An Impasse Whilst Wicker Furniture Shopping + A Short Quiz

March 12, 2015January 26, 2016 / Ally Bean / 18 Comments

THE STORY:

Zen-Den and I have been researching online and shopping around town for wicker furniture to replace the sad stuff that’s in our screened-in porch now.

Currently, our furniture is a country look with a Band-aid beige wicker frame, tufted parchment-colored cushions + old floral pillows.

It’s ugly. It’s worn out. And its days are numbered.

So now in an effort to upgrade the furniture and to continue transforming this house into a home, we’re faced with yet another expensive decorating decision.

~ ~ • ~ ~

Example of traditional country-style wicker furniture that we now have and may buy again. [source]

~ ~ • ~ ~

THE CONVERSATIONS, MORE OR LESS:

HIS IDEA: “This may sound boring, but we could buy the exact same pieces of furniture again, only this time in dark brown wicker with off-white cushions.”

MY [1st] IDEA: “We could buy the same country-style furniture, but in different pieces, in a warm medium brownish wicker with subtly patterned cushions– coordinating floral and stripes, perhaps.”

HIS IDEA: “This may sound boring, but we could buy the exact same pieces of furniture again, only this time in dark brown wicker with off-white cushions.”

MY [2nd] IDEA: “We could replace the existing furniture with the same pieces, only this time get a light gray wicker frame with medium to dark-toned blue cushions that wouldn’t show the dirt.”

HIS IDEA: “This may sound boring, but we could buy the exact same pieces of furniture again, only this time in dark brown wicker with off-white cushions.”

MY [3rd] IDEA: “We could go with a completely different frame, one that is more modern & linear. Then we could get a nut-brown wicker with ecru + tan striped cushions. Plus two new matching end tables in the same wicker with glass on top.”

HIS IDEA: “This may sound boring, but we could buy the exact same pieces of furniture again, only this time in dark brown wicker with off-white cushions.”

~ ~ • ~ ~

Example of more up-to-date, linear wicker furniture that we might buy this time. [source]

~ ~ • ~ ~

THE QUIZ:

What do you think that Zen-Den wants the new furniture to look like?
Which of the two people involved in this decision has the most creative ideas?
If you were to place money on it, which person do you believe will make the final decision about the furniture that we buy?

~ ~ • ~ ~

[Hello FTC! Please note that there’s no monetary &/or other compensation involved regarding our preference for this brand of furniture. Considering how pricey this furniture is, would that it were so, but that ain’t gonna happen. Hoping that all is well with you, FTC. Long time no see.]

Morning Calm Disturbed, Questions Raised

February 26, 2015February 26, 2015 / Ally Bean / 24 Comments

The Incident Described.

Me at 6:15 a.m. Ambient lighting on in kitchen. Coffee brewed. Mug in right hand. Sitting at kitchen counter. Left elbow on counter to provide support for head. Eyes closed. Thinking about a popular saying* and its applicability to the life of a writer.

Husband enters room. I mumble something akin to “good morning.” But husband, who is always too awake in the morning, decides to revert to his 8-year-old self, slobber on his finger, then put his finger up my nose. Leading to the following:

me wide awake;
me wiggling out of his reach;
me laughing; and
me wondering about something.

The Questions Raised.

After the above incident, the focus of our subsequent early morning conversation was on defining exactly what makes up a wet willy. Keeping in mind that this is a PG13 blog, I ask you:

What do you call a slobbery finger up the nose? A wet willy? Or something else entirely?

The Asterisk Explained.

The saying I was thinking about, taken from medicine, was: “when you hear hoofbeats, think horses not zebras.” In other words, go with the obvious diagnosis/explanation. Or as applied to this particular post, go with the most recent event in your life, even if it is devoid of profundity and seems a bit silly!

A Mid-Winter Walk Through A Remarkable Cemetery

February 17, 2015July 1, 2025 / Ally Bean / 13 Comments

On Sunday afternoon there was no snow around, so Zen-Den & I decided to go to Spring Grove Cemetery to see what it looked like in the weak winter light. [And yes, it’s the place where I got thrown off the Segway last fall.]

Spring Grove Cemetery, established in 1845, is one of five National Historic Landmark cemeteries in the USA. There are people buried there who were born in the 1700s as well as born last week.

The cemetery is a fascinating place that lends itself to going for a long healthy walk or, if you prefer, a casual ramble. It’s huge: 733 hilly acres, with 15 lakes and 44 miles of roadway. We wandered around on foot for about 2 hours.

No matter what time of year I’ve been to Spring Grove Cemetery, I’ve found something unique, inspiring and/or downright trippy to photograph. In my opinion, it’s worth the time and effort it takes to get there, if history, architecture and contemplation interest you.

How To Make “Not Coffee” In The Morning

February 3, 2015January 28, 2021 / Ally Bean / 25 Comments

File this one under… MARITAL BLISS.

1) DO NOT set up your electric coffee maker, which has a delayed brewing option, the night before you want your coffee. Instead, go to kitchen in morning while still groggy and make coffee.

2) TURN ON overhead lights in kitchen using dimmer switch to provide a minimum of light onto counter. Pull machine out from under cabinet while confirming that brew basket, glass carafe and plastic lid appear to be in their proper places.

3) PLACE PAPER filter into brew basket, measure water + ground coffee, then place each into its proper compartment within electric coffee maker. Turn on machine and wait for brewed coffee to drip into glass carafe.

4) HEAR BEEPS that tell you that your coffee is ready and with favorite mug in hand pour yourself some coffee from what seems to be an unusually light carafe.

5) DO NOT stop to think about why this carafe is so light and that there might be a problem here as you take your first sip of coffee.

6) SPIT OUT “not coffee” into sink as husband enters kitchen. Describe foul “not coffee” beverage using colorful language, thereby piquing husband’s interest.

7) TURN ON overhead lights in kitchen to full wattage while examining electric coffee maker from whence the “not coffee” came. Snarl loudly and turn to husband who is trying to make quiet exit from kitchen.

8) ACCUSE SPOUSE of incompetence while putting away clean dishes night before. Mention that just laying plastic lid on top of carafe will not work. Reinforce idea that securing plastic lid onto glass carafe is what allows coffee to flow from brew basket into carafe because lid pushes spring on bottom of brew basket open.

9) NOTICE SPOUSE looking guilty and explaining that it’s all his fault. Agree wholeheartedly while cleaning out sludge formed by coffee grounds and hot water trapped in brew basket. Try to be angry with husband but decide that it’s not worth the effort.

10) DECREE THAT there is a new house rule. Specifically, henceforth and ever after the glass coffee carafe will always have plastic lid secured on top of it before placing carafe into electric coffee maker… on penalty of no access to any TV remote control for a month. Capiche?