Toxic Microwave - Be Gone!

Remember when microwaves first came out and how monstrously huge they were? I had one of the original, circa 70's dinosaurs in my kitchen... and someone along the way had helpfully DRILLED A HOLE IN THE DOOR and added a cabinet pull for easy opening. Um, yeah. Probably not such a good idea. I am pleased to have it removed now -- my kitchen looks and feels so much better! It took 3 of us to hoist it up and off of the wall brackets -- it was so heavy! And I won't even discuss the vent on the bottom of the microwave and what it catches in 30+ years... Ay yi yi.

Once the beast was out, Tom and I spiffed up the remaining empty space. I put up some faux tin squares to cover up the very old blue and used-to-be-white wallpaper. We cut, stained and poly'd some 1"x12"s... and let's just say the cabinets aren't exactly square... (we found that out the hard way! ) Then added some quarter round to cover the unavoidable gaps from the not square cabinets, and affixed a light.

I realized after the fact that I "lost" my clock and my cook top light in the process. I found a stainless steel light that I mounted up top that works fine. I do probably need a clock; right now I am using my kitchen timer clock which isn't super convenient but do you really need to know what time it is in the kitchen unless you are entertaining? I can tell you this: My dog knows when it is 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. -- her feeding times -- and she lets me know. According to her, none of those hours in between matter.

I don't think I will be replacing the microwave... we'll see if I really miss one or not. My beloved toaster oven has stepped up to the plate quite nicely so far -- oh! And this cute little tiny kettle I bought for melting REAL BUTTER on the stove for my air popped popcorn. (My friend Beth will remember a similar one we used to use at her mother's house... with the ceramic bowl large enough to bathe a baby in, and very late night TV.... Ahhh fun times.)

Window coverings - finally!

I have had such a struggle trying to figure out what to put on these doors for window coverings! They face northwest, so I get a lot of (hot) afternoon sun in them. They are also the doors that I use the most -- which means I didn't really want mini blinds or anything that would slap around when doors opened and shut. Plus I wanted to be able to open just the bottom panels for Greta to look outside, or just the top ones for privacy but still get light. So many requirements and such a dilemma!

I finally decided to sew fabric panels and affix them to the windows with velcro. I can reveal as many or as few rows of panes as I want. So far it's working pretty well -- and they are washable. Bonus.

This isn't a "forever solution" but it works great for now.

Philadephia Find #2

Here is the pendant light that I bought in Philly at that same stained glass shop. When it's off, you'd never guess that it is orange -- it's a strange color unlit -- but I totally love it!

Philadelphia Find #1

Remember Marvin in Philadelphia? He owns a stained glass store. Here is one of 4 stained glass pieces I bought from him. I hung it in a kitchen window and the morning sun shining through it is just amazing! (Although as luck would have it I took a photo late afternoon...)

I'll post photos of the others as I get them put into place. I'm still deciding where to put them.

Philadelphia Find

This man -- his name is Marvin -- has a shop in Philadephia. He sold me something so fitting for my house while we were there last weekend! Photos to follow next week...!