What Fascinates Me About Plumbing

What fascinates me about plumbing is first, that it works. Well, most of the time. How does it know how to do that and where does it go and why don't we all get sick from it? I don't want details. I just want to live with the fascination.

But then, what also fascinates me about plumbing is how some people just go about fixing it and some people call plumbers.

I would be likely to fall into that last category, but since I had a sink with a stuck stopper, another one or two that leaked and a toilet that we still don't have right (fortunately, there are two), Rick said he'd fix it for me.

Sounds cool to me. So, off we go to Jake's Plumbing Supply.

Jake's was started in 1955, according to Kris, Jake's son and now proprietor. That's Kris with Rick -- he's a one-person shop and I'm thinking he does it pretty well.

I'm quite sure some of the stuff there has been there since 1955. And some predates that!

Want a toilet seat? Kris has 'em. 700 of them. He didn't have the 1964-era peachy brown I wanted, but he could order it. (At $55, we're going for a lesser-priced, fake-oak seat.)

Looking for a planter? Kris can fix you up! He had several similar models outside the front door. With plants.

A little office taxidermy? This bunny seemed to hold his own with a neon clock.

Why waste money on expensive signs with your hours? Frugality is smart!

And there's always a little local color. That Oldsmobile bit might go well on Ebay.

How about some parts -- some screw or washer that hasn't been made in years? Not a problem! Some of the stuff here is probably worth a small Internet fortune!

A little bit of wisdom? Just look around!

If you're in need of some fishing lures while you're looking for plumbing supplies, Kris might sell you some of his.

And it's nice to know, they follow through on their work!

I was fascinated by this place. I kept thinking "If you were a brave assemblage artist, all you'd need to do is come in here, and you'd have every supply you'd need!"

Honestly, there was so much stuff there, it made my art room look downright minimalist! While Rick talked part with Kris, I was just fascinated by everything about it!

And he knew where everything was.

The two bathroom sinks are fixed perfectly -- now we can actually use the one in the hall, and the other one doesn't leak.

The kitchen sink still seems to seep a bit. And the toilet? Well, let's just say, I don't think we've seen the last of Kris!

(I'm thinking Kris doesn't get out a lot -- when Rick spotted a picture on his wall of a whole bunch of toilets outside a building, he said "There's this movie -- I think you'd particularly enjoy a scene in it. It's called 'The Help.'" He didn't have a clue. Too bad, because he'd really get a kick out of it!)

Season of Frenzy -- Shopping, Friends and Ideas!

We're counting down and of course, more behind than ever, but doing my best not to stress about it!

Rick helped me decorate my big tree -- pix to come. But here's a helpful hint. If you have a cat (especially a curious one), consider anchoring your tree with big boxes of kitty litter on each leg. The extra 25 pounds will protect the tree from falling and you won't have to buy kitty litter for a bit!

On the home front -- playing with a bit more easy decorating. (I may have a lot of trees up, but they are small and had lights on when they came up from the basement, so there are few ornaments on most of them!) I liked tossing silver balls into my shells from Myrtle Beach.

And I loved rediscovering this sweet Santa couple from my past when splunking in the basement last week. The paint is peeling -- no, just dropping off in powdery bits! (Lead, I'm sure.) I've not had them out for a long while.

But as you can see from the photo below, they are definitely golden oldies and it's nice to have them there with me this year, reminding me of mom and dad.

I've been shopping -- locally when I can. Here's a photo from Vets, Too. Vets is a hardware store in Lansing, and the gift shop next door has some lovely things year round. Most of the photos in this post are from there.

Summer Schriner (of Grace in Lansing, where we visited a week or so ago) cites The 3/50 Project as a great tool for people to take action by. The concept is for financially able residents to spend $50 at three different locally owned brick and mortar shops in their city. According to the 3/50 website

For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home. (Schriner quoted from Lansing Capital Gains).

Makes sense to me.

Time with friends. In my last post we visited the adorable Sweetie-Licious bakery in DeWitt, where I enjoyed tea with my friend Judy.

A few days later, a group of us got together for lunch. It's hard to get a group of nine all in one place at the same time and we didn't do it that day, either. Those of us who were there laughed, celebrated each others' triumphs, offered support for the challenges and had a divine time. Which, of course, is what the holidays are all about.

Rhonda, Jeanie, Holly, Kate and Jane

So, on this Saturday before Christmas, game on! Time to check inventory, wrap for mailing, do some shopping and work on getting our cards.

Rick will take a break from the bike today -- later we'll get his tree so we can decorate it tomorrow!

There are presents to be wrapped -- and I want to take photos at the museum's Christmas exhibit this weekend, too!

So, I'd best put on my big girl boots, start softening butter for this weekend's baking marathon and start taking inventory.

Christmas is coming and this woman is on a mission!

Season of Frenzy: Sweetie Edition

'Tis the season to run around, find gifts, decorate, wrap. I think it's time for pie!

That means a visit to Sweetie-Licious Pie Pantry and Bakery in DeWitt! (And yes, they mail order!)

Linda Hundt, the Sweetie herself, is the winner of the National Pie Contest (as seen on Food Network), along with a number of other contests. Check out her delightful blog, too!

One bite of her tasty treats and its easy to see why!

But a visit to Sweetie-Licious is more than sweet treats, especially at the holidays.

So, enjoy a few of my favorite touches from one of the tastiest places in town.

It all begins with a welcome.

Then you enter -- and see the line! It moves quickly and besides, that gives you time to puruse all the options -- decadent cookies, large deep dish pies (Tom's Cherry Cherry Berry Pie is a hit!) and enchanting cupcakes -- I was fond of the coconut covered white cupcakes! The cabinet below this display is filled with treats!

Take a look left, right, up and down. You'll see a giant story book hanging from the ceiling...

...the "Pixie Pantry" atop Linda's signature pink boxes, all awaiting pick-up.

Here's a closer look!

A jolly Santa climbs down a vintage chimney.

Sweet vintage villages remind us of our childhoods...

...while a cute sign reminds us that special orders are available.

Holiday balls and greens are another reminder of the holiday.

Like we needed it. (The reminder, I mean. We always need pie.)

Feel like cooking? Grab an apron! The vintage textiles look perfect here!

And if you're looking for some reading material, you'll find a book or two to enchant you!

Settle in for a snack at one of the three tables -- or a salad or quiche.

Or, if you prefer, just take pictures! It's hard not to!

The fact is, Sweetie-Licious is just so darned sweet that you might not even need to have a snack to get that happy sweet feeling.

But you'll want to. Time to make pie?

Word on the street is "it's easy!"

(Thanks, Linda, for letting me shoot to my heart's content! And the Lemon Cherry Bomb cookie gave me the energy to do it!)