Elegant Dining

When I lived in Texas, the house I rented had lots of personal belongings left behind by the owner who moved to a nursing home. I became very attached to a certain spoon, salad fork and dinner fork that were the only lonely ones in that pattern in the drawer! I called it my "Princess" set and have used it ever since. Recently, my spoon was lost and I frantically looked for it ... even threatened to go on strike until it was found!

I decided to look into purchasing a replacement online and was shocked to see why I favored this set so much ... it was $10 PER PIECE!!! It is Onieda in the Heirloom Michelango pattern, which is "Pierced" (hence the price). I found and purchased another set of 5 place settings since it makes dining at home such an enjoyable and elegant experience (and pricey one)! I rarely spoil myself this way, but this is one purchase I knew I wanted and deserved! Here they are below:

New Year (2009) Plan Accomplished!

On last New Year's day I posted a blog about planning to move back to NY ... and here I am ... all settled in! So far, no regrets! It has been great to be back among family and friends, AND even the snow and cold.
Who knows what THIS year might bring? Well ... there are quite a few predicitons for that, thanks to all my cooperative family members. We started a new tradition last year, where everyone gives me their predictions for the upcoming year. I compile, seal and save them to reveal next New Year's Day! Last year, 5 predictions (out of 18) came true and this year we have over 40 predictions contributed and it should be very interesting!

Before/After Siding!

This is my shed "Before"

Cost of siding ... $O (found box of it in attic)

Cost of labor ... $O (did it all myself)

Cost of tools ... $O (made do with a hacksaw and snips)

Shed "After" ...

PRICELESS!!!

Top 10 Differences Between Buffalo & Myrtle Beach

1. In Bflo you take a shower to warm up ... In MB you take a shower to wash the sweat off!
2. You enjoy looking at the colorful leaves on the ground in Bflo... In MB all you see is piles of dead pine needles.
3. In Bflo it takes 10-15 minutes to drive 10 miles ... in MB it takes about 30-60!
4. In Bflo you seal around the door and windows to keep the cold out ... in MB you do it to keep the lizards out!
5. In Bflo you have to wipe the rain/snow off the dogs feet when bringing it in ... in MB you have to wipe the sand off!
6. In Bflo you open all the shades and curtains to let the sunlight in to warm up the home... in MB you keep them all closed and live in a cave to try and keep it cool inside!
7. In Bflo you stop mowing the lawn in October ... in MB it's finally cool enough outside to be able to go out and mow the lawn!
8. In Bflo you keep an eye on the weather forecast for lake-effect snow ... in MB you are looking out for hurricanes!
9. In Bflo the people are all locals, visitors, or tourists ... in MB they are either Yankees or Rednecks!
10. In Bflo I have 80% of my family nearby all the time ... in MB I only had 20% nearby, but I get to see them in the summer months now anyway!

Before/After Dog Grooming

My daughter, Michele, treated my dog, Darma, to a "Spa Day" at the groomer's (thanks Michele and Wendy, the groomer). Here is a shot of "Dirty Darma", whom we were calling "Dognilla" since I doused her with too much vanilla scent earlier in the week ...

Here is the new "Diva Darma" after LOTS of bathing and brushing and combing and trimming ....

Another Before/After

My dog knocked over the table that held a great lamp I had customized to match my living room and it crashed into pieces! My granddaughter provided me with this UGLY, rusted brass and green glass lamp to replace it:

Thank God for the miracles of spray paint ... from which came this transformation:

Queen Of ......................

SPRAYPAINT!!!

I have been doing some very inexpensive decorating by spraypainting my furniture and accessories to match. Here is a before and after pic of a very outdated brass and glass table and mirror (which was situated very dangerously at the bottom of the staircase) that now matches my white wicker and bamboo dining room, where it was moved to: