Another Kitchen Boo-boo

About 30 years ago we bought our first “Microwave”. They were very expensive at the time and there were some health concerns about using them. Anticipating having a family, we thought that the convenience would help us out. Over the years our microwave saw more and more use. 

Probably about 10 years ago the simple handle on the door broke. It was a mechanical button ¾” by ½” that broke off – it just fell to the counter. The rest of the microwave was still functional, but we couldn’t open the door without the button. I waited a few days thinking my husband would fix it. But, then I had an idea…. I went upstairs and came down with a “Bandaid”. I secured the button to the handle with the Bandaid which allowed for the push in/out action. Bingo – it worked and it lasted several years. When the Bandaid finally wore out we replaced it with another. Finally a couple of years ago the motor for the microwave bit the dust and we were forced to buy another. 

Fast forward to last week… with our newer microwave we suddenly had a familiar problem. The larger “button” to open the microwave fell to the counter. This is a much larger button, about 3” to 1.5”. I chuckled when I saw my husband disappear upstairs and return with a couple of Bandaids… This larger button is now held in place by 2 Bandaids. 

Who would have thought Bandaids would be so useful in “home repair”…..    

P.S. The use of "Another..." is a follow-on to my previous post ("Oops") about another kitchen tool. What will it be next?

Evening touchpoint...

I noticed an interesting sight in the evening sky as I was driving home from work the other day. A bright sunset caught my attention, sort of like my Dad tapping me on the shoulder to say "hi". As I pulled off the freeway, I reached for my phone to record a picture to use in painting this memory page. I miss Dad very much, but I'm grateful and I find myself smiling every time I think of him sending me special 'sunsets' from above. I love these special moments! Thanks Dad! I love you!

Oops

Ever have one of those days when you're going along, happy and busy as can be, and all of a sudden life throws you an "Oops"?  This happened to me recently when I was making a batch of Banana Bread - using my favorite kitchen tools. My oops was that one of my long time favorite kitchen tools 'bit the dust'. How sad! Although my son was eager for me to 'throw it away' and reduce the count by one, I wasn't inclined to move so fast. I wanted to do something - to reflect on the happy times that I've had with this favorite 'kitchen toy'. Tonight I finally made the time to reflect .....

NOLA: An afternoon in the Garden District

Our excursion on Wednesday to the Garden District included a ride on the St. Charles trolley using our "Jazzy Pass". It was fun looking at the interesting architecture of the homes in the district as we rode by on the Trolley. Our first stop was to visit the Lafayette Cemetery No. 1.  There were grey clouds in the sky and the drops of rain that came our way as we wandered through the cemetery. Interesting to look at the variety of graves and markers. I wandered outside the gate and SURPRISE.... across the street was the famed Commander's Palace - our destination for lunch. So, while I waited for my travel buddies I got out my trusty stool and art supplies and I sketched the bright blue building as I sat along the sidewalk. I added the paint later at home. It was another fun-filled day during my NOLA Adventure 2011!!

P.S. Yes, the stitches down the center that you see are an indication that I am half way through my journal!!

NOLA: Napoleon House

What a delightful dinner in the quaint Napoleon House! I enjoyed reading about the building's storied past while we waited for our dinner. It was a fun place for our group of painting buddies to enjoy dinner and a drink together. Next time I visit NOLA I'll have to go back! 

<<< This is page 23 in my NOLA Live! journal from my visit in 2011. >>>

Final images from Oak Alley Plantation from my 2011 visit

During our tour of the Oak Alley Plantation we saw many interesting artifacts and learned interesting historical tidbits. We were greeted at the front door by a cheerful woman dressed in period attire. The home was finished in 1839 for a couple married in 1834. The architect was the father of Salina, the wife. The 28 Oak trees were planted in the early 1700's by an unknown Frenchman - with 14 leading up the front door and 14 leading out the back. The Oak trees provide a beautiful canopy of shade on the paths leading to and from the home.  The home was furnished with period furniture including a rare "Punka" or "Shoefly Fan", for which the slaves would pull a cord to move it during dinner. Even the beds were unusual - one was called a "Rolling Pin Bed" and the master bedroom included a "Pineapple bed" - with wood cut pineapples as a sign of welcome.  A rusted bell hung in the garden at the side of the house. The bell reminded me of our own family bell that my Father got from the World's Fair in San Francisco in the early 1900's. I was intrigued hearing about the "Courter's Candle' and took some pictures of a souvenier one in the gift shop. 

We concluded our visit with lunch in the Cafe. I enjoyed a meal of Chicken Fricasse, Buttrmilk pie, and Iced Tea. After lunch we all visited the gift shop to find a few special things to remember our visit.  It was a fascinating visit and I hope to visit again in the future. 

More images from Oak Alley Plantation

I remember walking around the Oak Alley Plantation house as we waited for our tour and feeling like a little kid as so many details caught my eyes. I wanted to capture as much of it as I could, so I took oodles of photos to sketch and paint from later on. Having a son studying architecture heightened my interest in a lot of the details, and my own love of the outdoors and gardening attracted me to the garden with all of the manicured hedges. Throughout our tour, and walking around the grounds, I kept wondering what it must have been like to have lived in this beautiful home and peaceful setting.....