Well, we did a mini "refresh" on our kitchen in 1999 to add a dishwasher and standard-sized range, as we had one of those apartment-sized ranges that DH detested. When we did the mini refresh, we also changed countertops, sink & faucet, and we had put in peel and stick vinyl over the hideous gold linoleum when we first moved in. That being said, we still had issues with layout, with the only really useable countertop being the 15" to left of the range and 5" to the right of it. There was a small swath of countertop across from the stove, next to the sink, but because it was right by the back door, it became a catchall. When I took anything out of the oven, it pretty much had to go on the stovetop. Baking cookies just wasn't very fun after a while. I sorta stopped doing it. :^( Then there was the wall between the kitchen and livingroom that made the kitchen seem so dark and cramped. The lack of storage was the biggest issue we had. I still get the heebs when I think of that cabinet where the plastic storage containers lived. I don't know how many times I sat on the floor and cleaned out that blasted cabinet, just to have it heave out plasticware all over me the next time I opened that door. I'm pretty sure that DH would open the door *just enough* to throw an item in there. We had no venting over the range, instead we had a cabinet directly over the range, and it was lower than standard. When we did the remodel, we could see big black burn marks underneath. Lovely. Our garbage was located across the kitchen on the stairwell landing. If I had gunk in my hands, I had the pleasure of carrying it across the floor, leaving a nice little dribble trail. Fun times! The giant fluorescent light box, with that hideous tube light. I tried to "tart it up" at one point, but in the end, it was just a big rectangle with an ugly light, so it had to go. My peel and stick vinyl tiles, so wonderful and bright when we installed them, were pitted and cracking in places. No matter how long I scrubbed on my hands and knees, there were areas where the tile was worn, and the dirt was embedded. Yuck. The kitchen wasn't awful; it just was not a joy to work in. Now I enjoy baking and cooking in there, and putting away the tupperware is not an exercise in frustration! Hooray! Oh, happy day! :^)

My absolute favorite lately has been The New Basics Cookbook--notes I wrote in the margins say OMG!! and Awesome! which is not what I usually write. I love those group cookbooks from churches, schools, and special groups. I love some of the little cookbooks I've bought at the grocery store checkout. I often refer to the web or my files of recipes that I've collected from newspapers and magazines. +The Betty Crocker Cookbook binder that my mom gave me as a wedding shower gift. +Betty Crocker's New Boys and Girls Cook Book--a gift from my parents for my 8th birthday. I still refer to it! I'm trying to use my appliances more so have discovered these great books: +The Bread Lover's Bread Machine Cookbook +Better Homes and Gardens Crockery Cookbook +The Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook (johnliu you had me laughing so hard!! Thanks!!)

I have had good & bad expriences buying from an outlet store or scratch & dent sale. I had a good experience buying a srctah -n -dent off a box floor sale. Stove still working 5 years, using daily. I had a horrible experience buying from an outlet store. The dish washer I bought still in box, but found out it was defective on 1st use. It kept locking half cycle, etc. I tried to return it 3 days later, but found out I had to do a bunch of hoops to try to return. What a nightmare. The outlet stor sent a technician out. Technician says it is defective motherboard & it would cost more to fix than exchange for new one. So, I called to return. Then told I would have to fix it, sold as is, nothing wrong, ignores, etc. I posted a bad review of experience, then finally higher management apologized & aaccepted return. So, after that I am weary to buy from an outlet. Like someone mentioned, a lot of outlets are returns from another customer. There's a reason. It may be wrong color, but if you see more of those models there, that's a huge red flag it's that model which must have smething more wrong with it. It could also be overstock, if lucky that is what it is. It's kind of a gamble. so due your deligence & research on each purchase to lower your risk: research each model # with manufacturer (like M suggested) read the return policy & contract fully buy where return policy give some time to use appliance & return if it does not work properly buy with credit card that extends warranty. Read all terms & conditions of buying "as is" products in all your warranties. Learn how the warranty works. Some warranties extend other warranty some offer to fix if shipped but you got to pay all shipping, some offer store credit or full refund. Some are a waste of money some are worth the money.

This 100% depends on your space, the direction your back yard faces, and how much money you have. Post a pic and you'll get more help. We live in MN which is probably colder, snowier, and buggier. Our last house we did a patio. It was beautiful but we couldn't use it much as we got eaten alive (it was shady and on the north side of the house). This house we have a walkout basement and built a deck. We've been able to enjoy it a lot this summer - seems the breezes here are better here at keeping away the mosquitoes and the elevation helps as well. Also our southeast facing back keeps it sunny most of the day, but the sun moves to the front after about 5 PM so it's shaded in the early evening. No concern with shoveling (my parents never shoveled their deck either - they should be designed for snow load), and using composite decking takes care of the resealing aspect. If we could have afforded it we would have done a screened porch but quotes for that were over $80k a year ago which was a bit out of our budget. If you can afford that, a screen porch would probably be your best option. Adding a gas fireplace to it will extend your use of it into the fall and earlier in the spring. But also $$$$.