Breaking Out!

We are on Snow Day #3, and it will be #4 tomorrow. The weatherman also said we might have another storm beginning on Monday. Sheesh!

I.HAD.TO.GET.OUT!!

So, I bundled into the 4-wheel drive and headed to Lowe's.

Oh Lowe's, how I love thee! I drool over your lights, pine over your sinks, and adore your storage!

Since the top of the cabinets are going to take more work, and an electrician, I've decided to move on to another project.

Here's what I bought at Lowe's.






Can you guess the next project?

And yes, I'm the "crazy" painting in my garage in 20 degree weather. :)

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Snow Day #2

Yet, again the Kentucky Fried Home University was closed due to inclement weather. My enthusiasm was greatly affected, however, when I woke up with no power.

What, no power? How do I make coffee?? Lord, give me patience!


Finally, at 8:30 the power came on and the glorious sound of coffee percolating was sweet music to my ears.


I had a few to do things on my list today, however, I needed to check to ensure family had power. Unfortunately, my grandparents didn't. So, the projects were shelved, and I bundled into the 4-wheel drive to retrieve them.


The roads aren't that icy, however, limbs buckled under the weight of snow and ice which makes driving treacherous. The local public schools have already closed for the rest of the week. Maybe KFH University will close also. It's highly likely as most have lost power.

Anyway...

The next project is the top of the kitchen cabinets.


Right now they have pictures, baskets, and plants, which I like, but they need some re-arranging and more lighting. And perhaps I'll remove the lovely plastic bowl which holds my punch cups. Hmmm...


Another blogger had a great idea of placing Christmas lights on top of the cabinets. It adds a soft light up there that will highlight items prettily. Also, Christmas lights are on sale right now, so I should be able to get a strand without spending alot of moola.

I'll drill a small hole in the top of the cabinets to run the electric cord and add a remote. Pictures will be added here also.

If KFH University is closed tomorrow, I might go and buy some black paint for my twin bed. And maybe a drill. And some fabric to play. :)

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Snow Day Update

Today, while it was cold, wet, and icy outside, I was roasty-toasty inside cooking, cleaning, and organizing.

Chili sounded good,

so did Pesto Turkey Meatballs,

And some Cherry Cheescake.

While cleaning and organizing, I worked up quite an appetite!

The first room I tackled (and I do mean tackled) was the first guest room. It serves as my exercise/tablecloth storage/office/everything else room. It really needed to be cleaned, organized, and prettied up.

The room doesn't really have much color, as there is no paint on the walls and no window treatments. I have a twin size bed that will soon make its new home in this room, but I need to paint it (and the room) first.

The closet was the first thing on the agenda. So, I popped in a little Beyonce, and away I went. With Cleo's supervision, of course.

Closet first. What a disaster! Luckily, these will be easy to organize, as soon as I invest in some shelving to utilize the deep sides. But, until then, I'll use what I've got.

I love my tablecloths, as you can see.

The rest of the room isn't so cluttered, but it's not really homey either.

------------------------------------------
Voila!

I'm not going to call this "the after," but it's definitely "the better!" Just look at that pretty closet, and the nice clean wall without the bulletin board.

Next stop -> the top of the kitchen cabinets! Oh boy!

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Snow Day

I woke up to this:

and this:

and ultimately this:

"Due to inclement weather, KF Home University's classes are cancelled, and offices are closed."

Yahoo!!

Instead of resting and relaxing, I'll spend it cooking, organizing, and doing laundry. Yes, I actually enjoy these things. :)

Enjoy your day!

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British Find

I love to find things from other countries and incorporate them into my home decor. For example, lawn bowling balls. I found these in England and found them to be both interesting and unique.
"Bowls is a sport in which the goal is to roll slightly asymmetric balls, called bowls, closest to a smaller white ball called the jack. Bowls, either flat- or crown-green, is usually played outdoors, on grass and synthetic surfaces. Flat-green bowls can also be played indoors on synthetic surfaces. Both variants are collectively known as "lawn bowls" (thanks Wikipedia). The sport is related to bocce ball.

The great thing about these is that you don't have to travel overseas to get them.
Instead, search for them on ebay!

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The Smell Good House

This will sound odd, but when my house smells good, I feel good. And instead of using chemicals, I've tried to go green (within reason). Hence, my "green" way to make my home smell nice. I've adapted the recipe a bit to suit my nose, so feel free to experiment!

You will need an old pot, as the end result has a tendency to stain, and add:

• 1/2 orange (sometimes I like to squeeze a little of the juice into the pot)
  
• 1/2 lemon (divided)
• a teaspoon of whole cloves (or a teaspoon of ground cloves)
• a teaspoon of nutmeg

Add all ingredients to the old pot along with enough water to cover the fruits. Bring to a boil, and then let simmer. If you don't have nutmeg or cloves, experiment with other spices, such as bay leaves, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, etc.

I generally use this recipe for a period of 2 weeks, then change it out. You will need to periodically add water.

To make this recipe $$-friendly, buy your spices at a dollar store, and an old pot at Goodwill.

Enjoy!

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Right on Target!

Last night I made the mistake of going to Target. I love Target for their household items and for their CLOTHES!!!

I couldn't resist this green dress (which was on sale $13.00) and a cincher black belt ($3.97). It will look great when I pair it with some boots, black tights, and a jean jacket.

Get thee to Target!

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New Apartment Search

Me, you say? No, not me, but a friend. Luckily, he's picked me to assist in the search. He also wants my help in the decoration too, but doesn't know it yet. (sssshhhh) Yeah!

I told himmy concept for a modern, yet traditional feel. Perhaps painting the walls a light blue with black and brown accents.

Definitely one of these,

And one of these,

And one of these,

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Snow Globe Sunday

Ever think you are sitting in a snow globe? I do! At least, this weekend, I did.

It was soooo cold and snowing, and I got that feeling.

Someone else had that feeling too.

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Saturday Run to Goodwill

On Saturday, I made my weekly run to Goodwill to get some goodies!

I left with 2 National Geographics (b/c I need to know about the earth and it's cultures), 1 Cooking Light (always need beef recipes), 2 VHS tapes, and 2 scented candles. All for the amazing low price of $7.69. Yeah!

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From Magazine to My Home

Whenever I read home magazines, I routinely tear our pictures of rooms, living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, etc, and mark the items which could be used to improve my own home. Sometimes it's shelves, stools, or curtains.

Case in point, a few years ago, I saw a wonderful picture of a kitchen, which the couple decided that a blackboard was needed.

What a super idea!

I can do that. So I did.

Flash forward to 3 years ago. I was visiting a flea market and happened to find a jumbo chalkboard from an old school house for sale. It was meant to be.

The chalkboard now hangs in my breakfast area, with an unfinished Lowe's cabinet painted red, then black, and sanded so you can see bits of the red.

I'm also considering adding sconces, but am not sure. Thoughts? Advice?

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We'll Always Have Paris

Last summer my wonderful mama and I went to the city of lights, the city of love. Yes, Paris, France! And it was wonderful.

We stayed at a beautiful apartment which was so charming! It had a kitchen, nice bath, and even a washer/dryer combo. Bonus!! I cannot tell you how nice it was to take a minimum pair of pants and wash them every few days. Makes more room for shoes! :)

View from the apartment of the street.



The apartment was a studio, but had 2 large floor to ceiling windows to let in the smells and sounds of the Parisian street below. I even got to peek into the apartment across the street and see their wonderful library!

The owner left us some bottled water (always needed after a long day of shopping), some wine (refreshing as we review our purchases), and coffee (for that morning jolt to send us on our next shopping trip).

Want to rent this apartment? Go to Vacation Rentals By Owner.

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Ladies & Gentleman: May I please present...

Cleopatra (cleo) the water loving wonder cat.

First thing in the morning, she runs into the bathroom (typical female) and jumps into the bathtub. She loudly makes her request for water, and then she proceeds to drink it and play.


She can leap couches, large and small, in a single bound, and takes refuge on top of the kitchen cabinets (much to the displeasure of mom).

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