good things to share...

We're tackling the family room this week, but I wanted to share a few things among friends before I'm off to paint:

Some of you have asked how I did my homemade Pottery Barn knock off chalkboard in the kitchen. I figured it would be easier to just post (complete with pictures, mind you!) than to email~here goes:

1. Here is my inspiration from PB. I loved it, but didn't love the $150 price tag.
2. Take an old, ugly painting. Can you see the one I used on the floor behind the table? I got it at a yard sale for $5.

3. Take a can of this spray paint ~you can buy it at HD or Lowes for about $3.
4. Wipe down the painting well, then spray thin coats right over the glass, the wood, the whole thing. I did about 4 coats, letting it dry in between. Completely dry and distress the edges with sandpaper. That's it! For about $8, you get a fabulous place to write your gourmet meals (like spaghetti!) you are making for your family, or love notes to your honey, or chores for your kids, or shopping lists, or fun quotes...you get the idea.

And speaking of meals, we LOVE this one.

Cajun Chicken Pasta- from Gooseberry Patch "Meals in Minutes,"
3 to 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning ( I use a Tony Chachere's (?) creole seasonings I found in the spice aisle at Walmart)
2 tablespoons butter
8 slices green pepper
8 slices red pepper ( I just use green instead if red is too much $$)
4 mushrooms, sliced
2 green onions, sliced
2 cups whipping cream (can substitute some half and half to make it a little lighter)
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
8 ounce package of linguine, cooked
Grated Parmesan cheese

Toss chicken strips with Cajun seasoning; sauté butter until chicken is done, about five minutes or until juices run clear when pierced with a fork.
Add peppers, mushrooms and onions; sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat; add cream and remaining seasonings. Heat thoroughly but do not boil. Toss with linguine or spoon over individual servings of linguine. Garnish with Parmesan cheese. Serves 4 to 6.

and one more, very, very important thing...
The Nester

I love this blog~she is a mom, a decorator, down to earth, witty, crazy funny, loves yard sales, has great taste and style and gives you permission to use your glue gun anywhere and rip fabric without shame! I also found out what a cloche is:


It's that glass dome you can put over things~look how cute! Be sure to check out her window "mistreatments" and her sister's blog, and don't blame me if you find yourself running down to Sherwin Williams to get samples of tobacco road or oyster bay, attaching fringe or tassles on every pillow you own, singing "three litt-uhl birds sat on my window" or placing nests with cute little blue eggs throughout your house... you'll love her.