Dressing room

Most people would never guess that my home has two stories, because you can't tell by the front of the house, but there is indeed a second level built into the side of the hill. In the main upstairs part of the house, along with the kitchen, living room, dining room, etc., there are two bedrooms, one of which was the master bedroom, that I gave to my daughter, and the other is a small room located off the kitchen that I turned into a den/guest room. 

Downstairs, in what I assume was the old maid's quarters, ended up being the perfect place for a master bedroom, especially since it gave me the opportunity to have closet space and it had it's own tiny bathroom. I haven't finished my bedroom yet, because I've been stuck on what color to paint it (and also working on the rest of the house), but after three years of trying to decide, I finally chose a pretty pale yellow and I'll be painting it this Spring.

Anyway, before you walk into what is now my bedroom, there's another little room, which I can only assume was a sitting room for the maid or perhaps a storage room. I painted it a girly, pale, peachy pink and turned it into my dressing room, and I also added a much needed walk in closet.

It ended up being one of my favorite rooms.....

The vanity came from someone that inherited it from their mother and didn't know what to do with it, so he gave it to me for free. It's not in the best condition, because it was sitting in a dirty shop for years, but I don't mind. I just polished it up and left it the way it was.

Aside from my make-up, I added little things that meant something to me, such as pictures of my family and mementos that were given to me by dear friends over the years.

The tag on that little art deco mirror was on a package I received as a gift and I've kept it ever since, because I love what it says and it's a reminder that... 

"Everyday is another chance to make your dreams come true."

I also have a vintage suitcase, that another friend gave me, ready to go for that occasional spontaneous trip.

Here's another old vanity hidden in the corner that my mother gave me years ago, along with one of my very favorite mirrors, which she also gave me when I moved into my first house.

It's obviously too small to use, but I love it, so I just placed an old vanity set there instead. 

Lastly, if the door is ever closed, this little gift from my son, is hanging on the door.

It's not a grand space by any means, but it's a place that speaks to my more girly side and I love it :)

rue

Pre-Spring Cleaning

I know it isn't anywhere near Spring, but after I take down the tree (needles everywhere!) and all the Christmas decorations, I'm ready to start cleaning and rearranging things, so that my home welcomes the New Year all fresh and clean. Don't get me wrong, I have a daily schedule that I stick to and it was already deep cleaned for the season to begin with, but after all the cooking, baking and general holiday madness, things tend to get put off, so on goes my apron and I'm ready to start. 

While I get into my cleaning adventures, I've included some random pictures from around the house, that I took over the past year or so.

First, I start by throwing all the blankets and linens into the wash, and while that's going I take care of all the surfaces that have been covered with Christmasy things by wiping them down and polishing them. 

Then the windows are cleaned with my vinegar spray, to welcome in the little bit of sunlight that we get at this time of year. 

I also wipe down all the sills and take out the screens to give them a quick spray with the hose. Later, I'll give them a good scrubbing with soap, but right now it's just too darn cold out there! Brrr.....

Like I mentioned, I also take this time to rearrange a few things. It must be the taking out of the tree that makes the house feel so empty. I'm not sure, but it puts me in the mood to take a closer look at the way I've placed things and move some stuff around.

I don't move any major pieces of furniture, because in a house the size of mine, there's not that many different ways to position them, but it's the small things like little tables, books and nicknacks. 

After that's done, it's time for the floors.... sweep, vacuum, mop and then the baseboards get a good scrubbing.  

I had already rearranged my pantry and cleaned out the deep freezer before the holidays, so no need to worry about that, but it's definitely time to start going through my closets and making some donations.  

I'll be doing that soon, but for now I'm going to relax, while I look at menu ideas for our New Years Eve dinner and enjoy my nice clean home :) 

rue

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas!

rue

Bubba's diet

Bubba is on a diet and he's not happy abut it.

So, today I guess he decided he would get more food if he hopped up on the bench during lunch.

He got his special treat.

But, I guess that wasn't enough, because he jumped up onto the table after it was over and looked at me, as if to say "Is that it?!"

Poor baby......

I know you probably feel very sorry for him, but I think he'll live ;)

rue

Christmas cookies

We spent today making Christmas cookies, which has been a tradition in my family as far back as I can remember, and carried on in my own family, since my kids were little.

rue

How to give a Vodka Party

Awhile back, I was at a thrift store looking for old records and came across this plain black folder. I almost passed it up, but something told me to take a look inside and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was full of old recipe pamphlets!

I bought it and took it home, with plans to sit down and go through all of them, but one thing led to another and I had forgotten about it.

So, yesterday, I was sorting through my recipe books when I found it again and  I settled down in front of the fire, to take a gander and came across this one....

and I laughed until I almost cried!

Who knew that vodka parties were started by the rich and famous! Heck, I didn't even know that there was such a thing as a Vodka Party, and it's been about 50 years since this pamphlet came out. I guess I'm late to the trend.

Variety that leaves you breathless?! Let's take a look...

Hmmm.... I don't know about being breathless, but A Green Dragon would certainly make me comatose and that bullshot, would make me throw up.

Drinking vodka makes you smarter? Well then, these people must be geniuses! They've certainly had plenty to drink.

 Vodka Steamer? Poor choice for a name to begin with, but even with a better name, it's still disgusting! Whoever came up with it, must have had too many Green Dragons.

Let's see what these people came up with to eat with those lovely drinks.....

Well, not bad, except the broiled anchovies. No thank you!

Wait! There's more.....

Drunk people must love A1 sauce, because it's in almost every dish. Who would have thought that you could just throw a chunk of cream cheese in a bowl and poor A1 sauce on it and call it good?!

Ooooo..... flaming dishes! Nothing says fun like having a plate of fire around a bunch of tanked guests!

And now that everyone is properly hammered and have set the house on fire, let's name the concoctions we came up with!

I don't know about you, but after drinking that much alcohol, I wouldn't be able to speak, much less come up with new names. 

Oh wait.... maybe that's what they meant by it "leaving you breathless". 

Although, I think passed out drunk would be more accurate.

Those people really knew how to party! I can't wait to see what else that folder has in store for us.

Until next time....

Rue

Christmas close-up