Dear Homeowner,
We’ve never met. And I don’t know when we’ll meet because we don’t have current plans to move. But I’ve moved a lot (3 times in the past 11 years) and I’ve had it up to here (visual cue: hand above head) with DIY paint jobs gone bad.
I won’t even talk about wallpaper because I’m to the point that if there’s wallpaper, I’m probably not buying it.
I’m talking to amateur painters (like myself) who prefer to do the painting themselves. Painting is the most inexpensive project you can do that give back such immediate gratification.
But here’s my beef: Please please please TAPE THE CEILING before you start painting the walls. Especially if you’re using a darker color. That’s all I ask.
Not only does the room look better, but it really is faster than winging it! AND…it really helps out the next homeowner when they go to paint.
Thanks for listening…til we meet,
Susan 
You may remember back in March I rearranged my parents furniture (within reason) when I stayed at their home for a visit (no they were not there). Yes, it was bold. I blogged about it here.
Well, since then, my Mom got inspired to do more (sorry Dad!). They moved more furniture around, and removed their mantel over the fireplace to make room for their favorite piece of art:
Here’s what it looked like before:
Kudo’s Mom & Dad! You did a great job!
(Btw – they are coming to visit me next month…should I be worried?)
Howdy…just wanted to share a slice of American Pie with you. We enjoyed are small town Memorial Day parade this morning. It’s a chance for local kids to march and for everyone to pay tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom – for us and our children. Thank you.
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I’m a little off-topic this week, but as spring has finally sprung here in CT, I’ve been wondering about some beautiful yet mysterious sites along my street.
I don’t know about you, but I seem to drive around town alot, which means I drive down my street at least several times per day. Because we live near a reservoir, there is a lot of natural terrain that remains. Along with a few mysteries.
So the other day, I took my camera with me down my street to show you what I wonder about, several times a day. Yea, I’m a little off-topic today, but just sit back and enjoy the mysterious drive down my street with me!
First, here’s the dogs-eye view of my street. Very wooded and beautiful.
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Entertaining outdoors? Party on into the night with clever outdoor lighting! You’ve got lots to chose from…candles, torches, solar, lanterns, outdoor fireplace, and more! Here are a couple quick (and easy) ideas using planters.
For a splash of ambiance, add up-lighting to the base of potted plants on your deck. It creates a warm glow and really sets a dramatic stage for entertaining. Use solar powered spot lights to keep it easy.
Don’t have any presentable plants to light up? How about “planting” decorative torch lighting in the pots, and placing small pots of flowers around the base. Picture a tiki torch in a meadow of flowers!
Still too much work? How about a row of pots with potting soil or rocks in them, and plant solar lights along the edge of your deck or walkway?
Ok, here’s a super easy lighting solution…just plop some candles in terracotta pots (I recently did this and am still lovin’ it).
Of course the BEST party time nightlight has to be an illuminated pool! And let’s not forget the customary evening mood enhancer…hang white Christmas lights in select trees year round.
So when is your next outdoor entertaining event? Tell me about how you’re planning it! I’m always looking for new ideas!
