Oh, how I love beautiful fall days. The leaves are changing every day.
I am feeling much better, but the energy levels are still not up to par yet. There is much to do this fall and so I hope I can dial it up from the slow mode to a faster pace soon. So far, I feel like the laziest of the lazies.
The signed book that I won in Susan Branch's giveaway on her blog arrived in the mail last week and I was thrilled to get it and since I was sick and couldn't do much else...I read it in one day. It was wonderful! Handwritten and illustrated with Susan's beautiful watercolors and personal photos, the book is the first of a two part series.
I especially loved this book because it called to mind so many things I had almost forgotten. Little Latin Lupe Lu, anyone? Susan was born just a year after I was, so we both grew up in the 50's and 60's. I loved her story of meeting the Beatles. Let me just say, she was a brave girl! You can find out more about The Fairy Tale Girl here.
This is the view into the dining area from my recliner. See the wall on the left? It's still awaiting being transformed into a gallery wall. I have the stuff, just haven't had the motivation to git 'er done. See the stack of books on the chair sitting in the dark? That is only one of several stacks of to-be-read books. Oh, I may have read one or two, but that's about it. And there is Stormy waiting for me. That's her way of telling me that it is time to go to bed. Pretend there isn't a box in the corner, that is a favorite thing for cats. Those that have cats know what I'm talking about. When a box is brought into the house the cats love to curl up in it and when they start chewing it up out it goes. The box, not the cat! Although I have to say that some days they sure can push my buttons and I threaten to open the door and look the other way! I'll be glad when daughter moves and takes her 2 kitties with her. And speaking of moving....
It's way past time to share another before and after. The first photo (click on photo to make larger) was the deck as it looked when we bought The Project. We weren't happy with leaving the deck the way it was. It just didn't seem safe enough and there were sagging issues, the stairs needing shoring up and so we hired a carpenter for this job. He also put a new roof on top of this section of the house.
The middle photo is during the overhaul and, lastly, the finished deck. Sorry that last photo is a bit dark. There is still some painting to be done around the deck, top and below, and the concrete needs a good power washing, but we now have a sturdy, safe deck.
BG took off a couple of days and worked on some wiring and did some painting. We are not far from being able to do a clean up and paint so daughter can get moved in. The spare room still needs some work. Her BF is going to help with that. BG still has plenty of wiring to do, but he said that he can do that a little at a time and she might as well go ahead and move in. The basement still needs work, but it's not going to affect the upstairs. So, we're beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. At least as far as a move-in date. If she waited until everything was perfect, she might not ever get to live there. Is a house ever finished?
Mine is still a work in progress, too. I want to repaint my bathroom. It's a shade of tan that my children picked out. Not my color at all. I'm changing it! I think I want a light shade of aqua. Tell me, what is your favorite color for a bathroom? I welcome some ideas. I've looked at online photos, but I would love to know what you like, if you care to share. The downstairs bath is a blue that will be changed to a lighter shade, perhaps even white. You need all the light you can get in a basement.
That's all for this post. Take care, everyone. I'm hoping to get out of the house this week and capture some of the beauty of this fall. I'll see you soon!
PS I hope my Canadian friends had a nice Thanksgiving Day!
xo Cheryl
A lot of work has been going on there and the dck looks great. Hope you can get out this eek for the antumn colours.
ReplyDeleteGiid to read that you are (finally) feeling better Cheryl. The house projects do seem to move along slowly at times, but yours is looking better and better each time. We painted our VA house bathroom in a soft aqua color, so it's a good choice in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteOur house is painted in what we call "historic neutrals" --- varying shades of khaki, ivory, sage green. We chose the lighter shades for the bathrooms.
ReplyDeleteI too love Susan Branch! I have all her cookbooks as well as her book about England.
Cheryl, I am glad you can see the light there...I know you and your husband have worked hard on that project. The deck looks great...I am with you on making sure it's sturdy....people forget that nails rust and boards get weaker. We used galvanized deck screws. I hope you can find more energy . I have the same things...piles of this and that. I am excited you have the Susan Branch book. That will be fun to read and look thru. One day I will buy one. I love her drawings. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you are feeling better. Energy levels are the last thing to come back to speed. Your daughter's home will be such a blessing to her! Wow! You're going to do a gallery wall?! I will love to see it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic win...the Susan Branch book and a signed copy at that! What a treasure! It sounds like you all have several home projects in the works, but that can be a good thing! Just keep thinking how much you will enjoy the end results! Happy Fall Cheryl!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the giveaway. that is super cool. i think a lot of folks go for the tan in bathrooms because it reminds them of spas. i like your idea of aqua. that would be a relaxing color as well. i think you could jazz it up with shells & other beachy items. is that what you are thinking? i will have to go re-read your post. ( :
ReplyDeleteHappy news about you feeling better . . .
ReplyDeleteHappy news about the "moving day" "moving closer!"
(Kittens and cats love a box to curl up in . . . indeed!)
Oops . . . I almost forgot . . .
ReplyDeleteI like soft colors in bedrooms and bathrooms. Neutral though, then I can add bits of color when I want, change it up often.
I Cheryl. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend here. Thanks for your wishes for Canada. :) There are always things to be done around the house aren't there? I finally did my wall above the sofa in the spring. I got a friend to come over for lunch and we shopped the house and put it together. It's not all photos, it's a mix of things and textures that I had in other places in the house. The deck looks great and I'm sure will last a long time. Our bathroom is a soft blue and I have a beach theme in it even though we don't live near a beach! I just like shells and other beachy themed things. Have a good week! Pam
ReplyDeleteGlad you are feeling better and it is great to see the Project moving along! I am not a good one to offer color suggestions... :)
ReplyDeletethe project is really coming along and looking good. i know she will be happy to move in. and she can always call dad if there is a problem. my advice about a bathroom is anything permanent like tile and tubs and sinks keep them white. as for paint, anything goes because it can be changed any time. we have gold in one bathroom, gold tile, gold toilet and i painted the thing shades of gold but i don't love it. no money to change the tile. my other one is monotone green and i love it. the walls are a really dark green.
ReplyDeleteBig change with the new deck! Looks great!!
ReplyDeleteNice to read that you are feeling better. Sending wishes your way, for your strength to return, and for you to have the energy to get the things done that you want to do :)
Earlier this spring, I painted one of the guest bathrooms a very pale shade called "New Day" from Behr. It has the slightest blue color to it, but is very clean and bright, plus it is neutral enough that it would go with pretty much any color.
Have a sweet day.
~K.
You really have been rung thru the wringer but thank goodness you are finally getting better. . Congrats on winning the cool giveaway..Good books and a snuggly cat are great medicine Your daughter must be so excited to be moving in.
ReplyDeleteOK now for my bathroom color. I have led a beige life and with this house I broke the mold. I have and orange and white bathroom and love it.
Aren't home improvement projects fun??? We have been in the home improvement mode since the first of June. Our contractor has worked VERY slowly and we have had to keep on him a bit. We have a front porch that has been under construction for months and FINALLY be able to use this weekend! Praise the Lord. Your project is looking GOOD!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Thanksgiving wishes. I hope you feel better and more energetic soon. I do understand.I am having a hard time getting my energy up after my surgery.too.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're feeling better. That is one beautiful tree!
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear that you're feeling better!! Isn't it funny how our to-do list waits for us? I would love to have a to-do list fairy!
ReplyDeleteLove that tree Kimberly, so glorious!!!!! Happy your feeling better, good to hear.Blessings Francine.
ReplyDeleteYour project is looking good! I hope you get your get up and go back soon! One bath here is all knotty pine, the other is bead board that I painted country blue on the bottom and yellow on the top...including a yellow ceiling...it is the only painted room in the house:)
ReplyDeleteglad you are feeling better and although we get better, it does take a while to regenerate lost energy! I think the project is looking wonderful...great job!! I just had my guest bathroom repainted and I had it done in a beige color...not my favorite, but the area is kinda small so I went with the lighter color. I've seen an aqua bathroom and it was very pretty....so easy to decorate too! Go for it!
ReplyDeleteStopping by from Kerin's. I'm getting over my first -- and I hope only -- bronchitis of the season. Certainly took a lot out of me, but I'm beginning to feel like the more peppy me I enjoy. Hope you're feeling better, too.
ReplyDeleteI am happy you are feeling better. When you have been ill for that long it does take time to get your energy back. This too will pass and you can be back doing those projects that you want to complete. Gosh, I have a ton on my to do list and now I don't think i will ever get to them; but that's OK.
ReplyDeleteI love that you are getting your project home completed enough that your daughter can move in; I think that is awesome. What an accomplishment you can be proud of. It is a project in progress for sure. Well, my friend have a great recovery and go slow for a while until you get your strength back. Love and hugs!
I'm so glad you are feeling a bit better. What a nasty virus! Your "project" appears to be coming along nicely. There is nothing like getting your house back to yourself. As far as bathrooms go, my upstairs is a very light aqua - it is peaceful, spa like and I love it. The downstairs is a very light blue. Like you say, basements need all the light you can get.
ReplyDeleteKeep taking care of yourself and get back on your feet full speed ahead!
Deanna
Hi Cheryl!
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to get back on your feet after the, "crud", that's what we call it at my house! I hope you are feeling better a little more each day!
The project looks like it is coming right along! I have to agree with you, a house is a work in progress and will never be completely done! I think your daughter would be wise to move in now and finish up while living in the house . . . with her kittens . . . ;0)
My bathroom is beige too!! I really don't like it at all, and have actually been thinking of painting it some shade of blue!! We must have been on the same brain-wave! One of the colors I like is a, Behr paint color called Tahoe Blue - might be a little bright for some, but I really like it, My guest bathroom doesn't have a window, and it needs to be brightened up a tad. I also like, Spring Storm, also from Behr paints.
good luck with all the choices, keep us posted!
Hugs,
Barb
you're already experiencing beautiful fall! leaves are just starting to change here. :) I would put in all neutral colors for the big ticket items. that way when ever you feel the need for a change the towels, paint and rugs are inexpensive. aqua sounds fun! my son's bathroom is blue and brown and ours is white with deep red accents.
ReplyDeletehope you have a good weekend!
Love your fall tree colors!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear you've been feeling under the weather, Cheryl. It was exciting news to read that you won a signed copy of Susan Branch's new book, however! I used to eb a faithful reader of Sue's blog but I was so busy this summer and fall that I've missed a lot. My granddaughter is now in the Terrible/Terrific two age and she keeps me so busy all day that I'm exhausted in the evening--lol.
My guest bathroom is off white, so I jazz it up with colorful towels. My bedroom bathroom is a dark tam. I use cream colored towels in their. When we moved in we basically left the paint color in every room as is---just did not have the time to re-paint. My first paint job will be our kitchen and family room ceilings--they really need it. I think aqua will be very pretty--it sounds very pretty for a bathroom--very sea glass and beachy colors.
When we bought the house the bathroom was mustard and white. Horrible. I painted it purple with a purple bath(white inside the bath) , white tiles with a blue tile at the top and a blue floor. We love it. And I have hung lots of my framed paper bags on the walls. Probably quite unusual in a bathroom?
ReplyDelete