Constant Care

Rubber hoses are a good thing! If I had to fill these watering cans every day to water my flowers, I might finish about ten o'clock. As it is, I can haul my hose around and be done rather quickly with my 50 + pots.

I can even fill my bird baths super quickly, too. Can you see it below? It is right behind my David Phlox and in front of the red flowers with a reflection of the bricks.

If I can talk Alex into finding the cords to his camera that he promised I can have, I will be able to take clearer pictures. Still wanting a new camera, however, his will be the right price!

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Undone

Problem: The paint can is empty. Maybe I should have thinned it a bit more for the first coat on the doors.

But I wanted good coverage! I did thin it to finish the two doors on the left and it was easier to brush on. When I get around to the other side of the kitchen I think I'll be priming the doors first, then painting. Too much tannin came through the paint. At least that is what I think it's called. I did go back and seal some edges and then put on a third coat of paint and liked that so much better as those edges didn't turn yellow.

Now for sanding and sealing this set of doors. I'm going to skip the wax and use the sealer. I know that will be easier on my wrists. They need to work for playing the piano, too.

Between coats I just might sneak in a bit of  reading. I have two more Miss Julia books in her series to enjoy and the latest Donna Andrews. Read the Laura Childs book last night. All 'fluffy' reading for summer pleasure.

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Kitchen Grows Up

It was hard, but I took down all of my gingerbread kids and hearts from the cabinet doors and around the window above the sink. My kitchen wanted a change. It looks rather stark to me. I didn't give them away--maybe later some will find new homes.

Annie Sloan was calling from all around the country. She wanted to come to my house so I went on a day trip and picked her up. There are not many places in Colorado to find her, but I did-- in Parker! In years past, many moons ago, during my college days I had a friend that grew up there. It seemed ever so far away then. But, with a stop in Denver to see my sweeties, I continued on down to Leetsdale Drive, which turns into Parker Road, drove on past Tagawa Gardens and soon arrived in Parker. Found Main Street and turned east and found a sweet shop filled with all sorts of goodies. Simpler Times Designs, where I found Annie, has a booth area in Mainstreet Marketplace.

Removed the handles, but not the doors. I'm in a bit of a rush as I seem to get this painting bug right before school begins (early in August). It's happened before, so I took the short cut. I was assured this paint will stick to anything , including hinges! The doors above have only one coat. I did two.

These doors were lightly distressed and I put up a handle as it looked before cleaning and one after. The one on the left has 31 years of fingerprints. I soaked them in ammonia and hot water twice and then scrubbed them with a stiff brush, steel wool, and Dawn.  That long oval shape had some sort of brown paint on it and it came off so it looks much better to me. I kept them for two reasons: 1. Cost to replace and 2. I didn't want to have to drill new holes.

More doors need another coat of paint. Then they'll need waxing and/or a polycrylic sealer. Right now I'm only planning to do the uppers. Tomorrow  I'll remove more handles, clean them, scrub the cupboards by the stove, and try to move the refrigerator so I can reach those cabinets. I sure do miss my painter man. He always did this kind of stuff for me.

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