Signs of Spring: Dogwood in Bloom

These trees are so pretty when the bloom in the spring, especially when they grow in the woods. This photo was taken on our morning walk through a local park where there is a historic gristmill, also in the photo:

 

Our New Kitchen Light -- Linear Crystal Chandelier

Our new kitchen light is installed as of last weekend!  Seems like it has been a long time since we first ordered it, but unfortunately the first one arrived with a cracked end cap and had to be returned.  In the meantime, when we opened and inspected the original package, we found the instructions contained to be quite inadequate -- this is all that was included:

We especially appreciated  #4 "Let the children not touch the electric parts of this lamp for the safety."

While we had been thinking about installing the light ourselves, these instructions made us feel a little more dubious.  You notice that nowhere in the instructions does it actually tell you HOW to install it... By the time the replacement fixture arrived, I had a couple of electricians names on hand -- licensed and insured contractors with recommendations.  The replacement arrived the day before our trip to Toronto, Canada for a hockey tournament for our younger son.  We didn't have a chance to open it -- just left the box, which looked in good shape at least, in the corner of the living room out of the way. Finally home, we then had the idea to try it ourselves again, using the electrician as a backup, if necessary.  Brian has installed many lights for us over the years and is familiar with doing this sort of thing, and thought he could do it. I was worried about getting it straight -- very important as it is a linear light, and was going to be seen directly from the front door. Visions of crooked Christmas trees past kept coming to mind....Finally had a nice day to do it with a stretch of a few hours, just in case... Then another concern, as we pulled out the wires, and saw no color coding on them -- usually you get a black and a white at least -- black for Live and White for Neutral.  Finally Brian noticed a very tiny L on one wire and a very tiny N on another wire -- Live and Neutral -- something we could work with!  There was an extra wire that we capped (wasn't sure what that was for as there was a separate grounding wire, maybe just another grounding wire...)  Anyway, we got it up, it worked and was straight as a pin!  I spent the rest of the time arranging the crystals.  Here is a picture with the light on and looking just as I had imagined it!

Made in the U.S.A.: Dishes

MADE IN THE U.S.A.

 

 

 

It is getting harder and harder to find things that are made in the U.S.A.... I have been especially looking for a new set of everyday dishes for at least a couple of years now (notice the recurring theme of how I never buy anything quickly or impulsively!), and wanted them to be American made. 

Our last set of dishes were Mikasa (not American made), and although pretty, they have not lasted very well, in my opinion.  Although some people would think keeping the same set of dishes for 15+ years is doing well, our previous set of Pfaltzgraff Heritage dishes is still mostly around, with barely a chip (although they can break too, they are just very sturdy) .  Previously USA made, as our set was,  Pfaltzgraff dishes are no longer manufactured in America. Even Buffalo China -- the dishes you remember from eating at diners -- is not made in Buffalo anymore! You can probably still find some at antique stores or on ebay...but it is sad... 

Then with the ongoing insecurity of lead and other contaminates that may be in china, or in the glaze used on china (mostly made in China),  I was really determined to find American made dishes.  There are still a few manufacturers around -- you have to look (and you have to love Google for being able to research!) A good list of American made products can be found here, Americans working,  for starters. 

Anyway, it came down to two different ones for me: Niagara China Americana in Rekindled Ruby or Homer Laughlin Gothic, a pretty off-white/cream china with a raised gothic pattern, which I had come across at the restaurant of a historic hotel we stayed at -- the General Francis Marion Hotel in Marion, VA.  

Homer Laughlin Gothic mug -- nice, but do I need 36 of them?

 Homer Laughlin is the company that makes Fiestaware, but the Gothic pattern (and others) are sold at  restaurant supply stores, like Wasserstrom and The WEBstaurant Store. Items in a restaurant supply store are sold by the case, and although a case of 12 plates sounds fine (and maybe a good idea too -- if you have some that break you will still have a service for eight), some items are only available in a case of 24 (certain bowls) and a case of 36 (the mugs I liked).  I do not have the need for 36 mugs, or even have anywhere to store 36 mugs!  I guess I could have given some away, but the idea of buying more than you need still doesn't seem right to me -- maybe because my parents grew up during the Great Depression...

I checked with  Niagara Ceramics that the china I was buying was still made in America, and my contact person said -- "yes, it is!"  They have a lot of really nice patterns, but I liked the color and simplicity of this one best, which will be a Christmas present to my husband and myself this year:

Niagara China -- Americana -- Rekindled Ruby

I definitely think we should return to manufacturing more things in America, but I understand that it is cheaper to buy them made elsewhere (except maybe France!)  I would happily pay more for something of good quality that is proudly made in the U.S.A!

New Lighting For Our Kitchen Table

Final decision on a new light for over our kitchen table:

Linear Strand Crystal Chandelier from Zgallerie

After shopping since last years kitchen renovation, we finally decided on this light, which I have admired since seeing a similar one in a kitchen shown in this post,  Willow Decor: Belgian Dream House .  The entire family liked it, which is important, and hadn't happened with any of the previous choices, so I ordered it yesterday.  Very excited to finally have a new light that we all like to replace the one that was here when we bought the house -- the gray flecks on the glass shades made it look dirty even after it was cleaned!  Will post pictures of the new light up after it is delivered and installed.

Holiday Music: for Thanksgiving/Christmas

I love Christmas music, and actually start playing my Christmas cds before Thanksgiving. A few of them are good to listen to for both holidays -- my Celine Dion cd, These Are Special Times, is one of them. This beautiful song is from that cd: 

Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli -- The Prayer

I have also been listening to:

George Winston -- December,  peaceful and beautiful piano music

The Nutcracker Suite, by Tchaikovsky, and

A Charlie Brown Christmas, by Vince Guaraldi, which is joyful, jazzy and peaceful at the same time...
     

What holiday music do you like to listen to?
     

Let the music, joy and spirit of Christmas be upon us!