IKEA's New Collection

It dawned on me as I was preparing to email friends and family about IKEA's new Stockholm Collection that I really haven't really written much about my favorite retailer, IKEA.

It's been almost one year since IKEA Canton opened. I've probably been to our local IKEA less than a dozen times, which is extremely surprising since I've been a Detroit-store advocate for more than 12 years. Realistically though, it's probably a good thing or we'd be adding our statistics to the Michigan list of foreclosures!

Here is one of the pieces I found to be attractive:



However, like past special collections, the prices are steeper than usual.

The Hurrier I Go...

In discussing our landscape plans with a friend, I began to think "big picture" in terms of Kyle's graduation party. It's not that I haven't done that yet, but trying to think about things on a realistic scale.

I wanted to plan everything out. You know, a timetable. Never got around to it but had vaguely planned what we were doing, especially on the weekend. This weekend is our biggest project. Thank God we have a three-day holiday weekend before the party!

We are doing an entire backyard landscape. What is so unusual is that we are not planting anything (nor are we ripping anything out yet either). We have a few trees, shrubs and bushes back there but nothing to crow about, except our lilac tree. What we are doing is rototilling the perimeter, mixing in dirt and then topping with cedar mulch. Here's the (eventual) grand plan:



If the above image isn't appearing, here's the link to the plan.

Ian's Bedroom

One of my favorite pictures taken in our house:



The light was just perfect!

Typographic Calendars

My fascination with type goes back quite a way. It probably started with logo identification. I was also fascinated with handwriting and, specifically, fountain pens. I remember using one as far back as the fourth grade on a regular basis.

This year, I created my own typographic calendar and forwarded to friends and colleagues. If you'd like your own copy, email me (see link at sidebar).

Here are two of my favorites:

Molly's Softball Game

Molly's team won another game on Tuesday. It's going to be interesting to hear what she thinks about returning to play baseball next week when the rec team starts practicing.

Grad Party Treats

I just looked into printing custom M&M's for Kyle's party. Here's what I'd order:

Prom Highlights

The weather was great. Kyle looked great with his new 'do and Kelly looked elegant in her beautiful light blue dress. We had plans to go down to the Roosertail to spend about a half-hour taking pictures, but had a great time at the Cardelli's house catching up with everyone. The kids got a huge (bus) limo and ten couples were whisked away.

Each attendee gets a CD of pictures taken at the prom. It wasn't professionally done, but it's something. Kyle and Kelly are only in one picture of hundreds.

Prom Time

Tonight is Kyle's prom at the Roostertail. Our school superintendent invited me down to check it out. Kyle's not too happy about that, but it gives me an opportunity to 1) see all the kids I've known since Kindergarten all dressed up and 2) more importantly, to take photographs. We'll be there for a half-hour, tops.

Here's a picture that goes all the way back to my 1980 high school graduation party. Yes, that's Greg and me. Hey, who didn't have a dorky haircut and/or glasses in the 80s?

Adaptive Reuse

I have always been interested in architectural Adaptive Reuse, even before I knew what it was called. The most common examples are conversions of a single-room school or a church to a house. Of course there are many others. I would love to convert an up-north building into second home. The main disadvantage would be that it wouldn't be waterfront property.

This house, located in Royal Oak at the corner of Knowles and Sixth Streets, is one of my favorites.