scenes from our kitchen

I spent 15 minutes removing from a kitchen cabinet, one,
painted over too many times, original, made in 1908 nickel hinge. As I was standing there, cursing (in my head of course) the people that slopped the paint over these beautiful hinges, I began to question
my stamina for another big project.

There are 28 hinges, and 15 minutes is actually quick. Hubby spent 30 minutes on one a few weeks ago.
So, that's 28x15=420/60=7. Seven. Seven hours. Seven hours spent removing hinges.

After they have been removed, off they go to the crockpot spa for a 24 hour soak, and then back in our hands for another 15 minutes to pull off the paint, scrub and polish. Another seven hours.

7+7=14 hours of 106-year-old hinge restoration is feeling so much longer than 14 hours.
We started this whole process a few weeks ago, and now we have eight to go. The upper cabinets are complete. The lower cabinets are this weekend's project.

here are some before/during/after photos:

- before - five layers, including green and bright pink -

- after! - amazing, right? -

- lots to see in this photo - new plants, wine, nasty peeling paint -

- contact paper removed, bead board installed, and no more peeling paint -

- lots of sanding -

- glass installed, it's called german new antique -

* * * * *

Are you curious what the plan is for the rest of the kitchen?
It is not a complete overhaul; perhaps, if this was our forever house, we would consider something
on a larger scale. For now we're just going to freshen up the original cabinetry, and overhaul the right side
of the galley (see photo below).

The right side will get new butcher block countertop, an undermount sink, tile backsplash, open shelving,
new gas range and a few other fun, small touches.

- this is from a few months ago -

- this is from a few minutes ago -

 
You can see above that I've tested out the chosen paint color for the lower cabinets. I'm excited!
More to come as we make progress!

* * * * *

in the details:

let me know if you have any questions about anything you see!

crockpot spa for stripping old paint- idea seen on rehab addict, love this show

sunday antique fair

My friend, J, and I went to a local antique fair yesterday.

I love antique fairs, sales and cute stores full of all things vintage. You readers know this, of course.

It was nice yesterday to stroll through the aisles, imagining what we might do with the 595 dollar, perfectly worn farmhouse table. Or, all the cute littles (a few of which made it home with me).

We also got caught up on the everyday life of the past week. I am so thankful for Sunday antiquing.

- my vintage finds - wooden letters, valentines, wood-handle bottle opener, bottle brush tree, ornaments -

- vintage ornament (eyed first by J) - most likely from west germany, mid-century -

 * * * * * 

 

I purchased the little pictured below back in December. Also a trip with my friend, J, we took an hour

and popped over to a couple antique shops just a few blocks away. This little girl was sitting on a shelf in a

glass display cabinet. I saw her, hesitated for awhile, but finally asked to have the case opened.

Once in my hand, she had to come home with me.

- cast iron toy, only 1.5 inches tall - rare and likely early 1900's -

* * * * * 

new year, new windows

I started this blog one year and four days ago with a post about windows, and so, it seems

appropriate to start this year with another of the same. The old house, with its 42 windows, has provided much inspiration for my writing and sharing with you.

This Fall, we replaced seven more windows. This second round was not any easier.

You all know by now, that we are old house purists (within reason). Removing something original from the old house is emotional and goes against our daily work towards restoration. Here's the but-

But, there are certain windows, with ice-cold air pouring through them, that just need to be replaced. Rotting, frozen over bathroom windows that do not open, drafty (understatement) windows next to the boys when they sleep, north-facing windows in our room that keep it 15 degrees cooler than the rest of the house.

We also replaced the stairwell window. When it was done, it felt like a 25x55 hole in our house had been eliminated and suddenly we had a semi-temperature-controlled upstairs. Because we are doing this in rounds, we have to be strategic with our choices. If we finish out the last six windows upstairs, then we have

heating/cooling issues. I think we will move into the kitchen next. The kitchen has seven windows,

and since hubby and I got new windows in our room, the kitchen is now the coldest spot in the old house.

Winter temperatures in the kitchen are miserable, actually. And, like most families, we spend most of our time there. It is no fun to sit next to a drafty (understatement) window, shivering, and try to gulp down your dinner before it freezes. Perhaps this is a slight exaggeration, but only slight.

- we did some of the windows on our own this time -

- careful hubby! -

- we needed the help. thanks, J! -

Each bedroom in the old house has four windows, and now each bedroom has two new.

And can I just say how wonderful and amazing it is to have windows that open! The things you take for granted when you live in a new house:  garbage disposal, level floors, on-suite bathrooms, walk-in closets, laundry rooms, kitchen islands, windows that actually open. This does not conclude my list,

but I think you all should know that I have a list equally as long (maybe longer) of the joys of living in an

old house. The first is:  42 windows.

* * * * *

 

orchards part 2

 Our family is almost as crazy for apples as we are (I am) for pumpkins. We eat apples every day,
so when we get the chance in the fall to eat them right off the tree, we go pickin! Our first round of apples
was all honeycrisp, and they didn't last long at the old house.

On another trip, we went with friends to an out of town orchard.
We got the full experience- we ate our warm, cinnamon-sugar bathed apple donuts on the hayride out to the fields. We wore our hoodies and breathed in the crisp, cool air. We picked (and sampled) our apples,
and upon our return, realized we probably had too many. I would never admit it though. We had just enough to eat (for a few weeks) and to make a heaping apple pie.

I can almost smell the apples just by looking at the photos-

- we picked these after we picked raspberries - honeycrisp is our favorite variety -

- the first fall orchard trip was E's class field trip -

- rows and rows of trees filled with apples - aren't they beautiful! -

- these kids were tired when it was time to go - such a fun day -

- this is E, enjoying the hayride -

- best 19.99 i ever spent - old timey apple peeler! -

- dutch apple - and homemade pie crust -

- streuseled and ready for the oven -

- done, and i am happy to report that every piece was enjoyed -

* * * * *

A note about this pie- I'm not sure if I'm allowed to give out my sister's husband's family recipe, but I will say
it is easy. I think the secret to good pie anyway, is the crust. People get intimidated by pie crust,

but it is so simple. Butter, flour, salt, cold water. I use a food processor, too. Done.

in the details:

check out these two must-haves for apple pie and pie crust:

pastry cloth - i do not wash mine, after use i seal it in a ziplock and store it in the fridge

apple peeler & corer - i purchased mine at a local kitchen store for 19.99

I'm back... from Austin!

Did you think I gave up on this whole blog thing? I didn't, and I haven't.

We spent last week with my sister and her family in Austin. It was a great week and a much needed break from the new city, for all of us.

Not more than a few days after being home, I was ready to be back hanging out with my sister.

People say we look alike, sound alike and have the same mannerisms. Funny, because the last time we lived near each other, I was 19 and she was 12. Even with seven years between us, we are in the same stage of life; we have young children. And when you are going through this stage, you need family and

your dearest friends beside you.

I think this is an ongoing frustration and sadness for me. It is true that the new city brought us closer to family (road trips, not plane rides), but it is especially difficult while we continue to adjust to our new surroundings.

But today, when I am thinking that last Wednesday, sisters and cousins were walking through the Austin Zoo together, I will remember the quote, don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.

My sister is an amazing Mom, and she is one of my dearest friends. And you know, it is not over,

it's until next time...

- austin zoo and animal sanctuary -

* * * * *

By the way, this is my brother-in-law. He always makes sure we have a good time.
He is a great daddy and definitely a fun uncle! Thanks A, for the boat time, yummy smoked dinners and
for just making us feel at home.

Until next time...

* * * * *

weekend spontaneity

By Friday afternoon I am completely spent.

Most Fridays we have family pizza-popcorn-movie night, but I had no energy even to make pizza.

I had already decided I wanted to get take out. Hubby called though and said we had been invited for burgers at our friends/neighbors house. Sold! I love spontaneous get-together's! I think life often gets in the way when we try to make official plans. It doesn't mean we shouldn't try or that we don't need get-together's,

but allowing ourselves to be spontaneous means those get-togethers end up being

much needed and more fulfilling.

Speaking of spontaneity, I was at the Saturday morning farmers market and got a text from our babysitter saying she was available that night. I guess I texted her a week prior to set up one last date night before she moves away to start life in the real world. Apparently I forgot, but thankfully she remembered.

Hubby and I got an impromptu date night, and I need to tell you, we had the best Thai food! It has been since our Seattle years that Thai food has tasted so good. Our favorite dishes:  pad see ew, panang curry.

* * * * *

Much of Saturday and Sunday was spent in the yard cleaning up and planting flowers. The children helped and also logged several hours on the neighbors' swing set.

Sunday brought thunderstorms, so I decided to bake. I made blueberry muffins and strawberry rhubarb pie. The muffins are one of my usual recipes, but this was my first strawberry rhubarb pie. I crafted it while hubby and our neighbor (remember Bruce?) fixed our leaking kitchen sink. The fix has been needed for a few weeks and Bruce just happened to pop over yesterday. It was crowded in the galley, but I persevered and the pie was a success! I even shared a few generous slices with Bruce and his wife. I wish I could pay for
all the work on the old house with baked goods.

 

- picked up the rhubarb at the farmers market -

I had to patch the crust and I didn't get the pie crust shield on early enough. It looks rustic I think. I used the Joy of Cooking as my guide for tweaking the filling, and the crust is a recipe my sister uses for her
dutch apple pie. Like Bruce said, any day is a good day if you have pie. I also think any day is a good day with a little spontaneity.

* * * * *

weekend: swimming

I can only check one official item off my weekend agenda.
Maybe I should not have published that list last Friday. We spent a lot of time outside enjoying the
delightful spring weather. No blue wall, no touch-up paint, no new hinges installed. The days got away from us, but that's okay. I caught up on my reading while sitting in the sun on the front porch. Hubby and I tried a new restaurant on Saturday evening, and Sunday was spent at E's swim meet.

E is a first-grader and she swam her first 200 meter race on Sunday. She was nervous (so were we).
The whole team cheered her on and the crowd gave her a standing ovation. You know, sometimes a face says it all. Hers did; E was all smiles. She did it and she finished it.
We found out later she confided in an older teammate that she cried during the last 50. She doesn't know we know, and it makes me even more proud of her.

It was not on my agenda, but I learned something from my daughter this weekend.
Thanks, E. You are one amazing kid.

* * * * *

weekend: SoMo

Nobody wanted Geepa (says Koko) to go.
Luckily, we had our own road trip planned for the weekend. We met Geepa and Geema in SoMo,
where they plan to retire this year. Last time we were there, Mom and Dad were just staking out their new house. The structure is now evolving into a cute, craftsman style home.

Mom and Dad have lived in MI for many years; they moved there after I started college.
My much younger than me brother and sister moved with them. When I visited for holidays, it never felt like I was going home, if that makes any sense. Even so, MI was familiar. I thought it would feel strange to walk through the new, framed house. It is completed enough to see the rooms and imagine how furniture,
fixtures and people will fit into the spaces.

 But it didn't seem strange. In a way, we have been a part of their move and new house. My family calls this beautiful land of rolling hills, forests and streams the hollar, and when I'm there, it feels like I came home.

  

- hubby even helped dad and my uncles drywall the garage ceiling, a task for which he has experience -

 

* * * * *

weekend outdoors

No major projects this weekend.

It was nice to spend our days outside. The kids wore themselves (and us) out.
The garage is cleaned out and the those last leaves that fell last November have been raked out of the flower beds. Hubby seeded the lawn and I helped the kids plant pansies. We chatted with all the neighbors, who are also out of hibernation, and shared a beer on the front porch. Spring.

- the dead-looking shrub, like all of the trees, is covered with buds -

* * * * *

weekend: sunday

We were too burnt out on Sunday to tackle a project.

Hubby knew I needed a few hours away. It is hard for me when hubby travels, especially when it's a full week. Managing three children and all of their activities and shenanigans is hard work when you are by yourself.

I heard about a local antique fair happening on Sunday, so this was the perfect opportunity for me to recharge. A friend went with me, so that was even better. I met this friend last fall. She was at a girls night gathering I was invited to by the first two moms I met in the new city. These two moms have embraced me from day one, but you still have to be brave when walking into a group of gals you do not know.

Trying to make new friends is this weird and hard thing. You tell your story, but not too detailed.

You ask the other person questions about their life and try to figure out what you might have in common.
You wonder if this person will be a good friend.
If you're in survival mode, like I was and maybe still am, you try not to cry.

This friend is easy to talk to about silly and serious stuff. I remember meeting her and her children for a few park play dates (when it was still warm... five months ago). I remember thinking, I want to be her friend.
I certainly have met some great gals and I feel like and hope friendships are forming.
I guess things happen in life and in friendship if they are supposed to, and you have to trust that.

I am thankful for new friendships. And hooray! I found someone that likes to frequent antique fairs, too.

* * * * *

 

- my finds from sunday -

* * * * *

weekend: saturday

Our weekend was not restful or productive.

At least, it was not productive in a way that we planned. We had planned to relax a little and start another project. After being in AZ for a week and then hubby leaving for a week upon our return,

we all needed a normal weekend. Unfortunately, that was not going to happen for us.

It was Friday and my four-year-old, who was supposed to be in his room, decided to do a secret flotation experiment- in the toilet. Later that afternoon, after he used the bathroom, S told me that the toilet would not flush properly. Seemed like it was clogged. No big deal, but gross, so I decided I would let hubby deal

with it when he got home that night.

A while later I noticed two book pages and two little people in the trash can next to the toilet. Oh no.

I called S into the bathroom and asked him to explain. He explained his experiment to me. Yes, he put the book pages and little people in the toilet. Yes, they all float. Yes, he retrieved them with his bare hands.

Yes, he washed his hands and sang the entire ABC's. No, he will never do it again.

Phew, all foreign objects retrieved and it's just a clog.

After a long week of traveling for work, hubby came home and plunged the toilet. No success.

I called S into the bathroom again. Me in my calm Mom voice:  Did you put anything else in the toilet? I can tell when S is lying; he said no. Me in my angry Mom voice:  Did you put anything else in the toilet? 

Yes, he also dropped in one of his sister's old princess figurines. No, Ariel did not float. Yes, he flushed her.

As you could, but should not imagine, our Saturday was no fun.

We learned how to uninstall and reinstall a toilet. I am nervous about giving details. The details are gross.

It was disgusting and smelly. Hubby almost barfed. We snaked the thing several times, but Ariel was stuck in the bend of the toilet base. Finally, hubby had to lay the toilet in the bathtub to get a better angle. He angrily tried one more time and out she came. We emptied the bathroom and cleaned everything with bleach, twice.

Here's the fun news though, this situation prompted us to buy a new sink.

The current sink is new and nice, but does not match what's happening in that bathroom. Fortunately, the current sink will be perfect in the main floor bathroom. It will replace an old, awkwardly short sink that we cannot seem to stop from leaking. I can't wait to show you before and after pictures in a few weeks!

Funny how a flotation experiment can put bathroom makeovers at the top of the project list. This is what happens when you live in the old house. This is what happens when you have young children.

- this is the clean, soaked and scrubbed in bleach, Ariel -

 

* * * * *

weekend painting

It only took seven hours, but we finished painting the boys' room this weekend.

It's a big deal! We had to sand the built-in beds, prime them, paint them, cut-in the ceiling, paint inside the closet and paint the baseboards. Oh, and finish the door, door frame and jamb.

We maximized our time by being ready to work the second we put Koko down for his nap. From the time you close his door until the time he wakes, you have 3-3.5 hours (most days). Ready, set, paint.

So it's done, but I am frustrated because we still have a crib and changing table in the furniture mix.

They take up so much space. I told hubby we will have to move them out and put the new dresser in place, temporarily, for our official photo shoot. He is really excited about this task.

At least we're to the fun part- accessories and decorating.

You know, when you have hubby hold the picture on the wall and you stand back and decide if it is in the perfect spot. Or when you stand in the home store for at least an hour looking at drawer pulls and knobs.
Or when you move this over there and that over here, but it still isn't right. This will be my week,

and I am excited about it!

The official after photos are coming soon. In the meantime, here's a look at our weekend work-

If you want to see before photos of the beds, click here.

- the drawers are huge and a major bonus for this room! -

- we love kilz primer! -

 

* * * * *

weekend drive

Do you ever get to your destination and you cannot remember getting there?
I had that moment for the first time in our new city. I guess that means I am becoming more familiar with our new routine. Or I am tired and preoccupied. Perhaps it's both.

Do you ever look at the car next to you and wonder where they are going?

They are probably in the midst of their routine, too,
but maybe they are going somewhere different today. Maybe that person in the car next to you is going to the doctor to get the results of the tests they had last week. Maybe they are on their way to the airport and
will spend the next week in Disneyland.
Maybe they are going to a job they hate. Maybe they will have a baby today.

Maybe they don't know where they are going.

My destination on Sunday was my parents' house.

My Dad is in the hospital; he had a bone marrow transplant last week. Today I had another drive-
96 miles over to the hospital. I will be spending the night on one of those pull-out chair beds that hubby had to sleep on each time I went into the hospital to have one of our children.
Tomorrow I will turn around and drive the 96 miles back to my parents' house, with my Dad.

- view from the hospital room just before discharge -

weekend usual

I thought the kids were going to lose it on Saturday morning.

We told them that after they finished their donut, we would be headed to Lowe's. We thought the donuts would help and maybe they did a little. No one cried. Ha!

There are a couple of local and rather tasty bakeries in the new city, by the way.

When we stepped inside Lowe's, coffee and shopping list in hand, it sounded like all the employees

decided to get together and practice hammering nails. Then our kids noticed other kids walking around with kid-size aprons on, just like the employees wear. We followed the clack, clack, clack sound and discovered a kids' project happening in the back of the store.

They were so excited! I shopped with Koko while Daddy helped with their project.

They got to keep the safety goggles and apron and they get an iron-on patch for every project they complete. Our kids spent the rest of the weekend playing "Lowe's." They made aisles with the dining room chairs, colored sale signs and gathered up all kinds of stuff to sell. I love it when they are inspired.

You can check out the Lowe's Build & Grow website to find out when the next project is happening in

your area.  Maybe my kids and yours won't mind trips to Lowe's as much anymore. Maybe.

Does this sound like a commercial; it's not.

I am just thankful my kids can have fun at the hardware store, too.

* * * * *

We made more headway in the boys' room this weekend.

We really just have painting left, but in that room it is a major task. The kids' energy kept us moving.
While outside with Dad, they discovered that a fellow first-grader lives down the street. I usually listen to Pandora when I paint, but it was nice to just hear them laugh and play.
It took a few hours, but I finished the corner built-in bookcase.

- remember the before? - click here -

other weekend notables:

at the preschool family fun night, we got to see and touch snakes for the first time since we left AZ

we brought home sample tiles for the kitchen backsplash

we finished the entryway shoe closet!

we made and devoured another batch of Chex mix - so delicious

and always the best part of my week - family movie/pizza/popcorn by the fire night

weekend trip

We left on Friday afternoon to visit my Grandpa who is almost 90 years old.

We spent time looking at pictures of the old house and talking about about our work thus far and our
renovating dreams. The old house was built only a few years before he was born.

My Grandpa lives in the cape cod house he built in 1954. This is the house my Mom grew up in.

I have not been to the house for many years, and it is mostly unchanged. I walked up the stairs holding onto the chipped, bright green railing, running my other hand along the velvet-flocked, damask wallpaper- the same as I did every time I skipped up and down those stairs as a kid.

I sat next to my Grandpa in the living room yesterday. He listened to the chatter and so did I.

When I closed my eyes, I could hear my Grandma's footsteps on the old floor. She was coming from the kitchen to sit in the chair and read her book. She always fell asleep.
My Grandma died many years ago; she was there the last time I was in the house.

Most of the time, I don't think we realize how much one person will affect our life. I don't think we

realize how much they will mold us.

- koko and bubpa -

weekend update

The boys' room is not done. Let me rephrase that. Our part in the boys' room is nearly complete.
Focus on the positive. Priming done, painting over half-way done, electrician will be here tomorrow to finish up his work, and in one more week the guy will be here to do the woodwork.

I am only going to give you a sneak peek at the wall color. It's not exactly what my four-year-old would have chosen. I will use his words and say, I do not love "lightish and darkish purples."

* * * * *

 p.s.  It was perfect weather for new storm doors to be installed. One in the kitchen and one in the basement stairway. They are already covered with Truman nose smudges; he likes to keep an eye on the squirrels.

- before -

- after - no more freezing, drafty stairway! -

in the details:

boys' room paint color- i will tell you later

new Anderson 3000 series storm doors found here

weekend misc.

I know I am not the only one who sits down on a Sunday night wondering where the weekend went.

Where did the weekend go? I feel like it was busy. Today is Monday.
I want another day with my family.

We spent more time than we planned at Lowe's on Saturday morning. We dread telling the kids we have to stop at one of the big hardware stores. I am certain they have the stores memorized.
One morning after I dropped my daughter off at school, I broke the news to my four-year-old. He started to cry and said, "I don't love Lowe's."

Are we the only ones who divide and conquer? You go get the 1x2's and I will put in the paint order.
Meet back in lighting so I can convince you we need to change another light fixture.

We got so close to finishing my closet this weekend, but we took many breaks to referee games of Scrabble (best game ever), to play outside and to make Dad's chili. I also popped into a favorite antique shop.

No school today, but it's quiet. I love pajama days with the kids.
The drywallers finished up this morning and it has been snowing for a few hours. Why is it so quiet when it snows? I stand in front of the window watching and listening. Like the kids, I don't want to miss one flake.
If you look away, those perfect, graceful swirls of snow may not be falling anymore.

*****