Happy Holidays from the Ranch!

Wishing you all a bright 2011. I will follow up with photos of the house and tree later this week.

Wallpaper Removal!

The bathroom de-wallpapering has begun.

50 year old glue is a b*tch! We're going black and white for vintage effect :-)

Fleeting Fall

So sad to trade in THIS view for winter windows full of condensation! It is going to be a very long winter, and I am NOT too happy about it :-(

New gutters!

Well everyone, it's been far too long - but I cannot blame that on a lack of activity at the ranch. So much has happened this month! Brick repointing, new appliances, new gutters...

Here's a step-by-step look at the gutter project -

1. Original gutters from 1962 - wooden, rotten, and growing weeds:


2. Gutters and rotten fascia board removed:


3. Former neighbor prepping the new fascia boards:


4. New gutters!



Biggest take-away: One story homes make all gutters accessible by an eight food ladder (thanks Charlie). Amazing!

Ceiling painter: I am not

I've begun painting, and it's going... okay. I have quickly learned I am awful at painting ceilings! How do people paint ceilings and NOT show lines?! Incredible.

On a happier note, the whole family came up this past weekend (because they think I'm incompetent) and helped me paint the living room. Here's a sneak peak at the color, tape removed this morning!

The last of the stump...

The final bits and pieces of the spruce have been ground away. A bittersweet moment, but for the greater good. The amount of compliments I have received this week has been overwhelming, and the space seems so much more open. Looking forward to spring and putting a more appropriately-sized tree in its place!

Thanks to all of the many visitors!

Thank you to all who have made the trip to see the new place, and know that you're always welcome back "to the ranch" to see the progress! I feel so fortunate to have friends and family, near and far, to share the experience with.

And for the benefit of all of you readers, I promise to post more updates (maybe encouraging you to also visit?) ;-)