Great Gifts 2 Go

Yesterday, I surprised my daughter, Freedom, by taking her to the movies. Since I have a hard time stomaching movie theater prices, this was a very special day for both of us. We saw Dolphin Tale 2. It is a fantastic movie that will have you laughing and crying through the entire time. After having a special treat yesterday, Freedom did not know today we were going to Eckert's Farm in Millstadt, IL to pick apples with her best pal, Sprite. After picking apples that were almost the size of their heads (I am not joking, either!), the girls spent a few hours playing and having a blast. We captured some of the gigantic apples for everyone to see: If you are in the area, you should head out and pick some apples too!!

St. Louis has had its fair share of days without rain. We were officially in a drought, according to the ever correct weathermen, in July. While plants withered away in the hot sun, longing for a deep drink of water, there were a few precious blooms that emerged among the dry and brittle branches and leaves. I have captured a few of those blooms here...

On Monday I was driving home from taking Freedom to the library. I was a little distracted and reflecting on all the things that were piling up on my plate. Freedom, from the backseat, started yelling at me to look at the sky. Thinking I was about to drive into an oncoming tornado, I slammed on my brakes and looked up. Thank God there was no one behind me because I would have been rear-ended! But I saw the most amazing sky and it reminded me of all the blessings in my life and how I should be keeping them in the forefront of my mind instead of all the negative things. It looked like God had placed a spotlight in the sky for me to see and know that I needed to focus on the good things around me! As soon as I pulled into the driveway, I rushed to get my camera and was able to capture some of the vision that was filling the sky...

Recently I took a trip to the top of the St. Louis Arch. I absolutely have a phobia of heights so this was a fantastic feat for me. The things we do for our loved ones is truly amazing. But, all in all, I did get some amazing photos of St. Louis that I want to share!

When people go to the zoo, they are generally snapping photos of their friends or children in front of animal exhibits or taking selfies with the monkeys in the background. I admit, when Freedom and I visited the St. Louis Zoo there were plenty of photos with animals and statues. We were the typical tourists enjoying the sights of the zoo. But as we wandered around, I saw a different part of the zoo that was truly amazing through the camera lens...

Recently, Freedom was invited to celebrate the birthday of one of her craft buddies. The girl was turning 13 years old and Freedom wanted to give her something unique and befitting a teen. Freedom is only 8, so the fact that Sarah even spends time with her and considers her a good friend is amazing. We scoured the shops around us and finally found an assortment of items that Freedom thought Sara would like. The basket actually turned out adorable and while there was a candle in the basket, Sarah's mom was aware of it and gave her okay. For under $10 we were able to create a gift basket that was one-of-a-kind and tailored to her likes.

I found interesting wall sconces that will work perfectly on my patio wall and add a pop of color. They were originally chipped white with tacky silver showing through. I was not impressed with the condition, but the shape was absolutely adorable and I was in love! I negotiated the price for these and was able to get them for $3.00 for the set. I sanded them down just like the candle holders and sprayed them with the same Rustoleum Seaside blue spray paint that I had gotten from Wal-Mart for $3.77. The finished result was absolutely lovely! The finished product! In the beginning!

I really need to start avoiding flea markets and antique shops! This really could become addicting! But since I am in the middle of remodeling my patio, I needed accent pieces for the walls which I painted a bright white. My theme is Caribbean and I loved the shape of these dirty little candle holders. They kind of reminded me of an anchor without actually being as cheesy as putting an anchor on the wall. I was able to get a matched set to flank my sea shell shadow boxes. I picked these up for $1.00 each and they are metal. I purchased a can of Rustoleum spray paint in Seaside blue and sanded down the candle holders. Once I had the rust off of them, I sprayed them with two coats of paint. One can cost $3.77 at Wal-Mart and I was able to refinish six accent items for my patio. Here is the after photo. Here is the before photo.

Here is another of my junk store finds! I found this beat up and dirty shadow box frame. It had interesting sea shells in it and that was exactly what I was looking for. The frame was beat up and a dirty white. I took it home and sanded it down. Then I painted the frame a beautiful Carribbean blue to match the other accents on my patio. The store that I found this was full of interesting finds and I could spend hours in there. The owner had this piece marked at $10, but she let me have it for half price...it was well worth the investment and I bought a matching piece that I will post soon. After I re-painted. Before I re-painted.

How many times have we sat in a Mexican restuarant munching on chips and salsa throughout our visit? I am a chips and salsa junkie and if I could get away with just stuffing my face with tortilla chips and salsa when I go a Mexican restuarant, I surely would. I cannot wait for summer to arrive and my tomatoes to be weighted down with juicy, ripe tomatoes. This means I can make salsa by the gallon! I have glass jars that I use to store the homemade salsa and have been known to pass out jars to friends and colleagues. This year, my tomatoes are taking their sweet time ripening so thanks to a very dear friend, Melissa, I was able to make a batch of salsa. Thank you Melissa for providing so of the tastiest tomatoes I have had in a very long time! One friend asked me to share my recipe for homemade, restaurant style salsa. So, Jane, this one is for you. I hope that everyone does try this recipe, it is super simple and very flavorful. You have the ability to control the heat and sw...

I love creating lasting floral displays. Yes. I use fake flowers, and yes, I know some people think they are tacky. But there is less mess and they last forever if you care for them properly. I have a closet full of centerpieces and floral displays that I rotate out when I am entertaining. Each one gets rave reviews and it is difficult to pick a favorite. This one I made to cheer up my office. It added a pop of color without being too overwhelming! It is small and compact, fit perfectly on a shelf.

I have a friend who recently discovered country music. I'm not talking country music as it is today...I'm talking the twang and bluegrass roots country of the 80s and 90s! He blared Travis Tritt and Lori Morgan from his car stereo, bopping down the road. When he was at the office or home, you could hear Garth Brooks or Alan Jackson crooning in the background. That said, this is the man who is impossible to shop for. He never shows emotion when he gets a gift. I found a box of old country cds at a garage sale and knew right away what I was going to do for his birthday present. I was able to puchse the box of cds for a song ($5.00). At another garage sale I found a stuffed bear that was dressed as a cowboy ($0.75). I headed over to Goodwill and found a nice basket ($1.00). Once I had all the components laid out on the table I went to work! Here is the end result... Beary Country Basket only cost $6.50 to make This could easily be done with other genres of music. I know ...

I had a friend who needed a baby shower gift, only had about $10 to spend and did not want to get something that everyone else would be getting. I went shopping with her through countless stores. Finally, inspiration struck when we were coming out of Babies R Us and there was a Dollar Tree right next door. I found everything there, including the washable, plastic basket that the goodies were bundled into. There were receiving blankets, spoons, feeding bowls, baby wipes, sip cups and rattles. This one-of-a-kind gift basket that I aptly named Baby O Baby cost $10 (plus a little bit in tax) and looks great! The mother-to-be loved the gift that my friend presented at the baby shower and still raves about it to this day. You can very easily re-create a gift basket like this one for your next baby shower gift.

I absolutely hate trying to figure out what to buy for baby showers and bridal showers! I was out at some of my favorite second hand stores and came across this planter that was just too adorable. It was in excellent condition and just needed cleaned. I then found a lady who sews burp cloths. I added some soft baby washcloths and a rattle...the final gift is absolutely adorable and also one-of-a-kind. No one else at the baby shower will have the same gift. Many of the ideas that I post are available for sale, so contact me if you see something that you would like to purchase. You can easily create your own unique gift by finding interesting planters or baskets and filling them with essentials!

You are probably going to be tired of me talking about my patio remodel and Freedom's art studio. Once the finished product is done, I will upload photos...I promise! Here is a simple idea for place mats without spending $5 per mat. I was at Wal-Mart today looking for spray paint in Caribbean blue. That is a completely different project that I will share later once it is done. I was in the craft department and came across these really colorful felt rectangles for $0.97 each. (I used 2 of them for the re-purposed picture frame .) I then found blue ribbon to match ($2.38 a roll) and used Stitch Witch (iron on adhesive) to adhere the ribbon along the edge of the felt. They turned out cute and will add a punch of color to the wicker and glass table that I already for the space. Total project cost for 4 place mats $6.50

I had found an old, beat up square picture frame that needed a lot of love for $1.00. I then discovered in my box of flea market finds a little sea shell art piece that I had picked up for a quarter. I'm in the process of remodeling my patio and am going with a beach theme. What a perfect match!! Since I have an accent wall that is Caribbean blue, I painted the frame the same color and then went to Wal-Mart of all places and discovered this really interesting geometric patterned felt for $0.97. The felt squares were not big enough for the frame so I used to pieces, glued them together where the seams matched then added the sea shell art piece in the center. The contrast in shapes draws the eye and makes you really focus on that framed art work. I would love feedback on what others think of this... Total cost of this project was $3.00 I actually flipped the frame and shell piece so that the seam is now near the bottom of the frame instead of the top. It looks better thi...

Freedom loves painting pottery...it is probably one of her most favorite things. Although, anything having to do with art is high on her list. She painted a darling angel bear that once fired will look amazing!! Angel Bear Pottery

Here are two of my favorite four-legged kids!! Zoe and Zara are sisters and are absolutely bonded! They normally have run of the full backyard when they are outside, however, on this day they were relegated to the exercise yard since I could not watch them. Hawks were in the area and they are still too small and easy targets! I think their expressions say it all!

Freedom loves to photograph sunsets. She doesn't get up early enough in the morning for sunrises, though! Here are a few photos of a recent sunset that was so vivid it just took your breath away!!