Posts Tagged ‘kitchen’

I planted three different types of hydrangeas this spring and two of them did not survive an intense week of rainless heat while I was out of town. One of them did, however, and it’s producing beautiful blooms. I clipped one stem and it’s now brightening up my kitchen.

This week’s Etsy collection is all about baking. I’m looking forward to having all my kitchen cabinets and counters installed within the next month and actually having space to bake!

On a related note, my sister entered the Better Homes & Gardens State Cookie Contest. Her recipe looks tasty – you can see it here (and vote for her, if you’re so inclined!).

• Macaroons Art Print/Cupcake Mountain
• Hummingbird Potholders/pigandcompany
• 25% of the profits from these Handcrafted Wooden Rolling Pins will be donated to help with relief efforts in Joplin/hobbyco
• Retro Apron/apronqueen
• Cupcake Lovers Charm Necklace/Sarita’s Jewelry Box
• Hand-Dyed Bakers Twine/Cocoa Beans
• 4-Cup Batter Bowl/Janson Pottery
• Hand-Dyed Cupcake Liners/cakeadoodledoo
• Mini Striped Dessert Stand/Aedriel Originals

My post on Monday (the reeaally long one), was about how I spent my birthday. But who says birthday celebrations can only last one day?

Checkout Line Take 1:

Sunday we dropped our car off at my mother-in-law’s and picked up her mini-van, then took off for IKEA. When we arrived, we picked up a loveseat and a slipcover for Bonnie and three long pieces of butcher block countertop for our kitchen, as well as three extra cushion covers for our new sofas . . . from the as-is section because they were missing the rest of the set.

Third Twine’s the Charm:

Outside, we began loading the van. And that’s when we discovered the bucket seats in the middle weren’t removable (the back seat had been taken out before we left). As it began to rain, Michael finagled everything around until the loveseat and counters stuck out just an inch or two. He opened the box of twine on the loading dock. Empty. Down the dock he went, to the next box. Empty. I saw him come walking back empty-handed and directed him to a third box I saw on the other side. Eureka!

Pop! Goes the Vehicle:

Twine in hand at last, he commenced tying down the trunk. He pulled down the trunk and then . . . pop! Back up it went. he pulled it down again and . . . pop! The same thing. His mom’s “smart” van sensed obstacles in the way and wouldn’t close. Finally Michael managed to get it to stay down and got it secured, while he got soaking wet. Then we hopped in the van to drive it into the parking garage. The “door ajar” alarm began to beep. And beep. And beep. sigh.

{image via}

Happy Birthday:

Inside IKEA again, and out of the rain, we headed first to the return counter to return the slipcover we had just purchased – since it was the wrong one! (At least we realized it before we left the premises.) Then we met up with my parents and one of my sisters at the marketplace restaurant. I helped my sister polish of her Swedish meatballs and then my mom bought chocolate cake for all of us. Mmmm. They all sang “Happy Birthday” to me in hushed whispers and we enjoyed my birthday cake and getting to see each other. Then we headed to the marketplace while my parents and sister went to the showroom.

Checkout Line Take 2:

Michael and I made a purposeful, yet not-too-quick jaunt through the marketplace, picking up the chandelier I wanted, as well as a few packs of batteries (IKEA sells batteries at an awesome price), a drawer organizer, a few storage boxes, a pair of curtains, the correct slipcover for his mom’s loveseat, and a kitchen sink. (Yes, really. We bought a kitchen sink.) Back outside we  took everything out of the car, folded the seats down instead of up (thanks to a brainstorming session with my parents), and managed to get everything into the car and the trunk closed. Then my mom called. “Did you remember to get the oil for your countertop?” she asked. Of course not. Why would we have remembered that? Guess we had to go in again.

Checkout Line Take 3:

Mom had told me exactly where the counter oil was, so we were able to walk right in and grab it. We passed my family on the way, so we stopped for a few more hugs then headed on towards the kitchen section. Oil in hand, Michael looked at me and laughed, “Is there anything else we want while we’re here?” I shook my head and we kept on until we got to the next-to-last section of the marketplace . . . the candles. We both spotted a chandelier that we loved, so we picked it up, along with the tapers that went with it. Then we grabbed a few lanterns and a bag of 100 tealights to go with those. Then we made our way to the checkout. Again.

{image via}

My Wonderful Memory:

About half an hour down the interstate, finally on our way towards home, I turned to look at Michael. “We were supposed to get your mom two slipcovers!” Oh well. I guess we’ll have to make another trip sometime.

Isn’t that the most beautiful sink you’ve ever seen? Okay, probably not. But I think it’s lovely – because it’s in my kitchen!

A couple of weeks ago we were given that utility sink to tide us over until we can put in our kitchen, and Michael just got it all hooked up and leak-proof for me. No more washing dishes in the bathroom sink! I can now wash my hands, drain noodles, wash dishes, fill up pots, get a glass of water, and clean off the stove without having to go into the laundry room.

So today, I’m thankful for the most wonderful sink in the world – and the amazing friends that blessed us with it.

Head over to A Lady in Waiting to see what other people are thankful for.

• When I was in TJMaxx earlier this week, I saw this edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland on clearance for $7.00. I love the picture book format and the gorgeous illustrations. I purchased this copy for myself and have been thoroughly enjoying it. After I get the storage containers I need, I’ll be saving up my Swagbucks for Amazon gift cards to get another copy for my nieces.
• This kitchen makeover from diyideas.com is absolutely beautiful!
• September 25th is  Museum Day. Check the listings here to find out if there’s a museum near you offering free admission. Note that the free ticket is only good for two people per household.
• Better Homes and Gardens is holding a “Share the Plaid” photo contest. Submit a photo of yourself with your copy of the BHG Cookbook, along with your favorite memory of using it, then get your friends and family members to vote for you, and you could win two copies of the new plaid cookbook – one to keep and one to share!
• This recipe for Giant Chewy Lemon Sugar Cookies looks delicious. It’s from Big Girls, Small Kitchens, and shared via Design*Sponge.

The photo of the week:

{Photo copyright Nick Amis. Discovered via Decor Amor.}

• I was doing some online window shopping (is that even possible?) at Anthropologie and this dishtowel caught my eye. I’m a sucker for anything with butterflies, and the vintage-y look just adds to its charm.
• These notecards, also from Anthropologie, are $7.95, making them $1/card if you can find them locally and not have to pay for shipping. They would be perfect for sending a “thinking of you” note just to give a friend a smile.
• This apron is printed with cooking times, measurements, and conversions. But the best part is that it’s printed upside-down! All you have to do is pull up the bottom to read it. {Thanks to Baking Bites for the discovery.}
• If you’re curious how the Blackberry got its name, or why the Wii is the Wii, read this fun list of how 10 different technology/software companies got their names (accuracy unknown).

Photo of the week . . .

{Source unknown. I want to give proper credit, so please leave a comment if you know where this is from!}

• Holiday with Matthew Mead, a book-azine all about the winter holidays (mostly Christmas, from what I can tell), is ready for press. You can order on their website and your issue will be shipped straight to you in October.
• I don’t have a pantry, but this armoire-turned-pantry idea looks like a great way to add some storage space in the dining room without having to fudge on design/decor.
• Amanda of Sweet Bella Bakery made beautiful cookies for us to use as favors at the wedding. Gorgeous (and tasty!) wedding cakes and monogrammed cookies. Mmmm.

The picture of the week:

{Photo copyright SixFourteen Photography}

I think I may have to try this out whenever my sister, Anna, gets engaged. She has at least 16 pairs of Converse in her closet.