I take our coffee station very seriously! I also think that the balance of what is left on the counter is very important.

In other news, I’ve decided that many nicknacks will constantly be on the move in my home, just to keep things interesting. How they capture light, reflect in the windows, and contribute to the best growth of the live plants is all important, not to mention kinetic items, such as solar-powered bobbleheads.

With the grey cabinetry in a home we bought with a renovated kitchen, I like neon colors that pop on accessories. For example, I recently stole the idea for a retro-style covered toaster from my friend Linda, which I love because it reminds me of a Volkswagon Bug. The electric can opener that is supposed to be neon yellow was kind of a fail, but at least I have a bright red Keurig with some lime green and dark red containers nearby.

More and more I’m also learning to look up and make sure there are things high up to take advantage of having cathedral ceilings. It also helps to keep more valuable things I don’t want the dogs to be too interested in, while still giving people something to look up to, especially with some uplighting that turns on every evening at sunset with the smart plugs.

Instead of installing a gate all the way around the front yard, which we got permission from the city to do at four feet since there would still be traffic clearance, we decided that it would be most practical to create a small fence around our front porch to protect our dogs from running out to the street and to also create a safe place where packages can be left. Our periodic gardener is also a handyman who put in our skylight, so it was great that he could construct this fence for us very quickly.

To be sure that we are not coming across as shunning people, we put up a rainbow-colored welcome sign and another sign asking that packages be left within the gated area. Our goal is to put an easy handle up to open the gate with and never to lock it, especially since we have security cameras in the front yard and doorbell.

We bought a cantilever umbrella that is huge and creates a sort of extra room when extra shade and privacy are needed. It works well and can even withstand some wind, but we won’t tempt fate, of course.

Front yard:

Backyard:

This has been something we were looking to install for well over a year. We had a lot of quotes and plenty of false starts as people have fallen by the wayside with the shortage of resources during the pandemic. The light in the cathedral ceiling in our family room is quite a game changer. It feels wonderful to have a subtle natural light and not to even need a lamp on in the darkest part of the house. While it’s just a step away from the outside, this makes our family room more like a solarium. it also improves the light in the adjoining kitchen too.