With all of the craziness of the last two months, it goes without saying things are completely wacky around here!  We’re lost in transition somewhere between the start of spring and the chore of cleaning up Christmas. 

I solicited the little ones to help me over the weekend.  Their idea of cleaning up is helping open the “presents”.  I tried to warn them, truly I did. 

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I’ve finally come up for air after yesterday’s photo shoot, what a great day!  It was a fantastic experience and I snapped a lot of ‘behind the scenes’ pics.  Don’t hate me but I’m actually going to save the story until the ‘Christmas Ideas’ issue hits the stands ~ it will just make more sense when you see it in print.  Besides, who wants to see Christmas pictures right now?  Not me!!!

A big thank you to all of you who left such encouraging comments, and to the amazing BH&G team: Gayle (the stylist), King (the photographer) and Anne (the editor) who helped create some real magic around here.  I just can’t wait to see it all in print for the 2011 holiday season, you’re going to love it! 

The winners of the Kahili Creations giveaway are  #203 Megan Clark and #909 Karen Jerread ~ congratulations! 

Last weekend, we made some great progress on my boy’s room, installing some board and batten along his walls, it’s looking really fantastic.  I really love the tall white wall treatment contrasting with the intense teal blue walls, can’t wait to reveal his room when it’s finally done. 

Two power tools that we used to get the job done were the Campbell Hausfeld 18 gauge 2-in-1 Brad Nailer & Stapler and the Campbell Hausfeld Angle Finish Nailer. 

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The last 48 hours just about did me in.  But I keep coming back to that famous saying, “That which does not kill you sends you to the madhouse.” 

You see, I got this phone call many weeks ago. I was just returning home from Tahoe, and heard a voice on my answering machine, saying something about a magazine and “. . . your home is lovely and we’d like to talk to you about a photo shoot . . .”  I listened and listened and thought, oh geez, one of my friends is crank calling me, ha ha ha ha. 

Then I listened some more and this lovely voice sounded completely legit.  So I picked up the phone, and guess what?  It was Better Homes & Gardens.  Wow.

So for the last two months, all my Christmas stuff has still been up in my house. 

I’m convinced that my neighbors must think I’m absolutely cuckoo.  I can hear them now.  “What’s wrong with that family?  It’s February, for goodness sake, take your Christmas tree down!” 

So I’ve suffered the shame of the neighborhood for a photo shoot in BH&G’s ‘Christmas Ideas’ magazine, taking place in my house on Thursday!  “Excited” does not begin to describe.

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There’s been a few emails, wondering what I think of the new Countertop Transformations kit by RustOleum, the latest product to hit the market, offering a relatively inexpensive solution to existing laminate countertops, compared to the expense of replacement. 

I used the kit two weeks ago while attending a RustOleum event in New Orleans. 

As we all know, fabricating and installing new countertops is pricey, and in this economy, not something all of us can be investing right now.  But there are so many kitchens out there with outdated laminate or Formica countertops ~ those leftover yellows, avocado greens, and burgundies from decades past.  Short of replacing them, what choices does a homeowner have?

Carmell recently posted on my Facebook Page the following:

“Hi CG!  I just want to thank you for your post on the RustOleum Cabinet Transformations.  I am looking forward to the countertop one too.  I showed my hubby and I think I’ve finally have him convinced that we should do this in our kitchen.  We can’t afford a complete reno right now.  The kitchen is so new so why not save the money for something else?  Here is what it looks like right now. 

Picture dark cabinets with granite counters and lighter walls.  *swoons*  I wish I had 10 kitchens in my house so I can redo them all in different cab/countertop combos!” 

Good news Carmell, take a look at Kelly’s Before & After, submitted to RustOleum after using both the Cabinet and the Countertop Transformations products.

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One of the things I love about seasons are those moments when they reveal themselves.  Like when the leaves turn in fall, or when that first snow falls in winter.  Sure, winter is magical during the holidays, and even through January.  Then comes that longing for warmer weather, so we wait and wait for the deciduous trees to come back to life and show us a sign that spring is near. 

Well looky loo, look at you, so nice to see you again.  

Spring is still technically several weeks away, but the first way it reveals itself around here is when the cherry and plum trees blossom.  You’re driving around, still wearing your winter clothes, bemoaning the dreariness, thinking you just can’t take it anymore.  Then all of a sudden, there’s a sea of pink blossoms around town in late February and it’s spectacular. 

I’m not the only one to stop and smell them, I spy my neighbors pausing to appreciate them too.  I’m sure you must stop and smell them too when they bloom in your state. 

Cherry and plum tree blossoms are one of my most favorite shows in nature, but unfortunately there’s a big storm headed our way, which means we will lose most of the blooms.  No fair spring, you’re such a tease.

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