Chalk It Up To Cheap!

I might be addicted and am going to have to be careful. Too much black would be dark and gloomy.

I have it in both spray paint and in a little quart can.

It goes really well with alot of Goodwill and garage sale finds. And it looks super cute paired with bright colors.

chalkboard paint

You can find it at your local home improvement store in a spray or paint-on. I used both. I am still working on a couple other things with this paint (as well as another paint I am excited about trying!), but here are the two chalkboard projects I have done so far.

I decided to use these banker’s boxes for some of our storage. But they didn’t look very good on the shelf. The print added more “clutter” and we have enough of that on our own!

I figured at about $2.00 per box, it wasn’t a huge risk. So I painted right over it. The cardboard held up really well. You could also use boxes your paper comes in if you buy printer paper by the box. Then they’d be free.

Labeling each box with bright chalk colors adds some fun. I also like how they sort of “anchor” the shelves.

We used to have the boys’ computer on a sweet old antique desk. But we moved it into the school room and decided to use a computer desk someone gave us. It was pretty tired and plain, but had the shelf for the accessories, and a big surface area, so it was practical.

I painted the body of the desk the darker shade of the wall, and the surface area with chalk paint. Since it is near a computer, we probably won’t be using chalk around it, but I thought it looked cute for a school area anyway.

The car screen saver is subject to change without notice (do you hear me kid?).

I am also ordering a new mouse pad, and the art is still waiting to be moved around and arranged. I can’t bear to totally take that sketch down as it is a vacation souvenir from 11 years ago.

If only I had bothered looking around online before I started my projects.

Using a tutorial or two *might* have saved me some irritation and some extra steps I had to repeat a few times been helpful.

Here are some other fun ideas for using chalkboard paint:

The color of this desk almost made me change the colors in the room altogether! Love that shade of red. I also love how they kept the chair the wood color.

OOOoooo, Ahhhhh. Love the black and white. Love the retro. Love the stools.

Wouldn’t this be a fun way to teach your kids the correct way to set a table? Drawing placecards right on the table would be a super cute way to arrange seating too! (Lots more pictures on her site).

This lady made her own chalkboard labels for canisters.

You can also buy chalkboard contact paper and cut it apart if you don’t want to make your own labels.

Organizational Dresser

I set these on our very narrow mantle last year. It’s a hard to decorate space that we plan to reface, so I didn’t want to spend much.

Paper Source has several adorable chalkboard frames.

You can also find placemats, picture frames, wall decals and all sorts of other stuff. I love, Love, LOVE this wall decal. You could do it yourself with a stencil if you are artistic.

Even more simple, you could paint directly on the wall and hang an empty old frame around it.

If you have an ugly old fridge or freezer, wouldn’t it be cute to write your menus directly on it? Or diet reminders …ahem.

Someone suggested using it to paint faux tiles behind a sink as a backsplash. Maybe once I find a cabinet and we can get the farm sink in I will give it a try. Well, my husband might. If I tried to paint faux tiles they’d likely look more like a tyrannosaurus. Cuz I’m just that bad.

You could paint an entire door, maybe a pantry? Or even an entire wall – the possibilities are endless.

Where are you going to start? And, um, where am I going to stop?!!

I hope you don’t “erase” everything I’ve shared here today and you have a day that’s “chalk”full-o-summery goodness!

Menu Plan Monday, August 30-Sept.5, 2010

My daughter has been showing an interest in antiques and vintage items for the past couple years. She sometimes goes “antiquing” or “garage sale-ing” with me, and has even ventured to the huge antique expo with me a couple of times. So I was pretty excited when, at the Goodwill a couple weeks ago, I found an old recipe card club file box from 1971with a complete set of recipes, including a section entitled “Recipes Children Can Make”.

Making sure that my daughter knows how to run a household is very important to me. She needs to know how to care for others, take care of babies, clean, do laundry and etc. for sure, but I really, really want to make sure she understands how to cook, develops an instinct, and has confidence with it. She is 9 years old now and knows some basics, but I am excited to take her through some more formal training.

So, starting once our family schedule settles down a bit (when we are done with traveling and camping trips), we, along with my 11 year old son at least some of the time (yep, boys need to know too!), are going to start some purposeful cooking lessons, using this vintage Betty Crocker Recipe Card Library.

Some of the recipes are not as wholesome as I prefer to serve my family regularly, but they are recipes that she will be able to do by herself, and can give her a good foundation for confidence building.

She and I are both pretty excited about getting started. I’ll be using the recipes in my MPM posts and linking to the blog where we will have posted about making it (I will also be teaching her some computer skills during the process) so you will all get to see how it is going.

With that in mind, I have also planned to use several recipes this week which the kids can make with me, just to whet our whistles. Amidst all of the projects, I am trying to spend time with the kids and involve them as much as possible in whatever I am doing. I am trying to make the most of every summer minute we have left. I hope you are doing the same!

Have a great week!

Menu Plan Monday

I have found so many new recipe ideas through people who have posted their menus and links to recipes on Menu Plan Monday. I don’t have time to look at every link, but I do look through at least several almost every week. I make a note of recipes I’d like to try on my private blog space, where I hyperlink recipes, and make a note of which blog I found the link on so I can give credit if/when I actually use it in my Menu Plan. I love MPM:)

Monday: Apple and Chicken Sandwiches with this recipe which OrgJunkie shared on MPM as inspiration.

Tuesday: Easy, Creamy Mexican Skillet which was referred by Vanderbilt Wife via MPM

Wednesday: BBQ Sloppy Chicken Pan Pizza also referred via MPM

Thursday: Pepperoni Bread also found via MPM, when I followed additional links

Friday: Indian Flair Potato Pancakes

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Burger Thing

In addition to menu plans for dinner, I am hoping to try Migas as something new for breakfast.

Busy, Busy...

Hi ya'all. Busy, busy. Yep. STILL working on projects. Namely the Homeschool Room. Though even the name is getting a bit boring. So I think I will copy what someone, somewhere in Blogland called it, and say I am working on the Learning Lounge.

Anyhew, I decided to post about our little wannabe farm today and thought it fitting that I post it on our family blog. And I really can't blog to two places in one day. Cuz, I am busy, busy. So, if ya wanna getta glimpse, feel free to go on over and check it out at You Should Be So Lucky!


I sure hope your part of the world smells as good as mine does this week with all of those luscious blackberries hanging in the sun!

Basket Case

I see lots of stuff online I’d like to use to set up and organize the homeschool room. Boy howdy, is there alot of fun stuff out there! For us though, I just want a place for everything, everything in it’s place and still lots of uncluttered, open space.

I'm thinking baskets. Maybe some of these?

Fabric Basket Storage Ideas

Seat Sack is the name of the company. For around 10 bucks already made, the main reason I can think of for making my own is because I could customize them to fit whatever chairs we finally end up with. Maybe I could repurpose some vintage fabric I saw at a Goodwill recently. There are lots of patterns for messenger bags on etsy.com that I might be able to use.

Hanging storage baskets Look at how adorable these are!

Super cute storage baskets I could use for my shelves.

Lovin this wall rack for canvas baskets. The company is no longer functioning, but I have an idea on how to make a version of this. Hmmm, we’ll see.

If I make any of the fabric ones, maybe I could buy some super cute fabric from my friend Jona at Fabritopia. If I make anything, especially if I fat chance actually SEW, I'll let you know.

If you are a basket case today, I hope it is this kind!

Whimsy On Wednesday, My Napoleon Dynamite Chair

Awhile back I posted about how much I love whimsy, and why. I meant to start posting about whimsical things sometimes, thinking "Whimsical Wednesdays" has a cute ring to it.

That was awhile ago and, well-- no more whimsy has made it’s way to this blog, on a Wednesday or any other day. At least not intentionally. But you can bet I have been collecting whimsy in real life. I like a little chuckle, something that tickles my fancy, every once in awhile. It sort of breaks up the monotony around here, the hum-drum of everyday life...because that really happens alot around here, as you can imagine.

One of my friends commented, “Unfortunately, that line between whimsical and tacky is varying widths, and some folks need glasses to find it.” Okay, THAT made me laugh because it is so true! I hope I don’t cross that line.

But you might wonder when you see my whimsy for today…

Since I referred to it last week, I thought that, today, I’d post about my cheerful and ugly whimsical chair.

Here’s the picture from Craigslist. It’s a little blurry because it’s a picture of a picture that I took to send to my niece. I knew she’d laugh.

This is my Napoleon Dynamite Chair. It’s a 1940’s chair with 1970’s upholstery. I bought it off Craigslist for 50 bucks. I love the eclectic, risky retro feel of it.

And anyway, it’s sort of a test piece. Right away I have a gauge by which to measure one’s likes and dislikes, maybe even personality or mood, based on their reaction to this chair when walking into our music room.

It sort of takes you by surprise when you walk by the door and ---WHOA! There it is!

I think that’s funny. I love seeing and doing the unexpected.

I’m not loving the area rug, so it will eventually be changed.

When I sit there, I am surrounded by things I really like, many of which remind me of people or events I treasure. I even love the french doors leading into the room.

Some people don’t like my silly chair. That doesn’t hurt my feelings at all. Because I know it’s questionable. Even my own sons don’t like my chair. I think that’s funny too.

Personally, I think it’s a hoot -- not to mention practical. It has really wide, flat arms where I can rest a book (or a magazine) or a cup of coffee. I keep a Bible which belonged to Grandma M, an adopted grandma of ours who recently passed away, on one of those arms too, where I can think of her often.

My sons say there is a floral couch in the movie Napoleon Dynamite which they think looks alot like my chair. They paused the movie at just the right moment and showed me which couch they meant. It was important to their emotional development that I acknowledge the similarity. And, being the caring, sensitive mom that I am, I went with it. And, ya, okay, I’ll admit -- it does have the same basic colors. But mine has a much denser floral pattern. It’s even a bit louder!

There it is, all situated and comfy. You can see how big and cozy it is when I curl up in it, cuddled up in the blanket the stewardess told me I could take if I didn’t tell because she isn’t supposed to advertise that we can take them I acquired from Lufthansa, once fall sets in. In a long, long time from today.

That blanket, though tucked under the pillow and not really a compliment to the chair, gives me something to snuggle in, and reminds me of the trip I took to India and the precious people there, who I will always remember.

The picture that hangs above it was left to me by Grandma K, another adopted grandma. She was our neighbor when we first got married. Her husband gave it to her when they were dating and he wrote on the back of it. I always admired it hanging on her living room wall. So here it hangs in our home, where I think of her every day. It is perfect for a music room.

Even the books and the plant on the table are special for one reason or another. The chair just gives me one central place where I can have all of that loving goodness in one very whimsical spot!

What whimsy do you have in your life that makes you chuckle, or think about those you love?

I love whimsy.

I’ve been saving it up so I have lots to share too!

What is it?

Look what I found on the way home from our camping trip, in a little out-of-the-way town.

It is over 2 and 1/2 feet long and a foot wide. It sits up on little legs and has a stationary handle, which goes the length of the box. There is a divider in the middle of it, making it into two separate compartments.

If I had to guess, I’d say it is an old toolbox. But it’s been used for something else. I can tell because there are water rings inside of it.

I’m excited about using it. Can you guess where in my house I will use it, and for what? Because, yep, I got me some plans for it. But I am willing to be swayed. A little. Maybe.

Do you have any ideas on what it was originally made for, or your own suggestions on what to use it as?

Thanks again Goodwill. And thanks kids, for being patient when I have to stop at each and every one I see…

Be Like A Whale

(Picture from Chad Gerans Rhyming Book)

This is Day-In-The-Life week over at Heart of the Matter, as part of their Not Back to School Blog Hop. However, we really are not back to school. Even at home. We are still harvesting those last days of summer. Here in Oregon, even the kids who do go back to school are not yet back to school.So, for now, I’ll just share something basic about the way we plan our days.

When we are in school, we “do school” from about 8am-1pm. We don’t break for lunch until we’re pretty much done. Because, for this family, it’s just too hard to get back to it after that. I make a plan of what needs to be accomplished and we work our way through it, rather than trying to plan a certain amount of time for each thing. Stringent scheduling just doesn’t work for this creative-yet-goal-oriented mom of a “large” family.

I look forward to reading other posts I find at Heart Of The Matter this week. And I’ll share more specifics about our schedule some other time, when we are done enjoying summer.

Oh, and, by way of a little bit older more seasoned friend smiling and lovingly patting you on the back and telling you “You can do it!”, please let me offer these couple of words of advice as you troll along through some super fun posts by other moms (and maybe some dads and kids too).

~ What works for someone else might not work for you. What works for you might not work for someone else. Like I always say, “be like a whale” – read and listen to the plans, input, and advice of others, drink it all in. Then spit out everything that is non-nutritious and only keep the good stuff, the things which will fortify you and your family. Don’t use it to compare yourself or to feel overwhelmed by all that you are not doing. (Here at But I Had A Tiara, we are not allowed to compare, etc. see sidebar!)

~ Make a plan. Because I love being flexible and you can’t be flexible without a plan.

I hope you enjoy looking at the schedules of other Not back To Schoolers, and get lots of wonderful inspiration!

Secondhand Saturday

Today I went on a mission to find some items for my homeschool room repurposing projects. I did get some goodies I am excited to share sometime.

And, ummm, well, I brought home these lil sweeties.

Bakelite Bangles, Circa 1930s

Okay, so while they don’t help my storage problems, they will look awfully pretty on my arm as I read to my lambies, therefore making the entire room a sunnier place. See how that works?

I’m not big into “stuff” but I do love, Love, LOVE vintage and antique jewelry. That’s really all I wear. Oh stop. You know what I mean. I like clothes too, and wear them everyday. But, even more -- I love to accessorize with unique vintage jewelry.

Bakelite is so fun and colorful, especially if you put a few together. Doesn’t really matter if the rest of your outfit is somewhat nondescript, these make the whole thing POP!

I have looked at Bakelite bangles at antique shops, shows and expos for a few years now, in hopes of finding a stack of my own. Though I have found a few as gifts as well as a couple look-alikes, usually either my hands are too big or the price is, so I have just enjoyed looking at the colorful displays. Until today …

I was pretty happy to find these, which actually fit over my hands, at a garage sale --- for TWO DOLLARS EACH! Don’t worry, I got several other good deals today too, even a couple for the homeschool room, as I originally intended.

I love a good deal! It was a pretty good day that way. How ‘bout you?

See What Happens When I Lighten Up A Little?

As usual, during this camping trip, Mr. Congeniality has been nagging frequently asking if he can go fishing. Being that no one else seems to be the least bit interested in fishing on this trip for some reason, and he is a big 11 year old now (self talk = “come on mom, it’s time to make yourself lighten up a little”. After all, I am trying not to be too much of a Helicopter Mom), I finally allowed him to walk the 5 minutes from our campsite to the dock (with rails).

In broad daylight.

In a populous campground.

With a cell phone. With my number queued up and ready to ring at the push of a button.

I'd call randomly and he'd be checking in every 15 minutes.

And if that phone does not ring, every 15 minutes on.the.dot? Why then, mama’s coming with ‘er pistol.

Plus, we agreed upon a secret code word for “a weird looking person is here on the dock and you should come now”.

I told him I would walk over in about a half hour, as soon as I was done getting dinner for the others.

I even texted his dad to make sure he felt okay about it.

Did I mention that the dock has rails?

So, we finish dinner and Mimmers and I start walking over.

As we break through the trees and can see across the park, imagine my horror when I saw this:

About TWELVE firefighters. But they were down by the water. Near the dock. Where I so frivolously allowed my little eleven year old to go. By himself, with only a cell phone.

The words “dragging the lake” were already in my head.

My heart was in my throat just long enough for me to call the cell phone.

“Helloo? Ya, it’s going fine. Okay. Bye.”

No mention of slipping. Or being wet. Or cold. Or a firefighter having to fish him out of the water.

Breathe mama.

Stupid fishing.

What Do You Subscribe to?

I used to be a voracious reader. Seriously, I’d read book after book after book. I still enjoy reading, but my choices are so much different. I rarely read a novel anymore. It’s usually a biography or more of an informational/instructional book. Or a story I am reading to or with one of my children for school or for fun. Novels don’t seem to capture my attention enough to really get into them.

I do enjoy reading magazine articles, especially with beautiful pictures. I can get from the beginning to the end within one cup of coffee or tea, curled up on my new Napoleon Dynamite Chair (more on that another day) from Craigslist.

For years, my dear Gramsie subscribed to Guideposts and Reader’s Digest for us. Those were sweet and pleasant reads. Sometimes they were informational, sometimes inspirational, but almost always at least casually enjoyable. Guideposts stopped coming a few years ago. But this is the first year of no RD. Gran is winding down and it’s sorta hard to experience the process, even if it is just a magazine.

Back in the day, I subscribed to a certain magazine. Mostly because I liked the idea of it. Looking at it made me feel like, by merely having it on my coffee table, I’d be able to create a ethereal, magical home with lots of feminine appeal. Oh, and INCREDIBLE gardens. Wondrous, lush havens where we could find a cool respite on a hot day, glass of lemonade in hand, whilst whiling away our leisure time.

Well, namely:

Can you see why I felt that way?

Well, that was short lived. I think I subscribed off and on for a year or two. Being married and working full time, then being pregnant and sick, then being a mother – life was busy and finances were low.

Oh, I recently noticed they are back in print so I went to their website to check it out.

“Serenity awaits you in every issue of Victoria magazine. Unabashedly feminine, Victoria offers the best in charming home décor, gracious gardens, entertaining touches, intimate profiles of inspiring women, and off-the-beaten-path travel destinations. Leave the every-day behind with Victoria. “

Well, according to this, I still could create that magical oasis -- if I subscribe. They have a free issue offer, so maybe I’ll sign up for it and maybe we’ll see. <Probably not.>

Then I subscribed to this more practical resource (calling it a resource makes it sound very utilitarian, thereby justifying the cost. Very clever.):

Yummy – This issue is even about soup, my fave!

I have subscribed to this for years and years. And I use it all of the time. And I have all of my back issues. My kids use it each year for our extended family cookie contest at Christmas. There are recipes I’ve made for most of the kid’s lives in it, including special things I make almost every holiday. I LOVE it. Very practical recipes, not calling for alot of ingredients I don’t already have or frequently use. Yes, you can get many of their recipes online. But not all of them. And I don’t always want to pull up the internet every time I want to cook. My kids, especially my daughter, also enjoy looking through it. And I want to encourage that sort of thing.

While fishing through other people’s magazine’s for a project I was working on for a bible study assignment at church, I came across a magazine that I have always enjoyed looking at in the doctor’s office. It reminded me how much I loved it. So I decided to subscribe. I have received two issues of Sunset so far and it does not disappoint!

If you know me very well, or you have read a few of my blog posts, especially this time of year, you know I love camping (in fact, I am camping right now). So this was the perfect first issue for me to receive.

With cooking, NW destinations, camping, great outdoor features, gardening and home decor, etc. It is definitely my style. I have either made or am going to make several projects or recipes they feature each month. The pictures are beautiful and make me just want to get out there and experience all that life has to offer! I am loving it and look forward to each new issue.

So, hey! What are you reading these days? Do you subscribe to any magazines? Check any out from the library? What book is on your nightstand or on the arm of your version of a Napoleon Dynamite chair?