the telephone until I find something to put in it's place. So I cropped the picture to get rid of it. If only things were that easy! I would be cropping a lot of things!


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Outdoor Seating

The deck is done! I can open the screen door walk out and have my morning coffee while sitting on this couch. My father bought it for me over two years ago. It was at his house until last month. I could never find the right cushions for it. It was originally painted black but I asked him to paint it green. Now, I wish it would of stayed black, isn't that just the way it is? But green it is and green is good. After two years of looking I finally found cushions that fit with just a little alteration. They can be rather expensive, cushions that is. I found these for $20 a piece. That is a very good price.

What is so great about these cushions is that they are reversible. Striped on one side, floral on the other. I really love this little couch and believe it or not, it is very comfortable. I will have more pictures of the deck to come very soon. Let's just say my cute little garden deck has been transformed into something more sophisticated. I really loved all my little plants and mixtures of time worn furniture, however my husband likes clean lines. I am beginning to see things the same way. But I still like my polka dotted pots and little whimsical pieces! I will blend I am determined to make it work!

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