Inspirational Quote – Dolly Parton

Image-Dolly-Parton-Quote

Easy Kitchen and Bath Upgrades

home improvements, kitchen updates, bathroom updates,

 

Have you been dreaming of updating your kitchen and or bathroom?  You can find everything you need at Plumb Tile.  It’s an online store that sells various Brands and has a large selection of everything imaginable for bathroom and kitchen upgrades. This site sells products from Moen to Watermark in the latest styles and finishes.  You will certainly find products to fit every need and budget. 

I upgraded two bathrooms and my kitchen.  I spent months running here, there and everywhere checking out items and prices.  Save yourself a few trips and head to this site.

Small touches can made a big impact. Here’s a few ideas to consider for your upgrades:

  • Faucets, towel racks, and your toilet paper holder
  • Lighting
  • Mirrors
  • Shower head 
  • Flooring
  • Counter and shower tile
  • Sinks
  • Shelving

A fresh coat of paint, changing the faucets and sink, towel racks, lighting, mirror and the shower head can change the look of your bath. If the budget allows add tile and a new tub. Plumb Tile has awesome bathroom selections from faucets and accessories to bidets and other luxury items.  The large Sunflower Rainfall Showerhead with 108 Spray Nozzles below should be at the top of your list to check out.  It’s the perfect eye opener.  My upgraded master bath became one of my favorite rooms in the house.  At the top of my upgrade favorites is the rainfall shower head. What a way to refresh each morning. 

 

home improvement, bathroom upgrade ideas, home improvements, bathroom shower heads

I also upgraded my kitchen.  Again, small touches can make a big impact. Along with a fresh coat of paint I upgraded:

  • Lighting
  • Sink
  • Faucet
  • Switch covers
  • Appliances
  • Tile for my floor and counter

Plumb Tile has a nice selection of kitchen sinks.  I found my dream sink while browsing the site. This farm house sink is on my wish list. 

 

 

farmhouse sink, home improvement, kitchen upgrades

 

I love this sink.  It’s unique, most farmhouse sinks don’t have two compartments.  It reminds me of my grandparents farmette when I was growing up.  I’m also loving the faucet and sprayer. 

Last but not least, Plumb Tile offers free shipping and a Price Matching policy. If you see a competitor with a lower price, they will try to meet or beat the price. This site is worthy of a visit, head over and check it out.

 

 

 

Tips On Buying the Best Coffee Maker

tips on buying a coffee maker

 

 

If you are a big fan of coffee, it is certain that your morning starts with a cup of coffee. Many of us understand the meaning of quality coffee. Even if we grab a cup of coffee from the nearest café. But, what if you want to buy a coffee maker for your home.  There are some facts that you should consider before buying a coffee maker. Keep one thing in mind, though, everyone looks for different traits in a coffee machine.  Different features attract people differently. That’s why I am going to explain some “must know” facts so that you can buy a desired as well as a great coffee maker.

The Cost of the Machine

If you are a coffee fanatic and you have money to spend, then there is no doubt that you can have any kind of coffee maker. In some cases, the expensive coffee machine is a good choice.  If you do not have much money to spend on a coffee maker, then go for a reasonably priced machine. Some brands are very popular and have different models. You can research information about those brands on the internet.  Select the model that fulfils your budget. If you want to learn more about the cost factor, then check out www.CoffeeMakersList.com It is a great resource for finding great models.

The Popularity of the Machine

Before buying a coffee maker, check out the different types of makers that are available. Go for the best coffee maker brand for that particular type of coffee maker. Also, explore the different models for that brand.  Be sure to thoroughly research the model you have selected. Selecting a coffee maker should include cost, design, and the material.  Furthermore, do not forget to read reviews on different websites and forums about the model you are interested in. Asking reviewers/users questions about a particular coffee maker can help a lot.

Easy to Use

Some people believe that the more buttons and controls a machine has, the more superb the machine is.  But that is not the true. Unfortunately, controls can be confusing. If you are good mechanically, then you will be happy to have a coffee maker with great control options. Otherwise, do not purchase a coffee machine which is full of different buttons. The best coffee maker is one that makes you happy and is easy to use. 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspirational Quote – Matthew McConaughey

inspirational quotes, fatherhood quotes, Matthew McConaughey

Black History – African American Red Sox Baseball Team

Black History Month, Black History, black baseball teams

 

We’re celebrating Black History at Mother 2 Mother this month.  I decided to celebrate my home town’s Black History this year.  I selected the African American Red Sox baseball team that played in my neighborhood when I was growing up.  My father, 6th from the left on the top row, along with many of our neighbors were a part of the Red Sox baseball team. 

Unfortunately, I didn’t see my father play.  I was a baby, but I remember his stories.  The Red Sox was a black baseball team that operated from the 1930’s until the late 1960’s.  My father played second base during the forties and fifties for the team.  This picture was taken in 1946, a year before Jackie Robinson integrated American baseball.  I remember my dad talking about members of the team who were now our neighbors or who visited him during summer visits to our small town, Shepherdstown, WV.  I didn’t encounter a lot of discrimination when I was growing up, but it was prevalent during my father’s generation.  I was oblivious to the hard times he faced. He only spoke of the good ole days. 

Hall of Famer Maury Wills, who played for the Dodgers, played against my dad and his teammates before heading to the pros.  Maury Wills was from the Washington, DC area.  He would visit my dad and other Red Sox players when he was in the area. 

I remember going to see the Red Sox play in my neighborhood on Sunday afternoons in the 1960’s, yes they were still going strong.  Members from the 1946’s team were the coaches. One of my brothers was the bat boy and our cousin kept score.  One of the coaches lived several houses up from us and drove the local garbage truck.  He was a happy man, he always whistled when he walked through the neighborhood. You didn’t have to peep out a window or door to see who was whistling that happy tune, everyone would say there’s “Charlie Butts.”

Everyone looked forward to the game on Sundays.  The neighborhood had a ritual, Sunday School and/or church, a change of clothes, something to eat, and off to the game.  This went on for years during my childhood.  After the game, you headed home to a dinner of fried chicken, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, greens of some sort, homemade rolls or biscuits, Kool-Aid for the kids and iced tea for the grown ups.  You could count on it.  If the ladies/moms finished dinner early they would join the crowd on the ball field.

During this time, I still wasn’t aware of segregation.  The neighborhood butcher, who was Caucasian was a member of the team as well as 2 other players from a neighboring town.  As children we weren’t limited on who we could play with or where we could go in the neighborhood, and my parents never discussed their struggles.  On Sundays we cheered on the team win or loose. The Red Sox were heroes in the neighborhood.  I remember when they stopped playing in the early 70’s.   I never knew why, I just knew they stopped playing ball on Sundays.  Now when I look back on it, they formed teams that were integrated.  I believe that ended the Negro Baseball League in our area. 

This picture of dad and his team members and friends was given to us after my father’s death in 1998.  My heart broke into a hundred pieces that day.  The Bishop who did his eulogy told my family not to be discouraged. My dad was a great man and a leader in the community. He told me that one day my heart would heal.  He also told me that my dad had helped groom him as a man and a baseball player. He gave the family a copy of this photo.  My father was a humble man, we had no idea this picture existed.  Many years later the same Bishop and my cousin named after my father gave an interview about the Red Sox baseball team to a history class at our local University.  They donated their uniforms and gloves to a museum that is now telling the story of this African American team. 

 

black history, black baseball teams, negro league

 

For years I couldn’t think about my father without my heart aching.  It was just too much for me to bear. I am so thankful that my heart has mended and I can share a bit of my father with you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspirational Quote – Inspire Others

inspirational quotes, quotes, motivational quotes

How To Clean Brass

how to clean brass, brass lamps, brass laterns

I found these brass lamps at one of my flea market/junk excursions.  I loved the shape and they had the original globes, which I thought was pretty cool. The price was $4.00 for both.  I scooped them up without any thought as to how I would use them. Finding junk and repurposing it is one of my great loves.  My initial thought was to spray paint them white, but the more I looked at them the more I wanted to keep them as original as possible. 

They needed a good cleaning.  I didn’t have any brass cleaner on hand so I resorted to an old remedy, ketchup.  Yes I said ketchup.  I gathered the following items:

1.  newspaper
2.  old tooth brush
3.  Ketchup
4.  soft cloth

how to cleaner brass, brass clean

I brushed a light covering of ketchup over the lamps and allowed them to sit for an hour while I did some other cleaning.  After an hour, I brushed the lamps with the toothbrush to loosen any dirt and than washed them off with warm soapy water.  I allowed them to dry and than polished them with a soft cloth. 

brass cleaner, how to clean brass, ketchup
I was pleased with the end result.  Now I need to figure out how I’m going to use them.  Stay tuned for that project. Have you used ketchup to clean brass  or brass plated items your home?   

Happy New Year 2016

New Year, Happy New Year, New Year's Day

Happy New Year.  Can you believe we have entered another year.  Personally, I welcome 2016. It’s not that 2015 was a bad year, but I’m expecting 2016 to be awesome both personally and on the blog.

I will be adding more posts on family, crafts, kitchen gardening and traveling. I will also be adding an exclusive 2016 fillable calendar for new email blog subscribers.

I’ll be striving to get healthier in the New Year and planning several vacation trips. If everything goes as planned, I will be spending the 2016 Christmas holidays at Disney with the grandchildren.  Stay tuned, I’ll be doing lots of planning and researching for deals and thrills. 

I plan to be more active in my kitchen garden.  I’ll be making jams, sauce, pickling peppers, drying peppers and herbs, and preparing fresh corn, green beans, and zucchini for the freezer.  There will also be sessions on canning fruit for pies and cobblers.

I hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.  May it be filled with love, laughter and blessings. 

 

 

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #49

Christmas, holidays

Welcome to Week 49 of Mother 2 Mother’s Sunday’s Best Linkup. Thanksgiving is over and preparations for the holidays is in full swing in my neck of the woods. I will be decorating the house and tree, baking cookies, purchasing and making gifts, and watching lots of holiday movies. I can’t leave out the eggnog, it’s my favorite beverage during the holidays. This is the first week of our Tis The Season theme. We’re looking for holidays posts for crafts, recipes, decorating inspiration, gift ideas, and anything you would like to share surrounding the holidays.

We also welcome other recipes, crafts, DIY, home makeover, gardening tips, SEO & blogging information, sewing projects, patio and deck makeovers, front porch makeover ideas, organization tips, ideas for backyard hot dog roasts, and more. Blow the dust off your old posts and link those too. They’re great for inspiration.
Don’t have posts that fit into the theme, link up whatever post you would like to share. We would love to have parenting tips, DIY projects, homesteading, homeschooling, makeovers, cocktails, and your posts on family and life. Your linkups and giveaways are welcome here too. Anything goes, as long as it’s family friendly and you may linkup as many posts as you would like. Be sure to tell your friends they will want to join the festivities too.

Each week your hosts will select their favorite post and it will be featured the following week. An image from your post will be used on my blog the following week with a link back to your blog. Be sure to check back to see if you’re a Sunday’s Best featured blogger. All Featured Bloggers will have their posts Pinned to the Sunday’s Best Pinterest Board.

We would like readers to select their favorite posts. Voting will start at noon every Friday until mid-night. We will be adding the post with the most votes from our readers to our Sunday’s Best featured bloggers. Be sure to have your blog readers and social media followers head over to vote for your post on Fridays.

All posts linking to Sunday’s Best will be promoted on Twitter.

In addition to the reader’s and hosts selections, a post for our monthly themes will be selected and featured each week as well.

If you are interested in becoming a Sunday’s Best host, please contact me for details at rhonda@mother2motherblog.com or email one of our other hosts.

Your Hosts Are:

Rhonda – Mother 2 Mother Kim U. – Pinterested Parent Kim M. – Life In A House of Testosterone

 

Here’s the rules, please connect with us on social media before you leave or subscribe to/follow our blogs:

Mother 2 Mother: Please like my
Facebook Page, follow me on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, BlogLovin or subscribe/join my blog on the right before you leave.

The Pinterested Parent: Please like Kim’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Bloglovin before you leave.

Life In A House of Testosterone: Please like Kim’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Bloglovin, or Instagram before you leave.

 

Mother 2 Mother Blog

 

Last, please help us grow by placing our button on your sidebar. If you are selected as a Featured Blogger please let your readers and followers know. They may want to join the party too! For those who have a Link Party list/directory, please add us. I appreciate your help in promoting the linkup with Re-tweets and shares. Now lets party!

The Sunday’s Best Posts are:

Kim U. selected Pet Paw Snowflakes from Busy Being Jennifer

paw-print-2

 

I selected Pumpkin Pecan French Toast for One from Designer Trapped

french toast breakfast ideas, breakfast for one

 

 and

Marshmallow Maple Sweet Potato Poppers from Living Livida Holoka

appetizers, recipes, sweet poppers

Kim M. selected 3 Simple Table Settings from Flamingo Toes
 

Christmas table settings, Chrstmas tablescape


The Readers Selected:

 

Teach Your Child The Value of Giving from Inspiration for Mom

Advent calendar

 

The Favorite Theme Posts

Deck The Halls

 

Gift Wrapping With Kraft Paper from Busy Being Jennifer

 

gift wrap ideas, how to wrap gifts, kraft paper gift wrap


and

 

Nutcracker Cookies from Of Mice and Ramen

Christmas cookie ideas, Christmas nutcrackers, nutcrackers

 

and

DIY Holiday Centerpieces with Fresh Greenery from Lemon Thistle

Christmas centerpieces, Christmas greenery

Congratulations to our featured bloggers! All of the posts were great, and I appreciate each of you linking up. We have so many great posts that it gets difficult to choose a featured blogger. I would like to invite all of you back to linkup your post(s) again, it could be selected next week. While you’re here take a minute to visit these great blogs. It’s a great way to meet and connect with new bloggers. Be sure to PIN or share any posts that you like, we all appreciate a little love. Be sure to connect on social media.


Show Me Your Turkey Linkup

 

Thanksgiving, holidays turkey

Show Me Your Turkey!  Mother 2 Mother will be hosting a Show Me Your Turkey linky party starting November 26 and ending December 5 at midnight.  The linky will be dedicated to Thanksgiving turkeys, tables, and stories of you, your family and friends. We spend all day cooking, basting, baking, and enjoying time with family so lets share our hard day’s work and family love.  Be sure to mark your calendar and join the fun. 

I’ve planned my menu and I’m picturing the house filled with family, delicious aromas, the Macy’s Day parade, football and a huge turkey as the center piece on the table surrounded by all the trimmings. 

The posts doesn’t have to been elaborate, just a picture of your turkey or table and a few words letting us know how your day went, what you served, and any funny or disastrous moments. What will you be serving?

Get your camera and posts ready.  It’s a great way to relieve some stress and you could be the featured blogger of our Turkey Baster, Table Queen, and I Survived Thanksgiving awards. Here’s a few details on the awards: 

  • Turkey Baster: Best Looking Turkey
  • Table Queen: Best Table Setting
  • I Survived Thanksgiving: Best story (Precious or Disastrous) 

Hope to see you there.