Number 7

These lower cabinets received their final coat of paint today. Now just some details to touch up and clean handles to put back. They are soaking in some ammonia and Dawn so I will be able to easily scrub away 32 years of life. I wasn't going to replace them as I'd need to purchase 31! And this make-over is as inexpensive as it can be--shellac, primer, and paint. My time is FREE! But, you would not be able to pay me enough to do this for anyone else!! I waited 24 hours between coats of  whatever and didn't rush the process. I'm good at going slowly.

The top of this dresser is shiny now. It had the varnish removed, sanded, stained, and two coats of finish. This was my first attempt at staining and actually refinishing a piece of furniture. I've done smaller craft projects, so even though not perfect, I'm satisfied.

True bliss is bringing in what will really be the last roses of the season. These are miniatures and are white in the summer, but these have a beautiful touch of pink on the tips of the petals. The stems are full of pokey thorns so the arrangement is what it is.

Those fully opened roses are only 2 inches across. Some of the edges are brown because we've had snow, cold winds, and freezing temperatures recently.

These are quite hardy little roses, most coming from the grocery store and planted outside. 

And, the last bit of bliss this week has been the lack of flies. I think I'll be able to put my fly swatter away for the winter--at last! Of course, with warmer weather coming later this week, a few flies might be back. Living in the country next to a dairy has some drawbacks, but love where I am. 

Hope you will be finding bliss and enjoying your life where ever you are.

♥♫

Bliss and Not

These are the final kitchen cabinets to be refinished. It was over a year ago when the painting bug 'bit', but school started and  I ran out of time to get them finished. (Once school started, my life was controlled by all things school). The whole set made the kitchen dark and dreary so after seeing lots of inspiration I began the work. My first mistake was believing the statement that Annie Sloan paint needs no prep work. This is not true with oak and the tannins they leach out and using her Pure White.

  

THAT I discovered AFTER the first set of upper cabinets were finished. So I put on two coats of shellac, then primer on the next set on another wall. They turned out much better!! After removing the handles I washed the cabinets and got started with the brush. I still need to prime the frames, but the doors and drawers are ready to paint. I just need some sunny days to continue working so I can see what I'm doing.

While I was in this painting mode, I brought in some  drawers from the garage to paint.

I finally got my school stuff sorted and put away and now I'm filling up the house with more work. I need to get this out of the way ASAP. Sarah came during the week and helped me bring in the actual chest to work on, too.

Wally always did all the painting. I'm not a painter and it can make me cranky. 

Seeing these beautiful leaves before bell practice and practice itself put me in a better mood.

And a visit on Thursday from my 'dot' and SIL was a nice break! Sarah and I did lots of little things that needed two people to get done AND we made butterballs for our German noodle soup. BLISS in the midst of painting chaos.

Waking up the next day to 5-6 inches of an early snow was rather surprising. Snow almost always comes and ruins Halloween fun for trick or treaters. This year it was early!

But it was BLISS not having to worry about shoveling the snow and going to school!! By the time I had to leave, most of it was melted off the sidewalk and car.

Looking out the back across the irrigation ditch to the dairy's "mountain" of ensilage covered with plastic and tires reminded me of my time in Granby when I lived in the high country almost  (GASP) 40 years ago!

The snow melted during the day on Friday so now it's back to fall again. 

Thanks, Sarah for the picture of your tree. It must be gorgeous in person.

Here's wishing you some fabulous fall color where ever you are. Even when chores make the bliss appear to be rather scarce.♥♫

BLISS 5

Finding a calendar for my mom for Christmas is bliss. It's the first gift for this holiday!

Having a coupon for 50% off at Joann Fabrics to use on the calendar is bliss. Lang calendars have easy to see numbers and pretty flowers! Bonus bliss. It was such a good deal that the next day I decided I should get mine, too.

Shopping for a few necessities at Costco I found a Christmas garland that matches the tree Sarah and Alex got for me last year is bliss. I do love the sparkles and lights!

Bliss is enjoying our Indian Summer with warm days and cool nights. This blossom was a "bonus" as it was on the other side of the driveway and I had actually forgotten about this rose. It smells divine!

The fact that Sarah and Alex have a new address and are happy here is bliss. No, they didn't buy a new house, but are sharing this beautiful home with a friend. So you might hear more about Julie, the owner of the house. Julie and Sarah have been friends for a long time and she was Sarah's maid of honor. Buster, the grand-dog has adjusted nicely!

Celebrating my brother's birthday last week was also bliss. I also celebrated Sarah Josephine's birthday the night before. Delicious meals for both-- one in town and the other a feast that my mom made.

Celebrate each day and bliss will find you.

♥♫

Finding Bliss. 4

Food and flowers were bliss this past week or so.
Eating at this cafe is edible bliss. Alex and Sarah took me here and it's become one of my favorite places to dine when I'm in Denver. Actually it's near their new home in Thornton, so I'm looking forward to more visits to the  Vietnamese Cafe.

My garden has a few final blossoms.

Mini roses in pink and yellow.

A standard pink rose, ready to open, with three more buds. This fragrant bloom may be the final one because the other buds may not open before a possible frost this Friday.

A few petunias, most are ready to be pulled out.

New pansies planted for fall.

Delicate colors.

 The baby tears has grown so much and will come into the house for fall and winter.

The rest of the yard is a wreck and is in need of a good mowing. The pasture, too! Weeds everywhere and I'm lacking ambition to work on it. This September was my real month of adjustment to retirement and have decided I need to get over it and get busy. Have a lovely week looking for bliss inside and out.

♥♫