Happy Corners

Sometimes I amaze myself with my ability to put up with minor frustrations when there is a perfectly simple solution to a problem. 

Every member of our family seems to be cursed with the inability to put the cordless telephone back on the charge. There is nothing more frustrating than the phone ringing and not being able to locate the handset. It drives me bonkers. And in the odd occasion that I am able to locate the handset before the ringing has stopped, there is a brief exchange before being systematically cut-off from the caller due to the fact the handset has run out of batteries because it has been left off the charge for too long. At this point my blood pressure flies off the charts and I start getting snappy with the Whippet, even though I know he didn't touch the handset and it was most likely me who left it in the bottom of the laundry basket.

While I'm on a little rant over the phone issue, the other issue we seem to have is the never-ending pile of stuff that sits permanently at the end of the bench. No matter how clean and tidy the kitchen is, there is always an accumulation of cords, devices, odd and ends, stuff and things that remains right at the very end.  So today I found a solution to the phantom telephone and end-of-bench clutter and tried to turn this sad sad corner into a happy happy corner.

Note the absence of telephone on the charge!

This is the gorgeous Tasmanian Oak side table I found at the tip last week. The top was in pretty shabby condition but it's really beautifully made and just needed a sand and varnish. My dad makes lovely fine furniture and I really struggle buying new things when there are so many abandoned pieces that would have been made with the love and care that my dad would have given a piece and that you just don't get with the mass produced furniture. 

Here it is all finished and sitting happily in the corner.  I ditched the cordless phone and replaced it with this old telephone that will never let me down. I can not tell you the joy I feel knowing that if the phone rings there is a 100% probability that I will be able to find it. Why on earth didn't I do this sooner! There is a little nook for my wool basket and some books and magazines and not a cord in sight! 

I picked up these two cute little pots from the op shop for $3 each and the vase on the right is one of Grandpa's pottery pieces, filled with some Jasmine from the garden.

The clutter from the bench has gone and the sad sad corner is looking much happier. 

Now there is a sunny spot where I can sit and have a natter on the phone or look at the view or do some granny squares. If you were to come over, you could sit in the chair and put your feet up while I make you a cup of tea. You may have to fight the Whippet for the spot though :-)