ROBERT WIHNYK.....MY BROTHER "BOBBY"

YES............. ANOTHER TALENTED MEMBER OF OUR FAMILY...........

Bobby, has had a love affair with the camera since the early 1980's..... possibly even earlier! His company, Focus Media, which produced Educational Film Strips for school districts all over the world, was formed from a shopping trip he took to buy a simple camera!


Bobby was also the "Family" photographer for many of our family events! Thanks to him, we have beautiful wedding pictures from our Daughter, Patti and Mark's wedding, and our Son, Bobby and Carla's wedding.


Focus Media no longer exists, but his talent and love for the "camera" never went away. He started experimenting with his computer and has done fabulous photographic .... ART. He takes pictures.... "plays" with Photoshop on the computer....and creates WONDERS! Bobby has a great eye and sees things no one else could imagine!!! His success has been so great that his art was featured at an Art Show at the Town Center in Pelican Preserve, Ft. Myers, Florida!

ONE OF MY FAVORITES

A RAIL CAR IN AUCHWITZ, POLAND...NOT PHOTOSHOPPED

(TAKEN WHILE IN POLAND IN
WITH BROTHER HAPPY)

SEASHELLS

THIS WAS INSPIRED BY A PRINT WE HAVE HAD FOR YEARS.
BOBBY MERGED THE TWO PHOTOS SHOWN AT THE TOP TO PRODUCE THIS.

BOBBY'S DISPLAY AT THE

PELICAN PRESERVE'S ART SHOW

Thank you Bobby for sharing your work........

TOMORROW.......ANOTHER "BOBBY" WILL BE FEATURED !!!

AND

A HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT................................

THE CRACKED POT

THIS STORY RELATES TO WHAT TALENTS WE ALL POSSESS


An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.
One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.
At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full..
For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water..
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.
But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. 'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.'
The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?' 'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.' For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.
Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'
Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.
You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.
SO, to all of my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

RISA MUSER

THIS GAL IS TALENTED......

The second you enter Risa and Ed's home, you know you have stepped into a very special place! Her talent is everywhere, totally taking you in!! Risa's beautiful world is created in ...... Purple and Pink..... ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!!

This mirror weighs hundreds of pounds.....Was installed by a very strong crew! It was custom made for Risa for her Atlanta home.


Soaring above the 15 + foot foyer is this fabulous glass chandelier. Our camera was unable to show the actually beauty!

Continuing into their home, you are in the Dining Room. This past week, Ed hung this marvelous work of art. A Chandelier to TOP ALL CHANDELIERS!!!
It has 350 individual crystals hanging on wire from the ceiling. Ed hung each and every one of them.......one at a time. The camera again, doesn't do it justice. Each crystal is actually PINK!!!!




Risa is a very talented artist and does fantastic photography! One room in their home is dedicated to these works. Risa is inspired by the famous artist, Georgia O'Keeffe. She interprets the artist's work in a beautiful way.


Risa's photography has been primarily taken during her travels all over the world.....Spain, Israel, and Paris are some of the places she has captured in wonderful photos!!!

RISA AT HER DESK IN HER OFFICE

The talent doesn't stop here, their bedroom is a Romantic setting to beat all.....who says this is a Senior Community!!!!!


The Kitchen wasn't left out......They had this area rug made especially for the space!



I'M NOT FINISHED........................

There's more......we have only seen the first floor. They have a fully finished walk-out basement!!!!

RISA'S STUDIO

Ed has his special space that captures his personality to a TEE!





Ed refers to this area as his GRAND HALL......He is collecting photos and will have it filled soon.. There is a great shot of him Freezing in Dallas at this year's Super Bowl!!

and................when he wants to escape for a nap..............

After the picture taking was finished Risa and Ed served us wonderful drinks and snacks.


To really appreciate Risa and Ed's home you must see it in person.....
And............the lucky ones that live here will have the opportunity to do so. Their home will be on this year's Sun City Peachtree's Holiday Tour of Homes.

DON'T MISS IT.....YOU ARE IN FOR THE TREAT OF YOUR LIFE!!!!!!

PS.....I'm dressed in purple today!!!!

Henry Wihnyk.....MY BABY BROTHER

Oh What An Actor!!!

Happy, Henry, has been acting in the Gainesville Community Playhouse for a number of years.. Some of the productions I have seen him in have been My Fair Lady, 45 Seconds From Broadway, Shakesphare in Hollywood and the funniest of all Funny Money!!!






What a great show. I have never laughed so much in my life.
As an interesting side note. Since that show, last May, Happy has lost around 75+ pounds......He looks fantastic. Hope he does another show soon. It would be fun to see the New Man!!!!!

He has received a number of "Apples". That's the Oscar for the Theater Group! He is fabulous.........................

GREAT SUGGESTIONS

THANKS....

What wonderful ideas you all sent me yesterday......

First ......Happy, I asked MC and he refuses to change his "workshop". Every scrap and all the disorder will stay...."He knows where everything is"....that's the answer I received.....

Anne......I am going to look for some Annuals for our four, large outdoor pots. Maybe in yellow?? Need flowers that can tolerate sun in the rear and most likely Inpatients for the front porch. That gets very little sun, if any. I would love to find new cushions for the three seating pieces on the covered rear veranda.. maybe Sunshine Yellow! I think I'm falling in love with a yellow theme.........let's see.......

MK......I have an art project I have been thinking about. Even Erica will be amazed at what I hope to attempt......Not revealing it yet...(might not work!). If it does......I will have some new small pops of color!

Erica.....Love your idea of asking our readers/friends and family to submit their projects to share with us all. So.....I AM ASKING....

There will surely be a Post with all of MC Jr.'s work. Can't wait to see the deck!

I know MK does fantastic photography and I would love to put her work into a MK Post!!!

Claire, how about some more creative cupcakes?

I recently met a very talented girl who does FANTASTIC art and is a natural at taking photos. Yes.....Risa, I am referring to you. I would love to show everyone your gorgeous pieces......and they are in the most beautiful shades of purples and pinks.
And....Risa and Ed....I would love to post a photo of your new Chandelier that you just installed. Can't wait to see it........Can you imagine, it has 350 pink crystals hanging on long invisible wire at different lengths!!! WOW

I hope to hear from all of you.....I know each and every one has something to share...

GREETINGS FROM PATTY

FROM THE DESK OF..... PATTY DAY
Senior Designer and Blogger

It's almost Spring, officially 3 days from today! We are all ready for the warmer weather and the beautiful colors that Spring brings.

I wish to take this opportunity to welcome your suggestions and the direction you would like to see me go forward with, in the upcoming seasons. All you need to do is click on to the email link or add your comment at the bottom of this post. I appreciate all you have to add.

Erica and Adam have moved into their new home. I have heard through the grapevine that a lot of painting and remodeling is beginning!!! In fact, I think we have a MC, Jr. Adam has rebuilt their deck!!! Adam, I would love to post some before and after shots of your project......and all the ones in the future!!!

In closing.....we have reached 13,829 "hits" to this blog !!!!! You know what that means???
Contest coming up soon....................I will announce when it will begin in the next week or so.

Please send me your ideas and suggestions.......I am looking forward to hearing from you all.
Patty

IT'S JUST PAINT !!!

A LITTLE GOLD PAINT AND TUBE OF GOLD RUB AND BUFF .......

The "Design" world likes to stir things up now and then. I read, about a year ago, that "gold" would be the new metal!!! Silver and chrome have been hot for the last few years. To keep things new and fresh, gold metals have been slowly taking a bigger place in the market.

Not to let things get away from me, I realized that with a little paint, I could stay on top of the movement!!!! The best part......it's just paint! It can be changed again and again. In fact the large mirror in the Dining Room has had many "lives". It started out a dark brown....boring! Changed it to black, then silver and now it's GOLD!!!! I like the way it "marries" the Asian panels. The console table was originally gold, changed it to silver a few years ago, and yes, it's gold again...... So simple!!!

......it's just a trip to Lowes' paint department!

BEFORE

AFTER

THE GOLD HORSE AND GOLD "BOAT" RELATE TO THE GOLD TRIM IN THE PICTURE FRAME IN THE KITCHEN AND THE GOLD FRAME AROUND THE DINING ROOM MIRROR

BEFORE

Didn't stop in the Dining Room......went to the bedroom and changed the silver frames around the flower prints!!! Secret......they are from The Dump and started life with scratched black frames which I painted silver ......and now ......GOLD

As I said at the start..............IT'S JUST PAINT !!!!

THE GENIUS OF MC

This man is unbelievable!!!

I have always tried to find ways to avoid "Builder Shower Rods"! They drive me nuts! I have gone to great lengths over the years to conceal them.

Our Guest Bath has the typical tub/shower insert and with it came the dreaded shower rod! I have been trying for months to come up with a clever way to hang the shower curtain and not see the rod! The typical solution was a valance/cornice board. I didn't want to have MC do another project at this point. He just finished the wonderful built-ins and I didn't want to push my luck! But, we are having overnight guests tomorrow and I needed a shower curtain!

I have two of the white drapery panels left from the other house. Actually, I was able to take 16 panels when we moved out......and the house still had window treatments when it was put on the market! That is a remarkable feat, in itself!

I mentioned to MC that I wanted to hang the panels on the sides of the tub, from the ceiling. I could remove the builder shower rod when not in use, and put it back when we needed it. It's a simple rod that fits the space and "rests" on the top of the shower insert.

MC to the rescue......in just a few minutes he came out of his "workshop" and had two towel bars in his hands. They had been removed when we moved in. I like to hang towels in different forms and rarely use towel bars. He said he would simply "hang" them from the ceiling......In less than an hour we had the two drapery panels up. A short trip to Lowes for tie backs and the project was finished. I just hung the "temporary" shower rod up for my brother, Hap, and my sister--in-law, Pat, who will be here tomorrow!!!!

GENIUS!!!!












NEXT PROJECT.......

The vanity light in the Guest Bath ......

MC, the Genius that he is.......was able to hang my Kenneth Brown mirror over the large builder mirror. To finish it, MC made the thin black frame around the builder mirror. Now Kenneth's mirror is in it's proper home. I recently learned that it was made to be hung over a bath vanity, so it has been my objective to use it in that manner.
SUCCESS

Now the search to replace the builder light fixture.......


We're getting there.......
Now if I could, I would........???????

THIS DAY WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY

MARCH 7, 2011

What can I say? This is it....This is the DAY!

THE BUILT-INS ARE FINISHED

I have been snapping pictures all around the house! I will post the best, below. As all my projects go, adding one piece or changing one item causes a Domino effect. After putting all the treasures into the built-ins, a "Domino Effect", the size of a TSUNAMI occurred!

Accessories, chairs, tables.... have "moved" all over the place! All through the years, without realizing it, as I purchased furniture and "stuff" they all were interchangeable.....Meaning a piece could work in any room or any decor!

Boy, has that proven to be a redeeming asset! So many, if not most, of our things have been in every room in this house!!! A Great room sofa is now in our Guest Room, wing back chairs moved from the Great Room to the Master Bedroom and TODAY one is in the KITCHEN!!!! Tables, oh they move the most!!!! I think every table has been in every room at one point. The uses change, the "look" changes, to sum up..... I AM HAVING THE TIME OF MY LIFE!!!!!

I love my Asian art, my mirrors, and my art from Erica! During the Tsunami, I got the great idea to create an Erica Gallery. This home has wonderful halls that scream for art! Over the past week, MC has moved all of her art into special places in the halls. The poor guy, I have had him move them up and down, just inches, to make them "right" to "my" eye. As long as the spackle and touch-up paint lasts, I can move them to my heart's delight!!! The Christening Dress in it's wonderful place in the foyer, the large black and white picture behind MC's desk's remained in place, and Lady of Love and Hope is still over the guest bed!

All the little projects that were on MC's " To Do List" to be finished before March 10th, have been done. He did it!!!

I have a hunch how he was able to accomplish this wonder! Over the past month, to my amazement, he has started walking 5 miles, two days a week. His interests and energy have soared! He joins up with two other "crazy", wonderful neighbors, at 6:15 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I call them "crazy" because they are out, in the dark, freezing cold.....walking!!! They have a wonderful time and all three enjoy their time together. I personally want to thank Judy and Russ for bringing "My Honey" back to life!!

Without further ado I now present the BUILT-INS.......

FINALLY!!!

WE HAVE MAGNOLIA TREES.......

PLANTED!!!

We are proud to announce the planting of our four 7 1/2 foot tall Magnolia Trees! They look great! Plus..... as the saying goes "Form follows Function", they will give us the sense of privacy.








Can't wait until the summer when they bloom.........

It's wonderful having something to look forward to. .......which leads me to the fact that MC has 6 days to get his projects finished!!!!

CLAIRE'S "DESIGNER" CUPCAKE

NOW THIS IS ART !!!!

Earlier this evening my "Hollywood" Niece, Claire, sent the following email with her latest creation. I have known she loves to bake, but I never imagined she created such gorgeous ART!! Talent in our family comes in many forms. Below is Claire's email ...by the way, I assured her she was far from being "Nerdy"!!!!

I know this is a little nerdy but I bake a lot and I finally made something I really want to share. It's a banana & chocolate cupcake with peanut butter cream cheese frosting. I made it from scratch, of course, and decorated it. I even crushed up the peanut by hand!

I wish I could send you all a batch!


Erica emailed back that maybe the "Blog Creator" in the family would be interested in posting it. I definitely was!

Claire sent the recipes and MC was able to do his "computer" magic! With the input of all four of us, we have been able to whip up this fabulous creation. Now everyone....get your aprons, bowls, preheat those ovens and turn out this fabulous, delicious creation for yourselves.

Claire took two recipes and combined them. Both are from Martha Stewart! But...Martha Stewart didn't put the two together. It took Claire's creativeness to create this 10+++dessert!


BANANA CUPCAKES

Makes 12

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 ripe bananas), plus 1 whole banana, for garnish (optional)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 
  

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. Make a well in center of flour mixture. In well, mix together butter, mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla. Stir to incorporate flour mixture (do not overmix). Dividing evenly, spoon batter into muffin cups.
3. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a cupcake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan; cool completely on a wire rack. Spread tops with Peanut Butter Frosting. Just before serving, peel and slice banana into rounds, and place one on each cupcake, if desired.

PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING

Ingredients

Makes about 3 cups

• 6 ounces cream cheese
• 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural)
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions

1. Beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar with a mixer on medium speed. Add salt, then peanut butter, then vanilla. Whisk cream until soft peaks form, and then fold into peanut butter mixture. Use immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. (Bring to room temperature, and beat on low speed until smooth before using.)

From Martha Stewart Living, February 2009

PICTURES

A REQUEST

Erica asked for pictures of how Jan used the table in the room and how I used the same table in our room.

MC was able to do his magic so here goes.....

Jan Showers room

Bucket List Great Room

You all know what's next????? Yes, Yes......I want that rug in Jan's room, but I want it in a Zebra design!!!!!!!!!!

UPDATES

ALMOST....NOT YET!

I have been promised that the built-ins will be finished by March 10th!!!
We are expecting two dear visitors on Thursday, the 10th, my Brother Henry (Happy) and my Sister in Law, Pat. It will be their first visit here. I added a few other projects to the "Please Finish By" list. MC has assured me all will be ready for the Reveal in time!!!

We received permission from "The Committee" to plant four, 7 1/2 foot, Magnolia trees in the back yard. For those who haven't seen our property, we are on the top of a hill. The vista is great....views of the golf course etc. We will have the trees planted so they will not block the view, but will give us a "sense" of privacy. This Friday is the big day!!

I ordered a book written by Jan Showers, "Glamorous Rooms". It's FABULOUS!!!! I was able to get the book for almost nothing because Dear, Dear Niece Claire ordered something from One Kings Lane and mentioned I referred her to the site. I received a $25 credit!!!!

Since reading the script and drooling over the photos, I have been moving and rearranging everything! She has a wonderful approach to design! Her projects are gorgeous. I was stunned, when on page 43, there was my mirrored round accent table!!!! I went wild! I immediately worked on placing mine in an arrangement similar to how she used it. She has it with a sofa and chair as a small intimate coffee table!!! Never would have thought to use it that way and it works!!!!! Love it!

A basic part of her philosophy to achieve a Glamorous Room by paying attention to details! She was influenced by Grace Kelly and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to name a few. Jan defines Glamour as what Glamour is not!!! It is not shiny satin and fox wraps, not a fad or over the top. She feels Glamour is depicted, if you can picture, the strength of Katherine Hepburn in a black turtleneck, black pants and a red scarf thrown around her neck, or better yet, the exquisite look of Audrey Hepburn in Capri pants, ballet shoes, with a white blouse. Get the idea!
She tells us, the reader, to never forget that comfort most be the top concern. Rooms should not only look inviting they should encourage guests to" linger".

This is not easy. It might appear to be, but think about it. Something elegant, but simple, is not as basic as 1 2 3. A lot of planning goes into every detail, and care needs to be taken in the entire space!

As I read deeper I hope to gain more from her. I feel I have learned so much and I am only half way through my first glance!

Stay tuned....Who knows what I will be doing by the time I get to the back cover.........

PS.....Update on my last post...
Adams' Pink Chair ....it's a rocker!!! What a surprise that was, and I failed to make note of it!!!