Monday, January 16, 2012

Make-Do Monday

Guess I should 'splain. We're all familiar with the old saying:
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without".
Make- Do Monday is all about using what you've got. 

I think I have "Spring Fever" this week.  It's been unusually warm here the past few days (upper 50s and 60s), so I've been scrounging around, going through boxes & pulling out tchotchkes, rearranging furniture, and cleaning.  In one the corner of the garage, a half-finished project beckoned.

Early last fall, my Hubby and I paid a visit to a local antique store.  It's one of our favs because they carry a lot of mid-centruy stuff, which we absolutely adore.  Our house was built in 1963 so we give a nod to the era by adding a few small decorations and pieces in each room.  This trip, I found something I had been wanting for years.  A vintage Formica kitchen table!  And at a fantastic price!  MINE!  OK, it was mine after a quick phone call to my mother, begging her to buy it for me for Yule and my birthday.  I had to send pictures but she saw how great it was and agreed.  WOOHOO!

It needed a little tender loving care but I was willing so we took it home.  And it has sat in the garage ever since...until yesterday.  My Hubs and I took apart the formal table in the dining area and finally brought this one in.  I had sprayed the legs of the table silver and plan on painting the chairs in the next few weeks.  But it's now in it's rightful place, all clean and shiny.   

So how does this apply to Make-Do Monday?  Well, it forced me to move a few other things around in my dining area and living room.  I must say, it gave both rooms a fresh new look without spending a red cent.  Oh, and here is the table.  Isn't it cute?








Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Why We Eat Organic!

Smart little girl! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exBEFCiWyW0&feature=youtu.be

Happy & Healthy New Year!

One of our New Year's resolutions is to eat better, plain and simple.  No fancy diet foods.  No special replacement meals.  Just good food done right. 

We aren't much for the concept of denial.  Both of us know from experience the more you deny yourself something, the higher the chance you're going to 'cave in' and have it.  So instead of cutting things out we love (butter, cheese, meat, pasta and bread), we're eating better versions of it.  Like grass fed meats, hormone-free dairy products, organic fruits & veggies, and whole grain products. 

The other resolution is to be better stewards of this big blue ball we call Earth.  That's right.  We've finally committed to reduce, reuse and recycle.  Heck, I'm even upcycling now!  Woohoo!   

This past year brought some wonderful things to my town. It also enabled Hubby & me to become much more focused on our goals.  What are these miraculous things, you ask?  Stores. Yup, stores.

As weird as that may sound, these new stores have provided us with the ability to put into actions all our thoughts.  Before, we were so limited in where we could buy good food and products.  Most of the time, products just were not available locally and if they were, they were so expensive.  Now, we have the luxury of actually shopping around for the best deals and have coupons to offset the higher prices.  Heck, they even have sale fliers!  Between these new stores, the farmers market, and my own backyard garden, Hubs & I are well on our way to achieving our resolutions!

Oh, here are the great new places I'm talking about!

Here are our local suppliers:
OSU Farmer's Market

Monday, January 9, 2012

New Beginnings

Infamous intro time! I'm Astrid. Nice to meet 'cha!
My Mini & Me!

 I'm a 48 year-old working woman with a dream.  OK, I actually have a lot of dreams (write a book, start a online business, finish my degree) but the biggest is to be a industrious and conscientious Hausfrau.  It's going to be a while until I can be a full-time Hausfrau and that's OK.  My Hubby & I are building a solid foundation for our future so I'll be working a bit longer to make that happen.  I'm good with it! 

Meanwhile, this blog is my way of helping myself keep organized and sane (giggle) while I juggle a busy life as full-time career woman, wife, step mommy, friend, social activist, crafter and fix-it-Gal wannabe. And if I can help out some other dreamers out there, well, that's just a great big bonus!

So, come on ladies, pull up your chair, pour yourself a cuppa Joe, and hang on.  It's bound to be an interesting ride!