No-Sew Burlap Tablerunner

I have a secret.  Well actually I have many, ha ha, but today I am revealing one:  I can't sew.  Don't judge, don't hate... I. don't. sew.  It's true and I will readily admit it.  I truly envy all the beautifully sewn creations I see out there in blog land.  But, while I have many talents, sewing just isn't one of them.  It is on my very long list of "things to do before I die."

As with many of you, I have fallen in love with burlap.  It all began with my kitchen update to French Country and discover that natural fabrics are part of the decor.  Thus enter burlap.  Hmmm... what can I do with burlap... such a lovely fabric...

 I discovered all sorts of very cool table runners created out of burlap all over blog land and Etsy.  But, most, if not all, involved sewing.  Crap!  Well, never one to be deterred easily, I decided to create my own. 

The first one I made was super simple.  Go to Joanne's, get a few yards of fabric, cut to desired length and width, wash, dry, and iron out the wrinkles.  The washing and drying create awesome fraying which of course we want.  I loved it and it worked perfectly in my kitchen. 

But then I started seeing some more elaborate burlap runners with lace and rosettes.  I love the combination of the burlap and lace but it required sewing.  Or does it?  Not if your brain works like mine!  I. Can. Glue. It!

Now I ask you:  why was fabric glue invented?  For non-sewers right?  Well, maybe not but it works.

What I used:

Burlap fabric cut to about 72" L x 16" W

Vintage Lace

Rosette (I cheated a bit and used some Melissa Frances ones that I had)

Fabric Tac

I discovered that it's really quite easy to fray burlap myself by pulling threads at the ends.  That way I could control how "frayed" I wanted it.  Then I measured my vintage lace and glued it to the ends and also glued the rosette on.  Easy, easy, easy and yet so pretty!

What do you think?  I am in love and it looks fabulous in my French Country kitchen!



My new family member

I don't think I introduced you yet to our newest family member!

This is Murphy and he is a Pekingese that we received from a rescue organization in PA. 

 This was on our drive home, when we stopped for dinner.  He was located about three hours away.

 My lovely daughter Megan with Murphy

 My other lovely daughter Erin with Murphy

He is the sweetest little guy and we are so pleased to have him join our family!

Have a great week!



It's time to "think pink"

I am joining Pink Saturday this week which I haven't done in like forever! 

I will be getting out my pink shorts...

... and my pink flip flops....

...because here in Western New York we are having near record warmth - about 80 for the next few days!  I know for some of you in the Southern states that would be a cool down for you but around these parts that's pretty warm for us!  I am giddy with excitement!  Yay, I get to wear my flip flops a little longer which means I can keep those boots in the back of my closet too!

Oh and since it is "Pink" October here's a friendly reminder:

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month!  I am guessing you all know that by now, but did you have your mammogram this year?  I sure did over the summer and while it's not my favorite thing to do I am sure glad that I did.  And thankfully, I received a "clean bill of health."  I hope you do too!

Happy Pink Saturday and be sure and visit Beverly to see everyone who is participating this week!

Back in the Day Bakery and my own yummy cookies

Last month my husband and I were fortunate enough to get away after the triplets went back to college.  Of course we went to Myrtle Beach but we also took a side trip to Savannah, GA, a city I have long wanted to see.  It is charming and beautiful.  While I was there I had to visit a bakery I have read about on various blogs.  So, on the way back to MB the hubby and I stopped in for a visit (and some treats too).

It is so very quaint and decorated in wonderful, drool-worthy vintage decor!

Bad picture but I was trying to show you the beautiful chandelier!



Of course we had to sample the goodies...

We ended up with some yummy cupcakes - "old-fashioned" pictured here and a very yummy chocolate!  I meant to take a picture of the ones in the box but well I ate them before I remembered!  We also sampled their banana pudding which was amazing!  I am certainly glad we stopped by, it was worth it.

Now, for my own recently crafted cookies.  The original recipe is found at Confessions of a Cookbook Queen and is one of my favorite blogs!  These are called Triple Peanut butter Cookies and I followed the recipe exactly except....



I used semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of the peanut butter M & M's.  Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of triple peanut butter but there's just something so alluring about peanut butter and chocolate.  And, I still put in the peanut butter cups!

Just look at these babies!  They are amazing!  Thick, rich, gooey, peanut buttery, chocolately, - what's not to love!  So grab the recipe and get baking!  Oh, and you will need an icey cold glass of milk!

Happy Monday!

Jacalyn

You are beautiful!

As a therapist, I am constantly learning from my clients, personally and professionally.  Yesterday one of my clients had the most amazing quote (though I don't know where is originated from):

You're not ugly... Society is!

Isn't that amazing?  I must say, it really moved me and I believe that often times this is oh so true!

Have a beautiful day!

Jacalyn

The absolute BEST ice coffee, ever!

So, you all know the Pioneer Woman, right?  Actually I just stumbled upon her blog recently.  If you haven't visited her blog I really encourage you to do so as she has some amazing recipes and other great stories on her site.  If I am not wrong I believe she published a cookbook. 

The reason I ask is because I found the BEST, and I do mean the best, ice coffee recipe on her site.  Check out her recipe here.  I loved her recipe but that is just too much coffee, even for me, so I've tweaked it for my own taste. 

I absolutely adore coffee and most likely consume more than I should.  I always start with a hot cup in the morning, no matter what the temperature is outside.  And, I always enjoy hot coffee after dinner as well.  But, in between it's all ice coffee, baby!  While I am generally a Starbucks girl, I have found that Dunkin Donuts makes a pretty good ice coffee.  I swear, they knew my order the second I pulled up and started to order in the drive through.  While I am digging my own ice coffee, I do miss my friends at DD, ha!

Anyhoo, here's my tweaked recipe of the PW Perfect Ice Coffee Recipe.  This really couldn't be any easier, btw!

Ice Coffee
Yields approximately 1 Gallon

Ingredients:
~16 oz of a rich, flavorful coffee (I of course used Starbucks, which you can find in your grocery store)
~8 Cups of water

Utensils:
~Large pot or container
~Mesh Strainer
~Cheese cloth

Directions:
In your large pot combine the coffee and water, stirring to cover all of the grounds. Cover and let set about 8 hours though I usually like to do it over night.


Once your coffee is ready, strain your coffee into a new container.  Make sure you put cheese cloth or a napkin (which I use with great success!) in the strainer before you begin to ensure no grounds seep through the strainer.  This may take a few minutes but it is well worth the wait.  Now be sure to chill this lovely beverage since it is, well, ice coffee! 

In reading the comments on PW's blog, a seemingly simple yet crucial comment was made.  Make sure you freeze some coffee in ice cube trays so you won't have that dreaded melt, ruining your perfectly created coffee!  Genius, right?

To serve:
Once your coffee is prepared and chilled you are ready to create your very own ice coffee masterpiece.


Here's what I do for my perfect cup - I fill my cup with about 2/3 full of coffee and 1/3 with cream (I use fat free) and add 2 tsp of sugar.  Many times I will also add a tablespoon of sweetened condensed milk (also a PW recommendation) and I am in heaven!  Don't forget to mix well and add your coffee ice cubes!  A paper straw adds a nice touch too.

Just think of all you can do with this coffee base. 
-drink it straight up black
-add flavored creamers
-add flavored syrups
-add chocolate or caramel ice cream toppings
-keep it low calorie/low fat by adding artificial sweetener and skim milk
-if decadence is what you're looking for I would suggest adding whole cream
-add whipped topping and drizzle chocolate or caramel on top and don't forget the sprinkles!


Don't forget to make sure you have a "to go" cup as you will not want to part with this as you head out the door!

I would love to hear how you take your ice coffee.  Now go, make, and consume!

Hugs,
Jacalyn

It all started with this...

(sorry about the picture quality)

WARNING:  Picture intensive post!!!!!  (I think I got a tiny bit over zealous!)

So a couple of months ago I decided I really hated my kitchen curtains and needed some new ones.  Simple right?  Ha, wrong!  I then found a burlap table runner that I loved and it was so easy for me to make that I had to run out to Joanne's right then and get the burlap.  Then I discovered that burlap is often used in French Farmhouse decor.  Well, after searching French Farmhouse, I stumbled upon French Country and it was love, instantly!  You see how a total kitchen re-do can occur because of new curtains right?  I am not crazy or anything, right?

What I discovered was that French Country includes roosters (which I adore), natural materials such as burlap, striped or checked fabric, colors such as yellows, blues, and even soft ocean tones, sunflowers, grapes, toile designs, displays of flowers, fruits and vegetables, and lavender.  Plus, the point of the kitchen is to have things handy.  Thus, baskets and displays of kitchen objects are useful!  Oh, did I mention I am in LOVE?!

We completely remodeled our kitchen several years ago which included knocking out a wall to combine the kitchen and dining areas, getting new oak cupboards, and new laminate flooring.  Plus, we just painted the kitchen yellow last year and I already had cobalt blue accents and roosters.  Some how, I just never tire of roosters, ha!

So here's some of what I have added:

 new clock and a vintage inspired rooster print

 a lovely french sign from this Esty seller

 French Farmhouse baskets from my site filled with faux pears and lavender (I hand made the burlap rosette)

 vintage inspired wire basket filled with new and vintage cookie cutters

 a wire basket center piece with apples and Fleur DE Lis votive holders from Yankee Candle (though I often fill them with flowers)

 love, love, love these farm house prints from this eBay seller



 burlap pillows on my new bench - see that number 3 pillow - if you read my blog regularly you know I have triplets and I couldn't turn down this muslin pillow - it spoke to me, ya know

 toile ware juicer and salt and pepper shakers - I actually use that juicer quite often - who knew

 enamelware utensil holder with a Graphics Fairy silverware transfer using the Citrasolv method which I will share in a later post (super, duper easy)



 a cluster of French Country adornments - I made the chalk board myself and I will share that too - of course you can find that all over blog land

 more GF graphics inserted into a frame I painted and distressed

 a nice vignette of more FC decor including roosters and paper hydrangeas

 more roosters of course

 a view of my table with my homemade burlap runner

 fresh fruit to add to that FC feel

 vintage blue ball jars filled with silverware

so  I could do this with my spices - no more endless searches, yay~

 rooster canisters because what else would you expect, ha

and of course some fresh flowers in a vintage ball jar.

Thanks for taking the tour today.  I just realized that I didn't add pictures so you can see the entire kitchen.  Sorry about that.

Have a wonderful week!

Hugs,

Jacalyn