Rocking Redo

First, I would love to welcome my new readers!!  Please leave comments so I can get to know my audience!  I would love to hear from you!

Several months ago, my grandfather purchased a cherry red rocking chair for my Mere at a flea market.

The chair is toddler-sized and in wonderful condition overall.

The chair had some peeling and chipping paint, which didn't bother the kiddos at all.

I was trying to let the imperfections grow on me, but the Type A side of me began to take over....and a rocking redo began! 

I scraped off any of the paint that I could. 

The paint that was on the chair wasn't thickly coated, so I sanded the remainder of the chair to smooth everything out.  This process actually took away a great deal of excess paint as well!

I let Meredith choose a new color for the chair.  I was hoping for her to pick red (to make the repair a lot easier on me), but instead she chose PINK!

We purchased the paint from my favorite blue store - Valspar brand, Satin Spray Paint.

The entire can gave me two coats for the chair.  I went slowly, spraying in sections and letting dry before continuing to ensure even coverage.
The spray paint was amazingly easy to use.  I love the Valspar paint way more than the other store brands you can purchase in any craft section.  The even, smooth coverage was easier to achieve.

I am in love with the end result!

A nice smooth coat of a pale pink! 

Pot Holders

When I was growing up, I used to weave potholders with a square hook and loom contraption. I was always very proud of my beautiful, multi-colored creations and gave them away to family members.

photo credit

Obviously, they weren't good enough for REAL potholders.

I never realized that at the time.

I also never realized that I would eventually have pot holders in my own home that were "not good enough."
For the past five and a half years, I have broken in a few select potholders.

They folded perfectly around the edges of pans filled with yummy goodness.

They sat lovingly underneath a casserole.

These potholders were well-loved.

Well, they were well-loved by me.

My husband hated them.

What he hated about them was what I loved the most....

So I unwillingly went shopping for new potholders. Coincidentally, that same day, Target was COMPLETELY sold out of EVERY potholder they kept in stock.

I should have taken this as a sign, but instead, I just went to a different store.

I came across potholders that were not like I wanted.

I have grown to love them.
Several months have passed, and I have broken in these glorious pot holders.

And they are even more amazing than the ones I have loved for five years.

They are sold at Bed Bath & Beyond. 

Kitchensmart Pot Holders
(Sorry!  This is the only photo I could find of them, which includes kitchen towels as well!)

They are rectangular in shape. 
They have a double opening on one side, so your hand can fit inside - without the cumbersome feel of an oven mitt. 
They have neoprene non-slip gripping on the opposite side. 
They protect up to 500* F.
They are machine washable. 

They are fabulous. 

We are super happy with them.

And it goes to show change isn't as bad as you initially think it is.

Do you have anything in your home that your husband hates and you adore?
Have you ever had to try something new because your old favorite was no longer available?

Do tell!

Baked Potato Casserole!

You HAVE to try this recipe! 

I am always trying to incorporate bacon in my day....
And this recipe hits the spot. 

I cannot express how delicious it is....smooth and creamy...rich and flavorful. 
Everything you want a potato to be.

Sorry, for no pictures! 

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole
(from Southern Living)

Ingredients
1 (22-oz.) package frozen mashed potatoes

1 (6.5-oz.) container garlic-and-herb spreadable cheese

1/2 cup milk

4 cooked bacon slices, crumbled

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Cheddar cheese

Garnish: chopped fresh chives
 
 
Preparation
1. Prepare potatoes according to package directions.
2. Stir in spreadable cheese and next 4 ingredients; stir until blended. Spread mixture on bottom of a lightly-greased 11- x 7-inch baking dish; top with Cheddar cheese.

3. Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Broccoli-Cheese Stuffed Chicken

One night, I had some leftover broccoli. 

And just like that, I had a super cool plan for broccoli stuffed chicken breasts!

Take your chicken breasts, and flatten them to about 1/4 inch thickeness...

Chop 1/2 cup cooked broccoli

And carefully place in the center of your chicken.....

As much as you see fit.

And don't forget to season your chicken/broccoli.

The essentials, salt and pepper, and maybe garlic powder if you like.

Add a sprinkle of shredded cheese. 

Mozzerella is what I chose!

Roll your chicken, carefully tucking the sides.

Take your favorite breadcrumbs.

If you just have plain breadcrumbs, add Italian seasoning.

Roll your chicken in the breadcrumbs.

Bake in a greased baking sheet for about 20 minutes or until the juices run clear!

You will have this...

and this....

(please excuse the boat and the empty popcorn bag.  i don't claim to be a professional food stylist.)

Serve along side your favorite potato or rice!

Enjoy!

Sheet Shopping

we recently purchased my son a mattress to replace his toddler bed.

the prep-work for moving to a "real" mattress is important...

first a waterproof mattress pad for those "just in case accidents"

i ended up going with a simple waterproof pad from wally world, that did not have the vinyl loud factor.

canopy brand.

then, the character sheets.  

character sheets are essential in the little kid world. 

only, they don't make things with the same durability and quality from years ago.

my mom still has my brother's ninja turtle sheets ---

they are still in fabulous shape and are over 20 years old.

my sheets i had for college didn't even last that long. 

and i was absolutely appalled that twin character sheets were $24 dollars!!

 and were VERY VERY cheaply made.

my son wanted a TOY STORY bed, so I had to accomodate.

but i wanted to have a spare set of sheets and did not want to pay that kind of money for something of such poor quality.

that's where a lucky trip to TJ Maxx saved the day! 

 

lucas likes fire engine.

he wants to be a fireman when he grows up.

and they had one set of fire engine, twin sized sheets!

he was sold immediately.

and at $19.99, i was sold too!

the quality is WAY better than the Toy Story sheets currently on his bed.

and i am pleased that they were nearly $2 cheaper than the cheap-o sheets!

so what cool deals have you found lately? 

do you love discount shopping as much as i do?