Last fall I pulled out all the daylilies that were planted at the end of our driveway to make way for new plantings in the spring. I planned to fill the space with Limelight Hydrangeas then Covid-19 happened and I began thinking that these flower beds should be filled with flowers that would bring a … Read More
Adding a centerpiece to a patio table with umbrella
We have two tables with umbrellas on our patio at the back of our house. It’s a very sunny patio near the pool so having an umbrella gives us a break from the sun when needed. I’ve always struggled with eating and socializing at a table with a pole in the middle of it and … Read More
Kitchen Counter Upgrade
Updating a kitchen with new Silestone countertops and subway tile backsplash
Office / Studio
My Studio | Office is one of my favorite rooms in our house. This room does double duty for me. It is where I work and where I create. I keep my art supplies in an antique Hoosier cabinet on one side of the room and on the office side it is all business with … Read More
Painted Steps
Color decisions There are four sets of stairs in our quirky cottage and three of them needed an update – a color change and a coat of paint to freshen them up. The fourth set of stairs will be tackled another day because, unfortunately, they still have carpet on them. With the stairway walls and … Read More
Dish Towel Cabinet Skirting
I’ve always loved the look of a skirted farmhouse sink. It reminds me of a simpler time and I think it adds so much charm and character to a cottage-style kitchen. So I have found a way to get the look in a different way. We often have little grandchildren around here (or we used … Read More
Kitchen Refresh
I joined the COVID-19 project crew this week. Meaning, I finally got my act together and started to get more done around our home. Refreshing and decluttering My kitchen needed a refresh and a serious de-cluttering. It was feeling “too busy” and cluttered and I needed some visual space especially since we are spending so … Read More
How to force forsythia and other blooming tree branches
When I’m impatient for winter to end I like to hurry the season along a little by bringing a little spring into my house. I do this by cutting some branches from different trees in our yard. Forcing is the process of causing a plant to flower before its natural season. The process is easy … Read More
HOMEMADE CRUSHED RED PEPPER
These crushed red peppers are so easy to make and taste much better than store-bought. Photo credit: Crate and Barrel Spicy food is my jam. My sister, Deedee, also likes her food on the spicy side. Last summer while visiting my sister, she introduced me to her home-grown, homemade crushed red peppers. It was then … Read More