Picture it--North Carolina--summer 2010

I usually write about my flowers and today you will learn about DIY! Due to a broken water pipe I have been for three weeks now demolition and remodel of kitchen.
Today I was working on staining doors for new cabinets. It is a stain polyurethane combined. After completing the doors, I kept looking at the cut out from the counter where the sink is now placed. I am not one to let materials go to waste. The ol' gray matter is swirling in my brain. I decide it would be ideal for a cutting board, but decide to use my stain mixture on the back side to protect my new counters.

Now comes the fun story.

I finish the back and sides of the cut out from the counter and had decided to use a paint roller for a fast smooth job. I go out side to trash barrel, with paper towels and roller in hand. Of course when you apply pressure to remove said stained roller, it will always drip. Unfortunately it had to be my toes that were on the receiving end of this dripping stain. Very hot and humid here today so the toes are now sticking rapidly together. What a great time for the phone to ring! I am hopping through kitchen, dining room and living room to get to the phone and leave no toe prints in my wake!!! I explain to caller my predicament and hang up. Naturally there was not a drop of paint thinner in the house. I retrieve a bottle of rubbing alcohol and apply with paper towels to get toes unstuck. The bad news is, I have a new two toed nail polish which I don't wear nail polish at all. The good news is, I didn't leave any toe prints any where in my path.
The picture is of the new cabinets where I cut the hole to fit over the new water pipes. That took me a while to get brave enough to cut the hole because I didn't wish to ruin my new cabinets with a mess around the pipes. I will say I am proud of my job so far, but I am far from finished.

Big sister can be cool-ants continued

As to my ant problem I found out what was going on. These ants are called soap ants and are attracted to soap, they love the soap. That is why under the drain board in the kitchen, in the bathroom sink and even the clothes washer. My sister had this problem so she knew what was going on.
While I am at it I might as well let you know about a couple other goodies from my sister. In trying to cut back on costs of foods you naturally go for less expensive, right? NO! I was complaining about the taste of my foods because of using a less expensive cooking oil. Wrong again. It is less expensive to buy a bottle of good olive oil, not only does it help the taste of the food but you only use a touch of it instead of a lot and your food doesn't stick either.
So next time your big sister gives you advise, take it and use it, they are smarter than you think. Maybe that is because they have been around longer. Oh, sorry about that, she is a smart sister.
The picture is of the farm we grew up on. Not an ant farm!

New Look for home

I just completed a major project. I painted my home from one end to the other and top to bottom.. Took me a month and a bout with over doing it as well... I am happy with the results.. It went from 20 years of a dirty beige to all things bright and beautiful..The yellow is breakfast nook and kitchen and the green is living room and orange is dining room.. OK so I went drastic but I like it and I'm the one looking at it daily... Enjoy my labor of love!!!!

Spring has sprung!

The flowers know it is spring and have arrived in brilliant yellows, pinks, blues, lavenders and purples.
The bulbs so lovingly planted the day after Christmas, have met my expectations. I can enjoy this beautiful view any time day or night from my kitchen window. Makes me almost feel like I should do dishes or some thing like that.
They will look so pretty Sunday for Easter!
I would imagine the daffodils will really show up tomorrow night for full moon.
Happy first day of spring.