shady business

I scored these mid-century teak lamps at last Saturday's auction. They set me back ten bucks.

Gratitude goes to my auction-buddy, Margaret, for envisioning them in our family room! I love hanging out with people who have vision.

-especially when adopting their vision doesn't cost me very much money.


An integral part of this "vision" included a fresh fabric on the lamp shades. This was a maiden voyage for me, but I was all over it like white on rice.

I had a little problem with getting started, as my first fabric purchase had to be set aside for -let's say-"other purposes". That's what happens when you have JUST ENOUGH fabric & then cut it the wrong way.

I did this in front of other people which provided much mirth for them.

I could have thrown straight pins at them. But I didn't.

Instead, I went on my merry way to covering two lamp shades with a bounce in my step & additional yard (and 1/8) of fabric.

The results make me happy! The back wing of the house has really been a place for me to play with new colors & prints that aren't my usual cup o' tea.

Speaking of cup o' tea, I may brew one, put my feet up, & enjoy my auction lamps!

the ice leaves town

It was an exciting afternoon here at our old stone home on Saturday. The sun was shining so strongly that the ice on the river decided it was time to give up ship.

We left our house behind, grabbed jackets & cameras, and hopped down to the bridge to watch the ice break up. We weren't the only ones fascinated by this thundering attraction: cars were stopping on the bridge & at the town park to take in the sight.

It was so entirely satisfying to see these icebergs bite the dust. Proverbially.

It has been a long, drawn-out winter.

If were were regular champagne-imbibers, we would have risked the open container law & popped a few corks. It was THAT celebratory.

A few onlookers mentioned that it soon would be kayaking season for me. I blessed them for their words which brought me great joy.

two sunny days

A few sunny days in a row have given the menfolk a chance to work on the Cottage.

I like when this kiddo is home. He has been crawling around on a roof now for two days. I feed him occasionally. Fish Fillets on a hard roll with mac & cheese, for example.

I love the light in this picture; how it reflects off of the saw and onto the physique of the handsome LOTM.
Now, this boy. This boy needs to call his mom.
When I posted a pic of him on facebook yesterday, his mom commented, "oh. I wondered where he was."

He is on a roof, mom. Along with the other guys. He is being fed well.

He is being told to be careful at a constant rate of every 14.366 minutes by a mom who watches from her kitchen window.

Speaking of windows, this is the view from the dormer window. Wow-sah.

BE CAREFUL.
-and please do not drop anything on someone's head.

Watch for splinters.

and come in for coffee & pie.


This update has been brought to you by the Lady of the Manor -who will be visibly relieved when all the construction moves inside.

will we EVER hear the end of it?

"goodnessgraciouswouldyouSTOPwiththekitchenalready?"

-If you have said or thought these words when you have checked my facebook or blogs, kindly skip this post. But if you are remotely like every red-blooded American homemaker (-into which category I gladly lump myself-) ,then READ ON WITH UNBRIDLED GLEE.

Recently, #1 Son did a photo shoot of our finished project: the totally remodeled kitchen of our old stone home. For those who have followed this project from the beginning, much of this information will not be new to you. But if you subscribe to the camp that believes one can always hear good news twice, you won't mind in the least.

We purchased our old stone home two years ago. There were many things to love about this house: the marble plaque above the ground floor entryway into which was chiseled "1843",
the deep window sills that looked out on the Grasse River & falls, the generous dining room with a fireplace/sitting area, the built-in bookcases, and much much more.

But we cringed in horror at the kitchen. Narrow, dark, lined with cobalt blue tile, equipped with a non-working oven, tacky cheap cupboards, and a resident rat.....well. Let's not go there.

It's in the past.

All the more reason to rejoice along with me in this glorious space.

Allow me to tell you a little bit about its components.

The kitchen island has a story all its own. It was originally a general store counter. I discovered it in a friend's barn a few years back & after waxing rhapsodic over its dusty dirty glory, this generous friend agreed to give it to me -in exchange for a few hours of my husband's plumbing expertise.

She definitely was assured she got the better end of the bargain.

(You can read more about its transformation here and also here.)


About the countertops: on one side of the kitchen we have practical formica, which I love.

On the "baking" side of the kitchen, we installed reclaimed slate chalkboards. We got them at no charge from our church which meets in the old Madrid High School. They were happy to see them go, and we were happy to take them! They took a bit of elbow grease to become our pride & joy.

You can read all about how they became countertops here and here.

This useful hutch was also the recipient of a makeover of sorts. Again, it is an antique which a friend helped me find. I love its stately height. It has been the perfect repository for our everyday dishes.

(You can read about its transformation here and also here.)

A little note about the open shelving: it took me a few months to figure out exactly what I wanted as far as spacing & such. The LOTM was super gracious about building it. It took four boards from the lumber yard, a can of stain borrowed from the hutch project, and metal shelving brackets from Lowes.

Oh yeah, and a ton of obsessing about their exact placement.

They are the perfect place for all my canned goods, spices, and coffee; practical & beautiful all in one!

The beautiful cabinetry was custom made by our friend Eric. Since he never advertises, allow me to do it for him. His business is called From the Heart Cabinetry. (For heaven's sake! does he not even have a website?)

Got to get on that stat. This guy & his craftsmen are AMAZING. Plus, Eric & his wife Lisa have the most amazing kids.

(I received NO discount for saying that.)

There is not one thing I would change about this kitchen. That's how much I love it.

Moving on to the other side of the room, here is the unique light fixture that Clever Tommy fashioned for us. You can read all about its humble beginnings here.

The banner over the sink says "Love One Another". But I like to think that it directly translates as "Do The Dishes for Your Mother".

This little chair was stationed here merely for the photo shoot, but I really like how it shows off the shaker-style cabinet doors.

The flooring is hand-scraped birch from Lumber Liquidators. We chose it for its imperfections, as befitting an old farmhouse kitchen.

Lastly, I leave you with the aerial view from the loft. The blue propane bottle atop the fridge is there to keep me humble. After all, if it were a perfect kitchen it wouldn't seem real.

Over the past year we have filled this room with all sorts of people, serving up heaping helpings of food & fun. I am ever so grateful to do so!

more of The Cottage

Stepping out our back door, I find a cheerful blue sky.

Down at the entrance to "The Cottage" I look back to our old stone home to take in a deep breath of fresh air and admire the freshly fallen snow.

As much as I am aching for spring, I still find it within me to enjoy the winter view.

Inside, the LOTM is requesting coffee. But first, I snap some shots of his work in progress.

The upstairs bedrooms are framed. (The installation of two dormers will have to wait for warmer weather!)
Pardon me while I am distracted by the view of the river from the upstairs windows.

Turning 90 degrees from that fantastic view, one can see down into the kitchen. The ceiling will remain open to the upstairs landing -which, by the way, will be THE PLACE to sip coffee and check the laptop in the morning.

Here is the landing, with temporary railing for safety's sake. We are scouting for some reclaimed iron or wood for the final railing.

This is the view from the kitchen looking up! What a lovely, cozy place this is going to be!

like

From almost every window, one can see the river. I like that.