DIY Dining Chair Makeover

The garbage, it's not just for raccoons and feral cats anymore.

Let's face it. It's generally easier to throw out furniture and decorations when they go out of style rather than renovate it or even bother to sell it. Most sane people just don't want to be bothered with all of that work.

But there is a lot of hidden potential hiding in yesterday's decoration.

All it takes is a little creativity to take curbside rejects and turn them into something brand new and beautiful.

Visiting Tried & Twisted today is my talented mom, "The MommaBar", who recently put a little time and effort into a lucky roadside find to make a spectacular new chair for her sunroom.

Blackberry Lime Bars: Pucker Up!

What tastes like a pie, but is not a pie? What looks like jello, but is made of real fruit? And how is a raven like a writing desk?

The answer is a berry bar.

Well, that's the answer to the first two questions anyway. The answer to the third question haunts me still as one of life's great mysteries, right up there with the question of how did that horse make that woman go to college? But I digress.

I initially noticed this dessert's bright color and promise of fresh summer fruit flavor on Pinterest from places like ImprovKitchen and Sophistimom's recipe. I had never heard of berry bars like this before, so I had to give it a try.

Vegan Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

My first introduction to rhubarb was at the scenic home of a South African professor with a classy accent. He welcomed our writing club to his countryside home, complete with honey bees, nature walk through the forest, and flower-covered gazebo. While we worked, he supplied scones, pie, and coffee from a real French press. He was a one of the really good professors.

So when he handed me a strawberry pie that appeared to contain some kind of celery, I wanted to prove myself sophisticated, worldly, and knowledgable and not reveal my ignorance as to why anyone would put a vegetable in a fruit pie. Maybe it was a South African tradition, I thought.

Dairy-Free Pie Dough

There's one in every group — people who can't eat food.

It's a tragic fate, but genetics is a cruel master.

Living in a family that has experienced more than its fair share of dietary limitations has allowed me to see how frustrating and limiting special diets can be. Especially at parties. Especially at the dessert table where nearly everything is made with dairy, or gluten, or nuts, or eggs.

It's easy to give up hope in ever having a good dessert again and to go diving elbow-deep into the nearest pudding pie, to hell with the allergic reaction!

But happy news! Good, tasty, delicious food within special diets do exist.

For instance, you can make a healthy and tasty pie that's completely dairy-free.

DIY Antique Framed Memo Board

A lot of great creative projects start with a challenge. And my challenge — how to hide that hideous phone jack on my kitchen wall?

Due to the limitations of living in a rental, I couldn't tear the jack out, so I resorted to hide and seek. What do you think of my solution? The phone jack hasn't been found since!

Before and After Envy Series: Basement Blues

Oil to Fireplace...

Welcome back to the final Before & After Envy series post for this month!

I've had so much fun sharing all of these talented home makeovers that I would like to extend an open invitation to any other readers and bloggers out there who would like to show off their renovations. The Before & After Envy series can be an ongoing series whenever new rooms and makeovers are available. Contact me if you're interested in joining the party. Because every home makeover deserves a little chance to be envied.

Today's post comes from my sister-in-law, Lisa, and my brother's basement renovation inspired by an energy bill crisis and developed into a gorgeous, comfortable family room.

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Getting Social & BlogLovin' Pros and Cons

{ANNOUNCEMENT}

Tried & Twisted is celebrating its 6-month anniversary!

I've had a lot of fun sharing my crafty and baking experience with you all, and I've been thrilled to meet so many fun and inspiring ladies and gents from literally all corners of the globe! 

Let's Get Social!

So to celebrate this little milestone, I've added social media buttons above my header (courtesy of Carrie Loves) to make it easier to connect and get to know all of you fantastic people who stop by...boring people can wait at the door.

You can find me at:

Google Plus	Pinterest	BlogLovin	RSS Feed	Email

But wait, there's more...