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. 

Pretending It Is Spring

 

The lily blooms in the little bouquet I bought at Walmart last week are opening. I am so glad to have them on this snowy March day.

It was 70 degrees yesterday afternoon; it is 28 degrees this morning. Quite the difference. Last night when a thunderstorm came through, we received a radio alert for possible tornadic activity in our county. The broadcast said radar-detected rotation. Then the outdoor sirens started sounding. We can barely hear them in our condo. I opened my front door so I could be sure that was indeed what I was hearing.

 We sat in our inner hall next to our two bathroom's walls with the tub in one and in the other a shower (hopefully a strong reinforced wall) for about 10 minutes. All we got was some rain. Then the weather radio went off again, but the affected areas were to the northeast of us so we knew that we were safe. I do not see anything in the internet news about local damage. Praise the Lord for His protection.

We can relax for a while until the next unsettled weather comes to northern Indiana. 

New Blue and White Dishes

 

My set of 6 ceramic appetizer dishes I ordered from eBay arrived a few days ago. I love the blue and white patterns. The Cerkik six-inch plates are safe to use in the dishwasher and microwave. 

My kitchen cupboards are full. I need to decide what to do with the Corelle dishes. Probably in the next few weeks, I will remove them. We are already using the Pfaltzgraff white dishes that is part of the Corelle ware replacement. 

Later this spring we may replace our recliner chairs and a side/lamp table, too. We are spiffing up things in our old age.