Gone and Done It!

I have a facination with painted doors. I love them. Above, is what more door looked like before yesterday. Below is what it looks like now. Not sure if I like it or not. Typically, I wait a few days to see how it grows on me. So far, so good. We'll see. What do you think?

Proud Shopping Mama!

I'm so proud of myself. I scored big time last night. My 5 year old needed some additions to her summer wardrobe, so I headed to the attic. Yes, the attic. I hauled out plastic totes of clothing that are waiting for her from my oldest's cast offs. Unfortunately, these are WAYYYY too big...so I thought....Once Upon A Child! I filled a tote full of outgrown clothing and headed there last night. They bought about half of what I took to them (apparently I'm not so good at spotting small stains). I turned around and used the "money" to shop with them. I scored 3 summer dresses (one was Gymboree), 2 skorts and 2 books. Then, I went over to Old Navy and scored 4 shirts that were marked down then half off the marked down price. $11.73 for four shirts! So, for a total of $11.73, I came home with 5 outfits, 2 extra shirts and 2 books!

Yeaaa me!

Meals Under $10

So I'm trying to get inspired by the name of my blog...it's called Save a Dime in '09...and sometimes I tend to forget that. On that note, I'm going to start posting menus that are $10 and under. I know, I know, $10 is not frugalness at it's peak...but to some people, that's a good number to go for (including me). Just think: If you order take out from KFC for a family of four, you're lucky to get out under $20...same thing with most places, so $10 is a good number to go for (my opinion anyways).

Chuck Roast with Potatoes (pictured above in it's raw state)

Chuck Roast ....$4.89

Onion (med, rough cut) ....$0.40

Red potatoes (quartered)....$1.49

Green Beans (french, frozen)....$1.00 (sale)

Fruit (1/2 cantelope, grapes)....$2.00

Grand total....$9.78

(add in salt, pepper and a little seasoning and I'm probably at $10)

Repurpose an Old Picture

Just an idea for those of you with ugly old pictures hanging on your walls that you don't like anymore...turn it over and paint a new one! Remember those old magnolia pictures that were all the rage 10 years ago? Very pretty, but also very country looking? Well, I had one and I was tired of it....but the frame and mat were still very pretty...

So, I took out the acrylic paint and painted me a new picture! What if you don't have any artistic ability you ask? Get your kids to paint an abstract. With a beautiful frame and mat you can't really go wrong. The picture above is one I painted of my family's favorite spot to fish in the Intercoastal Waterway off Wrightsville Beach....it's hanging in my foyer and I love to pass it everyday.

Crafty Idea: Terra Cotta Cake Plate

Here's a cute idea that I came up with a few years ago. I've made them for gifts on a larger scale. It's a terra cotta cake plate. This one is a small one I made for my daughter's lemonade stand (she's selling cupcakes) for her to showcase her offerings. Now I have to find a glass cloche to place on top.
I've made them before with larger pot and saucer. All you need is a larger terra cotta saucer (WalMart, Lowes, etc) and a smaller pot inverted for the bottom. Viola! Cake stand! Get a large enough saucer so that a glass cake topper fits on it and it looks so custom! I've made them for teachers, wedding showers and friends have purchased them for gifts.
The "Cupcake plate" above cost me about $4 total. Very thrifty! I think it would be great for a child's tea set too. I may have to make another one for a birthday party gift...buy an inexpensive tea set, paint to match, add a small silver tray from the dollar store (something I love to do with inexpensive tea sets to "dress them up).
The larger ones I've made cost around $6 without the glass top. Sometimes you can find these at the thrift store...or if you really are hard up and want a glass top, buy a cheap set...but then you might want to do some glass painting if you did that : )

Happy Easter!

In honor of Easter...and the 20 or so family members coming to my house to eat this afternoon...I made cupcakes! I made the traditional ones with the green tinted "grass" coconut and these pretty ones with sprinkles...so fun!

The sprinkle ones were inspired by the new cupcake store that just opened downtown. I've been a good customer (unfortunately!) and they have sooo many pretty designs! Just wish I'd thought of it first...$2.25 for a cupcake?!! Wow...I'd make enough for a decent dinner out with these ! Haha

New Recipe- Grilled Corn Salad

I ate lunch at a fabulous new local place this week and had to recreate the side salad I ordered with my grilled scallops. Now, this isn't the exact recipe, but it turned out pretty close. I did make a large quantity because we had dinner at my mother's on Saturday night and I was bringing this dish to serve 10 people (though it could have served 15 easily).

Grilled Corn Salad:

1 med red/purple onion (diced or sliced, whatever you like...I did thin slices)

4 cans of corn, drained and sauteed in a frying pan with garlic and olive oil (now, I know this would taste better with fresh corn, grilled on the grill...but I just wasn't going to all that trouble on Saturday)

1 can rotel (I like a "little kick", though the restaurant used fresh diced tomatoes)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, add vinegar (your choice how much) and salt, pepper and a little sugar or splenda (I'm a splenda girl).

Serve chilled or room temperature. Sprinkle feta cheese on each serving.