5/8/13

Aaack......More Tweaks! Really?

Hey everyone!  Why are we compelled to tweak?  Is it because we get so easily bored with our every day that we just need to change it, even a little bit?  Is it because we are dissatisfied with some aspect(s) of our lives, and we think that making a change will bring us happiness?  Whatever the reasons, most of us bloggers do it, and I mean we do it a lot!  For some of us, the changes or tweaks are subtle, maybe just a new little vignette or rearranging of a bookshelf. 


 For others, it means painting & re-painting pieces of furniture.  Some have the need to move furniture around, while others go big-time and completely overhaul a room with new paint, flooring & light fixtures.  
I think some of us tend to seek change in the rooms we spend the most time, while others live for the seasonal changes and really struggle between Easter and Fall.  

 
              Only 4 months away from this!                                     And 7 months till this!
Teehee!

I generally fit into these last two categories.  My kitchen tends to get the most tweaks out of my need to keep it fun, interesting and functioning well, because I do enjoy cooking -- but mainly I'm seeking "perfection."  I'm looking to make my kitchen beckon to me, with seamless effort, to float in there like Donna Reed or June Cleaver and prepare delicious meals while wearing a cute apron and pearls.  I'm sure even June didn't decorate for Halloween and Christmas the way I do!
june cleaver photo:  june_cleaver.jpg
Yep, I know, what kind of fantasy am I living in?  Oh, and lest you think I caught "tweak-a-ni-tous" from too much blogland or Pinterest, I've had this syndrome for many years.  Way back, pre-blog, I called it "cleaning."  When The Man would come home to new room arrangements or a cabinet switcheroo, I would quickly say that I was doing some "cleaning" and just wanted to try something different -- he would simply shake his head (he never did like changes and still doesn't).

All this being said, I recently did some tweaking in my kitchen -- SURPRISE!  SURPRISE!  The Man actually contributed to these changes because of a little "Honey-Do" project he was able to check off the list.  So........do you want to see?  Then come you Tweakers, one and all, and I'll share what I've done.
This old chippy window is what started this tweaking snowball!

There is a business here in Phoenix called Porter Barn Woods where you can find all kinds of great old wood, shutters, windows, doors, etc.  They tear down old barns, mainly in PA, and bring all the goodies back here.  It's all outside, with stacks and crates full of wonderful things.  I bought this window, with all the glass panels in-tack, for $25.  It was plenty dirty, and I'm sure all that flaking paint is lead-based, but I just tried not to disturb it too much.

Right above this cabinet is where I plan to display it, but first.........

               
Notice a little something different?  Yes, The Man added clear glass to this cabinet. 
 I love it!  We wanted this side of the sink to match.........

.......this side! 


Perfect spot for my old chippy window to which I gave just a light brushing of "Surf" blue (very watered down) -- same color that was used on my little entry bench HERE.

Added this twiggy thing I've had for ever along with a handmade nest and a couple of birds.  Don't you just love it!  This old window is going to see lots of changes throughout the year!

My FiestaWare looks perfectly at home here now!

Well, of course this all lead to some rearranging and a couple of changes on top of the cabinets.  Well, I was already up on the ladder anyway!


Oh, yes, this room is definitely beckoning me to prepare something yummy!

Hmmmm.......this looks very tasty!


I've seen these little drying racks all over blogland -- some are really old, and some are new reproductions.  Mine is a new one from World Market.

I decided to switch my milk glass cake plate for.......

                            
This casserole basket that I've had for a gazillion years!

I made a few changes on the desk-buffet, too.  Since I was already keeping my cookbooks in the left-hand cupboard, I decided to make this my menu-planning area.  I brought in my old laptop (I have tons of recipes saved), added a cute, framed menu board.......

I got this from Mommy Tracked HERE.  It's behind glass, so I use a dry-erase pen -- works great!

Thought it would be fun to have a few of my favorite cookbooks right out here and close at hand.  Faux lemons & limes, of course, because we all know citrus keeps much longer in the fridge!

Nice, happy little spot to gaze outside, plan menus & have a cup-o-Joe!

I like to keep things fairly simple on top of the fridge.

I now have two of these True Food cookbooks -- one is to actually use, and 
this one is for Display Only.  Can't risk getting anything on our son's picture, now can I?

I'm always making subtle changes to this space.  Recently we added this print that we picked 
up at an art fair in Scottsdale.

I just love pears -- they make me smile!

Well, I'm off to put on my pearls and cute apron -- my kitchen is beckoning and The Man
is getting hungry!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  You are welcome any time.

I love to party with these fine bloggers:
The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays
Karen at Sew Many Ways for Sew Darn Crafty
Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Dawn at Creative Cain Cabin for Budget Decorating Party
Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Mondays
Maria Elena at Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Inspire Me Tuesday
Leslie at House on the Way for Twirl & Take a Bow
Mary Beth at Cupcakes and Crinoline for Project Inspired
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Karin at The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday
Angela at Hickory Trail for Efforts and Assets
Kelly at Live Laugh Rowe for Live Laugh Linky Party
Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home
Pamela at From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday
The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Oh, The Places I've Been
Jody & Stan at Rooted in Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays 
Amanda at Serenity Now for Weekend Bloggy Reading

14 comments:

  1. Carol, the window is just perfect! I love how it looks over your cabinets. Super great find. You have such a beautiful home! I am the same way, always tweaking. :)

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  2. Love the window and I really love the glass in the doors too. Great changes. Hugs, marty

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  3. P. S. I forgot to thank you for linking up to the party. Thanks tons. Hugs, marty

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  4. The new window frame is perfect. I love the color choice you used, it really pops in your kitchen. Brilliant idea. Thank for sharing at the Cabin's BUDGET DECORATING PARTY.

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  5. I think we all like change! :) Love that new window that you found.

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  6. I don't think I've seen many pics of your kitchen before. It's beautiful! You've done a great job decorating! I just got rid of an old casserole dish with the basket. Ugh! Wish I would've thought to keep the basket for decorating. I didn't know your son was in a cookbook!! How exciting and fun! Love the old window (especially the paint color!) and the menu planning area is so handy!

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  7. It is so pretty. Love the window. Such a unique find. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Your so cute, not to mention funny. I love all of the changes that you have made. As always, your home is so welcoming and cozy feeling. Oh, and yes, I want some squash!!
    I don't know what is going on between you and me tho, your new post are not showing up on my sidebar, or in my reader?? So I have missed several post. Anyhoo, just be careful up on that ladder, please.

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  9. Such a beautiful kitchen and your window is the perfect accent...such a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  10. I love the glass doors. I keep saying I'm going to do that to some of my cabinets but I haven't yet. Maybe one day!

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  11. Thank you so much for linking up to my party! Hope to see you again Tuesday. HickoryTrail

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  12. Hi Carol! Your home just never fails to amaze me.

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    1. Thank you so much, sweet Diane. My home is just me -- not grand or fancy, just "authentic," I hope!

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  13. i'm constantly tweaking! I think the more I read blogs, the more ideas I get, which is a good (but then sometimes bad) thing!

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I truly love to hear from you and try to respond to each and everyone. If you have "no reply blogger," I will respond in my comments section and then visit your blog as soon as I can.

Make this a great day!
Carol

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