How to Renovate a Kitchen by yourself on an Extreme Budget!

My Jimi Hendrix Clock in my Kitchen

I have two kitchens in my house! 

And so in preparation for renting out the downstairs, the kitchen desperately needed updating. 

However, after our main kitchen reno, (see link)…  the conversion of our attic, (still need to write about) the stripping of the stairs and many other upgrades like boring replacement of plumbing and wiring, there was literally no money left for another kitchen reno.

http://www.suzannefitz.blogspot.ca/2012/02/how-to-renovate-kitchen-yourself-or-wtf.html.

So, time to get creative on an extreme minimal budget, which is actually quite fun!  And I barely required my live in Handy Man!  I could practically do this reno all on my own! (I know, I know, don't laugh, Lori!)

The downstairs kitchen is a good size and perfectly functional, unlike the upstairs one used to be. 

Lots of Floral

Lots of panelling

But, each time I entered the kitchen I felt like I was twelve years old (meaning 1972) and any minute the Brady Bunch would be showing up for Egg Salad sandwiches and I'd have to wear an apron!  My mother actually liked the downstairs kitchen as it was covered in flowery wall paper framed with a very fruity border.  So without having a great deal to work with, the first thing that had to go was the pretty flowered wallpaper.  Sorry Mother!

As you can see, scraping off this paper was fairly simple but it left behind one of its layers that was quite annoying and required some spray called, DIF FAST-ACTING Wallpaper Stripper, it's about $7 a bottle, which I purchased at Canadian Tire.  It worked like magic and I was able to scrape off easily.

Luckily the border of strange fruit came off without any trouble at all and I was glad to say goodbye and shove it all into a garbage bag. 

I contemplated the melamine cabinets, which are very sturdy, easy to use and with large deep shelves, however, they are somewhat boring and have no character whatsoever, for some reason they were all the rage in the seventies.  About ten years ago, in Victoria, BC I had decided to paint these same type of cabinets and although I read on a Reno Diva’s website how to exactly go about it….the paint chipped in time which was discouraging.  Melamine is heavy and non-porous and refuses to accept a change in colour and so they chipped with every wee knock or tap, it was most regrettable especially when the paint was expensive and the hours spent sanding, painting, etc….BLargh! 
So, not wanting to make the same mistake again, and without the cash to replace, I decided to make the walls and surrounding area as funky as possible to make up for the lack of Interestingness about the cupboards.

And, I thought about my Very Colourful Jimi Hendrix Clock and so I decided to match the hues from this clock.  (Oh dear....)

The girl at the paint store cringed, "Are you sure about this?" when I showed her the colour combination and I wondered if I was doing the right thing…but you know, it’s just a kitchen and I loved the clock so I decided, Why Not?  Also, it kind of matched the odd fruit tile on the back splash, (sadly all fruit couldn’t be eliminated )

But as the paint went on, the three hellishly different colours were oh my……were they beginning to look hideous?  Like the kitchen I had previously criticized?   Crikey!  At this point my Handyman wouldn't even enter the kitchen.  "I don't know Suze...looks like you'll have to hand out vomit bags to whoever dares go in there." 
"Really?  You mean that?"  panic ....panic
Then when I painted the 70’s wood panelling in red with a purple stripe, I thought, oh no,  even poor Jimi will be rolling in his grave! 

Was it too late to change the colours?  But it had already cost so much in paint! So I forged on and painted the window and door frames in Purple too!  (no way was I stripping again)

It was so loud, I had to wear sunglasses.  My mother hissed, “What have you done to that lovely kitchen?”
"I know!"  I cried, "What have I done?"

But you know, it’s now grown on me and I love it!  My original plan was to make this kitchen as Funky and Fruitless as possible and I think it worked.  Not everyone agrees with me and I am totally prepared for the horrifying reaction to my kitchen.  All it cost, was the price of three gallons of paint, (each a different colour), lots of family labour, a new laminate floor, which was on sale, $300, completely necessary, we ripped up the linoleum stained green roll, and that was all.  I hope you love it too!  What do you think?

THANK-YOU JIMI!!

Craggy Cliffs & Clovelly - Trip to England Part 2

When at last, the sun came out, the cragginess (or crankiness) and coughs seem to subside.  But no matter what the weather, Cornwall, (the English Riviera) and the neighbouring Devon are spectacular counties in England and after living in British Columbia, Canada that is saying something.

Newquay

As I hacked into the wind, on a walk from to the village of Kilkhampton (lovingly known as Kilk) I thought on how lucky I was, despite my Cornish Cough, It was a Tuesday morning and I strolled past fat ponies in a fluorescent green valley, controversial yet silent wind turbines, an ancient church complete with graveyard, and a ginger cat.

Ginger Cat with Turbine in distance

Kilkhampton Church

Kilk Churchyard

The Post Mistress was obviously glad of the plexi-glass divide when I croaked out my request of international stamps, then turned my back on her to choke and cough digging into my bag for the cash and packet of fisherman’s friends.

“Alright love?”

I nodded, mid-hack.

“Is this a 20 pence coin?”

“Yes, love, you sure you’re alright?”
I nodded again, unable to string two words together and I uncontrollably went into a coughing fit and hurried out the door.

“The poor dear, she’s from Canada you know, Elsie.”  I heard her say upon my exit.

The next day, we took a trip to the village of Clovelly, which actually is in Devon but very close by.
Clovelly is a historic fishing village, and there is an entrance fee, but well-worth the cost, the reason being that the care, maintenance and upkeep to keep it in the style of the mid 19th century, involves traditional materials and craftmanship.

The Red Door is where the Life Boat is kept, the seas can get very rough here

Time stands still in Clovelly, and there are no vehicles allowed.  The last time I was in Clovelly I was twelve years old and my sister and I rode sad and tired looking donkeys down the cobbled streets. (Somewhere there is a photo, must find, I'm sure we doned bell-bottoms.) Its incredible to me now, that we survived because of  the slope of this road, and the slippiness!  I’m not exaggerating, if you are not wearing serious walking shoes, don’t even try walking down the hill to the harbour. I was wearing comfy boots with a slight heel, but wished I'd worn flats.  The only thing that has changed in Clovelly is that the donkeys are no longer used for rides or the carting of goods and materials up and down the cobbles, and it’s no wonder.  Today they use sleighs, the donkeys, however are still a part of life at Clovelly.  Like this donkey here who is posing purposely in place where his not so distant ancestors used to tow an actual Real Cart. Looks like this donkey is here purely for aesthetic purposes, I’m not sure what the others do, but they look very pretty.

Still looking a wee bit sad

Here's an example of the steepness and it's like this all the way, so I would be terrified to ride donkeys now with their slippery hoofs, maybe they used to have rubber shoes, I'm not sure.

Luckily there were many places to stop for Tea and Yummies.

And the locals were friendly, this one joined us for a piece of homemade doughnut.

There are many beautiful homes, hotels, restaurants and craft shops.  The Harbour itself is beautiful and almost looks warm enough to take a dip.  But in May, I didn't think I would try it.

Alana & I definitely want to return to Clovelly

Ahh, A donkey blog! 
 http://www.clovellydonkeys.blogspot.ca/

A not so Lonely Summer's Eve in Stratford

There is nothing that compares to a summer evening walk to lift the spirits and assuage a lonely heartsick soul. sob..sob...(Violins Please!)

After a family gathering in the UK and living in cramped quarters, (I even had bruises)  I relished in the thought of finally being on my own!  But now after a few weeks, I find I’m missing my family so much that it has taken me for a loop, fancy that!...Especially missing, my Best Friend with Benefits ......(my husband). 

A few of my New friends had invited me out to the Stratford Blues Festival, and yet I had declined, I was behind with a few Website projects, and decided to stay home and work.  However, after dinner with my senior doggie companion, Jango (whose always asleep when not eating,) and after I’d knocked back a couple of wines, I instantly regretted it.  Silly me.  So off I went in the hollow hope of finding my friends.  My stroll began, through town towards the Avon River in my new hometown of Stratford at 9:30 p.m. on a Saturday night.  

Downie Street was alive with well-dressed tourists, peeking in windows and checking out venues and menus.  Pampered pub patrons spilled out of open air patios from Fosters, The Pour House and free flying fragrances filled the air from Downie’s gourmet burgers, mixed with Eastern spicy smells from Taj & Raja. 

Hosts of happy teens swarmed the streets, oblivious to anyone’s world but their own, freedom from the confines of classrooms and paranoid parents, who always think you'll gouge your eye out, not matter what you do? (I remember this)

The evening light so beautiful and the sky streaked with pinks, orangey blues, and an ornamental crescent moon hung on an invisible hook.  Down by the riverbank, new little cygnets were being tucked up in bed by their protective parents.  It was lovely!

So I took a few photographs and then decided I was content and thought, well I’ll just go home now.

But like a pleasant hazy dream….friends materialized…. ahh inhale...my new friends, Marie, Deb, Fred,… remember him? (Who the F is Fred?) http://www.suzannefitz.blogspot.ca/2012/03/who-f-is-infamous-fred-or-reunion-at.html         

Anyways, they had spotted me and I was quickly whisked off into the Allman Arena to the Stratford Blues Festival.  Fred insisted he could get me in for Free, so I’m not sure what happened but the next thing I knew I was inside dancing along side my cousin, Rhona, Fred and the lovely Maggie, completely absorbed in the fantastic Blues and Rock music.

Cousin with The Infamous Fred

Maggie

Dylan Wickens & The Grand Naturals

Fantastic Band - Plum Loco - John Till, BW Pawley, Wayne Brown

My only wish is that I had arrived earlier to see the many others who played before these two Sharp Rockin Bands.  And I hoped to captured a good shot of the Roller Skating Gals that were gliding about, but since I was well-refreshed with wine, these photos are only a colourful blur, except for this one. 

I’m also well pleased that the Roller gals didn’t have an extra pair of skates as my thoughts were truly turning dorky with the idea that I too, could be just as Twirly and Wonderfully graceful on Wheels as these ladies were, and for sure I would have ended up embarrassing myself.  (I sometimes forget that I’m not twenty anymore.)  There is hope however, (in the skating department, I mean) the black stockinged, (new word) skater, Lemon Zinger handed me a flyer  www.stratfordrollergirls.com explaining that Even I could be taught all about roller skating, and get an equally Awesome Name, such as Hers,  mmm....what could it be?  Cruizin Suze, comes to mind or Little Miss Muffet! 
Long long time ago, my sisters and I took great pleasure as young girls, skating in an underground parking lot to Bag Pipes!  But Ahh, that is another story.

Again, Stratford has proved that a room was filled with cheery enthusiastic Dancers, hypnotized by the strong talent of groups like, Dylan Wickens & The Grand Naturals, and this other band that I failed to get the name of, can be an uplifting experience and a refreshing jolt out of the doldrums.

Some of my Dancing Friends!

Yeager, just out of hospital

Marvelous Marie



Rosalie & Maggie

Peter Shane & Roller Gal

 

Craggy Cliffs and Accompanying Coughs – A visit to Cornwall in the UK

Another grey day, a bite in the air and of course, rain pending.  I shiver and the clouds collect in a big sky, the waves tumble towards the craggy cliffs with a roar followed by floating, smiling seabirds.

My daughter, Alana and I laugh and cough in unison into the wind, perched atop the Cliffside, clutching our scarves, wondering why we didn’t pack warmer clothing. 

Light headed with cold medicine, yelling to the men members of our family to stop balancing, fearlessly peering over the edge!  Why do they do that?

Each time I visit Cornwall in the U.K.  (my Mister’s homeland) the weather is absolutely god awful, and yet Cornwall is well-known for its sunny and mild climate, where Londoners flock for their mini  vacation time. 
 Despite the weather, this place is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on the planet.  Many Canadians I know, never manage a visit to Cornwall, being so far south, broken from the rest of Britain by the Tamar River and just too much out of the way for most.  There is a pride in the people here who say, they are NOT English, they are CORNISH.  And in many ways there are Very different from the rest of the country and Yes, I will swear that this is SO. 

It is a land of Twisty Turny charming, narrow cobble stoned streets lined with ancient churches and crooked cottages.  Friendly faces greeting with a HiYa or You Alright?  Rolling hills, plump ponies, thick coated curious sheep, tiny dramatic fishing villages, spectacular white sandy beaches and craggy coastlines and most surprisingly it's a SURFER'S Paradise! 

And the food is so Diverse in a Harry Potter Weird kind of way.  Fantastic Indian Curries served in every Pub, Cornish Pasties with Vegetarian options such as, Blue Cheese & Broccoli (this is what I chose - Yum) also, Cheese & Onion and the traditional Steak, Onion & Swede.  Pasties are often locally referred to as oggies. At the Bodmin Parkway Railway Station one of their vegetarion options is, Peanut Butter, grated cheese and Banana Panini! Crikey! (Bit afraid of this one) 

And sorry, I love Fish but couldn’t bring myself to try the STARRYGAZEY pie either.

Television chef Rick Stein has long operated a fish restaurant in Padstow for this reason, and in 2006 Jamie Oliver opened his second restaurant, Fifteen Cornwall, in Watergate Bay near Newquay. One other famous local fish dish is Stargazy pie, a fish-based pie in which the heads of the fish stick through the piecrust, as though "star-gazing".
There are many portable businesses such as this place – Toasties and Tatties! 

 My new favourite snack is Haggis flavoured Crisps!  (Chips).  YUM!

CORNISH ICE Cream!  In a Cornish Fishing Village!

The Prize however for Strange FOODIE ODDITiTY, goes to a tinned dinner offered in a small supermarket in Kilkhampton outside of Bude, called “The Full Monty”

Description on TIN – Baked Beans in Tomato sauce with Large Sausages, potato chunks, button mushrooms, mini bacon steaks and a mini chopped and shaped beef and cereal cutlet. 
WTF?  Does anyone actually eat this for Supper?

Click and Watch below to view this magical land.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boNT46BMyWg&feature=player_embedded

THIS is ONLY Part 1 - Part 2 to follow  - I love this Land.

The Stratford Swans - What a Lovely Fuss!

When I read about the Stratford Swans Annual Parade from their winter quarters to the Avon River, I immediately thought, What Fun! So, of course I had to attend. It was a drizzly dull day and I didn’t think there would be many in attendance. I was wrong.

The street next to the arena was lined with people of all ages, hiding under umbrellas or cloaked in rain wear. Somehow I managed to squeeze to the front of the crowd, an advantage of being incredibly short, emphathetic individuals usually make way for me.

“What a fuss over some bloody birds!” A man behind me with a northern English accent exclaimed.
“Dad, please it’s just a bit of fun. I thought you liked bag pipes.”
“My God, such bother!”

The woman sighed and I glanced back sympathetically as my mother had made a similar complaint when I suggested she accompany me.

“I can’t stand the sound of bagpipes.” This was news to me. My 84 year old mother, who was born in England yet raised in Scotland, surrounded by the lilting sounds, never had mentioned this before, so I’m not sure when this opinion took hold of her.
For me, The Stratford Swans being Bag Piped into the River was the most comical, yet beautiful sight I’ve ever witnessed at a public event. I found myself laughing aloud, yet with a surprising emotional lump in my throat.
The mystical Pied Pipers look serious and stern but lets face it, you can’t smile when you're puffing your cheeks and blowing all your wind into a small tube, all efforts consumed by creating a rare supernatural sound.

Yes! There is much fuss made over some lovely birds, but the heart-warming sight of the well-behaved swans waddling in confusion behind a kilted procession of Highlanders, all anxious for their long awaited wade, I think should be right up there with the Running of The Bulls.  Of course, I know, I know, not nearly so dangerous a gathering, yet similiar that the Bull event was originally a process of moving the beasts from the farm to the market.  The Swans, moving to the river provided a stimulating sense of man moving nature's creatures alongside the manmade mystic music of ancient Scotland and I have classified it as motivational. All in all a sensation that reminded me, how great it is to be alive and by the surrounding chuckles and ahh sounds from the hundreds of participants giving rapt attention to the odd sight, it was obvious they felt something too!

Now that I’ve experienced and got all emotional about this parade, I will mark it down in permanent marker on all my future calendars. I would not miss this event in a million years! What more can be said in that the streets were lined, even with the odd grumpy complainer, dancing children donning swan hats, during a drizzly wet Sunday, and you can see by my photographs I could hardly get a decent shot because of the huge crowd.

After the Swans passed by I was then swept up by the stampeding mob desparate to get a glimpse of their first immersion into the river of 2012.

The swans, now road weary, the journey completed, just dreaming for a fancy-free paddle, there was a collective sigh, as their tired, feathered, awkward bodies plunged, now gracefully into the cool water accelarating fast away from the encroaching crowd.

 

What more can I say? It was magic!