Well, my husband Aaron attempted to refinish our hardwoods floors (he’s never done this before).  And I have to tell you, he was a natural.  Above is how the floors looked right after they were sanded before he was able to do the edge sanding.

Here’s the mineral spirits drying on the floors.

Here comes the stain!

It took 3 days, but WOW, do they look nice. (Did you notice our feet – Aaron’s shoes kept breaking through the booties, so he taped his undershirts to his tennis shoes!)

Oh, and the window is splattered with “knock down” – the replacement windows go in next!

Dolly Parton is celebrating 25 years of Dollywood and check out who she brought out on stage – Miley Cyrus.  Who knew that they were so close?!

I’m finishing up the remodel on this beautiful dream kitchen with Kaerek Homes in West Allis for the upcoming MBA Parade of Homes Tour.

Is it true when they say good lighting can really add the perfect touch to a room?

Of course we’ll have standard lighting on the ceiling, but what about lighting under the cabinets or even INSIDE a few cabinets, perhaps with a glass door?

I’d love to hear your ideas.  What have you used in your kitchen, or better yet, what would you like to have in the kitchen of your dreams?

And don’t forget you can check out the kitchen when it’s finished in the upcoming MBA Parade of Homes Tour August 21st - September 12th in Oak Creek.

I was able to check out “Eclipse” during our Mix Sneak Peek and let me tell you – it was AWESOME!

Here’s my rundown of the highlights

• the effects are amazing during the fight scene
• very steamy scenes between Bella and Edward, especially in his bedroom
• Jacob barely wears a shirt during the movie
• Rob Pattinson and Taylor Lautner’s acting is getting a lot better compared to the first movie

Lowlights:

• Jasper’s hair still needs some work – he reminds me of Edward Scissorhands
• scenes involving the newborn vampires in Seattle are kind of cheesy
• Bella’s engagement ring is ugly (sorry, but it is)
• Kristen Stewart still can’t act

Can’t wait for you to see it – I believe, it truly is the best so far of the three movies in the saga.

What is your preference when it comes to a stove  - gas or electric? Does one cook better, which type of stove is easier to clean?

I’m in the final stages of designing a dream kitchen with Kaerek Homes in West Allis for their upcoming MBA Parade of Homes Tour.

So far, your suggestions on countertops, lighting, flooring and cabinets has been extremely helpful. Now the little things (like which stove most people prefer) has been overlooked, but is just as important as everything else when it comes to this remodel.

Let me know by leaving a comment here – if you could have your dream kitchen, what type of stove would you want?

Don’t forget you can see the finished kitchen during the MBA Parade of Homes Tour, August 21st – September 12th in Oak Creek.

Check out this funny website that’s all about drinking etiquette:

The 86 rules of boozing

I’m in the final process of designing the dream kitchen with Kaerek Homes in West Allis for their upcoming MBA Parade of Homes Tour.

We have the cabinets picked out, the flooring, backsplash, appliances, countertops and even lighting.

But what color? The cabinets are on the darker side and the flooring is kind of a lighter/blonde type of wood mixed with some darker grains of wood as well.

Dark walls, light walls or a combination of both (sort of like an accent wall)?

Please let me know – all of your suggestions so far have been great. I can’t wait for you to see the final result in the upcoming MBA Parade of Homes Tour, August 21st - September 12th.

I’m almost done with the dream kitchen that I’m working on with Kaerek Homes in West Allis (it will be featured in this year’s MBA Parade of Homes Tour).

I’m a big time wino and I thought it might be neat to add a built in wine rack to go with this beautiful kitchen. What do you think? Does it run a big risk of making the kitchen too personalized if not anyone enjoys wine? Or will it add class and elegance and become a beautiful place to showcase some vintage wine or sparkling wine glasses?

Please send me your suggestions – they have all been great suggestions so far and I can’t wait for all of you to see the finished product during the MBA Parade of Homes Tour August 21st – September 12th.

I thought it would be cute to start sending my husband Aaron some sassy text messages yesterday.  It didn’t take him long to figure out what I was doing and sure enough he began to text back.

One thing led to another and I decided to show up to his work and tease him over the intercom (he works part time at a coffee house with a drive through).

He answered the drive through page and while laughing I asked him if “he was an item on the menu that I could order” – I had no idea that all 6 of his co-workers were also on head sets and heard the same thing!!!!

Needless to say I was mortified, grabbed my drink and left.  Aaron mentioned later that night he would be teased about this for weeks – he did think it was pretty funny.

Everyone loves a big kitchen, and more counterspace is a plus too!

I’m putting the finishing touches on the beautiful, dream kitchen with Kaerek Homes in West Allis for their upcoming MBA Parade of Homes tour.

Quick question for all you savy kitchen experts. Is it best to purchase a microwave range hood compared to a regular range hood? I would think that by doing that it would save counterspace, except there are some really cool looking range tops too.

What would you do if money wasn’t an issue and you could have whatever you wanted in your dream kitchen?

Keep in mind you can see this stunning kitchen when it’s finished during the MBA Parade of Homes Tour August 21st - September 12th.