Book listings for writers and readers (link)

Here’s a blog where you can browse books in a variety of categories: http://morgenbailey.wordpress.com/books-other-peoples/

Each book has a one-line description. Check out my ebooks: Hidebound and Sugar Time (Prose: novels); Pretty Pink Planet and Hot Yellow Planet (Prose: Short Stories); and Remodeling: Buying and Updating a Foreclosure (Non-Fiction).

Early bathroom colors (link)

"In the early days of plumbing, everything was white. The sink, the tub, the toilet. And there’s a reason for that. When you think of the color white, what do you think of? Clean? Sterile?

"That’s exactly what manufacturers wanted you to think, and it’s why many of the first products were white. A Kohler associate publication from 1928 explains:

“Take the case of plumbing fixtures. There are only two reasons why they remained white so long. One was that white was thought to be the appropriate color to symbolize cleanliness. The other was habit. The plumbing world got into a rut of white fixtures…” Kohler of Kohler News, February, 1928."

Check out the early colors! I love them, as do a lot of other people. Read the comments: Kohler Colors: The Early 1900's « Kohler Talk

Punctuation (a primer)

My review of Punctuation by G. Miki Hayden is on The New Book Review. Check it out, along with the other books reviewed there: http://www.thenewbookreview.blogspot.com/

Gardening and landscaping ideas

The Early Spring issue of Country Gardens has articles on plants, including amaryllis, daffodils, and clivia; garden borders; public gardens; miniature flower arrangements and landscapes; Beatrix Potter's garden and art; and other gardening ideas; but the article I enjoyed most was the one about reclaiming empty lots in New Orleans. Growing Homes is a local program to restore neighborhoods by enabling homeowners to buy the empty lot next to their home if they improve the lot and plant a garden. The improvements include orchards, rain gardens, and ponds. People are planting trees and vegetable and flower gardens. This is one of the most constructive programs--besides rehabbing empty buildings--I've ever come across. This is a fantastic issue!

Check out these current colors (link)

Add zip to your home with these colors, starting with Tangerine Tango, Feel-Good Mustard Yellow (brighter than mustard, actually), Juicy Cranberry (I really like this one), and gold (not just plain gold, and the ottoman looks metallic). Browse through all the colors: Try These Now: Winter's Hottest Color Trends : Decorating : Home & Garden Television

Hardscaping your landscape (link)

These HGTV hardscape suggestions cover your driveways, paths, etc. Think not only about the design, but about maintenance, environmental impact, and drainage. And can you get the product locally? Link: Hardscapes: Landscaping's Bones : Outdoor Projects : HGTV Remodels

Lovely color ideas for your home (link)

Do you have a favorite gem? Check out these jewel tones, including blue topaz, pearly opal, smoky quartz and royal amethyst: Color Palettes: Jewel Tones Home Made Simple

Bathroom flooring ideas (link)

Browse these bathroom flooring ideas and check out the lovely bathrooms; and there's what looks like a miniature, raised bathtub (#3). And apparently there's a trend for larger floor tile (12x12 or 18x18 inches) so there are fewer grout lines.

Link: Bathroom Flooring Styles and Trends : Bathroom Remodeling : HGTV Remodels

Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!

Help for restoring old houses

Lots of interesting articles in the March issue of Old-House Journal. I especially enjoyed the ones on two restored bungalows; an article on Arts & Crafts fireplaces; the rebuilding of Grass Lawn (destroyed by Hurricane Katrina) in Gulfport, Mississippi; and the history of Dearborn, Michigan. Lots of lovely photos. This magazine is a great resource for restoring or furnishing historical homes, and check out the book reviews of Passion for Primitives and Patina Style. For those wanting more background on old haunted houses, be sure to read the letters to the editors.

House hunting

Thursday night on Bones, they're house hunting. Will they have to compromise? As a fan of House Hunters on HGTV, I'm curious to see how this couple handles it.