ApriJune Suminter

I firmly believe in looking for a better perspective.. a bright side of things... so... 

If it were April this weather would be delightful... better than what we saw in April.  

If we lived in the southern hemisphere we would be entering winter and this weather wouldn't give us any qualms.  

If we ever are upset about dry and hot days... HA HA HA.. not here... but let's say IF we were.. we could remember the middle of June 2020 when it kept snowing and raining and hovering in the 40's.  

Since the weather here is less than ideally suited for gardening... or of me ever hoping of being warm!  

Since I may have planted an overabundance of seeds in my eagerness of our garden project in the spring.

Since the weather teases every few days and pretends to be spring and then winter returns to mock and point and laugh at my pitiful attempts to produce plants and greenery and shade and beauty on our few acres of life, Patrick and Jim spent a few hours in the barn (out of the rain and cold) and built these charming "take that Wyoming Wacky Weather!" cold frames.  

I feel like my garden may one day become like Mr. MacGregor's delightful space.  I suppose I need to keep an eye out for bunnies. 

 I certainly need to create a scarecrow out of a blue jacket and little shoes.  

Before and 'almost' After

When we first came to clean and paint the house before moving in, we reached the bathroom.  After a very long day of cleaning, I determined that there wasn't any point painting walls in a room that really needed to be gutted.  So clean enough to move in and 'usable', we let it be. 

At first I was determined to 'make the best of things'. 

Then as times went by, we adopted the mantra, 'use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.'  We had no trouble using up the items we found left behind by previous tennants and owners.  As for 'wear it out'... it was pretty worn out upon our arrival.  As you can see with the state of the bathroom we embraced ..'make it do'.  but 'do without' we could not stomach. 

The floor only worsened and we became good at walking around the middle of the room so that we didn't feel the floor giving way beneath us...  

The bathroom lasted six months... well not exactly.. it lasted about 3 months with a few duct tape patching and bitter complaints about showering in a dark small stall with water spraying all over the bathroom.  And bathing in an RV size tub wasn't even exciting for the little boys... 

When the pipes froze under the shower and it began to back up and we had to shut it off so bathing became the only option... Patrick was more than unimpressed with the mini-tub.  In order to rinse off he had to reach around into the shower and pull the shower head around into the tub area.  Less than ideal.  

.. the floor kept getting worse. 

When the ozone levels increased in March (2019) and the EPA shut down the oil fields until levels decreased, we made a trip to Rock Springs.  We spent two weeks, without tub, shower and for a while no floor at all.. (only floor joists and a piece of plywood in front of the toilet)  But we were genuinely delighted to have a functional shower/tub and proper (INSULATED) floor.  So one half of the bathroom was improved.  Then Patrick went back to work and summertime had a long to do list and time and projects took over and the bathroom once again was pushed to the back burner of tasks... until a year later.  March 2020

It was high time to finish the bathroom... well almost.

We've had a perspective shift since moving and while we would dearly have loved to have built our dream home dome, the allure of no debt living and simplicity have won the higher place in our hearts.  Other than the eternal winter and cold... the tranquil solitude has us embracing the new mantra of 'Blooming where we are planted."

So, we improve our immediate surroundings and live the dream.

I must admit, as we began the process of completing the bathroom renovation, the adage, 

"you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" rang through my mind on many occasions.  

After new walls, new paint, new cabinet and counter and sink, new mirror and tiled back-splash and light fixture, it may have to be admitted that you CAN make a decent bathroom out of squalid one.

An unrecognizable upgrade!... except for the gaping hole in one wall that still leads to the pantry... hence the 'almost'finished status.  But there is progress on that score... excavation has begun on the new pantry so by the end of the summer hopefully we'll be installing an actual bathroom wall.  

My favourite part... 

the mirror was $1.00 at the thrift store.  I sanded and re-stained it

the door was a clearance item at the local lumber store because it had a small nick in one edge

the cabinet, counter and sink were free on the side of the road.

the flooring was a clearance item at Home Depot

the paint was left over from painting the rest of the house when we first moved in

Only actual expenses were the ceiling paint, the light fixtures and the tile for the back-splash and tub surround.  

NEXT...

Holes

Holes.

Mounds of dirt.

Moles?? Badgers??

Hints of progress....

Patchwork and Musicals

In the final days...

We experimented with new Berry French Toast Breakfast.

It was topped with fresh whipped cream... It was a success... now I'm hungry as I type. 

We crocheted hair scrunchies... enough to fill Elowen's hair!

She really isn't original... This is what the little girls at the ranch did on Christmas even when I gave them a basket of scrunchies for Christmas... However.. these scrunchies on Elowen's hair show,

1. How long Elowen's hair is!
2. How many scrunchies Esther and I made during their visit since there weren't any left after Christmas eve.
3. How silly Elowen likes to be. 
4. How scrunchies ought to be worn!... definitely a new trend!

We turned a pile of fabric scraps... 

into a patchwork delight, while we wiled away hours watching musicals...

We definitely came away with favourite musicals and others we still scratch our heads about.  

But productivity reigned.

Patchworking is more challenging than we thought.  Trying to choose coordinating colours and patterns.  Not placing the same ones too close to each other or using one too frequently.  And of course... being sure it is most pleasing to the eye... or at least to the recipients eye!

oh... and keeping the cat off .

These are the completed delightful creations!

And the amused models!

I think it's time for me to make a new apron... my boys tell me it's time for them to get new ones!

Crochet.. Blog.. Aprons... does anyone want me to cook and clean anymore?!

 And then... after an unusually lovely moon

We bid a fond farewell to carefree days and sing song mornings.
We put aside the fun and games of the holidays and returned the girls to Utah.

We returned after a few days to Wyoming, and to chores, and to school days... and to cold temperatures and snow.

The girls... returned to their cello and violin.  They left nothing behind this time but fond memories and a list of things we want to do next time.

The white buffalo await.  The ice rink is chilling... the snow has fallen and covered the perfect sled paths again.  The snow cave needs exploring... The boys preferred their music lessons from the girls than from Mummy or Duncan. ..  The bird feeders need filling... and the nook is lonely for a good book and a snuggling companion.

Til' next time.

Crash, Bang, Boom.. Ta Da

Kenzie may have crashed the party... and the window but it has led to the next bit of noise here.

Once the area was cleared out...

A more careful demolition took place.

Then the new sounds of crashing and banging began.  And the countdown to having the 7' x 6' gaping hole in the side of the house to be filled... as snow flurries began to fall outside and we stoked the fire and kept it roaring in attempts to keep what little warmth inside the house that we could.  

The progress was well anticipated and each step applauded  

Finally enclosed again, the temperatures began to rise again and moral was boosted.... or at least blankets and coats were no longer needed as we huddled near the fire.  

It was late at night when it began to finally take the appearance of a finished project.  Everyone was eager to try out the new nook... 

Exactly how the new alcove will be used is still unknown entirely... but it's been put to good use... even if it is still lacking a coat of paint and a few final finishing details.

I'm not certain if we have become so accustomed to tighter quarters or are simply giddy to all squeeze into our window seat and enjoy the views outside. 

But somehow the sight of the two littles enjoying a quiet evening moment was the most delightful to see.  

And the wall came tumbling down

Walls of Jericho

The Berlin Wall

The Great Wall of China

These walls had great significance.  Both in their existence and in their demise. (except much of the China wall is still standing)

Our wall, not so much. 

In significance or in demise.  

It separated a space.  The largest space in the house.

We tried using the space as office (on the left), and bedroom (on the right) (which lacked in a fourth wall, a door or any form of privacy and could be seen from the front door.)

After some time living here and thinking things through we decided, (yes, I had a wild thought and told Patrick about this great project we should tackle!)

We knocked it down!

At first Miles was opposed.  "What!??  After all that time we spent painting the wall this summer?!  Both sides of it!??"  I was more than happy to remind Miles that painting walls was something he barely did any of.  So it was my time and effort that was being for naught.  He was a little more willing.  Then he realized he could knock it down!!  He was all in!  

His first attempt was a running sideways jump at the wall, but that just hurt shoulders.  They grabbed a crowbar, a hammer and a baseball bat and really went to town!

The little boys wanted a turn.

Patrick used his bare hands.. well he wore gloves so he used his gloved hands.

Noelle, supervised.

Duncan cleaned up.  He made many, many trips to the garbage.  He vacuumed.  He swept.  He shoveled. 

Then he hung around and watched as Patrick rewired the light switch.

Now we have a large enough space that we spend a great deal of time in together.  We don't overheat because we aren't next to the wood stove but we are still warm.  We can enjoy the views of the mountains, the snow falling and the birds coming to enjoy our feeders.

The office is still in relatively the same place just shifted over slightly.
Hopefully it means I'll be able to work on my myriad of projects while still knowing everything that is going on... since I can see into my bedroom, oversee the play area and living room, out the front door, into the mud / guest room and toward the kitchen from my desk chair.  Having wall is so overrated I tell you.  I'm rethinking our new house designs completely.

My bedroom traded places with the boys play area.

At first I missed their play space.  It really was ideal, but having an actual room for a bedroom has been nice.  Even if it doesn't have a door, or a closet or enough room to turn around...

It's for sleeping... and for Miles to escape to during the day to do school in what he deems the most comfortable (coolest) place in the house.  (He spends about 8 hours a day in there... which is often more hours than I spend in there at night... hmmm)

And what became of the old living room...
When we wanted enough seats for everyone we had to move a chair in front of the door .  We also couldn't stay in there more than 30 minutes without expiring from the heat.

It has been re-purposed as a fabulous mudroom!  A much needed mudroom I should say.  The only place to hang coats and the enormous assortment of boots and winter clothing was in the 'panic' room... Story for another day!  Needless to say it was small and on the other side of the house so extremely inconvenient.. oh.. and the same temperature as the great outdoors.  So wet clothes had to be hung around the house to dry before they could be put away otherwise they simply froze.

We did leave a work station in here so Miles could stoke the fire at 5am and get some school done before my bed became available.  We also found a shelf at the local thrift store that we turned into a day bed with storage under it.  So I suppose we even have a guest room of sorts!  Beautiful window views of the mountains and wildlife and also a view of the kitchen and front door!  Patrick and Miles offer an early morning wake up service so you'll never miss one of the gorgeous sunrises.  The fireplace is close at hand so you'll never be chilled... (likely overheat!)  there is no privacy whatsoever so you can get to know us all real personally.  Oh.. and there's a cut out between the room and the living room so you can even watch T.V. from your bed... if you like cooking shows and old victorian dramas... We don't actually have t.v. service.  The cats will warm your feet and pounce all over you if you choose to sleep in as it's a perfect spot to bird watch from and through out the night the neighbours cats choose our porch as the arena for some rousing cat fights!  It's a chance to have spotty phone service, no privacy, a small bed in the middle of the house and a shared dilapidated bathroom. 

I'll dust off the guest book... that is likely far too enticing for most to pass up!

Forced Progress

The greenhouse has a few minor issues.  The plastic siding had a few cracks in it and the door doesn't latch so it's constantly blowing and banging in the wind.  It's not a top priority project.  After all it's an extra building.  It won't make us cold this winter or cause things that are stored to be damaged.  

But unlike some of the other outdoor projects we've worked on it wasn't temperature sensitive like the painting.  

I've been watching the weather closely.

NOT because I'm eagerly anticipating winter's chill or a white wonderland.

I've been looking for a day with temperatures above 55* so I could get the garage door painted since I'd already scraped all the paint off and now it was even more important to protect it from the winter moisture and wind.  

I had one afternoon and was distraught.  It was a lovely afternoon.  Almost reached 60* even.  But I was practically home alone for the entire day.  It was an excellent day for writing!  But I didn't dare miss my opportunity.  So paint I did.  

One coat.

And now this is happening.

I hope one coat will protect enough.  I don't anticipate another warm spell long enough to dry it out and let me do another coat!

So... the greenhouse became a project of interest.

The lack of temperature regulation and the free metal we found in the junk pile we've been sifting through behind the garage made it a possibility.

Now all the buildings have uniformity.  They are either metal or painted a charcoal grey.

Well, except the house.  It's still white. 

The new look from the front porch.

Speaking of the front porch....

Since I had the black paint out on that 'warm' afternoon...

The brush was still wet...

Why not make the house match the other buildings ...  in trim at least. 

The shutters only received one coat like the garage door but I made everyone put up with the cold while I propped the door open for it's second coat.  The fireplace is just a few feet from the door so I considered that enough to keep it warm.

Maybe I should build a bonfire by the garage door.

To Do List

 The to do list around here is long and growing.

We've had to assess importance and priority to each item on the list.

Some items fall under Big Major jobs that need Patrick and need to be done soon.

Other items, (the ones I really want completed the most) fall under dreams, and can wait until most other items are completed.  Apparently trees and gazebos and charming foot bridges over the stream fall under this category.

Then there are the boring mundane but better get on it quick tasks that eat up all available time.  Such things as clean out the chimney, chop firewood, winterize the water pump, winterize the windows, ... I sense a strong winter theme!  Don't be fooled by the short sleeved shirt... The high all day was only 40*.

All this, amongst the cooking, laundry, dishes, school and driving to town every day (which alone is a 3 hour endeavor)  And there is still some unpacking, settling in to do.. the fine tune stuff like where to hang laundry to dry inside and how to make room in the utility room for the freezer so I won't have to trek to the garage in sub-zero temps for a pound of hamburger.  Oh and the newest headache.  The constant clean up by the front door from people daring to enter and exit the house..  I've never swept and/or vacuumed so much.  There's dirt off of shoes.  There's endless mittens, hats and coats and no where to put them.  There's wood chips and sawdust from carrying in wood for the fireplace. And it's not even winter yet!


BUT...

The garage roof leaking jumped to the top of the Big Major jobs that needs to be done soon list when we discovered;
a. it leaks.
b. the weather was forecasting rain... lots of rain (which was great news for the local inferno 3 miles to the west of us but not so great news for all our belongings stored in the garage)

The garage is a solidly built structure.  It is a great size.  However when the roof was put on they didn't use any of that roofing paper that creates a barrier between the metal roof and the contents below.  So the metal roofing was removed.  The barrier paper was installed over the wood and then the metal roofing was reapplied.

As you can see... the garage door was prepped for painting in my overzealous paint scraping phase.  Now I just need a day of good temperatures.  

As you can see the barn roof still has a gaping hole that is partly repaired and will be tackled ... soon.  (whenever that is) 

All that happens when it rains in the barn is ... mud.

As you can see, Miles is laying down on the job.  Apparently they ran out of screws or nails or something minorly important.  He was waiting for the supplies to be replenished.

It was a very successful day.  The garage was re-roofed.  The barn roof also was completed.  AND... 

the cellar roof was given an upgrade.  

The garage door is still waiting.  

Patrick says painting is my department.

I said I'd like to paint a mural or an optical illusion.

The weather says, maybe next week will have a 2-3 hour opening above 50*.

That's not much time for anything more than a quick coat of paint.

I'm struggling to decide on a colour.... 

I'm still wishing for a mural, but perhaps a base coat would be a good idea for now.