Welcome to the 883rd Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you have had a fun, relaxing weekend! The past week around here has been a bit crazy. The Fisher and Paykal dishwasher I purchased a few weeks back was supposed to be installed on Friday, December 19. The installers arrived on time but were unable to complete the install, saying that I first needed to have an outlet installed under the sink.
That situation reminded me of when I purchased a refrigerator for the Dollhouse. That install was also delayed when the installers informed me that I would need a particular type of hookup for the icemaker/water and that a plumber would have to do the actual water hookup since they weren’t allowed to do that part. Fortunately, I was able to get a plumber out a few days later at the exact same time as the installers, so they were able to communicate with him exactly what was needed.
After the dishwasher installers left, I started calling around trying to find an electrician. An electrician I’ve used before came out yesterday and completed the outlet. The dishwasher is supposed to be installed tomorrow. During the days leading up to the electrician’s arrival, I continued to use the old dishwasher, loading dirty dishes into it each day until I had enough to run a load. When I pressed the button to start the dishwasher, I got a surprise! It had mysteriously stopped working. It had been working fine before the installer’s visit. So I ended up having to unload all the dirty dishes and wash them all by hand. Have you ever washed dishes that have been sitting with food residue on them for 4-5 days? Not fun! I now understand why dishwashers take so long to wash dishes—dried-on food is difficult to remove!
So I haven’t had a working dishwasher since December 19. That meant I had to wash all the dishes by hand for a gathering of five for our Christmas Eve dinner, too. I honestly don’t mind washing dishes—as long as they haven’t been sitting in a dead dishwasher for 4-5 days. When the electrician came out yesterday, he found that the installers had turned off the power to the dishwasher at the fuse box, but never bothered to turn it back on before leaving. It never occurred to me to check that, and I’m not sure I would have felt comfortable turning it back on since there was some type of manual/instructions in a plastic bag hanging out of the bottom of the dishwasher after they shoved it back under the cabinet. What?! Hopefully, the installation of the new F & P, 2-drawer dishwasher will go well tomorrow. I’m looking forward to using it this upcoming week. I’ll let you know how it goes in case you’re curious about Fisher & Paykal 2-drawer dishwashers and how they perform.
Despite having no dishwasher for the past ten days, spending time with family this past week has been a lot of fun. I added a couple of new bits of art to the movie room walls. A month or two back, I ordered a Home Alone movie poster. It took me ages to find one that I liked since I wanted the poster to feature the iconic Home Alone house. Unfortunately, it arrived badly creased in multiple places. The seller refunded the cost and told me to keep the poster, I guess not wanting to pay the return postage. Hating to throw it in the trash, a few days ago I took it out of its flimsy shipping box, laid it out on the dining room table, and placed large heavy books all over the surface. I left it like that for several days. That helped a little, but if you look where the overhead light is shining down across the poster, some of the creases are still visible. Fortunately, that light is usually turned off.
Normally, the only lights that are on in the movie room are these two lamps at the other end of the room, and those always get turned off once we start a movie.
So normally, this end of the room is dimly lit with just the lights from the staircase lighting up the area.
I like the poster so much, I may try to order it again and request that the seller look over the poster thoroughly prior to shipping, and ship it in a really sturdy container designed for posters instead of a narrow cardboard box.
Love the design of this poster! Do you see the church in the background where Kevin encounters his “scary” next-door neighbor? I love all the details, like the Wet Bandits’ van and the pizza delivery car. I’m guessing the yellow taxi is a nod to Home Alone 2, which takes place in New York a few years later.
Hanging just to the left of the Home Alone Movie poster is Kevin’s Battle Plan.
Some of the “Battle Plans” available for sale online are not true to the original plan shown in the movie, but this one is a true replica of the Battle Plan Kevin creates in the movie.
Maybe I should bring up the Home Alone Lego house that I made a few years back…
…and display it on a small table underneath the Battle Plan. Not sure if there’s enough room to place it there, but it would be a nice addition to the movie room.
One other addition to the movie room this past week was this heated blanket. When I first took it out of the package, it was kinda flat, but it fluffed up nicely over the following 24 hours. I went with a “full” size blanket so it would be large enough to cover one or two people on the sofa. We have enjoyed it so much, I just ordered a second one today. Initially, I had planned to order either a queen or king-size blanket, but I knew those would be pretty cumbersome to fold up after watching a movie. Also, by ordering two separate blankets instead of one really large blanket, there will be two separate controls in case someone wants their blanket warmer or cooler. The kitties love it, too. (Heated blanket is available here: Heated Blanket.)
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Metamorphosis Monday: Metamorphosis Monday is a party that’s all about Before and Afters. Please link up your Before and After projects, like DIY projects, room makeovers, craft projects, and even recipes. Please do not link up Table Settings; save those for our Tablescape Thursday party on Thursday. If you are participating in Met Monday, link your post to the party using the “permalink” to your MM post and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on the name of your post, then copy and paste the address (that shows in the address bar at the top of your blog) into the “URL” box for InLinkz when prompted.
I have been washing dishes by hand for 10 years. That is when my dishwasher broke and I have no desire to get a new one.
I don’t mind when it’s just a few, but after a dinner party for 6 people, I really enjoy having a dishwasher. When it’s just me, I often wash them by hand.
Have you tried ironing the new poster? It might help smooth it out. Be sure to lay a towel between the poster and the iron, no steam.
Also, I definitely think you should move the Home Alone Lego house to the movie room. It’s the perfect location.
No, but I think that’s a great idea! Would be great if that worked and didn’t alter the colors of the poster. Thanks, Mary!
My thought was also to iron it.
I have been washing dishes by hand for 43 years. I would never get a dishwasher I like doing it even when my four children lived at home it was good therapy.
So many problems with appliance installation, what an ordeal! But it’ll be fine once new one is put in. Love the movie room but we want pictures of the kitties
lol I should do an updated post showing the babies. They are growing like weeds!
I had a poster with wrinkles ,I put it between kitchen towels and used a dry iron on medium setting and ironed it. Amazingly it worked.
I will try that! Thanks, Ginni!
Since you may order another poster I would Google to see if you could iron out the folds by putting it between cloths and using a low temperature. Can’t hurt to try.
I def should do that, it’s worth a try!
Love the poster and the battle plan, Susan. (What could the seller have been thinking, sending it that way?!!) They are both very cute though and perfect additions to the room. And I love seeing the kitties fairy door in the picture!
I know! Argh. Thanks, Pam!
Try ironing your poster on the reverse side. No steam and low heat. Works for me!
I see folks have suggested pressing with towels. I use a cotton pillowcase as a presscloth. Towels, if they have very much pile, can leave little bumps.
I think I will give it a go and hopefully, it will help with all the creases.
I dont think the poster looks bad but why cant you take it out and iron the creases out? Put a cloth over the top like a table cloth and iron the wrinkles. Simple.
I think I’ll try that. I just don’t want to damage it since I may not be able to order another one. Hopefully, it will work!
Always busy Susan. I don’t know about you, but I have no patience and once you are behind, seems like you are always behind because you have so many projects going on.
Since it’s a poster, maybe they can roll it up and mail it in the hard post office tube if you order again.
I have a framed poster that was a character from LaNuba at Circque du Soliel. Not sure where I picked it up but I can’t identify the guy online. I even asked a younger person. Maybe it’s rare and I should sell it! LOL
Yes, where are your fur babies ?
Wishing you a Happy Healthy New Year.
Thanks, Myrna! They are everywhere, always running around the house! lol
Your movie room is so fun – even more so now – and I think your Lego house would be perfect down there. Good luck with the dishwasher. I am curious how you like it. Hope you have a lovely week, and thanks for the party!
Thanks, Barbara! So far I love the dishwasher, but there are some issues with how it was installed. So they are coming back on Jan 5th to try and correct those. But it works, so I can use it in the meantime.
Nice additions and your lego HA house soooo has to be in that dollhouse media room somehow. It just belongs there for sure. You are so whimsical and fun.
Thanks, Michelle! It really does! lol
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I have personally had good luck ironing posters (face down and on the lowest heat and steam setting with parchment paper over it, and then leave to cool on a very flat surface ). Maybe you could try on some paper with a similar weight and texture first. Also, I do use my dishwasher every day, but for cleaning the countertops, etc., these are the best gloves I’ve found to use, because they fit tightly and are thick and comfortable: https://www.target.com/p/clorox-ultra-comfort-gloves/-/A-82217846
Thanks for those tips, Cyndy! I need to order parchment paper. I cooked something recently and needed it for that and didn’t have it. So I’ll order some and give it a go.
Thanks for the tip on the gloves!
Everything lovely, as usual! Be careful with the kitties and the electric blankets. Don’t let them start kneading the blankets with their claws.
True! That would not be good!
Happy New Year!!
Thanks so much for hosting this wonderful party!! I really appreciate the time and effort that goes into it along with visiting all the links!! I hope you are having a great week!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Happy New Year, Deb!
Thought of you this morning when I read the Chicago Tribune! https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/31/home-alone-house-winnetka-driveway/
Deb, thanks so much for the link to that article! I love that the new owners are thinking of returning the home to how it looked in the movie. I hope they get permission to change the driveway, or how else will we be able to imagine the lawn jockey being knocked over every time pizza is delivered? Ha!
I read in the book, Home But Alone No More, that the Abendshiens were offered the opportunity to keep the lawn jockey at the end of filming, and they declined! I would have jumped at the chance to keep it—such a cool souvenir of the amazing adventure they had witnessing the filming!
Happy New Year!
Have you seen the new LV releases of the TheDarjeling Limited collection?
Yes, LV is spelling it Darjeling on the website but it looks like the pieces have it spelled Darjeeling on the actual items. So tempting! It’s on pre-order now on the website, I’m thinking about something small like this:
https://us.louisvuitton.com/eng-us/products/lv-x-the-darjeling-limited-glasses-holder-s00-nvprod7290152v/M03682
I seem to remember that you posted about the movie and luggage a while ago but I can’t find it. Thought you might enjoy seeing the new collection.
Wow, I had not heard about this collection at LV. Thank you for telling me about it! I love it, but the only thing I’m not too crazy about is that they put the LV logo in giant letters on each piece. I wish they would offer personalized monogramming like Very Troubled Child did when I purchased my bag from them many years ago. https://www.verytroubledchild.com/ I love that Darjeeling design, although VTC can’t call it that.
Over the past few years, I have found myself not buying bags that have the brand name on them in large letters. I don’t mind if it’s subtle, like a small stamp somewhere like Hermes does, AND I don’t mind if it’s a recognized design, like the LV’s monogram or Damier Ebene design, Burberry’s House Check design, or the Dior Oblique pattern. But I don’t like it when it’s the luxury house’s name in giant letters, like on my Dior wicker bag.
I love that bag but I really wish Dior had not put their name in giant letters on one side. I feel like a walking billboard or like I’m trying to “impress” when I carry that bag with the brand name (DIOR) facing out. So I always carry it turned with the name facing toward my body. I didn’t mind that so much when I first bought it, not sure what changed in me, but now it bugs me, though probably not enough to sell it.
So the huge LV is a bit of a turn-off for me. In my humble opinion, they should have offered to personalize it with OUR monogram, not theirs. As popular as this collection is going to be, I think it would be 10 times more popular if they had offered personalized monogramming. They’ve done that in the past via their Mon Monogram line. It’s already obvious that the monogram and Damier Ebene designs are LV pieces, so they didn’t need to add the giant LV letters on each piece.
I would love to order more of this design. I still love it, but I think I’ll continue to order from Very Troubled Child (if I do order more) so I can have it personalized with my monogram like it was in the movie. BTW, I’m not that big a fan of the movie, just love the luggage! lol
What do you think? Do the large LV letters bother you? Would you rather LV offered to have it monogrammed with your initials? Or do you like the LV monogram on each piece? No judgement here, I promise!
I agree, LV missed a huge opportunity to include actual personalization. Like you, I tend to lean towards classic and understated with my luxury bags. Since I was a little girl, I haved loved bags worked hard for my small collection. They are for me to enjoy and not to impress others. I feel you on the struggle with obvious labels but try not to let it keep you from enjoying your bags. I have found myself turning the front of my Chanel to face me rather than out, keeping her CC lock under the radar. I really think only other handbag lovers notice labels and I personally enjoy spotting bags “in the wild” on others. I only have one LV monogram bag but quite a few monogram accessories, cosmetic pouches and the large agenda. They are little treats that bring me joy when I open my bags and some I just use around the house.
I have wanted a custom Mon Monogram piece for quite some time and I play around with designs on the LV website. Not sure what’s holding me back. I also really like the side trunks and big plus is that I think the trim leather is treated, rather than their usual vachetta. I need to browse in person, but I’m not sure if I trust myself not make a semi-impulse purchase 🙂
How is your Very Troubled Child bag holding up? Are the animals on both sides or just the front? It seems like the best of both worlds.
Thanks for being consistent with your blog. It’s a true joy to read!
Thanks so much! Appreciate hearing that so much!
I 100% agree with everything you said. When I buy a nice bag, I actually prefer it not draw attention. I buy them for me, not to show them off, and it sounds like you feel the same way.
That said, I do love it when a fellow bag lover who loves bags the way we do, recognizes it. It’s like sharing a passion with someone else who “gets” it and doesn’t judge. That happened to me once in my dentist’s waiting room. I was carrying a very discreet leather bag that only lovers of that particular brand would ever recognize, and a woman sitting near me recognized it and asked if it was the bag she thought it was. The excitement in her voice and the way her eyes lit up, I knew I was talking to someone who loved bags as much as I do. I wish we’d had more time to talk…I think we would have been great friends in real life. lol
I love the look of the Mon Monogram, too! I didn’t own a Speedy and was always intrigued by those since they are so iconic. I sold a few items I wasn’t using to Fashionphile and finally bought a monogram Teddy Speedy from them that was in like-new condition. I love carrying it in the wintertime—it feels like I’m carrying a cozy teddy bear around. lol I know what you mean, if I go in the store, I’m probably not leaving empty-handed, so it’s best I don’t go unless I’m ready to buy. I do love their accessories, too! I have a few and use them constantly. I can’t believe how much the mini pochette has gone up over the last few years!
My VTC bag has held up really well. I used to use it every single time I visited family here in Ohio. I haven’t used it as much since I bought a house here, but I still love it as much as the day it arrived. The only thing I’ve noticed is the monogramming has slightly faded from being a bright white to more of a cream color. I don’t mind, though. It makes it look more vintage and less new, which I do like. The original white color really stood out. The leather and the interior still look brand new after quite a bit of use, so it’s held up well.
I sometimes wonder if I should have had it monogrammed with just my last initial so that my grandsons (or son) could inherit it and use it one day. Hopefully, they will still want it even though it has my three initials on it. I love the original golden brown color that they made it in…the color that the bags were in the movie. VTC had discontinued that color, but they may have brought it back by now. I think it was their most popular color since it was like the luggage in the movie on which it was modeled.
Love talking bags! If you ever want to talk more about those, feel free to email me at [email protected]. I would love to see your collection!