Warm and Cozy

It may have taken us 3 trips to the Hearth Shop in Utica, but Joel and I managed to install our new gas log set into the Den fireplace this week.  And just in time, too, as the temperature this morning is in the 20's!   The flame provides just the right amount of heat to keep us toasty.  It's pretty as well!

Anniversary and Art!

Just a quick post to show what Joel and I found on our anniversary (33 years strong!!) trip to Clayton, NY last weekend.  We often like to purchase a piece of art to commemorate a special event and we most often do it while on a fun vacation...we enjoyed talking with Brian the artist who laid on the ground to take this photo which he turned into a painting of which we bought a print on canvas!!  We had the perfect spot in the kitchen just waiting for this spectacular piece.  Also note the sweet print in the background.  That is new too!  My friend Dell and I found that at the Remsen Barn Festival this year.  The 2 Adirondack chairs seem so familiar...

The Pump House Job is Done!

We were down south last week for a wedding and while we were away Steve and Larry completed work on the pump house.  It looks great!  Should last for a good long time.  Unfortunately, the afternoon before we departed Joel was doing some weeding halfway down the path, near the guys and the pump house, when he disturbed some bees who proceeded to sting him viciously.  He instantly reacted and within an hour was having difficulty breathing so it was off to the ER for us.  Luckily there were no heart issues and within a few hours he was feeling better, so he was released.  We managed to stay on track for the trip and the wedding although the itchiness stuck around for days.  We just checked and they are still buzzing in and out of the rotten tree trunk lying next to the path.  Definitely a situation that needs to be addressed...

The storm doors that we ordered from Lowes came in over the weekend.  Steve picked them up for us and installed them both today.  The dogs are just loving their new entrance/exit to the Rustic Room!  I thought I might have to do some coaching to get them (especially Peyton) to give it a try, but they are all old pros and before I could even break out the treats all 3 had been in and out several times.  The second storm door is located on the west side of the house.  I love the way it lets so much light into the kitchen.

2 New Fences and 1 New Light!

As summer draws to a close, Joel and I are putting some finishes touches to our outdoor space as well as completing some dangling tasks inside.  We have had multiple discussions on what sort of a fence we wished to define our 2 side yards.  Ultimately we chose bamboo!  16 big bags of this lovely fencing were delivered to our garage last week and over the weekend we got it all in place.  The east side is 6 feet tall and the western edge is 3 foot.  Both provide just that right amount of visual obstruction so that our dogs don't bark at every little thing that happens in our neighbors yards.  We planted some small cypress trees in front of the taller fence which will grow over time and give us a nice green backdrop.

It always strikes me as funny that something I get so stuck on early on in a project takes a backseat until the end; and that it is okay with me!  I purchased our Meyda chandelier for over the dining room table well over a year and a half ago and it sat in it's box in a closet until last week when, on a rainy day, Joel and I finally dug it out and put it up.  I love it.  It fits in the room just as I had hoped and completes the look and feel that I was aiming for.  All that stressing about possibly needing to move the electrical box was for naught:)

End of Week Progress...

Steve and Larry continued pump house repair all week long.  We had several hot and humid days, but they said it was quite pleasant working near the water.  I am not completely sure of the inner workings of a pump house, nor of all that needs to be done to make sure that ours hold up for the next few decades, but I am impressed with the photos that Steve shared with me yesterday!  Check them out...

Joel and I did wander down there last night and were very impressed with the new roof, the cement side and front supports, and the cleanup of all those frayed wires.  Also, the water running through the house is so clear and cold.  Impressive!

Pump House Rules (a loose reference to John Irving!)

Steve and Larry are back with us this week to fix all the problems down at our pump house.  Joel checked out the entire structure several weeks ago and discovered that the roof is caving in, the electrical wiring is antiquated, and there is debris in the water.  If we are to get through the winter with fresh, clean spring water, all of these issues need to be addressed immediately.  Joel prepped the space over the weekend and the guys got to work today.  Because it is difficult to navigate down there, Steve was kind enough to forward me some photos from today's progress.

Our New Mantra

Our new daughter-in-law, Katherine, put the final touches on our master bedroom walls yesterday by taking on the task of applying the custom stencil I had ordered to the archway into the Yoga room.  Joel had affixed one years ago to our kitchen in Emerald Isle, and I remember it being a bit difficult to get things lined up and even.  Katherine made it look easy, and now our new state of mind will speak to us each and every day!

Steve and Larry have been working hard all week to get the garage sided, the lanterns up and running, and most of the odds and ends jobs completed.  The garage doors got installed on Tuesday.  Everything look fantastic!!