Adding fall touches to the house. I love brown transferware. Most of the pieces are Johnson Bros Old English Countryside with a pieces of Spode and more. I love the warm fall feel.

I always forget the before photo, but it was filled with a mix of red dishes and transferware:

Have a great weekend! It's Homecoming for us in Woodland. Football games tonight. My daughter is a cheerleader and my son is in his last year of pep band! Busy weekend!

Karen

Painting our Kitchen Cabinets White

We did it! We started painting our cabinets white! It's easy and looks great! I've been planning on doing this for some time now, but life gets in the way. I have 10 weeks off during the summer so, it's a perfect time for a project like this. So, I started just before our trip to Vegas on the 4th of July.

We had a lot of area to cover, so we started with the Island. If we hated it we could stop there. It took a couple hours. The worse part is waiting for the cupboard doors to dry! They are double sided so it's a total of 6 coats! I DID NOT detach the wooden panel of the drawers. Took out drawer and just propped it up and painted the wooden panel only. 

Here is what we have done so far. It's not even completely cleaned up here. I LOVE it. It brightens up the kitchen and has completely changed the looks.

We started with the kitchen island. Here's Lucie taping it off. Cleaned it. Gave a light sanding (just by hand) and then primed it as seen in the second image. IT DOESN'T HAVE to be perfect. The paint coats will cover up so much!

Cannot wait until it's all finished! 

Loving the outcome was a great motivator.

I am not patient. Covered up coffee pot, etc with paper. Pulled it off when finished.

Guess what? It's pretty easy! You can do it!



There are 4 basic steps:

1.) Clean. Clean all surfaces that will painted. Use TSP. You can find at at Home Depot and other hardware stores. It's a concentrate. Mix with water clean off areas. Use a 6 in 1 paint tool for scraping gunk.

The wall components are easy! Done and dry in one afternnoon.

2.) Sand....sounds intimidating. It's not. Takes about 2 minutes to do the back and front of an average cabinet door. Use sanding pads. 120-200 strength. Wipe down afterward to get rid of the dust particles.

3.) Ready to paint. Use a water-based Primer. They don't need to look perfect. You'll seen lines. No big deal.

4.) Paint! Use a water-base acrylic. We used, and it was right off the shelf. If I need more it won't be a problem to match it! Paint. Wait, sand lightly and re-paint. Make sure it dries thoroughly between each coat.








Here's the video we watched. I recommend it!


https://www.diynetwork.com/videos/how-to-paint-kitchen-cabinets-0137670


Things to keep in mind:

Make a list of items you'll need when you watch the video.

I recommend doing it in small sections. Clean up and get back to normal by that evening. Every night, I got to see the section we had done all finished and looking good.

Put your brushes and rollers in gallon sized zip-locks and freeze! YES!! No cleaning the bruches. Thaw out and re-use the next day.

We ordered our hardware on Amazon! It was inexpensive and came in two days! We'll update our progress and show you the hardware next!



Karen

Woodland Smiles Dental, Dr. Fleishman

I feel compelled to share my story. I tried to share it on Yelp, but they are often paid by companies to not post negative reviews. Please be aware of these big chain dentist offices. We have now paid out of pocket: $2,000. Both me and my husband had to have our crowns redone at a more reliable office. We are covered 100%, but were willing to pay to have the botched crowns redone correctly. Both crowns were placed by the same doctor at "Smiles." Both were done poorly and both had decay under them even though they were recently done. Here is my story:

I wouldn't want anyone else to go through what I had to go through. I had excruciating pain for over a month (during all of the Christmas holidays and New Years) and ended up having to pay $800 out of pocket to go somewhere else and have the faulty crown replaced. I paid an extra $200 to have a lifetime warranty, at Smiles, but was too afraid to go back for more procedures there. It would have been free for Dr. Flieshman to replace it, but COULD NOT get myself to go back. It was such an awful experience. I was willing to pay another $800 (Smiles charged more) to have it done it right.  I made the right choice. Don't let the positive reviews of the front desk staff fool you. While it's true that they are nice, they will not be working on your teeth. Also be aware most of the positive reviews are for cleaning.

On December 23 Rd I went in for a crown/possible root canal. Dr. Fleishman seemed okay. However, I had to ask the hygienist during the procedure what was going on. He left the room without saying anything. He seemed unaware that I'd be nervous if I needed a root canal. She said I only needed a crown. I was relieved. I thought it was strange he didn't tell me once he knew. He didn't explain much.

40 minutes after the procedure, I had to go back into the office because the pain was so bad. It was shooting up into my eye and head. I was miserable....and I was still numb in many areas too, so it was unusual to have so much pain and be numb. It was all I could do to not break down in tears.  Dr. Fleishman was in his coat and on his way out. He said it was an evasive procedure and some pain is normal and asked if I wanted a prescription. I said no, since it was probably normal.

I would go back three more times (12/26, 12/30 and 1/13) with nonstop toothache pain. I had to put ice packs on it daily, use Oragel and constantly pop Advil. No X-rays given. He almost seemed irritated with my complaints. Once, I went in and he was not working and couldn't be reached on his cell phone. I waited 40 minutes for an over the phone prescription, but no luck. I finally left with no pain killers. Why couldn't someone else help me? Twice he adjusted the bite, still never took X-rays. Only had me bite down on thin black paper. The pain had now spread to both upper and lower teeth and it was pretty unbearable.

On the forth and final visit Dr. Flieshman passed me in the waiting room before I was called in. I was nervous he was leaving as I had an appointment. Also, I was on time and about one minute away from pulling my own tooth out with a wrench. He said, he was going outside to talk to a friend. I looked outside and he there he was talking to a friend out on the sidewalk. That didn't sit well with me. Finally, on this forth visit after the crown, he confirmed I needed root canal and gave me 200 ml. of Ibuprofen. and an antibiotic. I had been taking different forms of Ibuprofen now from 12/23-1/13. They scheduled me for the root canal on 2/19. This time I did break down in the waiting room. Pure exhaustion. My holidays were horrible, working with the pain was becoming impossible and then it hit me later that evening....wait? I have deal with this pain until 2/19? That's over a month. That made no sense. another month of 200 ml. of Ibuprofen a day. I later found out one week of antibiotics would not have been sufficient for a month, it would most likely come back to haunt me.

On 1/20 I couldn't take it anymore, so I called Springlake dental. Three friends on Facebook told me to go there ASAP. They took me that day and had me scheduled for root canal...THE NEXT DAY. I couldn't believe what a fool I had been. I was going to wait a month? 

On 1/20 I had a root canal and the pain was gone. for the first time in nearly a month I had no pain. Unfortunately, that evening I developed an extreme allergic reaction and had to get myself to Kaiser the next day. Covered in hives and hands and arms so swollen I couldn’t bend my fingers. There I was immediately put on Prednisone. ($100 co-pay for the visit $46 for the meds and one sick day from work)

I then, had to see an allergist ($100 co pay) for a consult. Remember, I had been elevated doses of Ipubropen nonstop from 12/23 until 1/20. He concluded that my allergy was mostly do to that. The specialist asked me, "Didn't the dentist ask if you take Ipubropen on a regular basis, before prescribing for you?" No he didn't. Apparently, never taking pain meds and then taking that many can cause an adverse reaction. The allergist concluded it was most likely from the 200 ml 3X a day Ibuprofen and the Advil nonstop for a month. I had to stop all pain meds. Which was fine, because the dentists did an excellent job.........NO PAIN.

WHAT A MESS

I was lucky to get out of there and get treated quickly. I ended up having my root canal just in time!

WORSE part:   My full mouth evaluation with my (awesome) dentist showed that Dr. Fleishman had not correctly placed the crown. The showed me X-rays. I had a big gap on the crown. It would eventually develop decay
 

WAIT....gets better......today (3/18) when I was finally cleared with the allergist and could get the crown replaced ($800 out of pocket because insurance doesn't pay for two crowns on one tooth in such a short time span) The dentist showed me pictures....Dr. Fleishman HADN’T gotten all of the decay out under the crown. Again I saw the video while I was there. Horrible.

GETS CRAZIER: I went back in March to ask for my $200 back for the lifetime warranty on the faulty crown and in the waiting room I run into an old acquaintance. She was almost in tears. I sat with her to tell I was there to complain. I asked why she was so upset....she'd had one year of pain and trouble....and she couldn't eat on her right side for one year. I couldn't believe what I was hearing....and you guessed it...Dr. Fleishman. I COULDN'T believe it. I told her my story and told her to run. 

I was called to the front and looked back....she had slipped out the door. 

 PLEASE consider going somewhere else if you are considering SMILES. It's like a "Supercuts" for your teeth. ASK locals where they go. 

Other things to NOT SMILE about:

They constantly called to change my appointments. Can you come an hour earlier. Can we switch you to another day? My son had appointments with the orthodontist and dentist and we'd get a call,..sorry they scheduled today, but there is no dentist in today. WHAT? I am not sure how that happened....I started to notice that the receptionists were constantly apologizing on the phone.

Artichokes; Preparing them and Using them for Decoration

 Our raised vegetable garden is right behind the white rose bush just outside the dining room window. One day while admiring my roses, something caught my eye. I was shocked and amazed. After a year and half  of waiting, little teeny tiny artichokes were starring back at me.

 until I saw them there that summer morning, I had forgotten all about them.

 Here the artichokes are resting in a well suited vintage soup tureen. My display is simple. You can, however, create a mixed bouquet with other flowers and foliage. Artichokes aren't just delicious, they are beautiful as well. As the Vegetable....

 Or, as the flower. If you allow the artichoke to keep growing it will produce a beautiful purple thistle. Durable and sturdy, yet soft and delicate.

 These forgotten plants have brought much joy to me this summer.

The flowers I placed in a simple white pitcher from Crate and Barrel. The purple linen napkins, that are embroidered and read, "Bon Appetit," were a gift from my mother-in-law. The pretty shabby ironstone pitcher was my paternal grandmother's.

How to prepare artichokes:

Have you ever made artichokes? They are a family favorite here. If, you have never made them it might seem intimidating. It's Not!  Just warn your children to only eat tip of the inside leaf. I say this from experience. Lucas popped the whole leaf in his mouth his first time. My children have been in love with artichokes since they were 3 or 4.

When I make them for my family, I simply boil them whole, in a stockpot. About 30-40 minutes or until the leaves peel off easily. You can add a tablespoon of oil and salt to the water. Once cooked they are tender and easy to slice down the center of the stem. We eat them leaf by leaf. Then remove the thistle flower with a spoon.

When you make them for company you can snip the ends of each leaf.

Source

Then, slice them down the center, coat with lemon so they stay bright green. With a sharp knife remove the thistle in the center. Leaving as much of the heart as possible. Cutting them in half and removing the thistle cuts down on the cooking time mess at the table.

Serve warm with melted butter, mayonnaise, or a mixture of mayonnaise and Dijon mustard.

If have never grown artichokes or eaten them...I say....give it a try!

Bisous!

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Thunder Valley; The Provence Suite Review

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Thunder Valley opened 10 years ago. Celebrations for their 10 year Anniversary are underway. The hotel, Spa, and Pool opened in 2010. Such a smart addition to a popular Casino. We like to play were we can stay....in other words earn free rooms. Red Hawk, in Placerville....no hotel. Cache Creek....isn't given out rooms like it used to, before the golf course opened. So, we play at Thunder.

Provence Suite

 We recently stayed in Thunder Valley's Provence Suite. At 1,070 square feet it is the smallest of the suites. Here's the large bedroom. French doors on the closet. large French doors on the bathroom. Your closet comes with two robes and two pairs of slippers to enjoy during your stay. To the right of the comfortable King bed was a velour chaise lounge. Facing the bed is a large screen TV and built in drawers. The bedroom has it's own large window and two sets of French doors with frosted glass that lead out into the living area.

 The Provence Suite comes with a large jet jacuzzi bath tub, Flat screen above the tub, waterproof remote control, large walk-in shower, two completely different sinks, both with large drawers. and a separate restroom with a phone. They give you two small boxes of bath salts.

Separate his and her sinks with lots of amenities, toothbrush, razor, saving cream, as well as the typical shampoos and lotions. There is also a separate make-up vanity.

 The room feels clean, bright, modern and spacious. This the flat screen in the living room. Right behind it is the bedroom flat screen.

 The living area is nice and comfortable. You have many lighting options throughout. Just in front of the window is a table with two comfortable chairs, perfect for in-room dining. The sofa pulls out and makes into a sofa bed. This room is perfect if you have kids. It's like having two separate rooms. The kids slept well and were comfortable. If you have kids, keep in mind that there is a

 From the bedroom going out into the living room. You can see the wet bar and stools. Very nice touch. We really liked having the bar, Keurig coffee maker (that came with coffee, decaf coffee, tea, sugars and cream. The wet bar had a small empty refrigerator. I really recommend bring drinks and snacks for your stay. It's so easy with mini "kitchen."


Down the hall and to the right is the second restroom. A toilet and nice pedestal sink. Like most modern hotels now, you have the light switch on the wall for "Privacy" or "Please make up the room" as opposed to the door knob paper sign.

 Really comfortable to come up and have a drink and get ready for dinner or gambling.

 The suites are on the 15 Th and 16 Th floor. This is a view of the pool...on zoom. I do recommend you request a view of the pool. Go to the pool the day you check out. Have them hold your luggage and stay the whole day. It's like an extra day. Go early to get good seats and an umbrella.

Source

The Pool bar was nice. Drinks were reasonable . Especially when compared to Vegas. We had beers for $3.50 and big $10 blended Margaritas. Most of the lunches were about $14. Not bad. However.....there was one bartender all morning. Later two women serving around the pool. NO ONE cleaning the pool or collecting glasses etc. It took A VERY LONG time to be served and all the glasses around the pol and food tray just sitting there forever was kind of bummer. They were extremely under staffed. Not sure if it's always like that, but I certainly hope it changes. It's a place to rent a cabana for a party. There were a lot of locals doing that. Smart. No other resort pools nearby like this. I wish they had built a bigger pool. I don't think they thought it was going to be this successful.

KEEP IN MIND: Sundays at the pool is Thunder's H2O party. It's great for young locals, but if you aren't into big meat market parties, it' probably best to avoid the pool on Sundays. Also, we  have stayed in the winter and the hot tub isn't even open.

Why Thunder? 

Because, it's Vegas, but not as far away.

The price is right, drinks spa, etc a lot less expensive than Vegas.

If you are in or around San Francisco it's within driving distance and it's A LOT closer than Tahoe.

You have very thing you need:

Roseville is loaded with wonderful shopping ( The Galleria and Fountains) and restaurant. AND drum-roll...there is a Kid's Park in Roseville/Rocklin (ten minutes up 65 close to the Galleria. It's an hourly day care. The kids LOVE it and you can go gamble and have dinner at the casino alone. Kid's Park

Better than Cache Creek...better comps more free room offers

Redhawk doesn't have a hotel so...you can never get comp'd a room.

Downers:

Pool is small and there are not enough staff at the pool.

Even in the Provence Suite they wouldn't honor a late check-out. I didn't like that. I usually NEVER have a problem getting a late checkout. After all it means you'll probably be gambling more.

 Great day at the pool....

 Fun for everyone!

Bisous
Karen

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Stars and Stripes Tablescape

This year for the fourth of July, I am setting my table with my Colonial, Warren Kimble plates, by Sakura. I am in love with their worn stained Old Glory look. Rustic and fun. 
  

 I am using the red and white ticking napkins that I made and my napkin holders from an estate sale. If you haven't read the story about that estate, read about it here. I have found pieces of these Warren Kimble plates in three different places now. I found the large plates and a couple salad plates at a garage sale years ago in Roseville, California. Then the following year all the bowls at a garage here in Woodland, California. Then I found more salad plates at a local Goodwill. I love that when that happens! I hope I find more pieces, as I really love this set.
  



 Frosted blue votive sitting on one of red and white napkins inside my Currier and Ives sugar bowl. These red compotes Luminarc, from France. Perfect for a scoop of your favorite ice cream on these warm evenings.


  

 Here, I have taken the soup bowl off the place setting. You can see how cute the "Colonial" salad plate is.

  

 A very bright refreshing Americana look. Living in France for a total of almost 8 years, I missed my share of fourth of July celebrations. I think that's why it means even more to me now. There is something so American about the casual family gathering with Barbeques, watermelon, American flags and fireworks.
 

 Floating stars on stripes.

  
 Can you ever have enough American Flags? A bouquet doesn't have to be limited to Flowers. Here I have filled up a small footed milk glass vase with small American flags.

  
 
 Baby, you're a firework.....

  

We made no plans this year for The Fourth of July. We begin to regret it and brainstorm what we could do. Then, just yesterday, I received an email from our local casino. They offered us a free suite for one night, the 3 rd or 4 Th. since this year the Fourth falls on a Thursday, they probably don't have the crowd they were expecting. I called to reserve the free suite quicker than you can say, yes please!I'll be posting about the suite and our stay.

I am looking forward to being poolside. It is supposed to be 108 degrees that day...

Happy Fourth of July to you and your family!

Bisous,
Karen

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