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How to Install a Hard-Wired Pendant Light

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You may have noticed that pretty little seedy glass pendant light over our sink from my video the other day. It was a breeze to install, so I want to share with you the tutorial.

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

And now it’s tutorial time!

Materials:

Instructions:

Safety First! Turn off the power to the light fixture circuit. If there is no light fixture installed, check the power with a voltage tester. (I had to flip 6 circuits before I found the one that fed power to that junction box! And you know, I updated the labeling in our circuit breaker once I found it. This is required by code.)

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Modifying the Height of a Light Fixture:

Use a ruler to measure how low you want your pendant light to hang. If you need to, put a piece of painter’s tape at that mark to give yourself a visual reference spot to see if you like that height. (Or corral a partner into holding the light fixture for you while you make up your mind.)

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Lay your tape measure on the counter and stretch the light fixture out next to the ruler (be sure to set the glass shade on to gauge the full height.)

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Assess where to separate the chain to reach the desired height.

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You can separate chain links by using two screwdrivers and rotating them in opposite directions as shown below:

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Sneak Peek of our Kitchen

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I am so thankful for all the comments and well wishes you have given me over the past six months. Many of those comments have lifted my spirits during the long kitchen renovation process. Your belief in me has truly allowed me to take on projects I would have probably shied away from.

After 6.5 months, we finally unpacked our boxes and officially moved back into the kitchen. The plumber hooked up our sink and dishwasher on Tuesday. It was a milestone for us. My boys (young and adult) acted as if the kitchen sink was a thing of wonder.

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As a thank you for helping me through the process of building our kitchen back after the leak, I’m giving you a little sneak peek of the progress. It’s not complete, but I feel like I owe you this little video preview:

Source List:

 

Just getting caught up on our kitchen renovation? You can read ALL about how we went from a small water leak to bare studs to a working kitchen!

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10 Tips for Surviving Springtime Allergies

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My plane had no sooner touched down at Raleigh/Durham airport than I started sneezing my head off. We were back in the pollen bomb (what I call the abundance of pollen accumulation this time of year.) Here are to Tips for Surviving Springtime Allergies.

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My oldest son has severe pollen allergies. This time of year is usually miserable for the poor guy. Over the years we’ve gotten better at managing his symptoms. Besides some preventative prescription allergy medications (that we start before the pollen hits), we’ve also used some simple non-prescription remedies. I’m hoping that some of these tips might help ease your springtime allergy suffering, too.

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How to Fix Your Garden Gnome (and Other Garden Decor)

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Garden gnomes are the cute little guardian angels that watch over our homes. And sometimes they get a bit neglected.

In our case the poor fella was beaten up a bit by string trimming and the sun.

So today I’m going to share how you can fix any small holes or cracks and repaint your gnome so that it looks like new. These tips will also work with other garden decor that you’d like to repair.

Here are the supplies you need

  • Hydraulic cement
  • Bucket
  • Margin trowel
  • Gloves
  • Great stuff
  • Old towel
  • Rust-Oleum Primer (spray)
  • Hobby paint brushes
  • Valspar paint samples
  • Rust-Oleum Clear Coat (spray)

This is a pretty fun project and the kids can participate, too.

Let’s get to it 🙂

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Grateful

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Grateful Bracelet from Vintage Fern

You know when you have experiences in your life that make you extremely grateful to have what you do have. The moments when you realize that seconds or inches make the difference between life and death. And moments when you suddenly realize how blessed you are.

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We had one of those moments Friday night.

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While at SNAP I received word that a huge tree had fallen on our house.

My whole family was home except me. And despite the damage, all that really matters is that my four boys (my husband, my two boys, and Buddy) were unscathed.

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Sure there are numerous holes in our roof.

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Sure there was a 8 foot limb that punctured my son’s bedroom ceiling.

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Sure there is consequently a hole with a view to the sky in his bedroom.

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Sure our attic is literally a disaster zone filled with pine needles, sap and rain soaked contents.

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But, it doesn’t matter. All that matters to me is that my loved ones are fine.

The restoration team has already moved in to start drying things out.

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Yup, that would be my brand new kitchen ceiling with a big hole cut into it. But, honestly, it doesn’t matter.

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Sheetrock and paint are cheap. Lives are priceless!

Sadly, I think some baby chickadees lost their lives. I’m hoping the parents survived and will consider building a new nest in their favorite home:

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I’m taking a few days to give my boys extra hugs and kisses. And I’ll be busy on clean up duty. Hope to see you again soon.

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Important Note: I had to cancel my talk on Monday, April 20th at the Habitat ReStore in Greater Greensboro. I will have to reschedule for a later date and will be sure to let you know when I do. If you  live in the area, still head over to the ReStore this week for Earth Day specials.

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