the checkered table

This table has been through the wringer.  It started out like this...

It was kind of a strange finish, almost more like paint than stain.

So we sanded it down (luckily my husband helped with alot of the sanding) to it's naked self, and I beat it with a hammer and a screw driver.  That's always fun :)

And then I started to stain it.  It went much darker than I had hoped.  I have always wanted a "farmhouse" table.  That was the look I was going for but it wasn't turning out how I had hoped.  I knew my husband would be less than thrilled if I said I wanted to sand it down again. 

Here it is after I finished it off with three coats of Polyurethane.  Not too bad but still dark :(

Over the next few days I noticed the finish was scraping off.  I'm assuming my poly was old.  Inside I was kind of glad....I had plans Mwah ha ha ha! 

I sanded the finish off and decided to try out this checkerboard pattern I had seen, otherwise know as "my plans".

This is the picture I had saved and hoped to try.  This is actor Hank Azaria's children's playroom.

I love the whole room!

via Ohdeedoh

and here is how mine turned out....

I love the way it turned out!  I know it's not a look for everyone (that's kinda the point) but what do you think?

linking to:

Miss Mustard Seed

Perfectly Imperfect

Blue Cricket Design

The Shabby Nest

Caramel Oatmeal Bars or "Becky Bars''

I have been asked by many people for this recipe so here it is!

 

 

 

Becky Bars

abitofbeck@yahoo.com

1 ½ C flour

1 ½ C quick or old-fashioned oats

1 ½ C brown sugar, packed

¼ tsp salt

½ tsp baking soda

2 sticks of real butter, melted

2: 7 ounce bags of caramels (about 48 caramels) I use "Werther's"   

¼ C whipping cream

1:  12-ounce bag of milk chocolate chips.  I use 'Guittard’. 

Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, salt and melted butter to form crumbs. Press half of crumbs into the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  While crust is baking heat caramels and whipping cream in a saucepan until combined.  Remove crust from oven and sprinkle with chocolate pieces.  Drizzle caramel over chocolate pieces. Sprinkle remaining crumbs over caramel topping. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes until golden brown. Chill bars for easy cutting. Makes about 25 small bars.



The {Up} house

Last week my kids were watching the movie "Up".  I asked my daughter if she would like to see the "real"  Up house.  Of course she was thrilled.  So we got ready and invited some friends to go with us on our little adventure.

This house was actually built to replicate the house from the movie but it is also part of the 'Salt Lake Parade of Homes'.  I heard somewhere that this house has already sold.  The brochure I saw said $399,000. 

The details are so fun!  If you saw the movie then you will appreciate all of the little details.  Whenever Carl (Mr. Fredrickson) would go out to get his mail he would put his hand on his wife's hand print.

Even the wallpaper was the same!

If you look closely you can see that the pictures in the frames are of Carl and Ellie.

This is a terrible picture but I had to show you their chairs.

The mantel.

The money jar for 'Paradise Falls'

The mural that  Ellie painted to the babies room. 

At the end  of the tour they gave the kids a balloon and a piece of candy.  It was a fun little outing.  Definitely worth it if you liked the movie and live in Utah.

{red}

I am realizing more and more how much I am drawn to color.  More specifically, red.  I am not talking about any red.  Mostly cherry, fire engine, Santa red!  I hope you enjoy my ridiculous amount of {red} images. 

Source: acreativemint.typepad.com via Becky on Pinterest

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Source: isleofview-facesoflove.tumblr.com via Becky on Pinterest

Source: mamuskas.blogspot.com via Becky on Pinterest

Source: thefarmchicks.typepad.com via Becky on Pinterest

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My first Feature!!!

I was featured on~

 

July Thrifty treasures!

at

To some of you that may read this you may think, so? 

To me this just makes what I love doing worth it!  My love language is definitely receiving verbal acknowledgement.  My eyes filled up with tears that someone as "famous" in blog land as Rhoda would even notice my desk.  This just motivates me to "keep moving forward".

I am hoping to start up a new blog that is all about my DIY projects and possibly recipes.  Due to our financial sitch it is looking like I am going to have to start bringing home some cash-o-la.  I am hoping to make this a consistent job in the next bit.  If I can do what I love to earn some $ and still be at home for my kids I will be thrilled!

Thanks to those of you that follow me and my non-expert blogging/photographing skills!  I will be working to improve them and hope this blog will become more fun to check out.

~Becky