Odds And Ends

Odds And Ends

I thought I would take a day to tie up some loose ends.  First, A huge thank you to Aimee at By Aimee for selecting me as overall favorite pinner from her Pinterest link-up party!

To say I was surprised would be an understatement!  I just pin stuff I like - but I guess other people like it too!  Who knew?  You can check out my boards here.  If you follow me on Pinterest, let me know in the comments - Id love to follow you too!  Thanks Aimee!

My master bath was featured on Handy Man, Crafty Woman - 

You can read all about my bathroom here, here and here.  Thanks!!

My series about being shy really hit home with so many of you.  I guess Im not alone!  Thanks for all of the nice comments!  If youre new here, you can check out the whole series  - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4. 

I have received a few emails asking all sorts of questions - so let me try to answer a few here.  In yesterdays post, I mentioned that we moved a birds nest (successfully).

Those eggs are so beautiful!  A couple of people have asked me what type of bird it is.  Ummm, Im not sure - I assume a robin (are there other birds that lay blue eggs?).  We have seen the mom in the nest since we moved it but we cant get very close.  She flies off whenever we try to look.  But it seems like the babies will be just fine.  Yay!

Another reader asked about my dining room art project.  I purchased these two pieces of art at Salvation Army for $10 each - and then transformed them.

You can read about this project here and here.  But to answer the question - yes, I did spray paint the mat (white) and frame (oil rubbed bronze).  

Another reader had some questions about My Ombre Penny Art -

I used E6000 adhesive to secure the pennies.  It has held up fine - and its been a favorite piece around here.  My reader planned to do the project with quarters - how cool!  I bet it will look awesome!

On a personal note, two of my kids went to proms over the weekend - 

My daughter Cate - 

And my son Andrew - 

I am so proud of them (well, all four of my kids actually!) - they are growing into such wonderful adults! But I cant believe how fast they are growing into such wonderful adults!  Oh my!!

And what would an odds and ends post be without a little Manilow?  Yeah - incomplete!  So here you go -

Happy Tuesday!


Odds And Ends

Review and Giveaway Gourmet Gift Basket

Review and Giveaway Gourmet Gift Basket

I have another great giveaway today!  Im really excited about this one because I think it would make a fantastic Fathers Day gift (planning ahead...)!  A Gourmet Gift Basket! I was sent the Snack Gift Basket Classic to review - and Ill be sending the winner the same basket ($59.99 value)!

A basket of snacks sent right to your door?  Yes please!  Heres whats inside -

Dipping Pretzels by East Shore specialty foods

Raspberry Honey Mustard Pretzel Dip by Robert Rothschild Farm

Key Lime White Chocolate Chip Cookies by Brent and Sams

Almond Pecan-dy Crunch by Morley Candy Makers

Salted Peanuts in Box by Feridies

Petite Cheese Biscuits by Salem Baking Co.

Metropolitan Trail Mix by GourmetGiftBaskets.com

Buttered Peanut Crunch by Old Dominion Peanut Company

Peanut Roll by Dillon Candy Co.

Coconut Bar by Oskri Organics

And as I said, I had a chance to review this basket.  So, what was my favorite?  Well, I love pretzels.  They are my favorite snack.  Yum.  But, I wanted to try some of the other snacks too (before everyone else got to them).  I loved the Almond Pecan-dy Crunch.  It was so good!  Craig went right for the Salted Peanuts.  And the kids jumped in too.  These snacks didnt last too long.  

How can you win this fabulous basket?

There are 5 chances to enter {leave a separate comment for each entry}

1. {mandatory entry - leave one comment letting me know which youve done}

You must do one of the following:

Like Gourmet Gift Baskets on Facebook

Follow Gourmet Gift Baskets on Twitter

Google+ your favorite basket

For extra entries - 

2. Follow My Covered Bridge via Google Friend Connect {leave a comment}

3. Like My Covered Bridge on Facebook {leave a comment}

4. Follow me, Kristen @ My Covered Bridge on Pinterest {leave a comment}

5. Subscribe to My Covered Bridge emails {leave a comment}

Giveaway will be open until Sunday, May 20, 2012 at midnight est.

Giveaway is open to US residents only

Winner will be announced Monday, May 21, 2012

This giveaway is now closed

Review and Giveaway Gourmet Gift Basket

Free 4 X 8 Garden Shed Plans Building Plans Blueprints and Guides

Free 4 X 8 Garden Shed Plans Building Plans Blueprints and Guides

Shocking Truth - Free 4 X 8 Garden Shed Plans!

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Want to Know Free 4 X 8 Garden Shed Plans? My Shed Plans a complete guide that will explains how you can create a beautiful shed from scratch. Ryan Henderson the writer of the book has given comprehensive blueprints and tutorials that even a beginner can follow. Get rid of builders can choose from 12,000 shed plans and also woodworking patterns. When you sign up you will get the entire package instantaneously in the Members Area by means of downloads. There are simple to follow instructions provided inside the members’ area just in case you havent downloaded anything from the net before. After diving in you will get all the wooden shed plans and woodworking plans within 5 minutes. Which means that you get the product cheaper as there are no delivery costs. However, if you prefer buying the CD youll be able to buy that and it will likely be sent to you by way of mail.

Youll Learn How To Start Building Amazing Outdoor Sheds and Woodwork Designs The Faster and Easier Way ...With My Step-By-Step Quality Sheds Plans & Woodworking Course.

visit this site:http://www.myshedplans.com

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- You can download 12,000 more plans!
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- All plans also comes in metric and imperial units.
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Always consider the kind and quantity of equipment, machines, and other home appliances that you plan to store in your shed before trying to find out an overall design. After you have a good handle upon function and size of these items, be sure to program what type and size of door you would like to make sure that getting things in and out is a breeze. You may even opt for two sets of doorways so that you can easily entry all machinery through all seasons. Finally, be sure you consider how many and just what size windows you will require. Since most sheds aren’t " cable " for electricity, think about adding some windows to help bring in some lighting. Be sure, however, to not overdo it so that you don’t sacrifice valuable wall space that may be used for shelves along with hanging tools. To maintain things simple, consider building roof trusses beforehand rather than using standard framing. For more common information on sheds.

The secret is in following proven shed plans, step by step guides and detailed blueprints. This is closest thing to hiring a full time 24/7 carpenter working on your projects that youll ever find...[Read More]

As there are always the internet. A great deal of sites are willing to share the prints and also plans for free. One example is MyShedPlans. Not necessarily because they are generous, however because they hope it is going to entice you to purchase some of the other items they carry. These items are normally applicable to what theyre giving you at no charge. For example if they give you all the drawings and plans you need., then you are going to need to know how to do the things that the plan says. Thats where the extras can be found in. Perhaps the company that will gave you the free of charge shed plans sells a few self help, or diy books. They would be pleased to sell the crooks to you. This is not getting sneaky. In fact their an excellent business offer. They help you recognize what you need and then provide support where you demand it. With the combination of the plans, and the self-help books you need, you’re able to build one good looking shed!

Click Here To Download 12,000 Shed Plans

Note: This is just a sample plan. All other plans in our collection goes in-depth with more details, more instructions, complete material lists and illustrated photos.

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Free 4 X 8 Garden Shed Plans Building Plans Blueprints and Guides

Free 8x8 Shed Plans Online Building Plans Blueprints and Guides

Free 8x8 Shed Plans Online Building Plans Blueprints and Guides

#1: Free 8x8 Shed Plans Online

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Want to Know Free 8x8 Shed Plans Online?

If you decide to build your garden storage floor using solid wood, be sure you use ground joists and plywood which are chemically treated. It is just a good idea to use alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) treated lumber. This kind of lumber is rot resistant, and wood-destroying bugs avoid it like the plague. I prefer using treated plywood for the get rid of floor so I dont need to worry if I should store wet or perhaps snow-covered garden equipment. The lake that gets on the floor is not going to harm the solid wood whatsoever. To prevent oxidation on equipment stored in the shed, you need to block water vapor which tries to migrate in the soil through the flooring of the shed. Ahead of you install the handled plywood sub-floor around the joists, place two layers of vapor retarder in the joists and let it overlap the perimeters around the entire sub-flooring perimeter. Stretch this tight and approach it onto the joists. Take care not to tear the steam retarder as you place the linens of plywood to the joists. This layer associated with plastic will stop water vapor from leaking up into the get rid of in the winter months. If the floor of the slab is actually concrete, place this kind of same vapor retarder about the soil just before anyone pour the concrete slab.

Youll Study How To Start Building Amazing Outdoor Sheds and Woodwork Designs The Faster and Easier Way ...With My Step-By-Step Quality Sheds Plans & Woodworking Course.

visit this site:http://www.myshedplans.com

Free 8x8 Shed Plans Online
- Download 12,000 more plans!
- All our other plans contain MORE details than this sample plan!
- All plans also comes in metric and imperial units.

The secret is in following proven shed plans, step by step guides and detailed blueprints. This is closest thing to hiring a full time 24/7 carpenter working on your projects that youll ever find...[Read More]

To be sure, there are many different types of shed roof styles, which range from flat to multi-layered as well as sloped. With this number of styles, also arrives a variety in the degree of difficulty involved in driving them to. One of the simplest roofs designs is the gabled top, mainly because it does not use a truss system. In this article, we are going to focus on how to build the gabled roof for a get rid of. Along the top edge of your shed’s walls, place four beams which are 1-2 inches wider as opposed to walls flat across the top of each wall’s advantage and bolt these in place at the corners. When each beam is in place, they should look like a rectangular or square (with respect to the shape of your shed) framework when looking down at the shed. These beams need to be very safely attached, as they are the particular supporting components of your homes roof. Measure the midline of the two finish beams, making sure that the particular measurements are exact, as both ends need to line up. At the midline upon each end, securely attach a beam perpendicular up Beam Base. The size of these two beams will determine the degree of pitch the roof will have. Once the two vertical beams are already securely attached, the Cross Beam should be installed. Attach the Cross Beam on the two vertical cross-bow supports. This is the framework which will support your rafters.

Exactly where are you going to put it? You need to figure out when is the greatest place for it. Its to become some location accessible, without strolling through your flowerbeds. Most likely tucked away so it doesn’t interfere with your landscaping. Again consider the future, you do not wish to need to move it.

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Note: This is just a sample plan. All other plans in our collection goes in-depth with more details, more instructions, complete material lists and illustrated photos.

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Free 8x8 Shed Plans Online Building Plans Blueprints and Guides

Wet and wild

Wet and wild

Looking out the windows of the Penghana B&B where we stayed in Queenstown on Tuesday night, we saw a spectacular storm, the first real cracker of a storm weve seen in Tasmania. Thunder, lightning, high winds and rain pelting against the windows. Then the lights went out. I fished my hiking head torch out of my bag and the owner showed up with an extra torch for us. We were in bed not long after 8.30pm! The power came on again some three hours later. The drive home from the west coast yesterday morning was wet and windy. There were many trees down along the Lyell Highway and leaves, sticks and rocks everywhere. When we arrived home, it looked like our place had escaped damage, but later I spotted a patch of sky where there had been none before - a large wattle has come down.

We are lucky. Its very little damage compared to people in other parts of the state, especially in the Burnie area where we were this time last week. Its still pouring. Our 40,000 litre water tank is overflowing not just from the lower overflow pipe, but back out the top as well. And snow is forecast for tonight. The weather is always guaranteed to be entertaining in Tasmania.


Wet and wild

A Labyrinth Finished Steps and More Food in the Ground!

A Labyrinth Finished Steps and More Food in the Ground!

This Saturday workday saw a lot of action and a lot of progress.  One of the big visions for the garden space is a food growing labyrinth!  Tasty walking contemplation!  Its taken lots of wheelbarrows of compost and roughly one ton of donated cardboard.

The above pictures is what we had co

mpleted on Wednesday.  By Saturday all of our cardboard was covered and ready to build a labyrinth on!

The Free Farm is in a lot sunken below ground level.  Getting down to the planting area sometimes proved tricky.  In order to make the site safe for volunteers weve created a slow ramp and now a new set of stairs!

Youll notice the steps are surrounded by terraced beds.  Weve added more than what we had last time to include more strawberries, irises, and artichoke.  Yum!

A Labyrinth Finished Steps and More Food in the Ground!

Candied Bacon I Pinned It And Did It!

Candied Bacon I Pinned It And Did It!

I really love Pinterest.  Its such a great resource for new ideas and recipes.  As a matter of fact, before I go any further, did you notice my new sidebar Pinterest gadget?  Now, you can see my latest pins!  Or, head right over and follow me on Pinterest!

Anyway, back to this recipe.  I pinned this Candied Bacon recipe a while back and wanted to give it a try.  Mmmm bacon.  That was pretty much all I needed to hear.  Every Some weekends, we have a big breakfast with bacon.  And I sort of look forward to it.  Maybe a little too much.  But its bacon so Im not even going to apologize...So when I came across this Candied Bacon Recipe from Recipe Girl, I was curious.

This is super easy to make.  There are only three ingredients - bacon, brown sugar, and cinnamon.  You can get the whole recipe from her site but it basically involves coating the bacon in the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture and baking - 

Take note - we only made a few slices - just in case we werent fans.  This is bacon.  We dont want to mess it up.  :-)

Ok so what did we think?  Yum.  It was really good!  Much better than the time we tried to dip bacon into melted chocolate (that was just wrong, I know, but its bacon and chocolate - who knew it could go so wrong...).  Adding the brown sugar and cinnamon gave the bacon a different texture and definitely added some sweetness.  Id share a beautiful after shot but we ate it too fast to get one.  It was that good.  A new favorite around here.  

Thank you Pinterest!

Candied Bacon I Pinned It And Did It!

New and improved raised garden beds

New and improved raised garden beds

The year we arrived in Tasmania, I was keen to start growing food. Unfortunately, most of our topsoil up here on the hill is clay. Its very hard to dig when its wet and even harder when it is dry. And most things dont like growing in it because of poor drainage. So we procured some beautiful old apple crates at $5 each from an orchard down the road, filled them with compost and soil and for almost five years they have worked really well and looked so nice to boot. But now the wood is rotting, and despite some handy fixes from David, the weathered boxes are starting to fall apart. This winter, we planned to replace them.

Then, a couple of weeks back at the Taste of the Huon festival, we spotted Dovetail Timbers with their ingenious lock-together system for building with wood. It turned out we could order the timber in a length that would go around the existing apple crates - perfect! No need to remove them from the possum-free chicken wire enclosure they live in. While we were at it, we ordered a couple of extra beds for stuff that doesnt need possum protection. They are made from Tasmanian hardwood and lined, so were expecting many years of food production in them. We started installing them today and hope to finish the rest tomorrow. I think they look every bit as beautiful as the old apple crates - see what you think in the pictures below.

New and improved raised garden beds

Homemade Body Scrub I Pinned It and Did It!

Homemade Body Scrub I Pinned It and Did It!

The winter months can be tough on my skin.  And although we have had a mild winter, I still have the same dry skin that I usually have during these months.  Enter Pinterest.  I searched for a homemade body scrub to rejuvenate my hands, elbows and feet.  Heres what I found -

This is a Vanilla Brown Sugar body scrub.  And it is awesome.  There are only four ingredients - so its super easy to put together.  Stephanie Lynn from Under The Table And Dreaming created this recipe.  Head over to her blog to get the details.  Its so worth it.  My skin feels so much better now.  Even my husband tried it.  (He loved it too.  Just dont tell his friends.  They might not understand.)

What did I love most?  Its a lot cheaper than store bought scrub.  Yay!  And it smells great.  Im keeping it in a Rubbermaid container in the bathroom - just so I can use it every day.  Goodbye dry winter skin!

P.S. - Last night, I added all of my favorite blogs to my BlogLovin account.  I dont want to miss a single post now that Google Friend Connect is going away.  Remember - you can still follow me through GFC but that will probably change soon.  Check out my sidebar for alternative tools to get my posts.

P.P.S.  If you have a blog, and are following me now, please leave a comment here with your blog name - Ill follow you on BlogLovin!  (and as far as I know, followers are anonymous over there, but Ill stop by and say hi!)

Ive shared this project here - 

Homemade Body Scrub I Pinned It and Did It!

Free 10 By 10 Shed Plan Shed Designs and Plans

Free 10 By 10 Shed Plan Shed Designs and Plans

Shocking Truth - Free 10 By 10 Shed Plan!

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Youll Study How To Start Building Amazing Outdoor Sheds and Woodwork Designs The Faster and Easier Way ...With My *Step-By-Step* Quality Sheds Plans & Woodworking Course.

Wish to Know Free 10 By 10 Shed Plan? My Drop Plan is a complete manual that explains how you can develop an attractive drop from scratch. Ryan Henderson the writer from the guide has given comprehensive blueprints and step-by-step directions that even a beginner can follow. Drop builders can select from twelve,000 drop ideas and woodworking designs.

visit this site:http://www.myshedplans.com

Free 10 By 10 Shed Plan
- You can download 12,000 more plans!
- All our other plans contain MORE details than this sample plan!
- All plans also comes in metric and imperial units.
- Click here to order now before the offer ends.

These things are often applicable to the things they are providing you with at no charge. For example when they provide you with all of the drawings and ideas youll need., then you are likely to have to know how to do the things that the strategy says. This is where the extras are available in. Probably the business that gave you the totally free shed ideas sells some self help, or get it done your self books. Theyd be happy to promote these to you. This isnt being sneaky. Actually its a great business proposal. They assist you determine what you require and after that offer assistance in which you need it. Using the mixture of your ideas, and also the self assist publications youll need, you are ready to construct 1 good searching shed!

The secret is in following proven shed plans, step by step guides and detailed blueprints. This is closest thing to hiring a full time 24/7 carpenter working on your projects that youll ever find...[Read More]

Building sheds is a well-liked practice amongst property owners and would-be handymen. There is a prevalence of free shed blueprints available on the Internet that you can entry for ideas and step-by-step directions on building the shed of your dreams. Constructing a Foundation - Coming prepared for building your current shed’s foundation will be one of the most important aspects of your whole project. The foundation range from cinder blocks or poured cement depending upon the type of shed that you’re building and its size. Creating a Door - Doors can be found in a wide variety of styles. Through constructing the door based on the proper measurements, to earning a functional latch for secure but comfortable access, having build plans will definitely make it less difficult. Building a Roof. This is perhaps one of the more difficult aspects of construction, with there being many different kinds, from mulch-layered for you to sloped to gabled variations, you’ll want clearly written plans that tell you exactly which kind will be most appropriate for your venture. Building a shed is actually difficult work but it’s additionally one of the easier development projects when it comes to building large structures. Having free shed plans for your use will no doubt make the task more feasible and you’ll be making your life more difficult if you don’t reap the benefits of them.

Click Here To Download 12,000 Shed Plans

Note: This is just a sample plan. All other plans in our collection goes in-depth with more details, more instructions, complete material lists and illustrated photos.

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Free 10 By 10 Shed Plan Shed Designs and Plans

Thanks And More!

Thanks And More!

I want to thank some wonderful ladies for featuring my projects lately.

Holly from 504 Main featured my How To Make a Blog Button tutorial

Laura from Along For The Ride selected my Valentines Day Wreath

And Michelle from Someday Crafts featured my T-Shirt Spheres

Thanks ladies!  I really appreciate the shout-outs!

In other news, as I have mentioned before, I herniated a disc in my lower back two years ago.  I still have issues with it at times.  Well, now is that time.  Ugh.  Ive been trying to stay away from bigger projects the last couple of days so I can rest and heal.  But, Im not very good at resting.  So, Ive been working on my blog.  A lot.  And, Ill be making more changes over the next couple of days.  If you head over to my Furniture Projects, Yup, I Spray Painted That!, and Other Fun Projects! pages, you will see a new, easier to navigate listing of some of my past projects. I still have more to add - and of course, Ill give you a step by step tutorial on how I set those pages up.  Ive also cleaned out my Pinterest boards.  I rearranged a lot of pins - hopefully it makes more sense now.  Check it out - and Id love it if you followed me over there!

One last thing - I wanted to share a giveaway happening right now on one of my favorite blogs - Funky Junk Interiors.  Head over to Donnas blog for a chance to win a $50 Home Depot Gift Card!  Tell Donna that I sent you - and hurry.  The giveaway ends tonight!

Thanks And More!

Homemade Dishwasher Rinse Aid I Pinned It and Did it!

Homemade Dishwasher Rinse Aid I Pinned It and Did it!

So a while back, my husband and I started noticing that our glasses werent getting clean in our dishwasher.  We were a little confused by this problem because our dishwasher wasnt that old.  We had thought about calling our appliance repairman but hesitated since it was no longer under warranty.  Instead, I began hand washing our glasses.  Which was kind of a pain.  It took a lot of time and looked messy having dishes constantly drying on our counter top.   We soon discovered the cause of our cloudy glass problem - changes in the ingredients of our dish washing liquid.  And all brands were affected.  So, I continued to hand wash.  adding more work to my day.  Until Monday.  I was searching through Pinterest and I found the solution.  A homemade rinse agent.  And heres the best part - its cheap!

I found this tip at Whole New Mom.  Ready?  Just add white vinegar to the rinse aid compartment.  Yup, thats all.  So, I tried it.  And it worked!!  Woohoo!  The glasses were so clear.  We actually thought all of the dishes felt cleaner.  It was just what I was looking for.  BTW, I simply added white vinegar, as my indicator will tell me when I need to add more.  If your dishwasher doesnt have an indicator, you can add a drop of food coloring to the vinegar so its easier to see in the compartment.

I love this tip!  And I am so happy to be able to put everything in the dishwasher again!

Homemade Dishwasher Rinse Aid I Pinned It and Did it!

Thrift store chairs and bench YAY!

Thrift store chairs and bench YAY!

Well I went to pick up my "new" chairs and bench/coffee table today at the thrift store and all of the women who work there told me how lovely the pieces are and they are sad to see the chairs go because they sat in them for a rest throughout the day. Sweet!
The chairs are butt ugly but I hope they are going to turn out gorgeous! They resemble a plantation chair and are made by Statesville Chair Company. After a little research, I discovered that is a VERY good thing. :-) Here they are:

I LOVE the criss cross legs and the lines of the chair. Orange and yellow not quite my choice of colors but I totally see painting the frames white or silver with a very crisp navy blue and white or navy and silver fabric. Or stripping the chairs and staining them mahoghany. I will have to think about this for a while - so many options! I am thinking:

And you can never go wrong with Ralph Lauren fabrics - no one does navy blue better!

My dream fabric but it is discontinued and impossible to find! I want the other version in navy with white tennis racquets - I have given up as I will never find it. This would be perfect!

The next item was so bizarre that I have to post a bunch of pics to quite explain it. Firstly, it is a coffee table? 6 feet long is a really long coffee table but it is awesome.

There are three very heavy marble pieces which make up the top and are removable. Then they gave me a cushion which came in with it so I am thinking it was used it as a bench.

This is totally going white with silver accents or all silver. I think am going to make a very comfy light grey tufted cushion for the top so it can go under the windows in the guest room. Here is my inspiration picture from the September issue of Veranda (<3 this magazine).

Thrift store chairs and bench YAY!