My Thoughts of Cra-Z-Art Shimmer 'n Sparkle Cra-Z-Knitz Ultimate Designer Knitting Station

During the Christmas season of 2014, I spotted this loom knitting set at both Wal-Mart and Toys R Us. Given that I already own over 20 different knitting looms, I couldn't really justify spending $30 on the set. However, the lap desk that the looms fit into intrigued me. I even considered buying a plastic lap desk from Hobby Lobby and retrofitting it for my existing looms, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.
Cra-Z-Art, the company behind the set, is the same one I knew as RoseArt when I was a kid. I wasn't a fan of RoseArt crayons, and Cra-Z-Art's crayons are no different—they don't match the quality of Crayola or Sargent's. However, I've used other products from Cra-Z-Art that I enjoyed, so I figured this loom set could be hit or miss. Even with a 40% or 50% off coupon, I still couldn't justify the cost.
A member of the GoodKnitKisses Facebook group mentioned that this set was listed on for $5.95 under Warehouse Deals. The listing stated it was used and the box was damaged, but at less than $6, it wouldn't be a huge loss if it turned out to be a dud. As an Amazon Prime member, I get free 2-day shipping on most items, so I ordered the loom set. Two days later, it arrived on my doorstep.
When I opened the box, I was pleasantly surprised to find it in good condition, never opened and showing no signs of damage other than slightly dented corners from shop wear. The set was indeed new. There was more to it than I realized—the "bonus" item was a spool loom, also known as a French knitter. My excitement for the loom desk turned to disappointment when I realized it was designed to sit on a table or solid surface rather than being used as a lap desk.
The set includes two standard knitting looms: one round loom for hats and items knitted in the round, and a small "long" loom, also known as a rack loom, for flat paneled items. The molded plastic has a thin and glossy feel to it. I've read some reviews claiming it is flimsy plastic, but honestly, this is a mass-produced loom set marketed to children. It's not designed for professional or serious projects like Knifty Knitter or Martha Stewart looms. The knobs on the tops of the looms are smaller than I'd prefer, but again, this isn't meant to be a travel or on-the-go set. The looms are completely functional. The loom hook is really cool and fits my hand perfectly, unlike the standard ones that come with Darice, Yarnology, Knifty Knitter, or Boye looms.
In addition to the spool loom, the set includes four small skeins of brightly colored acrylic yarn. The yarn feels softer than Red Heart Super Saver or the acrylic yarns usually included in kids' kits. The downside is that each skein doesn't provide enough yarn for more than just a hat in each color. No problem, though—the included colors appear to match up with those available from any yarn retailer or can at least be coordinated.
My overall thoughts on this set? I'd say it's worth the original price if intended as a gift for a young child who wants to loom knit or a beginner. The yarn is fun to work with, the loom hook/tool is better than most, and the spool knitter made me feel like I got a great value. The knitting desk/storage mount is possibly the weakest link of the set, but it looks cute when all put together. One improvement I would have liked to see is a way to spin the looms as you work, instead of having to turn the entire desk/mount around.
Definitely a set to keep on hand if you have kids interested in crafting—it's fun and functional. And for those who love sharing their crafting enthusiasm, any recommendations or little gifts related to knitting are always welcome and appreciated!

Dangerous or Gross Lifesaving Animals

It's a fact that animals can extend our life expectancy by giving us stress relief by capturing our hearts with their cute and cuddly ways. Therapy cats and dogs have become so popular that prescriptions have been written to individuals with special needs. Lifesaving medical therapy doesn't stop with cuddly creatures though. Here's a bit of info that you might have missed last time you were diagnosing yourself on Web MD.

Horseshoe crab blood is used to fight endotoxins though with a cost of $15,000 per pint.

Gila Monster venom has been discovered to treat the epidemic in American known as diabetes. A hormone in the venom, known as exendin-4, is similar to a hormone in the human digestive system that produces insulin when blood sugar peaks. Byetta, the drug derived from the venom of the ferocious lizard is available as an injection for Type 2 Diabetics to maintain healthy glucose levels. Not only does the drug help with glucose levels, it has also been noted to help with weight loss and appetite suppression.

Snake venom has been found to treat an array of medical issues including blood pressure, cancer, bacterial infections and many others. Tirofiban, an anticoagulant drug used to treat cardiovascular disease is derived from the venom of the Saw-scaled viper. Many other venoms are used for various ailments including venom from the King Cobra, Bushmaster, Copperheads and even the harmless, yet mildly venomous Garter Snake.

Maggots are certainly not something people think of when it comes to cleanliness. The larvae of the blowfly loves to eat decaying or dead flesh. Doctors use maggots to clean wounds by allowing them to eat the dead and bacteria filled tissue. Usually only used as a last resort when all other treatment methods have failed, maggots are placed on the infection under bandages for several days. The maggots ingest liquefied bacteria and clean the dead tissue from lacerations. Within the time these little guys are feasting on your flesh, they grow about a half an inch.

Leeches are known as nature's vampires. They were commonly used centuries ago to save limbs as well as lives. In modern times, leeches are used to close wounds and repair skin damage after reattachment of limbs such as fingers and toes. Just imagine, you cut your finger off, doctors reattach it then apply a few creatures with three jaws full of sharp teeth that continuously feeds on your blood. Sound fun? The FDA has approved only one of the 650 different species of leeches for medical use.

MARTA Bus 196-4 Minute Walk From My House

When Terry and I started house hunting before the economy tanked, one of our non-negotiable requirements was proximity to public transportation. I don't enjoy driving and didn't want to rely on Terry all the time. Our agent, Lily, found several homes on the MARTA line, but most involved lengthy bus rides and equally long train journeys.

Eventually, Lily found a community in Clayton County right across the street from a bus stop. This stop offered a 15-minute ride to the airport, running 2-3 times an hour, seven days a week, with the last bus just after midnight. Although it wasn't MARTA, C-Tran had an agreement with them, so a paid ride on C-Tran provided free access to MARTA trains and transfers.

I used C-Tran countless times and found it extremely reliable. Whether covering a shift at work or heading to Cargo-Master, it was dependable. After my layoff, I had to rely on the bus again for job hunting. Fortunately, I could collect unemployment as jobs were scarce. During this time, county officials started riding the buses with clipboards to evaluate services and conduct verbal surveys with riders, including myself.

People often ask why I prefer public transportation over driving. I find driving stressful and prefer not to deal with traffic. I have a phobia of causing or being involved in accidents. The costs of car upkeep, insurance, and gas are also factors. Plus, using public transport allows me to listen to music, write, knit, or focus on things I wouldn't have time for at home.

In late 2009, it was announced that the Clayton County bus system would be discontinued. Rallies were held as people's ability to commute to work was jeopardized. The 8-mile ride to the Airport MARTA Station would now cost $30, making it an impractical expense for many. By March 31, 2010, C-Tran bus stops vanished overnight, cutting off people from work. This decision also complicated the crime situation in Clayton County, with burglary and robbery rates spiking.

Some enterprising individuals saw an opportunity in this grim situation. Two independent bus lines, including QuickTransit, emerged but failed due to mechanical issues. Southside Transportation, a trucking company, converted to a people-moving business but struggled with timeliness. Waiting for Southside often involved encounters with police, drug dealers, and panhandlers, making the experience unpleasant.

I began working at Macaroni Grill, and fortunately, the manager scheduled me for the same shifts as Terry, so we could commute together. We also gave rides to co-workers, who contributed to gas money. I eventually found two reliable drivers, Phil and Eddie, who charged $3-$4 for rides to the train station. Phil worked from 5 AM-6 PM, and Eddie covered evenings and Sundays.

Phil's van was uncomfortable and his manners were awful. He charged $4 but was often late and rude to passengers. On one occasion, he refused to let an older lady out of the van, which felt like kidnapping. His driving was reckless, and I found Uber to be a better option when Terry couldn't drive me.

Today is March 21, 2015. I work in Sandy Springs, Georgia, and for the first time in years, I won't need to rely on Uber or Phil. I'll be taking the new MARTA bus (Bus 196) to the train and then another bus (Bus 5 or Bus 87) to work. This change will save me money, reducing my daily commute cost from $16 with Uber and MARTA or $9 with Phil to just $5 round trip with the new bus stop. Investing in weekly passes, I now pay $23.75 for unlimited MARTA rides.

Aside from my personal preferences for public transportation, I believe the new MARTA lines in Clayton County will provide residents with better access to higher-paying jobs and a more reliable commute.

Boogers May Boost Your Immune System

A team of researchers from a West Coast university has discovered that the unsightly habit of picking one's nose and eating boogers may be beneficial to your health. The research team headed by two doctors conducted the project among two different kindergarten classes in two different schools. Each class was selected based on the teacher's observation that showed an equal amount of children that picked their noses and children that did not.

Dried mucus, or boogers, contains various particles of dust, pollutants, allergens as well as agents of infectious bacteria. Austrian doctor, Friedrich Bischinger advocated using fingers to pick and ingest nasal mucus. Dr. Bischinger explains, "nasal mucus contains a cocktail of antiseptic enzymes that kill or weaken many of the bacteria that become entangled in it. Eating mucus is a natural boost to the immune system." We already unknowingly ingest mucus as post nasal drip, it's a natural body function. Most the the harmful items however, are usually caught in the hairs or cilia towards the front of the nostril.

The test findings on the kindergartners, though disturbing, were surprising. Both classes had similar results, almost exactly the same in fact. Throughout the peak of cold and flu season, of the thirty non-nose pickers, seventeen missed classes after becoming ill. Of the thirty "booger eaters" only nine missed school for periods exceeding 3 days. Further findings did show differences in illnesses experienced by by subject types. Only three children that did not ingest mucus tested positive for strep infections. Within the nine children that were marked as booger eaters, seven tested positive for strep throat.

If you gotta pick, go ahead. This does not exempt you from the taboo of picking your nose and eating your boogers, you will certainly be judged. Though the study does show that it may be beneficial to your immune system, remember the places your fingers have been since the last time you washed your hands.

My favorite taco seasoning recipe

I don't buy those taco seasoning packets anymore because I've realized that those same spices are in my spice rack and I could make the same thing without MSG and preservatives. This works well for both ground beef as well as ground turkey. This makes enough spice for up to a pound and a half of meat.

1 tbsp chili powder

1 1/2 tsp cumin

1 tsp salt (I use ground sea salt)

1 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp dried red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp paprika

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container until ready to use.

Energy Efficient NOT Environmentally Friendly Light Bulbs: CFL Hell!!!

Many years ago, when CFL lights began to show up in stores next to halogen and incandescent light bulbs, I thought I might as well try them due to the fact that the package stated they use less energy and will last much longer than conventional bulbs.

A few people I worked with stated the downside to CFL bulbs is the fact that when you turn the light on, it starts off dim and gets brighter. I didn't see a problem in that because I figured a trade off had to be made so I bought a few packs.

The light fixtures in my house seem to have been wired with basic wiring. I've had many issues with incandescent bulbs blowing out quickly in some fixtures and last for years in others. My ceiling fan in my office seems to be the worst so that's the first to get replaced.

Since 2009, I can honestly say that I've only had 3 out of nine blowouts. That's a great record in 5 or 6 years. Of course I discovered more downsides to these bulbs than I ever imagined. Possibly one of the biggest issues/complaints regarding CFL's is the fact that they aren't as environmentally friendly as we were led to believe. They contain mercury, a toxic substance that has ill effects on humans if ingested, inhaled or absorbed through our skin. These bulbs, much like lithium ion batteries, by law, are NOT to be disposed of through any other method other than dropping off the used and no longer useful unit to a facility which will in turn dispose of it properly. Best Buy, some Wal-Mart stores as well as home improvement stores usually have a drop off location for these toxic items.

Now that I've mentioned the toxicity and environmental danger of these bulbs, I'll now fill you in on two additional reasons why I will never purchase these bulbs again.

A friend that I went to school with had a mishap in recent years where he accidentally stepped on a CFL bulb barefoot. Not only did the bulb cut the hell out of him, the damage resembled a snakebite. A few weeks later, when it should have healed or at least been close to healed, it looked even worse and was seriously infected in spite of keeping the wound clean and all that jazz. Maybe there's more to these bulbs that just the threat of mercury and we all know mercury doesn't stop something from healing or infect it worse...it just poisons us internally...remember mercurochrome?

My last reason behind NEVER buying these again...besides the fact I can't throw them in the garbage for weekly pickup and they can cause nasty infections if one happens to break one and get cut by the glass...They are a fire hazard. The few that have already blown out in my home, include 2 that were in my office ceiling fan...the most recent blew 2 days ago. Rather than a flicker and the lumen pops, these things are just supposed to stop working. The ones I have in my home, seem to get hot at the base of the glass and melt the plastic material and seal. I've observed burn marks on each bulb I've had to replace, one had obviously flamed out because it was BLACK. Aside from the fact that the bulbs flamed or literally burned out, the seal was broken or ummm melted, releasing whatever vapors, gas or fumes into the air.

Unfortunately, I wish I could saw this was an isolated event among one brand but I actually purchased bulbs manufactured by GE as well as Wal-Mart Great Value. I find it suspect when 2 different brands from several different points of time suffer the same faulty issues.

It would seem incandescents are becoming a thing of the past, halogens are basically too bright for indoor use and CFL's are a hazard. Now that I'm feeling the burn from "energy efficient" light bulbs, I thought about going back to incandescents but seriously, they are a thing of the past so I'm gonna test out a few LED bulbs...those guys are EXPENSIVE but I'm sure in the long run, the expense will pay off...If not, I'm going snatching every light fixture from my house and light this bitch up with candles and lanterns.

Reading Glasses Before I'm 40

The day that each of my parents came home with a pair of reading glasses, I vowed that I would NEVER let my eyes get that bad.

Well...I made it to a few weeks shy of my 39th birthday before I realized that I need my first pair of readers. Nothing really special, just about 1.50 to 2.0 times to help me with my knitting when I'm working with a solid dark color and smaller print books.

I actually mentioned this to my doctor. She, in turn, asked me an array of questions regarding various ailments ranging from headaches to blurry vision of items close up or at a distance. Luckily, my truthful answers ended with the simple conclusion of "Yep, you should buy a pair of readers but nothing stronger than 2.0 and don't rely on them for anything other than what they are designed for."

I really through her off after this when she asked the last time I had an eye exam and my reply was 1998. Unfortunately, my insurance doesn't cover eye exams but none the less, she did refer me to an eye doctor...I needs to find me a decent plan before I make an appointment.

SO I now have 2 pair of readers One pair 2.0x for use while I'm at home from the Dollar Tree. Who knew the Dollar Tree actually had some decent readers? My second pair are Magnivision 1.75x from CVS for use while I'm out and about.

Long story short kids...Don't make fun of your parents and claim you will never let your eyes get bad enough for reading glasses!!! If they have glasses for reading, chances are YOU WILL ALSO!!!

Hang Glider Saved By Divine Intervention

An 18 year old woman in Colorado realized she was in trouble when she reached the edge of a cliff and looked up to see the sun through rips in the front edges glider. Heidi Wright could not stop in time and a gust of wind caught hold of the wings and thrust her up and over the rocks.

This has been a hobby of Miss Wright since she was 15 and knew the danger of gliding. Heidi always took care of her equipment and inspected it on a regular basis. "I don't know why I didn't inspect it this time, I guess it was the excitement of not doing since the previous year," exclaims Heidi. She knew upon take off that it would be a matter of time before her spiral down would become a nose dive once she prepared for a landing. Heidi's life flashed before her eyes and then she saw what she said were the wings of an angel covering the holes that she'd noticed a few seconds before.

Rather than a routine downward spiral, Heidi found herself in an upward draft heading for the cliff she'd just flown from. Miss Wright says, "The draft was like stepping onto an escalator, very gentle and smooth." Gliding experts and scientists are baffled because the wind direction runs in a consistent spiraling motion in that area. As far as science is concerned, the ordeal Heidi experienced was not HUMANLY possible.

Heidi contacted the manufacturer of her glider to report possible issues with the unit. She was told the model was discontinued due to a recall the previous year. Heidi was prepared to purchase a new glider the following week but was surprised when the company had a brand new replacement at her front door the very next day.

My O'Charley's Experience-No Holds Barred

Last year, I moved from working at Chuy's in Dunwoody, where my income was inconsistent, to O'Charley's in Fayetteville, Georgia, where the earnings seemed more stable. Given that Terry works just two doors down from O'Charley's and earns great money, I assumed it would be the same for me. Boy, was I wrong.

Have you ever worked a job that made you want to call in sick every shift or pop a Xanax on the way to work? That was my experience at O'Charley's. The business was booming, but the customers were the most demanding and ignorant people I've ever encountered. It seemed no one read the menu, which clearly described everything in detail. After a few weeks, my earnings started to decline, especially after the restaurant closed for a week for a modern remodel. Unfortunately, the new look attracted a clientele more suited to McDonald's or KFC rather than a sit-down restaurant. I hoped the decline was temporary because I was not going back to Chuy's.

When I started at O'Charley's, I was excited because my friend Casey was a manager there, and I remembered him as an awesome manager at Rio Bravo. Throughout my time at O'Charley's, I saw Casey working tirelessly in a thankless and unappreciated environment. He dealt with difficult customers, bad employees, and even the other three managers, who were not easy to work with. Working as a server at O'Charley's was like chewing on a stalk of celery—no enjoyment, but at least you could say you ate something. Our GM constantly threatened everyone's job. I saw him scream at someone for scraping a bread plate with their fingernail, then take it to a table, which we all did because our dishwasher was less than marginal in his work. I was determined that if I got reprimanded for anything, I would walk out of a shift in style—full section needing refills and all orders completely wrong. It never happened, but I was tempted on that last day when I walked with less than $13 for the fourth shift in a row.

So, what sucked about this place? The customers. Many people refer to restaurant customers as guests, but I don't. A guest is someone you invite and take care of their meal; a customer pays you. Many O'Charley's customers figured out how to eat without leaving a dime for their food or service. Coupons seriously dragged the clientele down to another level as well.

Here are some of the situations I've encountered... Being assigned tables in the bar isn't fun in any restaurant, especially if you're not a woman. Most managers don't understand, but bad customers usually expect service from a Cocktail Waitress, not a guy. Many times, people assume they'll get special prices or faster service—only during happy hours and not true. That 20-minute ticket time is the same all over the restaurant, and ordering a well-done steak adds more time.

Food allergies... I know the difference between being allergic and not liking something. I hate tomatoes but eat things with ketchup. I don't claim I'm allergic; I just explain I don't enjoy the flavor of raw tomatoes. Don't tell me you're allergic to tomatoes and then ask for ketchup for your fries. Also, don't come in on a busy Friday night and tell me to cook something in a different fryer because of an allergy. Our cooks are basically pot and crack heads who don't care and will nod their heads and do everything the easier way. Everything in the kitchen comes into contact with everything. I'd not be surprised if someone finds a bit of weed in their salad. Also, if you have food allergies, why are you grazing and eating off other people's plates? Someone with a seafood allergy did this, and we had to call 911. The paramedics took her to the hospital. That's on her, not her server or the restaurant.

High chairs or chairs at the end of a booth... We have tables, people. Booths were not designed to have a baby at the end of them. It's a fire hazard and a danger to your child when they grab for the hot plates our food runner is delivering to your table. Also, I don't want your slobbering child's DNA on my arms or hands as they grab for me.

Happy Birthday... We don't sing, and though I'm a good singer, I'm not singing for you. I don't care that it's your birthday. I don't know you. Also, why are you at a place like O'Charley's for your birthday? The party sections at the more elegant Olive Garden or Red Lobster booked up?

Handing me a check presenter and proclaiming that you left my tip in it is like announcing that you left the equivalent of what it costs to do a load of laundry at your apartment complex. We had a tip guide on the receipt showing 20%, 18%, and 15%. When you leave less than 10%, I feel my butt start to bleed. I am an OCD server. I have a script that I follow, and I touch every facet of the serving manual. When I hear you say, "Thank you so much, you did a wonderful job!" I know that was my tip, and I will give you no service next time.

Drinks for kids are clearly marked on the kids' menus. They offer no juice for kids for free, and if you order it, you are charged. If your kid sucks that juice down and wants another, you get charged for a second, third, fourth, and so on. It wasn't my policy or rule, so don't blame me.

Ordering... When you say, "I guess I'm ready," then proceed to ask, "Is this Prime Rib Pasta in horseradish sauce spicy?" or "Do you have any other sides besides the 12 listed here?" I know you're going to be difficult and not compensate me. Also, when you order a well-done steak, it's going to be dry.

Impossible orders... Knowing what you're talking about helps when ordering. When you tell me, "I want my steak medium but don't want any pink or red in it," that tells me you're confused. Medium is warm and red on the inside.

Being picky... I had a woman order "Cajun Chicken Pasta," then complain about too many peppers and onions, pick them all out, eat the chicken, and leave the rest. She then claimed she was still hungry. Lady, you ate all the chicken and left the rest. No wonder you're still hungry. You should've ordered Chicken Tenders if you just wanted chicken. She also complained that a margarita was too sweet, drank both the original and the remake, and was upset about being charged for both. She didn't tip me and shorted the bartender 50 cents. Her friend ordered a well-done steak but didn't want it dry, so she wanted it cooked in "Barbara-que" sauce. We don't cook steak in frying pans; it's grilled. Barbecue sauce will just burn and make the steak drier. Enjoy your shoe leather, Miss Well Done.

Yeast rolls or bread... NOT biscuits. They are free. We bring one per customer at the table plus one extra. That's the rule per our kitchen manager. Your refill is one per customer. They are free. Don't complain they are too light, dark, or taking too long. They are free. Furthermore, I'm allergic to the yeast in them. I don't touch them, put them in, or take them out of the oven. They are free.

Sitting in the bar and ordering water, water with lots of lemon for your nasty free lemonade, or ordering non-alcoholic beverages for everyone at the table is not acceptable. Also, bringing your kids to sit in the bar is inappropriate. Just saying.

To-go cups, plastic ware for the germophobic... Guess what? The silverware and glasses go through the same dishwasher as the plates you are eating on. Remember the pothead cook statement? They don't take the time to scrape off the stuck-on food from the plates like we do with the bread plates. You might be enjoying someone else's food on your plate along with yours as you enjoy your beverages from Styrofoam cups and eat with plastic ware like you're at a barbecue.

Regulars, friends of a manager... I don't care who you are. Just because you feel a sense of entitlement through a personal connection does not excuse you from tipping or acting like you have no manners. Within this location, I found an extreme "us against them" stance. I witnessed many servers, even the ones of color, referring to customers as ratchet or using the "N" word. As one of the few white servers, I found that many customers didn't appreciate me or any other servers who weren't black. I never understood the race card, even though I was raised in the deep south. Many black servers understood the struggles I and other servers of different races were dealing with. However, a few couldn't wrap their heads around the concept and claimed we were incompetent as servers. One server, who threw this in my face, was a full-time server with an associate degree as a dental hygienist. She got fired for sleeping with the married doctor, told me she has herpes, and gave me the rundown on who she's slept with at work and every place she's been fired from. I know how to follow steps of service and conduct myself in front of customers. I don't need a sex-crazed person giving me career advice.

After nine months of O'Charley's "Passion to Serve" BS, I had to get out. I realized why one of their values for employees is "Passion to Serve." If you had no passion to serve, you'd not last a day after making marginal money. The day I walked out, I added O'Charley's to my list of places to never go back to, and so far, I've kept my promise. If I want a cheap steak, I'll go to the grocery store.

Wife of Jesus Christ Charged With Fraud

A woman entered a Jacksonville, Florida car dealership looking to acquire a new car. Her method of payment caught the salesman's attention. The woman, Emma Harrison, wrote the dealership a $67,768 check with the names Jesus and Emma Christ on it. Emma told poilce that Jesus Christ was coming in the following week to pick up the car. She was arrested and charged with fraud related charges.

Jesus picking out his car.

World's Thinnest Home Comes With a BIG FAT Price

A townhouse so narrow that it's address reads 75 1/2 has gone on sale for a cost of $2.75 million. The tiny townhouse on Bedford Street in New York City's Greenwich Village previous owned by the likes of Pulitzer Prize winning author Edna St. Vincent Millay. Actors Cary Grant and John Barrymore have been reported to have slept there also. The real estate broker handling the property, Alex Nicholas, states "This is a place for someone who wants a bit of history, charm and uniqueness. When you own the narrowest house in all of New York, you'll be newsworthy."

Stephen Balsamo bought the three story, 1500 square foot home for $1.75 million in 2000. Mr. Balsamo completely renovated the home, originally built in 1873. The kitchen now has a custome stove with all four burners in a row rather than a two by two configuration. Mr. Balsamo also added other features to the home, including extended balconies and larger windows that overlook the garden to give the home a larger appearance. On the top floor, there's a huge skylight," say Nicholas. "This is old-world charm that's very bright." Despite the state of the current real estate market, experts expect the home to sell for the asking price.