Loveseat - Dog Bed

I have been looking for a couple of years for two large matching chairs for my family room.  No luck. I give up.  Plan B - a loveseat.  Last year, when I wasn't looking for a loveseat, I came across several really pretty ones.  This year - no luck.  Finally one was brought in to Rockin' B, where I have a booth, and it fit the bill.

It's made by La-z-boy and is really comfy. It's been around the block, but is still in fairly good shape.  By the time it leaves our house, it will be well used.

I told them when I bought it, that I wasn't concerned with any current wear and tear.  I knew that in our house, it could easily turn into a giant dog bed.  I wasn't joking.  The photo below was taken minutes after putting the sofa in place.  I hadn't had time to put the tables in place yet.  I hadn't had time to put a quilt on the seat.  Annie didn't hesitate.  She jumped right up and promptly pretended to be asleep hoping we wouldn't make her get off.  That dog is so darned funny and personabl  that we have a hard time saying no.

Retro Table Quick Paint Makeover

I've had a nice retro enamel top table in my booth for a while now.  It hasn't sold, but should have.  Every time I've looked at it, I thought how cute it would be painted.  I hesitated because it was a bit unique in it's original condition.  Last week, I gave in to temptation and went after it with a paintbrush. I'm so glad I did.

The photo looks like the turquoise base is rather flat and dull.  It's not.  It has a very subtle glazed wax finish.  I love it.

My booth has lost several large pieces recently.  My large farm table is being featured up front.  Plus I a few large things.  That made room for this little beauty to be put right in front.  The pop of color adds a little something extra to the booth.

And just to compare, here's a photo of the table before.  I really thought someone would want it like this.  You just don't see unpainted wood bases that often on these old table.  Oh well.

Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips

Cooking for two stinks, especially when one of them doesn't like to eat leftovers.  Did you ever notice that the one who doesn't like leftovers is usually not the one who does the cooking?

I recently made and perfected a delicious and healthy 6 week menu plan complete with weekly a grocery list for each week.  I was knocking myself out cooking and cleaning and hubby would eat some nights or he might have a late lunch and decide not to eat a big dinner.  I'm not known for my cooking, but these were meals he typically likes.

After a few months of the Betty Homemaker routine, I am formally resigning.  I'm going to try something different.  I'm going to forget about significantly cut back on traditional meals in lieu of lighter and simpler fare.  One look at my behind and you'd know that I really don't need any full meals anyway.

Hubby and I love salads and smoothies.  Those can get us through most of the day. They are easy to whip up and very easy to modify, making them seem very different from day to day.

Aside from that, I'm thinking of trying to build a collection of healthy things to nibble on.  One of the first on my list is a recent find - Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips.   I found the original recipe on Recipes.com.  I made a few changes and simplified a bit.  My version is gluten free and omits the added sugar. There's enough sugar already!!!  Also, the original recipe makes enough for a group or party.  I plan to only make a small amount each time. No leftovers!!!

Here's my version with no amounts.  Sorry.  I just put in what I decided was enough.-

1. Fruit - Cut up some fruit.  Fresh and local is great.  Frozen will work. - strawberries, kiwi, peaches, and mango are good choices.  Other berries can be used, too. The combinations are endless.

2. Preserves or marmalade - Any flavor.  I used apricot for my first go and it was delicious.  I used too much.  In the future I plan to make sure I dip out just enough to glaze the fruit.  Truly, not much is needed.  Mix the preserves in with the fruit.

3. Apples - Fuji apples or Golden Delicious are best. Peeled, cored and diced.  The apples add a nice crunch.  Add them last so you don't end up with browning.  Stir them in with the other fruits, making sure to get plenty of juice and glaze on them.

4. You can eat the fruit salsa alone, but cinnamon chips take this recipe to a whole new level.  The original recipe calls for chips made from flour tortillas.  Corn tortillas probably wouldn't be as good.  I bought gluten free crackers made from almonds and rice.  Hubby got into them before I made the salsa and loved them plain, which was a shocker.  I modified them to go with this recipe.  I dabbed a tiny bit of butter on them and sprinkled them lightly with cinnamon and then sugar.  Then I put them in the oven for a little bit - 5 minutes maybe?  I know.  Now this recipe sounds like a health disaster, but go easy on the extras and it can still be refreshing and light.  De-lish!!!