A Three Day Affair

How about this for an amusing find when the kitchen countertop was removed?

To think that those cans have been sitting there since 1985! It is quite the wonder that the kitchen turned out as well as it did, isn't it? The funny thing is that while Herbert was hooking up the sink this afternoon, I mentioned it and he said while working in another condo, just down our street, he found the same! A beer can time capsule! The tabs were quite different and a remaining price tag read $2.99.

Before that happened though, on Sunday afternoon, Mr. Bruce decided to remove the bathroom vanity top himself as there is a huge mirror that sits atop the backsplash and he just felt better doing it himself. If the mirror were to break, he wanted it be his responsibility. Watching him do these kind of things is always fascinating because he does not do demo like you see it pictured on all of the home shows. Instead, he is very careful, taking things slowly. He began by prying off the side backsplashes.

Unlike the Formica kitchen counters, those in the bathrooms are more like Corian, extremely hard.

The photo above is such a mystery, what with the movement of his hand in the foreground, yet his hands are still in the mirror. I have no explanation. At any rate, once the backsplashes were pried off, he took a hammer to the top, breaking it up in chunks.

Once a few pieces were broken, he covered the entire mirror with a sheet, essentially putting a barrier up, and continued methodically breaking it up. Because the sink was a part of it, not all needed breaking, so once he got to that point, he lifted the whole thing and put it in the dumpster.

We toyed with the idea of replacing the cabinet, however, now that the new top is installed, it looks much more modern and we think a coat of paint will do.

On to the kitchen, Monday morning, he pried off the backsplashes in there as well.

Again, watching him do that with a block of wood behind the thing he used to pry it off, is really interesting. His method was the least damaging to the wall which will not be getting the same sort of backsplash, instead the new one will be tile all the way down to the countertop. As a reminder here's the before of the kitchen which I will update once the backsplash goes up.

Finally, 9:30 rolled around and Stone Crazy arrived!! I was dying to see  how the pieces looked as it had been so long since I'd chosen the material.

Prior to their arrival, I'd asked Bruce how long he thought it would take? "A couple of hours", he said, and when Bruce says a couple he actually means two, just as the word implies, rather than the more loose definition I ascribe to the word couple. Okay so with that established, it turned out that our guys, Fernando and Ephram worked ever so slowly, although, in the end, it looks great to our eyes.

It was not easy to keep from looking at how things were going, but eventually, the top was on, followed by the sink getting attached underneath the counter.  Here is Fernando, waiting on the glue to dry. Note the clamps holding the sink in place.

Thankfully, he vanity top went in without incident. Oh friends, how I love the look of the sink! Finally, at 3 in the afternoon, they were done. Woo hoo!

Yesterday, while I was out shopping for a good looking backsplash that is neither too busy, nor overwhelming, Herbert came to hook up the plumbing, which turned out to be quite the task. Bruce called as I was leaving Matt Manning Surfaces to tell me he was heading to a meeting, leaving Herbert to work his magic. When I arrived home, here's what I found.

Eventually, after maybe two or three more hours, he found success! Because it took so long, the bathroom faucet remains unattached, however, he will be coming today and soon we will be all up and running.

Speaking of running, I used the sink last night and am learning first hand some of the pitfalls I'd read about online. Not really pitfalls, rather differences in what I have had in the past. That square sink? It drains differently and stuff can remain in the corners, meaning I have to be more mindful about cleaning. Between my new cooktop and now sink, I am actually going to have to learn to like cleaning! Can that actually happen to a nearly 65 year old, cleaning adverse woman? Only time will tell. As to the new Silestone countertop? We are in love.

What remains of this post are some nature shots. Surprise, surprise!

Quintessential Florida, what with the Cypress trees in water and the alligator warning sign. :)

You may have heard of the lovely Angel's Trumpet plant, but have you heard of the Devil's Trumpet?

This one is from the front of the property near the raised beds that we still have not committed to using. Perhaps in the Spring? Before too much longer, as in maybe three weeks, Bruce will be looking for things to do, however, he's already making a good start on that front. This very morning, he's on his way to Apopka to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity! I can't wait to hear all about it this afternoon. The weather could hardly be any worse as it is meant to be 87 today!! Me--I would be going crazy working in that heat, however, Bruce will most likely not complain at all. We are meant to have a cold front come through any day, and I could not be any happier. Bruce seems to think I'm going through a second menopause what with all my bitching about being so hot.

A white Bird of Paradise also found on property, featuring all manner of goodness in the form of color and structure.

It has become my habit, when arising before sunrise, to watch it unfold. I love watching the lake come to life what with the ducks beginning to wander around the lake and one recent day, I saw what I thought was a tiny bird amongst the aquatic plants. Do you see it?

I've yet to figure out how to overcome the bad lighting, however, on this day I tried a trick I know and finally I had a little something to show you.

Still pretty terrible, however, at least I know that it is yellow. If I had to make a guess, I'd say it it some type of Warbler, but don't quote me on that!

Bad lighting continues to plague my efforts to get a great shot of the otters who, once again, showed up yesterday afternoon. I've yet to look on my computer at the ones I took, but I will soon and perhaps I will have something worth sharing with you.

And now to the backsplash...one thing at a time. A three day affair? Make that a three month affair!

your friend,

Gail

Techniques and Timing

So it was that a week ago Sunday that I stayed home from the market because I could not bear to be away from our project. Well, after a week of non-stop work in the kitchen, I was glad to have a day off! Not to mention that the weather cooperated beautifully with temperatures hovering just below 90 for the first time in months!! No rain either, however, in the early evening the skies darkened dramatically in the East.

All the more interesting with the sun still shining in the West. I love when the sky turns almost navy blue, don't you?

After Thursday's excitement we got right back to work, however, and this is a good however, Dana insisted on taking us out for a celebratory lunch downtown at Hamburger Mary's on Friday, ordering champagne, as well as my first ever, fried Twinkie!

Dana is a good and thoughtful friend, although I must say I was so embarrassed when she told our server why we were there.

Meanwhile back at the construction zone, we keep putting one step in front of the other. Saturday during their drop-in to see the cabinets, Cheryle mentioned she thought we'd be further along. Blasphemy! If only she knew all the steps each door requires, not to mention the inevitable set backs which come with any remodeling project. I'll tell you about two major ones a little later.

Around our sink the silicon caulk was way, way gross, having taken a lot of abuse in the last ten years. Only Bruce would have the patience for this sort of thing.

Not just one, but two layers of tape, between which is where the new caulk went. Oh my does it look better! Then too, this is not just painting, but moving when you are not moving. I re-filled my drawers in the low cabinet, beginning with my junk drawer. I managed to make it all neat and tidy, but as anyone who has a junk drawer well knows, it won't stay that way for long.

As to techniques, one of the major challenges is how to get a good finish. We are now using the liquid deglosser after serious sanding by Bruce following the spackle treatment.

Furthermore, I've discovered it is best to paint the back of the door first to minimize the drips and runs. Plus, now I'm using two coats of primer before two coats of paint. This, after all the carpentry work Bruce is doing on the doors, and you can see why it is taking FOREVER! I was shocked to learn on Sunday that it was September 14th, the only day I pay any attention to the date.

Saturday, or as I recall, Bruce installed the glass in the door fronts!!

 A nerve wracking job if ever there were one. As well, hinges went on,

using his new driver with the lights--isn't it cool? To install the knobs he uses a block of wood behind the drill to prevent the door front from splintering.

When it came time to put the new hinges on the small upper cabinet, the shelf was in the way. Thank goodness B knows what to do, chiseling some of the shelf away.

I do have the upper right cabinet filled again, along with the glass door ones, and as soon as I finish with this, I'll fill the one pictured above.

Saturday afternoon, while Bruce was laying out the lattice for our new wine rack,

the most incredible thing happened--just as I was coming out into the garage, a HAWK flew under the tent with something in it's claws, moving so fast I did not know exactly what it was. Sadly, it did not take a lot of investigation....

one of many feathers strewn around. :(

After laying the rack out, he went to cutting it out on the table saw using some sort of notch technique, one I won't bother to explain because I could not, even if I wanted to!

Here is what it began to look like:

After taking Sunday off, we were up bright and early, working not long after getting up, hoping for a productive day. We have promised ourselves that once this side of the kitchen is done we are going to take a BEACH day!

Except Monday turned out to be a day of set backs.

I was still working on the bottom cabinet doors, but while they were in the various stages of drying, I began to unload the pantry, followed by sweeping it, cleaning it inside and out, and I began painting the inside. The pantry is skinny and deep, but as we were to discover later, not as deep as we thought! Because it was added later than the original cabinets, the big side, at least, was not in bad shape at all. SO, I thought I would take the promises on the deglosser can at their word. After waiting the drying time, I primed one side. Making progress, or so I thought.

Can I just tell you all this mess is making me a little crazy? It was to get worse, rather than better!

We'd seen a wine rack while perusing the kitchen cabinets at Lowes, figuring it would work nicely on the part of the cabinet you see primed. Measuring from the wall, Bruce had designed it to go sideways. That area has always been a spot of nothing, with the trash can setting on the floor of the pantry, but otherwise, a black hole now to be filled with a cool wine rack. Except, it would not work that way because, years and years ago, when we re-plumbed the house, the pipes run through the pictured cabinet. Bruce tried forcing them back further,

and it was then that he realized that the back of the cabinet was a full three inches in front of the wall he'd been measuring from! Showing the above picture, so you can see HOW FAR we still have to go!!

Anyway, back into the garage he went, while I was putting another coat of paint on the doors, or deglossing, or priming--who knows at this point? I heard what I thought was a bit of cursing outdoors when in walks Bruce with a BLOODY hand. A sharp chisel slipped, cutting deep into his forefinger  along with a smaller cut in his second finger. Oh my--what shall we do?? First stop the bleeding.

I was in such grubby clothes, I quickly changed, and in a GOD send, his doctor, just about a mile up the street, saw him, stitching up his one finger, steri-stripping the other, and a tetanus shot to boot. Well that wasn't part of the day's plans now was it? He was a trooper, and it won't surprise you one bit that once home he went back to work after taking a couple of aspirins.

Set back number what??? The primer on the cabinet did not grip at all. Another tent, and another round with the orbital sander.

See those scratch marks? That will tell you it did not work as planned. Including this one because I like it!!

Actually, before sanding, he cut the hole in the cabinet with a jigsaw.

THEN the sanding, and the mess that ensued, then making the box to hold the rack, then figuring out how deep the holders should be.....then we we finally stopped. And, of course, had a glass of wine.

This morning, it looks like this, but by day's end it will have all sorts of molding, and paint of course. Oh, the glory of paint!

I would be remiss if I did not show you that despite these set backs, we really are making progress.

The timer is going off just now--time to get another coat of paint on those bottom cabinet doors!

Until we meet again...
Gail

Dreams Becoming Reality

Ladies and gentleman, a drum roll please........

After more than six months of dreaming, planning, and working, we now have countertops! I say we, when what I should really say is Bill has granite, however, since it has been a group effort, I'll leave it at that. This is one of the few areas that has gone faster than we could have imagined, with Bill and Fallon picking out a slab on Saturday, as in about 10 days ago, the fabricator meeting with Bill at the house last Monday, and calling Friday night saying they would be there in the morning before 10. Well, they didn't get there before 10, making the next two hours feel like forever, however, they eventually arrived to do the install. Needless to say, it generated much excitement! I just love the look on Fallon's face.

Bill is a big stone guy, the more exotic the better, however, in an effort to be just a wee bit more conservative, they picked one that is wild, but not too wild.

He could not be more pleased with how it turned out. Omar, (below), putting the final touches on the granite. I can't remember the name of his shop, but if you are in the market for granite, I'll get it for you.

Long ago, or what seems like long ago, Bruce cut that hole in the wall, with Herbert doing the plumbing on that side of the room. This post from February details all of that work, which was considerable! In fact, when I look back at all of the photos from this remodel, it is hard to imagine just how far we have come. Case in point, the yellow living areas! Bill's dreams are truly becoming a reality. Herbert connected the water on Monday afternoon--woo hoo!, running water in the kitchen!

Bruce's work on Saturday was varied, including installing brackets to hold up the granite pass-through, as well as fabricate the remaining seven shutters from the boards he'd cut at home.

He'd set up a painting station for me to prime and paint them all. Meanwhile, Herbert was working on the trim, as well as the decorative arch things on the upper floor. After tossing around a few ideas for a color scheme, it was a mutual decision to go with the brown, matching both the shutters and the balcony. In the future, the plan is to put some sort of decorative travertine pattern inside them, which I think will show off nicely against the brown.

Let's re-look at the front before the paint job, shall we?

We all know in our minds how dramatic a good paint job is, but, wow, wow, wow! What a change. Once all of the shutters are installed, we are thinking it will all tie together. We were worn out by 5, but Herbert and Bill kept at it for a few more hours. The new lanterns are hung, and all of the front is completely painted. Happy, happy days--Bill had a vision, and with a little help from his friends it is coming together. It won't be long before we'll be run out of there, and that's a good thing too because people are requesting Bruce's services left, and right. That said, it has been a joy to help our son, and we'd be most happy to do it for any of them should the need arise. Of course, London is just a wee bit far away, and with a brand new flat, I suspect there is little to do, however, it is the thought that counts---right?

While in the street, checking out the brown arches, I noticed the most beautiful, soft shade of hibiscus in the neighbor's garden.

Another reason we needed to get home is we'd agreed to some dog sitting. Remember Max?

Baxter mostly tolerates his presence, relaxing only once he was picked up Monday night!

So, I mentioned a few posts back that I dug up some salvia along the parkway on Pershing. The color is a lovely deep coral while blooming, but once those blooms dry up it looks maybe even cooler.

Aren't they neat? The garden is filling in with a lot of volunteers from last year spreading like mad. The purplish plant is a pop-up from one I brought home from Angela's garden.

The spider plant, in the top left, has been around a long, long time. I got it from Christy Sellers yard about 17 years ago. To date, babies from her yard, went to my yard, which went to Angela's old house, and now to her new house. How's that for spreading some garden love? Now, if only I can find a place to put some in Bill's yard.

Sunday we managed to stay at the market until 3:30 before a small downpour shut us down. In good news, well make that really good news, in the morning I had a customer order FIVE of the new frames, the distressed turquoise ones, with baby canvases!!! I just knew they would sell, sooner or later. Can't tell you how happy this makes me....

I guess that makes three of us with a dream becoming a reality!