Island Gets New Lighting!

If you want a Big Bang for your $- change out some light fixtures. I made these mason jar pendants a couple years ago and I still like them I just wanted a change. 

Today's trend is oversized lighting. I found these lanterns on Amazon for $104 each!

The kitchen is really bright!  So bright I'm gonna need to install a dimmer!

New Textiles for a new year

I love changing out my decor for the seasons. My IKEA Ektorp sofa and chairs got their winter coverings and I love the instant warmth and the fact that I have a "new" sofa for $189!  However the IKEA I was visiting only had 1 chair cover in stock, waiting on it!! But you can see the difference from the kahki! I lightened up the rug with this find from Target. I can't spend a lot of $ on area rugs- it's my dogs' favorite spot to tinkle!!

I think my Ektorp sofa and chairs are three years old and I couldn't be happier with how they've held up. The lighter slipcovers are at the cleaners and will be put away til Spring!

And here r the dogs checking out the new potty ugh!

Nanna's Rolls

Our first snow is on the ground and it's bitter cold. I love to bake on snowy days- it warms the house and the smells are amazing. Today was a great roll day!!

 My Nana(who turns 93 next month) makes these rolls (still) every weekend. As a little girl I remember Saturday mornings at her house- watching her mix them and then later form them. The best part- warm rolls fresh from the oven for lunch!! 

It's taken me a few years for my rolls to come close to hers!  A lot of bad batches later, and I think they're "ok".  I guess I just don't make them enough!  Below is the recipe- straight from Nana! PS- they also freeze well after baking in freezer bags!

New Year- new goals

Since it has been almost a year since my last post (terrible!)- I thought I would try this blog thing again!!  Lots of items on my list this year, I have three going: personal, family and house. 

Just took down Christmas and I love how bare and fresh the house looks. Time to organize and freshen up, but cozy up too since it is winter in northeast Ohio (ugh). 

I started with my mantel!  A great place to start and sometimes a challenge!

Baking Center

I love to bake! But I hate the clutter that comes with baking: measuring cups, spoons, pans, racks and endless dry goods ingredients. I wanted to create a space in my kitchen that would house all these things. I recently moved my pantry into my old laundry room. The original pantry was just housing extra kitchen "stuff". See photo below!

After browsing Pinterest I found an idea that would fit the space:

I then called my talented carpenter and after a few measurements he created this:

Then I decided to paint the unit to blend in with the rest of the kitchen. 

Now here's where the fun came in!  I wanted to free up the counter space so I bought restaurant steam table containers from Amazon for flour and sugar to fit inside top drawer. The second drawer holds glass measuring cups and cookie cutters and the bottom drawer is filled with cupcake tins, cooling racks and  cake pans!  I love that everything is in one place!!

Kitchen Hood and Shelves Reveal!

Well, we've finally completed the kitchen (for now, I have more ideas for the new year)! Our hood project was so fun!  It all started here:

First we took down the existing microwave hood and cabinet above.

Then I ordered from Lowes a stainless vent hood (30" for $169).  I made sure all the off/on switches were located on the underneath side.  The husband then installed according to instructions and we vented to outside (so nice to not smell the pancakes you made for breakfast all day).  

Next the hood was boxed in with pine wood.  While this was going on I was busy staining 1x4 lumber in Minwax Dark Walnut.  It took about 12, 8 foot pieces, since I wanted the hood to go to ceiling. Then it was a matter of covering the box that was made and extending down from the ceiling (with attached 2x2s underneath). 

The finished hood with a Thanksgiving wreath!  I love how the wood breaks up all the white in the kitchen!  And to tie in to that wood we continued on to the floating shelves!

First, we removed a double cabinet above the backsplash, this really opened up my counter space!  What a difference!  Then we added planks and they were painted (Pratt and Lambert from Sears Off White).  Next my husband built the brackets (E-Shaped) and installed on the wall.

After the brackets were installed, he covered them with pine facing!  I love how much they store and the dishwasher is easily unloaded to the open shelves!  In all $60 for the three shelves!

Christmas Decorations

I'm keepin it simple this year!  I've concentrated on my front door, mantel and kitchen table oh and of course the tree but only 1 tree! Here are pix thus far!

The mantel is decked out in orange and turqoise! You can't tell by this photo but the bows on candlesticks are turqoise and so is the bowl full of oranges. I love the sparkly brown PEACE!

The tree got a new set of ornaments this year courtesy of after Christmas sale last year!  All brown and gold and silver- set of 36 and it filled up the tree nicely!

My kitchen table is my favorite! Not only did it get a fresh coat of white Annie Sloan chalk paint- but I just pulled up the pumpkins and replaced with little trees and berries! Before pic below-

Was worried about aqua door but had fun with it!  

Our Christmas tree farm was selling $5 greenery bundles and giving away the cuttings so I piled them high in my planter boxes!  I added birch sticks, berries and pinecones. I found these adorable lighted sticks at the craft store!

My tobacco wood star covered in lights!

Aside from candles in the windows- that's it folks! I'm keeping it simple and enjoying the season and celebrating the birth our Savior. Merry Christmas!