Friday's Furniture Fix - Brickwede Buffet

Recently, while thrifting in Green Bay, I spied this beauty.  It wasn't the most appealing piece there, but I knew it was something of quality.   This buffet was made by Brickwede Furniture, I would guess in 1950's, it looks so mid-century.  The inside of the door had the classic sputnik design on the panels.  I did NOT paint over that.  

I liked the original hardware, so I just cleaned and sanded them down.  

I used my 2 color acrylic technique, gel and wax.  I think it turned out great!  Would make a nice entertainment center too for a flat screen and put the remotes etc. in the silverware tray.  So many options with this piece.  I'm taking this to my booth at Jackie's Antique Mall today.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Linked to:  http://www.patinaparadise.com/2016/01/fridays-furniture-fix-21.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+patinaparadise%2FVeoG+%28Patina+Paradise%29

http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2016/01/talk-of-town-2-link-up-party.html

"50 Things to do Before I'm 50"

In keeping with my "Nifty to be 50" themed year...I wanted to start my posts on "50 things to do before I'm 50."  This idea actually came to me while on my trip to Peru.  Little did I know, this was a rather popular thing to do.  I want to do the 50 things within my 49th calendar year.  

I wanted to wait to post these until 2016.  So, here we go with some I've completed.

1.  Volunteer in a foreign country.  Check
      (I did with IVHQ, at an all boys orphanage in Cusco, Peru)
                   
2.  Go to South America.  Check
      (Peru)
                  
3.  See one of the "Wonders of the World".  Check
     (Machu Picchu, Peru)
                
4.  Amazon Adventure.  Check
     (Puerto Maldonado, Peru)
            
            link:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2015/07/puerto-malando-peru-amazon-adventure.html
5.  See Carrie Underwood in concert.  Check
     (I did at Minnesota State Fair)
                 
6.  Go to Iowa State Fair.  Check
      (I did in August - loved it)

7.  See the Bridges of Madison County.  Check
     (I loved that movie - was cool to see the one in the movie)
                  
8.  Go to Antique Archeology, Le Claire, IA  Check
     (Shop from the American Picker's show)
                  
9.  Host a Vintage Fashion Show.  Check
     (It's all Retrobe - Vintage Pop Up Sale at the Woodson
       History Center)
             
                          
            (Jade from Junk in da Trunk Girls Pre-Loved Vintage
               and photos by:  Justine Christal Photography)
10.  Cater an event.  Check
       (Retro hors d'oeuvres at the fashion show)
               
               
11.  Host an Instameet.  Check
       (For 4-Hrs at the Wisconsin Valley Fair)
                 
       (The 4-Hrs photos with most likes)

12.  Surprise someone with a special gift.  Check
       (Downton Abby exhibit and high tea at Payne History
         Center, Oshkosh, WI)
               
13.  Do an out of state antique/craft show.  Check
       (Urban Farm Girl - Main Street Market)
                    
14.  Make a gingerbread house from scratch.  Check
                  
15.  Host a Christmas cookie exchange/share.  Check 

16.  See the Christmas Rotary Light Tour.  Check
       (Wildwood Park & Zoo, Marshfield, WI)
            
17.  Complete a Pin off one of my boards on Pinterest.  Check
       (Broken glass jello - I've wanted to make for 2 years)
          

So, I'm about 1/3 of the way there.  I will post more as I complete them.  I do have a few challenges on my list that I'm not sure if I can complete...I'm not willing to share yet...here is hoping I can do them.  I'm looking forward to a fun year.  I turn 50 on June 5 so that is just over 150 days yet to go.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Pinterest Nail or Fail

It is hard to find someone who doesn't know what Pinterest is.  "Cute idea, where did you see that?"  "Pinterest"  I've heard and said those same words many times.  While reading several blogs lately, I see a trend that others are challenging themselves to try to complete items off their boards.  They are posting,  "Pinterest Challenges."  

I have several boards and pin a lot.  I have actually completed some of them - especially the 4-H project ones.  However, I would guess, most of us pin more than we complete.  

As a visual person, scrolling the pages are like "porn" for me.  "Oh, I like that idea, I want to try that recipe, I didn't know you could plant seeds in that."  Come on... you all know what I mean!

So, I thought for fun this year, I am going to try to complete some of my pins.  I want to post about them as Pinterest nail or fail.  I did this over Christmas and was surprised that this is an actual #tag.  

I pinned a recipe for broken glass jello with intentions of making it for Christmas.  A few Christmases later, I finally made it.  It was a "Pinterest Nail."  It worked.  Here is the picture.

Here is the link to my Pinterest page.  The links to my other pages are at the top of my page too.

https://www.pinterest.com/dickybirdsnest/

So, I challenge you to complete some of your pinned items this year.  Let me know if they were a nail or fail.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

"Nifty to be Fitty - Fitbit"

"Nifty to be Fitty"   Fitbit

For Christmas, I received a Fitbit.  I LOVE it.  I'm not one for "big brother" watching me...but, when it comes to weight management...I need someone watching me.

The Fitbit is an awesome tool for that.  I (as in Al did...I'm technologically challenged) downloaded the Fitbit Ap to my phone and I enjoy using it to track my results, check on my sleep patterns (I don't use my bi pap machine...I hate it!), record my food intake and keep track of my goals.   

I used this first week as setting an average, my normal activity.  They recommend 10,000 steps a day.  I'm not going to let winter in Wisconsin stop me from reaching this daily goal.  

I set my weight loss goal and Fitbit calculated what my daily caloric intake needs to be in order to achieve that goal within my desired amount of time.  It is so easy.  I just type in what I ate, a menu of items appear and you select the one that best fits.  I'm a lifelong Weight Watcher, I am use to counting points,  however, I like this option.  There is a daily bar chart on the ap that shows you where you are at in relationship to exercise/steps and caloric intake.  It is is so cool.  I am a visual person so this encourages me to strive toward my daily goal. 

This is still new to me, so I'm sure I will learn more as time goes on.  So follow along this year if you want as I share my results in my "Nifty to be Fitty" posts.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Top Posts from 2015

Just for fun, I checked my stats on views for my blog from 2015.  My viewership has been rising and I was curious as to what posts most interest readers.  For my blog this year, the top 3 were:

1.  Self Employment - One Woman Shop:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2015/08/self-employment-one-woman-shop.html

2.  Clipboard Art Class:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2015/04/this-was-fun-class-each-project-was-so.html

3.  Urban Farm Girl - Main Street Market:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2015/09/urban-farmgirls-main-street-market.html


These 3 posts were way above the next group of posts.  Those posts were about craft and repurposed projects.  The next group was about family and farm life (you all must like Martha too).  

Thanks for following along.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

I'm Flying Too

I really enjoyed 2015, it was an awesome year.  I ran into a friend shopping yesterday, she asked about my past year and we were sharing about plans for the future.  She said, "oh, you have done so many fun things this year and your plans for next year sound amazing (I'm going to Ireland/Scotland in October with my daughters)."  I responded with a simple statement, "you know, I helped take care of my parents for years, have been busy with my girl's activities and 'tied down' with animals at home and I knew once I became an 'empty nester' I was going to fly too." 

I guess, when I said that, it hit me....I'm flying.  

Several people over the past year have said "oh, you are so busy."  Busy?  I don't know why they say that...I'm just living.  I might over commit at times, but I'm enjoying my life and the stage I am in.  If there is one thing I learned from my mom, besides her optimism, is that you should do things while you are able to do them.  She loved going to the casino, we would say, "why do you go gambling so much?"  "I'm going as often as I can now, because I know there will come a day when I can't go."  She was right, as she became wheel chair bound after a stroke.  I may have pushed her around the casino a time or two (smile).  

So, as we face a new year with hope for a happy one, remember that only the good Lord knows what the next 365 days hold for us.  Grab each day and live it - be a blessing to someone - love one another - push yourself to do more - be kind to yourself - do it, whatever it is, while you still can.

Thanks for following along with me as I write this little blog.  I look forward to sharing some "nifty" things this next year.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.   

Word of the Year - 2016: Nifty

At the beginning of 2015, I was challenged by my friend to pick a "word of the year" - my mantra so to speak for 2015.  You can read about it here:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2015/01/a-word-for-new-year.html

STEADFAST:  loyal, faithful, committed, devoted, dedicated, dependable, reliable, steady, true, constant, solid, trusty, firm, determined, unwavering 

My challenge was to "stay the course."  

Overall, I would say that was a good word for my year.  

I've been thinking about a word for 2016....I will be 50 in 2016....and have already been working on my "50 things to do before I'm 50"  - so I chose this word - NIFTY.

I know it's almost cliche "nifty to be 50" however, if I were to ever use this word or phrase it would be this year.  

NIFTY:  good, skillful, effective, smart, clever, stylish

Look for my themed posts this year:  "Nifty to be Thrifty;"  "Nifty to be 50;"  "Nifty Ideas;" "50 Things to do Before I Turn 50" and "Nifty to be 'Fitty' (fitness...weight loss ideas)"  

I am looking forward to challenging myself this next year, becoming more skillful, effective and stylish....I'm already good and smart... lol

I hope you following along with me this year....I'm excited for what the Lord has in store for my 2016.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/01/2016-blog-hop-share-your-one-word-new-year-goals-and-resolutions.html