And Now, a Word from Our Sponsor...

We now return you to normal blogs, already in progress.

My Kitchen Inspiration

My best friend Michael, an avid DIYer and stay-at-home dad, lives 1300 miles away in New York

With the internet, this is not exactly a challenge. 

We confer on projects all the time through phone calls, Yahoo photo sharing, cam time and texting.

He was right there when I built The Wall.

So naturally, when he decided his 80's kitchen needed an update, I got to follow along with the bouncing trowel!

Here's the before: still in great shape, because he takes care of things, 

But the floor, counters, and backsplash...

definitely holding the whole room back.

And as Michael's culinary skills went from toddler's fare to more gourmet offerings,

storage was glaringly inadequate.

Wrecking ball, please!

 Come along and watch the carnage.

 He moved out everything that wasn't nailed down, and several things that were, checking and reassessing his work flow and needs.

 This will replace the red formica adequately, yes?

Dear God, yes.

Custom built addition to the peninsula.

Sandy tile with a little accent of green went down, which had the effect of updating the cabinets.

It's amazing how different they look in the right surroundings.

 See that lip on the peninsula?

Now he's got room for company while he cooks.

 And the backsplash....oh.

If I'm ever widowed, I'm running away with the backsplash.

 There are some sacrifices you have to prepare for during this process...

 ...cooking dinner could be a minor challenge.

 Your decorating might be a tad unorthodox as well.

 But in the end, it's all worth it.

This has me itching to dive in and fix the train wreck I cook in.

How bad is it?

Join me tomorrow for the ugly, naked truth and the Rehab Kitchen Plan.

At the very least, you'll feel better about your space.

Thanks again to Michael and his lovely wife Carloyn for allowing us to barge into their home.

The Gazebo Quest

There are 6 people in this house, with some, including myself, approaching adulthood, which means it can seem a little crowded. Although I do intend to build on, branching outdoors is a great solution, and I have a lot of space to utilize for that, including my beloved patio, which is protected on three sides by walls of the house. I bought my first iron and canvas gazebo for it at Target 7 years ago for $199, and it stood even through hurricanes for 4 years. I bought another one, a different model mind you, thinking I'd get the same wear out of it. Nope. It stood for a year and collapsed. By now I had a huge collection of orchids, and those babies do not like full sun, so I dragged Sam with me to Big Lots days before the Fire of oh nine, 

and we got this:

It was half off the half off end of the season slashed to $70, and I figured I had one heck of a bargain.
And yes, this is actually my patio and my furniture, pre-spray paint mania.

 Unfortunately, because it was in the box and there wasn't a display model standing, we had to wait until we got home for the lovely surprise that the construction was mostly plastic. Oh, and the joints didn't snap or screw together, they just slid into each other, so on a breezy day you'd find me putting the roof struts back together. I bought a roll of clear duct tape when I got really sick of doing that. The canopy itself was of equal high quality and started to rip, calling for more clear duct tape. 

By the time we had to take it down to put in the french doors during major construction, I'd had enough and made the executive decision to haul the plastic carcass of that white trash nightmare out to the curb.

See ya!

About that time, I decided to expand out to the lower garden with another sitting area while the patio was unusable. I'd been using the first gazebo's frame as a plant hanger and was just allowing the bougainvillea to stand in as shade, but it was time for something with a little rain protection.

Because I'm weird and like to sit out in the rain.

 So we tore that apart...

 ...well, what wasn't already TORN apart...

 ...dragged it to the curb...

(My house is an excellent place to go dumpster diving if you're ever in the neighborhood.)

 ...and put up the Tivoli Gazebo, $99 on sale at Target.

 We liked it for a while.

It looks okay, right?

 Four months later, it looked like this.

I called about the one year warranty, and was told that was void due to improper use. 

Evidently, you're supposed to take the canopy off if it rains or it's windy.

Pardon???

 

My online product review was never published, probably because of excessive profanity.

And I'm not sorry.

Now sure, what I really need is something along these lines, but I kinda need it tomorrow before my orchids all burn, so let's do some shopping for something reasonable and sturdy to stand in for the time being.

 Wish list:

10'x12'

Vented canopy

Double roof supports

90 degree corner supports, with plant shelves if possible

Rain vents in the canvas

Mosquito netting

A roof peak strong enough to hold my salvaged outdoor chandelier

Under $300

Wilson & Fisher™ 10' x 12' Bay Window Gazebo With Arrow Panel

$300

Gazebo includes a mosquito screen to keep bugs out!

• Weather-resistant, 100% polyester canopy features vented double roof
• Polyester mesh screen keeps bugs out
• Zippered access on all 4 sides
• Durable, powder-coated finish resists rust, corrosion and chipping
• Spring clips make assembly quick and easy
• Covers 120 sq. ft.

Not bad, but the corner supports are flat, there's no shelves, and I'd have to see the roof supports. I need doubles to hang the orchids.

Essential Garden 10 x 10 Arrow Gazebo

For a list of the fulfilling retailer(s) to your MyGofer pickup location, click here.

This product is available through a Sears distributor.To purchase this product please visit our International Distributors page

Reg Price: $249.99

Savings: $20.00

$229.99

Too small for starters, and I can see that the roof support is single, but I'm diggin' the plant shelves on the corner supports

Outdoor Patio Parisienne Gazebo Collection

$29.00 - $279.00 List: $34.00 - $354.00

Wrong size, but it WILL hold a chandelier...let's keep looking.

 Has anyone out there seen what I'm in the market for?

We Interrupt This Blog

As you all know, each day I post the buttons of the parties I'm participating in for that day. 

If my garbage is on your blog, please forgive me. I had to rush to the hospital, my mother is in surgery, and I did not forward my weirdly anal retentive party spreadsheet home in my hurry. I'll make it up to you tomorrow, I promise.
UPDATE: Mom is out of surgery. They removed about half of her left lung today, which had abscessed and was spreading infection throughout her respiratory system. She's been hospitalized for over a month, and we're hoping this will be a really positive step toward her recovery. She's in stable condition in ICU.
Thank you for all of your supportive comments, and thank you for all the really sweet, personal emails. It seriously is making this easier. You guys rock. 

The Ugliest Lamp in History

I love the site Better After. She features blogger projects and their sites through a series of very simple photos: the Before, and the After. You go pounce on what you want.

Well. this week, she's having an Ugly Lamp Contest.

 

Someone tell the losers to stop crying and just go home now.
By the way, head over there. It's a voting kind of thing, and it should be a laugh riot!

And Now, a Word From Our Sponsor

This blog has been brought to you by Florida, land of perfect weather, wild parrots, and year round blooms.

I'm starting to train my bougainvillea to go over the proposed gazebo. I think it likes this direction, don't you?

What Tile Did I Go With?

Um, I went with the Mexican tile for 23 reasons.

Cats, dogs, and people. Think of the traffic on white marble.

Buzzy concured. And approved. Extra cleaning time cuts into his Feline Overlord Pampering time.

Hit and Run Orchids

 Just some shots of what's in bloom.

Nothing amazing.

 

 But blooms are a sure sign that at least...

...I'm not killing them. Right?

Right?