Hugs

You all really are the best. I can't thank you enough for all of your kind words regarding our dear sweet dog. If I could, I'd give each and every one of you a big hug!

In the near future, I'll be back to my usual blogging about this and that. I do have kitchen details to share with you. I've made a decision about countertops. Any body want to guess what I'm going to do?

Thank you again for your kindness and sympathy. It truly means so much to me.

Noble Beast

Have you ever had to say good bye to one of your closest friends? I had to this last week.

Our precious chocolate labrador passed on. He was just shy of thirteen years old. Do you remember my discussing him before? I give thanks for his long life.

The final week of his life was agonizing for all of us. We struggled with the many decisions that needed to be made for his care, and ultimately his passing.

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to any of you who are dealing with or have dealt with the death of a pet.

It is so very strange to not have that constant presence in my life anymore.

Two things that helped me in dealing with all of this were:

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

"To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."

2 Corinthians 5:8

I hope he is bounding through the Heavenly fields now.

Birthday Wishes

(kiccacakes.com)

Happy Birthday!

Do Tell

I'm listening.

Do you use Twitter?

If so, do you Twit primarily from your cell phone or your computer?

Leave me a comment with your Twitter name if you do!

Countertop Conundrum

(This Old House)

Time for a new discussion--or debate: Countertops.

Marble, granite, butcher block, teak, walnut, soapstone...

(Southern Accents)

I have made pro/con list. I've done my research.

Granite seems to be the most indestructible.

(I've got honed granite now. I couldn't hurt it if I tried.)

Marble seems to be the most luxurious, but it scratches, stains and pits--boo.

Soapstone has to be oiled, wood has to be oiled.

(Cottage Living)

(Austin, TX)

(unsure of source)

If you could have the countertop of your dreams, what would it be?

Take Out the Tub?

Here's another swoon-worthy bathroom. Isn't it just lovely?

Notice something missing? Yes, the tub.

Is this a design trend, or do people just not take a tub bath the way they used to?

I wish I had documentation about the source of the above photo. Anyone out there know?

I'd love to see more of this room. Could the tub be located elsewhere?

What I really admire is the "jewel box" idea behind it. The designer has taken a relatively average sized bathroom and turned it into something luxurious.

I certainly don't think I'd miss the soaking in this bathroom.

I think the steam shower would be just fine.

Now, another bathroom, could be a powder room/half bath.

What great decorative storage the baskets provide.

Unfortunately, I don't know the source of this photo either.

I'm wondering if this is a bathroom that once had a tub.

It could have been removed and these shelves put in it's place.

I've seen a bathroom recently that did almost the exact same thing. Imagine the above bath with only the top shelf. It was used as an office, of all things.

The top shelf served as a great desktop.

Just think, if the bathroom had a separate shower, the "desk" area could serve as a vanity/make-up area.

Do any of you remember the Christopher Lowell project that converted a tub into a sofa? It was quite creative. He took a standard built-in tub and had plywood upholstered to fit over the top. The apron of the tub as skirted. Quite interesting.

Here's another use for the bathtub. How about converting a claw foot tub into a settee. I don't think so. It if works for you, contact www.reestore.com.

It's better than have it rest in a landfill.

Time to speak up.

Do you take a tub bath everyday?

Are you a fan of the shower?

Would you buy a house without a tub?

Would you miss your tub if it were gone?

Bathing Beauties

Here are two different bathrooms done by designer Phoebe Howard of Atlanta, Georgia.

Clean, bright, simple and timeless: absolute requirements in a bath.

Did you notice the construction of the sinks in the first photo?

They are entirely constructed of marble. How luxurious!

What about the toilet seat in the second photo?

It looks like the mahogany seat that Waterworks carries.

This is my way to start a Monday.

How would you chose to start your week?