Month: July 2012

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The gift of a spice rack

My oldest daughter called me and asked what kind of spice rack she would need for her kitchen. I sat on the other end of the phone in puzzlement. My  kids have asked me a lot of various questions in their lifetime, some of which were quite strange questions, but never about a thing like this. I think maybe she was hinting that she would like to have one.

Spice racks to me are personal. I don’t really like to cook, but cook I do, and I’m good at it. One can be good at something and still not like to do it. When it comes to my spices, I’m very picky. The order they are in, and the type of spice group they are in is important to me. That is where good spice racks come in. They are awesome for organization of spices and also save space.

I think, judging how my daughter’s kitchen is set up, that she should look into a wall spice rack. She is learning now how to use various spices, and this way they would be right within her reach, organized, and would be a nice decor touch for her kitchen. I’ll be buying my daughter’s her first spice rack. I’ve seen some nice ones that she will be sure to like.

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Possibilities of a small pond

Kicking around the possibility of a small pond has been on my mind lately. We have enough room on our lot out in the back yard, and I would really love to see what I could do when it comes to landscaping around a pond.

I don’t want a really big pond. A small one, stocked with some fish and water critters would work just fine for me. My dog could swim in it, and I wouldn’t have to worry like I do if he goes into the pool. I am afraid one of these days he is going to rip the liner, and in a pond there isn’t that worry. He loves the water and since the temperature hasn’t budged below 85 degrees in the last few weeks, it would be a great respite from the heat for my little guy.

Of course, I’ve not mentioned my idea to my husband yet. I have to come up with some very good pros, to counter his cons. We’ll see what happens, but I would indeed love to have a small pond.

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Shopping with mom

Yesterday I went with my mom to “pick up a few things” at her favorite super store. I actually thought she would stick to her short list this time and not buy items that weren’t on this list. Wrong. We went down every single aisle in the food section of the store. Granted, both of us got some great deals, but it took nearly an hour and a half to go shopping for “a few things” that my mom didn’t even really need.

I enjoy spending time with my mom, there is no doubt about that. When she asks me if I want to go to her favorite store though, I have to remember that the list grows and to know that we are going to be in that store for quite awhile!

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Using battery operated lights

Lately I have been seeing a lot of battery operated lights that look exactly like candles, and I think it’s a great idea. In fact, I’ve been thinking about putting these lights along the walkways in my gardens. I really like the look of them, and the great thing is, they don’t melt! I’ve done some research and they last a long time on a little battery and are so handy to have. Not only that, they really are pretty and a great addition to ambiance in the garden or anywhere else a person would like to use them instead of a real candle. If there is a breeze blowing outside, they don’t go out, which is another plus.

I’ve always loved candles, but the average tea light burns for only approximately four hours, at the most. You don’t have that problem with the LED tea lights. It seems like they last for a very long time. The great thing is that you don’t have to worry about fire, but they actually look just like the wax tea lights and give even a bit more light. Generally I end up always checking the tea lights I burn for fear of them getting too hot in the holders. These LED lights don’t get hot and they are much less dangerous than a candle fire burning.

There are a wide variety of battery operated lights to choose from, and some look like candles that are melted, which brings on an almost real candle appearance without the worries of candle wax getting all over the place. I’ve accidentally melted candle wax onto some pieces of furniture and I was never able to get off completely. I’ve also spilled candle wax on the carpet before and it is nearly impossible to get out. All told, I really want to get some of these lights. They would give me peace of mind, without giving up the look of a real candle.

 

 

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Weekend mini vacation

The kids and I are planning on going to Devils lake this weekend. Contrary to the name, the lake doesn’t have grass around much of the lake, and it’s probably the only lake I will actually go swimming in. I have an aversion to seaweed and mucky bottoms, so since this lake has (as far as I’ve noticed) a hard packed sandy bottom.

I think my kids are looking forward to this little mini vacation. It’s going to be nice to get away for a little while, go swimming and just kick back. Usually we rent a small speed boat or a pontoon boat for a day, to go out and meander around the lake, then visit a favorite restaurant that is on the point, which we actually have to dock up to.

So far there has been a unanimous vote that we are leaving early on Friday morning, but I’m thinking that the kids won’t be ready until early afternoon. This generally is always the case. I don’t care, I just want to park myself on the beach and enjoy my time relaxing.

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In need of a computer desk and hutch

For me to find just the right computer desk and hutch or my daughters room has taken some time since the space in her room is limited, and her need of organization is growing. She really needs a place for her computer, school papers and also her music. She has a printer that she doesn’t use at the moment because she has no place to put it. With collage starting in the fall, she’ll need a study space.

With a little bit of rearranging and clearing out some childhood items she doesn’t need in her room, I found a great Contemporary Corner Workstation with Maximum Storage that would fit perfectly and give her all kinds of storage space and room to put everything she has as far as school and general computer work.

 

I like the looks of this corner desk and so does my daughter. It’s totally functional and would be a great way to have her room more organized. It really maximizes space and doesn’t take up a whole lot of room, so it would be perfect for her. I’ve even been thinking about getting myself one. Everyone in this house could use a bit more organization, and a room saving way to hold what they need.

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Early school clothes shopping

Maybe I’m jumping the gun a bit, but I’m going to take my youngest son shopping for some school clothes tomorrow. He likes this one novelty type store that all the kids get a lot of their shirts and jeans from, so instead of ordering online, at least I can take him to the shop/store and make sure clothes fit, instead of sort of guessing like one sometimes has to do when ordering from the internet.

I haven’t gone shopping with just my youngest son in a very long time. It’s going to be nice to spend some alone time with him, since we haven’t had that opportunity to do so lately. He’s always off with his brother or hanging out with his girlfriend. Playing video games with him doesn’t count.

I think we’ll make a day of it, go shopping and out to lunch at his favorite restaurant. If there is anything else he wants to do, or any other stores he’d like to go to, we’ll also do that. I’m looking forward to this. I’m not so sure my son is, but at 15 he is pretending well, for me.

 

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Shopping for residential address plaques

Since my daughter moved into a new home, I’ve been looking at residential address plaques that I think she may like since there isn’t one on her house. It’s hard to tell which house is hers and even her mail man has been messing up when delivering the mail. It’s been bothering her since she had to change her address and important mail has ended back at the post office for her to have to go into town and get. To me, this is basically the mail carrier’s fault, but people do look for a name and address when trying to find the right house.

Personalized address plaques are a nice gift. It has both the name and address on the plaque and it gives it sort of a homey touch, I think. I haven’t asked my daughter which kind she wants though, so I’m holding off on buying one. I don’t know if she and her husband want their last name on the plaque for privacy reasons. Which us understandable to me.

I personally like the bronze address plaques and think that one would look really nice on my daughter’s house. There are so many various plaques to choose from, I might just wait and let my daughter look at them and choose the one she wants. That way, since it’s her choice, I’ll know I got her exactly what she wants.

 

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A break in the heat

Being outside today was a treat compared to how unbearable the the weather has been for nearly two weeks. 104 degree temperatures is just too dangerous and even the pool feels like bath water.

Yesterday we finally got some respite from the heat. It felt like it to us, though it was still 88 degrees. There was a nice breeze blowing and it did cool us off a bit.

My front yard looks brown and I can forget about even watering my flowers. They scorched from the sun and died. It’s sad to me, but I could have watered for hours and it would not have made much of a difference. The lawn is brown as is everyone’s around here and in town unless they had a good watering system, which is pricey. Next year I’ll do my gardens over and hope for the best.

 

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Bedroom carpet

Today I picked out new carpet for my bedroom. I wanted the non plush kind, nearly like carpet tile, because it is much easier to sweep up dog hair. My dog sheds even in the winter and he has white and cream colored hair. It gets all over the place and I have to vacuum in the morning and then again before I go to sleep. Sometimes even in the afternoon. I hate dog hair, so I try and make sure it is always swept up.

The carpet I ended picking out, looks sort of like the large area rugs one sees in Victorian homes. It’s big enough to cover the whole floor and I love the antique rose pattern to it. It is going to give my room a vintage look that I was aiming for.

The carpet is due to arrive tomorrow and I must say I’m really excited to have it put down. The wheels are turning in my mind about shopping for new curtains and also bedding that will go along with the vintage theme I want to have.