The Remodel Part XV

The Boy's Loft

They built it. It's incentive to do a good job.

"Have you seen this thing? Where's the post? It's supposed to be a load bearing wall." I just made that up, I have no clue what he is saying. However, there is now a post that runs all they way from the floor to the the roof at the corner where the loft floor sticks out. When you are reengineering trusses, holding the roof up is a concern. So they say. I'm personally worried about the floor too. But that's just me.

And the pantry below the loft, through the doorway. It's a little drafty at the moment, but we'll soon fix that.

And they moved their beds up there. And they are still up there. They get an A+ for framing I guess.

That blanket doesn't look very boyish, but remember we don't have complete insulation at the moment - or heat. Practicality is the order of the day here. Note: the other side is a beautiful floral pattern and he chose the stripes. He did what he could.
Personally? I love what the boots do for this photograph.

I know it isn't done yet, but it is progress and these guys have pretty much never had a bedroom or proper beds. It's time.

Th'ster Th'uzy Th'at on a Thistle

Sorry, but I like saying that.

Thistles really aren't my thing. They don't make for easy floral arrangements in any case.

But this year, I kind of took a shine to them, appreciating them in their own unique way - on the bush.

I think this is actually one of my favorite wildflower pictures. Go figure. The bush was almost as tall as me!

This is a much smaller thistle variety, smaller bush, smaller flowers. Very much as prickly though.

This is a Starthistle.

Generally considered a nuisance, they infest the mountain where we live and the mountain next to that, and so on and so forth. As a plant, even with flowers, they are pretty ugly. "I cannot tell a lie." Look at that flower though, closeup, in its own right, there is a striking beauty to it. Literally, look at those thorns. Yikes!

Interestingly enough, while the large thistle plants (top picture) have all died off, there are still a smattering of the smaller varieties tenaciously hanging on into the cooler weather.

The Remodel Part Part XIV

The Bookcases

We have a lot of books. And we needed more space. We now have the space to put more space and this is the space we used. Uh, huh.

Over at 320 Sycamore her contractor quoted her $2000 for two built in bookcases. Take a good look at how much more space we're trying to create. I don't want to even think about how much they would have cost. But it was a good piece of information to share with Mummy. When you're saving yourself that much money you can't help but be encouraged.

Father built a platform and then using bookcases we already had, mother spaced them evenly along the wall to fit shelves in between.

Father cut and fit the shelves. And then because the shelves did not match, mother and some of the girls painted them. Raspberry. It wasn't quite supposed to be so pink and the effect was rather intense. Mother wasn't sure about her decision at this point, but I reminded her that the books would tone it down. And we can repaint it later. Just not before their trip to Ireland (She had me worried).

The doors.

Ta-da!

On the shelf: This is a copy of a water color my grandmother has that was done by my father's aunt from England.

There is still some more shelves on top to add, and trim pieces, but so far the project has cost probably closer to thirty dollars. We already had the bookshelves, the lumber was salvage, the shelf brackets are only a couple dollars, and the original can of paints was an "oops" deal @ $5 (though we did buy another can for closer to $20).

Not to shabby, eh?

If you think bookcases aren't the highest priority when you are trying to finish a house, then you're wrong. So there. No, actually, it might seem that way, but the detour was completely worth it because we we're able to get so much organized and not "floating" anymore. That was worth it.

The Remodel Part XIII

Sheetrock

Looking into the skeleton of the upstairs bathroom. See that shower? It wouldn't fit up the staircase. So, Father and mother and one of my sisters and I carefully brought it up on a rope and fit it through the truss. Uh, huh. We're under strict orders to take good care of it, because the truss is now a wall.

Sheetrocking

The sheetrock girls. That sounds like a band. Hellllllo down there!

The upstairs bathroom sheetrocked

Another sheetrock girl working on the downstairs bathroom.

Half of the half bath is sheetrocked, textured and painted. Please, don't say we do things by halves around here. Please, just don't.

One wall of the pantry framed and sheetrocked. We're still waiting for the other one to get done.

(And waiting, and waiting....)

The Remodel Part XII

The Windows

He is not standing there just staring at a blank wall, really. He is waiting for the opening to be cut out for the living room window. What he's going to do after that I'm not sure.

Ta-da! This is a bargain window Mum found towards the beginning of the project and we kept it carefully until it could be installed. Isn't it pretty?

The other living room window in the front of the house. Uh, hum, the ripped Tyvek is where rats where trying to make a re-entry. Naughty, naughty.

The kitchen window being cut.

Having natural light in the house is so wonderful!

The two windows upstairs. The one on the right has been installed for a while, but the one on the left is a more recent installation.

The view of the currently installed windows from the front....

And the back of the house (and Oakley.)

Three more double french doors have been framed in, but we're waiting to install them until some excavation that has to be done close to the house is finished.

Mother and Baby

Mrs. L and Roy

Because I just realized I had never posted a picture of my latest nephew. This is the day after he was born while his mother's sisters were visiting. Doesn't his mommy look beautiful?

Melon Ball Caterpillars

I don't know if this is an original idea or not, but they are cute and simple to make!

For each caterpillar you will need:

1 toothpick
2 melon balls
1 grape
2 whole cloves

Spear the two melon balls and the grape (or three melon ball, or three grapes, your choice!). Push the pointed end of the cloves into the "head" to form antennas. Serve on a lettuce bed - or try a bed of sprouts!

Eat the little bug'gers!

(Sorry, couldn't resist.)