Soup for the soul

It has been awhile since I last posted a recipe. 

I chose to make a double batch and it filled my crock pot to the brim.  Jay brought over a batch to Amanda and we had dinner and leftovers and still some leftover for lunches. This was delicious. 

Mexican Minestrone

click here for recipe 

The following pictures are where the soul part come into play. 

Thank you to a new graduate from Devon's Picking School, Nicole. 

Her parents were cleaning house and looking to send these pieces to a new owner and Nicole jumped on that and sent them my way. Jay and I took a nice drive out to Alki this morning and and picked them up. I am so excited to paint these and bring them into the shop. 

What color should I paint these beauties? 

Look at that detail work, gorgeous.

Thank YOU Tracy, Jim & Nicole!! 

What we brought home from our mini road trip

The husband and I had the truck gassed up, cash in our pockets, granny cart loaded, Starbucks and a 5 a.m. wake up call. 

We started by sharing breakfast at The Kettle in Enumclaw and then driving over Chinook Pass to Packwood. 

Twice a year the whole town of Packwood has a Flea Market.

{Memorial Day & Labor Day weekend}

I would recommend getting there early for best picking and parking.  

Overall we found a few good finds, but the rest of our loot came from all the garage sales we found leaving Packwood heading on 12 West towards Centralia.  We decided to take a route home that we had not ever been on.  It was gorgeous, I saw Riffe Lake (I was so ready to jump in, it was beautiful)lots of old barns, cows, towns I had only heard of but never been to.  Hey Mossyrock, Randle & Morton! 

Note: This is not for Josie's squawker.

It is awesome. Heading to Tacoma today with me.  

6 Colorox wipes were used in cleaning this bad metal cart. I should have taken an after photo. It looks way better.

Also heading to Tacoma today. 

I spied this awesome little table in Packwood and bundled it in with a Fiesta - Art Deco looking black lamp.  Will show pics later.  

Also found this in Packwood.  

I love how small it is when the leaves are down and how big it becomes when opened. It also has a cute little drawer. 

This will be getting painted tomorrow. 

How cool is this piece?

This is a versatile piece. 

You can have the top hutch part on top of the table or underneath. The woman we bought this from had a 50" TV on top and used the underneath part for her DVD player, Wii etc.  

I plan on giving it a good cleaning and a fresh coat of paint.  

Jay spied this at a garage sale in Mossyrock for $5.

I have never seen this  before.  Have you? 

Vintage paint by numbers.

Some of our small finds 

This is awesome.

Large, heavy, metal and perfect for me to rip the paper art off and paint chalkboard on it.  Can't wait to show you the after. 

Modern Cottage Co. 

will be open today, 12-4

311 South 7th, Tacoma

Hope to see you there!!

A little of this and a little of that.

8 Days and counting.

Ruffles and Rust is coming fast.

Do you have your tickets for Friday night?

Are you and your friends ready to roll out to Monroe bright and early Saturday morning? Will you be having lunch at the Maltby Cafe, shopping in downtown Snohomish or exploring Monroe? 

I have gone through 15 glue sticks, 100's of hot glue sticks, pinched thousands of dots, bought numerous paintbrushes, learned a new waxing technique and hired the teenager as my assistant painter.  Who knew a 17 year old would be better at furniture painting than my husband? 

Here are a few photos from this past week. 

Early Sunday morning Jay and I headed out to Seattle to 'pick' through a garage unit full of vintage treasures. 

On the way there I spied this beast. 

I want it. 

What a perfect junking vehicle. 

Couldn't you see me pulling up to garage sales in this? 

Meet Betty. 

Betty meet Bride on a Bike friends. 

This darling lady was rescued from that pick I was just telling you about. She is missing one hand, but we are still looking for her. 

If you have a minute, hop on over to my bride on a bike facebook 

page to see Betty's photo a day. 

Jay seriously stalked our local thrift store to bring this piece home. He saw someone drop it off and he went back numerous times that day to see when it would hit the floor. So glad he was able to bring it home. Can't wait to get my hands on it this weekend. 

Love, LoVe, LOVE the base on this table. 

Chunk legs, six chairs and a killer idea. 

I will try to have this done for RR, if not it will make it to the shop soon.

On another note, The Modern Cottage Co. Vintage Co-op Market is now open Thursday - Sunday. 

This is a sweet vintage pink plastic childrens light. 

I have never seen anything like it. 

It also has a wind up music box on the underneath. 

A 4 piece baby set. 

Love the dog and the turquoise color. 

This is a great piece.  The top opens up to make a large table. 

How cute is this little side table?

My mom found this one. 

What color should I paint it?

Sneak peek. 

My new favorite color to paint with. 

Loving how this piece turned out. 

Random picture of the night. 

My fantastic birthday cake made by, 

Bridgette over at A Sweet Affair 

Is that not the best cake you have ever seen?

A dresser with a union jack on the top. 

I spent my birthday with family and friends, playing badminton and eating delicious food and drinking my favorite wine. 

Have a fabulous weekend! 

Can't wait to show you pictures from the projects that I will start and finish this weekend.  Please pray for sun, I need it. 

Night all. 

New for you!

Please forgive me for the following photos.

I was halfway to the shop when I realized that my camera that I kept telling myself to not forget, i forgot. 

Go figure. 

It was pouring down rain and I did not feel like tarping up furniture so I just brought a few new things in to the store tonight. 

My newest favorite, a chevron painted table. 

I have a few other pieces with the similar design on it getting ready for the Ruffles and Rust show. 

{Have you bought your tickets for Friday night?}

We brought in 10 more of the mason jar soap pumps.

This adorable side table is painted in a Restoration Hardware color, Silver Sage. 

Isn't she lovely?

Alison, {The Modern Cottage Co.} and some of the other gals from the shop spent the day rearranging the check out counter and their spaces in the shop. 

I took photos but they turned out a little fuzzy so I promise to take better ones next week.  

I love this vignette Alsion put together with pieces from each of our areas. 

The Modern Cottage Vintage Market

311 South 7th, Tacoma, WA 

Friday 10-2

Saturday 10-4

What's new in the shop

Happy {almost} Friday!!

Tonight after work we loaded up the truck,

{2003 Dodge Ram w\ 83k miles interested?}

and headed out to Tacoma to stock the booth and move some pieces around. 

It was also the teenager's first time checking out the shop. 

She was impressed.  We drove around the city for a bit, checked out a few new shops and ended up having dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory. 

Love that place. 

Here is what is new in the shop this week.

~ Shabby white bench ~

~ Black & White round drum table with black glaze ~

~ red & white dresser ~ 

~ Very Large Bar Globe ~ 

~ Children's desk ~

~ Beach nightstand ~ 

~ chippy black vintage bookshelf ~ 

~ I have restocked the booth with more mason jar soap dispensers ~ 

~ glass jelly jars with BPA free straw ~ 

The Modern Cottage Co. 

311 South 7th, Tacoma, WA. 

Friday 10 - 2 

Saturday 10 - 4