Decorative Window Clings

 We have two glass pocket doors between our dining area and our sunroom. I seldom close them. There is an open space above the doors so shutting them only muffles sound a little. I doubt they do much to conserve heat in our dining/living area because of this opening. But I finally decided to decorate them so there would be an incentive to keep them closed.

I ordered window clings sold by Tanlaby on Amazon for about $12. They came on two sheets. They were relatively easy to peel off, but the sheets came curled up in a small box so had to be weighted down with books to flatten them before use.

There are two designs. The clings for each design are not on a single sheet but combined on the two sheets. We tried to follow the suggested pattern, but once we had the large flowers attached, we just sort of winged it.

They are made to imitate etched or frosted glass. Maybe in the winter if I feel all of those flowers and butterflies are mocking me, I might peel them off. But of course I can just keep the doors open.

So Fancy

 

The arm that goes from the flush handle/lever to the flapper chain has been rusting for a long time. This morning it finally rusted all the way through with no holes intact where the chain needed to attach. 

My retirement community maintenance man came to replace it. He did this while I ate lunch.  After he left, I went to make sure the tank top had been replaced and everything looked OK. I have never seen such a fancy flush handle!

I certainly have a stylish toilet now. 

New End Table

 

The table we use to hold our lamp, remote controls, newspapers, and other stuff is about 48 years old. The finish is starting to rub off in several places. It is octagonal and fairly large.

I had looked in 3 stores in Warsaw to see what was available as a replacement. I took pictures on my cellphone. Our octagonal table had a bottom shelf, and I definitely wanted that feature. I noticed that a lot of end tables also have a small drawer. That would be nice for holding my hand lotion, scissors to cut out coupons and newspaper articles, reading glasses case, drink coasters. 

The tables in the 3 stores were priced around $500. 

Today we went to Weaver Furniture in nearby Nappanee. For their 38th anniversary they were providing BBQ sandwiches, chips, and pickles. Some items were on sale. We had purchased a loveseat and a glider chair from them in the past. 

The main problem we had with Weaver's end tables was that that the largest ones were built as 22-inch x 22-inch squares. A little smaller than we wanted. Our current table was 26 inches across at each side. Weaver's tables are built in Midwestern United States mostly by Amish workers. I had noticed when browsing in other stores that the drawers were often hard to open and did not glide smoothly. That was not the case with the Amish tables. 

The Amish tables were priced less. I think the differential may have been that the other furniture stores had imported tables (probably with a tariff charge), but the Weaver tables were made in the United States. 

We finally found a rectangular table 22 inches across with 26 inches long. We decided to buy it. It is sap cherry wood. As part of the anniversary celebration, Weaver Furniture discounted an amount equal to the sales tax (7% in Indiana). We ended up paying $397.

I am not real fond of the drawer pull handle, but actually it goes well with the "hardware" on our television "credenza". The cherry wood fits in with our other wooden furniture. If this table lasts as long as our first table, it will outlive us.

A free lunch, nice drive through the countryside, and a new table make for a good spring day.

Cleverly Decorated Cupcakes

 

Today at Winona Literary Club our program was a pianist playing classic tunes (What a Wonderful World, for example). That was followed by a book review.

The two hostesses provided cupcakes with music notes and books as the decorations. Very clever. I chose a chocolate cupcake. It was delicious. Kind of hated eating such a cute refreshment.