HOME DECOR: KITCHEN MAKEOVER WITH PAINT

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">What a difference PAINT makes!</span>  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">SO, CSI IS HAVING A CHALLENGE, TO SHOW A PAINT PROJECT, AND I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT ABOUT THIS KITCHEN I DID FOR A CLIENT.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thecsiproject.com/" target="_blank"><img a="" alt="Visit thecsiproject.com" class="aligncenter" src="http://thecsiproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/thecsiproject.com-logo-300.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">visit their inspiring blog </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Her kitchen started out much the same as many of ours with older homes. She had good quality cabinets, but they were dated and very much the 80's color stain with prominent oak grain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Budget was an issue, and we needed new appliances, flooring and countertops - what to do? Take a look and see what a difference a little paint can make.....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's her kitchen before.     It did have a beautiful big garden window...</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeNmaCiSvA_itCuk024b_6IotMads-uo6w9Q0Y7g4FKvblViChUgV_-5PNlC7HI0fW8HPwFCSrYtXo1E0VfSDGQCFfuOHQhuMqf9Pcugg9_lRy-RxW76mXdM5eGUOTt2tXh6N3FEwS-I/s1600/disk_1+086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeNmaCiSvA_itCuk024b_6IotMads-uo6w9Q0Y7g4FKvblViChUgV_-5PNlC7HI0fW8HPwFCSrYtXo1E0VfSDGQCFfuOHQhuMqf9Pcugg9_lRy-RxW76mXdM5eGUOTt2tXh6N3FEwS-I/s320/disk_1+086.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, I'll say it..... it was UGLY....</div><div style="text-align: center;">Note the island here, it's important to remember how puny and dated this really looks...</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">But, like I said the cabinets were good quality....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pdG4O0_Ysf2NgRYlbPtOQYF_jtW3Jk-jTQwgQXkP5v1Yqi8Quk2gccujhHS8Ard5IpjWrzOjhJCyzGnRJffhozUy_HaXKNf4ExoVeFWlUPRaCJj1j7UfNvit2LwMZJDY-X51XNHkeNw/s1600/anas+oak2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pdG4O0_Ysf2NgRYlbPtOQYF_jtW3Jk-jTQwgQXkP5v1Yqi8Quk2gccujhHS8Ard5IpjWrzOjhJCyzGnRJffhozUy_HaXKNf4ExoVeFWlUPRaCJj1j7UfNvit2LwMZJDY-X51XNHkeNw/s400/anas+oak2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">She also had this really big oak china cabinet in the adjacent eating area. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKOEuEySA_u2jU3IuPDGS-V3rjPe4oX3Gwo7_lZBmls7Y3rQZlLYcBh4vdU-eEH-0V_-lcLRlrLT92ekXOt8bk0sT5FQ6FuvSlXgdJNITpRzhmCTeIImGbUKXzAAqrdZTJBjzJiwvvi8/s1600/anas+oak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKOEuEySA_u2jU3IuPDGS-V3rjPe4oX3Gwo7_lZBmls7Y3rQZlLYcBh4vdU-eEH-0V_-lcLRlrLT92ekXOt8bk0sT5FQ6FuvSlXgdJNITpRzhmCTeIImGbUKXzAAqrdZTJBjzJiwvvi8/s320/anas+oak.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">She was prepared to sell it/donate it, but I thought it had potential...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2i7FEFma7z5bVAtZfzBALFTrSz43EG2R5FXi3kucjTFMo4d4ifXSwhTW45WJy8uj0njSXSeoaatypgG66NHLfhyphenhyphenpDhgei5sfTJfUom7uz6Rbkf-cZu-oKRYGaom2ElaenYgMKRT-X_4/s1600/disk_1+085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2i7FEFma7z5bVAtZfzBALFTrSz43EG2R5FXi3kucjTFMo4d4ifXSwhTW45WJy8uj0njSXSeoaatypgG66NHLfhyphenhyphenpDhgei5sfTJfUom7uz6Rbkf-cZu-oKRYGaom2ElaenYgMKRT-X_4/s320/disk_1+085.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So we painted.....    a creamy white - and added travertine backsplash and granite countertops.</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTaqlaroMr9BRNLtPAesRryf2E_9hrZb2V0BlVpkGUsc77nm2thWhmSmzpjMQKRBmHQx0kAKb5uTc191Q7-LyD8Z3o29Kket01YOV2RECSFUmE2evv_IjDBLnXNAEvk0KbA8LeklVVRk/s1600/IMG_3166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTaqlaroMr9BRNLtPAesRryf2E_9hrZb2V0BlVpkGUsc77nm2thWhmSmzpjMQKRBmHQx0kAKb5uTc191Q7-LyD8Z3o29Kket01YOV2RECSFUmE2evv_IjDBLnXNAEvk0KbA8LeklVVRk/s320/IMG_3166.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And a few architectural embellishments here and there from the local molding and trim store... like this corbel</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhVYl8M0J1o4AaU2_sEC8va7cn1dJi9I1UOXUOc7XqgtP24c8vEVHhyphenhyphenNrB0FKUcQpDbT6P-Log-jHPtC1D4mofBLk9gGrV7cuzaC-xbHSHAHUo4H6OL39plDofskulioxlfW426D2KhE/s1600/IMG_3208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhVYl8M0J1o4AaU2_sEC8va7cn1dJi9I1UOXUOc7XqgtP24c8vEVHhyphenhyphenNrB0FKUcQpDbT6P-Log-jHPtC1D4mofBLk9gGrV7cuzaC-xbHSHAHUo4H6OL39plDofskulioxlfW426D2KhE/s200/IMG_3208.JPG" width="140" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And we added paint and trim all the way to the ceiling - it really made those old cabinets look custom</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XtxtqsfNoeXqJlN_qxpHAsDIlGGXT2ydY1Amo3TZZz-05afHuL3RR4iDOC1XrUK5t7_zeZnJeLhy9X_TeZ4JBuylxr3ndFcAcgCaXQ_15NQyd6_zDxr84eVbXSHD2M-Zc4_FKyzFHik/s1600/anas+upper+cabs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XtxtqsfNoeXqJlN_qxpHAsDIlGGXT2ydY1Amo3TZZz-05afHuL3RR4iDOC1XrUK5t7_zeZnJeLhy9X_TeZ4JBuylxr3ndFcAcgCaXQ_15NQyd6_zDxr84eVbXSHD2M-Zc4_FKyzFHik/s320/anas+upper+cabs.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And remember the ugly island?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZLyqgd3wm5URGrdMcpAQF-MH9eCyVqgKaWuGUfEdfoF_41huW0pz6hbbEHkS42mQujVEhX5SyZ8RY6nUIYHhUMDSP0r5f4BMwR9FpwrNskBXBXIT1VO2INAdn1YLRU7SPGYF0Tp10go/s1600/anas+island+embellishments.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZLyqgd3wm5URGrdMcpAQF-MH9eCyVqgKaWuGUfEdfoF_41huW0pz6hbbEHkS42mQujVEhX5SyZ8RY6nUIYHhUMDSP0r5f4BMwR9FpwrNskBXBXIT1VO2INAdn1YLRU7SPGYF0Tp10go/s320/anas+island+embellishments.JPG" width="216" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another trip to the molding store and some 1/2 columns and corbells later....</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">With a unifying coat of that same creamy white.... and a granite top ... it's almost unrecognizable.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKcfzbc7eFx9Z1QtvVs3kySaE3JzYXpcfoRr7zpjpef7k7HTVdNX3GHlzuNx-1KdMf_30uzfBG155er4Llu34EsJ0e2Vmkr1RcbpAT9ZpwnVq-KNS-fWDZG7m0h90d6MmGlH5ioMcwDE/s1600/IMG_3207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKcfzbc7eFx9Z1QtvVs3kySaE3JzYXpcfoRr7zpjpef7k7HTVdNX3GHlzuNx-1KdMf_30uzfBG155er4Llu34EsJ0e2Vmkr1RcbpAT9ZpwnVq-KNS-fWDZG7m0h90d6MmGlH5ioMcwDE/s320/IMG_3207.JPG" /></a></div>After the paint had cured (Dunn Edwards perma sheen brand prevents sticky cabinets) I hand applied a tinted wax finish (Bri-wax) for a soft time-aged look - and buffed it with an orbital buffer (borrowed the one my husband uses to buff out his car!) to a hard protective finish.  Added new hardware and we were done....<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Remember that old kitchen?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeNmaCiSvA_itCuk024b_6IotMads-uo6w9Q0Y7g4FKvblViChUgV_-5PNlC7HI0fW8HPwFCSrYtXo1E0VfSDGQCFfuOHQhuMqf9Pcugg9_lRy-RxW76mXdM5eGUOTt2tXh6N3FEwS-I/s1600/disk_1+086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeNmaCiSvA_itCuk024b_6IotMads-uo6w9Q0Y7g4FKvblViChUgV_-5PNlC7HI0fW8HPwFCSrYtXo1E0VfSDGQCFfuOHQhuMqf9Pcugg9_lRy-RxW76mXdM5eGUOTt2tXh6N3FEwS-I/s320/disk_1+086.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">What a difference a little paint makes!</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwjW6eBYckkeX26SQSnXh7wrFjBytY3ItbI48tnffKyQMdibdIr-AlTEx7VbUp5efIAANAgrwss2BvrjBkXHQwBIWagrjEE9A9B1shtnVKNjE3eNKp4p20yf-hwDjBSP4nDJHBVi1nG4/s1600/anas+kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwjW6eBYckkeX26SQSnXh7wrFjBytY3ItbI48tnffKyQMdibdIr-AlTEx7VbUp5efIAANAgrwss2BvrjBkXHQwBIWagrjEE9A9B1shtnVKNjE3eNKp4p20yf-hwDjBSP4nDJHBVi1nG4/s400/anas+kitchen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And the almost donated china cabinet?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2i7FEFma7z5bVAtZfzBALFTrSz43EG2R5FXi3kucjTFMo4d4ifXSwhTW45WJy8uj0njSXSeoaatypgG66NHLfhyphenhyphenpDhgei5sfTJfUom7uz6Rbkf-cZu-oKRYGaom2ElaenYgMKRT-X_4/s1600/disk_1+085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2i7FEFma7z5bVAtZfzBALFTrSz43EG2R5FXi3kucjTFMo4d4ifXSwhTW45WJy8uj0njSXSeoaatypgG66NHLfhyphenhyphenpDhgei5sfTJfUom7uz6Rbkf-cZu-oKRYGaom2ElaenYgMKRT-X_4/s320/disk_1+085.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">With a coat of paint to match the cabinets, and the same wax treatment - </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VLwJurFJOq18JaS1F-L436O-8DXmJh7zAZbMlzhl2kfVxwULyAB3DjEtf5U3luurmXcqdEGXz7T4HoZYjDEnRJ6giMcVHFKYozXgM9mg-_d8PxumcWr_U5KQcHS6Q67d_OeY5idRKWI/s1600/IMG_1227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VLwJurFJOq18JaS1F-L436O-8DXmJh7zAZbMlzhl2kfVxwULyAB3DjEtf5U3luurmXcqdEGXz7T4HoZYjDEnRJ6giMcVHFKYozXgM9mg-_d8PxumcWr_U5KQcHS6Q67d_OeY5idRKWI/s320/IMG_1227.JPG" width="208" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It looks amazing~</div><div style="text-align: center;">And unites this eating area with the kitchen, beautifully!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganPMi8H0rGexMyBU9A6RBTFS4mmDe_wxDj8QBwE1FfTaocG51ZMAO2VvZ9L0a8CkqhuRjsSsBN7BA50RLxQG4KyhSTN2OlYAuuWVqNhMUMS4kEuI1LMfh40bTXrytNF3ZO_eWkpaYTeY/s1600/painted+cabinet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganPMi8H0rGexMyBU9A6RBTFS4mmDe_wxDj8QBwE1FfTaocG51ZMAO2VvZ9L0a8CkqhuRjsSsBN7BA50RLxQG4KyhSTN2OlYAuuWVqNhMUMS4kEuI1LMfh40bTXrytNF3ZO_eWkpaYTeY/s400/painted+cabinet.JPG" width="246" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, I hope this inspires you NOT to settle for an outdated kitchen - when all you need is a little paint and some elbow grease....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div>Check out the whole house project at <a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2009/04/ana-bobs-house.html">http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2009/04/ana-bobs-house.html</a><br /><br />And join our Spring garden tour!  We need participants!     Go here for the details... <a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2010/05/spring-garden-tour.html">http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2010/05/spring-garden-tour.html</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Best,<br /><br />Claudine

HOME DECOR: KITCHEN MAKEOVER WITH PAINT

What a difference PAINT makes!  SO, CSI IS HAVING A CHALLENGE, TO SHOW A PAINT PROJECT, AND I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT ABOUT THIS KITCHEN I DID FOR A CLIENT.visit their inspiring blog Her kitchen started out much the same as many of ours with older homes. She had good quality cabinets, but they were date…

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GARDENING: SPRING GARDEN TOUR - Just around the corner. . .

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;">Announcing our <span style="background-color: white;">annual</span> Spring Garden Tour</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqIIyellTxy3XRJcZGlbfQr8sH2itirNJ_xwdvzp96CBR-2mg4dWXz0-nO9KCx76W4vjF9cEwz5c1nTDlkJc4s5UBFH6nocbqi7NMDe4dULoeiPHG2G-LVvKD1k1OXuNBMR2bdnSQtpM/s1600/2495363871_e44d0d494b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqIIyellTxy3XRJcZGlbfQr8sH2itirNJ_xwdvzp96CBR-2mg4dWXz0-nO9KCx76W4vjF9cEwz5c1nTDlkJc4s5UBFH6nocbqi7NMDe4dULoeiPHG2G-LVvKD1k1OXuNBMR2bdnSQtpM/s400/2495363871_e44d0d494b.jpg" width="300" wt="true" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;">with a little</span> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;">twist....</span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>This year our Spring Garden Tour will be a 'virtual' one.</em></span> </strong></span> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I HOPE YOU WILL PARTICIPATE - WE NEED YOU TO MAKE THIS A FUN AND SPECIAL EVENT!</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0-vHBF_1DQyJRPbJzgE1SJpY6oum1YFqDBN0K7hnI_Y6F3aeckY-Fzof3vM6ShSlTfhWOAcW-ocOA1FMcS7uGHxhwNFcBqnrKE_XGtPjgfyChpkCIh0FDpPVL-75hKNgTbyZ6C2IC9o/s1600/IMG_2224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0-vHBF_1DQyJRPbJzgE1SJpY6oum1YFqDBN0K7hnI_Y6F3aeckY-Fzof3vM6ShSlTfhWOAcW-ocOA1FMcS7uGHxhwNFcBqnrKE_XGtPjgfyChpkCIh0FDpPVL-75hKNgTbyZ6C2IC9o/s320/IMG_2224.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><strong>Here's what to do:</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><strong>First:</strong>  <span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Let me know that you will be participating (comment below or send me an email <a href="mailto:claudinebarnett@hotmail.com">here</a>).</span></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">Next: </span></strong>Take a few photos of your favorite garden and outdoor living spots, send them to me via email, <span style="color: #38761d;">along with a little blurb about who you are, what you love about your space, your favorite place in your garden, how you enjoy it, etc.</span> - you know what I want!   If you have a site of your own, you can send me the link and put your pictures and dialog on your own blog.   </div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The advantage to this is that you control what parts of your garden we will see.  <span style="color: #38761d;">We will see it through your eyes, and you can get close and show us the wonderful little details.</span>  This year you don't have to live nearby to be a part of or to enjoy the show!<br /><br /><br /><br />I will do my best to show your garden's most beautiful face - and may edit your photos a little to achieve that.  If you don't feel confident in taking the photos, have a friend take the photos, or call me if you are in Southern California - <span style="color: #38761d;">I have camera/will travel!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><strong>3rd:</strong></span> Email the photos to me (along with commentary) <span style="color: #38761d;">before June 2nd</span>. (Or the link to your blog tour)<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><strong>4th: <span style="font-size: small;">On June 6th or 7th, visit this blog and enjoy!  Any questions?  email me <a href="mailto:claudinebarnett@hotmail.com">here</a>.</span></strong></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>LAST BUT NOT LEAST:  Refreshments!!! </strong></span><span style="color: black;"> Okay, so I can't serve refreshments, but I can post recipes - <span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>STRAWBERRY</strong></span> recipes! - share your favorites and I'll post them (if you have a photo, that would be terrific as well)..</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR GARDENS AND OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES!!!!</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><em>and</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">WHILE WE ARE ON THE SUBJECT OF GARDENS,<br /><br /><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><strong>I HAVE BEEN PLAYING WITH SUCCULENTS LATELY....</strong></span><br /><br /><br /><br />Succulents are everywhere - have you noticed?  At the Orange County spring garden show this year at South Coast - succulents were everywhere...  <br /><br />I came home with quite a few little plants to make my own little sculptured gardens.  That's saying a lot for me, as I have never been a fan of desert plants or landscapes - or the desert for that matter.  I'm an island girl.... give me the tropics anyday.... but there is something about a few succulents, mixed in with the regular plants of a garden that I love...<br /><br /><br /><br />Here are a few photos to inspire you...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuK9AiIZ-GZVAgIvXw1l1wo7EjRhD2Z-MUngyB0nxLm4gwMQpcAI3U-4pWGQgjeo1VRxp_ikUrZziTEesowr27pddPyYqbLidhD3a2ViiO8RTppGFwbURW2tUnXTetHxUMHMRf7gR9skU/s1600/IMG_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuK9AiIZ-GZVAgIvXw1l1wo7EjRhD2Z-MUngyB0nxLm4gwMQpcAI3U-4pWGQgjeo1VRxp_ikUrZziTEesowr27pddPyYqbLidhD3a2ViiO8RTppGFwbURW2tUnXTetHxUMHMRf7gR9skU/s400/IMG_0014.JPG" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1226397773"></span><span id="goog_1226397774"></span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGMKjzQzL3utQim8kwptYQFzTJNuV3Z-AipuSZolJAfNqfvG4xuvHBcecu0g6IkB52b1mpfNA1SQ-wEPOR9Macc-CRJnL2C1c5XI0jgx71FvbP2EBN7lG1cBGExjUmMIX_GvUgrIs9dY/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGMKjzQzL3utQim8kwptYQFzTJNuV3Z-AipuSZolJAfNqfvG4xuvHBcecu0g6IkB52b1mpfNA1SQ-wEPOR9Macc-CRJnL2C1c5XI0jgx71FvbP2EBN7lG1cBGExjUmMIX_GvUgrIs9dY/s200/IMG_0035.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4uaMg79qOeYup_4_9b2L3DTSz3roTvvPkzt_8xRNvQYf39MVIJuQNPm_YuuPBsT1CTGy_0Nlj3lSLo54YCl-IQzHB13lXTBLQwC_sxVOWVVVTr_fCLIOw70st4LFKKaQ4bk16TGxAHlE/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4uaMg79qOeYup_4_9b2L3DTSz3roTvvPkzt_8xRNvQYf39MVIJuQNPm_YuuPBsT1CTGy_0Nlj3lSLo54YCl-IQzHB13lXTBLQwC_sxVOWVVVTr_fCLIOw70st4LFKKaQ4bk16TGxAHlE/s200/IMG_0034.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRocxe5d7Jj5Q90w0T86CinbGdIOVspdWz3_BPP84ynMFHz84Db1rEVWuHjfLv4x8toJDx_iv6P0CF99SdyWtg6sI0Twb_a1WgJdTQ_i8XEIgJVEavtQgvFF1iAls8RE3s0MKpeGDz790/s1600/IMG_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRocxe5d7Jj5Q90w0T86CinbGdIOVspdWz3_BPP84ynMFHz84Db1rEVWuHjfLv4x8toJDx_iv6P0CF99SdyWtg6sI0Twb_a1WgJdTQ_i8XEIgJVEavtQgvFF1iAls8RE3s0MKpeGDz790/s200/IMG_0036.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the sculpted look of these tiny plants - and the fact that they need water only about once a week!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So, with the help of my DH, I now have some succulent pots to add to my garden.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Another amazing way to garden with succulents - vertical gardening.  Here, a building turned vertical garden...  a mosaic of succulent plants - no soil, these are actually planted in felt!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJhT3QhD64KAIMqWvo50OiWKtzA71e1sSy5bAxli5B5iYm5Cpsuva_rVa9rDuKedDSqOU55CDOHT8fFLHmq_BfmOLxxeMQiqaOxTyoUhx3VPCZ8wobCzXAVdMdo8drIDRIMXQo5S_MMY/s1600/nosoil+justfelt.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJhT3QhD64KAIMqWvo50OiWKtzA71e1sSy5bAxli5B5iYm5Cpsuva_rVa9rDuKedDSqOU55CDOHT8fFLHmq_BfmOLxxeMQiqaOxTyoUhx3VPCZ8wobCzXAVdMdo8drIDRIMXQo5S_MMY/s400/nosoil+justfelt.bmp" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">You can create a work of art for your outdoor wall...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqQAAZb9p18TwgQCszlu3FC-SsOhDOeiFrhFE_ZAsfCwVjSq8yTWX3759nP-dRlYaYguNzDN2TSDvB5QC6WYRxfkN4CSgZGW3fx6b3iUpZxx28iGZ4lS8vTWaV6fOfIdvfiJjWdf-Kfk/s1600/succulent_array.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqQAAZb9p18TwgQCszlu3FC-SsOhDOeiFrhFE_ZAsfCwVjSq8yTWX3759nP-dRlYaYguNzDN2TSDvB5QC6WYRxfkN4CSgZGW3fx6b3iUpZxx28iGZ4lS8vTWaV6fOfIdvfiJjWdf-Kfk/s640/succulent_array.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">kind of reminds me of a quilt</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitY41ZcGHz3dF1RkEKcaK5BLYWIHz_6mwN-EY4ENE8hX-e9CRT2AY4AuOOURYBzffUQtY_5jQdhOb4JPdz-6PDt9SvDVOI7IvJ9hbFzwdb8oKMUD8D3Du2Kw9D0aAkn1M48eBkPBZelZY/s1600/succulentwallart.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitY41ZcGHz3dF1RkEKcaK5BLYWIHz_6mwN-EY4ENE8hX-e9CRT2AY4AuOOURYBzffUQtY_5jQdhOb4JPdz-6PDt9SvDVOI7IvJ9hbFzwdb8oKMUD8D3Du2Kw9D0aAkn1M48eBkPBZelZY/s400/succulentwallart.bmp" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">they make an amazing outdoor centerpiece</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXA3uvlUjoyI8GS5aY1YYZak12ECR8jER056GqvHiqXNwweMWMaJUVIglf-4S2xlVg9hOYdwmv2_EDhoKisaoSaRtG20S67t_eqPlUd-0BtULZrUIrSTBQAE6xQCCxJwOoTNnzMuqbBW8/s1600/sunkensucculents.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXA3uvlUjoyI8GS5aY1YYZak12ECR8jER056GqvHiqXNwweMWMaJUVIglf-4S2xlVg9hOYdwmv2_EDhoKisaoSaRtG20S67t_eqPlUd-0BtULZrUIrSTBQAE6xQCCxJwOoTNnzMuqbBW8/s400/sunkensucculents.bmp" width="310" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but my favorite has to be the succulent wreaths</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SW748RRqQNcgCSu-lZ42FkM1G0i22r29ubH1hogojkl-BhMi5gR6YYQgFUX3Hi-UXXzzL-vVlFnHEgBqVjjCiGjCAfAZ4wtqJk9Zpiq54INM2Nvu84YMBty4GJZUc3ckjeMM73b1m1A/s1600/121906livingwreath2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SW748RRqQNcgCSu-lZ42FkM1G0i22r29ubH1hogojkl-BhMi5gR6YYQgFUX3Hi-UXXzzL-vVlFnHEgBqVjjCiGjCAfAZ4wtqJk9Zpiq54INM2Nvu84YMBty4GJZUc3ckjeMM73b1m1A/s640/121906livingwreath2.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxycMLNFXL-AftykSEgoNDotDod6XPrZyQl9S94B-wokuh23dtVjcbl0MEE-_Y6v72l0e-ykv4q8gpv5Rfgf3ewnG8jZggxI-1fX6egqe-RjlW6rjsKd8_QdBybsDR9BIg5rTB7-hHxU/s1600/succulent-wreath-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxycMLNFXL-AftykSEgoNDotDod6XPrZyQl9S94B-wokuh23dtVjcbl0MEE-_Y6v72l0e-ykv4q8gpv5Rfgf3ewnG8jZggxI-1fX6egqe-RjlW6rjsKd8_QdBybsDR9BIg5rTB7-hHxU/s640/succulent-wreath-1.jpg" width="568" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3RiwYRgzDZ95ZhIUOKOYJy9Xj8kYqgq83KBhSx1Uvs-ST7cYlTztqvFb9xqO0fE5j7VTr85IT5mlUXSm_yp_4RsEO76tWY2HVZbCoG49U3NXeFSdmj1FEsgarpiCsRMfMhbEKaxbHy4/s1600/succulent_wreath-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3RiwYRgzDZ95ZhIUOKOYJy9Xj8kYqgq83KBhSx1Uvs-ST7cYlTztqvFb9xqO0fE5j7VTr85IT5mlUXSm_yp_4RsEO76tWY2HVZbCoG49U3NXeFSdmj1FEsgarpiCsRMfMhbEKaxbHy4/s320/succulent_wreath-200.jpg" width="296" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhpiDvJvg9iUeryfFAtlO8KBcNsreZ4NlWKN8shr6lflxOfL6NIBfxauW-lursZtZ1ByOsnlR2PXM-fHTA3Qy868qC_OEf2MUcEWVNw9Y8BjThTD8yaS8OthgqrkQM977YSVUYirHiE0/s1600/2486035837_bb3e470fbf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhpiDvJvg9iUeryfFAtlO8KBcNsreZ4NlWKN8shr6lflxOfL6NIBfxauW-lursZtZ1ByOsnlR2PXM-fHTA3Qy868qC_OEf2MUcEWVNw9Y8BjThTD8yaS8OthgqrkQM977YSVUYirHiE0/s400/2486035837_bb3e470fbf.jpg" width="365" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beautiful, aren't they?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">learn how to make your own succulent wreath <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A37oSbmPeBA">here</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As usual, I have too much too tell you, and not wanting to make this post EXTREMELY long... I will break this up into another post.... until then,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">happy Spring!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(p.s.  don't forget to share your garden with us - let me know you will participate by emailing me <a href="mailto:claudinebarnett@hotmail.com">here</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or by leaving a comment below...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQy_lOR2KVIx-xqC0Ao7HmwOz_V54zsV2DpWa97tYpT2VFdFCq3JhOqIzQzIRaDXJ_qJ3DEbDfUBNQpD6Po9viaWq2j33iFtA0KBbdsTNtzvmTtDXW2w9gmsMO80Z-VlN9Wz-3nAbdW7I/s1600/boxwood_gdn_seven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQy_lOR2KVIx-xqC0Ao7HmwOz_V54zsV2DpWa97tYpT2VFdFCq3JhOqIzQzIRaDXJ_qJ3DEbDfUBNQpD6Po9viaWq2j33iFtA0KBbdsTNtzvmTtDXW2w9gmsMO80Z-VlN9Wz-3nAbdW7I/s400/boxwood_gdn_seven.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">THANK YOU</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Claudine</div></div>

GARDENING: SPRING GARDEN TOUR - Just around the corner. . .

Announcing our annual Spring Garden Tourwith a little twist....This year our Spring Garden Tour will be a 'virtual' one.  I HOPE YOU WILL PARTICIPATE - WE NEED YOU TO MAKE THIS A FUN AND SPECIAL EVENT!Here's what to do:First:  Let me know that you will be participating (comment below or send me an e…

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