NEW GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

Here is the BEFORE photo of our kitchen on a typical Sunday morning. The new granite countertop is being delivered the next day so we (uh, my husband) need to remove the old 14 year old formica counter and have the area clean and ready to go.

We saved $300. removing the counters ourselves (uh, my husband, actually), along with the sink and plumbing.

And out go the counters.............black mold and all............

........and HERE is the new granite (Sierra Ridge) counter. We (uh, my husband, again) have to hook the plumbing back up (easier said than done!) and then we will be ready to install the tumbled marble backsplash. I've enjoyed the green paint but it is time to update and install something more permanent.
Below is the tumbled marble we will install tomorrow. I'll post "after" photos when completed. I picked up the tile from Lowe's along with "no sand" Alabaster grout, Grace "Bondera" tile set mat. The Bondera comes in a long roll 12" wide and is sticky on both sides so it sticks to the wall and then you just stick your tile in place. Then you just add grout. I want the holes to show in the tumbled marble so I will seal the tile first so it is easier to wipe away the unwanted grout. Big day tomorrow!

I found these cute starfish at a shop named LINDEN in downtown Woodstock. They have some nice vintage and shabby chic pieces there. It's worth a trip to look around. I'm trying out some of my paintings to see what I want over the fireplace. I think this one is too small. It's a Koi watercolor painting I did several years ago.

GOODBYE SWEET BABY DAISY

WE WILL MISS YOU!

DAISY

December 26, 1993 - June 26, 2010

WOODSTOCK FARMER'S MARKET

We got up early to go to the Woodstock Farmer's Market this morning. It is held in the parking lot of the Woodstock Methodist Church (across from the old Neon Zone) on Towne Lake Parkway in downtown Woodstock. We bought some beautiful yellow squash, pole beans, tomatoes, okra along with some homemade Ezekiel bread and Rosemary Garlic Olive oil. It was a busy place at 9:00 so be sure to get there early. There was a lady selling jellies and jams, and another selling artisan breads baked in a clay oven in her yard. The fresh hulled peas were tempting along with the zucchini. Veggies for dinner tonight. Can't wait til next Saturday!

PINWHEELS

My daughter has an ETSY shop where she sells handmade plush toys and other whimsical items. We photographed some of her pinwheels for her shop this afternoon. Here's your preview:

IT'S ROASTING OUT THERE...........

It's pretty hot here in Atlanta. They say it feels like 103 in the shade today. My husband says that's why he's not getting in the shade!

It's roasting outside so I thought I'd roast some veggies inside. Cut up onions, peppers, squash, broccoli, asparagus, snow peas, etc. Mix with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil, kosher salt and roast at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Delicious!!!

SQUIRREL WISDOM

Evidently, the squirrels in my backyard have passed on the tradition of picking peaches, peeling, and eating them on my deck and leaving the peelings behind. The youngsters have learned well because yesterday I saw my first peach of the season left on the deck railing. You can see the little pieces of peeling beside the peach. In past years I have had a plump little squirrel, I called Chipper, because he had a bite taken out of his ear. He would carry 2-3 peaches to my deck railing, eat them, leave the peelings all over and then lay on his tummy on top of the railing with his legs hanging over the sides and fall asleep. I haven't seen Chipper in a while, so my new visitors must be his son or grandsons.

Looking over my deck railing you can see where the rascals are getting the peaches............from my neighbor's peach tree!!! Looks like they are getting ripe. Smart squirrels!