You’ve Got Deals

Hello friends,

“You’ve Got Deals” is what my computer should say every morning when I log on to my email.

This morning, I took the plunge and purchased my first Groupon.  In case you don’t know, Groupon is an online coupon group for your city.  I’ve often lurked on Groupon, but today I bit the bullet and purchased my first great deal. 

Straight from their website, here is how Groupon works.

“1. Get It

Check your email, Facebook or Twitter feeds for daily deals on cool local businesses.

2. Share It

Groupons are more fun when used with friends. Pass along deals by email or broadcast them to your social networks.

3. Enjoy It

Print the voucher or bring it up on your mobile device, then present it at the business to get your deal.”

So, today’s deal was from one of my favorite local stores, Harmony Landing.  This store has these chairs that I have been swooning over for the past 2 1/2 years. 

Yeah, I know, I  move at a snail’s pace.

Anyways, the deal was to purchase a $50 Groupon with a value of $200 at Harmony Landing.  Wahoo.

Maybe using this coupon by its expiration date of October, 2011 will be the little push I needed to take yet another plunge and order the darn things.  I plan to order two chairs and an ottoman.

Below is the picture Groupon used for today’s deal.  It is of some merchandise currently at Harmony Landing.

Click here to get today’s Groupon Deal.

A Time To Plant

 

Ecclesiastes 3:2 - A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.

It’s the “time to pluck up” that I am excited about with this little project.

I planted an herb container garden last weekend.  My mom had a Lowe’s buy one, get one free coupon for herbs.  She kindly let me use it since she (master gardener extraordinaire) already had her kitchen garden planted.

I bought the following:

I also bought a pack of Dill seeds to start in the garden.  I already had some chives growing.  My mom continued her thoughtfulness by splitting some mint, oregano, and rosemary with me that she had planted at her house.

Now, if you are like me and know very little about gardening, here is a helpful tip.  Mom and Judd informed me that mint and oregano should be planted in separate containers because they spread and take over other plants.  I planted the mint and oregano in the smaller containers to the side. I also planted the rosemary in a separate pot because my larger container did not have room for it.

    

I didn’t really like the plastic garden stake labels that came with my plants.  Instead, I replaced them with what you see below.  I bought some craft sticks from Hobby Lobby and labeled the plants myself using a sharpie fine point marker.

     

I made a mistake on one craft stick.  Judd turned it upside down and drew an Easter bunny on the other end for me.  I put this stake in a container, on our front porch, that holds impatiens and sweet potato vine. (Per the usual, pardon the bad photo quality.  These are all from an iphone.)

Cole helped while I planted and labeled the herbs.  He also drank from the hose while I watered them.

Here is how the container looked when I was finished, aside from the fact that I photographed this before I took the plastic labels out – oops.  I can’t wait for the dill seeds to come up and for the other plants to thrive.  I hope the plants will fill in the whole container. 

I chose variegated thyme because the green and white color variation looked pretty with the other all green plants.  The thyme was planted towards the front of the container because, according to mom and Judd, it will creep over the side and will look pretty.

I planted the tomato in the back so that as it grows tall I can easily support it with a stake.  The other plants were placed according the height I expect them grow--from back to front, tallest to shortest.

Here is another thing to note if you are also going to plant an herb container garden.  I found the cilantro and flat leaf parsley difficult to tell apart.  So, I made sure to plant my flat leaf and curly leaf parsley together and then on the opposite side of the container I planted the cilantro.  Additionally, I thought the symmetry of the flat leaf parsley and cilantro flanking either side of the thyme looked nice.

  

Mom reminded me, so I will remind you, to water the herbs everyday because they will require more water since they are in a container and not planted in the ground.

Do you have an herb garden or plans to create an herb garden?  What did you plant?  Do you have any tips on how to make this garden grow?

Happy Gardening.

The Sandlot Syndrome

Do you recall the 1990’s movie, The Sandlot?  If so, then you may remember that it is about a group of young boys who play baseball on a small field known as the sandlot.  All of the boys try to avoid hitting over-the-fence homeruns because a backyard, adjacent to the outfield, contains a large dog who steals any ball that comes over his fence.  The boys called the dog, The Beast.  They were afraid to jump the fence and retrieve their baseballs because of him.

Well, I am afraid we may have the sandlot syndrome occurring at our house too.  Only, in our backyard, Cole (a.k.a The Beast II), our black lab, is not just stealing baseballs, he is keeping golf balls, tennis balls, soccer balls, and frisbee’s too.

You see, Judd and I live behind a local elementary school.  The school has a large play ground and soccer/T-ball field.  Since the weather has been so nice lately, we have been putting Cole outside during the day. 

Usually, when one of us comes home, we immediately go out to our backyard and play with Cole.  I went out the other day and he very proudly brought me a tennis ball that we did not give him.

The next day, I stepped outside to continue our routine of afternoon playtime and he came galloping towards me with a golf ball in his mouth.

Then, on Sunday, while Judd was cutting our grass, he found a frisbee that Cole apparently called dibs on.

Last spring, we looked out the window and he was playing soccer on his own with a soccer ball that he wouldn’t give back to the local kids.

Lessons Learned:

1. Don’t put a labrador retriever in the back yard and expect him not to retrieve anything.

2. Teach him to share with children.

3. Teach him that the old saying “Finders, keepers” does not apply at our house.

4. Offer him more toys of his own so that he will stop stealing.

To all of our neighborhood children, we apologize for our dog’s lack of manners.

To all the parents in our neighborhood, consider putting your address on your sporting equipment.  We promise to return whatever Cole finds.  :)

The End.

Inspiration: Sneak Peak II

Lately, Judd and I have been especially busy.  I wish I had more time to fill you all in on the daily happenings of The Langham Project (i.e. our lives).

Here is a quick second glance at some inspiration we have been using as of late.  If you haven’t already guessed, we are designing an office space.  The photos I posted here, the other day, were for use in the main work area.  The photos below are for a small conference room with an even smaller budget in the same office.  We will see how it turns out.

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Inspiration: Sneak Peak

 

Here is a little sneak peak of an inspiration “board” I’ve been carrying around in my head for a while.  It is for a secret project.  Well, it’s not really a secret.  I just haven’t had a chance to share it with you lovely folks just yet.  More to come soon.

 

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Outraged:

Toomer's Corner oaks, at Auburn University, poisoned with herbicide; unlikely to survive

Ok, seriously, it doesn’t matter who you are or what school you cheer for or against, I’m sure if you are a rational person you will find this act of vandalism appalling.  Anyone who would do something like this is among the worst of all the scum on the earth.  I am in shock.  Read the full article from http://ocm.auburn.edu/news/oaks.html posted below with quotes from one of Judd’s horticulture professors.

“Toomer's Corner oaks poisoned with herbicide; unlikely to survive

AUBURN – Auburn University today confirmed that an herbicide commonly used to kill trees was deliberately applied in lethal amounts to the soil around the Toomer's Corner live oaks on campus, and there is little chance to save the trees. More information and ongoing updates as to treatment and prognosis are available on this site.

The City of Auburn Police Division is investigating the situation, and the application of this herbicide, known as Spike 80DF, or tebuthiuron, is also governed by state agricultural laws and the Environmental Protection Agency. The university does not use Spike herbicide. There is no reason to suspect any human danger from the herbicide, which manufacturer Dow Chemical says should be applied with proper clothing protection; a typical use of the herbicide is to kill trees along fence lines.

The university learned that a caller to The Paul Finebaum Show, a nationally syndicated radio show based in Birmingham, on Jan. 27, claimed he had applied the herbicide. As a precaution, soil samples were taken the next day and sent to the Alabama State Pesticide Residue Laboratory on campus for analysis. Due to a small fire that occurred in the Alabama lab in December, the tests were sent to the lab at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Miss., to expedite results.

The lowest amount detected was 0.78 parts per million, described by horticulture experts as a "very lethal dose." The highest amount detected was 51 parts per million, or 65 times the lowest dose. Experts believe a normal application by itself would have been enough to kill the trees, which are estimated to be more than 130 years old.

"We are assessing the extent of the damage and proceeding as if we have a chance to save the trees," said Gary Keever, an Auburn University professor of horticulture and a member of Auburn's Tree Preservation Committee. "We are also focused on protecting the other trees and shrubs in Samford Park. At this level the impact could be much greater than just the oaks on the corner, as Spike moves through the soil to a wide area." Additional tests are being completed to determine the movement and extent of the area affected, Keever said.

The removal process involves digging trenches and applying activated charcoal to absorb the herbicide from the soil and block its progress. A representative from Dow Chemical, which manufactures the herbicide, is advising the university on removal procedures, and expert horticulturalists are also being consulted.

"We will take every step we can to save the Toomer's oaks, which have been the home of countless celebrations and a symbol of the Auburn spirit for generations of Auburn students, fans, alumni and the community," said University President Jay Gogue.

Gogue asked members of the Auburn Family to "continue to be 'All In' in upholding its reputation for class" and not allow anger to be expressed inappropriately or undeservedly.

"It is understandable to feel outrage in reaction to a malicious act of vandalism," Gogue said. "However, we should live up to the example we set in becoming national champions and the beliefs expressed in our Auburn Creed. Individuals act alone, not on behalf of anyone or any place, and all universities are vulnerable to and condemn such reprehensible acts."

Because the application of the herbicide is being investigated, no details about the investigation can be released. Anyone with information can contact the Auburn Police Division at (334) 501-3110 or anonymously by voice or text on the tip line at (334) 246-1391.

Last Updated: Feb. 16, 2011”

Super Bowl Sundae

Just a quick idea I had for your Super Bowl party. 

What about Super Bowl Sundaes for dessert??? 

You could use green and yellow m&m’s or sprinkles for a Green Bay Packers topping.  Or, for the Pittsburgh Steelers, you could do pineapple and chocolate chips, or crushed Oreos and yellow m&m’s, or gummy bears, or sprinkles.  The possibilities are endless. 

Set up an ice cream bar and let your guests pile on their favorite toppings.

Enjoy.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!!!

Grocery Bag Crafts, Part II

Some of you may remember this post about reusing paper grocery bags to make a rustic garland for the holidays.

Well, last night, my sister-in-law, Brenna, stumbled on another blog with similar ideas.  Brenna thoughtfully sent me the link.  I thought these were too clever not to share.  Sarah Barry, from Spoonful, and her cousin used the holiday bird bags from Publix as unique gift wrapping.  Wouldn’t you just love to open something from under the tree that was wrapped like any of these?

 

  

I know Christmas has come and gone, but maybe we can all use these crafty ideas for other wrapping and decorating projects throughout the year.  Using a grocery bag for anything but groceries is, if you ask me, truly making something from nothing.  I sure do like a free project.

Thanks, Sarah, for allowing me to share your great ideas.

Mom’s Kitchen Inspiration

I sent my mom a few photos of some beautiful kitchens the other day.  I was hoping that she could review them and find traits she liked from the examples for use in her own kitchen.  There are few things we know already that will probably be elements in her overall design.  I’ll get to that in a minute.  I tried to find pictures with similar characteristics to what I think she is desiring or what I know will probably be design features in her space.  Hopefully, she can draw some inspiration from the photos.

Currently, her kitchen is outfitted in standard builders grade everything in a lovely early 90’s cream--cream formica counter top, cream formica backsplash, cream paint on walls (with the exception of some terrible wall paper on the breakfast nook side), and cream linoleum flooring.

This kitchen renovation will probably be an evolving process over time.  Like most people, my parents’ budget for the project is not endless.  In an effort to save some cash, the oak cabinets will be painted white or cream instead of replaced.  We will take the wall paper down ourselves, and more than likely, paint the kitchen the same color that is already in the den (which is adjacent to the kitchen).  The choice on the floor could go a few different ways.  The cream linoleum could be replaced with some oak hardwood to match what is already in the two rooms that meet the kitchen, or it could be replaced with some kind of natural stone tile (i.e. marble, slate, etc.)  The laundry room and kitchen connect, so the question for the floor choice is whether to put down hardwood in the kitchen and tile in the laundry room (because hardwood in the laundry room just doesn’t seem like a good idea), or to just tile the whole space and forego the hardwood.  Thoughts???

The inspiration photos I sent my mom are below.  I found all but one image on decorpad.com.  The last photo is from House and Home.  I recognize several of the rooms in the photos and know that they were created by some of my favorite interior designers. 

Mom and I would love to have your feedback, thoughts, and recommendations.  What do you like best?  What features do you think will best stand the test of time?

Number 1

Number 2

Number 3 (This gold is a similar color to what is already in mom and dad’s den.)

 Number 4

Number 5

Number 6

Number 7

Number 8

Number 9 

  Number 10

   Number 11

Number 12

Number 13

Number 14

 

Number 15

Kitchen Intervention and The List

My mother experienced an intervention on Christmas Day.  She and my dad have been married for 41 years.  During that time, mom has continued to use some of the same kitchen gadgets that she received as a bride.  Things in her kitchen were really starting to show some wear.

Over the past few holidays, my goal was to start replacing some of her beloved kitchen gadgets and utensils with new ones.  Her old things had a good run.  41 years is a nice shelf life for almost anything.  Over the last few years, Judd and I, as well as the rest of our family, have begun giving her and my dad a few new items here or there to replace the old ones.  We have given them a stand mixer, a new coffee maker, personalized wooden cutting boards, a new food processor, new frying pans, new bake ware set, etc.

This year my sister-in-law (Laura) and I both got on board and gifted mom new cooking utensils.  So, just after opening presents on Christmas Day, we had a kitchen intervention.  Laura and I (as well as my brother and husband) got together in mom’s kitchen.  We quickly decided what was trash or treasure in her utensil holders and drawers, and we replaced the old with the new.  Mom was a good sport about it, but being the serious southern cook that she is, I could tell she was a little anxious for us to be making such brash decisions.

The intervention sparked a renewed interest for my mom in renovating her kitchen.  Their house was built in the early 90’s and the kitchen has not changed since it was built.  Renovating the kitchen is something she has put off so many times for various reasons (i.e. getting her doctorate, breast cancer, putting my brother and me through undergrad, our weddings, etc.)  You see, she is a good and generous momma and it’s about time she do something that will bring her joy.

Several years ago, I put together a list of all of the home improvements my parents could make to update their house and improve its value.  It’s a long list, real long.  Maybe now, mom (with my help, of course), can start taking on a task or two at a time.  She had a man come last week to measure their kitchen floor to replace the linoleum with hardwood.  That is a step in the right direction if you ask me.  I think we will start tackling taking down the kitchen wall paper this week.

The list is as follows.  Maybe by posting it, she (and I) will be held more accountable and will be able to accomplish more.  Any of you designers, decorators, real estate professionals, or home renovation enthusiasts out there feel free to share what will be the most bang for her buck or any other ideas you might have.

Ways to Increase the Value of Mom and Dad’s House

· De-clutter whole house

· Install hardwood flooring throughout the first floor

· Take out all linoleum

· Tile bathroom floors

· Install granite/marble counters in kitchen

· Install granite/marble counters or new lavatory units in bathrooms

· Paint kitchen cabinets

· Install a backsplash in kitchen

· Scrape popcorn off upstairs ceilings

· Install recessed lighting throughout

· Paint all rooms neutral coordinating colors

· Update all fixtures (lighting, door knobs, faucets, air vents, etc.)

· Install a new front door

· Hire a deep cleaning maid service 1 or 2 times per year

· Update all ceiling fans

· Upgrade kitchen sink and faucet

· Install garbage disposal

· Look at closet with critical eye and install professional organizers

· Repair or replace broken/worn furniture

· Install tankless water heater

· Upgrade to all stainless energystar appliances

· Paint/clean exterior trim

· Seal and pressure wash back porch and back of house

· Install crown molding throughout

· Clean and professionally organize garage

· See financial planner to find a way to pay for and plan for home improvements (i.e. sell extra car, etc).

· Fix built in ironing board in laundry room

· Install cable jacks in all bedrooms

· Paint shutters an appealing and warm color

· Paint front porch rocking chairs and get/make new cushions

· Get inviting front, back, and side door mats

· Get a new patio umbrella with umbrella lights

· Buy and install plantation blinds

· Buy new den furniture that fits and seats everyone comfortably

· Hang den TV over mantel

· Change light fixtures by front door

· Take down wallpaper in kitchen, ½ bath, and master bath

· Install surround sound speakers in den

· Fix and upholster dining chairs

· Re-upholster or slip cover existing furniture to match new décor

· Sell brass king size bed

· Purchase new master bedroom furniture

· Trim and clean herb garden

· Remove, replace, reposition??? fish ponds

· Add gravel to edge of driveway for parking court

· Order pane inserts for any windows that need them

· Replace hollow interior doors with solid wood doors

· Replace carpet on staircase and in bedrooms