T Stands for Tuesday & Painting At the Lake House

    Tuesdays is where we share T with friends and post a photo with our beverage. You are most welcome to join us, just click on the link in my right hand column to take you to our hostess Bleubeard and Elizabeth.

  I am posting early this week (Sunday afternoon) as Monday Larry has an eco cardiogram test at the local hospital near us, and early Tuesday morning we have to drive back to Springfield, Mo to get the 24 hour monitor-to see what his heart is doing. Thankfully we can mail that back to them.
   Then Wednesday and/or Thursday we will be working at the lake house again-hopefully the guys can finish up with the pavers. Wednesday sounds like the perfect day-back into the 70's

  This weekend was like winter again-in the 20's and very very cold during the day. Today (Sunday) the sun has been shining but the air was still very cold til late afternoon. We will be warming back up each day this coming week. I really hope this is the last of the very cold-it has really set us behind with the lake house outside project all winter.

  My daffodils started blooming last week so I cut a bouquet to enjoy in the house-and also because I wasn't sure if those 20's would stop the blooms.
   I am thinking of digging up a few of these bulbs to plant at the lake house-they all are from my Mom's and Grandma's gardens.
  I have not seen any wild violets around the lake house-so I want to dig up some from our woods and plant them there-I really love them

As you can see I have a fall tablecloth on the table-haha  I keep a flannel backed table cloth on our cherry wood table and then put a fabric one on top-I took that one off and washed it-will wait til we move now to change it.

Larry and I went up both Saturday and Sunday (today) to work at the lake house. I started painting doors and trim that is on the one end of the house. I decided to go a little bold-instead of matching in a darker grey I decided to go with this rustic oak color. I was a bit nervous-but I am loving it-Hubs even likes it.
    These are really cheap doors that have been painted over who knows how many times now-I would love to change these over to solid oak doors some day-or maybe not since I just discovered the one door is 36 inches wide, two are 34 inches wide, and the others are smaller. Kinda odd I thought.

This is the closet

closet again on the right

This will be Larry's extra room-see how wide it is? actually it should work out well as a big safe will go in his room

I got this second door finished and the trim around it.

What do you think of the color against the light grey?? My idea was for it to pick up colors from the oak floors.

While I was hauling in more boxes Hubs was finishing up with the pantry-cabinet-I am going to love having this in the kitchen-this has been a ton of work for him to straighten out and repair.
    Lots of shelves go inside. I need to stain that right side of the cabinet

and here is the area behind this cabinet and refrigerator that was a real mess-Larry added this wood and I stained it Not allot of it will show once everything is in place.

This is everything that I moved in over the weekend-that was allot of up and down those stairs-great exercise for sure lol  Allot of these items will hopefully go into the kitchen cabinets-just trying to unpack and reuse some of the boxes.
  There is also a large closet across from these shelves where I put my 2 pressure canners, water bath canners, a couple other very huge pots, and my two butter churns-a vintage one and an electric one we bought from Sears over 35 years ago so that's probably vintage too lol

When he was waiting for me to finish up with the door before we left, he sat in front of the windows and watched the boats go by, a duck diving for food-that was fun, and he noticed two sets of birds making homes in this big nest box.
  Sorry the photo is not real clear-there is a bird right in front looking out, and also another bird on the left

When ever I need to go to Wal Mart (big box store) I check if there is anything new from the Pioneer Women. I don't need more dishes but I love the hand painted flowers on hers, so I am collecting a few things in twos or fours
   There was two left of these giant mugs which I thought would be perfect for soups and chili

I got my new Southern Cast Iron magazine in the mail last week, so I am getting ready to sit down and read it along with a big mug of my chicory drink-I already drank most of it so need a refill lol

Happy T everyone!! here is the link to my Second on the 2nd post

Surprise Box from Greece in the Mail this Morning

  Mia had contacted me awhile back if she could send me a little gift in the mail-and it arrived today. Thank you soooo much Mia  You are such a loving person, as I know I am not the only one to receive surprises in the mail from Greece-hugs and kisses for Mia.

   With Husband's health concerns-he needs more tests-the cooler weather turning to winter weather over the weekend-ugh--I am a bit down with everything, and of course allergy season has hit me already as well-So this package came at the perfect time when I really needed something happy and some smiles.

 Mia totally outdid herself-I can't believe all the very cool things she sent me, little charms etc for my fabric journals, fabric pieces, rice paper napkin, and more and of course stamps to save as well-fun

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        stamps

Beautiful handmade card-love it

Looking into the box full of surprises

Lots of charms etc for my fabric journal, a little fabric sewing kit, and in the little mesh bag a heart necklace and ring-wow

Lots of very cool different fabrics-love those paw prints and black kitty

This is totally new for me-rice paper napkins-this is the top of above package
  I have been wanting to play around with paints etc-any tips on what best medium for this rice paper? thanks

I did not open that package beneath the tea and treats-but I think more rice paper or tissue papers

and this is really cool-two different pieces of leaves sandwiched in between papers-perhaps tissue or rice papers?

Thank you sooooo much Mia

A Few Photos at the Lake House

  I am happy with the carpet-It is a bit darker than the photo shows and It is much prettier than the sample was.

Last night I loaded the suburban with lots of books-my cookbooks, herb and essential oil books, and some of my novels.  Today I moved them all into the house. When finished I sat outside a bit at the bottom of the deck stairs

It was a gorgeous day today-up into the 70's f  I really can not believe that saturday and sunday evenings we will be in the 20's f and the snow word came up-ugh

This is our boat dock

Over the winter months they lower the lake and then start raising it up again just before Memorial Day. These next two photos you can see all the shelf rock and natural rock seawall-we really loved that-no maintenance. The water will rise to top of these rocks

On the right side of the house walking down to the lake-there are always animal prints in this area-usually deer-not sure if these are deer or not

Last weekend the guys got allot of the paver down-loving it

I made some cast iron chocolate bars tonight-I used mostly almond flour with some gluten free flour mix.

Husband is still not feeling well at all-even after the change in heart medicine. I managed some how to get him in to the cardiac doctor tomorrow morning. We have to drive to the big city Springfield, Mo-so thankful our friends with the big log home offered to drive us-I am very thankful for these good friends.
     Please put us on your prayer and positive thoughts list.  I think Hubs is getting depressed by all this.

T Stands for Tuesday and Busy Busy Here

Happy T Everyone.
   On Tuesdays we share a drink related post with friends (we share a beverage in a photo). Our hostess is Bluebeard and Elizabeth where you are most welcome to join us. Find the link in my right hand column.

  Hubs and I are not normally super busy people-we are retired after all ha ha-but we have been visiting with out of state guests arriving and working at the lake house this past week.

   After our friends left for their home in Kentucky with the rug loom, we got another call from  a friend and her husband whom we have not seen in over 20 years. Actually I wasn't sure if I would remember what she looked like-but I did. whew!!  When Hubs and I were raising endangered and excotic birds a 24/7 job, and when I could get away from my telephone company job that was always in overtime it seemed-our friend Kathy was our bird's babysitter. She was the only one we could depend on. Her husband wanted to get away for the winter-which was a good idea this year-and travel with their camper. So they were on their way home too when they stopped in for a visit.
   I had planned on making us dinner, but then more friends stopped by so we all just sat around the table visiting with drinks of water, or ice tea, glasses of wine, or shots of whiskey. Of course I forgot to take photos-but I did get this one. Kathy and I were drinking merlot.

 I have also been putting some things on facebook marketplace-there are no fees involved there and Hubs has sold allot of items so far. I decided to give it another go. Originally my friend who bought the loom also was going to buy my multiple boxes of blue jeans-I have allot of time in those-washing and drying, and taking them all apart at the seams, so they are ready to cut into sewing or quilt projects, or strips for rug weaving. So I went through all that and got them on marketplace, along with jean shorts to make into bags or to wear, and other fabrics.  Yesterday, I decided to put my Victoria Secret blue jeans and shorts on for sale-sigh they no longer fit and they were always my favorite comfortable jeans.

Over the weekend I needed a "down" day, my allergies have all kicked in already too, so I found a movie to watch and grabbed my spindle and spun up more bison yarn.

This morning I am headed out toward the lake direction for my 6 month with the dentist, drop some clothes off at a resale shop head back home for our main meal, and then head on out in the other direction to pick up some things we need and meet a girl from fb marketplace to hopefully purchase from me some jean shorts. 
       I didn't want to miss another T day-but I will be late visiting all of you.

  I am drinking my decaf morning beverage as I type

Tomorrow we are headed back to the lake house-I will be painting, the carpet is to be installed, and the guys will be working on the pavers-they made allot of progress on Sunday.

Happy T everyone!!

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies

I will be gone most of Saturday, but I thought I would post a movie to share this week.

  A favorite movie did not come to mind so I decided to see what was playing the year I was born 1949.

  I found something I know my father would have enjoyed watching:
      12 O'Clock High  a war movie.

           

and I always enjoy watching Gregory Peck  More about the movie here 
  This movie won 2 oscars. The story line taken from this link

 In this story of the early days of daylight bombing raids over Nazi Germany, General Frank Savage must take command of a "hard luck" bomber group. Much of the story deals with his struggle to whip his group into a disciplined fighting unit in spite of heavy losses, and withering attacks by German fighters over their targets. Actual combat footage is used in this tense war drama.

 A video clip here

Stop by CJ for a movie too and Bleubeard and Elizabeth may post a movie too

Happy Saturday Afternoon at the Movies.

At The Lake House Today

  We are beginning to get some lovely warmer days here in the Ozarks.
Still right at freezing in the early mornings but it has been warming up into the 50'sf Full sun today so our guys were able to start laying down the pavers now that they have the drainage pipes in. I am so excited it looks amazing so far.

all photos will enlarge just click on them

The color of the pavers is not showing well but they are Chicago red-it will tie in with the roof color and pick up colors in the rock wall. They got half of it done-hope to finish it next week. We can only get these two together on Thursdays-and sometimes the weather has not been good for outside work. So the work has been slower to get finished.

My project today was to start painting the main living area. I had two gallons left of the light grey I used in the hallway so thought this paint color would make this area lighter and more welcoming. They painted most everything this dull white color-you can see the doors and trim- that was what they painted everything in this large area. ugh and you know me and whites-I do not care for them.

Down the road and if we can find a sale I would love to change up all of these doors and trims to solid oak-and stain instead of paint-would match in with the oak floors nicely.

So far this color grey turned out darker than what it looks like here in the hallway-so I am anxious to see these walls when dry.
   I am going to pick up a gallon of semi gloss for the doors and trim that will be a shade off from the walls-or perhaps a brown-not sure yet lol.

These doors lead to my craft room, basement, and Hubs extra room and in the corner to the left is the bathroom with shower and tub, also laundry area. and to the right of these doors is a closet-loving that for our coats.

When we bought this house there was a really nice cabinet in another room, that looked like it matched in with the kitchen cabinets. It has lots of shelves so perfect for a pantry space. It was pretty beat up so Hubs has been fixing it up so we can use it. I think what happened when the previous owners upgraded to a larger refrigerator they took this cabinet out to get the frig in.
   In the back you can see the wood we put up-they had gross wallpaper back there-I stained this area last weekend. The right side of this cabinet will need to be strained also once in place. There will be enough space between this cabinet and the refrigerator for all my large boards I use for cutting food on and also a vintage one for rolling out cookies and pie dough.

Today I could really see projects being on their way to completion

   Next week Wednesday the carpet will be installed for our bedroom, and I hope to get painting and staining finished. We also need to grout in those tiles-and stain the wood that was under those stone columns.
    and our home phone is now working yeah (we don't use smart phones).

We don't care for how they set up those blind type drapes over the wall of windows. The way they have it set up when the drapes are opened up, it covers a large area at both ends of the windows.
  We are going to take all that down and have longer rods so when the drapes are opened up all the windows will be showing.  I will make or look to buy some drapes for here.

  Happy Friday and weekend everyone. Spring has officially arrived!!

Happy Wednesday & My Rug Loom is On it's Way to Kentucky

 Hi everyone,
    I'm sorry that I missed T but things were kinda crazy busy here. I will try to stop by for a visit sometime this week.

   I needed an afternoon to finish "digging" out my big weaving loom. My friends have been in Arizona for the last 6 months and are now headed back home to Kentucky. So they caught us on their way home. They just left here a bit ago.

   My tears have been just under the surface all day today having to sell my loom. I did need to let this go though-it takes allot of space around the loom as well to be able to weave on it comfortably. and there is no room at the lake house for it. Also this is a rug loom with a heavy beater and I don't think my shoulder would be very happy with that now. I do still have my 30" weaving loom which is easier for me to handle.

   I have been looking at the 4 harness Saori looms from Japan the CH60 model that is all wood and does not fold up. These looms are made to be so much easier to weave on, they have allot of very unique ideas in the design and workings of this loom, but they are only around 23 inches weaving width.
    For Saori style weaving they sew small pieces together to make the clothing.  The price though is a bit much around $2,500.00 plus for different add ons.
     So that is out of the question-for now. I did find a dealer that explained the differences in the looms, it is difficult to find information about them unless you have a dealer nearby.
    I love this one the most-and these do not take up allot of space. here is a photo from her shop on etsy.
   Saori is a style of weaving-an art form, anything goes, so I can still weave saori style with the loom I still have.-I am anxious to try this

  We all had a good visit, and my friends needed some down time too from their long days of driving. They have their truck hooked up to a huge camper trailer filled with things, and then they rented a big truck to haul more plus my loom. His father had passed so he was also bringing home lots of tools etc.

  I made us lunch which I forgot to take photos of-potato mushroom soup, big tossed salad, crackers with cheddar cheese and some salami's.

 I did get a couple photos of my 45 inch loom.

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Before the take down

The guys unbolting the ends

  It is really just no fun getting older-with all the health issues that usually come up. My friend's husband (above) had a massive heart attack a few months before his father passed.  My husband's health has taken a set back since last week-they are changing some heart medicine around but that all takes time-he is super pale and can't lift anything at all right now. He also has gotten a rare autoimmune skin disease that we are working with a doctor on.
   I am asking for prayers and positive thoughts for his health and our move will happen smoothly. I want him to be fishing on the lake soon.

  We will be working up at the lake house tomorrow. The pavers have arrived so hoping the guys make allot of progress with that. I have a little more staining to do, and then I can start painting the living room walls. We are getting our home phone and very fast internet service hooked up tomorrow (the wires had gotten cut back in January working on that drainage issue)-something new for us-fast internet to stream, watch you tube videos etc and no limits of use-we will feel spoiled with "real" internet ha ha. The tv service will also be so much better-lots of programming for lots less money.

  With my loom sold, and knowing I must downsize even more-I will be going through my vintage kitchen boxes Again-and really look at things-where can I put them in the lake house, and will I use them?  My crafts collections are still huge in the amount of space they need-I need to relook at some of those things too.  I am getting there-I just don't feel old enough to let go of my things-I think that is my issue.  I will get it all sorted out.

 

Happy Weekend and a Little Video

  Good morning friends,
 Yesterday (Saturday) we finally got a lovely spring day from Mother Nature. Sunny, warmer, and especially No wind. We are still at the freezing temperature in the early mornings but finally beginning to warm up by noon-thinking just in time for the first day of spring.

   I spent most of the morning making a birthday dinner for our friend, and the guys went fishing at Ha Ha Tonka state park-our friend was the only one that caught anything-so perfect for him-he will be 76

  Yesterday afternoon, I grabbed the camera to take a video and capture the peepers at the pond. I love listening to them-a sure sign of spring. These are little tree frogs and is their spring mating call-wondering if they will be at the lake or not or if they are just in wooded ponds.

I made loaves of sourdough rye bread to go with our corn beef dinner.

We will be off early Sunday to work at the lake house. We have carpet coming to be laid in the bedroom next week-I will start painting the living room on Sunday.

and one day early this coming week my friend is driving in to pick up the rug loom-so a busy week ahead.

Happy weekend everyone!!

T Stands for Tuesday & Eating Out & Lake House Photos

  Happy Tuesday everyone,
      Tuesdays are also T Day where we share a drink related post with friends. You are most welcome to join us-find link to our hostess Bleubeard and Elizabeth in my right hand column

   Last week Tuesday my neighbor friend and I drove to Springfield, Mo to meet up with our accountant and get our taxes done.
  For something different this year I suggested the Tea Garden restaurant inside the Relics antique mall which I shared links to last week.
     I was in agreement with Elizabeth and was really looking forward to the shrimp avocado salad, however when I read the menu just about all of the items were different than what was listed online. I asked the waitress about that and she said oh yeah we just changed most of the menu last week and haven't upgraded the menu online sigh I was a bit disappointed as the only gluten free foods were the salads.
   I did end up having a chef salad which was really good, and my friend had a reuben sandwich (corn beef, sauerkraut, cheese, thousand island dressing on rye) I went for a pot of herbal tea which was really nice-hibiscus and apple, I was happy it was not too tart which sometimes happens with hibiscus.
  We also splurged and had dessert which we never do haha   My dessert was a no flour chocolate cake---soooo delicious and something I would probably not make since it is so rich!  and my friend had lemon meringue pie.
  I don't know what happened to the photo I took of my friend's reuben I must have deleted by accident but here are photos of my chef salad and our desserts and my tea.

We browsed around the antique mall only for about an hour-neither of us needed anything and the prices seemed very high.

Usually on these yearly trips we check out lots of craft stores and also quilting fabric shops-I don't need anything that's for sure lol  but my friend is still making quilts-mostly for her grandchildren-so we checked out a quilt fabric store we have been to before that has really good prices and loads of fabrics.  I used to always help her put the colors of fabrics together for her and I felt good that I still had the touch for that-I gained that from my Mom for sure she was excellent with colors.  My friend is an artist-painter so that always surprised me that she is not good at that with fabrics

Thursdays is when the two guys we hire to help us at the lake house can both go and since they are usually working outdoors in the cold and wind Hubs always buys everyone a hot meal (along with their pay) on the way home.
    Going out to eat is a major treat for Hubs and I as we just don't don't do that much-do to our different health concerns.
  Near the new lake house we have found a restaurant though that we love-the food is always consistent, generous servings and always so good. Here is a link I found with photos  Chances R

  Hubs always gets a reuben sandwich with fries (his favorite), the guys change up but those two always get the tater tots instead of fries, and I usually get a big chef salad or a cheese burger and fries with no bread.

The hamburgers are hand formed and are huge-I always get a white cheese too. The french fries are excellent-they must be tossed with a rice flour as thankfully I don't get sick from them-(many are tossed with wheat)-when I asked she didn't know-so I just tried them. I always use mayo with my fries too instead of ketchup.

  Sunday we went up and worked and our friends that make the fried catfish dinners drove up and surprised us to see the house-so we all ate out-again -lol this could be a new habit. I love reubens too so I asked if she could make me a gluten free version with no bread-and she did-very good with all that melted cheese on top.

  Sunday I got the second coat of paint on all of the walls, and also painted in the closet too, I have just a bit more to paint in the closet. If you missed it and care to see-my previous post shows the room I painted, and also my August fabric journal pages.

  We usually get at the lake house before 9 am The sun was just under the clouds so grabbed the camera to capture this pretty scene.

We see these two fishing almost every day on the days we come up to the lake house-you can see it was very overcast

Saw this one canada goose on the lake

I also saw a single mallard duck but by the time I grabbed the camera he was no where to be seen

When we took a walk down to the lake front with our friends-we found fresh deer tracks-happy dancing!

and I have one more beverage reference to share-I had taken up a ceramic mug and several tea bags-so I could heat up the water in the microwave and enjoy a cup of tea while working. I grabbed two-a green tea and a tazo

Happy T everyone!!