Stray cats that become stay cats

Over the years, several stray cats have stopped at our house. Dogs too, for that matter. The guy in the top, Sweetie Boy, showed up about 14 years ago as a 4 month old kitten. You don't earn a name like Sweetie Boy unless . . . unless . . . well, unless you're sweet. And he is. He has been the proud hunter of more mice that I can count, let mean, wandering tom cats know to keep on trucking and graciously welcomed new pets to the circle over the years.

The other two showed up earlier this year and have quickly wiggled their way into the family. Bomber, the black one, is young. Still a kitten for sure. He's one of the coolest cats I've ever known. He could be hundreds of yards away when he spots me step outside and he comes running and drive bombs right into me. Hence the name Bomber.  He also really likes to hide in the bushes and jump out and scare me. As absolutely as often as possible. He's especially fond of my husband. They all are actually. Probably because he stops and pets them every single time, no mater what.

Then there is Brownie. She is timid. So soft. And now that she knows us, she is loyal and sweet. WE really like having her and her scratchy little meow around.

Outdoor, stray cats that become stay cats are pretty cool.

-dana

Hall bath renovation

Tile fitting of our house built in 1950. Searching for vintage plumbing parts to make a gorgeous sink from 1946 operational. Trim and paint. Currently at a stand still while Razor races, the oldest goes to prom, soccer and track season march onward, and I make super, scrappy pineapple quilt blocks like a crazy person.

It'll be so pretty. Eventually.

-dana

Under the Dogwood

We moved into this house when the girls were 4 and 2 and this Dogwood tree outside out back door became a hub of play and imagination. Ropes and boards were hung from this exact branch to make swings and benches and beds. Then an official rope swing hung here for many years. Today a star hangs set on an automatic timer to light our way in the night in the dark forest where we live. I see this spot from many windows in my house. And I rest here in the shade often. When I gaze upon it or sit beneath it, sweet memories flood my mind.

-dana

Bathroom remodel update

I've been telling you about the remodel of our master bathroom since late January. You can see the before here and an update here.  

See a peek of the transom window I was telling you about? And the vintage concrete utility sink?

We've been using it for over a month now but it's not done, done. Not done in the sense that I'm still finding all the pretty things I want to have in there. And once it's done, done, I'll share it more properly.  

Being a blogger and all.

-dana

Today

Back at it after several snow days. Wash the salt off the car. Vacuum and dust. Oh the dust from a remodel! Stew in the slow cooker. Grout on my mind. Lists to make. School meeting tonight. Water the orchids. They are blooming again. Find time to sew. Answer the emails. Always the emails.

-dana

Bathroom remodel progress pictures

Did I mention a transom window in my last bathroom remodel post? I didn't? Well, there will be a transom window!

-dana

Bathroom remodel - Before

The great remodel-the-bathroom-that-you've-lived-with-for-twelve-years project has begun!

Our house is an old 1950's farmhouse. This bathroom and our bedroom were added sometime after 1950 and before we bought it in 2004. In 2011, we made the bedroom look original to the house and now it's the bathroom's turn.

This is the same shot after demo. And with some new electric already run!

This is directly across from the sunflower cabinet we were just talking about. It's also where the new shower will be.

Above is still the where shower will be but panned slightly to the left. You can see the soon to be installed tile stacked there in our bedroom.

There will be lots of pictures as the process moves along. Like photos of said tile. Of the vintage commercial laundry sink that is becoming the centerpiece of the room. That and the handcrafted sink base, countertop and cabinets made from 100+ year old barn wood. And the salvaged pine tongue and grove boards that will become the walls (which  match the rest of our house!) And the galvanized lighting fixtures that are meant for barn lighting.

It's gonna be good. And you'll be hearing lots more about it.

-dana

Oh the mess

A purposefully out-of-focus photo of a room full of stuff that doesn't belong. Stuffed shoved in here while we tackle some much needed improvements on the office. Between this and our poor dog, Scout, things are very messy right now.

I don't like messy. It makes me all twitchy. And May means even more mess as the school year rushes to a close, trips are taken, plays are performed and deadlines scream near.

Deep breath Momma. Try to enjoy the view.

-dana

It's sprung

It's sprung in our neck of the woods. And it feels really good to be outside around 4pm and feel the warm sun on my face. Green is exploding from the earth and the Peepers are singing each morning as we head out the door. Still in the dark but not as dark as just a few weeks ago. We planted lettuce, Swiss chard, radish and carrots. Still eating the kale planted in the greenhouse that we've eaten all winter. The wild grape hyacinths are blooming. As is the forsythia. We weeded the strawberry patch and this year should be a very good crop of berries. The blueberry bushes are loaded with buds and even though I don't look forward to covering the rows with sheets when a frost threatens, I know that in July I will be so glad that we did. Soccer practice. Play practice. Clogging practice.

Go, go, go.

I'd rather sit among the flowers and feel the warm sun on my face.

-dana

The white stuff

All of the winter snow for this year fell in the last two weeks of February. The kids had no school for those weeks and we spent our days in puffy coats and snow boots. They are always so surprised when I start bundling up to go outside and play too. But these kinds of days are limited. Very limited. And I don't want to miss out on them. Besides, I often know the best places to play and the fastest sledding route down the hill. I've got to teach the next generation the important stuff.



-dana

I do like these days of December

December is just so very, very good.

-dana

The painted flag on the barn

The girls and I were out of town for a few weeks back in June.  We arrived home to this surprise from Razor.  Isn't he cool?  

And isn't this flag cool too?

The dogs?  Underfoot while I tried to take photos?  Not so cool.

-dana