I love the memory board idea, but I transferred my calendar to digital and I will never go back. I can access my calendar on my phone anywhere, which is very handy for creating new appointments on the fly (like while still at the dentist) and for remembering where I need to be and where my kids should be. A grocery list is only good when you can take it to the grocery store, which... if you write the list down on a white board, you'd have to transfer it to a piece of paper later. But the memory board is cute and fun! :o)

My grocery list is one of those OCD things I get teased about, but I love my system and it works great for us. I have a list typed up of everything that we get on an even somewhat regular basis. The list is arranged by section of the store (meats, produce, canned goods, deli, etc.). There is room under each section for "other"--items that are rare for us to buy that come up for a specific recipe. We keep multiple copies of the list on a clipboard on the kitchen desk at all times (it is even a stainless-look clipboard to "fit" in the kitchen). The grocery list, a supply of pens, and the dogs' cookie jar are the only reasons the desk exists. When any of us notice something running low, a line is placed next to that item on the list. When we go to the store, we put a check on each line as we find that item. This is the best way I've found to be able to send my husband grocery shopping and actually have him come home with everything I need. It works like a charm.

Hi Chris - My husband is a landscape architect by profession, but cabinetmaking is his hobby. He's also designed, built and installed a cherry library in our house, so this is his second really big project. The backsplash is Dune Emphasis Glass Mosaics "Trencadis Diabolo" color. The grout is Nutmeg, I believe. We're still struggling with the grout color - we had thought it was going to dry a rich caramel color, similar to some of the highlighting in the cabinet wood, but instead it dried that chalky grey brown color - there may be some additional adjustments to that color to get it closer to what we originally wanted. It is still pretty cool as is - depending on the light, it can look like textured copper, or even reptile skin. The photos don't entirely capture the real life look. We got it from Fast Floors dot com, where the price was about one fifth of stores in our area - win! Can't wait to see pics as your kitchen is finished! Tired Here is a link that might be useful: Trencadis Diabolo

Rhome's reply to Studio got zapped by the backup restore. We don't have mudrooms, but I know what one is! It's the family entry, often at the back or service/utility side of the house, where wet and muddy outdoor clothes and shoes can be put off and hung to dry. Actual mud is one reason why it's generally near the laundry. Old days, small houses, it was pegs on a back porch. Current trends, it's a small room with a bench to sit for boot removal, and often cubbies and/or lockers for family members to not only hang up their coats in, but to organize backpacks and other take as you leave items. DH = Dear (or danged) Husband DW = Dear Wife The following are used with a numeral indicating birth order, or occasionally age: DS = Dear Son DD = Dear Daughter DS2 is dear second son. DD18 is Dear Daughter at 18 years old. MIL = mother in law B, F, S IL, Brother, Father, Sister in law