Call me a hippie, but I love "up-cycling." The idea takes recycling to the next level, literally turning trash into treasure. I've seen entire gardens made from 2-liter bottles, pet beds made from old computers and surprising new uses for wine corks. One of my favorite ideas was a coffee table one blogger created from a secondhand door. She kept the knicks, scratches and old-fashioned hardware the door came with to create a table with lots of character.     So when I was forced to replace my old front door, throwing it out wasn't an option! I considered turning it ...Read Entire Entry

     About a year ago, I visited the State Fair with my mom and we had a blast walking through the "House of Tomorrow." The model home was outfitted with the latest energy-efficient and just plain cool devices. My personal favorite was the microwave drawer oven, mostly because I love hiding stuff in the kitchen.      Surprise pull-out drawers and cabinets that hold more than meets the eye keep a big kitchen looking clean, fresh and uncluttered even if there are dirty dishes in the sink. Not to mention the space-saving possibilities - I still have a big, stand-up trash ...Read Entire Entry

     Family tends to gather in the kitchen and any dog lover knows that always includes the family pet. This can quickly turn into chaos, especially for owners of multiple dogs. I only have one - a tiny, 10-pound miniature dachshund named Munchie - and I can only imagine what owners of big dogs must go through.     I can't count the number of times I've inadvertently kicked her bowl and sent kibble flying across the tile floor. Plus, I have to devote a cabinet to her food, medication, leashes, etc. Add tracking mud in through the back door and your ...Read Entire Entry

Technology has made our lives easier and that also applies to the kitchen. Sure, the e-reader version of my grandmother's recipe book will never replace the dog-eared, hand-highlighted copy but being tech-savvy in the kitchen does have its benefits. For example, I spent a great deal of my life in dorms or student apartments where my kitchen motto was "If it doesn't go in the microwave, I don't know how to make it." When I finally settled into a house with a gloriously large and open kitchen, I needed to learn how to cook - fast. Luckily, I had ...Read Entire Entry