What happens when you mix someone with too much time during “the Pause”, someone who is “cheap, cheap, cheap”, and someone who likes to work with their hands? You get me and this convertible coffee table! Actually, since retiring to write full-time, I have more time for not only doing the writing but projects I’ve been wanting to do for some time. But “the Pause” made it tough to find some of the materials for converting a coffee table that I had into this convertible table. I had already researched and bought the hinges, but the coffee table I was salvaging (hence the cheap, cheap, cheap) didn’t have a bottom shelf. I ended up using an old Ikea coffee table that I had planned to toss and chopping it down to make the bottom shelf. New coats of paint on the table sides and bottom shelf and voila! An easy way to have our casual Friday dinners when we usually order out and sit on the couch. No more hunching over. Now we just lift the tabletop and sit comfortably to eat take-out. What do you think?
#FlowerFriday #FunFriday – Fav Colors for Flowers
My fav colors for flowers are pink and purple. They just make such a great blend together. I also like to mix in some blues and there’s a great benefit to using those colors in your yard: They will attract bees and hummingbirds! So unless you are allergic to bees, help out your local population by putting in some nice pink, purple, and blue flowers in your garden. This photo was taken in Bryant Park where they have all the spring bulbs and flowers out. Love them!
#FridayFun – Girls’ Nights
With my daughter working in the city, Friday nights have become about the two of us getting together either for the whole night or for a quick meeting before heading home. Tonight we’re headed to a sample sale and then off to Brooklyn for a visit with the grandma! But for now, I’m sharing a montage of some of our other Friday night adventures!
#FunFriday – Christmas Decorating Ideas
I love getting the house ready for Christmas! It’s the one time of year I really go all out with garlands at various windows and along the staircase, the Christmas village, lights outside, the tree and of course, the table for Christmas Eve. I must confess the table is a two person operation as my husband has it down to a science as to where the china and crystal are stored and how to lay out enough spots for all the friends and family that are attending. Once he gets the basic layout done, I come in and do the decorating.
We usually have three tables and I try to do something different on each one. The fun part is mixing in new with old family favorites, like my husband’s Lionel train set, gifts from friends who know I love Christmas, or handmade items my daughter or mother had made. Of course, everything around the house has color. No monochrome displays or just white lights. Sorry. It may be “elegant” but it’s just not for me!
Just in case you need a little Christmas decorating inspiration, here are some links to some fun sites for you to check out!
- For those with a country flair: http://bit.ly/2zXEqoN
- Tap your inner Martha Stewart: https://www.marthastewart.com/274574/christmas-decorating-ideas
- Want to try out different colors for Christmas? https://www.bhg.com/christmas/indoor-decorating/christmas-color-schemes/
- How about a little Southern, y’all? https://www.southernliving.com/food/holidays-occasions/christmas-decorating-ideas
- Or are you feeling a little wacky this year? https://yhoo.it/2zVxnwM
FYI – this photo is of one of our Christmas Eve dining room tables!
#FunFriday – A little Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas Eve Sarajevo
Happy Friday! How about some Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas Eve Sarajevo? I love this song and it always pumps me up for the holidays! If you can’t see the video below, you can cut and paste this link: https://youtu.be/MHioIlbnS_A
#FridayFeeling – Some of my fav storage ideas!
It’s Friday, yeah! For me that means a couple of days away from office work and turning my attention to work at home. I know my husband cringes sometimes (well a lot of the time) when Friday approaches since he knows what that means, especially during the not summer months: Projects.
I love Projects with a capital P. I love to make things whether it takes shape in the form of a new story, work bench, or jewelry. I love to work with my hands and that takes many forms.
With us downsizing my “making” has become about me moving and repurposing as well as getting rid of things I no longer need. To do that I’ve really gone big time to my trusted sources for ideas on storage and other things. Today I’m sharing some of my fav (and IMHO workable) ideas!
Bike Rack (a problem for most people with little space for them): http://bit.ly/2OKjVk1
Glass and Liquor (I’m planning something a little different, but still I loved this idea): http://bit.ly/2OKjVk1
Ladders (So much you can do with them. 2 with some long boards = bookcases!): http://bit.ly/2OKErko
Hang it up: Tin cans, 6 hooks (http://bit.ly/2OKEOvi) or these wall storage items from IKEA: http://bit.ly/2OMxgbf
Pegboard: It’s not for your garage anymore! Paint it! Frame it! Hang! http://bit.ly/2ONnGVC
Glass Containers: For health reasons, I’ve started replacing a lot of my plastic containers with glass. Best places to buy are IKEA, Target, Home Sense and a local restaurant and supply place. Make sure they are lead free. I always try to buy ones made in the good ol’ USA.
Baskets: Yes, I have them! All over to store an assortment of items. From shoes to office items to DVDs, baskets of any kind help corral the clutter once you’ve tossed what you no longer need. Best sources for baskets for me were IKEA and Home Sense (https://us.homesense.com/).
If you’re like me and love to do Projects, be sure to check out these valuable resources and maybe sign up for their newsletters:
https://www.diynetwork.com/
https://www.hgtv.com/
https://www.ikea.com (Get the catalogue and see how they do it!)
Have an awesome Friday and Happy Projects!
#FunFriday – #FreeRead & Take Your Dog to Work Day!
Lots happening today! It’s Take Your Dog to Work Day so it seemed appropriate to give you a free read that shows you how Jonathan found his little pup Dudley (who totally stole my heart!). Also, ONE SUMMER NIGHT is free again for a limited time! Don’t miss out on it. Without further ado, here’s your free reads and have an awesome weekend!
Excerpt
At one corner of the park square, a local animal shelter had set up a stand and after he finished his sweet treats, he strolled over. A trio of cages held an assortment of kittens for adoption, but as cute as they were, he had always been a dog kind of guy.
“They’ve got all their shots and are ready to go home with a special someone,†one of the shelter ladies said cheerfully.
He smiled, but demurred. “I’m not really into kittens.†Basically because they grew up to be cats, not that there was anything wrong with that.
“It’s your lucky day, then. We’ve got quite a number of puppies and dogs available at the shelter today. It’s just a few blocks away,†she replied, still bubbling with happy.
It made him wonder if it was an animal thing, the joyfulness and optimism. He’d read more than one article about all the benefits of having a pet. As one kitten peered at him from the cage and meowed playfully, he had to confess that something inside of him lightened a little which for some reason had him saying, “I know where it is, thanks.â€
He pivoted on his heel and instead of heading back through town, he found himself walking in the direction of the shelter where a few minutes later, another perky volunteer was guiding him past a row of cages filled with puppies. Cute, fluffy, hyper, little puppies yipping and yapping as he strolled by.
Despite his sudden and unexpected desire to not feel so alone, not that he was ready to acknowledge that emotion outright, something about the puppies failed to call to him.
“Aren’t they so-o-o-o cute?†the too energetic young woman said with a barely contained squeal in her voice that he was certain would shatter glass at full volume. The perpetual happiness of everyone connected with the shelter only seemed to reinforce that maybe the pets were responsible for the constant state of joyfulness. Which kept him advancing along the aisle to the pens with the older dogs that had been given up for adoption. The sad looks on some of them had his mind playing a woeful Sarah McLachlan soundtrack in his head until he got to one cage where a small cream and white terrier ambled to the cage door. The dog leaned one paw on the wire and climbed up into a jaunty kind of position. With what looked like a wry grin, the dog gave one short demanding bark.
“This is Muffin. His owners only had him for a few months when they had to give him up on account of allergies so he’s kind of still a puppy.â€
With a yip, Muffin confirmed her statement, only he didn’t seem much like a Muffin to him. He had too much attitude to be called Muffin. And what kind of name is that for a boy dog anyway? Jonathan thought as the volunteer, sensing interest, opened the cage and set Muffin on the floor.
The pup took one look at him, obediently sat at a spot right beside his feet, and peered up at him in an adoring way that filled him with warmth and all kinds of gooey feelings which he refused to admit. He bent and rubbed the dog’s head. The fur was soft and curly beneath his hand. As the dog continued to gaze at him, brown eyes gleaming with admiration and possibly love, he was a goner.
Free Book!
I want to thank all of you for your support of the At the Shore series! You’ve really helped make it so wonderful. As a way to say thanks, the first book in the series, ONE SUMMER NIGHT, will be free for a limited time. That’s a fabulous offer for a Publishers Weekly Top 10 Romance and a book that was also featured in the NY Times! If you’ve already read it, recommend it to a friend. Word-of-mouth and reviews are some of the best ways you can support your favorite authors.
You can get ONE SUMMER NIGHT at the following retailers:
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2krMwfE
B&N: http://bit.ly/2kNuo0p
GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2ik8EfG
iBooks: http://apple.co/2qsqdwx
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2fuEphL
Please also take a moment to explore WHAT HAPPENS IN SUMMER at these retailers:
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2y6hi4h
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/2y92UIQ
B&N: http://bit.ly/2BJNcov
B&N Paperback: http://bit.ly/2sHmY3l
Google: http://bit.ly/2hKg3BW
GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2HlVlly
iBooks: http://apple.co/2hKgP1J
Kobo: http://bit.ly/koboWHS
Audible: https://amzn.to/2M2ZWfY