Table Talk

Mealtime at our house means...sitting down, sharing a (usually) homecooked meal, and taking time to talk and listen to each other and share the events of our day. Where this used to be the norm, it seems it is a rare occasion for many families these days.  After seeing a show on bullying this week, it was really evident to me, just how important it is to have the communication lines between parents and children open from a very young age. My son is only in the second grade but he tells me of situations almost daily, where certain kids are picking on, calling names, or excluding some children from being in their group. It's really tough being a kid these days. My son has always been very open with his feelings, but that isn't the case with all children, especially when something is bothering them. I was thinking of how parents could encourage their children to talk about their feelings and actually make it fun! I started making a list of questions, and then made them into little flashcards. We call them "Table Talk" My son pulls a card at dinner, and then we take turns answering the question. I've found that these answers can lead to some really great and informative conversations, and my son LOVES it!  If you aren't able to sit down together for dinner, you could maybe have "Tuck in Talk" at bedtime. Whatever works for you...

I will probably change out our cards each month or so  in order to keep the

questions  fresh and relative to the issues for Luke's age.

If you like these, the files below are for twenty four cards (three sheets of 8)

to get you started.

Please feel free to use them.

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k499/missshawna/TableTalk1.jpg
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k499/missshawna/TableTalk2-1.jpg

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k499/missshawna/TableTalk3.jpg

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k499/missshawna/TableTalkBack.jpg

I will be linking this to Kathleen's White Wednesday

Thank you for stopping by

One Missing Teacup

I hope you can help me...find my missing teacup.  I was visiting Alaina's  post last week and mentioned my missing teacup.  She suggested that I reach out to all of you for help.

So, here's the story...
Several years ago, my fabulous Gramma, who is ninety one, gave me a set of  china that originally belonged to my Grandfather's Aunt. This isn't just any set of china, but an absolutely beautiful, (and aparrently rare) set.  It is service for twelve, including platters, dinner plates, salad plates, soup bowls, vegetable  dish, gravy boat, covered tureen, dessert bowls, sugar bowl and creamer, teacups, and saucers. It truly has everything.....except one teacup! The pattern is TK Thun #299. This is what she looks like...

I have tried Replacements.com for years but no luck

All of the pieces have this stamp

Some of the pieces also have this written in gold

I keep hoping I will run across a teacup in an antique shop and then the set would be complete but so far it hasn't happened. If you know anything about this set or can help in any way, I would sure be grateful.

I will be sharing this with Kathleen's White Wednesday

Thank you for stopping by

Have a great week!

Lavender Bath Salt Recipe

I don't know about you...but I just love a nice warm bath. Especially when it's so cold out. I've been making some lavender bath salts for the shop and a big batch for beside my tub. I wanted to share the simple recipe with you all.

 I just love the look and smell of lavender but you can use any essential oil that you like

This is the big jar I made for myself. I have been making alot of these

 flashcards lately. I keep finding new, fun  ways to use them.

These are the little jars that I made for the shop. I think they would make a great little gift.

Here is the recipe. I hope you get the time to enjoy a nice, relaxing soak.

Bath Salt

 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups  sea salt. Hobby Lobby sells a big tub in the soap making section
• 2 Cups Epsom salt. Sea salts typically come in several grain sizes. Combining multiple grain sizes can make your salts more appealing.
• 15-24 drops of your selected essential oil or essential oil blend. 

Directions:

Place the salt mixture into a bowl.  Then, add the drops of your chosen essential oils. Again, mix very well. Add the mixture to a pretty jar,  or container that has a tight fitting lid. Salts that are kept in a container that is not air tight will lose their aroma more quickly.

After a day,  mix well again to ensure that the oils are well incorporated.

To Use: Add 1/2-1 cup of the salts to running bath water. Sit back and RELAX

Thank you all for stopping by

I am linking this to Kathleen's White Wednesday

Ugly Goodwill Chair Gets A Facelift

This could possibly be...the ugliest chair ever. I found it at Goodwill last week for $14. I thought it had good bones so into the car it went.

Here is the before

And the after

I gave her a facelift with coat of white paint and recovered her with bleached dropcloth fabric. I also picked up an antique twin bed with a curved footboard for $39. I'm planning on redoing it to match the chair. It would be so cute in a little girls room. 

Thanks for stopping by...

have a wonderful week

I will be linking to:

 Kathleen's White Wednesday at Faded Charm Cottage 

&

Tranformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage

French Sofa

You won't believe...where I stumbled upon this beautiful french style sofa. Marshalls!  I couldn't believe it either. I stewed on it for two days, trying to figure out how to talk my husband into justify buying it. I had just cleaned out our basement and storage room and already had a couch, loveseat, four chairs, and lots of other stuff ready to be sold in the garage sale so the last thing I needed was another sofa. But I couldn't quit thinking about her. I talked Reed into going to pick it up, on the condition that I would pay for it out of the garage sale money. I don't have anywhere to put it in our house so  I am using it as a display in the shop. Everyone who comes in oohs and aahs over her. I did find the wholesale company that sells them so if you have a retail license and are interested, just let me know and I will get you their contact information.

Isn't she beautiful...

 I just love all of her detail

I'm thinking if I ever have a sitting area in my master bedroom, she will be perfect there. Right now she is making a great display in the shop for some of my journals.

I hope you all are having a great week

Thanks for stopping by

I will be linking up with Kathleen's White Wednesday at Faded Charm Cottage

A Day For Love

Happy Valentines Day my friends!  I hope you all have a wonderful day filled with love.  I know a lot of people think that Valentines Day is a "Hallmark holiday" but I think it is a great opportunity to let all of the special people in your life know just how much you love them. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by the love of my  family and so many wonderful friends.

Thank you all for the countless, caring ways

you've filled my life with love

Fireplace Makeover

What's a girl to do ... when her husband goes skiing for three days with the guys?  Makeover the fireplace of course!  I have been wanting to change out the fireplace surround for awhile now, but didn't really know where to start. I got my inspiration from the one Becky's "handyman" built for her.  Once I had an idea in mind,  Little Man Luke and I headed out for lumber.

This is the "before"

It reminds me of a really bad photography background. The kind that stores use for pictures with Santa. The really scary part is that I'm the one who put the slate and mantel up in the first place. Isn't it funny to look back at some of the "dont's"  (can you say sponge painting) that happen along the path to finding your true style?

We had two snow days and temperatures of minus 16, so Luke was more than happy to stay in and help with the demolition

It was starting to come together and I got to use my favorite power tool, the chop saw, so I was very happy. I was able to incorporate the old mantel which is just a big false beam. It sure looks better with a couple coats of white paint.

For obvious reasons, I wanted to move the flat screen TV to another wall. After all, what good does it do to have a mantel if you can't put anything on it.  This would turn out to be the most difficult part of the entire job.

When Reed got home I asked him to see about moving the cable line to another wall...easier said than done. He was down in the basement with a coat hanger taped to a long pole, and I was up in the family room trying to feed the cable down to him. There was a ton of duct work and pipes which made it really hard to work around, but eventually we were able to get it all hooked up. Yay!

 Here is the "after"

I already had the chippy old window frames,  printers tray, and the homemade coffee filter wreath, so the total cost for the makeover was only $136...not looking at that  awful "Santa Claus background,  Priceless!

I will be joining these parties:

White Wednesday at Faded Charm Cottage

Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage



Thanks so much for stopping by