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Family Room Update That Won't Break the Bank

I spend a lot of time in the family room, especially Sundays during the NFL season, and I have longed to make big updates to the space. But with the realities of my budget, most are well out of reach.  So I've been on a quest to make inexpensive changes that have a big impact -- and I'm shocked to find there are a lot I can do. First up, here's a list of the big expensive projects that I'd love to do with their estimates. But they'll have to wait for a lottery win, and brain space to figure out the exact solution tbh, such as ...  Replace the fireplace box with something that works or looks more modern. I used sandpaper to tone down the gold and try to keep it as tidy as possible, but it's still a little too obtrusive. And it's basically a spider colony. ($1,000 or more depending on what's possible, and what's broken) Replace the wall to wall carpet that's old and stained, but otherwise in OK shape. We'd love to do a wood floor similar to t...
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Happiness Quote

This is another quote that came across my social media and made me stop and reread it over and over again. Just sharing the wisdom ...  Happiness!  It's everything. Life should be all about this.  Here's more quotes , in case you're interested in going down this rabbit hole. 
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Kitchen Quote So Nice I Framed It

 I stumbled upon this quote in Instagram land and I loved it so much I framed it in acrylic and have it displayed in my kitchen.  It's everything I want to say to the people I cook for.  Sigh. I love a good quote.   
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Last Stop: Hot Amsterdam

Last post on the series of Europe 50th Birthday celebration trip. The final stop is Amsterdam!  We disembarked our comfortable Viking Cruise adventure in a very hot, very crowded Amsterdam. As you know from our 2024 trip here, it is not my favorite city (see this post) but I was determined to do this right and change my opinion of this city.  Amsterdam  Starting with the hotel. We stayed at the Amsterdam Renaissance hotel in the northern part of the city, near Central Station. Super big, comfortable, updated, beautiful with a coffee bar in the lobby. It's at the top of the Red Light District (so be aware where you walk). But near quieter canals, shops and restaurants. NOT near the museum district, which was a bummer, but we figured out the tram system so it wasn't a big deal. That morning, once we got settled into the hotel, it was early so Dave went to the gym and I did a tour of the Royal Palace in the middle of town. At 10am, this city is very manageable. But after ...
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Viking Cruise: Rhine Getaway

 Part 3 of the epic European vacation Dave and I took to celebrate our 50th birthdays! Let's pick up the story in Basel!  We drove in on Friday, returned the car and stayed the night at the Art House Hotel . A beautiful boutique hotel on the end of a pedestrian street full of restaurants, bars and shops. And a quick walk to the center of old town. The location couldn't be beat. However, the music and bar-noise from the streets below could be heard late into the night. So bring your earplugs. But the huge, comfortable room was worth it.  Basel  We got to spend the evening and the next morning explore Basel. We even got lunch with Dave's colleague from years ago who now lives in Basel. It's a super-expensive city to live in. But with great public transport, lots of public spaces and beautiful well-loved historic buildings. We walked through a farmer's market and got to explore a department store. It was great.  But it was also great to drop our luggage off at the ...
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Spring Europe Trip: The Road Trip

Continuing the Europe Spring Trip to celebrate our 50th birthdays, we left beautiful Vienna and rented a car to drive to Basel.  While planning the trip, we asked good 'ole ChatGPT for the best way to get from Vienna to Basel in a few days and it suggest a route with a few stops. So we picked to stop in historic Salzburg, Austria. We had no idea what to expect.  Salzburg After finding parking, we only stayed for a very short hour. We stopped at The White Horse for a late lunch and coffee and it was very good. Then, we just walked around.  If I was thinking more than a tight hour visit, I might have though "hey, this is where they filmed the Sound of Music" duh we should find some of the building and even the church Maria got married in, which is a scene that is burned in my brain from childhood. But I didn't think that far ahead and I just wanted to get the lay of the land, since it was a quick trip. I can see why people take a few days exploring this mountain town. ...
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Letting the Light In

 One of the unintended consequences of removing that tree in our backyard is the streams of light the back part of the house is getting in the afternoons and evenings. The western-facing part of the house has been shaded for years and now it's seeing direct sun.  Here's the back hallway, with the light hitting it from the laundry and bathroom windows. Amazing! And here's the kitchen dining area near the sliding doors. You can peek at the stump that will be grinded (ground?) in a few days. And maybe be the start of my fire pit! But I may have to move that plant on the table, since it's not a fan of bright, direct light its all of a sudden getting.  Also, if you're ever feeling like your house isn't as pretty as the ones you see on Pinterest or Instagram, take some photos of the clean parts during good light and WOW you'll change your mind quick. My house is a disaster most of the time, but these two photos make it look like a magazine-ready space. Gorgeous!  ...
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