We're Back

Well, we've been very busy.  Its been a long winter time with snow and cold weather and all that regular stuff.  But,,,,, we've been completely consumed with the KITCHEN.

We figure we'll spend most of our "real time" in the kitchen so we've spent a lot of time and effort in the restoration.  We decided, after much deliberation and struggling, to ceramic tile the counter tops and to build an island and to tile it also.  While we were at it, we decided to put a high "back splash" of the tile around all of the counter tops.  Eventually we decided to tile the east wall of the kitchen to help integrate the lighted accent box and to balance the entire wall.

 The island is large, 5'x42" and was built to be "moveable"around the area.  The tile was accented with a set of smaller tile in the middle that would eventually be the accent on the wall.  Lots of time but, hey, its were we live, right?

As with any remodeling project of an older home, nothing is square or plumb.  So when we finally got to tiling the wall we had to draw all kinds of level lines and plum lines and ?? anyway, it looked crazy for a while.




Anyway, we finally completed the wall, the accent box and it turned out pretty good as far as we are concerned.  The box has rope lights inside the box and we installed pendent lights over the cook top.

We liked the color of the box so much that we decided to install a "shelf" along the entire north wall of the kitchen.  We built the shelf out of wood cut and milled on the farm and the support hinges are built in a replica of the exterior roof hinges or support brackets.  The cornice board was added to accent the large kitchen windows and we have since installed pendent lights just like the lights under the accent box above.  Just to make a "show", we added rope lights on the top of shelf to help accent the "tin look" ceiling we worked so hard to install.

Spring is passing and summer is here so more to follow. We just wanted you all to know that we are still working and its just getting better (as far as we're concerned)

Stay tuned, we'll catch up on the work and the info as we now have more time to blog.

Come see us,,,,, God Bless

Well, Two Posts In One Day, Tells You How Cold It Is Outside

Guilt has won out and we're back for our second post for the day.
You're probably getting tired of hearing about the kitchen but we've got more exciting news.

Yep, we laid the flooring and now we have the ceiling and the floor completed.  (Almost, except for the quarter round on the floor)

The flooring really makes a difference and we are enjoying the view.  We put a lot of insulation down under the flooring to make the kitchen a little more warmer in the winter.  It worked and we're warm and pretty in the kitchen now.  (Actually, the house is, not necessarily me and Jane.)

The flooring actually help improve the lighting in the kitchen.  (although this picture does not indicate it)

We were going to put ceramic tile down in the kitchen but to keep the flow from the dining room to the kitchen we switched to the flooring.

The combined effort for color and decor is getting there.  You can see the moulding, ceiling tile, display cabinet and wall colors are beginning to come together.

We are starting on building or locating the correct sized island/cabinet for the kitchen.  We think we will build it ourselves since we cannot find the design we're looking for.  So,  that is next and then the counter tops and some more cabinet or shelf work for the walls.

We have had a lot of help and supervision from the group.   Donald and Kay both had to be called for some help in the kitchen effort and we appreciate their assistance.

We also had some good help from the local "supervisors"  Pink, White, Bud and Mama

 Pink and White supervising

"Bud" and Mama, just hanging

More to follow, we're moving into the hall for flooring and the 2nd bedroom for ceiling, flooring and wall work and should finish up in the "Sun Room" for spring.  We are really looking forward to the Sun Room work and enjoying the view this summer.

Thanks again for following and thanks to Donald and Kay for the opportunity.

 

Man its been five weeks since our last post!!!!!! Too Much Time!!!!

We can't believe that its been five weeks since our last post.  Time is flying by and we're getting more and more done but still not fast enough for everybody's desires.

The winter is here and its been colder than,,,,,, well pretty cold and lots of snow and ice and more snow and more rain and ice.  Anyway,,,, here's what we've been doing.

We have concentrated on the kitchen and its been a fun but lots of labor and some frustration.  And, as usual we always start on the ceiling and work to the floor.  (We stabilized the floor underneath this summer so we don't have to worry about that now.)

We decided to try to make the ceiling appear to be tin but we didn't want to actually put tin on the ceiling.  So, we located a series of vinyl ceiling tile made by Armstrong that could be painted.  Jane painted each tile three times!  First with a sage green, then she blotted each tile with a red and finally she glazed each tile with a gold glaze.  (200 of them buggers)  

We think the tiles turned out perfect.  The walls of the kitchen are yellow so the green and red accent colors gave us the effect we were looking for.  The gold glaze provided a "glare" or tin look when the lights shine on the ceiling.  



While Jane was painting the tiles I was busy preparing the old ceiling.  The old ceiling wall board was so old and fragile that we didn't think the tile would adhere to the ceiling.  So, we put 1and 1/4" lattice boards on the ceiling to fit the placement of the tiles.  This was time consuming but boy are we glad we did it.





Next we had to make "square".  As y0u may know in older homes, especially ones that are 100 years old, nothing is square or plumb anymore.  So we spent about a half a day trying to get square for our first ceiling tile.   This turned out to be a waste of time as were several other instructions in the tile box.  Its best to start on a wall and work to the other wall in an older home.  You can always cut the last row of tiles to fit the last wall covered.  Believe me, this is the better way, I don't care what Armstrong or DYI says.[Image][Image] After a long two or three days, several marriage counselor meetings and some serious praying, we were able to start the application process.  Guess what the strips were in the wrong place and had to be moved along the way.   Go figure!


















 Finally,  we got to the final, little bitty, pain in the neck tile.  Jane had to claim victory and proclaim,,,,,,,,, well, never mind.   Notice the pole with the towel, well thats how we glued the last three small tiles in place since the wood strips would not fit there either.  It worked so there.

Not being satisfied with the previous work, we decided to do another thing or two to accent the kitchen.  We actually were running out of tiles and didn't want to buy another expensive box so we built a display cabinet to cover the area we were short of ceiling tiles for.  (don't worry about the grammar)

This little beauty only took two days to finish which was a snap compared to the ceiling tiles.

We will have "rope lights" on the inside and halogen lights in the bottom to provide lighting on the cook top so it turned out pretty good.  You'll see this again in another post with the moulding and more finished.  It gives a good transition from the ceiling to the wall and ties them together.


I'm tired just writing about this work so I think I'll take a little break and come back with another post later on today.  With the weather here, I'm afraid I'll loose the post if I don't post it now.  


Come back shortly, We'll have more to review.

Christmas Came to Jane and Me

The very best gift anyone could receive is that of grandchildren.  Well,,, we've got 6 of the very smartest, most beautiful, most talented,,,,oh well you know!!!!

From left to right,,,, Sara Grace, Lucy Anna, Andrew, Elizabeth Bell (ZuZu), Si (the newest) and the little lady laying in Sara's lap is Sophia Catherine (Sophie Cat)

Now tell me,,,,,,,, pretty great huh?????








The entire family is below including Andy, Jen and all the kids.  Andy and Jen just moved to Johnson City, TN where Dr. Andrew is responsible for the interns and residency program development for East Tenn State University Medical School.   WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED......

They are so reserved and never have any fun!?

Mom and Dad get in the act too, so,,,,,  Andy works seven days a week and Jen works 9 days a week.

Six + One takes a few extra days a week you know.

Merry Christmas To All

Jane and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a safe and Happy New Year.

This has been a great year for us with many many blessings.

We have enjoyed wonderful family activities and never cease to be amazed at the grace of our Lord and Savior.

2010 will be one of the best years we have ever had thanks to our family as well as the friends that we have made here in Rye, AR.  

We can validate the often used phrase "you are never too old to learn" in so many ways.

We have prepared the old house a little bit for the seasons with some Christmas decorations.

We look forward to the New Year and continuing the work here and trust you too will have a great New Year and come and visit with us anytime.

Well Howdy, Its been a while

We have been so busy with Thanksgiving and general family times we just haven't been very diligent in our posting so, here goes with an update.


Kay and Donald (and Lisa, Donna and Mark) had all the family again at their home for thanksgiving.  As usual the food was plentiful and the visiting was so good that the time passed so fast we all were surprised when it was over.  Somewhere around 37 people at one time eating and enjoying each other and giving thanks for all their blessings.  How good does that get?

As far as the house goes, we've just been enjoying the work we've finished and the blessing of being here and having such good family relations.  We've just finished insulating the attic and boy does it make a difference.   Donald and your truly spent the afternoon in a cloud of dust and a ended up with a pile of empty plastic bags that was full of insulation.  Looks pretty good and it does make a difference.

We got our first snow fall of the year and the ole place just shinned in the early morning hours.  Just beautiful we think

The kitchen, extra bedroom, hall and finally the "sleeping porch" will be our next projects.  We're still enjoying every minute (hour or day) of the work process.  Its just going to be beautiful.  All the original owners and users are gonna be proud of the ole place again.

We'll keep you posted and hope to be moving forward.

We would say Happy Holidays, but we say MERRY CHRISTMAS if you get the idea!!!!!!!

Wild Halloween Party Makes News

Have you ever been to a winnie roast with a bunch of seniors?  Well, if you haven't you've missed it.

 Its starts out with a good spirit and everybody helping everybody else.
Lots of fun and fellowship and howdy doodie for all.

Then it gets real quite, and still.  Concentration and technique are beginning to take over.  Just total concentration on that wonderful "tube steak" meal.
(Notice Pastor Wiles {denim jacket, red hair standing on the left} is getting just the right turn on his stick!)

The mood is turning really somber and the group is remembering what their first winnie roasts were like I bet.







Ms Marry Mercer was just back from her west coast tour vacation and was glad to be back home.

She really liked San Francisco.  Her other traveling companions were not at the roast, Mr Sam and Ms Brenda were recovering from the travel and excitement.




A good time was had by all and the evening was over early.   One really really good coconut cream pie
was missing after Ms Pat Ashcraft worked so hard on it.  I think it found its way up to Pansy to the only person that came from Pansy, I'm just saying.......