Category Archives: home

Nov20

Home messy home

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It took Brian several hours to install our new microwave. When we opened the box, I realized why it was a good price-the one we picked up was another Samsung model. I was a bit peeved. There’s also a dent on one side that we didn’t make. When Bri went to put in the vent cover, the vents are on the top, not pointed to the front like illustrated in the installation booklet. I do plan to call for the above problems (plus the fan is really loud). I paid for a special warranty, so maybe they will take a look at it. I also took photos of the dent and incorrect vent. My kitchen needs a good tidying up too.
While Bri was struggling with the blasted machine, I made my collage cards. I went through my scrap box and came up with these. The mansion behind the lady with the guitar stated under photo that it was the Mississippi Governor’s mansion-not sure if it’s the current one or not, but it’s so pretty.
I started with the Chinese paper for this one and went from there.
No one can hear you 4" x 4 " collage card
Earlier Brian and I stopped at the church bazaar and bought a big box of mushrooms and a lovely quilted piece from a young lady-Cate, who is actually our neighbor. I told her I’d give her some publicity as she’s made many beautiful pieces and isn’t charging that much for them. I bought an octangular Thanksgiving piece for the middle of my round table for only $10. I will add the photo soon.
I am kicking around with knitting. I bought some pom-pom yarn for $2.50 at Michael’s and got one of their free direction leaflets. Well I couldn’t get it at all and decided to look at the wrapper on the yarn and it said to knit twice between the pom-poms. That worked! Earlier I picked up the needle the wrong way and off went the stitches. I had to undo about 5″ or more! What a pain.
And last but not least, Brian went earlier to pick up the nice firm sofa cushions-it’s like a new sofa! I plan to stuff the back cushions myself in the corners where they are a bit unstuffed-the Michael’s was out of stuffing! I’m glad I had this done-saving our backs. When my mom complained how flat the cushions were, I listened as she is such a thin little thing.

Nov17

New stuff

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We had the microwave repair guy here and he said the magnetron went and it would be $300 to replace it. Like really? People ‘let’ them fix that when a new microwave is about the same price-crazy! I looked up the price of magnetrons and they run about $50-just think of the profit repair people make! I had to hand out $67 for him to tell me that. Bri tried the GE on ‘heat beverage’ and it gota little hot, but it won’t heat any other way. Sean and I hightailed it to a Sears store in Delaware where there is no sales tax. Good thing we live so close. I had a gift card from when we bought the washing machine in the summer. The washer was almost paid off too. Before we went, I checked the new issue of Consumer Reports and Samsung rated first. When we saw it we liked it. I haven’t seen many microwaves with a ‘melt/soften’ feature. And the price was right too. Marked down to $218 from about $270.

We can go pick it up Friday, but will wait until Saturday. And my guys will install it which I hope goes smoothly.
We went downstairs in Sears and I’ve been itching to get a good pair of walking shoes and saw Dr. Scholls were on sale, so I got them! I wanted Skechers, but they are pricier, but after reading a few reviews, I think they may be worth it. I’m not hard on sneaks, but I read where a few women said they had issues with the eyelet holes or them coming apart. Maybe they got a few bad pairs-people who write the reviews are usually the ones who have something to complain about. I put them on in the car and they are so comfy!
Hope to get the sofa cushions dropped off for new foam as we can’t stand them anymore as they are so flat. The loose back cushions need help too.
There are so many good sales in the mall! Wow, the stores are really marking down merchandise. I saw nice flannel shirts for Bri for about $15. I did get a couple more pairs of leggings as they were so cheap. I guess if you have the moola, you could really go to town!
Flashback-I recognized a woman in Boscov’s that I went to community college with-yeah I’m good that way. She was in the same major. I didn’t say anything to her, but how funny is it when you see people you haven’t seen in years? I saw her at a fair one time with her husband and kids. She looks like a bigger Amy Roloff from the TLC show.

Oct20

Fall clean-up

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Milkweed seeds, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

Today I decided to dig up the Ornamental grass that had taken over my Lily garden. I ‘dislike’ forgetting to do things. I don’t know what happened last fall, but the one plant I had kept didn’t get it’s seed heads snipped and there were at least a dozen or more grasses everywhere in this bed. I still did keep one plant, but off came the seed heads!
Dug up Ornamental grass
Since I was all ‘worked up’, I went around back and tackled the Butterfly bush. Another shrub which was either not cut back enough or ignored. This was a job and a half! It took me a good 45 minutes to trim. I left an almost full garden cart for Brian who needs to empty it as I can’t lift it (with the grasses). I just left the big pile of branches from the Butterfly bush.
Pile from Butterfly Bush trim back
I also planted two pinkish-purple mums and 6 yellow pansies and dug up a Flowering maple plant. I am still packing up stuff to store-now I know why it takes me weeks to get it right as I have so much put out. I am sore, but glad I got done more in the yard.
Isn’t that a neat photo of the Milkweed above? I should cut most of those seed heads off too. Nature sure knows how to regenerate well!
Red leaves and berries of the Burning Bush
Burning bush
Mums blooms galore
Down the front path
Behind the house
Behind the house
Witchy pal
Witchy pal from the Christmas Tree Shops.

Oct5

Wisdom is Knowing

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Well, I almost got stuck here, but thank goodness I have lots of scraps, papers, old photos and stickers laying around! : )
I wanted to do a tissue paper background and there are three different kinds here, including the bookshelves. Then I was going for a man in his library and used the relative of a pal’s (the man in the derby). I thought it would be interesting to make believe that this is his daughter who he wants to gain knowledge through books and writing-‘vision’ also. What’s funny is the bust in the middle looks a little like me!

Not much new except switching out the clothes. I did put together a big bag for the Goodwill. I will finish the slack and sweaters tomorrow and tackle maybe one closet.

Sep21

Oh Mexico!

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Oh Mexico! 4" x 4" collage, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

We went to Cancun back on our honeymoon in 1984. Never been out of the country since then. It was very exotic and wild too. We stayed in a place overlooking the gulf and the water was crystal blue. One day we went to the ruins which was an hour’s drive straight through the jungle You’d see little huts with antennas coming out of their roofs.
Sean found these ‘stamps’ at the thrift shop we went to yesterday on the $1 table. I used some of my homemade paper and also the school of fish that I used the bottom of yesterday.
My vintage find was the little teabag holders.
Vintage find-4 tea bag holders
Vintage tea bag holders in use

I’d say they have to be at least from the 1960s, not sure. There are a few chips out of them, but they are a complete set. Too cute.

Sep20

Great buys

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New wreath in the family room, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

Here is the wreath I got in Lancaster-it fit perfectly in that spot next to the handmade wooden flowers my brother gave me. This is behind my red sofa.

One of my finds in the bargain room!
This is the little S’mores house, tree and ornaments. I have a few bigger ones too!
That’s my niece there and some snowglobes-I didn’t arrange things before I took the photo.

Sep14

Keep Life Simple and some Autumnal decor

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As usual, when I tidy up my papers, I get some ideas for my collages. I had recently clipped a tourist guide for Ireland and saved the awesome cliff and ocean photo. Not knowing what to do next, I happened upon a postcard booklet of Gustav Dore and chose this lady who looked like she was looking over the cliff. I picked ‘Keep Life Simple’ as she was enjoying the view over the cliff. I found out I used an engraving with ‘purgatory’ in the name! No, this doesn’t now change the meaning of the card!
Also, here is my dining room table with some new things added. I got out my table cloth with the autumn colors. I had bought the new cloth napkins from a flea market and they are from Anthropolgie, as are the mushroom s&p that Brian gave me a few years ago. The sandwich plates and pine cone bowls are from The Christmas Tree Shoppe-$1.99 each and they are nicely made. Bri gave me some flowers yesterday and I added them to an acorn lidded piece. The fireplace has some sunflowers across it, but I’m still working on it. Please ignore the messiness in the sofa area, things are being sorted out to put away. I’ll miss the summer seashells and things.

Autumnal Decorated Dining Table
Autumnal Decorated Dining Table
Sean and I will hopefully take my mom somewhere for an early birthday gift, though he is having a lot to say about the place in Lancaster with the craft warehouse. He took off from work as he thought we were headed to the beach, but that’s a long drive. Hope he thinks about what his grandmom would like first and not himself.

Jul19

Ruby Daylily

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Ruby Daylily, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

I only have about 4 different Daylilies left in this area. After they stop blooming there are only a few things of interest in this massive bed-some ornamental grass, a few plants I added on the perimeter and a big pot of annuals.
Just Saturday night I added about a dozen nasturtium seeds in a few places in other gardens. The ones I planted earlier aren’t doing that great. It’s interesting to see what flowers like this kind of weather. The roses loved it and are just getting black spot from too much humidity.
Speaking of humidity, you could cut the air with a knife. You go outside for 5 minutes and your skin is glistening with sweat. I don’t sweat a lot, but I sure have this summer! It runs straight down the back of my head. I have taken to wearing little pig tails and a headband.
Still gathering stuff from the basement. I still think the dust is getting to me. I forget even though I have my nose covered, my eyes aren’t (I don’t wear my glasses much around the house) and the dust gets on my clothes.
We just got new hall runners from K*mart. They are by Jaclyn Smith and are brown and blue with brown swirls. I haven’t had new rugs there for many years.
I’m also doing some art projects in between.

Jul5

Cut hydrangeas

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Cut hydrangeas-no flash, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

These are really gorgeous this year! I decided to bring a bunch inside and cut these about 3 days ago and they are loving the cool house. We are all trying to stay cool and this week is proving to be another scorcher without rain. Very dry!!
Brian is home today and is over at his dad’s house. Yesterday his dad was having trouble getting up about 5 carpeted steps to the second floor (split level) and was scooting up and then couldn’t stand up. He practically crawled to his bedroom-took 1.5 hours. We had to call ‘911’ for them to come and pick him up. He’s afraid to come downstairs now. I think we’ll have to find a rehab center or have someone come in a few hours a day to help him get his legs stronger. We live 45 minutes away, so it’s hard for Brian to go over there all the time. It’s especially hard when your parents are older like Brian’s dad. He kept saying we want to get him out of his house. Will keep you posted.
Stay cool!
By the way, after we knew Bri’s dad was settled yesterday, we went to my Mom’s house where my brother made us a nice grilled rib and chicken dinner. I threw together peanut butter and chocolate chip squares and mom had cheesecake. We plays ‘Apples to Apples’ a fun card game. A nice diversion for us.

May31

Roses and Spookiness

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Happy Memorial Day. A day to reflect and remember the brave soldiers and those who gave up their lives for our freedom.



Yellow rose bush with 17 buds, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

Yes, and they all have bloomed except one or two. My other roses, though not as big, are blooming nicely also.

Here’s a pink one:
Deep pink rosebud
The guys are both home today. Not planning to do too much.

We decided to take a vacation to Ocean City, MD this year as Brian’s dad hasn’t been well and it’s not a plane trip away like a Carribean trip would be. Plus, the prices are better and I told Sean we can stay right on the beach if we could find a reasonably priced place. We pinpointed a place through Ex*pedia, but he has to see when he can take 3-4 days off.
Yesterday I had the entire afternoon to myself. I read, I sat a spell, I cleaned lawn furniture and I planted the last of my herbs. The bugs are coming out, so I need to buy mulch. My flowers in the front garden are much happier and productive being mulched.
Saturday I planted some perennials in my round bush edged garden where I have mainly irises. My pretty irises did not like the 4 feet of snow and only 7 out of 15 varieties made a show this spring. I then went and planted flowers in the pond garden and Brian edged it for me. It looks so much better.
I’m reading a young adult fiction by a lady also named Dianne (K. Salerni)
Sean and I were in a bookstore a few weeks ago and he saw her name on the cover and pointed out that she spells her name like I do! I then remembered she was the daughter of prominent church members and that there was an article in the paper about her writing ‘We Hear the Dead’-so I bought it. It’s based on a true story about the Fox sisters from the middle 1800s who were said to start seances. There are yet other coincidences besides our first name. In the first 30 pages of the book, there are two names of people with the same first and last names as people I know or have known. The doctor’s name is my maiden name of Knowles and they have an older brother David! Spooky. I plan to have Dianne autograph her book for my niece and I will pass it on to her in a year or so. I found Dianne on Facebook and we friended each other there.