Hello! How are you, reader-friend?
We’ve been busy little bees since the last time I blogged. Or should I say busy little BUNNIES? Kevin and I discovered a family of them living in and around our metal barn, and they brought all of us so much joy this summer!
We named her Clover. 🍀
Isn’t she adorable? Her mama and siblings always high-tailed it the second they saw me, but Clover was always so curious. My mom said to watch for them just before dusk, because that’s when rabbits are usually the most active, and sure enough, I can’t tell you how many times I found them chasing each other around the trees that line up between the barn and the house right before the sun went down!
“Simply getting out of the house and seeing the blackthorns and lime tree opposite our cottage induces a response in me that I can only describe as a neuronal sigh of relief: an unseen, silent reaction in the brain that is simultaneously soothing and curative. – Emma Mitchell
Another summertime highlight was digging for quartz crystal, tourmaline, and aquamarine beryl at Hogg Mine in La Grange, Georgia. WOW! What a fun (non-tech related) way to spend the day! Let me know if you’d like to hear some tips and tricks in my next post—I’m happy to share them now that we’re professionals. 😉
Those cold water-soaked arctic air hats really saved the day!
Steevenson and I have also had a blast creating with since my last post. After seeing someone on YouTube create a Little Shop of Horrors-style Venus Flytrap, he decided he wanted to give it a go too and we were all so impressed with his first few creations:
We call them “modelonsters”. Get it? Modeling clay + monsters? 😉
In renovation news, we finished Katie’s countertops! Mr. Carson the Plumber also installed her , , disposal and .
Isn’t the sink beautiful? It also came with a cutting board that fits right in place so you can wash, chop and slide everything into the colander. SO handy dandy! We decided to go with a mix of different metals in her kitchen (aged brass, stainless, black, and copper) to give it a really homey feel and she is LOVING how it’s all coming together!
Still need to finish that top shelf and those cubbies
And to make matters even more functional, Brian the Carpenter was able to come by and help us install the too:
Katie’s microwave used to be tucked inside her pantry tower at the other end of the room, but after using it that way for a while, she decided she’d rather have it over the range. It was an easy-ish fix, and I designed the simple box and shelf above it to fill up that space and to create another place to decorate.
She’s also loving her and was inspired to upgrade her decades-old cookware with a new set of …
We’re going to hang the pots underneath the upper cabinets so they’re nice and easy access and the pans will go in one of the base cabinets. Here’s a close up of the curtain I altered for one of them:
I used the same curtains on the window above the sink and to skirt the desk on the opposite side of the kitchen.
Which reminds me to add, we had the window installed shortly after we moved in and BOY what a difference it makes in terms of natural light in this space! Seeing Katie stand there in front of the sink is so fun, and now that her is hung up, they’ve got a nice option at night when they don’t want all the overheads on.
And I’m happy to report the base cabinet my Uncle Kevin built arrived in one piece and fit like a glove when we slide it into place. We decided to keep it doorless because the open cubbies look so charming and a door would’ve just gotten in the way.
We’ve (obviously) still got some work to do (finish the top shelf, install the toe kick, install cabinetry & counters on the left side of the stove, install crown & base moulding, etc) but MAN have these recent additions made a HUGE difference!
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In other (more current) news, my book came out in November and I’m happy to report I wasn’t challenged by any mystery physical symptoms in the weeks leading up to the launch! 😅 (See my last post if you missed what that means. 😉)
I’ve been telling folks it was equal parts labor of love and labor of LAWD HAVE MERCY because—holy moly! Writing the essays and making so many (permanent!) decisions was definitely one of the most challenging things I’ve ever been encouraged to do. But what a gift to be able to grow in that way! And I’m so glad I finally found a place for all the quotes I’ve been collecting all these years! I’ll end with one that didn’t make it into the book, but that makes so much sense right here:
“One thing’s for sure, we were kindred spirits. Connected by the things we have in common, home, nature, art, books, curiosity, tenacity, humor, empathy, and I would add, sweetness of heart.” – Susan Branch
Happy weekend, friend. I look forward to catching up with you in the comment section!
Layla