Moving Out

I've been pondering a move...a new name... a new style for a while now. I'm finally getting around to it. You can find me in my new digs - Just Alice. Theme is temporary. New posts coming soon.

Habits that Make You Sick

Before Thanksgiving I battled back a cold. After Thanksgiving, I caught the cold. A week later, a mean virus snuck in and beat me down. I spent Wed. morning in the emergency room because I couldn't walk or sit up, I was so dizzy. It's terrifying to wake up, be hit with dizziness and nausea, be unable to walk to the bathroom so you have to crawl instead. I still fell over.

This got me wondering how to keep my house just a little cleaner and a little more germ free during these winter months. Remember last year I was in bed the first two weeks of December with an awful cold and a bit of flu.

I came across an article on WebMD that I thought was worth mentioning.

6 Daily Habits That May Make You Sick

It's a quick read, and totally worth the time.

Pretty Little Ornament

Here's a new pretty I got at Pikes Nursery this year. Such a pretty olive green, with a hint of gold and sparklys too. The shape was what attracted me.

- alice

Be sure to visit Domestic Divas for more tips and reminders.

Removing Wax from a Table Runner

I'm trying one of Martha's tips for getting wax out of table linens. A candle had an accident on my pretty red table runner, so the iron and I are in the process of cleaning up said accident. These steps should work for most fabrics.

You'll need:

Iron
Paper Towels
Blunt tipped knife/object for gentle scraping



Step One: Remove as much extra wax as possible.

Step Two: Place the table linen and spot of wax on a stack of paper towels.



Step Three: Put another stack of paper towels on top of the wax spot and then place warm (not hot) iron on top of the paper towels. Leave it there for a minute at a time, then check for progress. Depending on the amount of wax, you may have to rotate or replace the paper towels as the wax soaks into them.



Can you tell where the wax was? (I can't either!)

Planting paperwhites

It's almost that time again. Get ready to plant your paperwhites. Here's a video to help.

How to Plant Paperwhites

On the Hunt...

I'm on the hunt for a frame. You see I'm starting to gather more and more baby pictures. And pet pictures. And I'd like to add a few family pictures too. Normally I like those simple, elegant black with thick white mat frames that hold a 4 x 6 or two. But with all the variety of pictures I've been getting in the mail lately, I'm thinking I need to expand my horizons.

You see, we currently have one of those ribbon boards in the kitchen and I stick photos, business cards, etc up there. And after it gets full I take everything down and start over.

DH, sweetie that he is, has expressed interest in keeping at least one picture of the nephews out. I expressed interest in keeping a photo out of my kids, even if they have four legs and fur.

So we're thinking a picture frame with space for multiple photos...and it must be easily changeable...b/c we'd like to update it as kids grow and families change.

All that said, I'm looking for advice. Do you have a favorite frame? Place to shop for frames?

I'll let you know when we decide on something. :)

Declutter How To

I tackled the library/extra guestbedroom closet today. This is the closet that used to house all my craft supplies. Can you believe it? Now, it isn't that big....

Now it stores books, magazines and gifts that I purchase well in advance. It also actually has space to *ding* *ding* *ding* hang clothes my guests come!

But as of this morning you couldn't see the floor. I'm sure all those of us who've recently ( I say that but it's been like 8 years) "moved out" will understand this next dilemma. When mom and dad clean out there house and give you all your junk back. Oh. Boy.

This has been going on for a while. and every so often I have a giant need to purge.

So, start with a big bag or box and label it trash. Then have a box for keepsakes. And last, a box for things to keep that do not go in this room.

Ready? Set the timer for 5 minutes (you do have a kitchen timer, right?! So handy!) and get to work. Just pick up the nearest pile and start tossing.

I like to get rid of trash first. It's easy to see what's trash. Envelopes. Packaging. Slips of paper. Boxes. Bags. Olddddddd magazines. You know, trash.

Be hard on yourself. Will you ever use it again? Have you thought of it recently?

I usually come across an item that I've been looking for for a while. Those are the items to keep. Everything else needs to go bye-bye. Toss, donate, sell. Get-rid-of-it.

Your trash is someone else's treasure, so lighten your load.

Corner of a Kitchen

Thought I'd show off a corner of my kitchen. The straw holder used to be hot pink. I gave it a makeover with a special spray paint in a dark brass/bronze color. It looks like hammered metal. Not bad for a $1 purchase from Big Lots ages ago, huh? The clear tube is actually plastic, but you can't tell unless you squeeze it.

The little church inspired birdhouse is actually a little vase. Perfect for one summer flower, don't you think. I think this was a whopping $.69 at my local "junk" store.

And the little Rosemary sign I got at a great little flower nursery over in Birmingham, Alabama. I can't really hang it in a green kitchen, otherwise you can't see the Rosemary. LOL

So this is a quick reminder that it doesn't have to be expensive or perfect to incorporate into your home. You just a) have to love it, and b) be willing to change it up a bit. Spray paint is your friend.

Have a fun project you recently completed? I'd love to see it.

Project Progress

Don't have a finished project to show yet, but we do have primer on the porch. I'm taking a much needed cool down and thought I'd show the proof of the progress. :) Have a wonderful Saturday.

Tassel

As promised, here's a picture of the tassel I made. Since DH and I enjoy a good bottle of wine, I decided to use a cork. This one has a beautiful leaf detail on it. The colors are olive, champagne, and chocolate. One of the ribbons has merlot poka dots.

The long champagne fringe is a remnant from walmart. As is the green fringe. The ribbons are from Michaels. And the top brown fringe is from Joanns. DH had a ball trying to hunt down the perfect thing. He did good, don't you think?

I used a glue gun and a wood candle cup as a base for the fringe. We're really pleased with the way it came out. I have supplies for one or two more. Just need to pick out a good/pretty cork.

So there you have it. One finished project.

Yesterday, we pressure washed the front porch and the north side of the house. After years of water restrictions the poor house was a tinge green. No more water restrictions so up the ladder I went. And now it's all clean. Whoop!

Today's goal: repaint the front porch. And perhaps tidy the tool bench in the basement.

Another Finish a Project Weekend

We had such good results last weekend that I'm announcing that this weekend is another Finish a Project Weekend.

I finished my tassel last weekend.
And made progress on several other things as well.

Today's goal... pressure wash the porch. If I'm lucky, inspired or Hubby decides to help, I may be able to get the front and side of the house done. Wish me luck!

Finish a Project Weekend

How many projects do you have that need finishing? If you're anything like me, you have a few. Guilty secret, yes. So I'm designating this weekend as Finish a Project Weekend...

Just a few projects I have that need finishing:

I'm making a valance for the laundry room.
I'm also making artwork for the laundry room and I just need to put it all together.
We've been meaning to put down weed killer and fertilizer on the yard... for a month.
I'm a little behind on my summer decorating...eeks.
Oh, and I need SOMETHING to put on my front door. It's nekkid.
And I have a tassel that I need to finish so I can hang it's beautiful self up.

What about you? Any projects to finish?

Necklace lengths...

One hobby of mine (thanks to my dad) is jewelry making. If you like to make jewlery too, or just wear it, here's an interesting website discussing the lengths of necklaces.

Included lengths:
Choker
Collar
Princess
Matinee
Opera
Rope/Lariat

I'll admit I'm really liking the Opera length lately and am looking to make some necklaces that length. Here's another website with photos rather than drawings. It's discussing pearls (wonderful pearls.) And examples of what to wear with each.

Heirloom Tomatoes

Instant Herb Garden

July Gardening Checklist

It's the middle of summer but that doesn't mean you can't get out in the garden. There's still plenty to do...like work on your tan.

Check out this handy dandy checklist: http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=13108257

Projects, projects & more projects

In case you've been wondering where I've been...I'll tell you.

Two weeks ago our car went caput...which lead to a week long journey to buy a new one. Needless to say there was tons of research, phone calls, and hours of haggling involved. In the end, we came away with an AWESOME car.

Last weekend we went to visit nephew #2 for the first time. He's a little doll. And boy did we enjoy the new car... :)

The yard and the house have kept me busy, busy, busy. My roses are doing well, the veggie garden is weeded and growing. It's almost time to set out my tomatoes and peppers. It's time for some container gardening...once I get the porch and deck repainted/stained. Which means calling in the pressure washing guy. And the lawnmower still needs fixing.

I've been wanting a new bedspread for a while now... something lighter, cleaner...summer ready. I've been wanting white.

White?!

In this family?? Big dog. 2 fuzzy cats. Laid back husband...

Imagine my shock when we came home from Target the other day with a beautiful white and taupe bedspread...DH says "we might as well see if we can live with white." So now I'm protective. No dog on the bed. All pets (including husband... ;) ) must be supervised. Absolutely no eating in bed.

Not sure if I like this new protective side, but I love how clean the room looks. And that it's making me tackle the rest of the room...like curtains... and accessories. I can't wait to show it off. I even have an orchid on my nightstand... WHOOP! I'm afraid I'm going to need some help finishing this space. And then I'm heading for the bathroom...it needs a paint job.

I have big plans, people. Big plans. And as soon as DH gets home (my camera is in the car) I'll have pics!

Food from the garden

We had lettuce from the garden the other day. Wow! Yummy.

And this morning, I pulled off my first strawberry from the bush. Woo Hoo! SOOO Yummy! If you have a small sunny spot, I recommend getting a big (16 inches at least) pot, fill it up with good, well draining soil, a bit of fertilizer, and two or three strawberry bushes. So simple, so yummy!

Sadly, I should have taken a pic before I ate the strawberry. .... Oops! ;)

Video: How to Hang Art

This is a great refresher for all of us as we do a little spring cleaning, redecorating and rearranging. Some simple design principles that will really pull your home together.

I'm Alive...

Biltmore Gardens in 2006

Hello out there in blogland. Yes, I am alive... just been busy in the garden. Have all sorts of cute stories to tell. But it's raining today, which is why I'm inside...blogging.

Laundry is in the wash and now I'm off to tackle the master closet. I do this about twice a year...it seems to stay sorta organized for about 5 months, then that sixth month, yikes!

Also decorating for Easter and visiting other blogs to see what friends are doing. Joy always has awesome decorations. More cute things over at Bless Our Nest... And at Southern Hospitality of course.

I've got all sorts of pictures to upload... maybe once I get the closet done and check out a few blogs. By the way, are you on twitter? If so, send me your url so I can follow you. :)