mirror, mirror, on the wall...finally!

Remember back when I painted my blue highchair? Well that very same week I decided to use up whatever paint was left in my 2 spray cans...

to transform this big, black oval mirror I'd found on craigslist for 5 big ones:

So I grabbed up all the readily available scrap paper. That day we seemed to have a lot! And I taped it haphazardly down to protect the glass. Lucky for me, it's an older mirror, so I was able to slide paper between the frame and the glass for great coverage.

Then I started spraying and the cans were sputtering. It wasn't the best job of painting, mind you. It was just desperate. "Oh, please squirt out just a little more!" I begged as I turned it every which way and kept shaking it every few seconds.

When I was done (rather, when the paint ran out), I was left with a pretty well-covered frame! I just decided that I would choose which way to hang it based on how much black I could kinda see through the blue...and I also just decided I wasn't going to care, cause I'd rather have it up now than have it perfect. What a crazy I am.

Because then it proceeded to wait by my dresser, leaning against the wall for WEEKS, I tell you! before I got around to picking up these hanging wire and eye hook things. : )

Ah, "picture hanging set." That's what it is. Well, new materials always make me excited to start, so I dug in right away!

First, I determined where I wanted the cable to begin and end and how much slack I needed. No science, here, I just eyeballed it and decided it looked good. I played with the length of the wire to make sure it wouldn't peek above the mirror when the weight of the mirror hung from it. Make sense?

Then I screwed in the little eye hooks by hand. Ouch! I grabbed some needle-nosed pliers to help me with the final tight turns.

I just threaded the wire through with plenty of extra to twist around and around like a twist tie.

before

after

A small transformation, but a wonderful one! It just makes so much sense to have a mirror over my jewelry box so I can watch where I stick my earrings...

And the mirror is on the wall opposite the window wall, so it really lights up the room by reflecting all the natural light! I love it. This corner is just about perfect, now. I love the balance the round mirror brings to everything else that's so square. And oh, how I love fresh flowers!

And then the three frames (and the silk peonies) were moved to the other wall for the time being.

This was my secret: make sure you have an adorable "helper" to make the job go faster. : ) Well, slower, really.

And from my previous master plan post, here is the updated to-do list for this room. As you can see, I still have a ways to go, but crossing off two items in one post sure feels good!

• faux wood blinds
• curtains & curtain rods
• something green on the window wall - palm tree? (got one! wait til you see it!)
• new bedding, bedskirt included
• make or buy nightstands
• table lamps
• replace ivory corner chair
• move trio of frames
• round-ish mirror for above dresser
• tv cable removed / hidden
• hardwood floors! (dream list, probably not actual list)

Do you have a dark-ish wall or corner that a mirror would do wonders for? Do it! Bonus points (I don't know where the points come from or what you could use them for...) But bonus points to anyone who can tell me they see any black through the blue paint! Don't look too hard.  

Veggie Cheese Soup

Well, dear readers, I've got some fun projects on deck, but it's been hard to find the time these past couple of weeks between two sick little girlies, root canals for mommy, and their daddy being under the weather, too! Everyone's recovering nicely, now, and I'm ready to write again.

Let's start with this yummy soup that I've made twice recently. The girls even love it! Which is a plus for me... My 2 year old isn't picky, she just doesn't love food like I do. Like my husband does. Like my second-born does. Maybe she's the more balanced of all of us, but if she isn't scarfing food, I'm convinced she's not okay.

So let's get to the recipe, already!

Veggie Cheese Soup
recipe adapted from Taste of Home online

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
3 or 4 small red potatoes, cut into bite-sized cubes
3 cups water
4 chicken bouillon squares (or use 3 cups chicken stock instead of the water & bouillon)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup water
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 bag frozen California-blend veggies (carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower)
1/2 cup ham steak, cubed
8 ounces Velveeta, cubed


Directions:

• In a large non-stick soup pot, coated with cooking spray, cook onion and celery over medium heat until onion is tender.

• Stir in water and bouillon (or chicken stock) and potatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, then cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

• Combine cornstarch and 1/4 cup water until smooth; gradually stir into soup. Return to a boil and cook and stir for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened.

• Stir in cream of chicken soup til blended. Reduce heat; add frozen veggies and ham.

• Cook on low until veggies are tender. Stir in Velveeta cubes until melted.

Note: You can actually omit the Velveeta and it still tastes great! (But who would want to??)

I do apologize that there is no photo, but it's so good, it gets gobbled up before I can take one! Just so ya know, it ends up looking like a broccoli cheese soup as far as color and texture. It's just way better.

Do you have a favorite soup recipe to share? Do tell! Were the Cali-blend veggies a new discovery for anyone else?