Flying Carpets

Not actually, some rugs in in The Frog & PenguINN were more like sliding carpets and they were really getting ready to take someone for a ride – and we would rather not become airborne in our home.

The solution? – STOPP

From where?  Our favorite blue and yellow store – IKEA.

As Grenville mentioned in an earlier post, we always brake for IKEA and this stop was in Charlotte, NC as we headed to Georgia for Thanksgiving.

Usually, the product names on IKEA merchandise are a challenge, but there was no confusion here. The package picture and the name were right on target and this stuff really stops a rug from moving. There’s a lot of STOPP in one package too. The only tool needed is a scissor – one with a long blade makes the cutting go faster. A ruler isn’t really needed, just line it up with the rug and then cut. Afterwards, Grenville told about leaving a 2-inch margin around the edge; there’s a few more rugs to do – maybe he will volunteer.

Now that the hallway runners are stationary again, we’ll have to wait for some winter weather to go slipping and sliding.

We Brake for IKEA!!!!

As most of you know we are totally incapable of passing an IKEA without stopping. Sometimes just for the Hot Dog Special for lunch. I mean where can you have 2 dogs, chips, and a drink for $2.50????? AND a frozen yogurt twist for dessert ($1).

BUT as we left the IKEA in Charlotte NC we noticed another store that hadn’t opened yet.

As far as we can tell it will be a furniture store when it opens. Possible for the ‘Big People’.

Econo Lunch

So you’re on the road and begin getting the munchies. And you don’t want the run of the mill fast food like Mc Barfies or Burger Puke. BUT you don’t want to spend a fortune either. What’s a poor  hungry traveler to do???????

No Problem… Just head for that familiar blue and yellow building that’s IKEA. Of course that may be difficult for some of you since IKEA’s are a little spread out which is what makes them such a great place. An adventure and an great econo lunch all in one is definitely worth the trip.

We were lucky to have an IKEA on our route. Lunch for two was an easy choice, and that included dessert. Plus you get to roam around the store and maybe pick up on some do-dads with a European flair.
 
So lunch was 2 hot dogs, chips, a soda, and frozen yogurt each and all for just six bucks. Another hint is to get to IIKEA by 9:30 in the morning and get in on the Econo Breakfast. Bacon, eggs and home fries for a buck ninety nine. Life on the road can be great.

Pillow Talk

No, no – it’s NOT that kind of “pillow talk.”
And, we’re not talking about the 1959 film.

This pillow talk is really just about pillows. (Sorry if you were expecting something else.)

OK, back to the “real” pillow talk. Pillows are GREAT, especially when new. Ours were de-plumped. Best word to describe “flat” pillows?
During our recent IKEA safari, we tested pillows. That’s NOT an easy task when there’s no bed nearby. But we weren’t sure how store reps would take to us moving the bed to the pillows or vice versa. 

And, such decisions to make  since there were all types: back sleepers, stomach sleepers, side sleepers. After extensive testing, decided on 4 of the Gosa Pinje “back sleeper” pillows. And, last night we “tested” them at home on our own bed.
Yes, there was some pillow talk, but we’re not sharing here.

Blue and Yellow Experience of IKEA

We admit it, Grenville and I are IKEA “junkies” and we’ve shopped in NJ, CT, PA, MA, and MD stores. We furnished several rooms of the Frog & PenguINN with stuff from IKEA  including accessories.

The name is an acronym  with the letters comprised of the initials of the founder’s name (Ingvar Kamprad) the farm where he grew up (Elmtaryd), and his home parish (Agunnaryd) in Smaland, South Sweden). Who knew? and now we ALL do!

It’s ALSO the world’s largest furniture retailer (over 300 stores worldwide) with flat pack furniture, accessories, bathroom and kitchen items that are sold in retail stores worldwide.

If you ‘ve never been to IKEA, trust us it’s an experience you really need to have. You can always recognize the store by its bright blue and yellow store colors, just like the flag of Sweden. Once inside, getting around is easy – follow the arrows. They were going to use bread crumbs but some folks didn’t get it and kept eating them and getting lost. Weeks later they kept finding them throughout the store living in various furniture displays.




This Swedish company was founded in 1943, and pioneered flat-pack furniture at affordable prices and  compact styles, assembled by the purchaser (that’s you). In the 1940s, the company sold small home accessories throughout Sweden and expanded to furniture making sold by mail order. In 1963, the first store opened outside of Sweden, adding stores in Denmark and Norway and throughout Europe. US locations opened in 1985. Today, IKEA has a following of customers and has entered the pop culture.
To celebrate a very special occasion (more in tomorrow's postings) we  went on safari to the closest IKEA (College Park, MD) in search of a small wooden storage cube.
NOT only did we get the cube and new bedroom pillows, but we also had breakfast, lunch, and a twist cone – ALL for $5. (Whoops, we ate the cones before taking a picture.)