Category Archives: Home & Garden

Giving to Humane Society of the North Bay is fun

Here are some of the fabulous things I got in return for donations to HSNB.org. We have auctions and other events coming up where we will be featuring these items in exchange for donations. Check out our website on how to give and be informed of upcoming events!

I love thrift stores and estate sales, so I’m kind of dangerous around this kind of stuff, but there are definitely pieces that do and don’t speak to me. This time a cluster of them just happened to.

Backyard Update with new patio cover

Our new backyard patio cover is a game-changer! I love the finials and the two fifteen-foot skylights. I picked out this tropical leaf fan which helps to make it feel like a scene in Golden Girls. I remember in that show that they always talk about going out on the lanai. Now we have our very own lanai, which feels like a great new room that can be used pretty much all year round.

Now that rain has returned to California, it also happens to double for a place where the dogs can go to the bathroom when it rains as they are usually tepid about going out in inclement weather.

New backyard tour:

Spinners under the lanai:

As opposed to earlier in the month when the spinners went simultaneously without the lanai:

April 2023 Home Decor

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.