24 February 2011

Thoughts of Spring

I'm turning my thoughts to Spring this week.  I don't care that it snowed again this morning, or that another snow storm is expected overnight and into tomorrow ... I'm so ready for Spring!  I bought these pretty pink tulips at the grocery store on the weekend.  I've missed photographing flowers and am happy to finally have some to photograph.  I have a lot more photos to share with you next week.  You might even get tired of seeing pink tulips on my blog.  But it's better than snow, right?

Are there signs of spring where you live?  Please share what's blooming or turning green or even what flowers are now in your grocery store.  Maybe if we all ignore Winter, he'll get the hint and move on.  It's worth a try!

18 February 2011

Monochrome

We took a little road trip this week to Niagara Falls, NY to visit friends.  I took my camera along for the ride and snapped a few photos along the way.  As it was overcast, all the photos were pretty monochromatic anyway so I decided to make this week's Project 52 image black and white.  This is the Niagara River, taken as we crossed the bridge between Queenston, Ontario and Lewiston, New York.

I don't know about you but I've had enough of winter.  I'm tired of the cold, the gray days, brown slushy snow, dirty cars and salt stains on my clothing.  Spring can't come soon enough! *sigh*

10 February 2011

Shadow play

Thanks so much for your comments about my kitchen!  It's amazing how much impact small changes can make.

Can I just say that I'm pretty tired of winter??  It's been so cold this week ... bone chilling cold!  As I write this, it's 9 degrees ... and going down to -2 overnight.  Next week is supposed to warm up to the low-30's ... I can't wait!

The shadows for this week's Project 52 photo are from my redbud tree in my front yard.  At least the sun was shining!

Are you doing anything special this weekend for Valentine's Day?  I'll be baking Linzer heart cookies - a tradition in our home.  Our celebration is usually pretty low key ... somehow overpriced flowers and being rushed through dinner doesn't feel very romantic.

Have a wonderful weekend however you celebrate ... stay warm ... and Happy Valentine's!

9 February 2011

Kitchen mini-makeover

I thought I'd show you a few photos of my new kitchen after its mini-makeover.

My kitchen layout works pretty well and the kitchen is just under ten years old but it was dark and dreary ... and a little cluttered.  It's so much brighter and cleaner now!

I had two new cupboards custom built ... a full cupboard where the microwave shelf was and a smaller one over the stove to accommodate the new over the range microwave.  The cupboards were then sprayed to give them a nice even finish.

Handles replaced the former builder supplied knobs on the cupboards and I had cup pulls installed on the drawers, all in oil-rubbed bronze.  The faux beadboard backsplash was already in place (it's paintable wallpaper).  And the under cabinet lighting is fabulous!  I don't know how I managed without it!

The counter top is still in excellent condition so we kept it along with the taps.  Eventually, we'll replace the taps with a similar finish to the hardware.  Now that I have a bit of extra cupboard space, I'm able to keep the counter clear.  Since these photos were taken, I've put the coffee maker and toaster oven back because we use them everyday.  I'm also looking for one or two Windsor style bar stools so that I'm able to use this corner as a breakfast bar. 

From start to finish, it took about 3 1/2 weeks.  Sanding and painting the cupboards took the most time; installing the new cupboards, microwave and lighting was complete in just a couple of days.  The paint colour I chose for the cabinets is Benjamin Moore's Cloud White in semi-gloss and all the hardware was purchased on eBay.

So, that's my new kitchen!

One more thing, I've extended free shipping in my Etsy shop until the end of February.  Don't forget that you can also take an additional 10% off your purchase ... just enter DISC10 when you check out.

3 February 2011

Falling snow

This was taken towards the end of Wednesday's snowfall.  When it was over, we received a little over a foot of snow.  With all of the snow that was falling, the groundhog didn't see his shadow so we're supposed to have an early spring.  I sure hope he's right!  I've had enough of winter.