Happy 25th Birthday, Courtly Check by MacKenzie-Childs!

The pattern began as a holding line between other patterns painted on an Armoire.  It was once called "Roasted Marshmallow" (under the Camp MacKenzie Childs collection).  

 Now, it is the most recognizable pattern/collection  offered by MacKenzie-Childs -- the ever popular Courtly Check. 
Note: IMO, whether in checks or diamond pattern, black/white is classic. 

Creative Director, Rebecca Proctor

Below: the Founder of MC: Victoria MacKenzie-Childs (no longer with company)

One of my favorite MC Courtly Check pieces (signed by Ms Proctor)

MC Basket Door Knobs

MacKenzie-Childs

YouTube: Victoria MacKenzie-Childs

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Home Renovation: Consider Installing a Skylight

So very, very happy we have 3 skylights (thus far, hahaha) in our home. 

On IG, I follow both the hashtags skylights and windows; and I save most of them in my folders.  There's something about a bright, sunny room -- with lots of windows or oversized windows and/or multiple skylights -- that causes me to smile :-)

pc: HGTV

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11

ONE Thing That Determines the Success of Any Room

What’s Popular for Kitchen Counters, Backsplashes and Walls




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Friday Funnies: A Democrat Dies and Meets St Peter

Below is joke only.  Jesus Christ is the only the way into heaven.

While walking down the street one day, a Democrat is tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in Heaven and is met by St. Peter at the pearly gates.

“Welcome to Heaven,” says St. Peter. “Before you settle in, we want to honor your free will. What we’ll do is have you spend one day in Hell and one day in Heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.”

And with that St. Peter escorts the Democrat to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to Hell.

The doors open and the Democrat finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a club and standing in front of it are all his friends. Everyone is very happy and in fancy evening dress. They run to greet and hug him, and reminisce about the good times they had. They dine on lobster and caviar. Also present is the Devil, who really is a very friendly guy and has a good time dancing and telling jokes.

The Democrat is having such a good time that before he realizes, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a big hug and waves while the elevator rises. The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens where St. Peter is waiting for him.

pc:  pauldavisoncrime.com

St. Peter says, “Now it’s time to visit Heaven.” The Democrat joins a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. Before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

“Well then, you’ve spent a day in Hell and another in Heaven. Now choose your eternity.”

The Democrat reflects for a minute, then answers, “Well, I would never have thought it. I mean Heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in Hell.”

So St. Peter escorts the Democrat to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to Hell. The doors of the elevator opens. The Democrat finds himself in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash. The Devil comes over to the Democrat and lays an arm on his neck.

“I don’t understand,” the Democrat stammers. “Yesterday I was here and there was a great golf course and club and we ate lobster and caviar and danced and had a good time. Now all there is is a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable.”

The Devil looks at him, smiles, and says, “Of course! Yesterday we were campaigning. Today you voted for us!”

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.  (1 John 5 )

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Rhinoceros Day 2020 & Paisley

In honor of Rhinoceros Day, here is my beautiful Rhino paisley candle that I "inherited" from my parents. Luv it!

The article below will add to the fascination you may have had about this endangered species.   This is definitely a case where ALL Rhino lives matter -- whether it be a black or white Rhinoceros. 

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In honor of Save the Rhino Day, here are some surprising things you may not know about these majestic and powerful creatures. - by Ashley Papa / Reader's Digest

They’re an economic boon

“They bring in large amounts of income from tourism and are vital to the ecosystem,” says Jennifer Fermon, director of impact for GreaterGood.org, a group that, among other causes, works to end poaching, protect rhino habitats, and raise awareness of the rhino’s plight. Rhinos also help keep the local flora and fauna healthy thanks to their dung, which supports fly, beetle, and fungus species.

THE LIGHT WRITER 33/SHUTTERSTOCK

Rhinos are surrounded by strife

“Instability and war in regions where the black rhino resides make conservation efforts for that species difficult,” says Fermon. But more and more organizations like Fermon’s are stepping in to protect the habitat.

DAI KUROKAWAEPA/EF/SHUTTERSTOCK

Their skin regimen is impressive

A rhino’s skin is actually quite sensitive. They protect it from the sun by covering themselves in mud and letting it dry, according to Discover Wildlife. Rhinos will also rub their bodies against tree trunks and rocks to remove bugs, such as ticks

STUART G PORTER/SHUTTERSTOCK

They’re really fast

They make look heavy and slow, but rhinos can run an incredible 30 to 40 mph, according to The Australian Rhino Project. Black rhinos reach speeds up to 50 mph—or nearly twice as fast as Usain Bolt!

They’re critically endangered

At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 500,000 rhinos across Africa and Asia, Save the Rhino estimates. Today, the organization says there are 29,000 rhinos in the wild. This is because of poaching and loss of habitat, which has put all rhino species in danger of extinction. Here are 10 more animals you may not have realized are endangered.

JONATHAN PLEDGER/SHUTTERSTOCK

The largest species is the white rhino

They grow 12 to 13 feet in length and up to 6 feet high, measured from the ground to shoulder, according to the San Diego Zoo. White rhinos weigh around 5,000 lbs.

White rhinos are not extinct

The Northern white rhino is almost completely gone—only two females remain. However, Northern white rhinos have been extinct in the wild since 2008. White rhinos—or Southern white rhinos—are at the “Near Threatened” status; more than 20,000 still exist in the wild, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). But don’t get discouraged: Here are photos of 10 endangered baby animals that are making a comeback.

The smallest rhino species

The San Diego Zoo also reports that the smallest of the five rhino species is the Sumatran rhino, which grows eight to ten feet long, nearly five feet high, and weighs around 1,765 lbs.

Rhinos are vegetarians

It may be hard to believe given their size, but rhinos are not predators and they don’t eat meat. As herbivores, they survive on eating plants—lots and lots of plants.

pc: wikipedia

They have very stringent schedules

Rhinos spend their days and nights grazing and only sleep during the hottest parts of the day, reports National Geographic. When they aren’t eating, they like a cooling mud soak.

ROBERTO RICCIUTI/SHUTTERSTOCK

Birds are their best friends

Rhinos tend to be solitary, but they make an exception for oxpeckers, a type of bird. According to Livescience.com, the oxpecker will sit on a rhino’s back and eat the bugs that crawl on the rhino’s skin. The bird will also call out when danger approaches.

Y.F.WONG/SHUTTERSTOCK

Black rhinos have two horns

It might look like one, but the black rhino has two horns. The International Rhino Foundation reports that the front horn is larger and can range from 20 to 55 inches long. The rear horn is smaller and measures up to 22 inches long.

A rhino pregnancy lasts 15 to 16 months

That may be a long pregnancy, but the Rhino Orphanage reports that a newborn rhino will be up and walking within one hour of its birth. Also, a newborn rhino usually starts nursing from its mom within the first five hours after being born and will start grazing at around two months of age. 

pc: Chicago Tribune

A pack of rhinos is called a crash

Most people know that a bunch of birds is a flock, and a group of fish is a school, but few know that a herd of rhinos is called a crash. Which makes sense, if you’ve ever had a crash coming after you.

JMX IMAGES/SHUTTERSTOCK

Rhinos mark territory with dung

The International Rhino Foundation also reports that an adult rhino can produce as much as 50 pounds of dung per day, a result of their extremely high-fiber diet and the fact that they have to eat so much. Rhinos can tell a lot about each other from their dung, such as age, gender, and diet. 

Around 500,000 rhinos once roamed free

According to the World Wildlife Fund, about 500,000 rhinos lived across Asia and Africa at the beginning of the 20th century. However, by 1970, just 70 years later, the rhino population dramatically dropped to as few as 70,000 worldwide. There were, and still are, five different species of rhinos, including the Javan rhino, the Sumatran rhino, the greater one-horned rhino, the black rhino, and the white rhino. Here are 15 things you never knew about rhinos. - Reader's Digest

15 Things You Never Knew About Rhinos

wikipedia: Rhinoceros

Baby Rhino at Lincoln Park Zoo

White Rhinoceros

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Pet Life: Rescued Shih Tzu Dog's Haircut in the News

An 11-pound Shih Tzu named Ellie Mae had 9 pounds of matted hair removed from her tiny body after being rescued by the Nebraska Humane Society (NHS) in one of “the worst” needs for a haircut the shelter had ever seen. Five hours after the procedure, the brave dog took her first steps outside and the organization says she is “doing better than ever — she seems like a whole new dog.” - FoxNews

Rescued Shih-Tzu Dog




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Bathroom Renovation: Small Bathroom Ideas

This subject of small bathrooms is always a subject of interest to me. Near and dear to my heart, for certain.  

One of our very own bathrooms is only 55 square feet (11 by 5 feet) in square footage total. Long and rectangular.  It's only source of natural light is a skylight (very thankful for it). What to do to give it a WoW factor since its the main bathroom for Guests??

Below are examples of other renovated, small but cute bathrooms.   

6 Small Bathrooms With Dramatic Walk-In Showers.  In 65 square feet or less, these designers make big design statements using stylish tile and bold contrast (by HOUZZ.com)

1. Large Black Tile in Herringbone Pattern With White Grout

Designer: Brooke Brown of L&B
Location: Houston
Size: 50 square feet (4.6 square meters); 5 by 10 feet

Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner wanted this main floor bathroom to wow her guests the moment they walked in,” designer Brooke Brown says. “The brass fixtures soften and warm up the sharp black-and-white contrast, which creates a timeless yet modern space.”

Photo by L&B Limited Company 

2. Small Marble Tile in Herringbone Pattern

Designers: Liz Diseati (project manager) and VW Fowlkes (principal designer) of Fowlkes Studio
Location: New York City
Size: 50 square feet (4.6 square meters); 5 by 10 feet

Homeowners’ request. A midcentury modern bathroom with a double vanity and a large shower. “The original layout had a small closet that was not very functional. We took over the closet space with the new layout to increase the size of the bathroom and allow room for a double vanity and a more generous shower,” designer VW Fowlkes says.

Photo by Fowlkes Studio

3. Handmade Tile That Looks Like Tree Bark

Designer: Danielle Loven of Vivid Interior
Location: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Size: 40 square feet (3.7 square meters); 5 by 8 feet

Homeowners’ request. Remove a bathtub and add a walk-in shower that would feature rustic textured tile that nods to the home’s wooded surrounding.

Photo by Vivid Interior Design - Danielle Loven

4. Marble Basket-Weave Tile

Designer: Laura Fox
Location: McLean, Virginia
Size: 65 square feet (6 square meters); 5 by 13 feet

Homeowners’ request. Update a 1960s-era bathroom and its baby-blue tile, toilet and bathtub to create a brighter, more luxurious and elegant design with more storage.

Photo by Laura Fox Interior Design, LLC 

5. Black Hexagonal Floor Tile

Designer: Michele McIntyre
Location: Newport Beach, California
Size: 60 square feet (5.6 square meters)

Homeowners’ request. “This was new construction for an investor client, so I had complete creative freedom,” designer Michele McIntyre says. “However, it’s a guest bath visible from a walk to the powder room for all guests in the home, so I chose easy-on-the-eye yet interesting details.”

Photo by Michele McIntyre Design 

6. Black Marble Tile

Designers: Morgan and Jamie Molitor of construction2style
Location: Elk River, Minnesota
Size: 42 square feet (3.9 square meters)

Homeowners’ request. Update a guest bathroom and free up space by removing the tub and large vanity and installing a walk-in shower and floating vanity.

Photo by construction2style LLC 

Read full Houzz aarticle H E R E

6 Small Bathrooms With Dramatic Walk-In Showers

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