A Better Look

Jim went to Sunnybrook today. He did a lot of plumbing work (and still came home in a good mood!). By the sound of it, we'll have a bathroom upstairs before you know it!!!  The house had been winterized, but now it seems we have running water.  As a matter of fact, Jim said we had a kitchen floor full of running water when he turned on the pump today (have I mentioned we have well water?)  As I understand it, that wasn't due to anything that needs "fixing", but due to the fact that the kitchen sink pipes have been cut off at the floor and the old sink removed.....as well as the walls and just every other single thing in the kitchen!!!We're getting closer though.

Jim also talked today to a company about blowing insulation into the walls and the attic. We HAVE to have insulation, so I guess that has to be the route we take. We talked and we know we have to sacrifice the look of the house from either the inside or the outside. If we have the company blow insulation in, they have to cut  2-inch holes in the clapboards outside (a bunch of them); but, on the other hand if we insulate the walls from the inside we'll have to take the old bead boards off the walls, which is part of the old farmhouse charm. A catch-22....or between a rock and a hard place. Considering the time and effort, it would be more feasible to cut the holes in the clapboard and have blown in insulation....unfortunately....fortunately....?

OK, on a lighter note, if you read my two earlier posts (about the Betsy Ross flag and the porch decorating), you'll better understand these pictures.



This is where I want to hang the Betsy Ross flag.  Right in that open space under that roof.

And these are pictures of the porch I'm dying to decorate for spring/summer.  These first two pictures are of the front porch. It's huge, isn't  it? Ah, more to decorate!

 

This is the side porch. Jim and I enjoy dinner outdoors, so I'm definitely thinking a place for that here.

  Something like this...

                                                                              or this...

And that old junked up kitchen porch I mentioned in the earlier post? Tsk..Tsk...TSK!

That mess in the kitchen had to go somewhere...but, we'll get that cleaned up soon.

I'll be sure and post pictures after the decorating is done. Everything will look better in no time at all!

Warmer weather wondering..

With the weather becoming warmer (72 degrees this weekend!) I'm getting as excited about decorating outside at Sunnybrook as I am about decorating the kitchen.....almost.  I posted a picture yesterday of the wooden Betsy Ross flag Jim and I made. All it needs is another light coat of paint and the eye-hooks and chains to hang it with and it's ready to go.  Plus, I'll have to have a real American flag for the front porch. What American farmhouse would be complete without one of those!? 

However, first we need to move a lot of old wood and other debris from the kitchen side of the porch..... and the whole porch probably needs to be painted.  That won't be too big of a job though. A can of paint and a paint roller and that job can get checked off in no time. It'll be painted back green....same as now.  Then let the decorating begin!!!!

I adore both these porches. I think they just shout spring and summer. 



In actuality I've never been too good at getting plants to look this lush.

  

Look how quaint this small porch is! I love it! It just says country in so many ways.



I also love window boxes.....and red geraniums....




.....and wild roses. 



Happy almost spring!