Baker's Racks

Not Just For the Kitchen!

Baker's racks were first used in bakeries as a place for hot baked goods to cool. The metal shelving is heat conducting which allows for the heat to quickly be transferred from baking pan/dish to shelves. Traditionally baker's racks were made pf wrought iron but now a days can be made from many different materials and may include special shelving for wine and/or other storage.

Just like with various other pieces of furniture, a BAKERS RACK can serve many purposes.

Other ares of the house one could use a bakers rack would be:

In an entryway.

                                Used as a bar.

Maybe you want to use your baker's rack as a plant/potting stand.

 

 Showing of a collection of favorite things.

Wood, glass, wicker or iron...as you can see baker's racks can be a very useful piece of furniture of any room of the house.

Home is where the heart is

Today while looking at my friend's blog she showed a cute little needlepoint sign that read:

                          "I wasn't born in Tennessee but I got here as fast as I could."

I immediately knew what she was talking about.
I was originally born in Southern Illinois. Broughton to be exact. My father was a So. Il. Methodist minister and I moved around every 2 to 3 years. I graduated from Flora Il Township High school. Here is a picture of Flora. It was the biggest town I had lived in at that time!

I am not sure when this picture was taken but I lived there in the early 70's.  At the corner where this picture is taken was the first stop light in town too. In smaller "county" towns like this there really isn't much for kids to do. I remember one time the town tried to pass a law that prevented us kids from walking up and down the streets. I mean...Friday and Saturday nights this was the cruising strip! And those that didn't drive usually walked. One night a whole bunch of us gather on one of these corners and just walked around and around the intersection there as the light would change. Well, the law said we couldn't walk the street or we'd be busted for lottering so...we won. That little law was soon dropped.

Anyway, shortly after graduating from Flora in 1974 (Hey...I am metaphysically wrinkle free) and 19 yrs of living in Illinois I moved to Bountiful, Utah! What a culture shock! Little county Methodist bumpkin now in the land of Zion! WOW!! LOL!

In the Salt Lake valley I lived and loved and married. My husband, Don, is originally from Idaho. He moved here when he was 10.

Fast forward 20 years and Don and I living in Salt Lake City a couple of blocks from Liberty Park decide that we have had enough of the city life. I for some reason talk him into moving back to Illinois. But not to Flora but Salem,Il which is 25 miles east of Flora. I had family there and so...even not ever living in Salem myself I quickly learned that one cannot go home. Other than the family members that still live in Illinois...I have no desire to ever live there again. And sorry to say...but I have no desire to ever go back or see any of the people I went to high school with. (Exception Gina...Shout out!)

Believe it or not...after 18 months of being homesick and not liking the flatness of Illinois. We end up in all places...Atlanta, GA! Well, Buford, GA. And we immediately and have ever since felt like we were Home!
After 10 years of being away from Utah, we find ourselves back in Salt Lake City. But we cannot wait and have been planning our move back to Georgia. Here are a few reasons why I love and want to go back to Georgia. Like the little needlepoint sign...I may not have been born in Georgia but I got there as soon as I could. And will get back there as soon as I can. Driving through the Georgia mountains you never know what little store you will run across. This place has some of the best farmer's cheese...Old Sautee Store. The different little pottery places you'd find along the way.

And I know that God's greatest temple is the outdoors. I know there are many beautiful places on this earth but this little lake...Dockery Lake is my favorite place on earth. I cannot wait to get back to this little place and pitch my tent. I could live here! In my yurt of course! LOL.

Sorry I got carried away but just wanted to give ya'all some of my background. And my hope to soon be back in the Georga mountains.

Bright Blessings!
Peace, Love and True Faith!

Benefits of an undermount sink

Besides making your kitchen look fabulously modern and stylish you have to remember the main purpose of the space.

 

When thinking of a kitchen remodel or building a new home, the sleek contemporary style is perfect. Besides the modern look there are benefits to undermount kitchen sinks.

Undermount kitchen sinks come with a special feature different from your ordinary kitchen sinks. That is the flush fitting or how the sink fits underneath the counter top. This provides a clean and thorough finish.  No joints or rims for a mess to get caught up under. Clean up is a breeze merely wiping your mess directly into the sink.


Another advantage to undermount kitchens sinks is the uncluttered look as all the plumbing is hidden underneath the sink. This seamless feature also means no thought to your cleaning process.

An undermount kithcen sink is fixed below a kitchen counter top making the third benefit being their high efficient functionality.  They are make to resist wear and tear maintaning their features for many years to come.

Undermount kitchen sinks come in a large variety of styles and materials.  One you have decided on your budget and style you will be able to find the perfect undermount kitchen sink to give your kitchen that professional and sleek look.                                      

 

Yuck!  Aren't you glad these days are over?

    It is said the kitchen is the heart of your home. 
Have many happy times!

Peace, Love and True Faith!
                                      
         

Vertical metal handles versus wooden knobs

That was the decision given to consumers in past decades when deciding on kitchen or bathroom cabinet pulls. Now with pulls coming in a variety of materials from black crocodile leather to recycled glass there are many choices to be made.

Style is another decision to make. Would you prefer contemporary?


Or a more traditional style?

There is also the decision of what type of materials you would want from metals, leathers, woods and glass.

The single most important thing to remember and take into consideration is what you choose for your plumbing fixtures.  If you have chosen a brushed nickel faucet you would want your cabinet/drawer pulls to match.  Color coordination and complimentary to the color of your tiles and flooring is also something that could be thought of.

Cabinet hardware also comes in a wide range of sizes.  Not to mention that there are even some whimsical styles to fit every theme or mood.                               
                              
                                                       With some of the designs and the addition of the whimsical...cabinet hardware pulls do not just have to stay in your kitchen or bathroom.  Try them on a dresser or desk drawers to give a new look.

I think I might just have to re-purpose a chest of drawers I have for my husband's den adding a touch of whimsy.  He is sure to love these. 

Have fun picking out your new cabinet hardware pulls and Be safe!

Peace, Love and True Faith!

Looking for a new bedroom rug

I have been looking for a new bedroom rug. My floor is all tile and with winter coming I am not looking forward to cold tootsies.

My bedroom decor changes every time I find a good deal on bedding sets. I can switch out pictures and knick knacks from other rooms. So, getting something to graphic as in flowers may not be the answer.  And do I want square or round?

I see a lot of decorating shows that always throw a zebra rug in their decor...any decor!

After doing some research and thinking...I have decided what I rug is best for my bedroom is a good discount rug!

Happy shopping!

Company's coming!

My mother was the type of person that believed in saving the best for company.  When you saw the lace tablecloth airing out...you knew company was coming. My parents didn't have a lot of money so when they did purchase something like this...they used it well.

I saw this picture of this cloth that is so similar to the one my mother had.  We had some good times.around the table.  I remember one time my older sister and my dad got into a food fight with chocolate cream pie!  LOL.  And yes, we were using the good lace tablecloth as other company was there.  I remember my mother scrubbing what seemed like hours making sure there were no stains on her lace tablecloth.  And the food!  Sunday fried chicken dinners made entirely from scratch.  There is and will never ever be another cook as good as your mother's homemade cooking.

Unfortunately the parents are now gone, so is the chocolate pie throwing sister.  I inherited my mother's lace tablecloth and like her, kept it back for company.  The last time I pulled it out of the linen drawer was when I finally saw the wear and tear as it was a cloth of many years.  I could see the round stains where a glass of mom's sassafras tea sat or from the coffee cup ever present in my dad's hand.  A few tears were shed as I thought of the times no longer to be had and smiled at their memories. 

And, as said above, the tears in the delicate lace were there, tiny and few but there.  I am not familiar with tatting (making lace) nor do I sew very well.  I decided to make my mother's lace tablecloth into some cafe curtains for above the kitchen sink. Now I see the tablecloth on a daily basis and I know my mother is there telling me, "Just a pinch more salt and pepper and a dash of love."

The tablecloth does not have to be a fancy lace one nor does it have to be saved only for company. Spread your tablecloth out on your table and make your own family memories tonight.

Bright Blessings.
Peace, Love and True Faith.

Dream Home

A few blogs back I showed this picture of me standing in front of a yurt.  I mentioned that this is my dream home.  Well, not that particular yurt in that particular setting but, yes, I do want to live in a yurt.

What is a yurt?  Basically it is a round tent. It is the ancient structure that Central Asian nomads have used for centuries. However, it is much stronger and weather tight then a regular tent.  Yurts are of a circular structure that consists of a durable fabric cover, tension band and a wood frame that includes a lattice wall, radial rafters, central compression ring and a framed door.  Yurts are typically set upon wood platforms supported by simple post-and-beam systems and have minimal impact on surrounding soils.

Why do I want to live in a yurt?  Besides them being a lot cheaper than a traditional home, I just do.  My ideal place for a yurt would be by a lake or other form of water.

If you would like to find out more about yurts and their uses and prices.  Also to see pictures of inside yurts and how modern and comfortable they can be...just go to your favorite search engine site and key the work in the word yurt.

Expansion of this dream...and I do hear this already exists in CA would be a yurt community.  Definitely not your typical trailer park.  LOL.

Be safe!
Peace, Love and True Faith.

The Elegance of Crystal Chandeliers

A good chandelier can add just the right touch to any room of the house. Chandeliers used to be mainly in entryways and dining rooms of homes but now chandeliers are hanging and can be seen hanging in any room.  Longer ones over a kitchen island. 








 Even over your bathtub!


And chandeliers themselves have changed down through the years. But, my favorites are the crystal chandeliers.  

From the ornate to the simple. 

From very colorful to black. 

                                             But the best colors from any chandelier (yes, even the black chandelier)the best colors are the rainbows from the sun shining through each crystal.

 

Silverware

Also know as "flatware" and/or "cutlery". 

How many of you have ever sat down to a dinner table and found the table set as such?

I've seen a few movies where the main character has sat down to a formal table setting also not knowing about all the silverware sitting there before them.  And a lot of times you will hear a co-star politely advise to just start with the utensils on the outside and work your way in.  Did that ever leave you sitting wondering what and why?  LOL.

Going through the silverware only starting with #5.  That is your salad fork - If a salad fork is used, it belongs to the left of the dinner fork.  Which means #6 is your Dinner fork - Placed to the left of the plate. No more than three forks to the left of the plate. If there are three forks, they are usually salad, fish, and meat, in order of use, from outside in. An oyster fork always goes to the right of the soup spoon. 

This jumps us to #7.which is your butter knife - Place horizontally on bread plate. 

#8 and #9 are you dessert spoon and cake fork.  Both to be placed above the plate.

#10 is your dinner knife - To the right of the plate. Sometimes there are multiple knives, perhaps for meat, fish, and salad, in order of use from outside in.  And following the dinner knife is #11 your tea spoon and #12 your soup spoon. 

And what is the difference you may ask? 
 Forks: A dinner fork is the standard-sized fork. The salad fork is slightly smaller than the dinner fork. A dessert fork is about the same length as the salad fork but may be narrower. The fish fork is about the length of a dinner fork but is often narrower. An oyster or shellfish fork is very small and usually has only two tines.
  Knives: The dinner knife is the standard-sized knife. The butter knife is much smaller and usually has a rounded tip. A fish knife is about the same size as a dinner knife, but it has a special tip for undressing a fish that is served with head, skin or bones. A steak knife has an extra-sharp, usually serrated, blade.
 Spoons: Generally, a soup spoon and a dessert spoon are the only spoons required. A demitasse spoon may be brought out with a cup and saucer for coffee, though using the dessert spoon is considered acceptable to stir within all but the most formal settings. Different soup spoons are available for cream soups or broths, but a standard soup spoon is usually enough. A tablespoon or place spoon may be set on a formal table if the meal requires it, and they are often used for an informal meal where no soup is served. A teaspoon is only required when there will be tea served.
The next time I happen to be invited to a fancy formal dinner I know I can confidently eat my salad with the right piece of silverware.  LOL.

Peace, Love and True Faith.