Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Kitchen Cabinets

Projects, projects, do they ever end?   lol    There is always something to add to the list, isn't there?
I had wanted to add bead board to the ends of our cabinets for quite a while.   Well, it finally got done!
I know many ladies are doing the bead board wallpaper, and I thought about doing that.  It looks very nice!
Since I have a handyman that does some work for us at very reasonable prices, I decided to go with the wood bead board.  
Seriously, it makes the cabinets look finished..compared to the builder grade cabinets.

                               
 We did all the areas that were visible.   On the inside of the windows, too.
 I love the look of it!
 He did the ends on my pass through, as well.
 The kitchen island on all sides, too.
All done and on to the next project...because you know there is one on the horizon!  lol

Are you busy tackling a project at your house?

Apple Orchard Time




It's that time of the year to hit the apple orchards for some delicious fruit and veggies.  We did just that the other day in NC at Justus Orchards.
They normally have small animals for the kids to pet but they weren't out yet.   They also have a wagon ride for anyone to enjoy.
They have a beautiful view of the mountains.
The red roofed house sits on the back side of the property.

Some parts of NC lost their apples due to a very late frost this past Spring.   Justus Orchards were spared and have an over abundance.                                   
To pick blueberries you have to take the road near their house.  I couldn't resist taking a pic.

Couldn't come home without some fresh produce.   Loved eating those peaches and berries.

I still have a few apples left.   Would you like one?
All good things must come to an end.   Check out that view as we head home.
What's been happening around your house?

Sunday, August 19, 2012

The Calm or Cleanup After the STORM

  We spent a few days this week outside cleaning up after the storm we had a week ago.    It was one of those quick but furious storms that brought down trees, power lines, loss of power and made big messes of neighborhoods.

There is an old farm 1/4 mile down the road from us and they still had two old,  big  red barns.  Notice I said did....one was flattened by a large oak tree.   They just finished carting it away a couple of days ago.
This monster brought down the power lines by us.
We are so thankful that we only had minor damage.   We trimmed, racked, and replaced a couple of plants.   Had one big butterfly bush that was broken, but that's all.   So happy to have everything back to normal.
  I see this view every morning from our master bathroom window.
This gazebo is right outside my office window where I'm writing to you right now.   I enjoy seeing the flowers  trees and God's creation.   A constant reminder of who is in control of it all.

I love being able to enjoy our neighbors Crepe Myrtle trees.  So happy they planted them on our side.   lol
These little fellows enjoy them, as well.   We have several bird feeders right below the trees.   Hubby caught three Doves on our bench, all at the same time, which is a rarity.

Ah, look, a fourth one just joined them.   I think they're having a family reunion.  lol

A few of our tomatoes took a bit of a beating but they still taste great!
 
What's been happening in your neck of the woods?

Friday, August 10, 2012

Bad Storm




We had quite the STORM last night!    I don't think I've ever seen wind this strong.   We were ready to take cover in our safe spot when it subsided.   It came and went that fast.  But, oh the aftermath and the mess it brings.    
This tree is on the main road right outside our sub-division.    Which blocks everyone from getting home that way.   It hit a telephone pole and broke it in half.    We lost power, phones, and Internet.
It's funny how lost we are without those conveniences.      
I went to get flashlights and still hit the wall switch to turn on lights as I went.   lol     Habits are hard to break!


Two trees were down on our street, just a few houses down from us.



Leaves and twigs were flying everywhere!  Many trees around us were uprooted like this.
We, ourselves, dodged a bullet, as they say, and had no damage!     We are thankful for God protecting
us and that there have been no deaths reported that I know of.

Till next time!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

SimpleTablescape

Hello everyone!   I hope you've been having a good week so far!
We are having company for dinner so I thought I'd share a simple tablescape with you today!


 I 'm  thinking Summer with this hot, muggy weather we are still having.   So I added the flower napkin ring holders to napkins shaped like a bow tie.
I just found these name card holders at AC Moore.  I saw them at a friend's house and thought they were so cute.
I found this ribbon accent holder that goes on a plate in a little town in MI.   (It fits over any standard size plate.)





Thanks for stopping by!
 These are some parties I link to:

 These parties I love to link up to or check out my Blog Parties tab
Party Time @ It's So Very Cheri
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps On The Porch
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Tabletop Tuesday @  http://www.astrollthrulife.net/
Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Rock N Share Wednesday @ The Shady Porch
Wildly Original Wednesday @ I Gotta Create!
Show and Share @ Lil Pink Pocket
Link Up Wednesday @ Junk in their Trunk
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Piece of Work Wednesday @ Primitive & Proper
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

Show & Share @ Southern Lovely
Show Me Extraordinary Thursday Party @ The 36th Avenue
Open House Thursday @ No Minimalist Here
Creative Things Thursday @ The Vintage Farmhouse
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage


Blog Stalking Thursday @ The Crafty Blog Stalker
Show And Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed

Fridays Unfolded @ Stuff and Nonsense

Frugal Friday @ Shabby Nest
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
American Pickers @ Savvy City Farmer
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence
Free For All Party @ Five Days, Five Ways
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Any Link Goes Party @ Bacon Time With The Hungry Hungry Hypo
Weekend WrapUp Party @ Tatertots and Jello
Serenity Saturday @ Serenity You
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Share your Creations @kristens
  Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal
Overflowing with Creativity @ It's Overflowing
Sunday Showcase Party @ By Stephanie Lynn
Sundae Scoop Weekend Wrap Up Party @ I love Nap Time
Sunday Blog Love @ Cherished Treasures
So Darn Crafty Party @ Sew Many Ways
Sunday's Best Wrap Up Party @ My 1929 Charmer

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Dining Room Makeover

It all started with a tour of the 2012 Southern Living Showcase Home by Dillard Jones Builders that was built in our area.

  We toured the home a couple of months ago, which was gorgeous, as you can imagine.     We were told, as we entered, that all the furniture was for sale.     That piqued my interest and I made a point of carefully looking to see if there was anything that I could use or..... afford.  lol

 We had talked about making our dining this year's big project.   It was the only room downstairs in our house that had not been updated from Oak to a darker wood.    It was almost 30 years old, but still in good condition.

Below is a picture of the kitchen in the model home.  Isn't the ceiling stunning?   I fell in love with the table and bench.    Long story short.....we left without making any purchases.
Later, though, I was looking through the brochure and noticed the name of the furniture store that the table set came from. 
   My hubby had some business with them the following week and I tagged along.   I asked about the table and learned it was being returned to them, as no one had purchased it.   The little wheels in my head starting turning. 
  We didn't make it back to the store on the day the table was to be returned or even in the next few days.    However, when we did make it back there, the four chairs had sold.  The table and bench were still on display in the show room.

Guess what came home with us????  I love the detail on the table, bench seat and back of bench.


 Actually, the guys had to deliver it and put it together.


It's blackish/brown with beautiful gold and a hint of red scrolls on the top.
I found this side piece at Home Goods, just as it arrived and was put on the floor to be displayed.   Talk about timing and God blessing us.   Others were interested in it as well, but  I got a clerk to tag it sold in about 5 seconds.  lol     It goes perfectly with the table top, the round mirror and lamps that I already had.



I got rid of all the old pieces of furniture in the room and went on a search for pieces to refill the room.   I first went to different areas of the house to see what, if anything, I could pull from to add to the dining room.  See the metal corner cabinet.   I've had it at least 5 yrs.    I scraped, painted and sprayed it.     Guess where it came from?    Outside on the patio.  (see below)

It worked well in the corner outside for years. ( See it in the left hand corner.)
  Since the chairs had sold, we chose four fabric covered chairs that complimented the table top and colors in my drapes.   I had three pillows made for the bench in the same color fabric.


While in NC on business at a shop called A DAY IN THE COUNTRY I saw this small baker's rack.       It's  a replica of one that is in the Biltmore Estate.  It was a bit pricey and I didn't want to pay the sticker price.
The manager told me they had some in their warehouse and that it was open to the public.    I said, " Show me the way"!    It was another 15 min. up the Mtn. to Bat Cave.   I know what you're thinking...... but it's not that cave.......no  BATMAN or Robin there .   lol   Seriously it's the town's name.    Sure enough that little rack was $34.99 vs. 99.00 in the main store.
It's the Manual Woodworkers Outlet Store in Bat Cave, NC   They have tons of STUFF in there.  Have any of you been to either of those shops?
I pulled this painting from another room and painted it's red matte black.   What a difference that made.  Goes great with the mirror and lamps in pic above.
While in the outlet I spotted this Tuscan looking tapestry with attached hardware.     It was  $37.99 vs.  120.00 in the store.   You can't beat those prices!


The next pic shows it a little bit better.


Thanks for stopping by and taking peek at my dining room redo!
                                             Before                                       After

I hope you enjoyed your visit!


 These are parties I link up to:

 These parties I love to link up to or check out my Blog Parties tab
Party Time @ It's So Very Cheri
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps On The Porch
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Tabletop Tuesday @  http://www.astrollthrulife.net/
Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Rock N Share Wednesday @ The Shady Porch
Wildly Original Wednesday @ I Gotta Create!
Show and Share @ Lil Pink Pocket
Link Up Wednesday @ Junk in their Trunk
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Piece of Work Wednesday @ Primitive & Proper
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

Show & Share @ Southern Lovely
Show Me Extraordinary Thursday Party @ The 36th Avenue
Open House Thursday @ No Minimalist Here
Creative Things Thursday @ The Vintage Farmhouse
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage


Blog Stalking Thursday @ The Crafty Blog Stalker
Show And Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed

Fridays Unfolded @ Stuff and Nonsense

Frugal Friday @ Shabby Nest
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
American Pickers @ Savvy City Farmer
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence
Free For All Party @ Five Days, Five Ways
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Any Link Goes Party @ Bacon Time With The Hungry Hungry Hypo
Weekend WrapUp Party @ Tatertots and Jello
Serenity Saturday @ Serenity You
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Share Your Creations@ http://kristenscreationsonline.blogspot.com/
Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal

Overflowing with Creativity @ It's Overflowing
Sunday Showcase Party @ By Stephanie Lynn
Sundae Scoop Weekend Wrap Up Party @ I love Nap Time
Sunday Blog Love @ Cherished Treasures
So Darn Crafty Party @ Sew Many Ways
Sunday's Best Wrap Up Party @ My 1929 Charmer