Donna Madden

Thursday, October 02, 2014

"...a hope & a future".

Day Two:

Once done with hubby to the eye doctor early this morning, breakfast at our favorite Mexican Restaurant in La Porte, I went by and checked on one of my houses being renovated from a fire. I love the sea breeze smell that is in the air of this bay side home.

Although in rustic stages now, the hopes of beautiful surroundings for this couple is awaiting in their, hope to be, near future.

I thought you may enjoy seeing a few pics i used in my presentation on this job. I have never done before, but felt I wanted to add a scripture to comfort them through this devastating time of their lives. On this photo on the slide, it read "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Quick sketch of the niche area looking out at the water.

Window treatment inspiration for this niche window area.

Once this project is complete, it will be posted on my "Decorating for the Senses " business blog.

I am loving being a part of this couple's soon to be "red letter day" when they are able to return to their home full of all the things that define who they are and a place of refuge.

31 Days with a Decorator

Follow the links to each post.

Enjoy!

Day 1...here we go!

Day 2: "a hope and a future"

Day 3: A Wall Collage

Day 4: Keep It Fresh

Day 5: Eclectic Sunday

Day 6: Internet Glitch

Day 7: Positive Input

Day 8: Blood Moon in the Decorator's World

Day 9: "whatsoever things...

Day 10: Short & Sweet

Day 11: "My" Flea Market Flip

Day 12: Next Up

Day 13: Blessed on Day 13

Day 14: A Day Guided by a Color Palette

Day 15: End of 2015 Tax Returns

Day 16: Sleep

Day 17: Simplicity

Day 18: Surround yourselves...

Day 19: This too shall pass

Day 20: Color Inspiration

Day 21: La Porte

Day 22: A Summer Makeover

Day 23: FMF Graphic

Day 24: Homefront

Day 25: Make a Statement

Day 26: Today...

Day 27: Abundance

Day 28: It can start with the first line of a pencil

Day 29: Creamy Loves

Days 30 & 31: A touch of christmas with fall still in the air

Wednesday, October 01, 2014

My 31 Days of Writing, Inspired by "The Nester"

Day One:

The first day of summer my husband and I went on our first cruise. I decided to purchase "The Nester's" book to read while I was relaxing there. I was pleasantly surprised that I found someone who has my belief system in decorating.

I believe that everyone's spaces should be beautiful and be surrounded by the things you love. I am a firm believer you do not have to spend a ton of money to make your spaces beautiful. I totally love decor.

I have decided to make my blog for October using: "31 Days with a decorator". Want to know a little insight? I hope you will join me on this journey. This has been my busiest time of my life ever, but, I really want to join this group blog writers 31 day journey. Get set for some inspiration.

The Nesting Place Blog

This is a little look at what my to do journal looks like.

The Book

Take a look at my business blog. I hope you will pour yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy the pages here filled with some of my favorite decor projects.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

A Visit to Thistlewoods

It is always such a treat to visit with my sister Linda and her husband, Owen and Leroy, their oldest pet dog and Ernie and Ella, their 2 spoiled little schnauzers.

I hope you will enjoy these photos I want to share the evening my Mother, sister, Judy and I went for a visit and for a wonderful country dinner.

Making the turn off of the main road in Glenmora, this road leads to the home of Linda Walston Crowder and her husband, Owen Crowder.

Here are some photos of loofahs, watermelon gourds, apple gourds, sugarcane, assorted colors of cotton, assorted flowers, cucumbers and roses.

Linda, in her typical "thistlewoods" wear. : )

Her unique collection of Vaseline Glass. It glows when put under a black light.

Linda loves beautiful furniture.

Hot, ready and waiting. A country meal all produced right here in the garden.

Just after coming back inside from viewing the plants, Linda's shop and property, it began to pour. It was actually a pictorial site.

Fresh purple peas, fresh green beans along with home grown potatoes,

corn, fried okra and corn bread. The tea was also great.

Followed by a fabulous home made pound cake.

After dinner, Linda, Judy, my mother and I sat around the table looking at old photos and keepsakes. This is a picture of my grandfather I never met, my mother's Dad, Willie Parker. He was a handsome man.

This is a thank you note I had my son write when he was most likely 2 or 3 years old.

Linda as a little girl.

This is a picture we found that my son, Aaron made when he was 4 years old. Love this.

Coming soon to Facebook. Linda will be marketing a lot of her creations here. She is starting with her hand made baby products, primarily hand made baby booties. Super cute! and unique!

The address will be Facebood/Thistlewoods. The first site will be known as "Little Thistlewoods" Linda Crowder Creations.

Thanks for stopping by.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Ottoman Makeover

Having a love for old thing and breathing new life into them, led me to this found large ottoman. It had a faux leather upholstery and a dark stain. I had it for some time just waiting for me to give it a makeover. Some time back, I purchased 100% linen fabric from Kast Fabrics. I have always wanted to try my hand at tufting. This became my first attempt. This is not for sale on Craig's list.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Four-Cheese Zucchini Strata

I found this great recipe for your home grown garden zucchini. We were blessed with a huge zucchini from a friend and found this recipe. A real keeper!

Ingredients:

4 medium zucchini and or yellow summer squash, I used all zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4 inch slices, about 5 cups

2 Tablespoons olive oil

8 cups of garlic-flavored flatbread (focaccia) cut into bite-sized pieces, I used one package with 2 flat loaves, a little less than the 8 cups

1 cup of provolone cheese, 4 ozs., I purchased from the deli and grated myself

1/2 cup of feta cheese

1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese, 4 ounces, my store did not have white cheddar except in a grated package with other mixes of cheddar cheese, I used that

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. This is at a good price grated in plastic tubs.

7 eggs, lightly beaten

2 cups milk

2 Tablespoons snipped fresh parsley

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Snipped fresh parsley, optional

Directions:

1. Lightly grease a 3 qt rectangular or oval baking dish; set aside. In an extra-large skillet cook squash in hot oil over medium-high heat until light brown, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Place half of the bread pieces in the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the squash and half of each of the cheeses. Repeat layers.

2. In a large bowl combine eggs, milk, parsley, salt, and pepper. Pour evenly over layers in baking dish. Using the back of a large spoon, gently press down on layers. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 2 to 24 hours. I did not have time for this and it still came out great.

3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Remove plastic wrap. Bake for 45 - 50 minutes or until set and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 170 degrees F. Let stand for 10 minutes before. Sprinkle with additional parsley if desired.

Enjoy! I think this is also a great brunch recipe.

For my side dish, I made a salad of cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, Italian seasonings, and a little sugar.

What I may try next time: I think it would be more appealing if the zucchini would be in bite size squares. What are your thoughts?

Thanks for stopping by.

Recipe compliments of Better Homes and Gardens. Nutritional Facts and a printable copy here.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Great Summer Camping Ideas

1. Use foam floor tiles for a softer, more comfortable tent floor.

alittlecampy.com

2. Point a head lamp into a jug of water for an instant lantern.

Flickr: listorama

3. Also: Mountain Dew + baking soda + peroxide = lantern.

pinterest.com

4. Make tin-can sandwich bread as a portable food option.

thereadystore.com

Get the recipe here.

5. Familiarize yourself with what the poisonous plants look like.

sheknows.com

6. Bring a tick deterrent.

7. Glue sandpaper to the top of your match holder.

craftaholicsanonymous.net

Be sure to buy strike-anywhere matches.

8. Repurpose a coffee can to hold and protect TP.

fieldandstream.com

9. Make crescent rolls over the campfire.

For maximum yumminess, fill ‘em with stuff like marshmallows and Nutella. Or wrap hot dogs with them.

Get the directions here.

10. Use Tic-Tac boxes to store spices.

skruben.blogspot.ca

11. Invest in a two-person sleeping bag.

cabelas.com

This one is $84.99 from Cabelas.

12. Get these seat hammocks for car camping.

hammocks.com

Buy ‘em here.

13. Cut up a straw and fill the pieces up with antibiotic ointment or toothpaste for single-use packets.

briangreen.net

Use a lighter to seal up the ends.

14. Make travel coffee bags out of coffee filters and dental floss.

scjohnson.com

Place a scoop of coffee grounds into a coffee filter and tie it up with dental floss. When you’re ready to brew, just make it like you would make tea in a teabag!

15. Need your coffee? Bring a few of these.

pinterest.com

They’ll keep you from going into caffeine withdrawal.

16. Make candle stakes for romantic nighttime lighting.

asubtlerevelry.com

Get the directions here.

17. Make single-use soap leaves from a bar of soap and a vegetable peeler.

asubtlerevelry.com

You can also rub soap on mosquito bites to relieve the itchiness.

18. Use an empty laundry detergent dispenser as a hand-washing station.

greatwildoutdoors.com

Just fill it up with water.

19. Use a belt and hooks to hang up pots and pans.

pinterest.com

20. Make campfire cones!

kidactivitiesblog.com

21. Pack a mini first-aid kit into an old prescription bottle or Altoids tin.

chasinggreen.org

22. Make pancakes with pre-made pancake mix using shortening and dry milk, which don’t need to be refrigerated.

onegoodthingbyjillee.com

Get the full recipe here. You can also find powdered eggs at most grocery stores (if you don’t shudder at the thought).

23. Put a battery-powered votive candle into an empty peanut butter container to make portable lanterns.

24. Make a portable washing machine with a plunger and a bucket.

Get the directions here.

25. Make an easy-to-carry fire starter with a cardboard-only egg carton and match light charcoal.

sewmanyways.blogspot.com

You just have to light the carton and the fire will catch on to the charcoal.

26.

macbrosplace.com

27. Make pocket-sized oil lamps out of travel-size or hotel toiletry shampoo bottles.

instructables.com

Get the directions here.

28. Forgo the meat marinade and put the rosemary right on the coals.

marthastewart.com

Once the coals are uniformly gray and ashy, cover them with fresh rosemary branches. Your meat and vegetables will be flavored with the taste of savory herbs.

29. Bring cheeses in waxed packaging as well as hard cheeses.

cutefoodforkids.com / Via bonappetit.com

Aged cheddar, Parmigiano, and/or Gruyère will keep for at least a week unrefrigerated.

30. Add bundles of sage to a campfire to keep mosquitoes away.

google.com

31. Try roasting Starburst.

clarkandsuz.blogspot.com

clarkandsuz.blogspot.com

Sounds crazy, but it’s actually delicious. Crunchy on the outside, warm and gooey on the inside. Roast it until it’s bubbling.

32. Forgo pasta for a quick-cooking alternatives like polenta, quinoa, or couscous.

bonappetit.com

Polenta is especially versatile because it can be shaped into patties and pan-fried for a sweet or savory meal. Get a recipe for grilled polenta cakes.