I've been playing around again with the dining room table centerpiece. I used to have some green and yellow faux berry things in a planter, but Holly discovered them and I was afraid she would eat them, so it was time for a change. :)
I replaced the planter and berries with this faux plant in a galvanized tin. I added some burlap ribbon around it. I think it goes well with the pretty burlap runner my good friend Selene made for me. :) I also added this candle holder. I know it's kind of "fall" looking, but I love it, so I brought it back out.
I made some raspberry tea the other day and we enjoyed it on the patio. These are the hobnail glasses I got at Big Lots last summer for $1.25. They have them again this year along with a matching pitcher.
My mom came over for a visit recently, so I made some cupcakes for us to enjoy. Sometimes, a boxed mix is just what you need for a quick and easy sugar fix. I usually add almond extract to the boxed mixes, but I forgot this time.
So, we had to make a major purchase recently. Our fridge quit working, so we had to replace it. Fun. It's odd that it went out just a week or two after we had a power outage. The same thing happened last year, but it was a part on our A/C unit. After a power outage, we had to replace something in our A/C unit. I don't remember what it was, but it was about $150. These power outages/surges are driving me nuts!
We have lots of surge protectors in our house for the televisions, computers, etc. but I'm thinking we need to get a specific surge protector for our fridge, another one made for an A/C unit, AND a "whole house" surge protector that installs on our power box. They're not as expensive as I thought and it's certainly cheaper than replacing major appliances. Our "old" fridge was only 8 years old.
Do any of you have those surge protectors mentioned above? If so, are you happy with them? I've heard stories about them saving a whole house full of appliances during a power surge.
~Lisa
There's nothing like having to buy a major appliance when you weren't expecting it!! I don't know a thing about surge protectors but will come back to see what others say. I'm not sure if we have surges but we often have the power go out for a minute or so and come back on.
ReplyDeleteYour dining room looks fantastic! Your centerpiece is just right.
Your vignette on the table is very pretty! Those cupcakes look soooooo delicious too!!!! We don't have a whole house surge protector but probably need one. There are many times when we run on one leg of power for hours at a time. We have lost three printers and four modems in the last 11 years and I'm pretty sure it's due to power outages... and we have surge protectors for those items.
ReplyDelete~Des
I'm not aware of the surge protectors that you're describing. The only kind we use are the outlet strip kind that we use for our desktop computer. My husband might know more about them though. 8 years is not a long time to have a refrigerator. I'm sure you hated to have to replace it so soon. Ours is almost 20 yrs old! Love those cute hobnail glasses you found.
ReplyDeleteYour new cengerpiece looks great! Love the galvanized tin :) I'm so happy you still like the runner! Your outdoor picture with the drinks looks so inticing! What a perfect way to spend part (or all) of the day:)
ReplyDeleteBoxed cakes/cupcakes is all this girl makes so I like your tip of adding some almond extract!
I don't know much about surge protectors. I know by hubby suggested getting one for our computer (way back when we had a desktop) and I was like, "really? How many times have we had a power outage Mr." Now I know what he was talking about lol. So sorry to hear you had to get a new fridge so soon :(
Oh and thanks for the mention!
The cupcakes and raspberry iced tea look delicious. I think that is a great idea about the surge protector and I would like to get one also but I do not know anything about them. Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim! I'm still looking into the surge protectors. Lots of info. to process. :) That raspberry tea is a family favorite!
DeleteI love your vignette Lisa. So pretty. I have not heard of major appliance surge protectors but I am sure they make them and it sounds like that would be good for you. Have a great rest of the week.
ReplyDeleteKris
Love the table arrangement....trays and baskets are so fun! I get all my ideas from magazines and blogs. Cute cupcakes and I love those glasses. I have to start digging out my outdoor things...and find a place to store them!!
ReplyDeleteI am not good with anything electrical or technical. Maybe you could just call Home Depot and speak to someone in appliances?
Good luck! What sort of fridge are you getting? We have to replace ours at the lake, among 10,000 other things and for the first time I'm getting the drawer type freezer at the bottom. I hope I like it.
Nooo, we don't; But then again, we seldom have power outages.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa! Everything in your home looks so lovely! I've not heard of those type of surge protectors but we have a whole house generator that kicks in when our power goes out ... It's hooked up to our in ground propane tank. Will check out the surge protectors too. Also ... When you add almond extract to boxed cake mixes, how much do you use? Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteOh Carolyn...please forgive me as I JUST got your comment! I've been having major issues with Blogger lately and had HUNDREDS of comments I knew nothing about! Hopefully it's fixed now, fingers crossed. :) How nice to have a whole house generator! That gives you great peace of mind, I'm sure. As far as the almond extract, I usually add a couple of teaspoons. It's so good!
DeleteSo sorry you had to put out the extra money, unexpected costs are never fun. Glad you had a nice visit with your mom. Your cupcakes look delicious!
ReplyDeleteI'm not much help, Lisa! We don't have surge protectors for any appliances... but rarely ever have a power outage. Bummer about your fridge (we need a new hot water tank asap!). So not fun upgrading but I guess it's all part of being a home owner, I guess. Those cupcakes look soo yummy and I love those glasses! Raspberry iced tea sounds sooo good! Happy Mother's Day, friend!
ReplyDeleteKendra @ www.joyinourhome.com
How nice to not have to worry about power outages! It's so frustrating when it happens. Oh, the joys of home ownership, right? Lol! Hope you had a lovely Mother's Day too! xoxo
DeleteYour table looks very nice! Love the glasses ~ I'm not familiar with appliance surge protectors. I did live in a new apt complex and had soooo many power surges in the area where my computer was. A guy across the hall did too. We were both out of town when one happened and it knocked out all of our computer stuff. :/ Very expensive I know! It was found to be something in the wiring in both our apts so you might have an electrician come out and check your wall plugs, etc.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of construction going on around us here and occasionally we have an outage ~ they cut through a line, etc. Also power surges but so far, so good! The only things I worry about are the TV's and computer. Good luck!!
xo
Pat
Great article... Please take a look a the 5 best power surge protectors under $30
ReplyDelete