Coffee House Decorating Ideas 2015

Lazy Cabinet Painting

<div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em><span style="color: #b45f06;"></span></em></strong><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1195623359"></span><span id="goog_1195623360"><b><span style="color: red;">CONFESSION: </span></b>I am a lazy painter.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I will only paint something if it entails maximum of 3 steps.<br />Yes, you read it right, 3.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aside from spraying something, the thought of sanding, de-glossing or whatever other step that I need to do before I can splash on the actual color boggles me and makes the task more daunting.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And so, when I did my craft room, I knew this was the perfect opportunity to try on my "Lazy Painting" technique without causing much damage. After all, I am PLANNING to re-paint our laundry cabinets and the entire basement kitchen cabinets. So what better way than to start out small and inconsipicuously with my craft room cabinets!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The materials I used are these...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xY0hKIPWhySDrTCThEDppeqAndZ_U2EAtxvPgEsjQcXSYERm4nLC1AWE4T_5-vkHXCewt-uLf3rWSTpgw5CeJeM4FGLkD1RdaoqJ7eycRecFRXYN_azD-3tL0woNXw3xi8mhv5SJLPzW/s1600/DSC_0230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xY0hKIPWhySDrTCThEDppeqAndZ_U2EAtxvPgEsjQcXSYERm4nLC1AWE4T_5-vkHXCewt-uLf3rWSTpgw5CeJeM4FGLkD1RdaoqJ7eycRecFRXYN_azD-3tL0woNXw3xi8mhv5SJLPzW/s400/DSC_0230.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along with brushes of course ;-)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">1) PRIME, PRIME, PRIME</span></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love this product! Covered all the holes and small scratches easily. And the best part about it, I DID NOT NEED TO DE-GLOSS! I actually bought a deglosser for back-up just in case the primer didn't cut it, but IT DID! The de-glosser went back to Lowe's the next day. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZwHA2W6lRlqXjsYaXxWzgBzpBTGSKzj2cQSAQroSKG4qVyjq1gWnieOIJuyEAr0UTp5TnUhlBbDX4eR6zTq5bR4XPEH6FlWTKnuno-jA3s-j_mLZMOFlCZDcTaAEu45Ay5DPLfHMvYcI/s1600/DSC_0086-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZwHA2W6lRlqXjsYaXxWzgBzpBTGSKzj2cQSAQroSKG4qVyjq1gWnieOIJuyEAr0UTp5TnUhlBbDX4eR6zTq5bR4XPEH6FlWTKnuno-jA3s-j_mLZMOFlCZDcTaAEu45Ay5DPLfHMvYcI/s640/DSC_0086-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I waited about half a day before I applied my actual paint, but really, this primer dried up in an hour!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">2) PAINT AWAY</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7rW9EyajzkG0TMZHvHFPULAJYYzBpsO0Ig3Xkx5fonL-aP94GzY4CAfyyFO4-Bi22RgmTmtoa2Ib6tU4J4EGXcjDOy2e2-DbL9CEtsBaH4zxKChXRxuMrsC4WHlxMzeesvLaSqOfbFe9/s1600/DSC_0087-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7rW9EyajzkG0TMZHvHFPULAJYYzBpsO0Ig3Xkx5fonL-aP94GzY4CAfyyFO4-Bi22RgmTmtoa2Ib6tU4J4EGXcjDOy2e2-DbL9CEtsBaH4zxKChXRxuMrsC4WHlxMzeesvLaSqOfbFe9/s640/DSC_0087-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">LESSON LEARNED: </span>If your going to paint this 'LAZY way', I should have bought a better brush.<br />I can see the lines from my Dollar store brush. :-(</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">3) TAPE </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">I did not remove my cabinets from their spot, so I had to tape around the walls and edges in order for me to prime and paint properly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaa23rbMBFIm2D92rRaJRS-JLKIpKD7x1ngwz4pGxDLzJiiku93gUGRItRDc8KfCy63Hz0hcPYxoig2_W2GNQinRQkvl6hxZNtteLh3aHz_nsSFOx1l1P5iEyyvsko86vpGUZkyaSoe-8V/s1600/DSC_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaa23rbMBFIm2D92rRaJRS-JLKIpKD7x1ngwz4pGxDLzJiiku93gUGRItRDc8KfCy63Hz0hcPYxoig2_W2GNQinRQkvl6hxZNtteLh3aHz_nsSFOx1l1P5iEyyvsko86vpGUZkyaSoe-8V/s640/DSC_0101.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyK98dBUxp6W_E4MVSOl-pQX6asP9Ot3RBzpj-Fs878pZKk5Ls8xE6X12ELsTaceMFoBN64Qw5cVW9cZ0D38Wk_ElwVtobQjoqqb7QHBCIf0ql9eFpj_NoJsKlP7DpOe5q7nEIxEihwqD-/s1600/DSC_0106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyK98dBUxp6W_E4MVSOl-pQX6asP9Ot3RBzpj-Fs878pZKk5Ls8xE6X12ELsTaceMFoBN64Qw5cVW9cZ0D38Wk_ElwVtobQjoqqb7QHBCIf0ql9eFpj_NoJsKlP7DpOe5q7nEIxEihwqD-/s640/DSC_0106.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you can see the streaks from my cheap brush here</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGB8WXvCK32lGs3sbNKSBHorICT98eTFseIQmuuA7ATVykA2TJBa78mbNBOBlHMmoV4lCwMz5k2SZuD89lkbwseiZNGQNpAmYF76MLhRLeJYmsvnd_IljHqWRi7qjRE0KO8rw-RqfXbH0r/s1600/DSC_0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGB8WXvCK32lGs3sbNKSBHorICT98eTFseIQmuuA7ATVykA2TJBa78mbNBOBlHMmoV4lCwMz5k2SZuD89lkbwseiZNGQNpAmYF76MLhRLeJYmsvnd_IljHqWRi7qjRE0KO8rw-RqfXbH0r/s640/DSC_0088.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are pleased with the results ( my husband actually wanted to start painting our basement cabinets  right away!)  But I am not sure if the results would be as good if we used a glossier paint finish.<br />The next cabinet I'm painting is this one...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5vSCTbc_z2TxgVYEoUmnqUm7JIPiiDRs11-DAOWTpAWSci0LJUpUQ2UA2MSffihAZodmwmZ0Y6qHIURjo38_9z0ILUaZoOK80hS93qswMPWTp9z4EYS2nVn3Y-vLpCJHQ2JXYCW16J_r/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5vSCTbc_z2TxgVYEoUmnqUm7JIPiiDRs11-DAOWTpAWSci0LJUpUQ2UA2MSffihAZodmwmZ0Y6qHIURjo38_9z0ILUaZoOK80hS93qswMPWTp9z4EYS2nVn3Y-vLpCJHQ2JXYCW16J_r/s640/DSC_0009.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow maple has got to go</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">... before we paint MORE cabinets.<br /><br />I'm painting it black, so I may have to get my primer  tinted grey and see.<br />Anyway, I'll let you know how I do, once I get to it. :-)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: x-large;"><strong><em>Have a Great Weekend & Happy Painting!!!!</em></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"> Linking back to these fabulous parties...</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/05/fabulously-creative-friday-linky-party_16.html">Fabulously Creative Friday - Jennifer Rizzo</a></span></i></b><br /><b><i><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/05/feathered-nest-friday_16.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20blogspot/QoLtm%20(FRENCH%20COUNTRY%20COTTAGE)">Feathered Nest Friday - French Country Cottage</a></i></b><br /><b><a href="http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/2013/05/garden-party-cheesecake-and-simple.html?showComment=1368883105257#c8611071333838119731">Simple & Sweet Friday 63 - Rooted in Thyme</a></b><br /><a href="http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2013/05/show-tell-saturday-051813.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20BeDifferentactNormal%20(Be%20Different...Act%20Normal)">Show & Tell Saturday - Be different act normal</a><br /><a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2013/05/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no164.html">Nifty Thrify Tuesday 164- Coastal Charm</a><br /><a href="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/05/make-it-pretty-monday-week-50.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:">Make It Pretty monday 50 - The Dedicated house</a></div></div>

Lazy Cabinet Painting

CONFESSION: I am a lazy painter. I will only paint something if it entails maximum of 3 steps. Yes, you read it right, 3. Aside from sprayin...

5:11 AM

Thankful for friends and shopping

My Mother's day weekend began with a nice morning shopping trip with a girlfriend of mine, Luisa...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3Llwp_kRfnfWRmBaJUm6iUudSfo5KxRJHyurqndbDstFDLwdmtc3jiU6qNBWIBi_8S86LDt2Z76xFf8b9Z5_vEOjWFBDeevotIg91Giwa933bJMkzabNyyHsUpq54vNx24_DCHmNVbk_/s1600/IMG_0821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3Llwp_kRfnfWRmBaJUm6iUudSfo5KxRJHyurqndbDstFDLwdmtc3jiU6qNBWIBi_8S86LDt2Z76xFf8b9Z5_vEOjWFBDeevotIg91Giwa933bJMkzabNyyHsUpq54vNx24_DCHmNVbk_/s640/IMG_0821.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was how my morning began, gorgeous right?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />We headed off to  the small town of <a href="http://www.cobdenil.com/">Cobden, Illinois</a>(1,116 population).<br /><br />According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobden,_Illinois">WIKEPEDIA</a>,  "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">The village is named after </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_people" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="British people">British</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> politician and free-trade advocate </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Cobden" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Richard Cobden">Richard Cobden</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">, who visited the town in 1859.</span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobden,_Illinois#cite_note-1" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[1]</a></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> Cobden originated as a farming community (South Pass) known for its apples and peaches. The Illinois Central Railroad still runs through the center of downtown, but once was Cobden's focal point. Cobden's innovative and industrious growers developed packing crates and techniques that kept fruit fresh and undamaged on its freightways to eastern and northern markets. A packaging industry thrived here for decades, and local orchards still thrive. Cobden is host to an annual fall Peach Festival to this day. Today's Cobden is diverse with growers, vineyards, artists, musicians, and shopkeepers leading the old town into a rebirth. A significant number of formerly Mexican citizens, who came here to work the orchards, have become an integral part of the social fabric of the community."</span><br /><br />Our first stop was here...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirigPKuNavfMPGDdYu-MSZvmuqnz8iER5HwD4w1FJMB-5OPECossK8wvXlF4eIytsmbWHkDbfjpSpUb-91ssI13csJpChBbFr5KIjxQZZz_GyukxTY2PJzCLMALTczvtytosUfLuoGGIf1/s1600/IMG_0794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirigPKuNavfMPGDdYu-MSZvmuqnz8iER5HwD4w1FJMB-5OPECossK8wvXlF4eIytsmbWHkDbfjpSpUb-91ssI13csJpChBbFr5KIjxQZZz_GyukxTY2PJzCLMALTczvtytosUfLuoGGIf1/s640/IMG_0794.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />This store was filled to the brim and was in the middle of getting re-organized when we arrived since it was under 'new management'. Here are some of the things that caught my eye...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuV_5DTYw8dy3_hK7m8fSlPIeOZhHWIhRzUp63Aj5Vl4dUHeiAfRmdssN8rlt8GTDDPyCejwWxQa7R_7SawoS9GsukR-u0__d1LSxCi_sYMSLc5iQ7wg1RBf_wPcuCT5BlZDv1xT-jr3KA/s1600/IMG_0799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuV_5DTYw8dy3_hK7m8fSlPIeOZhHWIhRzUp63Aj5Vl4dUHeiAfRmdssN8rlt8GTDDPyCejwWxQa7R_7SawoS9GsukR-u0__d1LSxCi_sYMSLc5iQ7wg1RBf_wPcuCT5BlZDv1xT-jr3KA/s400/IMG_0799.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous Framed Fabric art my friend was eyeing</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWN5dqzpAethWICvFDxcQ52rmSczC_aMuNvy5OYHxMg7gcMpeDJTOgxE8l6d_Butg3zMGApSxt1S4UWBwVgHq8q3uauNu0cy0YvDdQKp3lI2E0JARh4umqwviktRPqbV_8D3nLWQKAM_BZ/s1600/IMG_0800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWN5dqzpAethWICvFDxcQ52rmSczC_aMuNvy5OYHxMg7gcMpeDJTOgxE8l6d_Butg3zMGApSxt1S4UWBwVgHq8q3uauNu0cy0YvDdQKp3lI2E0JARh4umqwviktRPqbV_8D3nLWQKAM_BZ/s400/IMG_0800.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brass apples galore!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEDZz1c-gGoaF0Y7Zjtd6Eb1jF-TjqNfNiOXo73ClZyBYAahjR0xCtq3HDx-BYzmjRKuhp8wq4WpwOaWwxHGLjxFaiaBjwmhYW3QyFqKgZ9C3dgLl5XEgvuemMgFNSYNfNcbQGV0IJ6uA/s1600/IMG_0795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEDZz1c-gGoaF0Y7Zjtd6Eb1jF-TjqNfNiOXo73ClZyBYAahjR0xCtq3HDx-BYzmjRKuhp8wq4WpwOaWwxHGLjxFaiaBjwmhYW3QyFqKgZ9C3dgLl5XEgvuemMgFNSYNfNcbQGV0IJ6uA/s400/IMG_0795.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out this moroccan tray table...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6jJHwdgozsxhCXdw5VSifkqoAB0tsTcAHp8LDPAxEYHjz3OLMuRPguDW18uS-9jk8liqf4CVxjzMitS3VkpHxxI-2eR3_uACQ3OjAPRBNxYqybymIUb1ikJwxFYCODXPvnJxjlQWQSDq/s1600/IMG_0796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6jJHwdgozsxhCXdw5VSifkqoAB0tsTcAHp8LDPAxEYHjz3OLMuRPguDW18uS-9jk8liqf4CVxjzMitS3VkpHxxI-2eR3_uACQ3OjAPRBNxYqybymIUb1ikJwxFYCODXPvnJxjlQWQSDq/s400/IMG_0796.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posted about this on IG since I don't know if I should buy or not.<br />I think I will.. ;-)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll show you what I actually bought later. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After this store, we had lunch at a very nice coffee shop called <a href="http://www.yellowmooncafe.com/">"Yellow Moon Cafe"</a>. And true to local bragging, their coffee was superb! My tuna melt was also very delish!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We then went to a local Art & Antique store...</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2fHM2hfTgOvuRjAuIJG3yOrq0pmaTxsq6daer3Pzq9lNBadw9npKH6pkNktg5-VJBnwCcfd6HCeLA4Y4t_xlXRS9rzPX2aOOLZMZ-KPugWeovmLMHe6e17Q0-9Bq8kJ4zW0UpC2JLhep/s1600/IMG_0819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2fHM2hfTgOvuRjAuIJG3yOrq0pmaTxsq6daer3Pzq9lNBadw9npKH6pkNktg5-VJBnwCcfd6HCeLA4Y4t_xlXRS9rzPX2aOOLZMZ-KPugWeovmLMHe6e17Q0-9Bq8kJ4zW0UpC2JLhep/s400/IMG_0819.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.anthillgallery.com/">The Anthill Gallery & Village Curiosities</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fvNTg3tl25dJ0t6heXwz9o3wneBkUVlKK-NJFFqR0rbXFWgAh0AUG8iKm1YHv47ahuIk3ff-de9yCaeM7RbSNAMWVZWt9jnpJYinhq4d0RW5NQEa_Lf58tKSWkHFPLTHfsGJSXwl5kJ7/s1600/IMG_0814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fvNTg3tl25dJ0t6heXwz9o3wneBkUVlKK-NJFFqR0rbXFWgAh0AUG8iKm1YHv47ahuIk3ff-de9yCaeM7RbSNAMWVZWt9jnpJYinhq4d0RW5NQEa_Lf58tKSWkHFPLTHfsGJSXwl5kJ7/s400/IMG_0814.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many things to see.. and buy!</td></tr></tbody></table>It's a beautiful small store with an art gallery on the back where local southern Illinois artists sell and show off their work. Here's some of the things I saw...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7bP9LtQp0XvwsYGz9uUqBpvcgK6d9ag-1di9d4wQ-UtKf8zjZH-Q8l0jCQhZODRpkt7PPayJ6SoX0nAW9tn1IVefGMxvL5hgMZPx-rqdK2z8Q8Z-9sQpIrBbvoaJZtCeOxPCnJW5-X66/s1600/IMG_0802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7bP9LtQp0XvwsYGz9uUqBpvcgK6d9ag-1di9d4wQ-UtKf8zjZH-Q8l0jCQhZODRpkt7PPayJ6SoX0nAW9tn1IVefGMxvL5hgMZPx-rqdK2z8Q8Z-9sQpIrBbvoaJZtCeOxPCnJW5-X66/s400/IMG_0802.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Journals from old book covers - bought one for my son</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmelheUHHGnieTzk2qVAijreGyfd4jeHJqBrFOpNWuRu6_PgxTPVjPCIuueYKxgX_hJuTussXdhI29SCgToBszpOcbZMN6I9XB9EAEYDd8-dR_c3BrUdUwbnwLaANWeOWhmTxTV9tcTvbH/s1600/IMG_0805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmelheUHHGnieTzk2qVAijreGyfd4jeHJqBrFOpNWuRu6_PgxTPVjPCIuueYKxgX_hJuTussXdhI29SCgToBszpOcbZMN6I9XB9EAEYDd8-dR_c3BrUdUwbnwLaANWeOWhmTxTV9tcTvbH/s400/IMG_0805.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural wood chopping blocks</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp61tmlGz1epSymjUPh14MSBhzPhs1iEO5zOVbhyphenhyphenhQF9qhmoaPvqdUyTNKGl63Tv3Z3pNTVatSNR_jcj4_lM_CMd0QCcJjkZ4IKPkPOGwiGNMqXRFGhTKY64gQ-aU988KzQXzGvZwwAQHd/s1600/IMG_0806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp61tmlGz1epSymjUPh14MSBhzPhs1iEO5zOVbhyphenhyphenhQF9qhmoaPvqdUyTNKGl63Tv3Z3pNTVatSNR_jcj4_lM_CMd0QCcJjkZ4IKPkPOGwiGNMqXRFGhTKY64gQ-aU988KzQXzGvZwwAQHd/s400/IMG_0806.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird art</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKY2wbrCUQarofFLFAVK-vxj2K9Qtkhll5F-ZPAXs0TsNR1-3Ns1gKs94XJ5rYsTGIc1rQMsVfSm8iHRcVr6XnbniATY31eTn3IrR5RhQTw5S1uocnonYPAgy2oaoSwSJbna0w81ULPsJ1/s1600/IMG_0808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKY2wbrCUQarofFLFAVK-vxj2K9Qtkhll5F-ZPAXs0TsNR1-3Ns1gKs94XJ5rYsTGIc1rQMsVfSm8iHRcVr6XnbniATY31eTn3IrR5RhQTw5S1uocnonYPAgy2oaoSwSJbna0w81ULPsJ1/s400/IMG_0808.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sculptures</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMn7l1Tt726h2FGLcLTIh_yir0L0SOF5tmppdJqig5GmT-lREDZ_JIzLTyeMxcweIiM_tO-uKhw5g2SlhqnpCWtXEpZ8RbM5BhwqkZXdBJ9lXB0KeExMYKihyphenhyphenIX00ul8Hp9oj2s0HTyilK/s1600/IMG_0811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMn7l1Tt726h2FGLcLTIh_yir0L0SOF5tmppdJqig5GmT-lREDZ_JIzLTyeMxcweIiM_tO-uKhw5g2SlhqnpCWtXEpZ8RbM5BhwqkZXdBJ9lXB0KeExMYKihyphenhyphenIX00ul8Hp9oj2s0HTyilK/s400/IMG_0811.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metal art</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGIqk9lgn8WLXEHIaFioPXgBOoA8l57RnCvD1O7xiEoz5ee5Irqb2DORzmJQVEjSlmGy4Edi4nw9XsQeJJozW_38iZPM8ai1QJpPfVaIvUHUn_uXvoIcsLV4-__WaB0C_iiaEiCN3UoT1/s1600/IMG_0812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGIqk9lgn8WLXEHIaFioPXgBOoA8l57RnCvD1O7xiEoz5ee5Irqb2DORzmJQVEjSlmGy4Edi4nw9XsQeJJozW_38iZPM8ai1QJpPfVaIvUHUn_uXvoIcsLV4-__WaB0C_iiaEiCN3UoT1/s400/IMG_0812.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous Oil Painting</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhwEURaPltqs3DejQ5fgCesFPhl7YfDEKfT2zGsTWAKCkw4s4-bFP-_Ps0v4Cpi18e5U0D2baGXxIdw4iC3FPfDSDTDbny5TBmcz1rs7I9Ynz8deoD1tjaRT7xU7fO-eHDuxZZa_wZEY6/s1600/IMG_0813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhwEURaPltqs3DejQ5fgCesFPhl7YfDEKfT2zGsTWAKCkw4s4-bFP-_Ps0v4Cpi18e5U0D2baGXxIdw4iC3FPfDSDTDbny5TBmcz1rs7I9Ynz8deoD1tjaRT7xU7fO-eHDuxZZa_wZEY6/s400/IMG_0813.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antique dolls</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzN6iXezBMEC3BaTXht2NVgzDavEEKpo_0yWnYVMKvtgLh_-aYlZsLnHOWx9WJvNruWO2pVW_XY4vv03EJ43jHP75eyv6FOqWgAkGCI6kXQ_G9um6yIgPAv5txzP1HxCxxammF9gLcSyS/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzN6iXezBMEC3BaTXht2NVgzDavEEKpo_0yWnYVMKvtgLh_-aYlZsLnHOWx9WJvNruWO2pVW_XY4vv03EJ43jHP75eyv6FOqWgAkGCI6kXQ_G9um6yIgPAv5txzP1HxCxxammF9gLcSyS/s400/IMG_0815.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crystals & Antique glassware</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgacMyg3kKGXMM1WcibF00FmnnUk1bNxcenjTQ0IBOA5HsUGjueJFUIflG4ExRL2X6XLe2rsdgXUkxmaqEx-uHu2J36X1ixAFgl83r-hDzvjK0zoobcqa-xPwf6rh7ANT4DbP7PEnGGpa/s1600/IMG_0816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgacMyg3kKGXMM1WcibF00FmnnUk1bNxcenjTQ0IBOA5HsUGjueJFUIflG4ExRL2X6XLe2rsdgXUkxmaqEx-uHu2J36X1ixAFgl83r-hDzvjK0zoobcqa-xPwf6rh7ANT4DbP7PEnGGpa/s400/IMG_0816.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small paintings</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwc8Cf74UfQ96ycaUswWfHhMQSb7CiTRs7TuR6foZNKPcMKxoDnq2TVInonREaXQ4OS6x1fxc3ek1rkIT4aNvTSvIAD-ef9gXvoQpc3AJXJMNqg9KdlaFey5vJxLVRWOO2S26pimVgoPIX/s1600/IMG_0817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwc8Cf74UfQ96ycaUswWfHhMQSb7CiTRs7TuR6foZNKPcMKxoDnq2TVInonREaXQ4OS6x1fxc3ek1rkIT4aNvTSvIAD-ef9gXvoQpc3AJXJMNqg9KdlaFey5vJxLVRWOO2S26pimVgoPIX/s400/IMG_0817.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful watercolor painting</td></tr></tbody></table>And here was my stash...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CRpT1TJUZOzbosaIQlUvxsVY1Wtu787ES8tGmvXMM10g3FN9zvPV_STE2jlycL2OwajQtrCSZcr2hY-6YlIA47cTRXMy_QKLgNLuy3NshKgy4uBS5JtJyZamdR0dkkeTpwDzJxQM0AtP/s1600/DSC_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CRpT1TJUZOzbosaIQlUvxsVY1Wtu787ES8tGmvXMM10g3FN9zvPV_STE2jlycL2OwajQtrCSZcr2hY-6YlIA47cTRXMy_QKLgNLuy3NshKgy4uBS5JtJyZamdR0dkkeTpwDzJxQM0AtP/s640/DSC_0089.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous Vintage Sarah Coventry Charm Bracelet-$15</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNki5AFzoovlS5goEIU_8Ew7xjwRCwYrc6JAtcRlhF-1Shs8-FykeSjCPNSvag43P_XAP2aJoUBWifweFvF9zmNS3R0t4M4dCZnhLoDet6mrZ3at0lO0rUHlFIW87X8HHtjox3_jYIKETC/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNki5AFzoovlS5goEIU_8Ew7xjwRCwYrc6JAtcRlhF-1Shs8-FykeSjCPNSvag43P_XAP2aJoUBWifweFvF9zmNS3R0t4M4dCZnhLoDet6mrZ3at0lO0rUHlFIW87X8HHtjox3_jYIKETC/s400/DSC_0079.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage wool hat -$10</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR4QqDGQ7yf9Hg2wy8ZCwa4rM5PLJGFx-rqllR5ccBtmzRIdRgNiaTwlXSyJLjjkaq9NRoBYzsrzhPu5_8u-f-dcWWDuJggrZV9_iZAtVJ5_5K_LF2qFQ2N-v7AlHEXTbaUxKc1tbK4AO/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR4QqDGQ7yf9Hg2wy8ZCwa4rM5PLJGFx-rqllR5ccBtmzRIdRgNiaTwlXSyJLjjkaq9NRoBYzsrzhPu5_8u-f-dcWWDuJggrZV9_iZAtVJ5_5K_LF2qFQ2N-v7AlHEXTbaUxKc1tbK4AO/s400/DSC_0081.JPG" width="287" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Match Box Container - $3</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xGdY-47HE0AkhVaJWMYc7X3wUkvp0o_-yq8wssf0Y2ODwWveKTYsFt9CW8XH57x_VU20LoUMcBUtNhVmzf6NrUgA3hRvK69FXwK1EC1dwq8ilhdY6BTygpT9wlWC2Z-reHuP9PFYg4kV/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xGdY-47HE0AkhVaJWMYc7X3wUkvp0o_-yq8wssf0Y2ODwWveKTYsFt9CW8XH57x_VU20LoUMcBUtNhVmzf6NrUgA3hRvK69FXwK1EC1dwq8ilhdY6BTygpT9wlWC2Z-reHuP9PFYg4kV/s640/DSC_0082.JPG" width="440" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Favorite find - $15 Paint by Number painting I'd love to hang in my clinic -$5</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuQFwnjZO3GgTXQjVpLwAbfBShhz2FMXjrtYhgS0-eygetGc0rwjIPqAN4s4LOD0fDuS9RJxcB6W2qbjEnV7HACUB-j3OTzj2TQEnlnt8idGDg5wEzP4uyn7kiWkVGXovCtyhEwz9A5XL/s1600/DSC_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuQFwnjZO3GgTXQjVpLwAbfBShhz2FMXjrtYhgS0-eygetGc0rwjIPqAN4s4LOD0fDuS9RJxcB6W2qbjEnV7HACUB-j3OTzj2TQEnlnt8idGDg5wEzP4uyn7kiWkVGXovCtyhEwz9A5XL/s400/DSC_0084.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 brass apples -$3-5</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0C5gsJk08jaf_FFQyFLOAtvG3T6Abf-hhziWbfv3RJ3UgLXYc7RZhOkpK9B_EysQTYUWkYakuA71caq16RJ8_XXEKzUf0VFs5BjiinaZx9AOSkBMKR33IGJlPw0aW-7WPjmzb3G5ePLDA/s1600/DSC_0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0C5gsJk08jaf_FFQyFLOAtvG3T6Abf-hhziWbfv3RJ3UgLXYc7RZhOkpK9B_EysQTYUWkYakuA71caq16RJ8_XXEKzUf0VFs5BjiinaZx9AOSkBMKR33IGJlPw0aW-7WPjmzb3G5ePLDA/s400/DSC_0087.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous Nightie - I think I'm gonna feel like Betty Draper with this one ;-)-$15</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMajs2zbUIk_5HoQDL3ghEHZ41t6vql7vNxl79Ecux91y4yR2E6sxJd5s6U8X9Xz-wtypLVnWWRUt7A8wJ_ICQXhGBmHYrlNjWhgPJuavWuJKShhy2-ODR0yZBDbuWpFvyJbCcbXkQNmZ0/s1600/DSC_0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMajs2zbUIk_5HoQDL3ghEHZ41t6vql7vNxl79Ecux91y4yR2E6sxJd5s6U8X9Xz-wtypLVnWWRUt7A8wJ_ICQXhGBmHYrlNjWhgPJuavWuJKShhy2-ODR0yZBDbuWpFvyJbCcbXkQNmZ0/s400/DSC_0083.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage wooden Candy dispenser filled with marbles-$15</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">But the most wonderful part about this trip, was not the shopping at all. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was the time spent with this lady..</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrl3Jss6bkSuswf5io3oAYf3FHccSwaEqAfV4XMQtWAm42e8TsGmK121ey0R7-kdf7S5jRd_b2MpeiAUyDiI4bu7g3wFisVDAmBYQGJYM_4QdQcZbZbAaapnbowv2qexhlUXz2p-z0kCR/s1600/IMG_0820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrl3Jss6bkSuswf5io3oAYf3FHccSwaEqAfV4XMQtWAm42e8TsGmK121ey0R7-kdf7S5jRd_b2MpeiAUyDiI4bu7g3wFisVDAmBYQGJYM_4QdQcZbZbAaapnbowv2qexhlUXz2p-z0kCR/s320/IMG_0820.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">She's a friend I met ever since we moved to this part of the country and I treasure her company and friendship. I am glad to spend time with her!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">She even got me these......</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJ2oEpxXSt08Xq67ifLLoC0GRVQkmED6WFkYmEPjHPMPHfF1FP_5iV_d7mkd_YM0sJLf6bCIeHcWW_oeUeilkBK0ceZQDf8_GKwo17PnQNRC5oGkq-S5zv_iOP40pwA_OLxCQJd70pQBS/s1600/DSC_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJ2oEpxXSt08Xq67ifLLoC0GRVQkmED6WFkYmEPjHPMPHfF1FP_5iV_d7mkd_YM0sJLf6bCIeHcWW_oeUeilkBK0ceZQDf8_GKwo17PnQNRC5oGkq-S5zv_iOP40pwA_OLxCQJd70pQBS/s400/DSC_0072.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">..Given to me weeks ago since she knew how much I love milk glass! </div><div style="text-align: center;">And I love these all the more than my other pieces because it was given by my friend to me!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am thankful for this fun day but even more thankful for my wonderful friend!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">Have a Nice day!!!</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would love to hear your thoughts! Please share away...<br /><br /><br /><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong>Linking back to these wonderful parties...</strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em><br /><a href="http://thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.com/2013/05/share-it-link-party-62.html"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Share It link Party 62 - The Winthop Chronicles</b></span></em></a><br /><a href="http://www.adventuresofadiymom.com/2013/05/terrific-tuesdays-63.html"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Terrific Tuesdays 63 - Adventures of a DIY Mom</b></span></em></a><br /><a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/05/164th-inspire-me-tuesday.html"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>164th Inspire me Tuesday - A stroll thru life</b></span></em></a><br /><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-134/"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Tuesday Treasures 134- My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</b></span></em></a><br /><a href="http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/2013/05/tuesdays-at-our-home-10.html"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Tuesdays at our home 10 - Our home away from home</b></span></em></a><br /><em><a href="http://www.jaqsstudio.com/2013/05/made-by-me-80-linky-party-and-features.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Made by Me Linky Party 80 - Jaqs Studio</b></span></a></em><br /><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b><br /></b></span></em><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b><a href="http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2013/05/wow-me-wednesday-103.html">Wow Me Wednesday 103 - Gingersnap Crafts</a></b></span></em><br /><b><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/05/wow-us-wednesdays-118.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20SavvySouthernStyle%20(Savvy%20Southern%20Style)"> </a></span></em><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/05/wow-us-wednesdays-118.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20SavvySouthernStyle%20(Savvy%20Southern%20Style)">Wow us Wednesdays 118 - Savvy Southern Style</a></span></em></b><br /><b><em><a href="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/05/make-it-pretty-monday-week-49.html">Make it Pretty Monday - The Dedicated House</a></em></b><br /><b><br /></b><b><i><a href="http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2013/05/transformation-thursday-no-204.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20theshabbychiccottage/QsxK%20(The%20Shabby%20Creek%20Cottage)">Transformation Thursday - The Shabby Creek Cottage</a></i></b><br /><b><i><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/05/fabulously-creative-friday-linky-party_16.html">Faulously Creative Party - Jennifer Rizzo</a></i></b><br /><b><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/05/feathered-nest-friday_16.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20blogspot/QoLtm%20(FRENCH%20COUNTRY%20COTTAGE)">Feathered Nest Friday - French Country Cottage</a></b><br /><a href="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/05/anything-blue-friday-week-9.html">Anything blue Friday - The Dedicated House</a></div>

Thankful for friends and shopping

My Mother's day weekend began with a nice morning shopping trip with a girlfriend of mine, Luisa... This was how my morning began, gorge...

6:50 AM

Where oh where to put the cooktop?

<div style="text-align: center;">Hope your Mother's Day was super special for and your families!<br />Anyway, on my continuing "Kitchen Renovation Saga', let's talk about positioning our cooktop.</div><br />As you can see in our current kitchen the cooktop is on the island...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xTkI989EUGJ9YZCAH4SvG1R3VVEna8tfu0Ng6vg5_ZzKmtWHfoUYGJMBuBOnHttPZJ9zGqp3o0zulmznGzi5rjyn51Dkkv4F6T5TV14iKRn4t_NbaBu_-QM06wJlGNd4j3xWaRu866pv/s1600/DSC_0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xTkI989EUGJ9YZCAH4SvG1R3VVEna8tfu0Ng6vg5_ZzKmtWHfoUYGJMBuBOnHttPZJ9zGqp3o0zulmznGzi5rjyn51Dkkv4F6T5TV14iKRn4t_NbaBu_-QM06wJlGNd4j3xWaRu866pv/s400/DSC_0117.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My husband suggested moving the island on the opposite wall behind like this...</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iBuUK4UrKlnN2XS6StzwEwNPu-ipCKSTXz1tsRyEVZZBlDw3HJdGT0sbuwr5uQfGKD5Plra1ZlV_onyyrs5M6RxNpyrXAzK7bFqwLeqPFhFdk8ZTvAFxkepDQptbjALRxVH9NeXVeJ-W/s1600/k4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iBuUK4UrKlnN2XS6StzwEwNPu-ipCKSTXz1tsRyEVZZBlDw3HJdGT0sbuwr5uQfGKD5Plra1ZlV_onyyrs5M6RxNpyrXAzK7bFqwLeqPFhFdk8ZTvAFxkepDQptbjALRxVH9NeXVeJ-W/s640/k4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks pretty nice!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIurWuMq_idDzLNH6HnGPYFULocYw4bi0HmKsZ3yFzKskmTCorjdY4JGVMtFXeuU3dfapIh3m0Cux9Fqyaxf5XCCVOz0VcQ9jlungrJkqeW45uvAmebvCcbiWteSvozWl8PtWPC_LouIoI/s1600/k3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIurWuMq_idDzLNH6HnGPYFULocYw4bi0HmKsZ3yFzKskmTCorjdY4JGVMtFXeuU3dfapIh3m0Cux9Fqyaxf5XCCVOz0VcQ9jlungrJkqeW45uvAmebvCcbiWteSvozWl8PtWPC_LouIoI/s640/k3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This looks nice right?!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And initially I thought it good too. </div><div style="text-align: center;">However, being the cook in the family, I wanted to mingle and watch things as I cook. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Also, I did not want to face a wall as I cook - that's just me.  </div><div style="text-align: center;">So we went back to the original lay-out....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisl9j9qfXptTxqt1KG8nr6sCVMKmRSX9YURUJmtGH66Ixr5QS3cbZ3qlHOWFyeDDIMm_jedqkgGkNMO922EbHHmRzMtNdQvy9xUlgm3y1kMdPV0NeytLHK1odFbtSmrVMmmQUPcPDIp_7u/s1600/K1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisl9j9qfXptTxqt1KG8nr6sCVMKmRSX9YURUJmtGH66Ixr5QS3cbZ3qlHOWFyeDDIMm_jedqkgGkNMO922EbHHmRzMtNdQvy9xUlgm3y1kMdPV0NeytLHK1odFbtSmrVMmmQUPcPDIp_7u/s640/K1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2BiD7Q5eqDf1ZNTZBf0v0hz0DduT_h2b8ByaYhhXrg-w05jCrS7kRCHb8oFmCnzkiGzLKcjeU6knoieZrv_eDjt00njI_MITpJUksdoRW8KMT885kFbZ3eE7pJQCGxwW6IikW-Q7B2vC/s1600/k1+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2BiD7Q5eqDf1ZNTZBf0v0hz0DduT_h2b8ByaYhhXrg-w05jCrS7kRCHb8oFmCnzkiGzLKcjeU6knoieZrv_eDjt00njI_MITpJUksdoRW8KMT885kFbZ3eE7pJQCGxwW6IikW-Q7B2vC/s400/k1+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Cook-top stays on the island</i></b>. The big change of course other than a new island, would also be the overhead vent instead of a drop-down one. That way, I can watch movies or videos as I cook and also see what my son's browsing at on the computer (remember this cooktop will be facing the kitchen office)!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The big disadvantage though of having your cooktop on the island? Having splatters or spills going towards whoever's unfortunate enough to sit there!<br />But, there is a solution, and you'll see it once I show the final Kitchen Island design.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">How about you? Are you happy at where you cook now?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Would love to hear your thoughts! Please share away...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">Have a Wonderful Mother's Day!</span></i></b></div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><em><strong>Linking back to these fabulous parties...</strong></em></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2013/05/amaze-me-monday-6.html#comment-form"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Amaze Me Monday #6 - Dwellings, the heart of the home</span></i></b></a><br /><a href="http://thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.com/2013/05/share-it-link-party-62.html"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Share it Link Party 62 - The Winthrop Chronicles</span></i></b></a><br /><a href="http://www.adventuresofadiymom.com/2013/05/terrific-tuesdays-63.html"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Terrific Tuesdays 63 - Adventures of a DIY mom</span></i></b></a><br /><a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/05/164th-inspire-me-tuesday.html"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">164th Inspire me Tuesday - A Stroll Thru life</span></i></b></a><br /><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-134/"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Tuesdays Treasures 134 - My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</span></i></b></a><br /><a href="http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/2013/05/tuesdays-at-our-home-10.html"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Tuesdays at our home 10 - Our home away from home</span></i></b></a><br /><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></i></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><a href="http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2013/05/wow-me-wednesday-103.html">Wow Me Wednesday 103 - Gingersnap Crafts</a></span></i></b><br /><b><a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/05/wow-us-wednesdays-118.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20SavvySouthernStyle%20(Savvy%20Southern%20Style)"><i>Wow Us Wednesdays 118 - Savvy Southern Style</i></a></b><br /><b><i><a href="http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2013/05/transformation-thursday-no-204.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20theshabbychiccottage/QsxK%20(The%20Shabby%20Creek%20Cottage)">Transformation Thursday - The Shabby Creek Cottage</a></i></b><br /><b><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/05/fabulously-creative-friday-linky-party_16.html">Fabulously Creative Friday - Jennifer Rizzo</a></b><br /></div>

Where oh where to put the cooktop?

Hope your Mother's Day was super special for and your families! Anyway, on my continuing "Kitchen Renovation Saga', let's t...

6:41 PM

Paper Place mats

I swear, the simplest DIY ever !<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYM86YnS_2xT3UepxmUlB0wwMOEJtZgvQMmVipD80y6EALhRgWgRPtRlK23KBeKl7ifFNRqlBpB1vuAKxVm4fFqDaoo0UUppKmcBI99Wzv_rITNBY8ZmTERkIA264c-9fCCT9Q-hknrco/s1600/DSC_0048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYM86YnS_2xT3UepxmUlB0wwMOEJtZgvQMmVipD80y6EALhRgWgRPtRlK23KBeKl7ifFNRqlBpB1vuAKxVm4fFqDaoo0UUppKmcBI99Wzv_rITNBY8ZmTERkIA264c-9fCCT9Q-hknrco/s640/DSC_0048.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got this from Horchow a year ago on clearance for $12 for 50 sheets!</td></tr></tbody></table>I used the cardboard backing from this to measure my placemats. I just traced,  then cut! You can also use those plastic/laminate placemats to size your paper placemats.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Z5EK9l9sOGFDi24Yg67CxWavoPnYTbPnp3fkzLOgpnL144eiz0Lcgd2zLVSKLXru-67tNBaLOmGTFwexEvm1CA8M_5RcC0eHNC5pkYr145PnlYBRgrmv8799xNc_al1gFmPDqkaDY5z7/s1600/DSC_0047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Z5EK9l9sOGFDi24Yg67CxWavoPnYTbPnp3fkzLOgpnL144eiz0Lcgd2zLVSKLXru-67tNBaLOmGTFwexEvm1CA8M_5RcC0eHNC5pkYr145PnlYBRgrmv8799xNc_al1gFmPDqkaDY5z7/s640/DSC_0047.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TADA!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />And here it is now..<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEBYOeHXukHN6NcLcdPsXD6D5EYVsbuv50qdsLcBGEWEfpRWulDOs3f3ByMMteFn_qlSIFB89Hcq-4Lz6gAVcmiudRz9C1foca7t0tkj1SqjH6cFZAShlRHWQzHNgtBKS4e7Z3w7WQnnE/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEBYOeHXukHN6NcLcdPsXD6D5EYVsbuv50qdsLcBGEWEfpRWulDOs3f3ByMMteFn_qlSIFB89Hcq-4Lz6gAVcmiudRz9C1foca7t0tkj1SqjH6cFZAShlRHWQzHNgtBKS4e7Z3w7WQnnE/s640/DSC_0052.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMzGslM8HWMFSRA9kHyol334LUq59xroH6Y0uz3bE2EnPnIa2sgpR6T-VtnLh-Qr2yefkaV6E_fEgChMQZ5ycFmvbGhyVKNTUD8LXAnTWdt68mRLE7-iJrSCmjRbvIf8UBrBRGw23QJWL/s1600/DSC_0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMzGslM8HWMFSRA9kHyol334LUq59xroH6Y0uz3bE2EnPnIa2sgpR6T-VtnLh-Qr2yefkaV6E_fEgChMQZ5ycFmvbGhyVKNTUD8LXAnTWdt68mRLE7-iJrSCmjRbvIf8UBrBRGw23QJWL/s640/DSC_0021.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valentines</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Easy to make and easier to dispose... actually hard for me to dispose since they look so pretty!<br />Very useful for quick lunch or dinner set-ups especially if you have kids around.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: x-large;">Hope you have a Wonderful day!</span></i><br /><em><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: x-large;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: x-large;">Linking Back to...</span></em><br /><em><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: x-large;"></span></em><br /><a href="http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2013/05/amaze-me-monday-5.html">Amaze Me Monday 5 - Dwellings the Heart of your home</a><br /><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-133/">Tuesday Treasures 133 - My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a><br /><a href="http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2013/05/transformation-thursday-no-203.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20theshabbychiccottage/QsxK%20(The%20Shabby%20Creek%20Cottage)">Transformation Thursday 203 - The Shabby Creek Cottage</a><br /><a href="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/05/make-it-pretty-monday-week-49.html">Make it Pretty Monday 49 - The Dedicated House</a><br /><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/05/feathered-nest-friday_16.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20blogspot/QoLtm%20(FRENCH%20COUNTRY%20COTTAGE)">Feathered Nest Friday - French Country Cottage</a></div>

Paper Place mats

I swear, the simplest DIY ever ! Got this from Horchow a year ago on clearance for $12 for 50 sheets! I used the cardboard backing from this...

4:53 AM

Re-designing the Pantry Cabinet

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had a super hectic weekend and  week, in between school plays and my sons 1st communion, I had to squeeze in a 1st communion party for him and a friends daughter as well! Hew! Anyhow, I wanted to share with you what 's happening with my planned kitchen renovation. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>So let the designing process begin! Let's start with the Pantry Cabinet. This is what is looks like now...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInkraB0tV77RFmdWWRn63QGLwuFk6SXotv-dxybgMNQj731gyvQleYUlOAnlXqzwcI7G2zeUEbop7bfRhnCix9fKDw9h6nFMI4imIq3zE5ZwN024ttdRT7sfGSXV5fpxGsHfrbr2IAt_G/s1600/DSC_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInkraB0tV77RFmdWWRn63QGLwuFk6SXotv-dxybgMNQj731gyvQleYUlOAnlXqzwcI7G2zeUEbop7bfRhnCix9fKDw9h6nFMI4imIq3zE5ZwN024ttdRT7sfGSXV5fpxGsHfrbr2IAt_G/s640/DSC_0122.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver eye-sore :-(</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Here are my inspirations...</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXGBJvXRke7dQnC295AQfuoOw_cIdxhpyvfQFZGK7FPB_cVc_ZSnA5oqDD0LeSP2C0ipCYO4V0Oo_2Z6LHqMYOgvdtVIjUwx_7SKl3DDZnHQ6m7L7SD8F0i_ksUMTJBBjOeaaU_tZ3K2Z/s1600/1-kitchen-1008-xlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXGBJvXRke7dQnC295AQfuoOw_cIdxhpyvfQFZGK7FPB_cVc_ZSnA5oqDD0LeSP2C0ipCYO4V0Oo_2Z6LHqMYOgvdtVIjUwx_7SKl3DDZnHQ6m7L7SD8F0i_ksUMTJBBjOeaaU_tZ3K2Z/s640/1-kitchen-1008-xlg.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/kitchens/kitchen-year-1008#slide-1">House Beautiful's Kitchen of the Year in 2008 by Christopher Peacock</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I fell in love with the above picture in 2008 and have kept the clipping on my Craft room wall for a while now..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2ol9saHbyPunJNsjeJEgMy55iJ5GcNyW7fzsrwFMpY_pt46zMa6DXs3N3-Q8UrfwdRA4Lg36BsjL3VMsLUwvxizrXoQNGh-OTk2HwY-8gaA-rQc3qyhmQmxGBdqXfaPoOPspbhhm6MjE/s1600/DSC_0091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2ol9saHbyPunJNsjeJEgMy55iJ5GcNyW7fzsrwFMpY_pt46zMa6DXs3N3-Q8UrfwdRA4Lg36BsjL3VMsLUwvxizrXoQNGh-OTk2HwY-8gaA-rQc3qyhmQmxGBdqXfaPoOPspbhhm6MjE/s400/DSC_0091.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSgShzlmC8JU0yWOn02pQJqhjo3ETNtDcUlwWkiUw3gQSvAVFBLQBlMRgMsOT4S5oYZYfTrACnfqyPVEs7z0ZjmK4sqAI9lW0eTAsQLX2D6ArVN7b2VtgLphFeO6agjpW4BaE97eAZazi/s1600/bebd818a6149d2425fdbe12c6aedafd1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSgShzlmC8JU0yWOn02pQJqhjo3ETNtDcUlwWkiUw3gQSvAVFBLQBlMRgMsOT4S5oYZYfTrACnfqyPVEs7z0ZjmK4sqAI9lW0eTAsQLX2D6ArVN7b2VtgLphFeO6agjpW4BaE97eAZazi/s640/bebd818a6149d2425fdbe12c6aedafd1.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/13018286392420512/">Design by Christopher Peacock</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3AgLZzWBwDmA_U4Z_ftXujLaAuWljR92Gl5cCxL5HXeqT0AAO6s_3G43GFAsyRZILKtELO-NbDtuSKZns8DAJ7Y0ZaJrITS2zl8ULaka0Wwj4MoiYulRl6bY9OqztoFJqPhyphenhyphens6kqXqU4/s1600/b3eed0fa2e882d6cc8af8777e93d9d1e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3AgLZzWBwDmA_U4Z_ftXujLaAuWljR92Gl5cCxL5HXeqT0AAO6s_3G43GFAsyRZILKtELO-NbDtuSKZns8DAJ7Y0ZaJrITS2zl8ULaka0Wwj4MoiYulRl6bY9OqztoFJqPhyphenhyphens6kqXqU4/s640/b3eed0fa2e882d6cc8af8777e93d9d1e.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/259660734738539450/">Aren't these latches beautiful?!</a></td></tr></tbody></table>I also want this hardware to go with those icebox latches above....<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwecnEwrPcYihx3iJKXiz7UpGu0J_-4AljW5Gwlt0DBp9BHbsbhxCC2LZ-IBGIs_H6cBeqXkLYoBCp0Sj0s_vFbaXmBPIGiqOwEMl4Konrk1-IEJVqQa4rlPUCGMxEl1CRmzTI_6ApISs4/s1600/43aff1b490e6e5e1dfa062a20b6d1ff9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwecnEwrPcYihx3iJKXiz7UpGu0J_-4AljW5Gwlt0DBp9BHbsbhxCC2LZ-IBGIs_H6cBeqXkLYoBCp0Sj0s_vFbaXmBPIGiqOwEMl4Konrk1-IEJVqQa4rlPUCGMxEl1CRmzTI_6ApISs4/s400/43aff1b490e6e5e1dfa062a20b6d1ff9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/259660734738539507/">Cabinet jewelry for me</a></td></tr></tbody></table>And here is the initial design by Heather Lapham, the Design Coordinator for E.A. Knight Contractor based on my specifications...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbQRFdEHUx75vOUoAvRfl7mMT81UWKz5xXFOnzUIwViQ_rCN50t1g4bmC_PXTQ0_6TjpeZeb3jZCaF3uS-6k7bemwWhyphenhyphen0FGFmeC_OUmcd4WtLYQHOBlI4SkXdxlpUTttlMPzbQQtDTV29/s1600/pantry+o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbQRFdEHUx75vOUoAvRfl7mMT81UWKz5xXFOnzUIwViQ_rCN50t1g4bmC_PXTQ0_6TjpeZeb3jZCaF3uS-6k7bemwWhyphenhyphen0FGFmeC_OUmcd4WtLYQHOBlI4SkXdxlpUTttlMPzbQQtDTV29/s640/pantry+o.jpg" width="432" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Draft</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The white color was just a bit 'too much white' for me since the other cabinets on top and underneath my counter tops would be white already. I also wanted drawers at the bottom  because I noticed that in my pantry, I usually end up putting my 'neglected' pantry items on the bottom.  So with drawers, easier accesss means less 'stashing'!<br /><br /> I sent Heather copies of the latches I wanted to make sure it would fit the doors. And eventually, after 2 other drafts, here is what I'll be going for...<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qZRkKp3qROlk2kzDl_jzxvcOs8mUaQR_LcddntbuqYiZxdbCd5hdAsSZ1lEV-oP8UmT3RhJEyv6bKxEyF405IqPALF2x74T6CpK5r5Dh4ogAguxuQX21RJHrPgJ_jap2wnC3cYzJYK33/s1600/pantry+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qZRkKp3qROlk2kzDl_jzxvcOs8mUaQR_LcddntbuqYiZxdbCd5hdAsSZ1lEV-oP8UmT3RhJEyv6bKxEyF405IqPALF2x74T6CpK5r5Dh4ogAguxuQX21RJHrPgJ_jap2wnC3cYzJYK33/s640/pantry+1.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Just imagine it with the latches above and lighting inside the very top cabinets. I wanted it to look like a huge armoire, a piece of furtniture and not just a huge wall of cabinets. I will still need to choose the molding and the other details for the legs and edges, but I think you get the idea.<br /><br />Hew, one down, and a couple more to go. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">Hope you have a great week!!!!</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">Linking back to...</span></em></strong><br /><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2013/05/the-sunday-showcase-party-no-193.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20UnderTheTableAndDreaming%20(Under%20The%20Table%20and%20Dreaming)">Sunday Showcase Party 193 - By Stephanie Lynn</a><br /><a href="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/05/make-it-pretty-monday-week-48.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20TheDedicatedHouse%20(The%20Dedicated%20House)">Make it Pretty Monday week #48 - The Dedicated House</a><br /><br /><a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2013/05/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no162.html">Nifty Thrifty Tuesday 162 - Linda's Coastal Charm</a><br /><a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/05/163rd-inspire-me-tuesday.html">Inspire me Tuesday #163 - A Stroll thru life</a><br /><a href="http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/2013/05/tuesdays-at-our-home-9.html">Tuesdays at our home 9 - Our home away from home</a><br /><a href="http://www.adventuresofadiymom.com/2013/05/terrific-tuesdays-62.html">Terrific Tuesday 62 - Adventures of a DIY mom</a><br /><a href="http://thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.com/2013/05/share-it-link-party-61.html">Share It link Party 61 - The Winthrop chronicles</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2013/05/wow-me-wednesday-102-call-for-summer.html">Wow Me Wednesday - Gingersnap Crafts</a><br /><a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/05/wow-us-wednesdays-117.html">Wow Us Wednesday - Savvy Southern Style</a><br /><a href="http://www.jaqsstudio.com/2013/05/made-by-me-79-linky-party-and-features.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:">Made By me 79 - Jaqs Studio</a><br /><a href="http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/2013/05/create-share-features-too.html">Create & Share - The Trendy Tree House</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2013/05/amaze-me-monday-5.html">Amaze Me Monday 5 - Dwellings, the heart of your home</a><br /><a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-133/">Tuesdays Treasures 133- My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a><br /><a href="http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2013/05/transformation-thursday-no-203.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20theshabbychiccottage/QsxK%20(The%20Shabby%20Creek%20Cottage)">Transformation Thursday 203 - The Shabby Creek Cottage</a></div>

Re-designing the Pantry Cabinet

I had a super hectic weekend and week, in between school plays and my sons 1st communion, I had to squeeze in a 1st communion party for him...

8:55 AM