What a Kitchen Renovation looks like

<div style="text-align: center;">After all the planning and ordering for the kitchen, and packing it up and 'moving' it elsewhere all around the house, we finally began renovation last Wednesday, July 24.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For anyone who's done anything like this, <b>I SALUTE YOU</b>!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our Daily Life  as we knew it was transformed, literally and figuratively! Just take a look at what my house looks like now....</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/AVvXsEg2Xpj6pBFXkVd15pXUPVQ-_3j0cKJTBxc8lxJoCTiFDoWu3pRvMmgJ1MxOstfWY48YlI5CMYGyC-dQrHLx3OeADS17W9WqpAiZ1VBCGsnmB774ZEZPZQJK80jWHnY6SN1Oo2Qi2g1CZjqP/s1600/DSC_0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Xpj6pBFXkVd15pXUPVQ-_3j0cKJTBxc8lxJoCTiFDoWu3pRvMmgJ1MxOstfWY48YlI5CMYGyC-dQrHLx3OeADS17W9WqpAiZ1VBCGsnmB774ZEZPZQJK80jWHnY6SN1Oo2Qi2g1CZjqP/s400/DSC_0044.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Pantry in the Living room</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/AVvXsEgpI0bJWngswnE-eJDnD2jwKkhcukXQYeUVsy4LoRDrSI6fT7lhLRQZMJY4CkGRHEfW7TQSurwXKEOw5CoMPUB9isvrmML-V5s8glVUd1zjGOLjICYqBowm5pY_Rpzm0gnyVZY_YnUy_vw7/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpI0bJWngswnE-eJDnD2jwKkhcukXQYeUVsy4LoRDrSI6fT7lhLRQZMJY4CkGRHEfW7TQSurwXKEOw5CoMPUB9isvrmML-V5s8glVUd1zjGOLjICYqBowm5pY_Rpzm0gnyVZY_YnUy_vw7/s400/DSC_0045.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My other Kitchen Mess in the Dining room</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYC5JMuuvPXT7TuC_fANcdickQv7NP6ybrzGoXx8CLd-qPYLujJcmxmk7VSoKWX9-a9IBHefZqR7vR4oSAPSe-qbIAWPVj0AVfVgNvnRiQRb1urxbuEelmwD9A4OdG8I_iizgZVtxBu2F/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYC5JMuuvPXT7TuC_fANcdickQv7NP6ybrzGoXx8CLd-qPYLujJcmxmk7VSoKWX9-a9IBHefZqR7vR4oSAPSe-qbIAWPVj0AVfVgNvnRiQRb1urxbuEelmwD9A4OdG8I_iizgZVtxBu2F/s400/DSC_0047.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I tried organizing things well, but since <b>nobody knew ( That includes me)</b> <b>where everything was </b>or where things had to go back in to, it just became pure <b><i>CHAOS</i></b>! I've learned to live with this chaos because trying to 'fight' it was truly a futile effort! Hahahaha! The old adage of, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em", truly applies to how I try to fix our stuff right now! And I know you all can sympathize with me on that. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aside from our outdoor space and kitchen (the big bright spot in this whole fiasco which I will share later on), we have settled in the basement...</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/AVvXsEhd1cufdli8cHiw7iLbBZhEPZng8r-_Iv8c4cdV-bPSBuINlZKo_7dP7-ZqIYp3Mpq-HvVP95nQMeQEg_j3TMpCGA162m-4ubAsGsbk4KYq7w9tT8qCqB29pXWBwswJKAUUctil1eoQ_vNI/s1600/DSC_0037-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1cufdli8cHiw7iLbBZhEPZng8r-_Iv8c4cdV-bPSBuINlZKo_7dP7-ZqIYp3Mpq-HvVP95nQMeQEg_j3TMpCGA162m-4ubAsGsbk4KYq7w9tT8qCqB29pXWBwswJKAUUctil1eoQ_vNI/s400/DSC_0037-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicvZ0JoccMvDRnRuKESBB1w4ZykJ8wzPdZoHwg8Fvykt7vdGJE8KzGnIFyCeOoFo6V6wg9RBaH35IDqBhFfVHHulEocIb4cTKkMmoLFA9BhkNDnwv9Us9xEewxKjZa7r5c3eiBHn2VxUF/s1600/DSC_0040-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicvZ0JoccMvDRnRuKESBB1w4ZykJ8wzPdZoHwg8Fvykt7vdGJE8KzGnIFyCeOoFo6V6wg9RBaH35IDqBhFfVHHulEocIb4cTKkMmoLFA9BhkNDnwv9Us9xEewxKjZa7r5c3eiBHn2VxUF/s400/DSC_0040-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></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/AVvXsEhIm8p0M6DwnPmy9YaNxsEJPL8I3ADP0t6ACjCsAbh04mfIwAwPGwaPkbvRQDEWK0PM3KTrpYLQTAB5uF2jrP0HmUngSd1RkNBgkrEzJCyS3Wbm5FtsPfCvXsm3LaHcRCyhPe6W5vI9GoH0/s1600/DSC_0038-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIm8p0M6DwnPmy9YaNxsEJPL8I3ADP0t6ACjCsAbh04mfIwAwPGwaPkbvRQDEWK0PM3KTrpYLQTAB5uF2jrP0HmUngSd1RkNBgkrEzJCyS3Wbm5FtsPfCvXsm3LaHcRCyhPe6W5vI9GoH0/s400/DSC_0038-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DISPOSABLES - My 'bestfriends' at the moment!</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/AVvXsEimM0aMAQiof60-wR_RY8Ftf7QuJf3dhwx4l60x8xPUUxRFYlPAYALw7tkcsHfbo2Ng9wgHt47J3C_TV53Jj_feS3gyw3Tivu-T8UhDVKJrGapEq5GmkYM1Or6AO7PxHFep4S02COSm2PpE/s1600/DSC_0039-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimM0aMAQiof60-wR_RY8Ftf7QuJf3dhwx4l60x8xPUUxRFYlPAYALw7tkcsHfbo2Ng9wgHt47J3C_TV53Jj_feS3gyw3Tivu-T8UhDVKJrGapEq5GmkYM1Or6AO7PxHFep4S02COSm2PpE/s400/DSC_0039-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Lifesaver - the Little Cooker that could!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It truly works fine for now and we get to watch movies too as we finish up eating (Bear with me as I try to see the positives in our situation)! We're also adding a small exhaust here on the ceiling using the duct work on the vent from our old kitchen. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As for the Kitchen itself, here's what we had so far...</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/AVvXsEiCzBwJ6yd5Za2fdhwJg3JegKoPvJiFwHO31YSIkTMj_IWslmf_pdNRt8a7ZoC7topX03XEbLT8BWr2H4dkc7izk751ESoH4fL63ZZOWGmCpINe47cbHDPYKCB9ZAMryqctdNBuNHeK0RqK/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzBwJ6yd5Za2fdhwJg3JegKoPvJiFwHO31YSIkTMj_IWslmf_pdNRt8a7ZoC7topX03XEbLT8BWr2H4dkc7izk751ESoH4fL63ZZOWGmCpINe47cbHDPYKCB9ZAMryqctdNBuNHeK0RqK/s400/DSC_0011.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DAY 1 - removal of the appliances</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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/AVvXsEiqDNcgANuU7hHny8KGSKOo8UIxg9AiCxwGE3EvWh4hCZEnwMkEpBYc3ICSSJPN0l1IV2qOkKKESxkQlVKPPJ715hpHw2drG8ngfkANgQ1EGBTpw2sX4TxUGxNPirbpIlYzrM4sPjoJrwAv/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDNcgANuU7hHny8KGSKOo8UIxg9AiCxwGE3EvWh4hCZEnwMkEpBYc3ICSSJPN0l1IV2qOkKKESxkQlVKPPJ715hpHw2drG8ngfkANgQ1EGBTpw2sX4TxUGxNPirbpIlYzrM4sPjoJrwAv/s400/DSC_0016.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DAY 2 - Removal of the countertops and sink</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/AVvXsEjsFDLD9IkM1AG6ZoOfpeYuk7wFO-89zKdRC9teGRlSrhAgDgf66V2wS7DPvdpNKI8wl1_VjHS2iGxGy4WRzY-E5tF5uqmZdkhu-IdCwwMZVMDnRZDEOqBYZzUFPU6FY7PCfVsKBsoXrmDq/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFDLD9IkM1AG6ZoOfpeYuk7wFO-89zKdRC9teGRlSrhAgDgf66V2wS7DPvdpNKI8wl1_VjHS2iGxGy4WRzY-E5tF5uqmZdkhu-IdCwwMZVMDnRZDEOqBYZzUFPU6FY7PCfVsKBsoXrmDq/s400/DSC_0019.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DAY 3 Removal of the old cabinets itself & Some of the old floor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdimirxkVArWvUgU9c5TddZVfUD1-CWGlFfjuYQzhvB8ZQeR_gPr-hJK5EwTvzFu7SsWkWLAs7N3ylEGfJqykL5bBCM7anL3j88DBQkM25choicDHXB5F2lfxyBQNCIQiwXXUC2v9PYZpB/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdimirxkVArWvUgU9c5TddZVfUD1-CWGlFfjuYQzhvB8ZQeR_gPr-hJK5EwTvzFu7SsWkWLAs7N3ylEGfJqykL5bBCM7anL3j88DBQkM25choicDHXB5F2lfxyBQNCIQiwXXUC2v9PYZpB/s400/DSC_0020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On Day 4 the carpenters put some of the cabinets in place already to see the overall lay-out and I definitely was so excited for that part! I'll share that with you soon!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For now, I know you can understand why my posting has been sporadic, as things progress, things need to be decided upon and ordered. So far, except for some minor 'gliches', I think things are going smoothly. But PLEASE,<i> <b>continue to cross your fingers for us</b></i>!!!! ;-)</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: x-large;">Have  a Wonderful Day!</span></i></b><br /><b><i><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #7f6000;">Linking Back to...</span></i></b><br /><b><i><span style="color: #7f6000;"><br /></span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #7f6000;"><a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/2013/07/treasure-hunt-thursday-117-top-picks.html">From My front porch to yours</a></span></i></b><br /><b><i><a href="http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2013/07/transformation-thursday-no-215.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20theshabbychiccottage/QsxK%20(The%20Shabby%20Creek%20Cottage)">The Shabby Creek Cottage</a></i></b><br /><b><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/08/fabulously-creative-friday-linky-party.html">Jennifer Rizzo</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Would love to hear your thoughts! Please share away...

What a Kitchen Renovation looks like

After all the planning and ordering for the kitchen, and packing it up and 'moving' it elsewhere all around the house, we finally began renovation last Wednesday, July 24.For anyone who's done anything like this, I SALUTE YOU!!!Our Daily Life  as we knew it was transformed, literally and figurativel…

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Giddy about one little thing... Soft close door damper!

<div style="text-align: center;">As  my kitchen renovation progresses. I start to take notice of little things that I didn't even think of before. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Like this one -<em> <b>the loud banging noise when you shut cabinet doors!</b></em><b> </b>Don't you just hate that, aside from the protective cushions you can apply on the corner, I asked my carpenter, what else I could do to minimize this.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Of course, he told me about the soft-closing hinges (saw some at Home Depot about $9/hinge!), which I wasn't about to do since my cabinets are new and I don't want to replace all my new hinges just yet! </div><br />So, I went to <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Home Depot</span></b> and got this...<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/AVvXsEh0b19ZGXKZ_QKLct3rvMP3Hc4qzO71XwXriSW4IUX3Z4ZrSOQ2hc7lQfnpaN1udGqa5MPeygn5tbGHgYxY2w7-tOxoQ3XPgG9XyXQoUSY98G2s1Q75t-RzQEKdQFprYESSXciwxEQR3NfL/s1600/2c8b5d67-00b7-42d0-8575-c167d23df6c4_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0b19ZGXKZ_QKLct3rvMP3Hc4qzO71XwXriSW4IUX3Z4ZrSOQ2hc7lQfnpaN1udGqa5MPeygn5tbGHgYxY2w7-tOxoQ3XPgG9XyXQoUSY98G2s1Q75t-RzQEKdQFprYESSXciwxEQR3NfL/s320/2c8b5d67-00b7-42d0-8575-c167d23df6c4_300.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Liberty-LH-Cab-Door-Soft-Close-Damper-790104/203299689?keyword=670-358">Soft Close Damper</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Basically, here's how it works (The one in the video is not the one above, but it works similarly. I could not seem to upload the video for the damper above)...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nsH5OCR_EUM?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">At $4 a piece, this was exactly what I was looking for and I love it's simplicity (just 1 tiny screw to attach)  and of course, function!!!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so giddy about this tiny little thing and if you don't have one yet, a screwdriver is all you'll need to install it! Thank goodness for innovations! Hopefuly my ears will 'bang-free' for awhile, at lease in our new kitchen!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: x-large;">Have a Great day!</span></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would love to hear your thoughts! Please share away...<br /><br />Linking back to...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2013/07/amaze-me-monday-17.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:">Dwellings - the heart of your home</a></div>

Giddy about one little thing... Soft close door damper!

As  my kitchen renovation progresses. I start to take notice of little things that I didn't even think of before. Like this one - the loud banging noise when you shut cabinet doors! Don't you just hate that, aside from the protective cushions you can apply on the corner, I asked my carpenter, what e…

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Vermont Mountain Gazebo

<script language="JavaScript1.1" src="http://oascentral.blogher.org/RealMedia/ads/adstream_jx.ads/ECU/OID5214_PG_AlwaysInfinity_ECU_015/@x13?_RM_HTML_FRAMEWIDTH_=450"></script> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hokay Kampers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's return to my friend Connie's Vermont retreat.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm going to take a break from showing off the inside, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to reveal a little of the outside.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9h6jLnUCRdmJn1lKX6Dtkk9Uh3sFkUslMO-VZAM5x8TFCqy-l07R8NxwFQk0_Yx96yA_uJRfI1yeJ3TBhHO_9-o3R-jvDgcwDL2DdRjTou8bIU_K1S1OkejgzHiKIXvURJgy1Df0bHGTK/s1600/P1010015ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9h6jLnUCRdmJn1lKX6Dtkk9Uh3sFkUslMO-VZAM5x8TFCqy-l07R8NxwFQk0_Yx96yA_uJRfI1yeJ3TBhHO_9-o3R-jvDgcwDL2DdRjTou8bIU_K1S1OkejgzHiKIXvURJgy1Df0bHGTK/s640/P1010015ab.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the house are a couple of small ponds.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One has a little dock for fishing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdSNPIsI92fojjoYw10xFx4Qe29xUscfUCbAj7GIuuI6WMokTeKzJJLN2Kh2bs-WSliVkhf5uzLI-QcRuFJrRFMOFHZ_2Sd6S3tLYpnj5PAaQfgtfNJxA8_0qt9fVMHTMBD5PQsBK5CeJ/s1600/P1010014a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdSNPIsI92fojjoYw10xFx4Qe29xUscfUCbAj7GIuuI6WMokTeKzJJLN2Kh2bs-WSliVkhf5uzLI-QcRuFJrRFMOFHZ_2Sd6S3tLYpnj5PAaQfgtfNJxA8_0qt9fVMHTMBD5PQsBK5CeJ/s640/P1010014a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Connie's hubby, Chris, has it stocked every spring.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AND THEN THE BLUE HERON COMES.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the minks,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and all the other fish lovers....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and eat all the fish.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Poor Chris; guy can't catch a break.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a special present, years ago, Connie had me get my decorative artist to paint a portrait of Chris as a surprise.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We presented him as a gentleman farmer from the 18th century.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighJ48p39lSiXxjYedESUpRMroBFO6gx_SlBB7BH4P4qI3eTg3GtJr1WjUcK8MipYF4vEbMOH2L7bbn2IGaIS_7Oz-wj1dFStpN7JYCP2-uVeHnxFsf9qWOeZxze-c8EyvX9F59x8VdXEq/s1600/P1010044a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighJ48p39lSiXxjYedESUpRMroBFO6gx_SlBB7BH4P4qI3eTg3GtJr1WjUcK8MipYF4vEbMOH2L7bbn2IGaIS_7Oz-wj1dFStpN7JYCP2-uVeHnxFsf9qWOeZxze-c8EyvX9F59x8VdXEq/s640/P1010044a.JPG" width="460" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She wanted the artist to paint in Chris's nemesis.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you look closely, you can see the dead heron at his feet.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWfCUu9omCXKshtwSVLWloF4YQdkvlJ0Ku7obkmzkgVzB7BhYxUcA6cTfAZ6rUJNNZDMlmmAEtV9gfvhEzH_y4VQJwTpYZ5kk44DSMckIMoTF4eB6waF-AWIyxjO-ty6y8CSplk7nR1u4/s1600/P1010044ac.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWfCUu9omCXKshtwSVLWloF4YQdkvlJ0Ku7obkmzkgVzB7BhYxUcA6cTfAZ6rUJNNZDMlmmAEtV9gfvhEzH_y4VQJwTpYZ5kk44DSMckIMoTF4eB6waF-AWIyxjO-ty6y8CSplk7nR1u4/s640/P1010044ac.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also put in a mink.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdulpA6HzCZmlyyrHPjlwTi979Lf6nYq6AsRTgrQ-_HqKBH7dc0HuoiXQNEWprGiWJS7cAjj0Q6YigrJPSvRhLcOxQSdGvRWpFTHAnuefEyonSGXLJ52aTBAtmgGJaxm6DLC_UOqGYKHC/s1600/P1010044ab.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdulpA6HzCZmlyyrHPjlwTi979Lf6nYq6AsRTgrQ-_HqKBH7dc0HuoiXQNEWprGiWJS7cAjj0Q6YigrJPSvRhLcOxQSdGvRWpFTHAnuefEyonSGXLJ52aTBAtmgGJaxm6DLC_UOqGYKHC/s640/P1010044ab.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The painting is pretty good, it really looks like him.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5YOuGyYtiUIXfiHISwAnH1QlPwdlqVxQumV3y_iZ93h3v1h_jAXi1Nw3QXOCrfZJVeZRDjQUJRR0KfmsK7K3ws_cIr1h7iUkmiFDkrd49s8_EjPtMhBaRoc2lkwMJM6ZltLploiG9ZsU/s1600/P1010044ad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5YOuGyYtiUIXfiHISwAnH1QlPwdlqVxQumV3y_iZ93h3v1h_jAXi1Nw3QXOCrfZJVeZRDjQUJRR0KfmsK7K3ws_cIr1h7iUkmiFDkrd49s8_EjPtMhBaRoc2lkwMJM6ZltLploiG9ZsU/s640/P1010044ad.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLweBzi6FgfFfoDuKWtyLtM0qtR_r7j2Q9ZaEgE0v3Z46ElbKQJ0nWdzKDjIFQvlCzc6em0PCMQAAUeffYN7aU7MFFrqaN7eFIbnG3PLaGvpeESzCsz1E7ZVXNaZdg8MhVMq0BhwOgShFH/s1600/Nast+Florida+2007,+8a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLweBzi6FgfFfoDuKWtyLtM0qtR_r7j2Q9ZaEgE0v3Z46ElbKQJ0nWdzKDjIFQvlCzc6em0PCMQAAUeffYN7aU7MFFrqaN7eFIbnG3PLaGvpeESzCsz1E7ZVXNaZdg8MhVMq0BhwOgShFH/s640/Nast+Florida+2007,+8a.jpg" width="524" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm such a dork, I have to show you a side by side....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQcfpj9LXmR4T4plWLIyIVIrjURtDBHM3uGzO5sf3wnK4Q9sJlhbb9txNk165IXlYZbv1NlZsYKAqQPd-pOe-lnZ5lXpputC-1IOKaDv_1_bAAszjp7a26hbJD4xKuG5GY_x8yNg1GzQJ/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQcfpj9LXmR4T4plWLIyIVIrjURtDBHM3uGzO5sf3wnK4Q9sJlhbb9txNk165IXlYZbv1NlZsYKAqQPd-pOe-lnZ5lXpputC-1IOKaDv_1_bAAszjp7a26hbJD4xKuG5GY_x8yNg1GzQJ/s640/PicMonkey+Collage+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, this wasn't what I meant to write about today.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wanted to show you guys their gazebo that sits out on the other pond.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtfyHeoaWrUra03oS2t5Zxns8m22I1jV05DFz_IG0OQujH9Y90FojlYY7GXkmxJf9FbpC6bNXpWUBmkUFRgWrnT2a2ijmHlvJ_-SYTVyBvjnA6WFIAq7j0dalXe2xu_fyFBVwXptxK5Tr/s1600/nast+gazebo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtfyHeoaWrUra03oS2t5Zxns8m22I1jV05DFz_IG0OQujH9Y90FojlYY7GXkmxJf9FbpC6bNXpWUBmkUFRgWrnT2a2ijmHlvJ_-SYTVyBvjnA6WFIAq7j0dalXe2xu_fyFBVwXptxK5Tr/s640/nast+gazebo.jpg" width="558" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Traditional Home 2004</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the shot from the magazine article.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pond is right by the house.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLdfKcMX7gv4P-IdAdez4LpJ2BqVoFZysBztnHQxbOmceoaRRbv92w-wm9YtC3_g_G2Q2FI6pLpD3Ycng2pykNulsQEU5sPJ889FyImzFaGmjAAGeKlno7IfS7YjV6k2jzcVWyzmJVNP9/s1600/unknown+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLdfKcMX7gv4P-IdAdez4LpJ2BqVoFZysBztnHQxbOmceoaRRbv92w-wm9YtC3_g_G2Q2FI6pLpD3Ycng2pykNulsQEU5sPJ889FyImzFaGmjAAGeKlno7IfS7YjV6k2jzcVWyzmJVNP9/s640/unknown+(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's a pretty stream that flows down from it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CADABSy3-GAtSUKV_k_ntEFpezsB0B3pWDmG0BbYIzRLXiGW9m-K3C8gv4sQCpKJgenolA31Dxbq6GTBIRN779yK2bzWK8DWGN8ozAVqSX-5w6wGlTkSLWgYIzjF1OMY5XXftkOuGgea/s1600/P1010008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CADABSy3-GAtSUKV_k_ntEFpezsB0B3pWDmG0BbYIzRLXiGW9m-K3C8gv4sQCpKJgenolA31Dxbq6GTBIRN779yK2bzWK8DWGN8ozAVqSX-5w6wGlTkSLWgYIzjF1OMY5XXftkOuGgea/s640/P1010008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inside the gazebo, I set up four wicker rocking chairs that create a cozy conversation area for coffee or cocktails.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreFzudCJ_iH7UrjVK6DZwqXddxXLSKi1SOkxCoklfGY7YHi87Pf4wMk5XGLFvoLXtX9q6PC7PyDx3El8B4h1Sq1Y9r5a3Nkbv1zPAJlv9OFmAjSfnTgdtW9GMP9vguv0CX7q6SVH-IRdl/s1600/P1010006a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreFzudCJ_iH7UrjVK6DZwqXddxXLSKi1SOkxCoklfGY7YHi87Pf4wMk5XGLFvoLXtX9q6PC7PyDx3El8B4h1Sq1Y9r5a3Nkbv1zPAJlv9OFmAjSfnTgdtW9GMP9vguv0CX7q6SVH-IRdl/s640/P1010006a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had my drapery workroom, <a href="http://www.drapeit.net/">Drape It</a>, make the cabana curtains, to soften the overall effect.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmXmSwdDupqmAGO9DAZXlZ4m_n0XAU7QcMRO5TiNeiFS4o8Apjcv5EvBjZDtVyXDB7rZUEfnag96jEeY30tvWdeg7cOg8sYCE-KP3ASrZGSDiGKdxtqk7B-be1vZ4mLsnUV2D0lSu14AC/s1600/P1010007a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmXmSwdDupqmAGO9DAZXlZ4m_n0XAU7QcMRO5TiNeiFS4o8Apjcv5EvBjZDtVyXDB7rZUEfnag96jEeY30tvWdeg7cOg8sYCE-KP3ASrZGSDiGKdxtqk7B-be1vZ4mLsnUV2D0lSu14AC/s640/P1010007a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the views from inside this outdoor room are pretty.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's the little guest house in the background.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBO2upj_TrnKxD8jU2YuNvGFXZCAkWnhyphenhyphenUEMq_koK0xpW0nheNSdVr8-X40ya_nURTmsCHNgv1NFTLMBLt1YC6fojhfaI4r2snrMdV9kBOjjzSrR2_bSasDDhm3_LHsln5y-cBVfiX23r/s1600/Nast+Vermont+2004,+4c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBO2upj_TrnKxD8jU2YuNvGFXZCAkWnhyphenhyphenUEMq_koK0xpW0nheNSdVr8-X40ya_nURTmsCHNgv1NFTLMBLt1YC6fojhfaI4r2snrMdV9kBOjjzSrR2_bSasDDhm3_LHsln5y-cBVfiX23r/s640/Nast+Vermont+2004,+4c.jpg" width="542" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the Traditional Home shot from 2004.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first few shots were before we got the little tables that go between the chairs.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are from Maine Cottage Furniture.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The wicker is from Lloyd Flanders.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wish I had had a digital camera in the olden days, when I first started working on this house, so I could show you the before shot of this structure.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It wasn't very aesthetically pleasing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BUT.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I put my stamp on it and made it FABULOSO!!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(</span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">I am so modest.....</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We added the metal roof.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We added the lattice around the base.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We painted it a nice soft color.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then we added the curtains.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's become a favorite hang out for the family.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even if the heron has gotten all the fish.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On that note.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Latah, Gatah</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://s166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/?action=view&current=Betsysignature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/Betsysignature.png" /></a></div>

Vermont Mountain Gazebo

Hokay Kampers.Let's return to my friend Connie's Vermont retreat.I'm going to take a break from showing off the inside, to reveal a little of the outside.By the house are a couple of small ponds.One has a little dock for fishing.Connie's hubby, Chris, has it stocked every spring.AND THEN THE BLUE H…

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Gallery Wall in a Powder Room

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On my birthday, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought I would have a really good time with my buddy Kris!!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lots of folks would do something like go to the movies.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">go to a party.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">go shopping.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>not me!!!!!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>NO, NO, NO!!!!!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For fun on my big day, I wanted to hang pictures in Kris's powder room.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I know,</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I know.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm a little strange.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But you must be <span style="font-size: large;"><b>too</b></span>, 'cuz you're reading this.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the way the room looked before I attacked it with my hammer and nails.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you want to read how we got this far in this room....click <a href="http://betsyspeert.blogspot.com/2013/01/almost-anything-can-make-vanity.html">here</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9u3nyTM8FvIPulbtt5YMCJqpkzbx5Idvdd1oqygBAzJTshlozKEjytJp1yirZzV-pD5M4A2YpFR8CJ6pAmWhPUxlQLovQPE56cbii8PQlaEY1CuV_mHMgnHxdX8BDRAI8F5AjNCF8hP5U/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9u3nyTM8FvIPulbtt5YMCJqpkzbx5Idvdd1oqygBAzJTshlozKEjytJp1yirZzV-pD5M4A2YpFR8CJ6pAmWhPUxlQLovQPE56cbii8PQlaEY1CuV_mHMgnHxdX8BDRAI8F5AjNCF8hP5U/s640/3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kris and I have been looking for something to hang on the walls for the past year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We found some wonderful ship prints, but got to the auction too late to bid on them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The auctioneer that day was going really fast, and we timed it wrong.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>It really fried our goats.</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But not to worry,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">there's always something else just around the corner, when you deal with old stuff.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was an auction of military things.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Old guns.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Old instruments.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Old uniforms.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(no old guys, though)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were also some old military prints.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since most of the people at the auction were guys, they were there for the manly stuff.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">no one bid against us for the decorating stuff, like these prints.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we lucked out, and I think they're really unusual, and work well with the map wallpaper.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ogBoDb2-OczVlEWsXLpJo8LSjq09kJoyJKfhOZ2vXvUecXHpSWanQGO9V6Ky9XKH8MyNeePzzPj3oTn12FCzp_0G3xKRH16-vQy5yOkmSigM_0CalhAirSGsOF416pgnarrHHGu95bHX/s1600/32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ogBoDb2-OczVlEWsXLpJo8LSjq09kJoyJKfhOZ2vXvUecXHpSWanQGO9V6Ky9XKH8MyNeePzzPj3oTn12FCzp_0G3xKRH16-vQy5yOkmSigM_0CalhAirSGsOF416pgnarrHHGu95bHX/s640/32.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The guys in the prints are British solders, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the maps are of Great Britain,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so they actually make sense, sort of, in this room!!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will now show you in excruciating detail, how I hung every one of these suckers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started with two in the middle of the wall on the right.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWraI9ltjQ1Ua-K_MM41jCkvNW-B93_XG2oZl-dRJw7Uf7buKCqS2FSmW_Rjf1GNlY3kP73WttSAFYY7NtQCETxlshM9pOo0FYHEedwA1b8x-wtSLy0bNY2pFlciqnyd1u2zVG16xJgTm/s1600/6(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWraI9ltjQ1Ua-K_MM41jCkvNW-B93_XG2oZl-dRJw7Uf7buKCqS2FSmW_Rjf1GNlY3kP73WttSAFYY7NtQCETxlshM9pOo0FYHEedwA1b8x-wtSLy0bNY2pFlciqnyd1u2zVG16xJgTm/s640/6(1).jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">some people would think that that was enough......</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That the job was done.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BUT NOT ME!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was just getting started.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made really light marks with a pencil, to note where I wanted the next picture to hang.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then I couldn't find the mark.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sooooooo.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kris came up with the brilliant idea of using post it notes to help!!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSpFzyTR_4gX6IKI8l1q-H-1r3AcpGrctqwR8wGNow93_7RvMVaak4uYhd6qJAyl52nBmeRXiT_F_oE-JiSvT5_alUmcbcRu5WiX3MSI-9YmGptmbCD6QSEBFLKHyd3q2td_3HBIvjKZS/s1600/33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSpFzyTR_4gX6IKI8l1q-H-1r3AcpGrctqwR8wGNow93_7RvMVaak4uYhd6qJAyl52nBmeRXiT_F_oE-JiSvT5_alUmcbcRu5WiX3MSI-9YmGptmbCD6QSEBFLKHyd3q2td_3HBIvjKZS/s640/33.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stuck the tab on the wall, and marked with pen on the tab, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AND THEN I COULD SEE MY MARK!!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I continued on with my bad self, and hung some more of these guys.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbbr3d_P5Mv9miHdCb2lwq4xVbO3yjegqW9BHHO-M-ofJjy1EVPaKQs3aJ1dymO4hDjS80CpL65kZgD52aPzpzXcoM1rrzsbo5Ehel9gm3-KqPfNMKC8Dbx3s9jRZ3vE8yWKG3p77enDM/s1600/7(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbbr3d_P5Mv9miHdCb2lwq4xVbO3yjegqW9BHHO-M-ofJjy1EVPaKQs3aJ1dymO4hDjS80CpL65kZgD52aPzpzXcoM1rrzsbo5Ehel9gm3-KqPfNMKC8Dbx3s9jRZ3vE8yWKG3p77enDM/s640/7(1).jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three down, a million to go.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek4tWJHqZk8yA8JLvIvFQ37FWBK5PXuWwJWv9xMKMPYuqK3rQq2jCB-gKHER2B9ss0nRK4ZAJFS8clT5JFc_kiZMSZcmbh2i7kalTFjmo7cFQFnQUj2yj5CIqoJhkSm_uymdyCs0Gc6JK/s1600/8(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek4tWJHqZk8yA8JLvIvFQ37FWBK5PXuWwJWv9xMKMPYuqK3rQq2jCB-gKHER2B9ss0nRK4ZAJFS8clT5JFc_kiZMSZcmbh2i7kalTFjmo7cFQFnQUj2yj5CIqoJhkSm_uymdyCs0Gc6JK/s640/8(1).jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I worked out from the center.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBN3Ry2sZdsmyNVUK9LYVEqcpmgmUX3CZ1iERabPnf7BY4CORYAkQ-_sq6s0icIxMmRtXMfuDY4lhyi4Mp18aK1yAjcpdSih4gMH7V80I5XNbVjmhnodQ6IAjLgYwdbKpluFfi9SOMJRpC/s1600/9(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBN3Ry2sZdsmyNVUK9LYVEqcpmgmUX3CZ1iERabPnf7BY4CORYAkQ-_sq6s0icIxMmRtXMfuDY4lhyi4Mp18aK1yAjcpdSih4gMH7V80I5XNbVjmhnodQ6IAjLgYwdbKpluFfi9SOMJRpC/s640/9(1).jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was starting to get hungry.....but I kept going....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqqj3WMGsc004U3xqf1N_rXADA46juEfymh8mAWF8oyaN1Fix-_B9bF8xdJjQglv98s3NjITPLdfzhM-gGuRimvY6Vv1Fqyd5M64EtvZwIgI4JeZxLu-u6Y-6Yxb2UMizOPEKdHNRGCYZ/s1600/10(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqqj3WMGsc004U3xqf1N_rXADA46juEfymh8mAWF8oyaN1Fix-_B9bF8xdJjQglv98s3NjITPLdfzhM-gGuRimvY6Vv1Fqyd5M64EtvZwIgI4JeZxLu-u6Y-6Yxb2UMizOPEKdHNRGCYZ/s640/10(1).jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NOT BAD!!!!! NOT BAD!!!!!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjnUN_xhtY-z8Vsr5ZxlaazMFRtEuXuZCSR357_Lf3g-3Ek0EUI-YlQicspJQCDqio-PJkV5VWTKowpmyWkJSNLYOy7uYL9D8K3nblunSzpFbJl2tC7HKW0r4KDiO10uXYrKOUcSnPz6p/s1600/11a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjnUN_xhtY-z8Vsr5ZxlaazMFRtEuXuZCSR357_Lf3g-3Ek0EUI-YlQicspJQCDqio-PJkV5VWTKowpmyWkJSNLYOy7uYL9D8K3nblunSzpFbJl2tC7HKW0r4KDiO10uXYrKOUcSnPz6p/s640/11a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One across from the toilet.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a little larger than the others, so we hung it by itself.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6Epq2AAyoxS8mv-TPj0CLqiztQZvhUOPgFrec1E67bCQfOKpke5AaB1h0tv_SUZjNwz9YS4buIiB61vywcijeBz1kE6PbBZJhpCeZ51U5z8OQT0f_qsRs1FnM9vF98lLJB5wLbxCX7Ak/s1600/12(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6Epq2AAyoxS8mv-TPj0CLqiztQZvhUOPgFrec1E67bCQfOKpke5AaB1h0tv_SUZjNwz9YS4buIiB61vywcijeBz1kE6PbBZJhpCeZ51U5z8OQT0f_qsRs1FnM9vF98lLJB5wLbxCX7Ak/s640/12(1).jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At this point, I was faint from lack of food, so Kris took me out for my birthday lunch.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a hankering for nachos.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I normally don't allow myself to eat this kind of thing,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so I went hog wild, and stuffed my face.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I must have told the waitress 3 or 4 times that it was my birthday.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(</span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">I'm so grown up.....</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so, after I couldn't eat another bite, she brought over complementary fried ice cream.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was absolutely stuffed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I had some anyway.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later that afternoon, I became comatose, and vowed never to do this again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's see how long I remember this lesson......</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BUT</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">before I lost all use of my arms and legs....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we returned to Kris's house, and finished the bathroom.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I added  one over the toilet.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQqHbtbQLLyi8eLYehcp-GJ6osP2f5OTm2gURsUCpv3Kxc1Bvh8WhVKhouwx-kWgZS_Tk0MsLl8on1nfUjZkWjp8QpSvRg1i0hGSXeodT_645ZEuDmPQgk3HqlVcUfYD09lI-A_c787Yt/s1600/14a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQqHbtbQLLyi8eLYehcp-GJ6osP2f5OTm2gURsUCpv3Kxc1Bvh8WhVKhouwx-kWgZS_Tk0MsLl8on1nfUjZkWjp8QpSvRg1i0hGSXeodT_645ZEuDmPQgk3HqlVcUfYD09lI-A_c787Yt/s640/14a.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and then another.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTh-o0t5f_0ZTTWUXZUL5JfmXiNKIaN9SVpgYXczFuPiz9-djIvLCw7Kz0CpVulppdiy0JNxpazEl9IlmfI5XatZKMI5yz7HhefJGmRUozkRWXEB0fLjXpIdzbyOydC4fV0_vhlq-MjqK/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTh-o0t5f_0ZTTWUXZUL5JfmXiNKIaN9SVpgYXczFuPiz9-djIvLCw7Kz0CpVulppdiy0JNxpazEl9IlmfI5XatZKMI5yz7HhefJGmRUozkRWXEB0fLjXpIdzbyOydC4fV0_vhlq-MjqK/s640/15.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was starting to really come together.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_sDyfaxYopPRH66-J2j2WQCghYZXX1B9meufytJTzWd1F1sbp_OJjzNgH0weR7pdJTOhKFwvC3nRBAqUIu8Xhr3PkB4YUQgFtnyniwhp8aSgga4CMO6NzDTSJhsGUT7S_rXnjywS6O3G/s1600/29b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_sDyfaxYopPRH66-J2j2WQCghYZXX1B9meufytJTzWd1F1sbp_OJjzNgH0weR7pdJTOhKFwvC3nRBAqUIu8Xhr3PkB4YUQgFtnyniwhp8aSgga4CMO6NzDTSJhsGUT7S_rXnjywS6O3G/s640/29b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Across from the six prints I had hung, I planned to hang six more.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvO69ligv0dt8rpekMpJUQTgYVcr-MgQ6DRKGq1TMiUBE-3722AWMBnYcrVc9R-GVk_bPnRhQOQPViIET-dU-Vgbt5A65qgab5E5YVZwW458bmbSO4SyUyUrIcj4GPljUGEuFmWjTf2ALE/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvO69ligv0dt8rpekMpJUQTgYVcr-MgQ6DRKGq1TMiUBE-3722AWMBnYcrVc9R-GVk_bPnRhQOQPViIET-dU-Vgbt5A65qgab5E5YVZwW458bmbSO4SyUyUrIcj4GPljUGEuFmWjTf2ALE/s640/18.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HOWEVER.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I couldn't fit any along side the sconce, so I had to settle for just four on that wall.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsn1JTbeD0RtEf2KZwQa9aAIKIx8ZqqnXbIOtywJ8ob0pgJ5sgXpaF3CIyxJwL6SYB5K1Pzd78QVptmQOzoPudSbU96aJ42oYOa1fK2r3Ul2T5yIfC8axbV8Mp_GeOtGq0IGEVjI_0F6b/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsn1JTbeD0RtEf2KZwQa9aAIKIx8ZqqnXbIOtywJ8ob0pgJ5sgXpaF3CIyxJwL6SYB5K1Pzd78QVptmQOzoPudSbU96aJ42oYOa1fK2r3Ul2T5yIfC8axbV8Mp_GeOtGq0IGEVjI_0F6b/s640/19.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They balanced the six opposite just fine,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2d3mBXmcKdR17EPOHSzhkP9Qna6m6u2NLEsy13Yj1v4HDNw0Mm420aG3c669tbetjt7V9-Htx5m5wJ-s4XdEHReN_gatMDoatEZGH9_UehHPeGgBDYhl9Sqo_v8RkQLMxjqjFt_7UuCf8/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2d3mBXmcKdR17EPOHSzhkP9Qna6m6u2NLEsy13Yj1v4HDNw0Mm420aG3c669tbetjt7V9-Htx5m5wJ-s4XdEHReN_gatMDoatEZGH9_UehHPeGgBDYhl9Sqo_v8RkQLMxjqjFt_7UuCf8/s640/20.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sooooo.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when I look into this powder room.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the walls don't look bare to me anymore!!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeATRnnZx-zBO_3ZNZBQSXNRSq21dUIsR6Vrd6e-Yn6lZQfdt7o2VmsG2vvXIIp2t2hRaEW31XjYzSaeSkHhxYaYSipdID1a6HVCTIKUVQRpG_-2FyWV_eYwktiiljvVDv7jDMOtN_Dc_j/s1600/28a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeATRnnZx-zBO_3ZNZBQSXNRSq21dUIsR6Vrd6e-Yn6lZQfdt7o2VmsG2vvXIIp2t2hRaEW31XjYzSaeSkHhxYaYSipdID1a6HVCTIKUVQRpG_-2FyWV_eYwktiiljvVDv7jDMOtN_Dc_j/s640/28a.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kris says she likes the fact that the frames are so beat up.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but I may just touch them up with some black paint.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know how I love me some paint.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On that note.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Latah, Gatah</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/?action=view&current=Betsysignature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/Betsysignature.png" /></a></div>

Gallery Wall in a Powder Room

On my birthday, I thought I would have a really good time with my buddy Kris!!!!!Now,lots of folks would do something like go to the movies.....go to a party.....go shopping.....not me!!!!!NO, NO, NO!!!!!For fun on my big day, I wanted to hang pictures in Kris's powder room.I know,I know.I'm a littl…

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Kitchen Pendant lighting options

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><div style="text-align: center;">I need your help! I'm so confused as to what kind of pendant I should put on our island.</div></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><div style="text-align: center;">With all the beautiful pendants out there choosing one is sooo difficult! This is the vent that's going on the island...</div></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQCKOIUSEZoQkybXrCLOebMUGmr-XVjNuNcqy0SUCIWmkwZhxdHE-ADhAJQR_bmBktuxV1auFFbxWwmm9rdZY03Cd6s81C-Klai_vBtGIR5b_aq4Q5bl73vPeHP9XQM-xXKN6joD_sLpw/s1600/zml-e42bg-b.jpg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQCKOIUSEZoQkybXrCLOebMUGmr-XVjNuNcqy0SUCIWmkwZhxdHE-ADhAJQR_bmBktuxV1auFFbxWwmm9rdZY03Cd6s81C-Klai_vBtGIR5b_aq4Q5bl73vPeHP9XQM-xXKN6joD_sLpw/s640/zml-e42bg-b.jpg.png" width="640" /></a><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">                                                                 <a href="http://www.seattlehomeappliance.com/cooking/hoods/vent-hoods/ZML-E42BG/">Zephyr Island Hood Milano G series</a><br /><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">The plan's changed a bit and instead of having the vent centered on the island, I decided to have it centered in the kitchen instead. Meaning if I stick with this original lay-out...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisiOhvNuai_jqFFBLQedF61_O9a_Y3J2UOgmVm5-xDA4hoKnMmqiTdQKBiGsXHfKg2D-BPZgbIYWj4wfD6SKGAziF2daXQYG33THASkb-Z6at4ymWwxAJ96gRbJ8TaCKxBx67RLlHlP1Um/s1600/island+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisiOhvNuai_jqFFBLQedF61_O9a_Y3J2UOgmVm5-xDA4hoKnMmqiTdQKBiGsXHfKg2D-BPZgbIYWj4wfD6SKGAziF2daXQYG33THASkb-Z6at4ymWwxAJ96gRbJ8TaCKxBx67RLlHlP1Um/s640/island+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><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><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYguUmSdCxET_SAbUhZJ2IZ2CVVRjDAQRZpQwr2rwgUHE0mvIBuXGfasJCQrQbfIOZb_Pl7aH9MTdJTbvHC7x0RQw-prVIZV35nswbmaMxa4LEo-XMWoyKSNiJDP6fzqrMANVSstkdQ4TS/s1600/island2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYguUmSdCxET_SAbUhZJ2IZ2CVVRjDAQRZpQwr2rwgUHE0mvIBuXGfasJCQrQbfIOZb_Pl7aH9MTdJTbvHC7x0RQw-prVIZV35nswbmaMxa4LEo-XMWoyKSNiJDP6fzqrMANVSstkdQ4TS/s640/island2.jpg" width="640" /></a></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 class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">                                          Vent will be moved this way --> </td></tr></tbody></table>... the vent would be covering the refrigerator area. So, we decided to put the cooktop off center to the right. And with that, I will need 2 pendant lights over the island to the left <----- side of the island.<br /><br />I want pendant fixtures that are fairly easy to clean, don't want any shades or fabric close to my vent and I don't want any uplight as well. Here are my favorites...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHG6na3i1I_FpOm5-L5rsFRC9H7wO3e5zzOTkEGHbfhHB_VSWU83wFj-_kPnmDKY2axbRZtz7h2vRy9-iJ94TKNSPzrFj3P-hO6sX4kEIl82vBi2rAW1K5wic8rdKePw36j96zFBWbiHA/s1600/TOB5062HAB-WG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHG6na3i1I_FpOm5-L5rsFRC9H7wO3e5zzOTkEGHbfhHB_VSWU83wFj-_kPnmDKY2axbRZtz7h2vRy9-iJ94TKNSPzrFj3P-hO6sX4kEIl82vBi2rAW1K5wic8rdKePw36j96zFBWbiHA/s320/TOB5062HAB-WG.JPG" width="95" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.neenaslighting.com/product.aspx?model=2203-02-00198">Small Hicks Pendant</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Super love this one, not too big, but price-wise, pretty expensive, hence my hesitation</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmrhyKpAlkoQtN8I-7Dp72-vTp1f3PGCozAOPFygcn5xRpApO_hgwrD_8ob2i6e0BEG9hzITyhTlgE8DwmdW3tXOGMXB0UpG5vzYalcsQvX8_2IZ8Vqptfqnj8ndvEeDzKT6fxbbC_dnJ/s1600/736916609951lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmrhyKpAlkoQtN8I-7Dp72-vTp1f3PGCozAOPFygcn5xRpApO_hgwrD_8ob2i6e0BEG9hzITyhTlgE8DwmdW3tXOGMXB0UpG5vzYalcsQvX8_2IZ8Vqptfqnj8ndvEeDzKT6fxbbC_dnJ/s1600/736916609951lg.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_137154-2121-3946-1MP_4294687724__?productId=3722624&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=">Stylish Selection Chrome Pendant</a><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">The cheapest ($49) of my options but definitely not lagging behind in beauty. Saw this at Lowe's already and I do love it but the only thing is the that I might get 'chrome' overload since a lot of my appliances will be stainless steel on the island.</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/AVvXsEiP4qwUlg8IiCadgb3twAk6309xG7o6uVvS9pbZt86Faz5q5R4azpiTAXw8wUFT1IsZ1lDH8i32Nn7RaHx38PTjSc5DlwVahedfhznkOkt-BoBkwq9EGrVB2Mt-t9uaFkUU8DdBpKXXwyGB/s1600/de4089713afbe55e8ddf706bf74d2ce4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4qwUlg8IiCadgb3twAk6309xG7o6uVvS9pbZt86Faz5q5R4azpiTAXw8wUFT1IsZ1lDH8i32Nn7RaHx38PTjSc5DlwVahedfhznkOkt-BoBkwq9EGrVB2Mt-t9uaFkUU8DdBpKXXwyGB/s400/de4089713afbe55e8ddf706bf74d2ce4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/259660734738853968/">Jonathan Adler Rio Pendant</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Love this one for it's simplicity. However, might be a bit big for the space. Have to see first when island cabinet is placed...</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/AVvXsEjEj6vHIAKYUAjnV4kogqYwdzAejUL96izb0Ueke8QqA-8GMAUTrEW6oJJSDw19aHsAUl7dx8TC-vhjSCG4olhpdoinKqw135_D7R6Iapqdm9k8N7O1ui_In2_FymPotSTSb12Y4yCppmaV/s1600/0f12793ebb1560f69a9c7fe0ad009384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEj6vHIAKYUAjnV4kogqYwdzAejUL96izb0Ueke8QqA-8GMAUTrEW6oJJSDw19aHsAUl7dx8TC-vhjSCG4olhpdoinKqw135_D7R6Iapqdm9k8N7O1ui_In2_FymPotSTSb12Y4yCppmaV/s400/0f12793ebb1560f69a9c7fe0ad009384.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/259660734738214857/">Cap & Globe Pendant</a></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;">Cute, classy and simple. Nothing not to love about this one.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKH_-GZQ3W8KX7MhKpcWM6iM-j8YuliyJBB9ZUdJo-Nxq6yTuw9gzQgIvTBbahK6rIG3f7UE5bMye-1pljeLStnnpyEp_gehqnbc8TTtpJgt2kfSA3_Kl7LTCeKMyL-7Hc-OhpfaWy7lAE/s1600/PEC0815AB-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKH_-GZQ3W8KX7MhKpcWM6iM-j8YuliyJBB9ZUdJo-Nxq6yTuw9gzQgIvTBbahK6rIG3f7UE5bMye-1pljeLStnnpyEp_gehqnbc8TTtpJgt2kfSA3_Kl7LTCeKMyL-7Hc-OhpfaWy7lAE/s400/PEC0815AB-02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shadesoflight.com/jonathan-adler_pendant.html?&xid=f8ff3457df45a2fd2aa1a6ed52884fdc">Jonathan Adler Pendant</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Another Adler fave, mid-century chic.</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/AVvXsEi6GJFtQRHpx8lIdI3uxjicg9aRt16qjFzAwDwuV3rngWFXPn8-ZcN-h1NP0v7KCF28_ofulQsEyQJYN0mP58T6kW1cxB3uoMPEBJuANOFqnbXU0esigicfunLca-S__Ad7cEJlXZqsx1SC/s1600/HCH6CVU_mx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GJFtQRHpx8lIdI3uxjicg9aRt16qjFzAwDwuV3rngWFXPn8-ZcN-h1NP0v7KCF28_ofulQsEyQJYN0mP58T6kW1cxB3uoMPEBJuANOFqnbXU0esigicfunLca-S__Ad7cEJlXZqsx1SC/s400/HCH6CVU_mx.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.horchow.com/p/Mercury-Glass-Pendant-Light/cprod90840035/">Mercury Glass Pendant light</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Very pretty to look at and price-wise, super reasonable compared to the others. Only possible issue is again the size.</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;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnmj6kAP99ugw2AI5SN22rdaNAPPSluYye3RhRfU07qOCkXekUHSD3cSN19rw2SdMbCAgU7InSK6B8y_YOhw0engT4e3BuDCUaHE0c6IzLODvfJB2e6O_cAeZd7hidldgXgQP3Y9smYWp/s1600/5982bfa628c6c26df5be1bc5b91b6c29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnmj6kAP99ugw2AI5SN22rdaNAPPSluYye3RhRfU07qOCkXekUHSD3cSN19rw2SdMbCAgU7InSK6B8y_YOhw0engT4e3BuDCUaHE0c6IzLODvfJB2e6O_cAeZd7hidldgXgQP3Y9smYWp/s400/5982bfa628c6c26df5be1bc5b91b6c29.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lumens.com/ecran-pendant-by-tech-lighting/uu479565/product">Ecran Pendant Light</a> in Lattice</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My ultimate fave right now. This lighting is sort of customizable. There are 2 types of  of finish on the outer glass, gold or platinum plus, 3 different patterns - Lattice, Moroccan and Plaid. I love the plaid the best. What's more, you can buy extra glass shade and change it up when you get tired! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Only down side? Of course, the price!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyway, your guessing that I'm going for gold/brass accents. Hence, my love for more of this type of fixture. If you were to choose, what would you choose? What's your dream kitchen lighting? Do you have the lighting of your choice in your kitchen? What did you consider before you picked that one?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for stopping by!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">Have a Great Weekend!!!</span></i></b></div><br /><div align="center">Linking back to...</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.fidlersunderoneroof.com/2013/07/fidlin-fridays_26.html">Filders under one roof</a><br /><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/2013/07/weekend-bloggy-reading-link-up_26.html">Serenity Now</a><br /><a href="http://www.vmg206.com/2013/07/tgif-link-party-and-giveaway.html">VMG 206</a><br /><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/07/feathered-nest-friday_25.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: blogspot/QoLtm (FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE)">French Country Cottage</a><br /><a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/07/kitchen-pendant-lighting-options.html">A Stroll thru life</a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br />Would love to hear your thoughts! Please share away...

Kitchen Pendant lighting options

I need your help! I'm so confused as to what kind of pendant I should put on our island.With all the beautiful pendants out there choosing one is sooo difficult! This is the vent that's going on the island...                                                                 Zephyr Island Hood Milano G…

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