Thriifty Decor Chick

Stuffed Mushrooms

<div class="section clrfix about" style="clear: left; color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; margin: 0px 0px 1.231em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased !important; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 0.118em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">More Super Bowl Snacks! Yes! </h2><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">STUFFED MUSHROOMS</div><div> </div><h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased !important; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 0.118em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img src="http://img.food.com/img/recipes/13/21/73/large/picfXJDFv.jpg" /></h2><h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased !important; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 0.118em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">image source here </h2><h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased !important; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 0.118em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"> </h2>These are super easy, and super delicious. It's a good thing their easy to make, cuz I promise - your guests and family will devour them in minutes flat.  In fact, make a double recipe, if you're smart!!!  Please give them a try at your next get-together! Perfect for the Superbowl! </div><div class="section clrfix ingredients" style="clear: left; color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; margin: 0px 0px 0.538em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><h2 class="section=title" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased !important; float: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.235em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Ingredients:</h2><div> </div><ul style="clear: left; margin: 0px 0px 0.308em 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><ul style="clear: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 16px;">20 button mushrooms ( approximately)</li><li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 16px;">3/4 lb sausage meat, I use spicy</li><li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 16px;">1 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened</li><li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 16px;">3 green onions</li><li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 16px;">1 tablespoon soy sauce</li></ul></ul></div><div class="section clrfix directions" style="clear: left; color: #333333; float: none; margin: 0px 0px 1.231em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased !important; float: none; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Directions:</h2><div> </div><ol style="clear: none; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 22px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 14px; width: auto;"><li style="float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 0.571em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; width: auto;">Remove the stems and "core" from your mushrooms. Take a sharp knife and kind of clean out the middle of the mushroom, so that you're left with a little mushroom cup. </li><li style="float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 0.571em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; width: auto;">Place top side of the mushroom down on a cookie sheet - if they want to roll, just shave a bit off of the top to make it flat so that they won't roll around.</li><li style="float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 0.571em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; width: auto;">Fry the sausage, until it is cooked through. Drain off the fat. </li><li style="float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 0.571em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; width: auto;">Chop the green onions, using the green part too</li><li style="float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 0.571em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; width: auto;">Mix the cream cheese, cooked sausage, chopped green onions and the soy sauce.</li><li style="float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 0.571em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; width: auto;">Place this mixture where your mushroom stems once were and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 20-30 minutes.</li></ol><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> I pinky swear - I eat a fairly healthy diet, contrary to the way it sounds on my blog!  However, when I splurge, well - my motto is "Go Big (Mac), or Go Home" ! So here's an admission - sometimes I make the filling, and once it's heated through - I serve it over pasta.  However, I warn you, this results in an overnight 5 lb weight gain.  </div><div style="text-align: center;"> NOW, if you're looking for something a little healthier, there are easy ways to cut down on the fat and calories for this appetizer: - fry the sausage and then drain it in a colander, under hot running water,  to remove as much fat as possible.  - use light cream cheese.  - chop up your mushroom stems and fry them - replace some of the sausage with the chopped mushroom. </div></div>

Stuffed Mushrooms

More Super Bowl Snacks! Yes! STUFFED MUSHROOMS image source here These are super easy, and super delicious. It's a good thing their ea...

4:45 AM

Spray painted door knobs – the result

Helloooooo. WHOOT for Friday! I’ve got a fun weekend planned and I’m stoked about it. The weather is supposed to stink so I’m crossing my fingers that everything goes as planned. I wanted to do a quick update on the door knobs I spray painted a few months ago. I’m pretty sure I did this back in October – I shared <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/10/spray-painting-door-knobs.html">how I did it here</a> but the gist of it is that I primed the knobs with spray primer then did a couple coats of oil rubbed bronze spray paint: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkN7SGshjLPLqzBxip9CJm1ewb7I7xCFbVpjmoPgM4Tbtidt7kmw3lHozDQihAaLp3tKPGe8PkdMJRbqqDZTfxqRJRE2t6x65GvQnWPUpfwTFj4LGgEDRbFYhcNKlim6q9OKVIhouUf0c/s1600-h/IMG_7109_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray painting door knobs" border="0" height="629" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5xvOGpYWtajJhZkHbRCawY6Okc-0sGofLBORDaQwBAUdGrqc26sIQwYAOcnZw5Tiklwlal8el63nXzArHt1ICmjB2pQxTtHFkSI04I6e92XwBfYQNmANQNDPshvea9QHmlzzndZqytY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="spray painting door knobs" width="397" /></a> They looked great! This one was on <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/12/new-black-back-door.html">the back door</a> that we’ve since replaced, but I also did the knob on our mud room door and the result…well, it isn’t good. :) Pretty much immediately we noticed the keyhole area was going to be an issue (which didn’t surprise me at all) and it went downhill fast: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNau03XbExiTeRvskiF9_oCClWtX-omSVQhJ521XZYt3Fwk1_SDXV_IolmjgDTsWmJveAAS_PiAMv35XdO0UDqaC6qiZ_6lUHHYWbTRPsYRYi4wEGIiwuZDMcgdOa2kB40Y3ADO6I1eXg/s1600-h/door%252520knob1%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray painting door knobs" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iRYWMthp9tjtiZi_wAWWbYfCFxQy8vB_xupR_GT1k2FtZNmoBlAYplqxN6GP11hG8j46s-tOWFFb2kitRFKQ-cPYpyCnCIz9u0C64pMLOvXRxHswsG3w1RYxAEalOp9NDR38fkRF7QI/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="spray painting door knobs" width="500" /></a> But honestly most of the wear is just from our hands, which did surprise me. The area around the edge of the knob is totally worn: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7hqprpMnLXxQMK3WraZTQqz7b7H0UJ_BoAi3sRY041zx4BrBRhHQt7PSREu6QfcW14NAEVsX47ZxquZBoj5IKTfNSpE1UWGOiFOxjJy-lKq4IDi3_52UnUTmunQNm0EAkMpLCrsmN6o/s1600-h/doorknob2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray painting door knobs" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBD6QB3iLEzvWYT9iMGa1CzRIoSOWEIB6RXAO_zsq9jtBSD9qLXf5GFvqoftl8WR6P7P6uG3y3Aq0M3SOhxv_Rw27_uEoG15THgK2nxb5PcSRbJFU_ycC517Qc0cCwt7VoUK3uD5km1s/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="spray painting door knobs" width="500" /></a> OK, what’s interesting is I swear I primed both of these with black primer, at least I’m pretty sure I did? Maybe I did one with white? I don’t know because the worn parts are white. (Yes, I did start using white on one of them. The primer I love to hate.) So, if you do try this at home maybe use black primer only, that might help.  The inside of the door where there’s no keyhole has faired a bit better – the edges aren’t as worn but the lock is: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggM0wkFJVCfdvOEamIqUEvOK6Ts70mjZjapyD9NuMHzFT2VzXqQv_0n2fIon8B-sYM7COZ2iCyqlGyOnLV-mRRM9kERxQXSG8oCc6b4HbzvSPIzmHCh1mICHk8MKXNpCiIYP2M7YJH7m4/s1600-h/doorknob3%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray painting door knobs" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij89i3tUBZXdlUW8FXuUAD8GoK8w8A01JC0QCo8_2_zhd6gzhILlVPUiLlF_2j4KDCStkNKliYFKBZGIBGpCXa2mcWqX3lIPJcdIVyzrFPJbEMfd2xNX7VgpJZ6x9jWO9WskGQc1w44Hk/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="spray painting door knobs" width="500" /></a> This is after three months of use and honestly it started wearing off almost immediately – I’d say within a couple weeks. So, ultimately I didn’t have great success with it. This knob is staying till I want to spend on a new one because it’s functioning just fine. Things that may help – sanding them down will help the spray paint adhesion. I didn’t try that cause I thought it would be a pain, but honestly just sanding the edges may help. Also, I didn’t do a clear coat to protect it when I was done. I’ve never done that on anything I’ve spray painted and it’s held up fine, but not much gets this kind of use. That may help (but I still think that would wear off after awhile too.) So there are the results of my spray paint experiment. :) I know some of you have painted your door knobs – did it work for you? If so what did you do differently? Have a GREAT weekend!!

Spray painted door knobs – the result

Helloooooo. WHOOT for Friday! I’ve got a fun weekend planned and I’m stoked about it. The weather is supposed to stink so I’m crossing my fi...

9:32 AM

Mud room bench progress!

Well I had hoped to have so much done to show you in the mud room but the painting part took EONS. I mean, seriously. But…there’s progress and I’m stoked so I wanted to share. I can see the finish line – at least the finish line for the built in bench. Baby steps! Last I left you I shared <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/01/how-to-build-mud-room-bench.html">how I built the bench</a> for our mud-room-used-to-be-laundry-room using kitchen cabinets: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEteJhTdVWk1QKpZiC8hOVHr2nkDlGEYVW8S-Z_yEOp-ilBZSzAUzMjkLCrhGMtI468OoraQS0P_Tf3lI6ZDjwPDcd7WjFbnEsGWTx40TjypCoP905-RkMBykEFKiXjXCE6FVTMTAgYiw/s1600-h/IMG_7875%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY mud room bench" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih28IO1bwXE2DE24Svqi8cC4dkvlRkrvED4s96tcmKLpCBitBpfERp1JwiHcAE1ASvpkGAXqS4yLoePLe_zda0PBEEdl3UXuZRydcVeOCUmRctJFoP0KDRjS0SfosExjF7BjkgqqcKyNs/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY mud room bench" width="500" /></a> Built ins out of kitchen cabinets, it’s what I do. It keeps working so I keep doing it. :) It didn’t look like much like a bench yet there…but it’s looking more like one now! Since then I’ve installed the baseboard under the cabinets: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjco8I2eWaWqanzyyrg83mk1FtF38n0-vnkOKlawmWnmg4RtGfUmsLzqaQYJXVX0J5xYGkKLQFapD6pQ6ELGWr7yb7SADK6xx59In2L0z9IDoyaFRp11ZVHCCNmgyjzFqIlkdBlBsSapi0/s1600-h/IMG_8022%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXM8h1hYw2lTgNNS5rltKmcxQE8ohZ9s5p_Ck_Tl8lkKe4V3ho_8Mp7O5Wgggb0AXwAN1qA4xCzkN3iWohvLQiU0dOV0SsdmaMW1B4iR6BDB6ImbGSpIWg_rrwwPF5xehO0TRMVWtWlLU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="500" /></a> I searched high and low for a piece of trim that was exactly four and a half inches high. They basically don’t exist. Except this one – I don’t know what it was called but it had this cut out at the end: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFM2gdBXdKhVxOrFUyVVdYVfb0V9G4mN1QtarKbkLBC4JAWDLQ_BRaS3eenM97z61u-sgGNattPcLGmvtbU0YpWp4aVsH_WErTtAZTzi2nrKU6QZgUVG7fRz7IAbtai572pDPyL6ehl4/s1600-h/IMG_8024%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYHWZ7AHcH2gsl3PFLGEFUDNKDYb7c3mtp-aLQy7n4jjq6q3kQWeIGj8de5KkCFEjCRZ8NqZN6J4cN1x2FtK2OcWsGLOla70rdBlz_S1g9GEJns4Pjf0bQHFH0gfyfNMH2O6bUauUpy4/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="500" /></a> Score! I don’t have a table saw and the hardware store won’t cut down smaller pieces of wood (length wise) so I’m glad I found that! The trim comes almost flush with the cabinets, which I wasn’t planning on. I wanted it to be a little recessed, I just like that look. Now it looks like the base is part of the bench which won’t be a bad thing really – I’ll just need to do some spackling to make it seem like one piece. I mentioned before I was going to try to get this trim piece in the middle looking seamless and I’m almost there: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OJ5GM393eIK2BOa57WLJhfAtzXcBZsAkJcO_v1bsOa5yzgFFpZkEl53NdXipqq7Wis9A6JowFbEyQ7GzRNfDK_dQ4hS0hIePHpr1WpBerkua7QhyphenhyphenM6J4MU-l8sQeMgKaoJC_4-R0qJw/s1600-h/IMG_8021%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2a9Rx3VL4uzCnCIVEAFc_0-zcezLHOPbsSRLYTFPGo76f1Xo3pLjGe_qqZxvgLoa2V7dGm_lOUh_3DCleHmHFDFhxvo4ooANwGpUbznkKSQZ6tJUdEJM2otrrwx3hhPUPlEq9pZYqBQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="500" /></a> I need to sand down the bottom where it meets the base and then fill it with spackle one more time and I am pretty sure you won’t see it when it’s painted. Crossing my fingers! If it’s noticeable I have a plan. When I got the cabinets in I was a little worried about how much room we’d have for shoes. But we’ve started using it and there’s plenty of room: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OcUO0mvsnjaSkVCVKoAvpyZsZcicMYWEMuU0XH2ZoRN3N-OlMibA-e3S9SiK1SFO9Huq6w2uH-4AkMMvrncO-hWC3vZ5X_Rbhg4cA4tb_aT-1zcgWI4eSJtk9S1FObprIu_8URr1SE0/s1600-h/IMG_8019%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="shoe storage " border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9mrxkh7AIlyhAoa8wR-O1rQ8QixjZQQ08Ngx_rzuEmi1OV4JcynNY7CuNO34c6G0ewoBo99tLV3mCzszjdB0QCMqjh2RnPaQSo99aU-2O_woNrBpFeFvWh5NyX_B6M4fK5cIP6B8FHA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="shoe storage " width="500" /></a> See, both shoes and cats fit! We just throw our shoes in and pile them up. With our reworked closet (another project for this year), we won’t need to keep nearly as many shoes down here. That’s the plan anyway. We’ve always kept entirely too many down in this space so I’m trying to stop the madness. My FAVORITE part so far is the long awaited butcher block on top of the bench! I got it from IKEA early last week and sent it off to get cut down. And patiently waited. You’d think I could have gone ahead and painted the cabinets while I was waiting for it, but no. That would only make sense. :) I finally got the wood back yesterday and decided to stain it with the color they use on our floors, Jacobean by Minwax: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirk9yN7N00YAP0ZyZJNe9v9SHEL9IVDTk3ICgfV-FyRP2ND9RAkT4oh7mOdKYmsejP8o1tDMJXneIDZNV6ZaoPa1tnc4zaROgZl5X_GcBN8t1JwsEPPLdgIIvPjhXY9Ey9vWF5QLuf-sM/s1600-h/jacobean%252520stain%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="jacobean stain" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_BszBMifkCpyBUFsGCdU0nn1cyumC49ybZ7NhVHx24rWFwMDRtOTq5Xa-lZV7asBre2ONkXIPlvmbUFMQOkBokCdzrRz4lRsMdfOXPhbqyY4hcn-KIYgTZeoK0FP0VqVXbpaO3QsQeI/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="jacobean stain" width="500" /></a> There was plenty leftover from the floors in the mud room so the flooring guy left it for me. I showed you how I stain in <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/06/butcher-block-love.html">this post</a>. Staining wood is probably right up there as my favorite DIY project – seeing plain wood transformed into beautiful, rich, luscious wood is AWESOME. I never tire of it. I used <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20057854/">this beech butcher block</a> from IKEA – I’ve always used the birch version and I like the way the birch stains up just a bit more. My IKEA didn’t have the birch in stock and I’ve heard they don’t carry it anymore? Either way, when we put in on the bench last night I squealed with joy: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB510LxkiL22_a9fwrKuUBxmaZ6JHH0tKI35-FaWPlEipkRkMdD8CQOEg8X4WDd8UzfsTtcVk9N0tcTHn8YvL93aVohAUuHN6W35I4envyfYynFrCI5sdeKLp8DHQTv7SZQM9TKf_dFTk/s1600-h/IMG_8026%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Mud room bench with kitchen cabinets" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkJkHiAPnsNIiFMJOGrJDoKyTapqi-CweHW88xfYpscFLWQVHEL-9mp1Z_zA-_E7uPCbOIMJWmDXFydZ9uylyNzv9hqCAzJXV0-kLxYwb0y22cTLLb-OQu98It_NVAiiaA9Sjg_b_DBU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Mud room bench with kitchen cabinets" width="500" /></a> It made it look like an actual, real bench, finally! WHOOT! I’m SO excited about how it’s coming together! The wood fit like a glove too – just perfect. I still need to secure it with nails from the top and screws from underneath but it’s pretty secure as is. It also needs a couple coats of polyurethane. That will give it a nice finish, bring out the tones of the wood even more and protect it. I had hoped to have the bench painted before I showed you but I was pretty happy with it at this point. I hope you can see my vision! I’m finally starting to. ;) I was trying to decide what color to paint the beadboard around the bench and you all had great suggestions. I ended up going with the peacock blue around the whole thing and I LOVE IT. The bench will be white and I think it will be beautiful. Again, here’s how it looked a few days ago (I like before and after pics): <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEteJhTdVWk1QKpZiC8hOVHr2nkDlGEYVW8S-Z_yEOp-ilBZSzAUzMjkLCrhGMtI468OoraQS0P_Tf3lI6ZDjwPDcd7WjFbnEsGWTx40TjypCoP905-RkMBykEFKiXjXCE6FVTMTAgYiw/s1600-h/IMG_7875%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="kitchen cabinet bench" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih28IO1bwXE2DE24Svqi8cC4dkvlRkrvED4s96tcmKLpCBitBpfERp1JwiHcAE1ASvpkGAXqS4yLoePLe_zda0PBEEdl3UXuZRydcVeOCUmRctJFoP0KDRjS0SfosExjF7BjkgqqcKyNs/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="kitchen cabinet bench" width="500" /></a> (I shared how I made those plugs flush with the wall <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/01/making-outlet-or-switch-flush.html">here</a>.) And here it is now: <img alt="DIY bench out of kitchen cabinets" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRdTgP14OwS8ZS10FkXSemJkauM2K6zdDX59-Rp_zsVtHcjWdBOzhlPUutz4mBOvuR1vEmj4XUqXAyzG12pX-QpCp3-CWwZJC6z_YhogiW_FQZ4o6N2MuNxb19UHwa-eL8bpm_LDmoE0/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY bench out of kitchen cabinets" width="500" /> Ack. Progress! 'Tis good. I was going to paint those outlet covers blue but then I’d still have the white outlets, so I’m not sure what I’ll do. I hope to do some pillows or a cushion so you won’t see much of them. (I left them from when our washer and dryer were there and they are handy to have.) Still need to do a few things to finish up this area – paint and install the trim around the top of the beadboard, paint the bench white and install hardware. Oh and touch up the wall paint – I didn’t remove the old shelf when I painted. :) Of course that’s only half of it, I still need to decide the plan for the wall above the bench. I’ve got tons of space to work with up there and cannot wait to add more storage! Here’s a before from a few months ago, after I painted the walls white: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQ1w3LDJftZb37paGqLUFo0_GBZG5BmIKC6gbA03E9A4LvDuelzS5y7NgTH_k5pSQipj059NQqdxZU0il_7rev8wn8wdrsPqCjPpXxatdswP7A9KDW3kSJI5_POw7PG0eId7oBOMSjvY/s1600-h/IMG_6928%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="white mud room" border="0" height="780" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWfQBgJYl7UR4rNrRLoqpwU8n1C3CAVlMevzyCWzlX1LvJImlLumYF8qAsEGw_0dK43GIyV3RlvnUKtxcCHJuV99fvQ6S7xPP7RMKohSmTOC7Gn9q5ea8CFSUptNukqMzwe2A3A1X1xY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="white mud room" width="475" /></a> And here’s that same spot with the bench I’ve been dreaming about for ten years now: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrmhKfT0kQ8-ggQxwpR0Fe6ZU7N01qhOFlPAtFKduq0TFVPaUGI2rIz8GXIpnimr5GFGe-1rsMyB3KdnwUS6xyF2vN-CtTXICAiPEO_LN0p9IF8A9av7dFU95hBmvq4aPfMLvyNNdulc/s1600-h/IMG_8027%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY mud room bench" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuFBN9oQHTHFOsliYI3O0X5_BuWK9jEEswXvwFch7b7dPTutHVVVy2GvBvt1qV7G-LF0MLi5LyTyBSsJ8PoMjuaF8mm4AdcU7HYTw-rBjjC63hrb7x4gLqFo6TpBXct9eyE7UVqclUTE/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY mud room bench" width="500" /></a> I hope to have at least the lower portion done next week and will be sure to share it! Can you see my vision coming together? I’m thrilled with it so far!    P.S. Go <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/01/mud-room-bench-done.html" target="_blank">here</a> to see this area completed!

Mud room bench progress!

Well I had hoped to have so much done to show you in the mud room but the painting part took EONS. I mean, seriously. But…there’s progress...

9:31 AM

How To Paint Glass

Hey there! What's happening in your neck of the woods? Here? Not much. Well, except, The Apocalypse has begun. And, let me tell you, global warming is not the problem. My husband snapped a picture of the outside temp as he left for work today. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioscUrcpONDomydVYPXdmt-p2RF6QRpv8oVyZv13Ztt1wGshIlwQk8_mP9x4LOz3u1A-MuON4LV1-zA5g9GF45PzWtWrWqzYFb_-u06gEk2xwNBCXFkvhHhCRbKtsdEC1XtJumZwZJAlU/s1600/temperature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioscUrcpONDomydVYPXdmt-p2RF6QRpv8oVyZv13Ztt1wGshIlwQk8_mP9x4LOz3u1A-MuON4LV1-zA5g9GF45PzWtWrWqzYFb_-u06gEk2xwNBCXFkvhHhCRbKtsdEC1XtJumZwZJAlU/s1600/temperature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> That's the temperature! NOT the windchill! And we live in New York! NOT Antarctica. So, that got us thinking. We are heating our house to 70 degrees. That's a 91 degree difference our poor furnace has to cover! So far, the furnace is working, so I'm comfy and cozy. The rest of my family had to brave the cold - school wasn't cancelled, and Big A had to go to work. The dog, well, she HAS to go out periodically, for obvious reasons. While I sit here feel somewhat guilty at being the only one able to stay indoors today, I thought I'd share a couple of little things I've been doing from the comfort of my kitchen. First, over the holidays, I made a moose silhouette for my sister. The tutorial is <a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/2013/12/buck-head-wall-art.html">HERE</a>. I like the moose better than my own buck silhouette, so I might have to make another canvas... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dAwdZbR-rQqzkgsMfiWnMyshtph9E4grNGB8NKpkCEWA4Z_RBqfNw8PjcGrsaqK4yrz0Z9ih8Mu_3cCLSSnRkomljxS0aDxk7tfvHWnFWOzaubJ3RggiQbThN94ModtcUH6i1to8g88/s1600/Moose+Silhouette+Wall+Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dAwdZbR-rQqzkgsMfiWnMyshtph9E4grNGB8NKpkCEWA4Z_RBqfNw8PjcGrsaqK4yrz0Z9ih8Mu_3cCLSSnRkomljxS0aDxk7tfvHWnFWOzaubJ3RggiQbThN94ModtcUH6i1to8g88/s1600/Moose+Silhouette+Wall+Art.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Second, I painted an old jar/vase thingy I had kicking around. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(YES! You can paint glass without the paint peeling off. However, I wouldn't use this for anything other than holding a candle.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's what I did:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I cleaned the glass and put a K sticker on it. I thought about using primer, but then, well, you know... I live on the edge. The edge of my kitchen stool. </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpP8O6DPRstW-zMpX_WZPrtfGdCRLT8x4xzXlyH26QTyyr2po1z8Bn8210q9NSf3N6UnQ3v_hkASVRJVj62EpPeAUNqgCAy2SHmWSWQgUE-8qujCmwS4bwSgPyvdahvgaNV9pNL_defg/s1600/painted+glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="how to paint glass, painting glass" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpP8O6DPRstW-zMpX_WZPrtfGdCRLT8x4xzXlyH26QTyyr2po1z8Bn8210q9NSf3N6UnQ3v_hkASVRJVj62EpPeAUNqgCAy2SHmWSWQgUE-8qujCmwS4bwSgPyvdahvgaNV9pNL_defg/s1600/painted+glass.jpg" title="" width="234" /></a></div> Anyway, I painted the vase with three coats of paint, letting it dry completely in between coats. When it was very dry I peeled off the sticker, and stuck a candle inside. (When my lungs are a little better, cuz I am recovering from pneumonia, I will spray the vase with Krylon Clear Finish.) And there you have it. Nothing too energetic. I have to save my energy for making dinner! Speaking of dinner, here is the conversation I JUST had with Big A, as he heads home for the night: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdoRtxK52yU2e-THSYn-WDkjc2gv3KOdgLl8LcBvFXxbjUtNAfsmxjDrwIFwtt6ptjFux7TMsytTB_c0dI6J7nAGQc7B6NDkGTFDLdpg7TnlbF9L794K2HG8RohPXumJXE9ZTG2R3YeU/s1600/al+and+I+001.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdoRtxK52yU2e-THSYn-WDkjc2gv3KOdgLl8LcBvFXxbjUtNAfsmxjDrwIFwtt6ptjFux7TMsytTB_c0dI6J7nAGQc7B6NDkGTFDLdpg7TnlbF9L794K2HG8RohPXumJXE9ZTG2R3YeU/s1600/al+and+I+001.PNG" width="213" /></a></div> And with that, I will leave you until next time. I'm sure you will be back to see what I make for dinner - utilizing salsa and sweat pants of course. Recipe to follow...

How To Paint Glass

Hey there! What's happening in your neck of the woods? Here? Not much. Well, except, The Apocalypse has begun. And, let me tell you, glo...

4:20 AM

The right distance

Hey heyyy! So I’ve been planning this post forever because I get these questions a LOT. They are serious, important, life-changing questions like…how high should I hang my light fixture? See, this is DEEP people. So I compiled a bunch of frequently asked size/distance questions and my advice. These aren’t rules cause I don’t believe there should be any rules when it comes to decorating your own house. But they are guidelines to help you make things look and feel “right.” First up, the headboard. I’m asked a lot about the size of our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/diy-tufted-headboard-tutorial.html">DIY headboard</a>: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhdU93n3ugRnZ9y4LhNzHFaiosFoPIOFMpJvDTYOXFGtXO2xYGkCV1ILMsvuM9XNAMNjfHgGkWd7cJNHaMQzEa3FcCpicbBJ5VADI8CKyPoKjJLd-TO62Inkdwx3WGiIuMeYNTlRoIcM/s1600-h/IMG_6575%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY tufted headboard" border="0" height="693" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRZPp9yPWlKKQeX8pa4M4AVm-h4zCX7s7haQ4NIpDZ2XJiZpgUeVqOm95FhOqJJeTO-aDdL3rseoWogYvO0IMjDuZhui6_xj1iVT0wuart6g4s1dgmeXOLTOZwO1hNMcytVIByXMnLoM/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY tufted headboard" width="500" /></a>I wanted the width to be just ever so slightly bigger than the bed. So I went with about 77 inches wide. For the height, I hung it so the headboard was about 57 inches high off the floor. I’ve read that 48 inches is a standard height for a headboard but that’s too low for me. I wanted to be able to sit in bed and have my head rest comfortably. Our old headboard was shorter and that drove me batty. The height depends on your room, the ceiling height and the look you’re going for too. Some want an exaggerated, high headboard for the drama of it, which can totally work. Now, let’s talk lights. First up – the size of the light. The general rule is adding up the dimensions of your room and that will determine the width of your light. So if your room is 15 by 15 feet, you’ll want your light fixture to be at least 30 inches in diameter. Of course there are exceptions to that too – we have an open kitchen/family room so I went larger in there, even though the nook isn’t big at all: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLupv2theNhTYApbAEo1W2Sj8CvvaLdsGM2cKm64v4EKzw03SGmw7quQubQtW_wRXA3sMrOjHyCZde5iyi_HsIhkJzQrWXowuq0FasEVHEJfsLM9PwLr5WB_JhSov5JcNcJ6vMBBGfmTs/s1600-h/IMG_6826%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="How high to hang light fixture" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaT92eRQ1R3kIOzyzwIs5unGHVmoWMn68b5oEJcxSdP0Q1RgWatvr7-zZKwaSqXhCrewwkBcgAlSznA1P6Mm3Rb8LdbtR4-WRxM_pvCjfKvrO9Tl8w2TF6gM2VflJDuockjXUgzF2fib0/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="How high to hang light fixture" width="500" /></a> I err on bigger instead of smaller for my lights, at least now. I’ve had smaller lights in that spot and they never felt right to me. This one feels right, but it’s also a fairly “light” fixture – not heavy feeling so that helps it from looking massive. Also, if you have super high ceilings you can throw those dimensions out the window and go pretty big. Where you hang you light matters too. The general advice is 30 to 36 inches above your table. I’ve also read a standard 66 inches from the floor to the bottom of the light, but I like to base it off of the table, not the floor. Here’s the thing – I hung our dining room fixture (this room looks <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/10/library-bookcases-done-boom.html">completely different</a> now) at 36 inches above the table: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXZDZAyAC5u-HIg0qcbnqqMunuEXeCnRZN8FCB6wXT5E8Ihr8ePvBuc3rHQQ_-rqlhPtFJfEo9flmfxLumi9qa_fLa8x7Oq_aIr32tFuqlLh_qy2UvCZHZ6VQ3xK-Qh4zULIONGM4OnE/s1600-h/IMG_9633%25255B3%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Chocolate brown dining room " border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrNOEhRNbqP5O5_VIBbG3jDf-SHwCLPTRfqVxfl_zkJRJHyunUg3LJmAhbE-sC8GAN1mr3m-XspfmtWn9w69UjSe777E4D71wHvnFawfF8MUG4ZvN8a0NwYP0-k8w5FJhmfspcspn6cw/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Chocolate brown dining room " width="320" /></a> And I find that WAY too high. It has always looked awkward to me. I prefer a lower light. The light above our kitchen table is only about 25 inches above the table and I love it so much more at that height. Again, on this one I say err on too low instead of too high. Not too low that you can’t see each other across the table of course, but low enough that it kind of grounds the space. And when you hang a light or have someone do it for you, make sure to leave enough wiring up inside the ceiling so you can adjust it later. I’ve cut so many too short and can’t change the length or move them around. (You can add wiring but I prefer not to do that.) The experts -- I read it in a Pottery Barn catalog ;) – say bathroom sconces should be at about 66 inches off the floor, but again, I kind of buck that advice. In our powder room I wanted to clear the wall treatment so I went higher, about 77 inches: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DpzDz-OlLO6BRKhM2DpYriV7wQ_fN9VLkt_D6Urjm2lWcx-UE832VRsRtF5ovWvItAfvA6XO-FpF2PNtWU9NVGHDgDlmpGMPkAJNbIm4-myrfuh2mhrn0pnsHJRBatDJykQIXj0O6LE/s1600-h/3%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Wood planked walls in white" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqg6YXQX0gqNj2CMnx9uNyi2vziA_VKvF_fV6q30MEw8SFimTozcfHheJo2A9jbPwTxsp5umYN_Z89MWA3YXbn9d4OyS5z2xt-JsyFXYrqvIl6vh8hyqgalQpPbn_cojBxt03GbkO_3w/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Wood planked walls in white" width="500" /></a> Because here’s the thing – at 66 inches off the ground you’re lighting the sink and the floor, not you. I wanted the lights to shine down on our faces, so I went higher and I really like it: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRrOWuIKBX9S9haANLQ6tbwP35YPgiWlp_UqzeiPu-4LZXwrhypcY0gGl4ND2ZdWRCjvwDcJdUMOSGrrFv5v8ySc6Y1aW6mkLNsa1oymXI_tsZejcF5bZgIm3rSQ42W1bUejkb1wRh_I/s1600-h/IMG_5824%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Sconces in bathroom" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9C58ssvIg0vGSn4QTlpg04qjhJq2jCcur2KQGjEuWexJrn68r8idgpkSEPgJD0fl9zmYf4tftz0ETr7TLgk90BKSIKek-80cRWFHavFx6ETIKGfw7fHPsqtC_jC54VMgRV1xwrC-_KQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Sconces in bathroom" width="500" /></a> I did the same in the basement bathroom – you want to work off where the mirror will comfortably go: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPNbNhGjF1qwfFU_RHDJFMXRhzTVOtBDT88VqpvnXdl8mOSBksgaa5tIqPIqCltvifYR4hTweWQ0Zrok9StC38Ho7hsJ7c4UXzO3FQXtjoF0MZbCBIR-eTuAUSrEXn-gY2SArBEAD12g/s1600-h/aubusson-blue-chalk-paint%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Sconces in bathroom" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yw2f249mEObgOOBiEjXHq0NhjvIEq2SYBYNAEwDEVMLRG3Hmne-uXxM7nP2_h08EtR6cds3idcIYW309eZULQg3qjcOJm2sOlxGXGB-oOGOO2zlvK2Ao79EgY1vprEj-KWJlK3AKxWA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Sconces in bathroom" width="500" /></a> Those are about 75 inches from the floor. This is one that you’d have to play around with to see what works for your family. Hanging art is such a personal preference too. Overall the advice is to hang the middle of the art at eye level: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ11LyYKTA1DOoESvhkV-orLQ804vHXjlZ8ZH7NEkMaklsNok2oGhA1nNGsC6EIlMhdzXMj6qB3z2FpYCuviSXHolvE-MkB1sSZy_3-3XXQIFb4KFIn6eUI1DwZCZWIoiZGjhcNpSZVjY/s1600-h/IMG_4932_thumb%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="How high to hang art" border="0" height="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hRS3XSK6PFBs0Atc50g2QbmzUifx1XcwqpqPA2PPLLCqpzx6B3Cu0wlCZwXSQQMzrH0if4Qwbx2_U5LWlMYCnExyq1Q32bO0SxOu7n5r6GpWnC6d0R0KcChL9Eb4nDBMFh0Qq2fEvX4/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="How high to hang art" width="400" /></a> The thing is, I’m 5’9” so my eye level is a few inches taller than most of my friends. ;) So again, it’s a personal thing. We have nine foot ceilings in most of the house so I feel like I can go a bit higher with the art. Otherwise there’s an awkward amount of space above it that I don’t care for. Of course gallery walls throw all that out the window. :) On our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/staircase-nook.html">basement wall</a> I went all the way to the ceiling and filled the whole wall: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4Z685oyla7aYe7typfV98Ui9H4nZwJZTF2AJ_aE6dqNEwui67F0gIfFqXw4-giM9phvRQRD0bDTnktuGL8l_2N7-bhS36hNAXylPgKOhmCyIM0u4Sa0cOUhJ0gweMVEOCsxKk5dVgjI/s1600-h/IMG_6161%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gallery wall wood planked wall" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6q0zyQcvcMQJzgvhnVbuSB1vYQNCsH0pmqnzGtvJj7_xgOic4MK56Grx9HYtQtoAU2U_SCznd0Ti_KK2eSam5SGGX5ZBsFZNZ9CamKLJ7mzSdsByMMB7sRc0lIgz3eIzE9fEKjaNmQtY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="gallery wall wood planked wall" width="500" /></a> Again – it’s your house. Do what you want. :) Finally, the rugs. OH, the RUGS. They are hard, right? I think so. At a dining table the advice is to make sure the chairs can be pulled out and stay on the rug. So the rug should be big enough that the chairs don’t fall off when someone is sitting at it. For other rooms, there should be a good foot, preferably more, around the room where you can see the floor. Otherwise it looks like wall-to-wall carpeting, you know? Unless that’s what you’re going for! But at least in our family room, I’ve learned over the years that a bigger rug is better: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvIt2sihnqtQ0Mcg3OjaTpusDTaKDEYAMKksK5gwkSFrORYMb4suWj1SsbST-3QSGfWIWx4nPezyUAz6ZcCAkoqjSQyUX5fJqTbYcX040lIDGHgUxbqEN2QfpsvCHJikaorDldhle-Ho/s1600-h/IMG_7177%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="graphic rug family room " border="0" height="749" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3X83SlhpRJUNjQKMIZkSVsWqITWRZRtfWGV21D6DaXhWpLP6nko8ZC_NyqobsDjKtdnTb4zNvpoVGE-s7z73ZbQCd59JlAn1EUOmkSLI5S9LG_45a84wjoWeXo_uKJ_wkR3AEt9OQHDk/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="graphic rug family room " width="500" /></a> I thought it would make the space feel cramped and it did the exact opposite. I don’t know what it is about a smaller rug, but at least in here it made the room feel much smaller than it was. The general “rule” is that at least the front parts of the furniture should sit on the rug, but I’ve heard many say all of the furniture should comfortably sit on it. I tend to go for the former. As long as some of the furniture is on it I’m good. Ugh, so many rules. This is why I say take this all with a grain of salt. Most of the professional advice has not worked for me in this house. It’s been ten years of trial and error to figure out what works and I’m always tweaking as you know. Do you ever wonder about these? Any I didn’t cover? P.S. I’m making progress on the mud room – and patiently waiting on one big part of the room to come together. I hope to show you this week!

The right distance

Hey heyyy! So I’ve been planning this post forever because I get these questions a LOT. They are serious, important, life-changing questions...

9:11 AM

Super Bowl Snacks

<div style="text-align: left;">Super Bowl Sunday is fast approaching! With 100 million viewers, it's practically a National Holiday. However, I confess - I don't like football. I'm not lying when I tell you, I have no idea who's playing in the Super Bowl. Seriously. I'm sure it's all over TV, but I must tune it out. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Before you skewer me and roast me over a flaming hot grill, let me at least redeem myself by telling you that I love Super Bowl FOOD. And, I'm happy to stand in the kitchen and cook for those who prefer to recline in front of the big screen TV and scream at men they don't even know. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Every Super Bowl party needs that one person who doesn't mind missing the play to get the wings out of the oven? Don't you agree? Well, that person, is me. So, it's better that I don't like the game! </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Plus, food is proven to be a very important part of the day, as Super Bowl Sunday is the SECOND LARGEST DAY FOR U.S. FOOD CONSUMPTION!!!  (After Thanksgiving, of course.) Clearly, Super Bowl Fans need sustenance, just as much as the players! </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">And that, my friends, makes me an All-American Super Bowl Supportin' Gal. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">SO, until <strike>Super Snack Day</strike> game day, I'll be posting a few recipes that I'm thinking of making. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">First, I have a recipe I've hand picked from my own archives, for my sister. She's actually a true football fanatic, unlike her big sister. But, like me, she's also a snack fanatic. And I think she'll like these! </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">POTATO WEDGES WITH CHILI CREAM</div> <img alt="super bowl recipes, super bowl snacks, food for super bowl " src="http://img.food.com/img/recipes/21/75/54/large/picPzQrxn.jpg" title="" /> <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/potato-wedges-with-chili-cream-217554">photo source</a> <div class="section clrfix ingredients" style="clear: left; color: #333333; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 0.538em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><h3>Ingredients: </h3>Potatoes: <ul class="multi" style="clear: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 16px;">6 medium potatoes, unpeeled</li></ul><ul class="multi" style="clear: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 16px;">2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning</li></ul><ul class="multi" style="clear: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 16px;">1 tablespoon ground cumin</li></ul><ul class="multi" style="clear: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 16px;">1 tablespoon ground coriander</li></ul><ul class="multi" style="clear: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 16px;">1/3 cup olive oil</li><li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 16px;"> </li></ul>Chili Cream: <ul class="multi" style="clear: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 16px;">1 cup sour cream</li><li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 16px;">1 tsp course sea salt</li></ul><ul class="multi" style="clear: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 16px;">1 teaspoon ground cumin</li></ul><ul class="multi" style="clear: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 16px;">2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves, chopped</li></ul><ul class="multi" style="clear: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 16px;">2 teaspoon chili paste (or to taste) </li><li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 16px;"> </li></ul><h3><ul class="multi" style="clear: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; line-height: 1.3; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 16px;">Directions:</li></ul></h3>Pre-heat oven to 400 F.</div><div class="section clrfix ingredients" style="clear: left; color: #333333; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 0.538em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Scrub the potatoes, cut each into 6 wedges. I leave the skins on - c'mon that's where the vitamin C is hiding! Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the wedges and let them boil for 10 minutes. Drain well. When they are drained, give them a shake in the colander, to kind of "bash" them up on the outside. (I don't mean bash them until they break apart, just enough to rough up the outside of the wedge. This helps them crisp up in the oven.)  </div><div class="section clrfix ingredients" style="clear: left; color: #333333; margin: 0px 0px 0.538em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Combine the potato wedges, spices and olive oil in a bowl, and mix well.</div><div class="section clrfix ingredients" style="clear: left; color: #333333; margin: 0px 0px 0.538em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Transfer wedges to a baking dish and spread them out so that they aren't touching. Bake for about 1 hour, turning every 15 minutes, until nice and crisp and tender.</div><div class="section clrfix ingredients" style="clear: left; color: #333333; margin: 0px 0px 0.538em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">For the chili cream: Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. <div style="text-align: center;">What about you? Are you having a Super Bowl Party? What are you eating? </div><div style="line-height: 22px;"></div></div>

Super Bowl Snacks

Super Bowl Sunday is fast approaching! With 100 million viewers, it's practically a National Holiday. However, I confess - I don't l...

5:29 AM

Plants I don’t kill

Hello there! Sorry for the late post today – the kiddo is home for the great Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We always move slow on non-school days. :) So over the past few years I’ve become quite fond of having real, LIVE plants in our house. I used to have a lot of the faux variety, but I’m moving away from that and I’ve found real plants to be the perfect decorating accessory in more than one instance. The problem is we have three cats and they LOVE plants. Eating them that is. So I have to think about them and do research before I bring in a new one. I’ll be standing at the hardware store or the nursery with phone in hand, researching what will work and what won’t. (I always refer to the <a href="http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants">ASPCA</a> site – they have great info.) Most plants I find are toxic to cats, so I’ve found I can only stick to a certain few. But those few are ones I can actually keep alive, so that’s good. First up, the easiest plants to grow, EVER – the air plant: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkZhFN-L_JBUF0xSY-XrsfsopaI7fCPD8PTCzodTPhGmq_J15QOEcmD0iJHlmOt4gu0z2ENkw73c-e8cKzNWSyiUm9r3TXfJunxxRCxiAQNh02fmg8EE3uJ8msmran3AqwxgW9jsqKnk/s1600-h/air-plants%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Air plants" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWM2D85dilKFr65Zo8hbg3qW7f0jIyOBT4fmHUA1_sM14ChNjWuGIA9dCrpeK8e6o4bo4snLLio0aWAzkv9DXOCdKOUd_BRD13TgKeOeJ4hTtVVkYgOus5DFNln2VVSoCQUk-NuHfZyxA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Air plants" width="500" /></a> I blogged about them <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/02/my-kind-of-plant.html">here</a> and these three have done so well! I only dunk them in a sink full of water about once a month, that’s it. They have grown a ton and do well, even on the cold window sill. Seriously, so easy. I have a little plant by the sink that does pretty well also – I used to have a little fern here but it pooped out. I can’t remember what this is called but it’s got very small, delicate little leaves. It looks great in my piggy planter:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mtcpfC6P37nAkbUf3bEGysYDxtkMhRWX0v-b9UcEazodjNnen0ImrCcjOZuf21ITw_qXYbmYkJAxIXjc1IGGWCIBw3agwlhpOEKetlg3biJrYUyIROEGGfTf9Q5odTkE9iQ8kEU4QJM/s1600-h/IMG_7999%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGN6SRS02zXfZ7rL5aNqmw9B3nOkF7bfKzBydXoWZ9xx9KZAbWN56rSYgPI4zIoI41yhlRKMj4kjWVjAenprimnR5gSjwf6evZbS1e7DMlAmntfWbEQjPkwjxSmvrbJloHc3wW4jI0_4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" width="290" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyaaBlTlTKvVjcVu55Qx9j3J63_EdIsML8ooUeyI6oRMS1XwWRJg7gyUCYQQrbQhNXJUoV4x4_a1TfHA-6nY_nWP0EkCVVNT-vP6NYyo8b7Hjkm-CrupvkQwAz0NjtaN4m3zQNPZg248/s1600-h/IMG_8000%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Piggy planter" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6H2FoSBJW6niDLI7UX0oNzsaWdu3L0P_z4QJjbgoD9U4sa8e-R2yqjhYakXNNy48kcYrLN2ymEpW9bv4uKSGV7-hFM5qmq6mfp91xXKkppg53U82B3fG3AL8eQ0bUgiKt0XAHE5J6uE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Piggy planter" width="290" /></a> You can’t really tell it’s a piggy anymore though. ;) I picked up a new plant a couple months ago – this one is the spider plant and they are supposed to be no problem for cats: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGHwlC9tUmx2ia1Ein2iR_lXdK712vIEbjLfBzHR-ZJtaOUdqqY8yQgZqTbvGHKslyneQ-m8A0YOBQaqzTPERbAKrjtR36_1u-WHxnqDIPO1iWP3fCBqa-XO8hBEvUGA1wHDwE7j1ags/s1600-h/IMG_8004%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spider plant, safe for cats" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVAxcn1y6ahmAsvYjmY0I0kiAWuowbfh35mHS4l1fPeDsLH-qzie7nUkkCAYINPLbe1tVNZfWJAcsR9Rh_Ba_WpWJX0h6Hc2q4GZsUHDgF3BZ3ZghlO0RomvFsnlk6A763gBFdXYCpTg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="spider plant, safe for cats" width="500" /></a> I think they do better hanging so the little shoots can come off so I’ll have to think about where to hang this one. I haven’t had a hanging plant in eons but I hear macramé is coming back! ;) In general palms are safe for cats, so I stick to those all over the place – just different varieties. This one has big thick palms and the cats LOVED it, so now I have it under a wire cloche to protect it: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRhuPnRMGR7CWXhHHSOxi10dstpt7glHnDG5p-tz0T0VecjHOdStmzytP46DWxuLCc1KcqG3CW3US9lqFyxB1li01n7jKxqW9Q-oa1phfEJLlD_JiMery8_QvORFFpuxlKhXwV9zzk6Y/s1600-h/IMG_8003%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Palm plant, great for houses with cats" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFMrXUkCC734WnbAFdgVJLyNrDkYUaoLP2CHfIhyphenhyphen_9O5o8whFk-EmiSLPakB1Wahn7IJSjLsh527oXqLXiuqOHBH4p2kP-nMMjvGFRQPykagr1t6vni5x-sfuOqhGrohROsNrJ1t_a-Q/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Palm plant, great for houses with cats" width="290" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QbJRhhO9nEnQHxOsN7ItmzPDdWihXYpp9nSaeaSaLyq13d7s4H-oE_LnoGaApzieOwY36DbTJS-cT-GZDAKA6pHcJ4obfqXcci6Kmy5DZ6Y95yv-wMvadte7LioluHKMCwFfcL6sVsA/s1600-h/IMG_8001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Plant under wire cloche" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGC0MEggRZkb7-jmXmee07Q8hbvffHpkrsB6DVnkDJv67U7ey3wKnVamo1wVbMauPMZGGuS-7v5_1XxFReD4L2soTcWeZYfXIxF988nM-N7mRre4F5Llbl65tliBxBtgpSuX2MBK8UZH4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Plant under wire cloche" width="290" /></a> I love this one with the light, skinny palms – I have it out of the way (from munching teeth) in good light and it does awesome: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_SNZt7qAclxvvn0AAm1MzurdyVs3xBw_TkQp6v3-M6Xjt_ku6i7iQp8VLvGqfjIpeewjm1Zv3wpGWH8_M7DvOra348xGMxwWqNDBewWFYMOpRmap-4TGlwdCODUpaDjXz3xv6D_FIOI/s1600-h/IMG_8006%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Palm plant, great for houses with cats" border="0" height="693" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2vPWifpm84rfkl-h9DfVQLTdk5uxvDEAlO9NSrzCGVjqjFPGRcYA1oZ4o6buzZv0-WsTZDwz82Mc5BfwrJOfAYqTawHS1j9gQYLOfEOMVTshIBd0OVG09cvjB2bej0JyYPHrk9IptyI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Palm plant, great for houses with cats" width="500" /></a> We have a couple of larger versions as well. The one in our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/master%20bedroom">master bedroom</a> is so pretty and full and the cats actually leave it alone. It does great with little attention: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZZmjTp_OkZ7x4aDxGwWPefS_xUamBCpdcNqsAU2Jg8EL66FG7iBrjcw_98W5FPYHLcAb-8sPc-5vFq90P5CPEcIXyaNTvFz0tA65V-sgZ_8Hv7-JX2L-YytJK_CYYffCdFUQeLbB3t4/s1600-h/how-to-decorate-mantel%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how-to-decorate-mantel" border="0" height="780" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4MotYP-JbjHvWHfc-mk7hnC0MDBgNKX6FwQR2U9dv3WNWJjMSxKxofVFmkTl6ioSoYlk4hnFnLZCcj8bvATdG43Df5FkvnWhu4XIQCIOQSBdEo615F-5BU37oxPbLOTz2Sq8iF3X66Y/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how-to-decorate-mantel" width="487" /></a> I love a big full plant – this one is one of my favorites. I know the fiddle leaf fig is all the rage but my favorite tall plant is the money tree: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipi0y3a0-e13hZTwcIoGF_7f8PUAUl-HONhD-r-_azfDY7MZwdfOOpGjmfFbl8HttK4Kvdlj8tv7f2XtftRSGxrfPiLNK0QcFQlEufq6iQ9dbgQu_PcG_FNPzrEBSGnlNW3271D01q010/s1600-h/IMG_8009%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="money tree" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmiIcvmAO5fCUJoUnWGrlWDzaAs73ptwNODOEk6325b-kJ0R8XKW47NDyQkKwaaRfHmWhMS8g3CXDEsPS-6J7dyv8S_hv10835qYnv2R9RPzmLFgIupK1-sNx_WKWfHwdz3N8w-UEtVtI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="money tree" width="500" /></a> I’ve had this one forever, I think three years now? It’s grown a ton and it’s another one that does great with little care. I LOVE the braided trunk. It does really well with a little bit of direct sunlight. I have another one in my office but it doesn’t do quite as well: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJf0lzGk3P4k3Zhgg8gzd79IeNXaqWXGriLqn9CsBM6K5vlMD263YzZINAH59oM1urjGg8ZB88b5SjxntfpBMpVd2Jw4I1QrMBi9DvW3x7LcmBNudz7RjAXAKpZeJtojwbFTM3YlqlXEQ/s1600-h/IMG_7220%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7220" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwsHtN9ZbwTpj2fHun3oH08cnx9FTbE7DPz5jOK38f8ZhXVgSg2yMwL__qbvkLi8B44sel2X-akJka1_vaowcu34AlpQk2YYPt0THJ_ctLm3IX3tCWcW1GnibreQvl3zzCTE5wmnF6H4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_7220" width="500" /></a> I’ve had that one forever too but it hasn’t grown nearly as much. I think they need more of a direct light to flourish.  I’ve tried the ficus a couple times and the only one I can keep alive is this one in the kitchen: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvtzAYWmw_OUK-ilYmXuZmAyO2cglOzf-DeYWDA1fVAi4TorGAdyDLB9Adks5oe2fM9dKZVv6_vpbwlEKOfQ5Iot5BFSV1AJJZES1BZ5ijfAGisme416WO1zK6XZqmVaIXzU5r4J4D7I/s1600-h/backdoor5%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="backdoor5" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4k4bZTNzmaQHlPLdzqsOZ1ddj8z72mbsABTnXH_sn2tUcC7sJCT8zcQ47ZL-ubtroySrG9eKYQlyu-DgqGPQi4P58YC-eViWn23fc5OQVf2L_2s69TVBjjvEJatmB-41oc2CKFhgJ5OU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="backdoor5" width="500" /></a>It loves that spot – I tried one in an area with less direct sunlight and it died, FAST. Oh, and I’ve heard conflicting reports on the ficus and cats – our cats have zero interest in this one so I don’t worry about it. I probably wouldn’t do one closer to the ground though. I love these trailing plants too – the name escapes me though. Anyone know what these are?: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEytux82G4ywTW8oDZuJK7Xijh_gaYBSs72mlmjCrqRndiZjyPCjlAZjgiIX-v39oSNYy0GjYOElP7X20M3nRZ7y2JqubjSZWP3G5vcSiS3_f0kqN_AymW-ZFd4Y1DvAptKLCGw-HTA4/s1600-h/IMG_8010%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8010" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTL6L-Xm3lgGn5Rn87QAR-B0Yb0hp_C6azx3jagtQ8WRtVeUkmfjnQshm6UrVBGWNg1VjBef9K86c6H17tJG1kEqigHW7l6LsoKh7Rviga-X05-U2FkRX4sB4syyr5ABNYdXPFjcUY6g8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_8010" width="500" /></a> They do great in indirect light as well and grow like crazy. I think it’s so pretty as it gets longer. There’s one spot where I love having a plant but can’t keep one alive. This area in our family room is full of light but I can’t find a plant that does well: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bBWJqGWEr4gelJJKNFa5apbsfu0Rgd4PCYo-Bj43VvcamcTDP7rkVfIKDltTz_VMfLyJwUNqzTIeC4_VoInDI3ONM16ggMhK9GHsFEuqbLQk1HGbh_fY5kX6KFX02qUJa4tNCovwSnA/s1600-h/IMG_7186%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7186" border="0" height="742" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGwroyW14i992g0s5Kj35yaihlJdWJyDauKs-ofpK3Y8CCmPgj5XKGUJo939V6CNjQ7MToSMb6-p5oPaqG7HNjkwQYu_49yQnkPAGPotMKq4qNGAQJu7btihEZ76kAcpKZAOM9SEtr9w/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_7186" width="500" /></a> I’ve had three different ones now I think? None make it in that spot. That palm doesn’t look this good now, but it’s hanging on. Any suggestions one what may work with indirect sunlight? I’ve blogged about our plants before but I think it’s worth mentioning again – for years I thought I couldn't have real plants with the animals, but it’s not true. And as I get older my thumb gets greener – I’ve been able to keep plants alive both inside and out and I quite enjoy it. They are an investment at first but will last forever with just a little bit of care. Speaking of care -- all of these are incredibly easy to keep alive, and that’s from someone who couldn’t keep a plant green for years. I water them all every two weeks…and that’s about it. No fertilizer – it’s just a matter of finding the right plant and then finding the right spot for it in your house. Do you have plants in your home? Do you have a favorite? I tend to add new ones to the house in January – I just enjoy having more green around I guess. I’ve become a bit of a “plant lady” – I have them in every room of the house now and am always looking for new pretty varieties to bring in.

Plants I don’t kill

Hello there! Sorry for the late post today – the kiddo is home for the great Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We always move slow on non-school d...

9:20 AM