Trash to Treasure Lamps

(the base isn't attached yet. I just have it sitting on my iron Eiffel tower for the pic)
I inherited these sad lamps from our neighbors while we helped them move. We were taking a load of stuff to Goodwill for them, and they offered for us to keep anything we could use. I really needed some more lighting in my living room, so I decided to take the lamps with the plan of buying new shades. There was nothing wrong with them except the shades. One was a floor lamp with an attached side table. Somehow, they had gotten too hot and the shade itself had shrunk. After several trips to Lowe's and other stores, I could never decide on what look I wanted. I really liked the handmade, boutique style shades I had just seen in Milton while shopping with Bill on our Anniversary. Only problem was, a.) they weren't exactly what I was looking for. They were close, but not quite there. And b.) expensive as all get out!...Fast forward to today, I'm sitting on my couch thinking about how necessity is indeed the mother of invention. I went and dug out my stash of vintage lace my Aunt gave me last year and some silk roses that could easily be replaced. Hmmmmm.... I see the wheels turning faster and faster....Where's my glue gun??!? ...........


What do you think? Should I paint the base? I don't know what color I'd want it though. Suggestions?

So, there you have it! I love them now!! Today was very satisfying. Not only did I get my "Boutique-quality" handmade shades, it didn't cost me a cent! Yep, I'm a happy girl.

hugs!
Lori

Pizza Post!

This is my all-time favorite pizza recipe. My Mom always wants this when they come over. I found it off my favorite "foodie" blog, Food Wishes. I love that guy! Everything he makes turns out fabulous and he does video classes making it so much easier. Now, on to the recipe...

Start with 1 pkg. yeast
1 tsp. honey
3 cups all-purp. flour
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tbsp. evoo (olive oil)
1/2 cup very warm water

Step 1. Put yeast, honey and water(very warm) in a med. bowl and let it dissolve for 10 min.
Step 2. Add salt, olive oil, and another 1/2 cup of really warm water, and 1 cup flour.
Step 3. Stir, then add another cup of flour, stir, then add another cup of flour. (3 total)
Step 4. Turn onto floured board, will be slightly sticky, knead until smooth and fairly firm..
Step 5.Put a little olive oil in bowl, put dough in and cover with cloth. Turn the oven on 250, then TURN OFF, and put the bowl in the oven to rise for 30-40 min.
Step 6. Turn dough out on floured board, make 4 even quarters, and fold sides underneath itself until you have a smooth, round dough ball.
Step. 7 Put the four pizza dough balls on a lightly floured board and let rest, covered, for 20 min.
Step 8. Press with your fingers to flatten to the size you'd like, or use a rolling pin for very thin crust(my fav). This makes 4 small-med. size pizzas. (I usually double the recipe and have 4 large)
Step. 9. Lightly flour a pizza pan or stone with cornmeal,brush with olive oil, then add 2-3 tbsp. sauce and spread around. Add whatever ingredients you prefer.
Step 10. Preheat oven to 450. Place the first pizza on the bottom rack for 5 min. Then, move to top rack for 5 more minutes. I normally keep 2 pizzas cooking at the same time and keep rotating them.

My favorite toppings are kalamato olives, beef sauteed with garlic and italian seasoning, chopped tomatoes, mozzarella,parmesano/romano cheese, pepperoni, fresh basil,(added after it comes out of the oven) pineapple and pepperoni, chicken alfredo and spinach... What are some of your favorite combinations?

Hope you try this homemade pizza if you have never made it before. I promise, it's so much better than delivery, you'll want to make your own from now on. Not to mention all the options you have. We let each one of our kids create their own pizzas. It's a lot of fun in the kitchen together, and everybody gets their favorite.

Have fun and enjoy!

Sugarbelle's Boutique

My little sugar pie and I had a bright idea to start making our own boutique-style hair bows. After countless "where are your hair bows young lady!!???" I got fed up. I figured this is one business venture that will kill two birds with one stone. Not only can we make all the bows we want, we know where we can easily get more if they don't make it home! (not that I'm encouraging that, mind you) I think the straw for me was when I bought a gorgeous, black rose, linen headband, and she lost it the second time she wore it. If I didn't know better, I'd think there was a Bermuda triangle for bows that aimed for her head every time she left the house. So, here we are...Bow makers extraordinaire. Well, not really, but we are going to try some new looks in the near future. For now, we have sweet, little clippy type bows. We'd love it if you'd stop by the blog and drop us a quick note on what you think of them. There will be many more and several new styles soon. Also, we'll be having a giveaway to promote our new venture. Hope to see you there! Click here to jump to the blog.

Hugs~
Lori