Fibermania

Ring Dem Chimes!

What do you get for a man who is having all his dreams come true? Chimes of course. There were chimes here before we bought the place, but they left with the previous owners. We have been sorta looking for replacements, and knew they would show up in our lives at just the right time. Dave is celebrating his 53rd birthday today and the chimes are his gift.

Popeye keeps Dave from falling off the couch.

We went shopping for fireplaces and area rugs yesterday and that meant another trip into town. Town is turning into one street. Highway 153. It takes us to a big shopping area and if we can't find it there, it takes us to the largest shopping mall in the state, Hamilton Place. It is not unlike the familiar Woodfield in Schaumburg IL. Fewer stores, but really it doesn't matter since all I ever shop at are TJMAXX and Home Depot or Lowe's. There is also a Hobby Lobby and Michael's but so far I have not come across a fabric store like Joann's. I suppose there is one, but really, do I need fabric? No.

So we aimed our car at Home Depot but got distracted by another store called Stockdale's which had just about everything a country home needs, including these wind chimes. They also had fireplaces, but we passed on those models and the ones we saw at Home Depot and went on to Lowe's to comparison shop. Instantly we found the perfect fireplace to suit our tastes.

I know this isn't what I said we wanted in an earlier post, but we have since had millions of different opinions. We went back and forth over woodburning stoves, and gas logs and stove styles and even once or twice decided not to get anything to replace that stinky old woodburner. But this fireplace just fit the bill perfectly. The picture here shows some dopey electric fire, but we bought a gas log insert and it will be hooked up to our propane.

And then just to make me totally happy we found some faux wood blinds for my studio, which will do the trick and keep out that broiling afternoon sun. And now I don't have to make curtains. Sigh. Such a wonderful shopping trip.

And one more announcement. My artist sister Brooke has a new piece on her blog. I may be her sister and biggest fan, but I think this is FABULOUS!!