Wine and Dine

Last night MC fixed a delicious chicken dinner.  It had a cream sauce made with sour cream, cream of chicken soup, peas, lemon juice, paprika and a few other goodies.  Oh ---Chicken!  He served it with rice.  One of his best!
We had two open bottles of wine.  I know dear son, Steve, you would cringe at drinking opened wine after a few days, but we did.  One was red and the other was white.  Just about a glass and a half each!  Perfect!

We were sitting and  talking!  Yes, we were talking.  That's rare!

think it was the wine

Earlier in the day, MC and our dear neighbor, John With The Truck, picked up all the lumber and supplies for MC's new project!   This project will start very soon!


 



The black wood TV cabinet (Monster black box)  from Pottery Barn was the topic of conversation.  We thought that it would be over kill with the 12 foot wall unit ----painted white----.  Really how many shelves does MC need?   But, where to put it,   and what could he put his teeny TV with all the necessary cable stuff on?

I have to give credit where credit is due!  MC suggested putting the Pottery Barn monster in the Epiphany Suite.  Great, fabulous idea!  Before the table was cleared, we had it moved and the low chest we bought in Senoia,  a few years ago, in the Library in it's place.  It's painted cream and taupe vertical stripes.

 Will work on the accessorizing!  The TV is so small. It needs something, but what?
Filled the cubicles with towels and books.    Added a lamp..  That's novel!  Good for a start!
Looks like a real Hotel Room!!!  :)   Corny, but the entire Suite is!

 

This is not the way it will look!  This is only the way it will be until the room is put together after the wall unit is constructed and installed.  I'm only showing this to show what the Senoia chest is.....


 You know how the evening went and more today

Things have moved around ......again.....


 

 Ellie,  you will be thrilled to see 

THE SPARE TIRE IS BACK!

 It had to go somewhere!  It was over the Senoia chest that was moved.  and.....everyone knows

.....I LOVE

MIRRORS OVER MIRRORS

can you see the small sunburst mirror ?

GLASS CONSOLE NOW UNDER ERICA'S BOLD PAINTING....PUT BLACK PEDESTAL TO SERVE AS  A TABLE FOR THE CHAIR TO GIVE IT "WEIGHT" . AND ....ADDED FLOOR LAMP....THINK IT WORKS?

 LOOK MC HAS HIS OWN TV CHANNEL

SOFA TABLE MAKES A GREAT  "BUFFET"   FOR THE DINING ROOM

It's never dull here!!

FOUND ANOTHER MC PROJECT!!!!

THE LAUNDRY ROOM IS ON THE BACK BURNER

AGAIN

I'M NOT INTO LAUNDRY ANYWAY.

 The reason..

A BETTER  "Epiphany" of course!

It is the result of a "comment" made last night by a very smart neighbor.  She and her husband dropped in for some information about an upcoming Dolcetto project.  When they were leaving she asked why MC hadn't made bookcases or shelves for his "Library"

GOOD QUESTION......WHY????

In fact such a good comment, that all night it went through my devious mind.  By this morning,  I came up with the perfect Library for MC....How could he resist an upgrade in HIS SPACE?

  I "approached"  MC with my Epiphany.  It usually goes with, "Honey, I got an idea".  He, in turn, holds his breath and waits to hear what he'll be into next!

This is genius.....Remove the Ikea Bonde cabinets.  Put them in MB closet with the others.  They look tacky in his Library anyway.

Now, all along the back wall, which is 12 feet,  have cabinets, with shelving above.....but leave a large opening in the center for the 42" round clock!  Oh so clever and smart!!!!

I left him to do the "plans" and he is now on Plan C!  I think he has it!  The space he has to work in is only 12" deep.   The lower cabinets he has used in the Great Room are double that, 24".    MC does "cheat" a little!  He uses unfinished lower kitchen cabinetry for his bases.   I looked around and saw the answer, another Epiphany!,   "Honey, how about using "upper" cabinets?"  They are exactly the right size......12 inches!

 See, I can be a little smart too!

THIS IS A GREAT EPIPHANY!!!!!  and the result of GREAT MINDS!

THANK YOU CANDY, YOU OPENED MY EYES TO SEE WHAT POSSIBILITIES WERE AVAILABLE.

I had been wanting to do something in there, and now we have THE PLAN.....
Maybe I will figure out window treatments along the way?

Stay tuned....

Here is MC at work on the Plans

MC MASTERPIECE 

PHASE ONE

This will be a good one......

LIEBSTER AWARD

Nancy Powell and Bethany Brower, from Powell Brower Home nominated me for the Liebster Award this morning.  It is such an honor.  It also is a wonderful way to meet new friends from all over the world.  The talent that is "out there" is amazing!  It surprises me daily!  Every day  I find new bloggers with wonderful, informative, fabulous blogs 

So here goes!

The rules are as follows:

1. Post 11 facts about yourself.

2. Answer the 11 questions your nominator asks and then create 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate.

3. Choose 11 people with under 200 followers to nominate and link to them.

4. Go to their pages and let them know. (no tag backs)

 Following are 11 facts that describe or are about me.  

1. I am going to be 72 on November 6th!  This fact doesn't make me happy!

 

2. I married my High School Sweetheart 53 years ago this past July.  We met when I was 15 and he was 17.

3. We  have three children, two sons and a daughter..and  6 grandchildren, 5 granddaughters and one grandson.

4. I can't draw a thing.....

5.  I hate to admit this but my "exercise" is house cleaning!  Yes, I'm one of those nuts that cleans the house everyday, top to bottom.  Do I think I'm normal....of course I'm normal!

6. My husband and I have lived in 35 homes during our marriage.  I was a Realtor in New Construction and always fell in love with the homes I was selling!

7. I have a hard time with the summer heat and the winter cold!  Yes, I am truly an INDOOR GIRL.
Does this explain my passion for INTERIOR DESIGN!

8.  As a child I was great at Jump Rope and Skating, both Roller and Ice!  I told my children I was a Professional Figure Skater in my "Previous Life"!  Not good at any sport associated with the use of a ball.  I was the one the gym captains picked LAST.  Oh I hated Gym!

9. I am constantly changing our furniture around!  Nothing stays the same for very long.  A week is a long time without something changing.

10. I have loved Interior Design since a small girl.  Never realized that I could do something with this passion....my one regret.

11. I appreciate my husband, who is known to all who read Patty's Epiphanies as MC, so very much.  What I put him through ....... 

 Following are the questions that I have been asked to answer by Nancy and Bethany.

Here are the 11 questions I'd like for you to answer:

1. What is your idea of  the perfect day?
No Alarm
Dinner Out 
 

2. What city/state do you live in?
We live in  DelWebb SunCity Peachtree in Griffin, Georgia 

3. What was your major in college?
I attended Mrs. Skinners' Business School.  A fancy way of saying "secretarial school" 

4. Tell us your favorite job you've held.
Now don't laugh...but of all the different "jobs" I've had  the most fun was being the "Cookie Lady" here at the Model Complex in our Community. I was able to "help" the prospects decide which Model they liked and advised them on their decor.

5. What would your dream vacation be?
I would love to go to Europe

6. Who do you admire the most?
(Did) My Father

7. What do you want to be when you grow up?
An Interior Designer

8. What is your decorating style?
Transitional 

9. Are you a city person or a country person?
CITY!!!!
Would love to live in a "Trump Tower Condo in N.Y. City

10. What would your dream job be?
Own A Design Business
 

11. What is your go-to decorating store?
Design Boutiques

The following are Bloggers that I am nominating for the Liebster Award.

JWS Interiors LLC  "Affordable Luxury"

http://www.jws-interiors.com/ 

Tiffany Leigh Interior Design
http://tiffanyleighinteriordesign.blogspot.com/ 

The Cottage Mix
http://laurenleonardinteriors.com/blog/ 

Sherri Cassara Designs
http://sherricassaradesigns.blogspot.com/ 

Nana Moon 
http://www.nanamoonshop.com/ 

 Simple Dwellings
http://simpledwellings.blogspot.com/ 

Georgica Pond
http://georgicapond.blogspot.com/

DECOR is like butter
http://decorislikebutter.blogspot.com/

Haute Indoor Couture
http://hauteindoorcouture.blogspot.com/ 

The Silver Lining
http://thesilverliningblog.blogspot.com/

Beau Lifestyle
http://beaulifestyle.blogspot.com/



Here are my questions for the Bloggers I have nominated.

1.  What is your passion in life.

2.  Who influenced you .

3.  Why did you start writing a blog

4. Are you a morning or a night person

5. What is your favorite color

6. What room do you "live" in

7. Are you a "Gold" or "Silver" Girl

8. Would you prefer to spend your vacation in the mountains or at the beach

9. What part of the world would you most want to visit

10. Coffee or Tea

11. Do you still wear a wrist watch

   Thank you ...Nancy and Bethany for this wonderful opportunity and everyone I have nominated....Thank you for participating......ENJOY

 

OH I AM SO, SO HONORED!!!!

Thank you Nancy and Bethany......They have nominated me for the Liebster Award!!!

 Powell Brower Home is an interior design firm based in Northern Virginia headed by mother-daughter team, Nancy Powell and Bethany Brower.

Powell Brower Home

(The sub title is what drew me into their site months ago)

FOR THE FREQUENT REDECORATOR 

http://www.powellbrower.com/ 

Nancy and Bethany have been following Patty's Epiphanies for many months.  They have become wonderful new friends of mine and they are two of MC's Biggest Groupies!!!

This morning they nominated me for the Liebster Award.  It's quite an honor.  It's bestowed on new bloggers who must meet certain criteria.  I now will do my HOMEWORK!  I have work to do!

This is so, so amazingly exciting.....Thanks so much,

LAST TIME?????

I have completed this Week's redo!  Probably will change more as time goes by.  Something new appears in the Bucket List House and all things turn upside down.

I read the advice and design hints and did my best to pull off a good design.  My biggest problem is I can't purchase new items.  I have to use what I have!  Did some digging and found a few things that have been in the back of cabinets.  Forgot about some!  Now they are "like" new.  The changes are  subtle, very subtle!

I kept the "Family"!  Tried to work them into the design a little better. A framed family picture is a Framed Family Picture!!!  Just one picture of each, but I think everyone is included. There are eight framed pictures worked into the "design".   You might find it hard to see everyone, but believe me YOU are there!!   Not all pictures are up to date.  Most have AGED!

Shape, color, texture ......I tried to keep all in mind.  Wanted so to do that trick with arranging the books backwards, but it made it impossible to find a book!!!  MC didn't go for that!!!!  Can't imagine why?  It's simply one of those ideas  "husbands" say "go over the top" !!!  Wasn't worth the hassle!

You will notice a few omissions!!!!

The Irony of the ENTIRE process!!!!

THE LAMP IS GONE......Sorry SIL!

The whole idea was created when  the LAMP was added!  Remember, the shade blocked  the clock, which has now been  long gone, which left the blank space, which  was the reason for the wall unit!  Do you think  we go in circles around here???
. 
 Actually the lamp was  blocking the pictures I added to the window frames...much better now.
Trial and Error....A lot of that around here.

The area rugs have moved.  That Flokati rug that was originally bought for the foyer has been everywhere.  I do love it, but it's impossible to find just the right spot for it.  It  was under my new "desk" for a few days, and then in the work area of the kitchen.  That lasted ONE  day.  One breakfast consisting of bagels with "everything" did that in!  Seeds and who knows what,  lost in the silly thing.  We were shaking and shaking "Flokati" upside down for 15+  minutes.......

 Neighbors came to visit earlier in the week when "Flokati" was in the work area.  Pat, please let your Daughter know that the Flokati rug is now in the Master Bedroom!!!  Oh I hope it works in there.  I'm running out of places to put it! 

 THE MASTER BEDROOM WILL REMAIN ANOTHER POST!
Entire room was instantly changed when that entered the space! 

Of course, it left a "bare" spot in the kitchen!  Had to order another rug!  What did I do before all these area rugs?????

This time, with another neighbor's coupon, ( Hey, 15% is 15% --- covered the shipping!)  we ordered an  indoor/outdoor sisal rug from Ballard Design.  It's a Suzanne Kasler design.  Black with a white Quatrefoil border!  .. and it can be vacuumed!   Did you ever try and vacuum a Flokati rug???


 Did a little redo in the wall units in the Great Room.  I really had to "dig" to find treasures that would "fit" the criteria!!  Watched the shapes, colors, textures.  I tried ....

The next shots are Bonus Shots!  They came to be due to the changes in the Master Bedroom...

 Hope Chest moved to Foyer

(was in Dining room)

Credenza moved to Dining Room

(was in Master Bedroom)

 I've been "playing" with my crystal and brass Candle Sticks!

Hope I passed the Shelf Test.  If not, please don't tell me this week.  I don't  feel like doing it over again, at least for a week!!

MC'S LATEST DIY

 DIY TRANSOM WINDOW...MC STYLE!

Tonight,  MC  and I enjoyed a wonderful evening with  great  neighbors.   Pasta, salad, Italian bread and wine....Perfecto.   We love our little sub- community.  We live in a large DelWebb SunCity Community but it is broken up into "neighborhoods".  I am sure we have the best one! No...  I KNOW WE HAVE THE BEST ONE!  We call ourselves Dolcetto!  Named after the Dolcetto grape from Italy.  A lovely table, everyday, red wine is made from this little gem.  When new neighbors move in we welcome them with a basket of  sweets and a bottle of our Dolcetto wine.  They are then OFFICIAL DOLCETTO-ANS!!! We might be over 55, but we have fun!

I was checking my favorite "reads" after coming home and getting comfy.   Design Chic has a gorgeous Post on Transom windows!
http://www.mydesignchic.com/

They are beautiful!!

It just happens that two days ago MC created transom windows here in the Bucket List House!  We had two areas screaming to be made into Transom Windows, only it was not feasible to do so.   I have been staring at these spaces for over a year trying to figure out how to accomplish it. 

 Those blocks of white paint scream
"DO SOMETHING.....ANYTHING,   BUT DO SOMETHING!"

 EPIPHANY

 I always go back to the same product.....MIRROR TILES...

I know they are from the 70's, but I have found so many great applications for them.

Look what they did to those blocks of white paint. 

 I just mentioned my idea to MC...  Immediately, he was in the car and on his way to Lowes.  He added thin strips of wood to mimic the "lights" windows around the front door.  The entire project done Monday afternoon!  This guy might get us  lost driving around, but he can sure create my Epiphanies!!!

Yesterday, I read another of my favorite Blogs, Design Indulgence 

 http://designindulgence.blogspot.com/2012/08/one-room-challenge-week-7.html

 
Sherry posted pictures of the book shelves she has in her room for the ORC.  So many great  arranging suggestions. 

I looked at my new "arranged" shelves and I didn't fit all of the guidelines that Sherry suggested.    So I am working at doing it over .....again....!  I'm also working on the built-in shelving units around the fireplace.  Again, trying to apply Sherry's wonderful hints.  I can't shop for new items, but I have gone through all my "warehouse" stashes and have brought out some old Treasures.
When I think I have it right, I'll share.....  I think I can get it right  this time?  I think????
Please no grading.....

MAGGIE'S "ADULT" APARTMENT!

Our Granddaughter, Maggie, has moved into her first "Adult" apartment.  After six years of roommates living in dorms and student apartments, Maggie has her OWN apartment!!  All to herself!

This girl is more organized than I ever dreamed to be!  Her kitchen cabinets and drawers are set up with sections for coffee, food prep, baking, cleaning,, and she even has two seasonings!  Teased her about that!.  I have never seen such planning!!!  You should see her dishcloth drawer!  Patti, her Mom (our daughter),  and her Dad, Mark,  just sat back and watched her organize the entire apartment, ...of course they did a lot of LABOR.....in a matter of a few hours after unloading the truck!  MC and I arrived two days later to find the entire apartment completely set up.....with pictures hung!

 MAGGIE ON GRADUATION DAY ......DO YOU THINK SHE'S HAPPY?

 WOW...SOME APARTMENT!

COME IN----MY LIFE BEGINS

 THE IMPORTANT STUFF.....COMFY SEATING AND TV

 IN TWO DAYS--EVERYTHING PUT AWAY IN ORGANIZED AND PLANNED SPACES!!

SHE IS THERE FOR GRAD SCHOOL........HER WORK AREA

 Give her a few more days, and those pictures will be hung!

BEFORE THE MOVE--HER CHILDHOOD  BED WAS REFINISHED IN THIS BEAUTIFUL BRONZE FINISH

DRESSER REFINISHED.....WAS HER "LITTLE GIRL" DRESSER WITH ADORABLE FLOWERS PAINTED ALL OVER THE FRONT.....

 BALCONY OVERLOOKS BEAUTIFUL GARDENS.....RESTFUL, QUIET RELAXING

WHEN SHE'S NOT WATCHING SPORTS , STUDYING OR RELAXING ON THE BALCONY SHE CAN OCCUPY HERSELF WITH THESE WONDERFUL AMENITIES AT HER FINGERTIPS

Now, all this is in the heart of Atlanta ......down the road from fabulous shopping, dining, ...

NEED I SAY MORE!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS MAGGIE

ENJOY

"NOT" SO GENTLY USED

MC and I went  off the Reservation!  We had an Adventure! 

We were headed, to Forsyth, a small town about 25 miles South.
 A neighbor had told us about this fabulous place where she bought draperies and a great chair.  This business buys  items from High End hotels------and   a lot from  not so High End Hotels, when they are liquidating.  The neighbor's finds were beautiful and cheap!!  I really had high hopes we would find drapes for MC's Library and who knows what other goodies!  Had dreams of sugar plums bouncing all over.....

 MC decided to take Rt. 41 instead of I-75.    Thought it would be more enjoyable.....
  I knew we were in trouble when  I realized we had been driving for over an hour and the town didn't seem to be anywhere!    MC then realized.... we were no longer on Rt. 41!!  He had no idea where we were!

 I must stop the story here...... A little secret about MC.  He's  a great guy, I love him Dearly----   He has Groupies.......He's a MASTER  Carpenter, Chef, Craftsman, Cameraman, Chauffeur..  BUT HE CAN NEVER FIND HIS WAY WHEN TRAVELING BY CAR!    I say this because he was a Navigator in the Air Force for almost 15 years and "Navigated" large cargo planes, C-124's and C-141's.         But  on the ground....He can't find diddly squat!  We  always get  lost!!!

He has a GPS, but fails to use it,  or bothers to get it updated!  When we bought our new (used)  car,  he was delighted it didn't come with the Navigation System....  Go figure?

It was fortunate that my semi-smart phone has a navigation app.  I think that's what it's called!  Anyway,  I figured out how to turn it on, after fumbling with the silly thing, and discovered we were 20 miles  Southwest of where we wanted to be!!!!!

While finding our way back to  I-75, he gave up on Rt. 41, we witnessed the strangest event either of us has EVER seen!  On the left side of the road was a Sheriff's car.  The Sheriff was standing, facing the woods down  into a gully,  his hand was on his gun,  and he was in the "I'm ready to shoot you" position and  then  POW..... off it went. WOW...we couldn't believe what we were seeing!!   I do not think I have ever seen someone actually shoot something ...live!  It was surreal!  We have no idea what or WHO he shot!  Maybe there will be a story on the news about a Sheriff shooting some really bad guy on a country road?  At least he didn't make a 180 and shoot at us!!!

Just a little diversion on our travels to this wonderful, good deal place!!!! We reached the "city" limits of Forsyth and   MC drove around in circles looking for the address of this place.  Then we saw it....OMG it was the huge building we have driven by hundreds of times when traveling South on I-75.  Large signage, very clearly saying it was a LIQUIDATION WAREHOUSE.  I have never on any of our previous trips thought I would  go near this place.  Now, my visions of sugar plums had turned to bed bugs and dust mites!!!   But we had traveled for so long, we decided to give the place a try.  What did we have to loose?

Overall, I would give it a B-.  I am not that much of a visionary, but lots of you are great at seeing hidden treasures!   Took lots of pictures and you all can  judge for yourselves.   I could see some chairs that might be salvageable  and  spray paint would do wonders for everything in the building!  There were pictures that were worth the frames alone, and mirrors all over.  Lamps... I have never seen so many matching lamps in my life!  Some only $10!  Great finds.  Again, spray paint!!!  The High End pieces were marked as such and priced accordingly! 

SCOTT'S IT AIN'T!

 

 

 a bad, bad pink!

 

 too green--very green

 Need a lamp?

 Great cocktail table..I think it was $200....  Probably a good deal I let go by!

 Another $200 item that stayed!

I got my "pot head" at Tuesday Morning for $22.

 This was a good deal. 6 pieces for $159. Some new fabric and spray paint and it would look like  a million!

 Not bad for $29 

 Just needs love!

 Any  love leftover for these?

I have no idea what you would do with these relief pieces, but there were many of all different sizes and subjects!

 This is one huge floor mirror....couldn't find a price tag anywhere.....That triangle is not part of the mirror. It's a TV cabinet...see below!

Need a TV cabinet?....it's  from Caesars!

Don't think I need it for that

 I have no idea where this came from?  It was a  very old needlepoint settee.

I saved the best for last....12 seats--no waiting!

We ended the day driving a little further down the interstate to a Panera's!   Coffee and cinnamon roll!
Perfect!  I was in Heaven.

Made it home safe and sound.......

ANOTHER ADVENTURE WITH MC!