I still can't believe it

Fireplace during construction,
before insulation, lighting and wallboard.

Now in working order.

I am so thankful every day that we were able to pull off buying and renovating an older house and selling the one we were in. There were times when it seemed like it might not happen. We still have work to do here. Take the mantel piece, I'm thinking Vermont Soapstone. Black with a touch that is smooth and somehow soft. For now the pine 1 x 4 is in place until we scavenge the right piece.

So we've moved......

Well it took a full week to move and clean the country house.
We've got the computers hooked up and running but has anyone seen the cable for my camera?

Right back on the job.

They passed their check ups with flying colors.
Bright eyes, clean ears, good teeth and sleek coats.
And a quick shot surely wasn't going to slow these 2 down.

Orion on the attic stairs.

Stella checking out the camera.

Renovation Update:

• 2 bedrooms finished
  
• bathroom finished
  
• office finished
  
• living room only needs two pieces of base board installed.
  
• attic master bedroom is now insulated, sheet-rocked, mud & primed. Ceiling painted. Wired and lighting installation 1/2 done.
  

Lots more painting upstairs. Flooring and trim to install upstairs.

Tiger Eye : She's a beauty.

One of our latest additions.
We're in the process of digging a new garden bed for the lilies.

Bath renewal & a little kitty action.

We laid out the marble tiles in the living room 1st.

1 day to cut and lay the tiles.
1 day to grout, clean and install fixtures.
I know. A window in the shower?
The opening was there and we hated the idea of giving up the daylight.
The window is vinyl and the trim is PVC.

Whirling dervishes.
When they aren't climbing up your jeans while your tiling or painting they are tumbling around having great fun.

There is a setting on the camera for capturing motion I just haven't taken time to investigate.

I hate ceilings.

In order to get the job done right my trusty music box is ever present. Late night radio on The Mill plays classic rock mostly from the 80's . Their motto: Embarrass the kids and turn it up.
At first I thought is was extravagant to by purchase another step-ladder. Turns out it has paid for itself 10 fold. Couldn't have done the job without it, I'm too short to reach the ceiling with the "guys" 2-step model.


OH! SEE! yuck, that means yet another layer of compound to feathering out and sand and wet-sand. The ceiling light just magnifies the imperfections. This is in my husband's office (he is a Tax Accountant), he said that most people won't notice they'll be too busy worrying about how much they own in taxes. Maybe so but it is getting another coat.
Stairs to the attic room. They actually curve and exit into the dining room. We had to remove the wall into the living room in order to get 4' x 8' sheetrock up there, and furniture someday. The guys have got half of the 2nd floor wired and insulated and sheetrocked. woohoo

Weekend get-away, aka: fix-r-upper

This is where I'll be most of the weekend.
Sanding and mudding walls and ceilings and striping trim.
The guys will be wiring and insulating the attic.
Next up demo of the teeny bathroom.
Please notice the unmowed ajuga in foreground of photo. My husband thinks it's cool to have a purple lawn, so for about a month we will.
HAPPY WEEKEND!

Different Daffodils

I brought these daffodils from Vermont. Just a few of what is planted on the roadside bank "over the road" and in front of the Sugar House. A sight to behold every spring.
We had always referred to them as double daffodils. They look very different from the common jonquil. I still can't make up my mind if I like the look of them. They remind me of where I grew up and I'll take a few with me to the "new place".

They are popping up everywhere!

The fun part about moving in to a new property is that you don't know what little surprises might pop up.

A touch of color!

My daughter likes color.

Garden Room Green and Embellished Blue.
Restoring the trim is next.
I wonder what color that will be...I hoping for white!

The Middle Room is getting closer

Mudding, sanding, sealer/primer, sanding, sealer/primer, ceiling white, weathered sandstone for the walls......let me catch my breath, eat, sleep, repeat in next room. Renovation bliss.
We are reusing the original baseboard, the window and door trim. It is sturdy yellow pine that seems to clean-up well. And well, it seemed like the Eco-friendly thing to do. Now to set the nails, apply putty, sand, prime and paint. Then the guys will finish wiring the outlets and fix the flooring where we took the closet out. REPEAT on 4 more rooms!

Mudding (inside)

I really wish I was outside enjoying the mud but this needs to get done.

This is my first time applying drywall compound.
It doesn't seem too hard but it takes time and patience.
Oh, and loud music, really loud music!
Poor neighbors...but no complaints.

First layer done and now to sand, wet sand and apply layer 2.

Under construction!

Its been a busy week at the new house. DIY: Walls down, insulation in, wiring in progress, sheet-rocking, etc, etc.

Its all put away until next year.

We spent part of this weekend packing up the Christmas tree and all the house decorations.
Next year we are at a different house, so this was the last time for Christmas where we are.
We purchased a house in "the city" and look forward to the conveniences we'll have there. Home is what you make it, it's not the physical place/stuff. We've been fortunate to be able to take a year to move from one place to the other. The "new" house needs lots of work and we look forward to those challenges as well. Here's, looking forward to the adventure!