Cabinetry and exotic animals too!!!!!

 

 

The dear old computer is sick - and is now with the Geek Squad in the 'Computer Hospital' for the next five days or so.  Thus, there has been no blogging for quite some time.  At first I thought the camera was 'sick' and wouldn't download any photos.  So - did some changing of data cards and using new cords, etc., - but still no photos would download.  Then, the whole computer just froze - not a thing would move, clicking of the mouse, no movement, nothing would open.  Would not even close unless it was turned off at the button on the hard drive case.  Carted her off to the Geek Squad headquarters for diagnosis - needed to be hospitalized.

 

Today the blog is coming to you from Bee Keeper Daughter's computer.

 

Anyway, lots of things are happening at the house.  Below is a photo of the first cabinets put up - and they are beautiful.  However, they are 'golder' 'yellower' than I thought.  We kind of surmise that the incorrect finish was ordered.  This looks kind of weak next to the yellow kitchen wall color.  So......

we decided to change the wall color.  Loved the cabinets too much - but they did not look 'right' with the yellow wall.  I will show you the lovely new color of the wall on a future blog.  The most excellent painter Scott Morgan smiled a knowing grin and said he would make lemonade out of the lemon - he wisely suggested the new color - and just wait until you see the wall against the cabinets!



 

Below the 'blue' of the guest bedroom and guest bath ....... what do you think?

 Cabinet in the guest bath - before the granite was installed.

 

 Shot of the utility room cabinet and surface - my new sewing table area which is opposite the wall where the washer and dryer and big utility sink are located.

 My dear niece invited me to a delicious home-made lunch when her Dad was going to be in town.  Her dad and I have known each other for almost sixty years.  We met as teenagers when my family moved next door to his family - and I ended up marrying his brother!  So here is my niece's little boy in bare feet standing next to his beloved Grandpa.  Don't you love those fat little feet with dimples on his toes????

 Amidst the fun, the garbage truck arrived.  Wow!  All action stopped so the little fellow could dash outside and watch the garbage truck drudge down the street emptying all the heavy containers.  Much waving and smiling and saying "Bye-bye" as the truck exited the neighborhood.

 Is that the CUTEST little fellow?  Much laughter and jumping and smiles.  Such a good time we had together.

He was feeling pretty hot - quite the super boy!

Saturday we attended the local Farmer's Market - and it was Exotic Animal day - and a KANGAROO WAS THERE!!!

 And a tiny monkey sitting atop the booth lady's head!!!!

AWWWWW .... look at the tiny baby hedgehog.  What a dear little critter.

 And the usual dogs too .... here is a lovely, very shy, very soft and sweet dog.

 And an ENORMOUS puppers!

 As we were leaving I couldn't help show you the vibrant colors of fall pumpkins.

Enjoy!

Janet

Interior paint in the house

Bright colors coating the walls.

This first photos is showing details on the fireplace mantel in the great room.

 This is a longer view of the great room.  The area above the fireplace still needs to be painted.

A view looking into the dining room from the hallway.  The walls color is the same as the great room .... but the sun is shining in so it looks much brighter.  What do you think?

Below - the study with the bookcases.  Big easy chairs, an antique glass-front bookcase and the TV will be in here.

 Master bedroom looking into the master bath.

 Another view in the master bedroom looking out the window - view is big pine trees by the fence where the horse is kept.  Nice country scene.

A  couple of views of the kitchen.  As you probably have guessed, the colors are all from the same family - same color palette .... just going from lighter to darker.

In my haste to vacate the house along with the builder so he could secure it behind us, I neglected to take a photo of the guest bedroom and bathroom.  They are in a light blue/grey.  I will show them next time.

This week the cabinets should be installed, the granite template completed, and possibly the tile laid in the kitchen, bathrooms, utility room and pantry.  Exciting times.

Enjoy the end of summer days!  Blessings,

Janet

Fireplace and bookcases with primer coat of paint

Saturday - hot and humid - humidity level at 93% with temps in upper 80's climbing to 90.  Dog days of August for sure.  Just want to lie down in an air conditioned room and drink water all day!!!!  Anyway, I drove down to the new house to see the primer paint that was applied to the fireplace and bookcases.

The work this talented trim carpenter does makes me extremely pleased.  Very good work - and exactly like the drawings we gave him to use for the designs.  Lovely.  This house is a dream come true.

Now for a closing photo.  I know it is DOG DAYS when the weather turns so hot and humid .... but this fat cat is just sleeping the hours away too!

Stay cool.  Enjoy the week end!

Blessings,

Janet

Trim Carpenters at Work

The trim carpenters have arrived and are busily sawing, hammering, measuring, leveling, and installing.  Take a peek!

Strolling through the rooms ....... progress is evident.

 The tub area in the master bathroom.

 The closet in the guest bedroom.

The shelves in the walk-in pantry.

 The beginnings of the bookshelves and storage in the study.  These lower storage areas will house games and large picture albums, etc.  They will have hinged doors. Above them bookshelves will be located.  Between the bookcases will be a window seat with storage within - accessed by hinged lids.  Good place for blankets and quilts.

A quick view showing the great room window gazing out toward the barn and trees in back, with the kitchen eating area to the left.

As soon as the baseboards, closets, crown molding, all doors in place, etc., are completed, the bookcases and fireplace mantel will be on the agenda .... as well as some large steps from the garage into the house - big enough to put down grocery bags, etc., while I grope for the house keys and let myself into the back hall by the kitchen. The carpenters will also fashion the shutters for outside.

It is certainly beginning to shape up - and their work is a delight to observe.

Blessings - stay cool in this humid hot end of summer!  Dog days for sure!

Janet

August trip to Shipshewana

Gail and Dave Hodges have our favorite B&B up for sale, so we planned a trip to visit The Big House in the Little Woods near Shipshewana, Indiana, to say farewell.  Quiet, peaceful, tranquil, wholesome.

Members of the sewing group gathered treasured friends, daughters, sisters and made a one-day trip to enjoy a day of shopping and an evening of quiet delight, ending with a nourishing and filling breakfast before heading home.  We were able to leave early Friday morning, arriving near the noon hour for a hot pretzel from Jo-Jo's .... and some browsing through local shops, herb garden, and the cheese factory.  We squeezed in a leisurely evening walk through the country roads near the B&B before retiring for the night.

Fell asleep to the clip-clopping of hooves pulling Amish buggies.  Awoke to the song of a rooster nearby.

Simple Amish school .... small pony for the children to enjoy, fresh countryside, restful day!

We loaded the car with bags of oatmeal, containers of spices and dried fruit, fresh cheese and baked goods .... some surprise Christmas gifts from a special shop, a new cookbook, and lasting memories.

Enjoy.

Janet

Drywall on the house!

When the dry wall starts going up, the house really starts to look like 'home' to me.  Very exciting times.
Entering through the garage, this is what greeted me first - installers placing the ceiling on!

Then the inside is started to look like the photo below!!!!!

 That is looking to the back of the house from the dining room into the kitchen.  The pipes sticking up are where the sink and dishwasher will be located.

Today I stopped by (a couple of days after the above photos were taken).  The dry walling experts have added plaster type gook to seams, etc., and have smoothed it down.  Yesterday they were clumping around on stilt-like contraptions and platforms adding the plaster and smoothing it like frosting.  We joked and said they could get a second job in a bakery!

Now today a crew is adding the texture to the ceilings.  I had to dart and dash and duck myself around ... and quickly decided to take two photos and get out of there before I caused a calamity!  Someone was rolling the wet material on the ceiling and then others were using a long-handled tool to sort of punch the wet plaster and make it into a texture like star bursts.

Amazing process.

Tomorrow they sand all the walls to make them smooth as silk .... and I was gently advised to stay away tomorrow or I would become enveloped in a dust cloud!  Then the trim carpenter in a few days after that, I believe ..... and then some painting.  Pictures will be forthcoming as we get to those stages!

Fun!  I do wonder what Grandpa Holton would think of all this modern construction!  Certainly more detailed and sophisticated than his cottages on the lake.

Blessings.

Janet