From Cedar Creek Lake - Kitchens: The Power of Fit and Finish

MERRY CHRISTMAS! From Robin Moon and Cedar Creek Lake!

I hope you enjoy this article. The kitchen is the focal point of the Holidays.

RISMEDIA, Nov. 17, 2008-As the weather turns cooler, creating a warm and inviting kitchen can make a big difference in a home’s overall appeal. With a few well-chosen finish updates, you can shift tone and mood and purchase interest.
Fifty years ago, the American kitchen was pretty predictable-a sink, a refrigerator and a range, and for a lucky few, a dishwasher-connected by simple cabinets and countertop. As long as basic conveniences and functionality were covered, there was little need-or demand-for more. The house I grew up in was designed by my dad, who integrated new ideas and features into our compact kitchen-a “breakfast bar” for casual dining and a stainless steel cook top and wall oven. The lively yellow, brown and knotty pine scheme was warm and welcoming and it was our favorite hang-out space for cooking and conversation.
Today, the kitchen has migrated to one of the most experiential rooms in the house, where gourmet cooking rides along with bill paying, crafting and homework. And as the social hub for family and friends, it’s more important than ever to buyers and sellers alike that this key room be fresh and inviting. If the kitchen is outdated and tired, the whole house can feel that way, so a few simple updates can make all the difference in getting the green light on the buying decision.
Fit and finish in a room convey quality-or lack of-so it’s important to look around and pay attention to details. Color and light are the easiest, most cost-efficient elements to add warmth to the kitchen, and you need go no further than the vegetable bin or spice cabinet for inspiration. A scheme of natural greens, yellows, mustards and russets washed with dimmable overhead and under-cabinet lighting can add energy as well as create a level of calm-a kitchen for any mood. If the existing cabinets are sturdy but the finish is sending out a distress signal, a well-executed paint job can turn it around. Mismatched appliances and worn flooring are other leading visual cues, so if the budget permits, replace them.
Last but not least, add sparkle and a new point of view to the kitchen by replacing the metals palette-cabinet hardware, faucet, lighting and outlet covers. A few thoughtfully chosen, simple finish updates can seal the deal.

History of the Wreath

Those lovely, welcoming wreaths that today decorate doors, fireplaces and walls have a noble history that reaches into Greek mythology and ancient Rome. In fact, wreaths were first created in ancient cultures to adorn the bonnets and noggins of the rich and royal. In the ancient cultures of Persia, Partha and Greece, the wreath was known as a diadem, from the Greek work diadema, or "thing bound around," A diadem worn on the head or bonnet in these cultures was a symbol bearing royal and even spiritual significance. According to Rob Pullen, author of The Wreath Book (Sterling Publishing, 1988), the diadem was regarded as so lovely that other cultures, and other classes, soon adopted it as a headdress to celebrate not only status, but also festive mood and occasions. The Romans initially scorned the diadem as a symbol insulting to their belief in democracy, but soon were crowning their own military and athletic champions with a diadem of laurels. Later this laurel crown went upscale when gold and jewels were added and became the prototype corona, or crown. Somewhere along the line the wreath became a door and wall ornament and the maker's choice of materials said a lot about what the wreath meant. A wreath made with holly and mistletoe might be intended to shelter a home from the spirits of cold and winter. A wreath of birch given by a woman to a man meant she accepted his advances as a lover. Today, wreaths may reflect the personality and spirit of the maker, who can use natural ingredients of dried herbs, weeds and flowers combined with ribbon or even some of the fabulous fake flowers and leaves widely available at craft and art stores. Whatever the material, wreaths today continue to symbolize welcome, eternity and a joyful spirit.

Cedar Creek Lake Fishing Report for December 2008

Hope you enjoy the Cedar Creek Lake fishing report for December. Water stained; 53-58 degrees; 2.3 ft low. Black Bass are fair on firetiger crankbaits, jigs, and Carolina rigged 6 inch lizards. White bass are fair to good on chartreuse/white slabs. Hybrid striper are slow to fair on live shad and Sassy shad. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair to good on noghtcrawlers and cut shad.