Authentic Salsa Recipe

Here it is, I have been promising pics of the authentic Mexican salsa made from banana peppers.  It's very simple, just use banana peppers, jalapeño peppers if you like it a little spicy, scallions, cilantro and tomatoes. I didn't use that whole big can of tomatoes, I only used half of it. Those banana peppers are all from my garden!Put all of the ingredients in the blender and chop.There...

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Clever Constellation Cards

Stumbled upon these wonderful Astronomy cards from 1830 on ebay ~ aren't these gorgeous? Not only are they beautifully engraved and hand-colored, but they are cleverly designed to instruct as well. The 32 cards came packaged in the box shown above ~ I wonder how much they sold for when they were first produced? According to the description, these 'hold-to-light' cards were "designed by a “young...

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I Spy. . .

While leafing through my newly arrived Pottery Barn catalog, I came upon the image above and noticed the wire laundry basket in the corner! I have had my eye out for these for a year or two and they aren't that easy to come by ~ now that I see this new one for sale for $129, I am thinking that the $55 - $75 price I usually see is quite the bargain! Here (scroll down a little) is one of the vintage...

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About Me

I received an email yesterday that brought to my attention that I have not posted a single personal thing about who I am or what I do besides fix up my house.  So this is a post to show you a little about who I am apart from decorating.I'm a 40 year old single woman.  I've never been married.  I do, however, have the sweetest little dog in the world. His name is Little Foot, he's a...

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New Old Kitchen Cart

I got this cart from that estate sale my friends had and was just able to go get it yesterday.  It is battered and very stained, but you know I can fix that right up :)   A little sanding and sealing and it's good as new.  That is my butcher block cutting board I sat on top of it.  Before I bought this house, I envisioned a little mini island here in front of the sink.  I'm...

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Snail's Pace

How is everyone out there dealing with this heat? As I am in the midwest, I realize it isn't as hot and muggy as it is on the east coast, but even so, it is hot enough to suck most of my energy away ~ I feel like I am moving at a snail's pace! If only there was an ocean nearby! Hot and humid makes me lethargic ~ wouldn't it be nice to just be able to languish in a spiderweb hammock until a cool breeze...

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Featured

Just wanted to post a thank you to the Better After blog for featuring my dresser on their site today.Click on the button below and take a look at all of the amazing makeovers over there!Thank y...

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Cottage Kitchens

I just spent the last 3 days in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  Didn't do much but hang out on the beach.  The pic above is the only picture I even took of the beach while I was there and that isn't  like me. It's from the hotel room.  I did however bring with me a Cottages and Cabins magazine.  I love this magazine because there aren't really any advertisements in it, the...

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Pickin' Peppers!

I just thought I would share with you my first pickins' from the garden!  I finally have peppers big enough to pick.  I thought I would have more banana peppers because I planted so many, but there are still a lot of smaller ones still growing, so I may end up with more than I can handle soon enough. I just picked banana peppers, jalapeño peppers and habanero peppers.  I love...

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Washer & Dryer arrived

I got my washer & dryer yesterday.  I'm not sure what to think of them yet, I've done a couple of loads of laundry and the first thing I noticed was, my clothes were hot when I washed them on cold.  Apparently the guy hooked the hoses up backwards, so I had to get my wrench out and swap them back the right way.  I need to do a few more loads of laundry before I know for sure how...

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New Country Home Magazine AND A Plan B!

Country Home Magazine is back! Well, at least quarterly I think ~ I happened upon my issue at Costco this past weekend. I have been on magazine withdrawal since so many of my favorite magazines folded in the last several years so I am happy to see they are bringing Country Home back even if it is only 4 times a year. The issue seems a bit larger than previous issues and the cover is printed on heavier...

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Creating a Nice Deck Area

I seem to be running into more problems trying to work on the outside of my house than I did on the inside.  In the mornings and evenings when it's cooler, the mosquitoes are brutal! Very hard to work on any of my projects. I have to put on jeans and boots and load up with mosquito repellent.  During the days, it  is starting to get up to 100 degrees and more, then when...

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Sitting area

I love my slipcover chair. The longer I have it, the softer it gets.  I didn't have any sort of lamp or table for it and I've been looking everywhere for the right pieces to go with it.  Some friends were having an estate sale and I got this lamp and blanket from them.  The lamp was one of those shiny brass ones.  I, of course, decided to paint over it so it would blend...

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Jolie's Jeep

Jeep Liberty LimitedI spent most of the day yesterday getting things squared away so I could purchase my new Jeep!  I am always having to borrow someones truck or SUV to lug things around in and I have been wanting something that I could tote stuff in.  Now I can pick up antiques and dressers and whatever else I may find, not to mention throw my bike in the back or some kayaks on top and...

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