Travel

Peterson House

December 16, 2013February 25, 2018 Our Gray HouseLeave a comment

Across from Ford’s Theatre is the Peterson House. We naturally went across the street to visit it as well.

I didn’t know this until we were there, but the Peterson house is where Lincoln died.

On the tour you can see the bed he laid in when he passed and a lot of old stuff. And I think old stuff is cool so I enjoyed my time there.

Did you have a View-Master as a kid? I didn’t but I thought they were so cool.

I love this stuffed Abe with the little mini stuffed Abe.

What museums have you visited lately?
Where will your next adventure take you?

(((hugs))) ~lisa

DIY · Lifestyle

Snowman Terra Cotta Pots

December 13, 2013February 25, 2018 Our Gray HouseLeave a comment

I absolutely LOVE Pinterest! There are so many super cute ideas and pinning them is so much fun! On my Pinterest board, ho…ho…ho…holiday cheer, I have several ideas that I wanted to try and make for this holiday season. As you can see, if you glanced at my board it is filled with snowmen ideas. I just LOVE snowmen!

You need just a few things to recreate these adorable little pots.

Terra cotta pots
White spray paint
Acrylic paint in black and orange
Netting/tulle or cellophane
Peppermints
Ribbon to tie up the packages

To begin, make sure the pots are clean and free of dust and dirt.

Next, paint the pots evenly with the white spray paint. My fabulous assistant (aka my awesome husband) used a screw/bolt with a head larger than the hole in the bottom of the pot and used it to hang the pot so he could spray paint it easily. It worked like a charm!

We then set them out to dry and the lovely Texas sun.

I also painted a few of the pots with regular acrylic paint. We’ll see at the end if they turned out differently.

I painted on the black rim. And ended up doing two coats for better coverage.

Next I traced on the eyes and the carrot nose with a pencil. I then used black paint for the eyes/mouth and orange for the nose.

I think the mouth looks a little wide so I may repaint them. We’ll see.

I had purchased some tulle already cut into 10” circles to make it easier on myself and put a handful of peppermints in the center of each one. I then placed it in the pot. It did not leave enough to tie off with a ribbon so I now have 25 10” tulle circles to use for another project!

I then bought some gallon sized plastic bags at the dollar store and guess how much they cost me? That’s right, a dollar!!! haha!! I cut them to make sort of a cone and then filled it up with peppermints and placed it inside the pot. Wrapped it up with a cute bit of ribbon and there you have it!!

What fun things have you found on Pinterest lately?
What types of crafts have you been working on?

(((hugs))) ~lisa

Food

Chicken Zucchini

December 12, 2013February 25, 2018 Our Gray HouseLeave a comment

Are you looking for an easy to prepare meal for a busy night? This can be quickly prepared and read to eat in just under an hour and a half or you can even make this a crock pot meal and it will be ready when you get home!

Here’s what you need:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast
4 zucchini
2 cans cream of celery soup (you can use reduced fat)
2 cans of water
*Optional – 4 large potatoes

Here’s what I did:

I set the oven to 350 and I sliced the zucchini into thin slices. Next I placed the chicken breasts inside an oven bag and placed it in roasting pan. I combined the soups, water and stirred until smooth and then added the zucchini. I poured this mixture over the chicken in the bag and tied the bag up. It baked for an hour and 15 minutes and it was so tender and yummy!!

Here’s how it turned out:

An option to this recipe would be to add potatoes. Of course you could also add less water and create more of a sauce for it. I’ve also made this as shown and served it over rice. If I’m going to get home a little later than normal, I sometimes toss all the ingredients in the crock pot and set it to low for 6-8 hours so it’s ready when I get home. Several different options for you to try!

What new recipes have you tried lately?

Do you have any quick and easy meals that you utilize on busy days?

(((hugs))) ~lisa

Travel

Ford’s Theatre

December 8, 2013February 25, 2018 Our Gray House1 Comment

When you think of visiting DC, do you have in your mind a mental list of places that you have to see? I do and for me, Ford’s Theatre was definitely on the list.

A visit to the Ford’s Theatre campus traces the story of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, assassination and legacy and is such an iconic part of American history that we just had to see it.

It’s also a National Historic Site so I was able to get my National Parks passport book stamped! WoooHooo!!

The beginning of the tour…

Here are some things you will see when on the tour. There were so many things that I just picked a couple that kind of came to my mind.

This is a piece of bunting from the flag that flew over Fort Sumpter during the Civil War was presented by Mrs. Archibald Hopkins in July, 1929. I just think it’s cool because it really just looks like some threads but it was from a flag and it’s old. And I liked how Harry signed the note.

These medals and medallions just look old and of course, they are. I just think it would be cool to have something like this. Not that I’d really do anything with it. It would just be cool to have.

I was just trying to see what he was reading but I am too short to do it discreetly.

It’s amazing how I can talk my husband into posing with statues and stuff. He’s always such a good sport.

One of the things that I am slightly obsessed with is learning about a person’s final moments. You know how they showed those photos of Lady Diana’s final moments in the elevator before she died? Well that kind of stuff just fascinates me. I know it’s a bit morbid but it makes me think about what if something had been different then maybe they’d still be here?

Well the point of that whole story is the reason I took this pic. It gave me that same curiosity about his final moments.

Here is the famous box at the theater.

We didn’t actually get to tour the box which was kind of a bummer. One of the Park Rangers was saying it was because it was crowded with lots of school tours that day. Really? Well then can they let parties of two or less go see it? Or give me a special tour? The answer was no to both when I asked. And yes, I asked.

When my sister got married in 2008 she gave us bridesmaids a canvas tote bag with our initials monogrammed on it. It was plain so I decided to jazz it up with some patches I had collected on previous trips. Now every trip I go on, I look for patches.

I thought this was a pretty cool one. I now have a dilemma. I have no more room left on my tote bag. I’m not sure what to do now. Maybe a blanket? If you have any ideas on what I should do with them, please share!

I also collect smooshed pennies. They are also known as smashed pennies. Pressed pennies. Elongated coins. Whatever you call them, I collect them.

Are they legal? In the United States, U.S. Code Title 18, Chapter 17, Section 331 prohibits “the mutilation, diminution and falsification of United States coinage.” The foregoing statute, however, does not prohibit the mutilation of coins, if the mutilated coins are not used fraudulently, i.e., with the intention of creating counterfeit coinage or profiting from the base metal (the pre-1982 copper U.S. cent which, as of 2010, is worth more than the one cent in the United States). Because elongated coins are made mainly as souvenirs, mutilation for this purpose is legal, when location of the coin presser has the permit from the mint to do so.

So there you have it folks. I’m not breaking any laws. At least where elongated coins are concerned.

Did you know that Abraham Lincoln’s image has been on the front of the penny since 1909? Lots of fun and interesting facts that you can learn. You can click HERE to learn more!

Do you collect anything when traveling?
What things do you like to take pics of when traveling?

(((hugs))) ~lisa

Travel

The Old Post Office – Washington DC

December 7, 2013February 25, 2018 Our Gray HouseLeave a comment

One of the cool places that we came across was the Old Post Office.

As I have mentioned before, Marvin had just retired from the Post Office so this was of course a place we had to stop and explore.

According to their website, “Originally built in 1899, The Old Post Office Pavilion embodied the modern spirit that was sweeping the country. Today, our architecture and spirit of innovation continues to evolve and thrive.

Once the first government building to have its own electric power plant, today we continue to electrify — with the help of The DC Preservation League. And, thanks to forward-thinking people, you can now stroll through The Old Post Office Pavilion and experience both its glamorous past and fun-filled present with international food, eclectic shopping and musical events … All designed to entertain lunch, mid-day and after work audiences all week long.”

So once inside you realize it’s not like a postal museum or anything although they did have some things to look at. It does have shops etc. and you can go up into the tower which we did.

Now I know I’m not the only person that this happens to but glass elevators freak me out a bit. It’s like you are too close to the edge or something. Things could happen. That involve falling and stuff.

Despite my fears we rode the elevator up.

As you enter the bell tower area there is a plaque above a window. I love the peeling paint and the brick being revealed behind it.

Here is what the plaque says:

One of the bells up close.

From the Old Post Office website,

The Congress Bells

In honor of our nation’s bicentennial in 1976, the private Ditchley Foundation of Great Britain presented a set of English change ringing bells to Congress. In April 1983, the bells found a permanent home in the Old Post Office clock tower. They were dedicated as an everlasting symbol of friendship between the two nations.

The 10 Congress Bells range from 581 to 2,953 pounds and are replicas of the bells in London’s Westminster Abbey. They were made at Whitechapel Foundry which had cast the Abbey’s bells four centuries earlier. The bells are in the key of D major.

The practice of change ringing combines the disciplines of art and science to produce a unique form of music. Change ringing involves continuously changing the order in which the bells strike. The method of producing these changes is precise and requires extensive training, practice and concentration.

A full peal, which is a continuous performance that takes up to three and a half hours to complete, is rung in honor of the opening and closing of Congress and on state occasions, including all national holidays. To achieve this feat, the tower hosts a weekly practice session for the bells’ stewards, members of the Washington Ringing Society of the North American Guild of Change Ringers.

The views from the tower were awesome. Love looking around the city from there.

We could see the Washington Monument which was under construction at the time we were there.

You may have thought that I was trying to take a pic of the Capitol in the distance but you are wrong. It took me a bit but I was able to take this awesome close up of the wires. 😉

They did have some items on display. Here’s a “vintage” mail bag.

Some first day of issue items.

And as we were leaving I gave this sign a H!GH 5 for being awesome! Seriously, I don’t know if they give you tickets for walking to fast or something in DC but I didn’t want to find out.

What fun unexpected places have you visited lately?
Do you have any fears that you have to face when traveling?
Where will your next adventure take you?

(((hugs))) ~lisa

DIY

How to make a Bobby Pin Holder

November 20, 2013February 25, 2018 Our Gray HouseLeave a comment

I’m always searching for bobby pins in my drawer and I figured this would be a great way to keep them together and be something cute to make.

To make these bobby pin holders you will need:

A magnetic paper clip dispenser –find similar here
Some craft/scrapbook paper
Mod Podge and applicator (I used a sponge/foam paintbrush)
Scissors, paper cutter
Bobby pins

I laid out the paper, measured the magnetic paper clip holder and traced a line to cut the paper into strips the width of the holder and the length to be enough to wrap around the holder with just a little overage.

I then dipped the sponge applicator in the Mod Podge, coated the magnetic paper clip holder one side at a time while adhering the paper to it.

So my first few attempts resulted in this.

If you will notice there is some extra paper on the corners. I hadn’t noticed that the paper clip holder was not perfectly square.

Well, that will just not do so I laid the holder on a piece of paper to create a pattern.

I then used the pattern to draw lines on the paper.

I cut “slits” so that the paper would lay better on the holder as I was adhering it.

Then I repeated the Mod Podge and adhering steps listed above.

TA-DAH!!! This is the result! Pretty cute if I do say so myself!

You can do them in a variety of colors and can even use fabric, although I will say cutting the fabric was a little more tedious so I stuck with the paper.

For now, I am not going to add the paper to the top but you could to give it an even more finished look. And if you are feeling super creative there are also lots of fun embellishments you could add such as ribbon, twine or even bedazzle it or add some beads!

These make great stocking stuffers and are pretty quick to put together.

Let me know what you think and if you’ve tried something similar!

Happy crafting!!

(((hugs))) ~lisa

Travel

A Visit With Owney, Mascot of the Railway Mail Service

November 17, 2013February 25, 2018 Our Gray HouseLeave a comment

I am a HUGE fan of the Roadside America (your online guide to offbeat tourist attractions) website. In fact, I rarely travel anywhere without first researching where I am going on the website and the app on my phone, and this trip was no exception.

Case in point, we were visiting DC and I wanted to know what odd and unusual roadside attractions that I definitely had to see. I saw the info about Owney, the stuffed Postal Dog and knew that it was definitely on the list. Our trip to DC was to celebrate my husbands retirement after 29+ years of service to the USPS so this cool attraction fit right in.

At the top of the escalator, before you head down to the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, there is a statue of Owney greeting you.

National Postal Museum – 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington DC
Hours: Daily 10 am – 5:30 pm.
Phone: 202-633-5555
Admission: Free!

-Photo of a card provided at the National Postal Museum store

So here’s Owney up close and personal. Don’t let the glassy eyed stare fool you, he was a cute little dog.

This little guy was a stray and the USPS mail clerks grew to love him. He had found his “forever home” except his “forever home” was not just in one place!

He started taking trips and as the card above mentions, Owney collected tags, tokens, trinkets and medals from his travels.

I love seeing little quirky things like this. They are little nuggets of useless info that I will store in my brain for later use. You never know who might ask if anyone knows who the mascot of the railway mail service is…and I’ll know the answer!

Me – “Alex, I’ll take animal mascots for $1000.”
Alex – “This dog is the mascot of the U.S. railway mail service.”
Me – “Who is Owney?”
::ding:: ::ding:: ::ding::

And then I’ll get the answer right and probably win a million dollars or something.

I picked up some *OWNEY* postcards to mail to all of our grandkids. I thought it would be cool for them to receive some mail from Nana and Poppy while we were on our trip so I bought a bunch of postcard stamps before we left. Seriously, I’m singlehandedly trying to revive the whole postcard/snail mail industry.

-Photo of postcard at the National Postal Museum

Have you ever checked out the Roadside America website?
What cool places have you been lately or what quirky things have you seen?

(((hugs))) ~lisa

DIY

Coffee Filter Craft

November 15, 2013February 25, 2018 Our Gray HouseLeave a comment

I came across several packages of unused coffee filters at work. About 6 months prior I had thrown out about 8 packages so I knew that we weren’t going to use these either. I decided to look up on Pinterest things that I could do with coffee filters.

As luck would have it there was a baby shower coming up at work and I stumbled upon a really cute garland made out of coffee filters, so BAM! The decision was made. I was going to try it.

Here’s what you need:

Coffee filters (you can get them super cheap at the dollar store or save them from being tossed at work like I did)

Food coloring

A pot of cold tap water

Glue gun

Here’s what you do:

Now I had read the instructions on several projects but when it came time to do it I decided to just wing it. Well not totally wing it. But I wasn’t following step by step either.

I gathered the coffee filters, some red food coloring (my project was going to be pink for the baby shower), and a pot with cold water.

I put some red food coloring, about 3-5 drops in the pot of cold water. The amount of coloring you are adding depends on the coloring you are going for. I was trying for a pinkish color.

I then added all the coffee filters and let them soak for about 30 seconds. I then wrung them out. You can wring them out pretty good as they are not too flimsy. You will want to get as much water out of them as possible to help with the next step.

I then tried to just air dry them by leaving them spread out on the counter. They were taking ::forever:: so I put them in the dryer. Now I checked on them every 30 seconds or so until they were dry because I didn’t want anything catching on fire or something equally hazardous. They dried really quickly that way.

{I totally need to make sure the lighting is better for my pics!}

Next I took them individually and folded them in half then brought up the other two sides to make the beginning of a flower shape.

After folding I stapled them at the bottom to hold them together.

I then got out my glue gun and started to glue them into a white coffee filter.

The original plan was to make a bunch of little flower balls but things didn’t go quite as planned.

The flower didn’t look full enough to me. Hmmm….not sure really what to do as the original plan also included gluing the two of the above flowers together but like I said, it was not looking as full as I was wanting it to.

They look fine in the pic above (except for the lighting issues) as they look fluffy and like they would hold up But when I tried to attach it to the ribbon I was going to hang it with they just looked kind of floppy. And floppy was not the look I was going for.

After some deliberation and multiple attempts at forcing them to look like some of the pics on the internet, I ended up just making a big flower ball and this is the finished product!

So while in my mind it was going to be several much smaller flower balls I’m still pretty happy with how it turned out.

Here is a pic of how it looked in the break room at work. Notice how we took it old school with the decorations by adding the paper chain!

What cool things have you created lately?
Have you ever taken something and re-used it in a different way?

(((hugs))) ~lisa