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.♥♫

Old to New

I'm still painting walls, but as I go I'm turning some brass things into white that looks so good with my Tea Light walls.
These bows hang just above some of my rose pictures by Glynda Turley. I've taken some edges off with sandpaper to make them look better. Someday if I want them to be brass again I think I can just soak them in ammonia. I've soaked paint off of something in the past, but now I can't remember what it was!
I also painted some of my smaller wooden shelves. In this picture below you see my new wall color with an old corner shelf. When I open the white paint again I'll cover the nail head. ;D
There are more shelves to paint before I will put my pretties back. Time to check and see if the hall walls are dry and ready for more paint.

If you haven't entered my drawing, please look on the side and click on the picture and leave a comment. There will be a box of goodies going out in the mail next week. ♥♫

Prime Procrastination

One of the things I'm really good at is procrastination. So with one week before school starts, I am sanding, priming, and going to paint the front door. It was in bad shape! The prairie weather takes its toll on all kinds of things. If it's not the rain, sun, wind, or a blizzard, it will be something else.
Two coats of primer and ready for a paint job. I had a color in mind but I am REALLY liking this white.
It looked nice and I had paint on the roller, so I thought I'd make the closet door match.
Then the outside made the inside scream, "Paint me, too!" So I started on the inside of the door. (I live in a magical kingdom where everything speaks its mind~as I'm losing mine).
Next, the divider wanted some attention. And I have to climb on the ladder and prime the trim at the top. Because I'm short, I couldn't see it when looking up, thinking "no one else will see it".
WRONG. Walk out four feet and there it is--mocking me! Paint me! Paint me!

Next, I think I hear the walls saying, "Don't forget us!" Am I crazy?! Then it will be the woodwork. ♥♫

Did you know it is difficult to paint with bifocals? I need upside down glasses for some of these nooks and crannies.