Let The Season of Freedom Begin!

Memorial Day is many things to many people, but should be one thing to all people, and that is a day to remember those that have given all for our freedom. I am thankful for those that have served and their families, as well as those that serve now. I pray that my daughter, married to a Marine, will never have to sacrifice the way so many have; losing a loved won in the continued venture to secure enduring freedom.

For so many, this day signifies the beginning of summer; the season of freedom.... most everything we know changes just a little at least to provide some summer freedom. School lets out, vacations from work occur, toes are freed from socks and shoes to open air sandals, windows are opened to let fresh air in, skin is bared to seek the sun, and the kitchen has moved to the grill. It is a liberating time, moving right into the celebration of the birth of this great nation on July 4th. Memorial Day is a super way to kick off the season of freedom by remembering those that perserved it for us. Let the season of Freedom Begin!~~ Beth

At the top of the stairs.

Happy Monday evening to you.....I am looking forward to participating in my first display chain tomorrow! Hope I can figure that one out.
Whenever you paint, I believe, you begin to think about the placement of things as you move items back into their "spots". Do you rehang the same pictures, do you move the furniture to new locations? Do you declutter, trade out or trade up? I certainly processed all of this as I painted the foyer. I studied blogs, magazines and asked friends. I did not rehang many items on the walls in my foyer, thinking something different was coming perhaps. As I moved up the stairs, I changed things a little as I went. When I got to the top of the stairs, I took a look around the landing area and knew a few tweeks were needed.
I decided my little pie safe needed to have a few quilts removed and the ones left neatly folded and stacked, trying to coordinate the colors better. I changed around a few chairs. I added a sweet thirft store find, the darling egg basket. My grandmother's china cabinet sits at the top of the stairs filled with old family photos and a few special china pieces. This did not suit me any longer! I emptied it out completely and have decided it is to be filled with old books ( well, gotta go shopping, oh darn! ) and other colonial items.

My freshly painted walls have given me a new canvas. Since I am not talented in the arts, I am at least giving a try at making my house a warm and cozy reflection of a time gone by. It will always be a work in progress, and it may never be a "masterpiece", but the joy is in the crafting, throughout the house and at the top of the stairs.

Prim Project

Jackie, one of our two cats, loves to bask in the sun on this chair in our foyer. That, and move the rug around behind the front door.

While my car was at the garage on Friday, my dear friend Rebecka was kind enough to pick me up for a little junking excursion.....like we needed an excuse! We visited a few local shops and both found a few things! Rebecka selected a leather wingback swivel desk chair, perfectly prim for her home. I found a ladderback chair with arms that I will post a photo of later! I also found a sweet small oak mirror and a little jelly cupboard that needed some primming. I had been looking for an old cabinet to use on the countertop to house all the hair products and lotions that Olivia loves. This little cupboard will do nicely until I find an old cabinet. I followed your fine example of make do projects by taping off the tin, painting the cabinet black, sanding and scuffing it, followed by a good coat of stain. I think it turned out well and as you can see all the products now have a nice home.....goodbye countertop clutter. Let me know what you think! Hope you have had a restful weekend and are considering the Pay It Forward Swap on my blog! ~~ Beth

Pay It Forward Friday

I recently signed up for two swaps, one of which was a Pay It Forward swap. New to blogging, it took me a little time to figure out how and who and what...but I think I've got it! My Pay It Forward swap meant I had to post a similar swap hosting, so that is what I am doing today! Just like the swap I signed up for, the first five to comment to Pay It Forward will receive a gift from me! Then you must Pay It Forward by hosting the same on your blog! Just a few rules: 1) Post your comment here and include your blog name and email address. I will then contact you for mailing info. 2) I will mail your goodie when I see your post on your blog about the swap. 3) If you are not already a follower of The Prim Colonial, please follow me! This is not meant to be a costly swap, so keep it sweet, simple and prim!

Did a little junking today while I waited on my car at the garage. I will shortly post my finds, including a prim makeover. In the meantime, I'll leave you with a little eye candy. Have a great Friday! ~~ Beth

A Recipe for Laughter, A Recipe to Share

First, I had to share this photo that I saw on Ebay. I have been hunting for a box to put on my mantle to hide the lighter thingy....a nice document box would be ideal. While "shopping" on ebay for a box, I saw this one. Not what I was looking for, but the photo included the cat standing in the background and I laughed so hard I nearly cried. It just cracked me up that the person posting the photo to sell the box included the hilarious comedy of the dancing cat. Did they not see him when they took the photo? Must have been his box and he was saying NO WAY, NOT FOR SALE! Cats are always a recipe for laughter!

Next allow me to share the foodies from the Mother's Day lunch I prepared for my mom! Yummy quiche and fruit salad with petit fours for dessert. The Quiches were so easy and turned out beautifully....tasted pretty good as well!

The fruit salad was cantelope, strawberries and blueberries. Added a little pineapple juice too.


Petit fours were store bought. Tasty none the less! Here is the very easy Quice recipe for you to try! I made two different ones: Bacon Quiche and then a Ham and Asparagus Quiche.

Recipe for Create your own Quiche

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 cup shredded Swiss Cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

1 frozen pie crust

4 eggs slightly beaten

1 cup half and half cream

1 cup of veggies (your choice, mix and match or optional)

1/3 cup bacon bits (optional)

1/2 cup to 3/4 cup meat choice (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In medium bowl mix your "content items of choice" and cheeses, place this mixture in the unthawed pie crust. Mix the eggs and half and half in a bowl, pour over the cheese mixture in pie crust. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 35 minutes or until top of quiche begins to turn brown.

Now you know I had to use my Longaberger Pie Plates. I have others, but by far they out cook the rest and clean up the best. My crusts are always better thanks to Grandma Bonnie Longaberger's Pie Plate. In all my years with Longaberger, it is one of my most favorite items, and certainly one I love to give as a gift. I rarely use it for pie, but they end up in the diswasher at least three times a week for something I have used them for! They always make me look good!

Hope you enjoy this oh so easy recipe....delicious results await! My lunch was a simple thank you for a most wonderful woman, my sweet mom. Hope the dancing cat made you laugh too, we all need a good laugh early in the week. ~~ Beth

Middle of May

Well, today is the day....I originally thought APP magazine was mailing on May 1, but soon after I realized it was May 16....can't wait to sit down this week and get lost in the beautiful homes and terrific ideas APP always shares. Here are a few more foyer photos from my home...chances are once the magazine arrives, it will all change. Whenever there is prim inspiration, I am inclined to move things about! Have a terrific week everyone, may your prim plundering prove prolific!~ Beth

My, What a little paint can do!

Plan to strip or paint the bench here.

View as you come down the stairs.
Upstairs hall between the two bedrooms and bath.

On the landing mid way up the stairs.

Now that the foyer is finished, all two stories of it, it's time to share some finished project photos. Your beautiful homes inspired me to leave behind my light butternut color in my foyer and move to a lovely neutral from Glidden called Natural Linen. I used it in the half bath and liked it so much I am using it in many more rooms, starting with the foyer. There is nothing like a fresh coat of paint! Be sure to leave me your comments and ideas, I do love the suggestions that you share. Hope you enjoy these photos.... Beth

Goodies!

Been a busy week here at The Prim Colonial! I finished off the painting of the foyer....you might ask why it took so long....we have a two story foyer and it takes a lot of work to complete that job! Finally done, will take photos and post this weekend.

Here are two photos of some recent additions: First, the wonderful pair of sconces. Not sure just where they will go yet. Second, the lovely lamp I picked up at a thrift store a few weeks ago. I love these! Trouble is I have lots of lamps around that just don't have the right shades on them....and shades are hard to locate when you love prim! Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! I spent my day today tweeking, cleaning and laundry...what a nice treat that was, and I mean it!

Lastly, could not help but post this one of some familiar faces. How amazingly ironic! Does life imitate art or art imitate life? What came first the chicken or the egg, the cartoon or the fairy tale? Go figure! :)~~ Beth

Silhouettes of my past.

Wanted to share one of my collections with you today. I love silhouettes and have selected my guest bath as the location to display most of the ones I have collected. My favorites are of course my two girls....and silhouettes of my grandparents. The little mirror is from my granddad, it was always on his chest of drawers. The candlestick next to it was also from my grandparents house. I was fortunate to be able to bring several items from their home to mine and I treasure them all, especially the needlework my grandmother did. Enjoy these photos of my guest bath as a sneak peek...I'll add more later of the little bath our guests enjoy. Happy Tuesday! Beth

Happy Mother's Day

My Mom and Dad

Loryn and Olivia, sisters AND Friends

Olivia taking care of the "tech" needs for youth talent night at church.

Loryn and her wonderful hubby Michael. Semper Fi!

In honor of Mother's Day, I wanted to add some pics of my girls. I am so lucky to be their mother! Also, a photo of my mom too! I just finished preparing two quiche dishes for tomorrow, and a pretty fruit salad to go with. Mom and Dad will be coming out after church and we will enjoy a late brunch together. I will include my two recipes for the quiche this week: Bacon & Tomato Quiche and Ham & Asparagus Quiche. Can't wait to enjoy those. Plenty of Iced Tea and some sweet petit fours for dessert.

Saturday Sales in the hood.

The sweet treasures from the neighborhood yard sale: great old box, wire rack/basket and a terrific old ladder....and a book for my friend Rebecka.

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Great soft pink dress from Maggy London
Superb red dress from Calvin Klein.

Our neighborhood is holding its annual spring yard sale today! Traffic will be heavy, deals will be great, and we have a gorgeous day for it. I went out to check out a few of the sales, making sure to visit one neighbor who has a booth in a local antique mall and also loves primitives! I was delighted to find four great items and spent only $20.00!

Yesterday, Rebecka and I met for lunch and some shopping. We typically don't visit the mall, but I had an item to return to a store there. We both came away delighted with some purchases for our girls! Rebecka bought a fantastic prom style dress that was well over $200 originally for only $24.99 on clearance! Perfect fit, color and style for her oldest Emily! I netted two dresses for Olivia, both over $150.00 originally...one on sale for $29.99 and the other just $34.99. Great dresses for upcoming school year homecoming and other events. Though these were not primitive finds, we were most happy with the great deals! Olivia's two dresses were perfect fits and she loved them! Here are some photos of our "catch" for the weekend! Enjoy and Happy Mother's Day to all my prim friends! ~~ Beth