A lovely yard

So even in the midst of construction, our yard is lovely.

While it needs a little care, such as the pruning of apple trees that have run amok.



I have found new maple trees to adore.

I have a gigantic lilac bush.

And a pair of new neighbors.

Sunday we did a little porch sitting.

While we sat, we had a total of 4 visitors in two hours.

We wondered if it was a sign of things to come.

Visitors that is ~ we are both pretty social critters.

While you can't tell from the picture.  I can see portions of South Manistique Lake from my porch.

This will probably be my favorite spot.



Exterior facelift has begun

We have begun installation of the siding and windows.

David started this portion for me so I have have a visual of what it will look like.

The befores and after will be a huge change.

Especially this portion of the back porch.

On Saturday we installed 9 windows.

Today, the boys finished up the rest of them.

Our bedroom windows had to be raised due to the porch roof causing problems with the bottom of the current window framing.

It won't be long for our face lift to be complete.

It will soon be time to have our paint brushes ready.

Or perhaps invest in a paint sprayer.

a glimpse into the future

Our windows were delivered.

I found the tags on them interesting.

Counting down the days....someday it will be official.

Stripping 101

So I stripped my first door over the weekend.

I've pretty much become a huge fan of Franmar Soy-based Paint Stripper.

While my first side worked just like the youtube video showed, the opposite side......not so much.

It still beats the crap out of stinky throat burning strippers I've heard about.

The soy laden goop that is scrapped off is a tad on the gross side.

But, it could be worse.

The doors are a go.

Of course my green light involves, time I don't have, and $80 a gallon paint stripper per door.

It's worth it, cause I'll have some pretty gosh darn looking doors after a million weekends.

Something I won't have, glass cabinet doors that I stripped myself.

Below is my stripping FAIL.

Multiple coats.  I tried every stripper on the market, and the shtuff won't budge.

So I chucked this idea.

I'm learning to pick my battles.

Also, the first pieces of siding has been installed.

It's better than I couldn't have hoped for.

Today when I got to the old house after work.

I decided, yep, I think I can live there.

It speaks for itself.

ool.  shiney.

phoenix metal.  slate gray.

the pride of rm petrie builders and sons.