Spring Mantel

Some of my favorite bloggers have recently posted stories of updating their fireplace mantel for spring, and it really inspired me.  Especially after I considered that I had not changed my mantel decor in over two years (except for Christmas).  I had in mind to scout out a silver and glass lantern and light blue candles.  So, on a recent shopping trip with my mom, I hit up T.J. Maxx.  I found some lanterns, but they all had fake plastic candles built into them.  That just didn't appeal to me.  What did appeal to me was this SUPER CUTE turquoise filigree metal lantern.  And it even has a little bird on top! Don't you just love little birds? Also, there was a wooden "Peace" sign that spoke to me.   Our home is our refuge from the hectic pace of our work world, and most of the time it is a very peaceful place to relax.  I like think my decorating style is a reflection of my personality; comfortable and cozy, peaceful and relaxing, but with playful punches of color and a little whimsy here and there! 

What do you think?

The rest of the items on the mantel, the pottery and picture frame, were shopped from around the house. It all didn't really seem to come together for me until I added the old window frame.  I've had a couple of those things hanging around in my basement for several years just waiting for me to get the right idea of what to do with them.  I think eventually this one will become a picture frame to hold old black and white photos, but it's found a good home for now.  (The other window frame got sold at my antiques booth; it also found a good home!)

(P.S. - Don't look too close at the picture in the frame, it's still got the model's photo in it.  I've been lazy about developing my photos! :)

My New Dishwasher

I don't always have the best luck buying appliances.  In the past my modus operandi was to purchase the least expensive model.  However, I've learned my lesson on getting what you pay for when it comes to appliances.  If you go cheap, you're usually going to get a cheaply made product that will break down after a year or two and you'll be spending even more money on a replacement.  Nope, it's better to pay a little more up front to get the middle-of-the-line model that will work just as well as the top-of-the-line model, but just doesn't have all the bells and whistles. 


Recently when Lowe's had an advertised sale on appliances, I researched the dishwashers, read the reviews, and made my choice.  I went with the Samsung 24-in built-in dishwasher with hard food disposer and stainless steel tub; Model #: DW7933LRASR.  It had the best reviews overall, and got very good ratings for being quiet. The quietness factor was big on my priority list.

Ain't it purdy?

The last time I bought a dishwasher (only 5 years ago) I went with the cheapest one they had at Lowe's and I have never been happy with it.  I had to practically wash my dishes in the sink before putting them in the dishwasher, otherwise there would be food particles or a dirty film left all over everything.  And the old dishwasher was very loud.  Also, after only 5 years, the racks had a significant amount of rust, which was my main reason for buying a replacement.  With my new Samsung, I only have to rinse the food off the dishes; I don't have to scrub them with soap and a brush before loading.  I have noticed that if I choose the auto select cycle as opposed to the heavy or normal wash cycle, one or two items don't get completely clean.  Otherwise, the Samsung is working like a charm! A very quiet charm!  

The only negative thing I have to say is that the bottom rack was not designed very well for loading lots of dishes.  Maybe it was their goal for the consumer to load lots of plates, however, the plate slots are either too close together or the tines need to be altered slightly.  My plates tend to fall forward after I load them, and I find myself skipping spaces in between the plates to compensate for this dysfunction.  Otherwise, I'm very pleased with my purchase.   


Maybe Samsung needs to hire me to help them design a bottom rack for their new models.  :)

Do you have a name for you car?

Do you have a name for you car? I do.

This is Libby.

My 2006 Jeep Liberty.

Libby wasn't exactly my first choice when I bought her.  I was really in the market for a two seat convertible, but I couldn't find one that met all my criteria at that time.  And usually, God's choice for me is better than what I have in mind.

What were my criteria, you may ask...

Number 1: It had to be an automatic.  No, I can't drive a stick shift.  After years of trying to learn and being yelled at by everyone who tried to teach me, I decided I was done with that whole experience.  Automatic transmissions were invented for people like me in the first place.  But I digress.

Number 2:  It HAD to be a convertible.  I have always wanted a convertible.  I LOVE the sun and wind in my face! The closest I ever came to owning a convertible was a Nissan Maxima that had a sun roof.  I drove with that thing open all the time.  

Number 3: The payments had to fit into my budget (which is always tight).

Number 4: It could not be more than 5 years old.  And,

Number 5: It could not be white.  I've had a white car, and I never want another one.  I know people who will only buy white vehicles.  I don't get it.  I'm not a vanilla kind of person.  And please don't get me wrong; I'm not knocking you if you like white cars or vanilla ice cream.  They just aren't for me.  But ain't it cool that we're all different and that there are so many choices for all of us?!

Okay, where was I?  Oh yeah, . . .

After searching for a couple of months, I was not having any luck.  I had to do something quick because the car I was driving at the time (Maxie, my Nissan Maxima) was starting to have issues that were going to cost more than she was worth.  And then one day, I happened to see this cute little Jeep on a car lot on my way to work.  Something about it spoke to me and I decided that if I couldn't find my convertible, I was going to buy a Jeep.  I researched it, and then I test drove one.  And I LOVED the way it drove!  And so one Saturday as the Hubs and I were perusing every car dealership within a 60 mile radius, we happened upon Libby.  She met all my criteria (except for the being a convertible).   And while she was really supposed to be priced just outside my budget, we got her at a steal of a deal!  The newspaper had made a mistake in printing the sales price and the dealer was having to honor that advertised price.  The car lot was reimbursed the difference by the newspaper in free advertising.  Anyway, we wouldn't have known about it if we had not heard one of the salesmen talking about it to another man who was looking to buy it for his wife, but couldn't make up his mind.  As soon as he left, we asked if we could get the same deal - we were ready to buy.  And just like that Libby was mine!

She's an awesome vehicle! You can park her almost anywhere.  She turns on a dime.  She has great get-up-and-go.  A true work-horse! And a great friend!  Yes, I said it.  Libby is my friend.  I depend on her everyday.  She takes care of getting me (and all my stuff) where I need to go.  She's great to take shopping!  We have driven Libby on most of our vacations that we have taken since we bought her.  We have had some great times together. She has heard me singing, laughing, yelling, and crying.  She has given me the best years of her existence.  (She just recently rolled over 100,000 on her odometer.)  If that's not a friend, I don't know what is.  And so, I say she deserves a name.

  And right now, she deserves a good detailing.