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New Addition to the Four Square

By Karen, on August 24th, 2010

It’s been a looooong time since I’ve posted.  In fact, I was canning tomatoes when we last spoke.  That’s what I’m preparing for right now.

Anyway, we have a new addition that has kept us pretty busy this summer.  No, it’s not a baby and it’s not a dog.

It’s this:

 

Garden_Shed_P1030277

A shed, a garden cottage, a cabin, a retreat…whatever you wish to call it (just don’t call it the big wood box in the backyard).

We’ve initially decorated in a tourist cabin theme – lots of souvenir-y kind of stuff.  Inspiration by  http://averymodestcottage.blogspot.com/.  Here’s the inside view (click for video):

Cabin Interior

Our intention is to create a cottage garden on that side of the backyard (planting is still on-going).  It’s a lovely building and we’re tickled with it.  I’ll give you full details in subsequent posts.

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Off We Go

By Karen, on March 13th, 2009

We’re ramping back up on finishing the downstairs half bath and maybe (fingers crossed) making more progress on the kitchen . I believe the only reason this may be so is that we are realizing that outdoor chores are coming fast (we are planting a much bigger garden this year) and we need to wrap some stuff up inside. Check back this weekend, I’m posting pictures for good or ill.

Leave a comment   Renovations    

My current favorite tools

By Karen, on July 14th, 2008

I’ve mentioned in previous posts that I have used a heat gun more than a blow dryer in recent years.

I’ve started removing 50 year old paint from the window sills and door frames in the kitchen recently, and have discovered the required tools for the job:

Click to continue reading “My current favorite tools”

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I’ve mentioned in previous posts that I have used a heat gun more than a blow dryer in recent years.

I’ve started removing 50 year old paint from the window sills and door frames in the kitchen recently, and have discovered the required tools for the job:

Click to continue reading “My current favorite tools”

Leave a comment   Renovations   , ,  

Restoring the pantry – the saga continues – part 4

By Karen, on April 11th, 2008

Or maybe the pre-quel.

I know we haven’t gotten to the pantry part. I have become my mother. She used to take 20 minutes to tell a 5 minute story.

“You know I talked to Helen today. She has a niece who married that Taylor boy. His mother was such a good cook. I remember when she had us over for dinner. They had just moved into their new house. Oh, she had the most beautiful house, the drapes in the living room were just lovely….”

Anyhoo……………..

Our aim to restore the pantry (see I’m keeping on topic here), was borne of our desire to keep the kitchen as true to what would have been era-appropriate as we could and still have a livable house.

The POs we purchased the house from had left the gas oven (circa 2000) and we purchased a 2003 simple refrigerator. Both functioned perfectly fine, but neither one fit the kitchen and were severely lacking in the charm department.

Solution? One was tucked in the basement, next to the original pantry cabinetry.

Click to continue reading “Restoring the pantry – the saga continues – part 4″

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Or maybe the pre-quel.

I know we haven’t gotten to the pantry part. I have become my mother. She used to take 20 minutes to tell a 5 minute story.

“You know I talked to Helen today. She has a niece who married that Taylor boy. His mother was such a good cook. I remember when she had us over for dinner. They had just moved into their new house. Oh, she had the most beautiful house, the drapes in the living room were just lovely….”

Anyhoo……………..

Our aim to restore the pantry (see I’m keeping on topic here), was borne of our desire to keep the kitchen as true to what would have been era-appropriate as we could and still have a livable house.

The POs we purchased the house from had left the gas oven (circa 2000) and we purchased a 2003 simple refrigerator. Both functioned perfectly fine, but neither one fit the kitchen and were severely lacking in the charm department.

Solution? One was tucked in the basement, next to the original pantry cabinetry.

Click to continue reading “Restoring the pantry – the saga continues – part 4″

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Restoring the pantry – Part 3

By Karen, on April 11th, 2008

Moving on…. if you missed part 1 and part 2 of this exciting adventure, see “Kitchen Reno – part 1″ here and then here.

So we determined we would go with the unfitted kitchen.  It was more in keeping with the era of the house and kinder to our budget.  We had the basic components.  Next up?   A little research for me.  Demolition for Dennis.

Demo ManNo doubt about it, he loves this stuff.

Click to continue reading “Restoring the pantry – Part 3″

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Moving on…. if you missed part 1 and part 2 of this exciting adventure, see “Kitchen Reno – part 1″ here and then here.

So we determined we would go with the unfitted kitchen.  It was more in keeping with the era of the house and kinder to our budget.  We had the basic components.  Next up?   A little research for me.  Demolition for Dennis.

Demo ManNo doubt about it, he loves this stuff.

Click to continue reading “Restoring the pantry – Part 3″

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