Tip from the Green Housewife - Recreate Furniture

      Did you know, that according to the EPA, there are nine million tons of furniture in our nation's landfills? 9 million tons! I understand disposable diapers (to keep a mother's sanity!), but disposable furniture?! At least use it for firewood!
      For over, ummm, six year, ahem, I have been meaning to refinish our kitchen table. It is beautiful oak, given to us by a family I nannied for in Dallas, but it has always needed a new finish. The labor intensive process of sanding (and borrowing a sander!) and varnishing has intimidated me into years of procrastination. Then about a week ago, I was inspired. I was painting a wooden box with the "Solas" from the Reformation (another post), and had some gold acrylic paint left over. I decided to rub it into the table to cover up all of the flaws in the finish, and then calligraphy one of my favorite verses on top of it. It was an uncontrollable creative urge, a leftover from childhood when I would sneakily color designs on the inside of my dresser, trying not to get caught.  (I figured if I messed up the table, the finish was already bad and I always buy a table cloth). I typed out the words on Word, as I am still learning the font (Edwardian), put down some masking tape for straight lines, and started to paint!  Here is the final result (which still needs a varnish!):

    Who says frugal living has to be joyless?!!!