Category: HOME

Happy May Day!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOMELeave a comment
Image: skiptomylou.wordpress.com

HAPPY MAY DAY! If you’re one of the lucky people you will open your door this morning and there will be a pretty cone of flowers tied with ribbon around your door knob. What a neat thing to do for someone… hey, if you’re up early, run out and pick a few flowers, wrap the stems in foil or something with a wet paper towel to keep them fresh, and tie it with a ribbon on your neighbors door… boy, will they ever be surprised!

Catch you back here tomorrow! If you get a chance check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

A good belly laugh is good for you! Watch this…

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME2 Comments
Image: IMDB.com

They say laughter is good for you. Not a hee hee, but a rolling hard laugh that works your abs and brings you to tears. You know what I’m talking about, right? If not, RUN to your local place to grab a movie (or via Internet for those of you who are fancy) that makes you laugh. This is one that had me in tears. Bringing Down The House with Steve Martin and Queen Latifah. LOVED. IT. What movies make you laugh…?? I’m gathering a list of movies that really make you laugh and I need your help!

 
Have a great weekend and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow… !

T-T-T-TIVO… best thing since indoor plumbing!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOMELeave a comment
Image: Tivo.com

TIVO. It’s like CHER, it needs to explanation, I don’t need to say TIVO DVR, well, because TIVO is TIVO… simply the best! It is so user friendly that anyone can figure it out. It has truly revolutionized television watching for me! I can’t make it through commercials. I’m not a commercial snob, I LOVE a clever commercial, something witty and concise without being irritating (NO YELLING), but those are few and far between (think DAYQUIL commercial… “it even cures the MAN COLD”…  darn. BRILLIANT.)

With a TIVO you can set shows to record, then watch them at a later date, where you have the ability to fast forward through the commercials. You can also pause and fast forward through live TV. So if you start the show a little late you can fly past those annoying commercials, stop to let the dog out, then sit back down and not miss a thing! Our TIVO is an older model. I hope hope hope nothing ever happens to it, I treat it with care, ha ha… like an old friend! The newer ones have more features such as the ability to record more than one show at a time, ability to record and view your NOW PLAYING list (shows you’ve recorded) from your iPad… woohoo, wouldn’t that be a treat. I have the Series 2 Tivo, and I can still record a show using my Blackberry or using my computer. We also have the wireless adapter so we can rent movies, but we haven’t yet. I’m sure with my old Tivo I haven’t taken advantage of all it has to offer, but I can use it in my sleep, it is THE BEST THING since indoor plumbing. Truly! If you get a chance check it out! www.tivo.com!

Pledge an act of green – Happy Earth Day!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

HAPPY EARTH DAY! Pledge an act of green by clicking HERE. Whether it be planting a tree, conserving water or recycling, the choice is yours. If everyone does SOMETHING it will make our planet a better place. Even if you don’t click to make the pledge it still counts if you just do it anyway! Switch off your computer monitor when not in use, turn off the water when brushing your teeth, it’s the little things that add up…  spread the word… it’s Earth Day… there’s only one Earth and we have to keep it healthy!

Catch you back here tomorrow! If you get a chance, check out my photo blog !

Image Source, click HERE.

Antica farmacista – Magnolia, Orchid & Mimosa – DIVINE!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME1 Comment
Image: AnticaFarmacista.com

This is one home fragrance that will knock the old socks off! Nothing offensive or strong, just pure delight from the time you place the reeds in the apothecary jar. This is our favorite, by Antica Farmacista, the  Magnolia, Orchid & Mimosa combination is a pure clean scent. If you like a stronger scent flip the reeds more often, if you like a softer scent, flip just a few reeds occasionally. When you walk in your house… oooooh… DIVINE!

 
If you get a chance visit my photo blog ! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Short and sweet!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HOMELeave a comment
Image: BrevilleUSA.com

Ohhh is this sweet or what? I don’t have this, but it’s on my list for one day… It’s compact but apparently does well baking just about anything, which is just right for one or two people. Especially if you have a gas stove, it’s summertime and the sun is shining through the windows *sweat*, *sweat*… this may be the answer to cold salads every day for dinner!?? It got excellent reviews, I am looking forward to seeing one in person!

Are you looking for an oven that can toast, bake and keep your kitchen cool without sucking up ridiculous amounts of gas/electricity to bake a small amount? If so, you may want to check this bugger out??
If you get a chance, visit my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com  – catch you back here tomorrow!

Carries a heavy load with a smile?

On By Barbara StroudIn HOMELeave a comment
Image: LLBean.com

 A smile? OK, that may be a stretch, but the LL Bean Boat and Tote bag is an essential bag to have around the house. It performs a myriad of duties and all while looking it’s best! You can have the bag monogrammed with initials, name, company name, etc. stitched onto it. They come in a variety of sizes. I use mine mainly for groceries (especially milk and heavy stuff because the handles are comfortable), and if we take a trip I have those puppies packed full of stuff. They simply cannot be beat. They come in many different colors and I see on the LL BEAN website that you can even create a custom bag all with the colors you select! Kind of like Nike does with the shoes…

If you’re looking for a tote that can’t be beat check it out! Catch you back here tomorrow!

I am too comfortable to move…

On By Barbara StroudIn HOMELeave a comment
Image: Ekornes.com

Have you ever been too comfortable to move? Ha… This chair will make you so comfortable it’s actually difficult to move! Talk about relaxing. Everything hits you in just the right way, it reclines enough to make it heaven on earth! It’s a wonderful combination of leather and wood that will make your heart swoon (ok, so I’m dramatic… truly, is this the first time you realized that? ha ha). If you’ve never sat in an Ekornes Stressless chair I highly recommend it UNLESS you’re a couch potato trying to change your ways… We walk… alot… but at night when I hit this chair I’m out… Our walls are a deep milk chocolate brown so this leather looks beautiful as a contrast. Many furniture stores carry Ekornes, check it out sometime! The chair pictured is our model, the ROYAL, it comes in Medium and Large. We decided on the Large because Charlie (dog) likes to sit in it with me. Lucky me!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

If you get a chance, check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Sleek and compact with a very impressive voice!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOMELeave a comment
Image: Bose.com

Have you had a chance to listen to a Bose radio? It’s impressive. How can that much sound come out of such a small body? Incredible! Instead of having speakers and wires (we are becoming a society obsessed with getting rid of wires, ha ha… I agree wholeheartedly!) you have a compact sounds system that you would think would be coming out of a large system.

The Bose system we have is many years old and still plays like a charm! So if you’re in the market for a new radio/CD player/alarm… take a look at it! Nice thing they do is they divide the payments on your regular credit card (at 0% interest!!). You don’t have to get a special card to take advantage of the offer… check it out… www.bose.com!

Catch you back here tomorrow!!

Totally hip. Awesome. GORGEOUS AND it comes with GREAT customer service!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOMELeave a comment
Image: ElkayUSA.com

Was I right? Isn’t this the most beautiful kitchen faucet you’ve ever seen? We’ve had it for years and I. LOVE. IT! Recently we’ve been having some problems with the lack of pressure coming out of our kitchen faucet. Our water company is flushing the lines and there is no way to get the sediment out of the faucet head. We called customer service and spoke to the nicest, most knowledgeable woman (Thank you Deborah!). Case closed. Problem solved. You don’t mind spending money on something so beautiful when you know that there is a company behind it that backs it up. It’s not just a pretty face folks… hee hee. This company stands behind their products and they want to be sure it works well for you.

If you’re in the market for a kitchen faucet, I highly recommend ELKAY, their faucets are beautiful… so are their sinks for that matter. We have a large stainless sink  that is perfect for large pans, etc. This faucet is the LK7420.

With all the options out there, it’s nice to find something modern that works well, great design AND backed up with great customer service!

Check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com – catch you back here tomorrow!

One thing you don’t want to live without…

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS4 Comments
Image: lecreuset.com

If you’re like me and you like to cook… a good pan is essential. One that has worked for me for years and years is my Le Creuset French Oven. I have the 7.5 qt and that puppy is heavy, but that’s why everything that is cooked in it does so well. It’s great for big pots of soup, stews, just about anything… I’ve used it over and over and over, and I think it has now bit the dust. Partly my fault (boo hoo) I guess… The finish started to come off the bottom mostly, or so I thought… I took it to a local kitchen store, where they told me to clean it with Bar Keeper’s friend, and it would be good as new. They also told me it was OK to use regular stainless spoons, etc. I started scrubbing, the thought disgusted me that this was hardened cooked on food stuck to the bottom of my pot. UGH. I scrubbed and scrubbed and it started to come off… OHMYGOSH, like a new pot… then I started up the sides where it was about an inch high of the same and then I stopped dead in my tracks. This isn’t hardened food, this is THE FINISH. Oh, boo… the pot is no longer non-stickish… it’s super stick’ish. So I’ll save for another one day. For now I’ll wish I would have visited the LeCresuet website sooner!

With that being said, I highly recommend this pot. You see all the chef’s use it, it’s quality stuff! Just don’t use Bar Keeper’s Friend or any other product that can scratch the surface INCLUDING stainless spoons… use wooden, ugh.

If you get a chance, check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Who gets so excited about something like this?

On By Barbara StroudIn HOMELeave a comment
Image via Rubbermaid.com

Who gets so excited about a container to put flour and sugar in? ME, that’s who. My last set broke. Who has canisters break? Ugh. I’ve had it since September… it’s GORGEOUS lucite that is a site to behold… but, the latch broke, then the seal broke all within six months… *SIGH* so I’ve been on a quest for something to replace it. Up until yesterday…

I. FOUND. NOTHING.

I was bopping down the grocery store aisle when low and behold I saw this 16 cup container, rectangular and rather slim, whoa… this will give me ROOM in the cupboard. LUCKY. ME.

I got home, washed and dried it, opened a new bag of flour and tossed it in… and guess what… it fit… PERFECTLY! So if by some small chance you need a canister (I didn’t buy a set, just bought one, but went back today for another, my lucite sugar canister latch is on it’s way out as well!), go get yourself a Rubbermaid Modular Canister…  Mine is a 16 cup. They recommend a 21 cup for flour, but 16 works perfectly.

If you get a chance, check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Happy Friday to y’all! Catch you back here tomorrow…

One sexy saucer…

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS2 Comments
Image: dwr.com

And you thought a saucer couldn’t be sexy? Ha. Look at the lines of this Nelson Saucer Pendant Lamp. It’s a beauty. We’ve had one for years now, and it’s been moved from dining room, to dining room (ok, so we have a furniture moving around problem… ) and now it happily resides in the kitchen. Where it makes a nice quiet statement. It says… WE. AREN’T. OLD. YET.

I love lighting that makes a statement. This says hip but not crazy, a little funky and “with it” which is so nice paired with antique pine, traditional rugs, etc. A little of the unexpected amongst traditional (expected) is always a treat to the eye.
My opinion.
Happy Monday everyone… I’ll see you back here tomorrow…
Check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

A big bold nice and not expensive wine…

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
mcmanisfamilyvineyards.com

We were in Rockland, Maine at a neat little wine shop (future post). We asked for a nice Syrah that wasn’t too pricey and they suggested McManis Petite Syrah. Whew… it quickly became a favorite… very tasty, not in the under $10 category which is nice for everyday, well, the one glass a day, you know, for medicinal reasons… wish it was more than one glass though, hee hee… Fast forward to a few weekends ago, we went to Total Wine hoping to find this a tad cheaper, they don’t carry the Petite Syrah, but they did have Syrah… well, I’ll try it! And… YIPEE, it’s great, and it’s in the under $10 category. You could tell me it is an expensive bottle of wine and I would never know the difference. So if you like bold wines (at least in my book it’s bold) give this one a shot!

From the McManis Family Vineyard website:
 2008 Syrah
“Do not overlook this incredibly reliable and tasty Syrah as a great choice for everyday drinking. It is ripe and open, about mid-size in depth and full enough on the palate to let you know that you have a wine of reasonable substance in your mouth, and it will comfortably hold its own with burgers and other savory picnic fare when a wine that will go down in a gulp is in order.”   86 Points Good Value
Connoisseurs Guide to California Wine March 2010

Remember to visit my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com ! Until tomorrow…