Sweet Shot Tuesday

An old building in my home town.

I love old buildings, houses, barns.

They tell such a story of days gone by. 

If those walls could talk.

I found a NEW blog link party! 

Lovin' it.

It's called Sweet Shot Tuesday.

Darcy hosts this linky love party weekly.

For ANY level photographer.

In her words, "If you own a camera, you are a photographer".

No themes, just point, shoot and post the photo to share.

I am hoping linking up will inspire me to take and post interesting photos to share.

Ooey Gooey Goodness

Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

At least that is the name my Love gave me by request to bake.

So I did what everyone does...a Google search.

You do that right?

I found Paula Deen's Gooey Butter Cake recipe.

The recipe appeared very simple and easy.

I'm thinking to myself, a certified chef that can cook up fabulous meals from nothing wants me to bake up a simple cake?

So I did.

It is an easy recipe and it IS Ooey Gooey Good!

Rich and tasty.

We will be having this again.

Want to try it yourself?

Gooey Butter Cake

Cake:

1 regular package of yellow cake mix

1 egg

8 tablespoons butter (1 stick), melted

Filling:

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

8 tablespoons butter, melted

1 16-ounce box, powdered suger

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the cake mix, 1 egg, and butter; mix well with an electric mixer.  Put the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13x9 inch baking dish.  It's really crumbly so I patted it into the dish. Prepare filling.

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.  Add the eggs, vanilla and butter; beat together.

Next, add the powdered sugar and mix well.  Spread over cake batter and bake for 40-50 minutes.  Make sure NOT to over bake as center should be a little gooey.

Garnish top, if desired with powdered sugar.

The reviews at the dinner table were Mmm mmm Good!
With a hearty 'Thanks'.
Sweet to be appreciated for a simple task.
I'm such a lucky gal.
Oh and it's mighty tasty with coffee too.

Who says you can't have cake for breakfast?

Linking in:
Foodie Friday with Designs by Gollum

This post was FEATURED on:

Thrifty Easter Door Decor

How do you decorate a door on the cheap?

Goodwill find, a little spray paint and some Dollar Tree flowers.

I had been searching for a metal basket hanging thingy seen all around blog land.

Found this one at my local Goodwill for $1.91 a couple of months ago.

I really wanted a cone shaped one, but this gal will do.

Red on my red door wasn't really going to work.

Yesterday I braved the wind using my Heirloom White spray paint and gave her a new look.

2 bunches of Easter flowers from the Dollar Tree.

Voila, I have a shiny new door decoration for mere pennies (less than $5!)

The wind was blowing the flowers and the basket when I was making photos.

So overlook the fact that it looks off center! ;-)

Love the tiny eggs on the flower bunches.

The best part is for a couple of bucks I can change out the look!

Ahh, not bad for less than 30 minutes and under $5!

Compliments my pansies too.  Yes, I remembered to water them.

So what's on your front door?

Linking in to blog parties:
$5 Challenge at Living with Lindsay

Purse Passion

I have a weakness.

Purse passion.

Apparently this has just taken hold of me!

I used to tote carry around a handbag for.ever.

My poor purse would be in threads and I was lucky if my mom took pity on me therefore gifting me a new one on my birthday.

Now I see a classy NAME BRAND purse and I just HAVE to have it!

 

Why in the last three months alone I've purchased FIVE new ones for myself!

AND one for my teen daughter too.

Can you say obsessed?

I mean I can't possibly carry around 5 purses.

Before you go all wondering about me, I will let you in on my secret.

Goodwill hunting.

  My first find was this Coldwater Creek for $2.99

It still had the plastic fillers in it.  I love the long strap and outside pocket to drop my keys into.

I carried it to work and showed my pretty off to all the girls.

They have purse envy.

Right before Valentines I scored this red hot little number.

Laura Ashley ~ $2.99

The very next week I hit the Mother Load when I found THIS:

Take a closer look.

Yep Ladies, Prada! SQUEAL!

A classy little black dress up bag for $4.97

Now I know it could be a knock off, but who's telling?

This petite no name said 'take me home'.

It looks as if it has never been used.

I loved all the extra little outside pockets.

Might end up as a gift for a teen.

And at $1.50 (color of the week price), you can't beat that!

My current gal of choice is this Nine West

She is a beautiful classy color! AND has two zipped openings on the top.

I have to admit I did splurge a bit for this one.

$7.07

I am blaming giving credit to Jen at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam for her Frugal Fashionista ways.

When I first haunted the Goodwill stores I passed by everything except home decor and dishes.

I was a Goodwill snob.

Passing on the clothes and accessories.

Then I read Jen's posts about all of her fashion finds.

Well I just had to see if I could make some scores!

Purses aren't the only thing I've found.

My work wardrobe is styling some new name brand fashions too.

I will save those for another sunny day and good photos.

All of these purses have a classic look.

I'm tickled pink that some other lady decided she no longer needed each one.

The one I purchased for my daughter is a lime green chunky thing.

Makes a bold teen statement! ;-)
Name brand - Enzo Angiolini, which resales on ebay for an average of $45.00!
My price?  $9.97, looking brand new!

So do you stop for clothes and accessories while dashing to the home decor isle at the thrift stores?

You never know what you may find with a second glance in your Goodwill.

Maybe you will be sporting a new  classy number to match an Easter outfit!

If so be sure to let me know !
Linking in to a few Great blog parties, be sure to check them out~
 

Hello Spring!

I've been waiting on you!

 It is a BEAUTIFUL day here in Georgia, welcoming Spring.

So I decided my porch needed a little Spring-ness.

A trip to Home Depot for a $5 hanging basket of pansies.

To finally change out the basket of huge pinecones that had occupied my bench since before Christmas.

Yes I really have left that there the entire time!

I removed the hanger from the pot so my pansies could sit in the basket.

Found a baby lap quilt my mom made for those still chilly mornings and evenings.

Just in case I actually SIT on my porch bench.

I love my bench.  It was inspired by a post seen over at NewlyWoodwards.

I wanted something cute for my tiny I wish I had a porch.

So a friend of mine constructed it from a photo with $40 worth of wood and a can of paint.

Just the right touch of charm.

Hope the pansy basket makes it for a bit.

I do not have a green thumb!

Now I have a touch of Spring to welcome me home.

 What color is your thumb???
Linking in to great blog parties! Check them out.
Somewhat Simple - Strut Your Stuff Spring Party 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Are you wearing Green?

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you wherever you go...

Simplify

 See past the REALLY bad photo!

 

Living life simply. What does that really mean? The following words say it best for me:

We live in a complex world, it seems, and it's important that we learn how to deal in complexities if we're to survive and thrive in this world. That seems to be what people want us to believe, anyway. The truth of the matter is, though, that we live in a pretty simple world--but we've rejected simplicity in order to "improve" our lives and make things "better" for ourselves. We've complicated our lives by buying more things to fill our house that's too big for us, by taking out many credit accounts in order to buy more things that we don't have the money for yet, by committing ourselves to many causes and activities and rejecting the possibility of having time to ourselves to rest and relax and recharge our energy levels.

Life is simple, and only through the simple can we truly accomplish the marvelous.

The Spanish have a wonderful saying: "No me compliques la vida." It means simply, don't complicate my life. Keep things simple. That doesn't mean that they avoid the complicated when it's necessary to face it, but that they realize that the many simple things in life truly do not need to be complicated, for they're marvelous just as they are; they need no change or improvement. ~ From, Living Life Fully

I picked up the framed word at a HomeGoods store, last year. Clearance price of $3. I placed it above my stove in the kitchen. On the horribly 'dated' back splash. I see it every day.  In the mornings when I make my cup of coffee.  In the evenings as I prepare our meals.  

I have been trying to simplify my life over the last couple of years. Even though my children would tell you we've always lived simply!  Simple living.  Less is more in the house, with a lot of stuff still left to GO!  My life season is changing.  I have a teenage daughter, my baby, graduating from High School in May.  This will be a huge adjustment for us both.  Although I doubt she will be flying from the nest anytime soon. 

My beautiful silly daughter

 

I also have been blessed to have a wonderful partner enter my life.  I feel this was all in God's timing, His plan.  Not mine.  His perfect timing.  Because of this, my posts have slowed a bit.  Plus Georgia has had all types of wet, soggy, wintery weather hampering my painting projects!  I'm SO ready for Spring! Like this:

 A recent trip to the Flea Market landed some items that I can't wait to redo into decor for the house.  We are also planning to paint our living room and purchase a different sofa.  So LOTS of new things are in the works, as soon as the weather permits.  Of course, I want to do it on the cheap  a budget and keep it Simple!

Tell me how YOU and your family are Simplifying!  Keeping it Simple?  What do you do?