Mitbos's Profile

McKillme, that is completely uncalled for. I, for one, like seeing both sides of an argument - even if I do not necessarily agree with a certain side. If you have nothing more to add to the discussion than personal attacks that insult an entire region of the United States, then it is you who should go away.

@Buckster: I beg to differ. My grandmother - who's had multiple heart attacks, several small strokes, and multiple surgeries to clear her arteries - has never cooked with margarine or any of the "modern" fats. She'll cook with bacon grease until the day she dies. I love bacon. I cook it every so often and probably cook with a tablespoon of the residual grease 1-2 times a year. But after years of witnessing the poor health and quality of life of my grandmother and some of my other relatives - I firmly believe, "Everything in moderation." To think that people are again keeping jars of this stuff like it's an everyday seasoning...*shudder*

In general, I'm tired of idea that the only "real" Southern or soul food cooking is that which is flavored with pork. Pork has its place - but too often it is used as a crutch by people who never learned how to use herbs, spices and other seasonings to their advantage. Seriously, has anyone else sat down to Thanksgiving dinner where literally every single side dish (and maybe even the turkey) was flavored with bacon grease or a ham hock or fatback, and there was a simmering pot of chitlins (chitterlings, for those who need to look it up) on the stove?

That said, there are few things yummier than hash browns fried up in a mixture of olive oil and bacon grease. I've found they get crispier that way.

Or, you could just use WD-40 or mineral oil.

Not sure how KY is relevant or why it was even mentioned; I'm pretty sure most people know petroleum jelly = Vaseline.

I hate to say it, but I have to agree with others.

You say your landlord doesn't want to be bothered, but what happens when other neighbors begin to complain? Do you live in a popular tourist area or a neighborhood that commands a very high premium? I don't understand why you'd want the hassle of subletting to new people so often - especially since you live there, too.

1) It's a lot of trouble to go to maintain a certain aesthetic when the people you're attracting are honestly just looking for a place to lay their head (which is often the case with short-term renters).

2) Are you sure you're not going to resent the people renting the space? One month you're throwing a fabulous party and your girlfriend has a reading area, while the next, the rest of your space feels cramped without the extra square feet. Even if it's only every so often, it's stressful to have a house guest for a few weeks or months once you've gotten used to living alone. After just a few days with them in my home, I find myself contemplating ways to cover up the sudden, "accidental" deaths of friends and family whom I otherwise love dearly. Just a few things to think about...

That said, I like the daybed trundle idea. They're more compact, easier to move, and easier to work around if your tastes change later. I'd convert the Murphy bed nook back to a closet, but leave the two bottom shelves intact (and maybe even add a couple more shelves at the bottom) and add a curtain. Unless your sublessees are very tall or your ceilings aren't as tall as they appear to be, that should be adequate space to hang clothes. Add a table ( chairs) large and tall enough to serve as a side table, dining table, and workspace. Lastly, if your bay window is deep enough, an ideal reading nook would be a window seat (look for "temporary" or "freestanding" plans if your landlord won't allow a built-in).

I love that the kitchen so much charm and that it actually fits in with the house. If you do rework it, I hope you retain some of its character.

And @ghunt - you're not being picky...

This is a glorified advertisement.

At first I thought, "Neat, someone is actually living in one of these and making it work." Then I visited the Tumbleweed site to find the exact same house featured in a virtual tour, as well as a list of all the press it has already gotten. All on the home page.

It seems more than a little disingenuous for a company to enter a what is basically a model home into AT's contest. AT readers would be in an uproar if a McMansion developer were to enter their "home" in a contest (obviously not Small Cool). How is this any different?

Just my $.02.