girl at large

Spruced Up

Before/After

The house is nearly complete, the spiffing up as far as it's going to get before the family arrives. The spare room got the biggest make over...

Still didn't manage to make that much room in the closets, and the storage space is overflowing...nothing worse than having the extra room to store stuff I no longer need...I wonder what is in those boxes way in the back anyway?

Before/After

Before/After

Skaters

Mom had this painting sent to me last week (thanks Uncle Bill). It hung for years in our entry hallway in Fondy, then in Mom's apartment on Diversey, then at Grandma Mickey's while Mom's been abroad. I'll be lucky if the plant next to it will last a fraction of that time. I've always loved this painting, feel very luck to have it in my home. I should know more about it ---anyone know the story?

It looks fantastic in the living room, I could look at it for hours. It's starting to feel like a permanent home here, one little piece at a time.

Summer arrives in August in Oregon.

It's been deliciously warm (even HOT), the rain has stopped and the sunshine is at last generous. It's also Barbeque season. I have a barbeque invite for this evening, planning to bring potato salad...but I can't find any Tas-Tee Salad Dressing!

machine o' my heart

Anyone who has a short-haired shedding dog knows my pain. Dog hair everywhere. Miss Ruby is blessed with both black and white fur; its presence on every surface is my curse.

My trusty Hoover vacuum cleaner, purchased second-hand twelve years from the downtown Main Street vacuum shop in Fond du Lac, Wi for my very first apartment (which was depressingly similiar to my current apt. in light, size and inconveniences), was disappeared from my place in Savannah by the renter. That classic Hoover was upright, pea green and stainless steel and it was old-school--it worked like nothing else. In it's place was left a useless cheap, plastic thing made in Taiwan. Unforgivable.

I've gotten by this past year with an inexpensive Panasonic canister from Target, cute as a bug and just about as useful. So, at last, today I sought out a permanent replacement.

And I found it...a Simplicity 6 Series upright. It's solid, powerful and simply designed without too many gadgets (just the right onboard hose and tool), complete with the menacing-looking headlamp (who doesn't love a headlamp?). Thoughtful details like the on/off switch on the handle and a body that lays completely (completely!) flat for under-bed work complete the package. This is a serious machine. I'm in love.

Ruby, watch out!

recent chat, topic of nesting; specifically Ikea

Katemikkelsen: oh, when you go to Ikea, do NOT buy a Letten rolly-bathroom-cart-thingy
taaterdog: why is that
Katemikkelsen: because you might not be able to get it together after a really long day of putting things together
Katemikkelsen: and then you might freak out, stomp on it
Katemikkelsen: breaking it into tiny plastic pieces
Katemikkelsen: flying one into your dog's eye
Katemikkelsen: requiring a vet visit and an explanation
taaterdog: oh god, who could have predicted a trip to ikea would turn so tragic for poor Ruby

change of season

It's started. The rain. Good thing I have my colorful Marimekko umbrella or I wouldn't be able to face the day. The gray, rainy, depressing day.

knee high by the fourth of July

Happy time summer salad, my new favorite treat warm or cold:

2-3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped red onion
3 cups fresh sweet corn kernals (cut off of cob)
3 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half (or uncut grape tomatoes)
fresh basil
1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
goat's cheese, sliced or crumbled
salad greens of your choice
salt and pepper to taste

Saute onions in olive oil over medium heat until translucent. Add corn, cook over medium until kernals are bright in color and cooked through (but not mushy, still with bite). Add cherry tomatoes, cook until just softened, 3 to 4 minutes.

Remove from heat. Add basil, vinegar and salt and pepper.
Serve over salad greens, topped with slices or crumbles of goat's cheese.

The McMansion on Steriods.

As this subject pertains in a small way to my work, I have to tread lightly here. Let's just say, that for work purposes of the networking/chatting people up nature, I recently attended a local event showcasing the latest in home building and aspirational living. Let's call it SNOT.

The grand opening SNOT event was Black Tie. After parking in a rocky, dusty field, we trudged in our Black Tie attire up to an entrance adorned with balloon arches. Next to the balloon arches; porta-potties. Classy.

We were attended to by 12 year old ticket takers. Twelve year olds were a dominant feature in this event--as greeters, ticket takers, servers, escorts. Sunburned adolescent girls in too-tight prom dresses seeing to the needs of the so-called movers and shakers of the community, picture it. Jail bait seals many a real estate deal.

The designated mingling, drinking and eating area was a gravely, dusty bit of road strewn with food tents and white plastic Walmart tables and chairs. I'm reminded of Walleye Weekend, only fishing enthusiasts don't wear bugle beads.

SNOT Opening Gala goers, having dished out $100 per person to attend, were treated to hot-lunch line trays of unidentified asian-esque stirfry and bbq chicken wings. Yum.

Next, a self-guided tour of SNOT's Dream Homes. Dream Homes include the following features:

-orange-peel wall finishes (walls should hurt when you brush up against them)
-top-of-the-line plastic moldings, windowsills, and door frames
-hollow-core laminate doors available only at the big box hardware stores
-room layouts that make the most of 20 ft ceilings and the least of 5000 square feet
-kitchens that take 20 minutes to circumnavigate (by the time you find the sink, your pizza is done!)
-Butler's Pantries for the butler you'd never have because it's not pc
-a laundry room big enough to house that stray migrate worker family
-on the second floor, nylon wall-to-wall carpeting to soften the sounds of your desperate wailing
-'wood' laminate flooring in the public areas so visitors know that you really are classy
-faux-finished cabinetry throughout
-for 1 million more, you can have the faux-Tuscan look complete with wall murals of a place you've never visited because the people don't speak English
-three-SUV garages
-outstanding examples of both The Roofline Museum and The Window Museum (guaranteed minimum of five varying rooflines and a minimum of eight, count 'em eight!, different window shapes)
-swimming pools that you can use four whole a weeks of every year!
-a stunning, expansive view of the proof of our progress: power lines
-oversized, professional-grade kitchen appliances that say "I could really cook if I knew how".
-Master Bedroom Suites featuring a drop-down big screen television set over the bed, complete with thundering surround sound (it's so much easier to ignore a lacking sex life with surround sound)
-a matching big-screen 'theater room' to numb the little ones into submission

All this for a mere 3 million dollars.

My little 500 square feet in the city has never looked better. So glad to be home.

Now THIS is boating.

Mom has her sailboat, but I want one of these. I found a b/w photo of a mid-50's runabout ( I think it's an 18' Holiday), complete with captain in a saucy cap, this weekend--it's perfect in the bathroom.

More on the subject.

Everything In Its Place

Last week, I got a little surprise in the mail, and boy, did it ever make my day! When I first got the delivery notice, I was puzzled--what had I ordered? Did I order something online and forget about it again? When the box arrived, I was even more puzzled..Pottery Barn Kids?

No mistaking it when I opened the package----divided trays! RED divided trays! Only one person knows me that well and would get such a kick ---Miss Dawn!!

I think I'm the only person I know who loved 'hot lunch' in grade school. Or built paper napkin 'dams' at dinner time. I remember my divided plate with great fondness (Mom finally gave in and got me one, having grown disgusted with soppy napkin bits on my plate). I love flying, mostly for the nifty dinner service.

Nothing like having friends who embrace your neurosis. :)

flat is good

another addition to the little house file...

little worlds

apartment therapy's smallest, coolest apartment contest ....never, ever complain about just 500 sq. ft.--some of these folks have made do with half that!

new little white number

It's not the table of love, but it's perfect for this space, sports leveling feet for my unlevel floor--and was a vintage bargain to boot. What's not to love?

I should have done this sooner---a proper dining table changes everything! For example, as photo two shows, it makes a pleasant place to read the latest copy of People magazine (for shame!).

who needs dating when there's modern furniture?

I'm in love with The Knock-Down Drag-Out dining table, only it's much too big for my space. Which is a pity, because I've been searching for this table my whole life.

once upon a sofa update

the cubes in Savannah

I'll get into the details later, but I thought that I should mention that my sofa is home once again. Four states, fifteen years, two renters, three upholstery jobs (one really, really shoddy DIY version), one aunt, a flood, three boys and one very good friend (one could even say an "Angel") later, my beloved little modular cubes are safe and sound under my butt.

Feels good.

it has the sexiest legs

I picked up a new desk (or should that be A desk?) this week--and it's yummy. It's by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, if that matters to anyone. It doesn't to me--I just love that it's perty, blond and petite. Hmm, that didn't come out like I meant it.

And two cute little scruffy-mods just starting their vintage furniture business adventure hand-delivered it. Bonus.

Now I just have to save my pennies for that perfect task lamp (the Tolomeo floor model) for reading at the sofa, or should I say more accurately: working at the crochet-station. How is it that I didn't come by one of those fifteen years ago when I lived with Aunt Maria, who had them stacked up and multiplying like wire hangers in the closet?

vroom dreams

I'm haunted by white VW Bugs with "for sale" signs--today makes the third, in the third city, that I've seen...AS I'M TALKING ABOUT CARS (or my lack thereoff).

cheese o'my heart

I had the BEST DAY EVER yesterday. Why? Because of cheese.

The selection at a local gourmet-ish food market down the street has been reliable for chevre, parmesean, and the occasional good gruyere, but yesterday, yesterday, that magical day...Mimolette Vielle!

Four little hunks of it, snuggled in the corner of the cold case. So what if each hunk was ten times the price of what I previously paid for a whole wedge? These little hunks were actually the result of hacking up a decent sized wedge--criminal, but forgiveable, they don't know never to cut cheeses outside of their shape--dumb you-know-who's.

It looks like France, smells like France, tastes like France. And it's not even the best (by a long shot) French cheese out there, it's just my everyday favorite.

Quick, someone send me a baguette sandwich from Rima's!!

fleur

I think I managed to save most of the plants from the Mighty Mite infestation---I only lost one Floweringthingymabob and two small Pointyleafedjobbies. woo-hoo!

three wheels are better than two

The super-duper tricycle Grace received for her birthday yesterday got me thinking about this adult trike I've always wanted. I'm quite jealous really.

not just for sewers

Miss Grace's love of snarling crocodiles and alligators aside, these Crocs look to be perfect shoes for kids, and, for adults who spend alot of time on their feet or in slippery (boat!) conditions. Made of a high-tech closed-cell rubberized stuff, they conform to your feet, maintain a non-slip grip and are highly ventilated, making them very comfortable--or so they say. I haven't tried them myself yet, but they are on my growing 'check out when back in States' list.

aside: little Grace and I spend alot of time imitating animals, making animal sounds and gestures, as you are likely to do with a nearly-two year old. The snarlier and nastier the beast, the better. (That's her opinion, not mine!)

teatime reading

woo-hoo! The English bookshop had a hardcover copy of 'In the Company of Cheerful Ladies', the latest in Alexander McCall Smith's series of No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency tales. Pure, pure joy to read.

American-style

I had to explain to Maria what a "McMansion" is today. Why have one of those when all you might need is one of these?

making me tick

After two extra-crispy tarts, one tray of char-nuggets and a half-dozen close calls, we finally got a new kitchen timer. I don't think Mom was expecting me to shreak with excitement when she brought it home. But how could I not? She got the classic minitimer (currently made by Italora). It was designed by Richard Sapper (of Tizio fame), one of my all-time-favorite industrial/product designers, back in '71- or '74, depending on who you ask. How I love being in the kitchen with Richard!

little prefab on the prairie

i wreally wreally love this weeHouse. modern, simple, arranged and fitted out to your liking by them or you, then or later. stackable like shoeboxes with endless arrangements---and all designed with STANDARD (ie: less expensive, readily available) PARTS. a studio version, built in-factory and trucked complete to your site for $45k, a two bedroom version for only $65K!

now that is the way to build a house. and these guys are in Minnesota!

i am having visions of a cluster of three studio/one bedroom 'pods'--"The Siblings"--one for each of us, on some beachfront or in the Big Woods. don't worry, i've started a file. now, where did i put my label maker......