Bedroom Fini

My bedroom is back in service.  I still have to fill up my curio cabinet with the Christmas pretties I've left downstairs until this project was done.  I may add some wall art, and there is a bare corner...but I (hope)  won't BUY anything to decorate this room.  I can shop my house from just the right accoutrement. 

I second guess myself a bit for not going lighter on the walls, or even all the way to off-white.  But it's done and won't be redone for many years.  My little pretty space. 

Desperation Dinner - Spaghetti

 My never-fail-to-please dinner for Bob and Garrett is the simplest spaghetti.  While the onion is sauteing, I toss in some fennel seed, brown the sausage, the bottled sauce, then pour in a splash of cream just before ladling the sauce over the pasta.  Add a sprinkling of grated Parmesan, toasted french bread and salad and dinner is served. 

A dessert these guys love is boxed pudding.  Today I made chocolate.  I mix it up in the large measuring cup to eliminate any extra dish washing.  (oh, yes, i'm back to the boxed pudding after yesterday's from scratch recipe failed to set.  my fault.  i didn't put in the recommended amount of cornstarch.  bah)

The Appearance of Un-Progress

This is 9 am, day 5 of my bedroom painting project.  Yeah, this is hard deadline completion day.  Not only is the room far from ready for move-in, the paint used on the mill-work is highly noxious and makes my eyes water to get near it.  I paid an extra $100 for zero VOC wall and ceiling paint, because???  To then use this standard toxic formula on all of the doors and trim just does not make sense to me.  Fool that I am, I neglected to specify this to the painter.  And he is a what because he didn't ask?  After having a melt down last evening, I collected myself and repeated in my head "I am not a victim.  I am not a victim".  I made some decisions to shorten the paint process, told the painter to never use that formula in my home again (nicely), and believe it or not the room will be ready this afternoon.  My BFF of 20 years commented, about my complaining  "What, are you some kinda princess?" Well, duh. 

More Chaos

 Since the painters are here, I'm having the baseboards and crown molding in my kitchen/dining/family rooms painted.  We installed the trim years ago but never got around to finishing the job.  So, while my bedroom is out of commission, I've been keeping busy in the kitchen or reading by the wood stove.  NOT.  I came home yesterday to find that space "reconfigured". 

Last night before dinner I was going to sit down with my practice journal for Letter Whimsy for some handwriting warm-ups, per the lesson plan.  That was not possible, either.  Guess I'll retreat to the 3rd floor with my iPad.  Take that away from me and I'll, I'll, I'll...head to the barn. 

New Year; New Bedroom

For my Christmas present from my husband, I asked to have my bedroom painted.  Yes, yes, I have my own room...because I am an impossible sleeper.  First, there must be no noise, no light, no movement in order for me to sleep.  Second, I toss turn many times during the night and wake up frequently.  In a classic case of mis-match, my husband snores (don't we all), reads in bed with bright lights on, and has restless leg syndrome.  Rather than kill him, I moved on down the hall.  I decided that if it was my room, I was going to decorate it just for me.  For now that means shades of soothing ivory with very little color/pattern.  While we're at it, Mr. Painter, can you also install closet doors that are mysteriously absent in this 20 year old house? 

 So here we are on day 1 of the project.  My new paint color is Barely Beige by Benjamin Moore.  Using their Natura formula which has zero VOC's.  The room looks so big with nothing in it.  Makes me want to add back only my bed, dresser, small chair, a few pieces of wall decor.  But then what to do with all the other furniture that is stashed willy-nilly in my husband's bedroom?   Bob is being very good humored about that obstacle course. 

My cat makes me laugh.  We had just placed the top of an old armoire on the bed prior to moving the heavy piece.  I turned around and here is Gray-Cat looking like this is her forever bed.  The bedroom should be done in 3 days.  Stay tuned.   

Whoops, I Did It Again...

This is the 2nd time I've made this "Marmalade Parkin Tea Bread" and both times the cake has fallen in the middle.  Ack!  The first time I messed up the conversion from British to US measurements, badly.  I found a conversion chart, carefully worked it out, and I was certain all would be well on the next attempt. Wrong!  I guess my first clue was that the cake looked done in about half the baking time.  But the toothpick came out clean!  And the cake was perfectly formed...until it had been out of the oven for a short while.  Then it fell flat, and is obviously undone in the center.  Good Gravy.  What a rookie.  Shall I go for a 3rd time?  I think not. 

Too Good to Stay In

 If you know me really well, you know that my horse, Buffalo Boy, and riding have been my passion for over 20 years.  I felt I had to retire Buffy at the end of the summer, due to his senior citizen status (he's 29) and some intermittent stumbling.  Leading up to this I had increasingly been riding less, crafting and exercising more.  Even though I spend time with Buffy every day, I do miss the trail rides we take around my property.  SO...I decided he was too good to stay in retirement, and today, we went for our first ride in a couple of months. 

Do I look happy?  Does Buffy look happy?  Oh, well, he's always been a bit of a control nut, but he was happy to be out and about.  How do I know?  By the way he was looking around and snorting at "his" scenery, and the way he walked so briskly.  This is the best way I know to welcome in a new year.  In fact, for most of the past 22 years this has been my personal way of celebrating my birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, you name it, I'll ride in honor of it.