The Move is Complete

I realize I really should have been blogging all along about our move - so will come back to that! I actually think I could write a book filled with funny and not so funny stories about the process. Now that I am not so tired from the whole transition, I will get back to it. In the meantime - trying to continue to declutter - as   talked about in my last post - get unpacked - re-purpose - and reconsider what is most important in life.
So watch the blog world for more about moving! From my perspective anyway!!!

Lightening my Life!

We are in the process of moving. That means showing our house to prospective buyers and our realtor asked us to de-personalize it. No pictures, no clutter, no junk, etc. It was an unbelievable process - a lot of work. We sold things on Craigs List, made trips to Goodwill, and filled our garbage can many times as well as visited the recycle center. And it looks good and there is no clutter.  As much as this is very stressful, I noticed that when we decluttered, I relaxed a bit. That led me to wonder two things. Why did I pack so much stuff that I don't/perhaps won't ever use in boxes to store and move with us. Why do we live cluttered lives that seem to add stress to our every day living?

I am on a journey to delve into this question a bit. For me there are some simple reasons that first come to mind. I don't like to waste things. I used to get so angry at my husband when he would get a gift of clothing that he would not wear. A couple years later he would donate it to Goodwill. My anger came in that if he didn't like it he shouldn't keep it. He didn't want to hurt the person's feelings that gave it to him. I told him he had to return items right away if they wouldn't get used. He's gotten better - but we still have and get things we don't really need and the same thing happens.

I want to ask myself for every purchase - do I need this? I mean really need this. If I don't - there is no purchase. I just don't need more stuff. Stuff is what we move around. We dust. Stuff adds stress. Like magazine subscriptions for me. I don't take time to read- it isn't a priority. And if I need something I can go online. So I am letting all my subscriptions expire. Then I will add back ones I really miss. I found it was paying to recycle when I wasn't taking the time to read them.

And then there are clothes - if I need something, I need to get rid of something. I've found I don't really need any clothes - of course though we always want more!  And I am going back to buying more classic - better quality. I still wear those things from long ago that are timeless. And I seem to wear the same things all the time - so why is there so much in my closet?

It's a journey - but one I am excited about. When I unpack the boxes, I am going to to really go through each item. If I haven't used it in the last year - I need to release it to someone else that may need it or use it. It's time and such a great feeling. I need to gift it or give it. But I don't need to dust it, find a place for it, keep it if I won't be using it!

It's the year of free-ing!!!! Cant' wait to continue to lighten up my life!

Cookie Plates

What fun to have festive plates to serve cookies and appetizers on over the holidays. They were so fun to make. The creative choices are endless - Let me show you how!  First thing to do - go through your cabinets to find miscellaneous plates or take a trip to your local Goodwill or HomeGoods. I found some great plates, candle stix, vases and something I didn't even know what it's former use was. You just have to be sure they will fit together and hold the glue. Color doesn't matter because that will be covered. You just want it to be in good condition.

I went to the local hardware store and told them what I was doing. Gluing glass and metal together and they recommended Loctite. The best super glue product out there. I glued my bases to my plates or platters and let them dry for 48 hours to be sure all the glue was dry and there was a good bond. 

Here they are before paint - notice odd metal, glass and ceramic but fun designs!

Then the spraying began. I sprayed them upside down first to get all the crevices and underneath side so that my final coats and work would be the top surfaces. I sprayed 2-3 coats on each piece depending on the coverage and let them dry again for 48 hours before the final clear coat I used for extra shine and protection. All my spray paint was Rustoleum all purpose spray paint as it has the best color selection. 

I love the finished product and have another lime green one drying! A great way to be creative and what fun entertaining with such festive serving pieces!

Holiday Treats

I made some fun things over the holidays. Some I documented - some I didn't. I also can't believe how quickly the holidays came and went and now it hardly feels like I remember them. I guess being busy has it's upside but a downside as well. Here are some great coffee/cocoa stir sticks I made and gave as gifts! They are easy, fun and add a lot to a morning cup of coffee or an afternoon cocoa!
First, you'll need:
Stir Stix - I used the wooden ones because they are sturdier and I like the look of them.
Marshmallows
Dark Chocolate - I used dark chocolate chips and Ghiradelli double chocolate (dipping kind)
Candy Canes - crushed fine
Wax Paper or Parchment Paper

I put 2 marshmallows on each stir stick

I used a spoon to coat them in chocolate. Dipping them meant they had too much chocolate on them - I smeared with the back side or the spoon until they were coated all around.

Use your hands to sprinkle the crushed candy canes on them

The finished product. Let sit for the chocolate to harden. I wrapped 4 of them in cellophane to give as gifts. I added red and green ribbon - it was an easy and tasty gift!