Inspired by
Em and
Sue, I thought I would post my own Favorite Five. Yes, it is 6 days too late, but I decided to post it anyway. This month is focused on the kitchen, so here are my five favorite kitchen items:
My shiny, one-basin sink. I debated with myself whether to get a one basin or the standard two basin. I have several large pieces of cookware that just wouldn't fit in one side of my two basin sink. I would end up spilling water all over the counter and myself trying to wash them. I finally decided on the one basin and I am NOT sorry. I have washed my large cookware without a spilling problem. It is big, deep and shiny. The faucet is nice also; I especially like the soap dispenser on the left.
Flylady would be so proud of my shiny sink. Unfortunately, it doesn't always look this nice. Just prior to taking this picture, it was filled with dirty dishes which I loaded into the dishwasher to take this picture;)
Oh yeah, we are cookin' with gas now! After 3 years of burning our food (regularly) on a flat, glass cooktop (really, I couldn't get used to it!), I am back to cooking on a gas range and oh my, I love it! Although it doesn't show well in this picture, the grates on the top are heavy duty cast-iron. It also has a long, oval middle burner designed for a griddle. The unfortunate part about that is that you have to purchase it separately....yeah, ridiculous....it's not like that griddle is a common piece of cookware. Also, a broiler pan did not come with my new range, either, but I can send away for a free one. I only have to pay $8.95 shipping....
I have teased my poor husband relentlessly about our Keurig Gourmet coffee brewer. A couple of winters ago, between storms, when work was slow, he presented me with a well-researched sales pitch about why we should buy a Keurig coffee maker. Gourmet, from the man whose specialty is microwaved hot dogs. He even figured out how long it would take to pay for itself, since he would no longer have to go to the local convenience store to purchase coffee. Well, since this was so unlike him, I didn't have the heart to argue. Plus, I wasn't much of a coffee drinker, so I had to trust his judgment on this. Well, welcome home Keurig! I am so happy you are here. And, I drink a lot more coffee now...delicious, hot, fragrant gourmet coffee....mmmmm
I had two lazy susans in my old kitchen. I hated them. Since we did not replace any cabinetry in this house, I had two lazy susans again. I tried to decide the best way to use these without overloading them, thus making them hard to spin, or putting light things on them that flew out onto the floor when you spun the lazy susan around. Inspired by several homemaking/organizing blogs, I came up with this idea. I purchased several square plastic baskets at the local dollar store. I grouped my baking products and spices together into baskets that I can just pull out of the lazy susan to use when I am baking. In one basket, I put all of my measuring tools--cups, teaspoons, it's all there (that's the basket at the top). In another, I put the baking soda, baking powder, cocoa, and cream of tartar. In another I put the cookie and cupcake decorating items: food coloring, cupcake papers, sprinkles, colored sugar, etc.
(see above) I was also tired of trying to locate the proper spices for different dishes I made. They were not organized well. So, I grouped the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger into one ziploc bag, labeled it and nestled it into one of my baskets. I also did this with the spices I use for the Indian dish I make, Murgh Kari, which requires many different spices. Now I just have to pull the baggie out of the basket and voila! I have all the spices I need, in an instant! I grouped pickling spices and italian spices similarly. (see picture)
I am very happy with these lazy susans now, and am anxious to put them to good use!
Last, but not least, I love this wool felt penny rug. It doesn't serve a useful purpose in the kitchen, except to make me happy. It is so bright and colorful and adds pizzazz to the wall.
So there they are, my Five Favorite kitchen items.
See more
here.
A couple of weekends ago, having a respite from soccer and/or baseball games, Scott began to do some "yardwork". By yardwork I mean actually creating a yard from the piles of dirt and rock that still surround our new house. The lack of grass outside means a lot of dirt and sand get tracked into the house by the kids and the dog. Plus, green, growing things feed my soul...I love gardening and am really missing my time with nature. I know dirt is natural, too, but it's just not the same.
College girl's bed has been deemed the most comfortable in the house by her siblings...ummm...and the family dog. The metal bed was left here in the house and we painted it gold. It is so cute! The kids love the soft mattress and puffy comforter. So, here it is, Lexi! Ready and waiting for you. We miss you.
Little princess's half of the girls' room. She has a sweet yellow and pink quilt, but I didn't get close enough to see it well in this picture. I have the matching curtain somewhere for that other window. Perhaps I will find it in my "unpacking more boxes from the basement" session this weekend.
Isaac, Ethan, and Sam's rooms (in that order). They all need curtains and more decorative stuff. Most of the bedroom boxes are still down in the basement....again, hopefully this weekend.
Here is a shot of our library. There are 5 bookcases in there and they are all full! There are 2 more down in the office, also full. I have put in my request for large, built-in, bookcases...we'll see what happens:) I love my navy jacquard valances against that happy apple green color.
Here are shots of the red living room. I love the red; it is so deep and rich. This room is pretty bare bones, also, and in dire need of carpets, curtains and more decorative touches.
My shiny, one-basin sink. I debated with myself whether to get a one basin or the standard two basin. I have several large pieces of cookware that just wouldn't fit in one side of my two basin sink. I would end up spilling water all over the counter and myself trying to wash them. I finally decided on the one basin and I am NOT sorry. I have washed my large cookware without a spilling problem. It is big, deep and shiny. The faucet is nice also; I especially like the soap dispenser on the left. Flylady would be so proud of my shiny sink. Unfortunately, it doesn't always look this nice. Just prior to taking this picture, it was filled with dirty dishes which I loaded into the dishwasher to take this picture;)
Oh yeah, we are cookin' with gas now! After 3 years of burning our food (regularly) on a flat, glass cooktop (really, I couldn't get used to it!), I am back to cooking on a gas range and oh my, I love it! Although it doesn't show well in this picture, the grates on the top are heavy duty cast-iron. It also has a long, oval middle burner designed for a griddle. The unfortunate part about that is that you have to purchase it separately....yeah, ridiculous....it's not like that griddle is a common piece of cookware. Also, a broiler pan did not come with my new range, either, but I can send away for a free one. I only have to pay $8.95 shipping....
I have teased my poor husband relentlessly about our Keurig Gourmet coffee brewer. A couple of winters ago, between storms, when work was slow, he presented me with a well-researched sales pitch about why we should buy a Keurig coffee maker. Gourmet, from the man whose specialty is microwaved hot dogs. He even figured out how long it would take to pay for itself, since he would no longer have to go to the local convenience store to purchase coffee. Well, since this was so unlike him, I didn't have the heart to argue. Plus, I wasn't much of a coffee drinker, so I had to trust his judgment on this. Well, welcome home Keurig! I am so happy you are here. And, I drink a lot more coffee now...delicious, hot, fragrant gourmet coffee....mmmmm
I had two lazy susans in my old kitchen. I hated them. Since we did not replace any cabinetry in this house, I had two lazy susans again. I tried to decide the best way to use these without overloading them, thus making them hard to spin, or putting light things on them that flew out onto the floor when you spun the lazy susan around. Inspired by several homemaking/organizing blogs, I came up with this idea. I purchased several square plastic baskets at the local dollar store. I grouped my baking products and spices together into baskets that I can just pull out of the lazy susan to use when I am baking. In one basket, I put all of my measuring tools--cups, teaspoons, it's all there (that's the basket at the top). In another, I put the baking soda, baking powder, cocoa, and cream of tartar. In another I put the cookie and cupcake decorating items: food coloring, cupcake papers, sprinkles, colored sugar, etc. 
(see above) I was also tired of trying to locate the proper spices for different dishes I made. They were not organized well. So, I grouped the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger into one ziploc bag, labeled it and nestled it into one of my baskets. I also did this with the spices I use for the Indian dish I make, Murgh Kari, which requires many different spices. Now I just have to pull the baggie out of the basket and voila! I have all the spices I need, in an instant! I grouped pickling spices and italian spices similarly. (see picture)
I am very happy with these lazy susans now, and am anxious to put them to good use!
Dining room
We purchased this painting of Our Lady "Queen of the Missions" at a flea market when we were first married. It is quite large and I just love it. It looks great in our dining room against this black wallpaper...yup, black. 
I hesitated a bit about putting black wallpaper up, but I am so glad I did. It looks fantastic and sets off the "winter squash" of the kitchen perfectly. I love it!
Wool felt rug I couldn't wait to hang up!
