BEFORE AND AFTER - OAK TABLE

I had bought an antique table several years ago. I bought it at an antique store in Pierre. It was is oval-shaped in great condition. It has three leaves and six chairs, and was what I had been looking for quite some time. I felt that it was a very sound purchase, however, I was never quite in love with the finish on the tabletop. Instead of aging to a beautiful patina, it had come to resemble a dishwater blonde color. I had decided when I bought it that I would eventually get around to refinishing the top. About four years later I finally got around to it.

So the other day, I gathered the necessary supplies: Heavy-duty stripping chemical, a natural bristle brush, a putty knife, and chemical gloves. Special note: Spend the $3 and get the gloves. I have done many of these refinishing projects and cheaped out and not bought gloves. No matter how careful you are, you end up getting stripper on you and then you feel the burn. Yikes! You would think that I would learn after the first 2 or 15 times, but I am a very slow learner.

After donning said gloves, I usually start by pouring a liberal amount of stripper onto the piece. I try to work in manageable areas, because this stuff dries quickly.

Use the brush to spread the chemical over the piece. Let it work it's magic. Usually about 5 minutes or less.

When the old finish starts to bubble, use the putty knife to start scraping the old finish and stripper off. I usually have a cardboard box or something else handy to scrape the nasty stuff into. You may have to repeat this process again depending upon how many layers of old stuff you need to remove. I have had to do this process up to 6 or 7 times on some things, especially if paint is involved. Major pain!

Once all the old stain is removed, you can use another chemical rinse to prep the wood for refinishing. Most of the time, at this point, I am usually so sick of this project, that I usually just wipe it down with a damp cloth. Then I can slap some stain on it and get on with my life!

Check that off the list. Goodbye dull, dishwater blond; hello shiny warm highlights!

STUFF WE LOVE - FIESTA WARE

I love bright colors. I love sturdy dishes. I love Fiestaware! About five years ago, I asked for some place settings for Christmas. My family has since given me tons of gorgeous Fiestaware. I have pitchers, platers, place settings, bowls, baking dishes, gravy boats, and a ton of other accessories.

I like all the colors. Each year they issue an new color. This year they released Lemongrass. I don't have it yet, but it looks great!

This is only a portion of it. The rest is in the diswasher. I use it everyday. When I eat my cold cereal for supper out of a Tangerine colored bowl, it feels like, well, a Fiesta.

Here are some of the other cool accessories. Spoon rest, salt and pepper set, and tiny little pitcher. I use it to serve vinegrette with salads.

I love the signature on the bottom.

A cool vase.

This stuff is really hard to break also! In the years that I have it it, I have only chipped one piece. Pretty good, and looks great!

Crawling Cowboy

Beefcake started crawling last week! Look out Mama! Ain't nothing going to stop me now!

Maybe a little insane...

Zach comes from a long line of runners. His Aunt Dawn is a personal trainer who has ran numerous marathons and 1/2 marathons. His brother as well as several cousins compete in marathons, triathlons and extreme relay races. I, on the other hand, was a sprinter in high school so the mere thought of running more than 400 yards sounds grueling and unthinkable. However, for some unknown reason, I got the itch to run a 1/2 marathon, which is 13.1 miles. So I started training in January. Countless hours on the treadmill (it was a cold, snowy winter here in SD), a carb loaded diet, and no alcohol quickly became my routine. Um...not quite. I wasn't your typical trainee. Yes, I did run faithfully but I lacked the discipline of eating right and not having the occasional beverage.

June rolled around and race day was finally here. Time to see if my hardwork had paid off so that I could finish the Deadwood Mickelson 1/2 Marathon alive. Zach's mom, Marla, and his Aunt Dawn were also running the 1/2 and Aaron, his brother, and friend James ran the full. It was runner's dream weather with tempatures in the 50's and no wind.

Catastrophe struck that morning and my MP3 Player would not work. How was I ever going to run 13 miles with no music to keep me distracted??? I pushed the buttons frantically, tried turning it off and on a thousand times, prayed to God to let it work but nothing. After I got over being a baby about it, I vowed to not let it interfere with my race. And it didn't I was easily distracted by the other runners and the gorgeous scenery.

Here we are at the starting point. Luckily, this photo does not portray the fear inside me. As thousands of runners lined up, we quickly tried to make our way to the front. The gun sounded and we were off!

At mile 4 I already had to go the bathroom. Now I'm a ranch girl and have no problem going in the wilderness. However, with hundreds of strangers running by at all times, it wasn't that easy. So I forged on and tried to keep my mind off it.

When I turned the bend and saw Lindsey, Larissa, and Randen at the first major "cheering station," I got an instant surge of energy. It was like a Hammer Gel pack but better.

By mile 8, I was really cussing myself for drinking those two Powerades before the race and was looking for every opportunity to slip off behind a tree. I finally found a secluded spot and quickly did my thing, getting back on the trail before too many people went by.

At this point, about mile 11, it felt like I was sprinting but when I looked down at my legs they were barely moving. I was wondering how I ever could finish. But I pushed on, telling myself I would never be this young again or feel this good. In the last 1/2 mile I saw Zach and Greg. They were whooping and hollering and it was just enough inspiration to get me to the finish line.

I've never experienced child birth but but many mothers say that you forget about all the pain once you get to hold the baby in your arms. Same goes for running 13.1 miles. Once I finished the race and all the "congratulations" and pats on the back began, I quickly forgot about all the pain, blood, sweat, and tears. (Okay, there were no blood or tears). I was happy with my time of 2 hours and 1 minute. I'm shooting for under two next time! Yes...there will be a next time!

Relaxing with my biggest fan

Many people have asked me if I would consider doing a full marathon but I don't think I'm that crazy!

The Reveal!!!!

Here it is! The reveal of Barbara the Camper. Drum roll please!!!!!!!!

Lindsey tries to curb her enthusiasm for our first "real" camping trip!

The Dining Room

Enjoy gourmet meals, drink wine, tell windy stories and play a round of the Cowgirl Game.

Put down the table, spread the cushions out and ta daa! You have another bed!

Each cupboard door has a saying that depicts life on the road.

The quaint kitchenette complete with stove, oven, and sink. Check out that turquoise stove!!!

The "living room" has a couch that turns into a bed, sleeping two easily. Lindsey designed and sewed the heart and wings.

The bunk offers more sleeping space. Don't have the extra guests? Simply push it up and keep it out of the way. So far our little friend Jayda is the only one that has slept up there.

If you happen to visit the camper you must sign our "Door of Friendship." It easily accumulated signatures after the Smith Family Reunion over the 4th of July!



Look out Sand Creek...here we come!

See you down the trail!

CAMPING - For Real

Annie and I decided we needed to get the heck out of town and commune with nature before the 4th. We haven't taken, Barbara, the camper out near as much as we had intended. Besides camping at the branding corrals and Annie's trip to Nebraska, the camper has sat idle.

Up to this point in our lives, we had never camped in an actual campground to my knowledge. Childhood camping trips consisted of a tent on someone's lawn or a tent out in the pasture. So we decided to go to an actual lake in an actual campground in a National Forest. We drove in the rain to the campground, paid $19, and found a spot. By, the way, we have never paid money for a camping spot either.
Annie got Barbara backed into her spot. We then went on a nature walk to gather some wood for a campfire. All the kindling we got was soaked. We quickly realized how unprepared we were for this camping experience.

On most previous camping trips, our men are along. They usually tend the fire. Starting a fire for them consists of a large propane bottle with a branding torch, or a 5 gallon jug of gasoline, and an industrial sized lighter. We forgot all of these necessities and had to resort to wet kindling, a Martha Stewart Magazine, and some decorative matches. After a smoky start, the gracious campground host kindly pointed out some discarded 2x4 boards that we could use. After 1 1/2 hours and a six pack later, we had a fire.

We roasted some brats and ate bean dip.

We also figured that since we were staying in a public place, we should install a lock on the camper door for safety. We had not thought of that before. I set to work getting that installed so the boogie man wouldn't get us. We didn't want to be on a future episode of 20/20, "Two sisters' last camping trip."Being so handy like I am, I installed the lock in such a manner that it actually prohibited the door from closing.

Grrrrr......... Annie, hand me another beer.

Anyway, we told stories at the campfire and discussed the world's problems until late. We turned in and slept like babies. The next day, we had fully intended to get up and go suntan by the lake. The rain just kept coming down. So we sat in the camper and drank coffee until lunch. Then we packed it up and headed out.

I did get a chance to wear my camp coat. It was warm and cozy and Annie tried to buy it from me. For a $1,000.

This is the life.

4TH OF JULY

We had a fantabuloso 4th of July, and we hope all of you did as well. We enjoyed a full weekend at Aunt Joyce and Uncle Ed's place in Belle. Lots and lots of family there. Food, family, fun. We are so blessed to have such a great extended family. Besides catching up with everyone, eating, tubing down the river, and playing horseshoes, we went on a nature walk. Aunt Joyce created a cute little nature trail throughout their pasture.

So several of us took off on a nature walk. Not knowing what to expect. Besides a couple of mosquitos and a few geese, we also saw....

this quacker peeking out of the grass. Notice it gazing at us with a wary eye.

We walked a little further, and at sunset we saw this...

A buck eating grass. We snuck upon the deer and noticed that its horns were curiously growing opposite of normal antler pattern. Truly an anomoly!!!

Thanks to Aunt Joyce and Uncle Ed for hosting a great weekend! For more great pictures from the weekend, visit Aunt Deb's website. She took a TON of pictures! http://www.kdsmith7-life.blogspot.com/