Halogen, 120V, 100W (max 150W)

Base: RSC T3

Kitchen halogen lights, 50W, 12 volt (not 120 volt).

Base: G6.35 T4

Here's a shot of the new, but already-populated cookbook shelves we added to the kitchen this week. I'm pleased with how easily they came together, given our history of home projects with annoying wrinkles and seemingly endless delays. Laura's pleased that I got them done this year, and I can't say that I blame her. My record on timely completions is poor, you might say...

They were a pleasure to stain and varnish (ok, polyurethane, but that's not a verb outside of this house, damn my East Texas education, but I digress) compared to the three six-foot bookcases, two kids' beds, the dresser, and our Nimitz-class sleigh bed that I've finished in this house.

Hardware is all basic Lowe's/Home Depot stuff, and the wall bolts claim to hold 100lbs each, although the packaging advises you to not load them beyond 25% of the maximum load. Sounds like 25lbs to me, but hey, I'm no engineer.

Oh, and there was no red paint involved. Longtime readers will get the joke.

Lights are Portfolio, Versalite Xenon Bar, model GLL 9183 SSX 1. Lowe's item 70746

Bulbs are 20 watt Xenon, 120 volt, G8 base

Replacement hardware kits are available, HDW918[123]SS, which includes the screws and the small stalk for aiming the lights.

One-year Warranty.

Customer Service: 800 291 8838

http://www.goodearthlighting.com

JK requested a look at the new lighting. These are the new under-cupboard lights, ~18" long, with a nice stainless steel finish and black endcaps. My favorite feature, besides the nice light, is the ability to string these together by mini-power cords, so that each doesn't need a plug in the wall, only the one at the end. These all came from Lowe's and they replace some flickery and bulb-eating 12" fluorescent fixtures.

Three-bulb xenon fixture, swivel head
Draped in shadows, utensils cry out for light!
Light on, shadows gone, utensils rejoice!
A super deep corner sheds its darkness

You'll have to ignore the red-painted plugs and blue masking tape, as we're going to need yet another coat of red to get the full coverage. I can't complain, I could be digging a ditch.