Kitchen Window Fabric & Thrifty Finds!

Hello friends and happy Monday to you! Oh how I love time off from work...time to putter around the house and just be. Time to do what I enjoy or nothing at all. Today was that kind of day. Yes, in the midst of this kitchen remodel, I took a few hours to do what I wanted...which was nothing much. I took Sadie to the Vet for her check-up and shots and she is a healthy girl. A little on the pudgy fluffy side at 85 pounds, but not too fat for her size according the the Vet. We have had her on a diet though...the girl loves to eat! Anywho, we came home and I surfed the Internet for fabric for my kitchen curtain, or actually Roman shade. That's the plan anyway. I found several beautiful options and have a sample ordered of the last one. It can be found here and the others are from fabric.com. Here are a few of my favorites...which one do you like best? 

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Let me know which one you like and why! I'm truly interested in your opinions...:)

OK....on to my new treasures!  I found most of these last Friday when Mama, Aunt Loretta, and I went thrift shopping. 

I love this beautiful spring wreath. It will be used in many places over the years. It was $5.

Some of you might remember my violet collection. I don't add to it very often, but I did find  this beautiful piece and had to have it. It was a little higher that I normally pay, but it was worth it. It was $6.99. I priced them on Ebay and they cost more than that so it was a good deal.

It seem I always find a couple violet things if I find one. These were at a different shop, but of course they came home with me as well. I already have one like the round ones. These were $0.75 each.

I thought this piece would be really pretty to decorate with for Saint Patrick's Day. I have just a couple things for this holiday, but sadly I will not be using them this year. I paid just over a dollar for it if I remember correctly. 

I love small white planters...don't ask me why because I have no idea! It was $0.89.

These two cuties are quite small, but I thought they would look cute adorning my open shelving in the kitchen during Valentine's Day, 4th of July, or Christmas. These were $0.99 each.

Loved this large leaf platter. It will be used for Easter and spring decorating. Of course, I will not be able to decorate for Easter either due to the mess in my dining room. It will be so worth it though! I think I paid $3 for it.

I love cheese domes. This one is beautiful and  much larger than the others I have found over the years. The glass dome is thinner and has a nice shape. I was tickled pink to find this beauty! It was $3.

This little gadget it a garlic mincer. It was brand new with the tags and cost $3. I found it on Amazon for $19.99!

I thought this wood look ball with silver accents was pretty. It was $0.99.

I am going to repaint the lid, but I thought this retro canister would be a cute addition to my craft room. It was $2. 

And these tart molds are larger that the ones I already have. They will be used in crafts eventually. They were $1.99.

These last two finds were purchased at the flea market a couple weeks ago. This milk glass shade is so pretty. I will probably put it in my resell pile. 

The last item I have to share is this beautiful American Brilliant antique decanter. I did a little research and discovered that it was it was probably produced sometime between 1876 and 1914 if it is an original. It is very heavy lead crystal and still has the stopper. Most of the ones I found online do not have it. It does have a couple small chips around the rim, but you can't really tell unless you feel for them. I got an incredible deal on this piece! It will probably go to my resell pile as well. I had intended to work on opening my Etsy shop over spring break, but with the remodel mess everywhere I can't even really get to most of my stash. Maybe I can get a little done though. 

Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

I hope you have a lovely week my friends. I'll be back soon!

Until next time.....

Mobile Home Kitchen Remodel Progress

Hello friends! Just popping in for a quick post tonight. I wanted to give you an update on our kitchen remodel progress. I am sharing one side of the kitchen tonight, and will share some photos of the other side soon. The collage below shows  before, during, and after so far. Not very pretty to look at just yet, but we have a lot of the time consuming parts done. As most of you know, we live in a mobile home and nothing, I repeat nothing is level or square! It is a chore to get everything to look right, but so far so good! We have totally ripped out all the old cabinets, lowered all the electrical outlets a few inches, and put up all the bead board. It doesn't sound like a lot, but we have done it in less than a week, working in the evenings and over the weekend. Lots still to be done, but I am happy with the progress we've made so far. Next step is to paint the ceiling and walls and install the crown molding. After that, we will hang the upper cabinets then install the lower cabinets. We have some really cool cabinet levelers ordered that should make the job easier. 

After cabinets are installed, it will be time to put on the hardware, install the counter tops and sink, open shelving, remodel the inside of the pantry and install a new pantry door, install the new lighting, install the new range hood and dishwasher, and finally the floor. Whew...I'm tired just typing it all...lol! Speaking of lighting, let me show you one of the light fixtures I ordered.

If you read my last post, you will notice this is not the same fixture I shared there. Let me explain why. I loved the look of the other fixture...it was beautiful! I read the reviews though and more than one person said the panels were not glass but a plastic type material. I also got to thinking how hard it would be to keep the glass/plastic looking clean and dust free. So, this one happened to pop up when I was searching for something and I went to Overstock to check it out. I am an O Club member which means I get free shipping and discounts via e-mail. I kinda think it was meant for me to have this fixture because I came across it at 11:30 PM Friday night. I went to my e-mail to see if I had a discount with them and as luck would have it, I did. They usually give me a 10 or 12% off coupon, but since it was Friday the 13th, they had sent me a 13% off code. So, since this fixture would be much easier to clean, it holds a cool Edison bulb (which I love), and I got a good discount on top of it already costing less that my first pick, I had to have this one. Why was it meant to be...my coupon code would have expired at midnight and luckily I found this one just before midnight! Score! What do you think? I love it!

It is not easy remodeling a kitchen...not at all! I will not have a sink for days so I am washing dishes in the guest bathroom. You don't realize how often you go to the sink until you don't have one anymore! My range is not hooked up yet because the hubby has to go under the house to reroute the electrical since we are moving it. You can see in the photos above that it used to be in the corner. There was a wall behind it that closed off the corner. It was totally wasted space behind that wall, so we knocked it out and opened the corner up. I will have an upper and lower corner cabinet there now and have gained storage space. The range will be staying in the spot it is in now. It will have a cabinet and range hood over it. We are considering building a wall to the left of it to make it look more finished, but we are waiting to see how it looks with everything in place before we decide.

I have several new treasures to share soon. I haven't had time or a clear spot to get them out to photograph yet though...maybe tomorrow. Sadie Lou goes for her annual shots in the morning and I may do it after we get home from the vet. I am sharing my first hibiscus of 2015. Love this beautiful pop of color!

And, I'm sharing some funny photos I took of two of my silly kitties earlier. They are so nosy!

Bashful is my Tabby cat...he's a pretty handsome fella! He was a shy kitten, thus the name Bashful.

Farrah is our youngest kitty. She's a Torby...Tabby mixed with Tortoiseshell. She's a big girl! She and Sadie are great friends, they grew up together. Farrah was just a big kitten when Sadie came to live with us. We have a couple other cats as well, but they weren't around for the photo shoot...lol!

I hope your weekend was blessed and your week is too! I am so happy this is my spring break this week, although I will most likely be working harder than I would at school! I'll try to update with another kitchen post soon and hopefully one with my treasures too.

Until next time.....

 

 

Kitchen Wish List

Hello friends! I have been absent from the blog for several days and am missing it so much! I have been visiting your though at night after I collapse into bed, but haven't been commenting like I normally do because I have been short on time. I hope to visit later and maybe even leave a comment! I do hope you will forgive me though because as most of you know, I am in the middle of a kitchen remodel. I don't know what I was thinking starting this project at such a busy time at school (Parent conferences and lunch duty this week!) but it's OK. I am loving it! I have dreamed about having a new kitchen for years and am so excited to finally see my dream becoming reality! Unfortunately, there is really nothing exciting to show you on the progress yet. We totally gutted one side, having been moving and adding electrical outlets, and hanging bead board. I am hopeful that we may start putting in cabinets on this side over the weekend....maybe! I have been busy looking for the perfect light fixtures, sink, cabinet handles and so on and am having fun searching. I thought I would share a few things I have in mind if you are interested.

My vision includes,,,white cabinets, black appliances (mine are only a couple years old, so no new stainless for me yet, which is fine with me since I love black and white kitchens), black and glass light fixtures, a single basin kitchen sink, dark butcher block counter top, reclaimed wood shelving and bar top, and brushed nickel hardware to tie in with the rest of the house. I want a modern farmhouse vibe with vintage touches in the decor.

Here are the things I have picked out so far.....

I am on a budget...so I am looking for quality and beauty on a budget. I love a challenge! I am in love  with all of these gorgeous light fixtures I found online. One of the first two options will hang over the sink.

 The first one is from Home Depot and the second is from Amazon.

And this one will hang in the center of the room if it works on my vaulted ceiling. I hope it will because I absolutely love it!!! I have been looking for days and while I found several I liked, this one was love at first sight!

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While I would love to have a farmhouse style sink, it's not in the budget, and it would not work in the sink base cabinet I have, so I am going with stainless. I have had stainless for years and really like it. I am switching from a double to a single basin since I will have a dishwasher for the first time ever! I want a single basin to wash large items in, like cookie sheets, etc. I haven't picked out the exact one I want yet, but it will be similar to this one from Amazon.

I am undecided about my faucet. I love the vintage looking ones, but I would also like a touch free faucet. They are actually more affordable that the vintage look believe it or not. I am still researching this though!

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I am getting my counter top from Ikea. I have had laminate butcher block forever and have always loved the look of the real stuff. Ikea has solid Oak butcher block that can be sanded down and refinished in the dark color I want, although it is a lot of extra work. 

They also have a butcher block veneer over particle board which is real butcher block, only thinner. It comes in the dark walnut color I want, so I am leaning toward this option. 

Here are the knobs and pulls I am planning to order.,,,clean and simple.

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I think I am most excited about my open shelving and raised bar top pieces though. I have found some old lumber that belonged to my grandpa up at his and my Granny Willie Mae's old homestead. My Aunt Loretta lives there now and she said I could come look around for some old wood. I found a piece that I believe will be perfect for my raised bar top and am so excited about it! It has been up in the rafters of the old barn for years and I'm sure the last hands to touch it would have been my grandpa's...:) This means the world to me! There are also multiple options for my shelves as well. I don't have any pictures to share yet, but I will soon.

What do you think of my vision? I know there are lots of different finishes and a mix of styles, but I love it. It may sound silly, but I want a kitchen that looks like it has been around for a while. I don't want everything to perfectly matched. That's not my style. I hope you are having a lovely week. I have two down and just two to go. Thursday is my late night as we choose to dedicate an evening to conferences so we can be off the next day. I have been conferencing over the past couple of weeks so I won't have any on Thursday and can get my room all spic and span before I leave for 10 days. 

So, my 

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 officially starts at 7:45 Thursday evening! I can't wait!

Have a blessed and beautiful Wednesday my friends.

Until next time.....

 

 

Spring Is In the Air

Hello! It's Tuesday evening already and I felt like I needed to blog...even though I have nothing really exciting to blog about. I thought I would share a few moments from my day if that's OK. Florida weather has been so beautiful this week. I have been able to wear capris again which is my favorite thing to wear to work. Now I just need a pedicure so I can wear sandals and I will be a happy camper!

I had to run out to my car earlier at work to get something and I noticed bees buzzing around the weeds flowers so I tried to snap a picture. Hard to see him, but look where the arrow is pointing. A sure sign spring is almost here!

I had a really good day with my kinders today. They are learning so much and have come so far in the time I have had them. It is amazing how much little ones learn and grow. It is parent conference time and I have had two after work each day this week. They have gone very well. Anywho, I walked in my door after work to this sight. The hubby borrowed some containers from his mom for me to pack up my kitchen! We had plans to start renovation Sunday evening, but wouldn't you know, the fuel pump in his truck went out so that meant he had to fix his truck, so that caused a slight delay in renovation. He finished it this evening, so hopefully we can start tomorrow evening. I can't wait!!!

I was also greeted by these beautiful camellias on my coffee table. They won't be blooming much longer, so I picked a few to enjoy indoors.

After they quit blooming, I will just have to enjoy these beauties instead! I stopped by the local grocery store after work yesterday and it looked like spring had exploded in front of the store! They had annuals priced at $1 each so I bought 15 of them and potted them today after work. Such bright and cheery colors!

I love the purple and yellow together.

Such a happy flower!

They look even prettier in the bright pots...turquoise, coral, and aqua blue. Did you notice my gazebo in the background here? My daddy built that for the hubby and I to get married in, so it's almost 27 years old! It needs some work done to it, but I can't bear the thought of tearing it apart. It is surrounded by all my camellias. 

I placed one of the pots under my maple tree which is in front of where I park. I forgot to snap a picture of the other two pots, but they are by my front steps. I will enjoy being welcomed home by these colorful beauties after work each day.

While Miranda was here over the weekend, we had to run to the grocery store so of course I ran into the thrift store while we were out and about. I hadn't been to this one in several weeks and I always find something good when I do visit. I thought these milk glass dishes were very pretty. They probably used to have another piece or two with them but these four fit together perfectly and will be useful in the craft room or for fruit & veggie platters for showers or parties. 

They have pretty scalloped edges and no chips at all.

I also found a pretty set of vintage salt and peppers for just $1! The gold filigree around the bottom edges is so pretty. I know these are old because they have those yellow age spots on them.

The tops have a pretty floral design.

This pattern looks so familiar to me. I am thinking someone had this pattern when I was a child. Does anyone know what it is called? There are no markings on them at all.

I know this wasn't a very exciting post, so than you if you stuck around to read it. If you know me at all, you know my blog is an online diary of sorts for me and one day I will enjoy looking back over it and reading about these every day moments that bring me much happiness. I appreciate your stopping by for a visit. I hope to be able to share some kitchen news soon!

Until next time.....

Sunday Smiles

Hello friends and happy first day of March! It has been a week since my last post......life has been busy! I wanted to share a few smiles from the week with you. My daughter, Miranda was home for the weekend and she tried to get a selfie with Sadie. Sadie is not a fan of cameras, so it didn't work out...lol! We had a nice relaxing weekend at home spent with family. I wish it wasn't over already, but sadly it is. Miranda is on her way back home and I am preparing for the week ahead. This week promises to be a busy one with parent/teacher conferences every day after school. Good thing is, Spring Break begins on the 13th and I will be off work for 10 days straight! Not that I am excited about that though...;)

I finally put a candle in my new lantern...:)

I like this area. I need a new clock here though. This one has kicked the bucket...lol! I want one that looks like an over sized pocket watch. 

I am finally reading this classic! 

I ordered new silverware this week. Isn't it pretty?

I have been using Oneida Michelangelo for my entire married life. A few of my forks have went missing over the years and we needed some new ones. Michelangelo is vintage now and sells for quite a bit of money so I may sell some of my old set. We'll see...I still love it. This Wordsworth is very pretty too though.

 

You may remember me mentioning our upcoming kitchen remodel. Well, we picked our cabinets up Friday night and I am in love with them! I can't wait to get started. We're hoping to start tearing out one side of the kitchen this week!

For now, my dining room is filled with boxes of cabinets!

I am going to have so much more storage with these new cabinets. My kitchen will be a little larger because we are reconfiguring it a bit and bumping out bar out into the dining room about 18-24 inches. I love this corner cabinet with two lazy Susan's inside!

I have wanted a white kitchen for years. If you remember I live in a mobile home and my cabinets are not traditional cabinets so they were not worth repainting. We got a great deal on these stock cabinets at Home Depot. I have lots of plans floating around in my head. It's so hard to be patient when we finally start on a project! I wanted it done yesterday....lol! It will get done though. 

I hope you had a lovely weekend and I hope your week is even better. I am off to print some things for school tomorrow and get ready for this busy week. 

Until next time.....