Welcome to the porch! Grab a blanket and let’s chat!
It’s been a while since I shared an update with you guys and I apologize for that. Time has gotten away from me lately. It always seems like once October hits the days fly by. That’s definitely been true this year. We’ve been busy trying to finish up the family room so we could finally move our furniture in, plus continuing to renovate the other house to get it ready for renting out. We’re really close to getting done, but it’s taking longer since we only have weekends to work on it. Then on days when I do have time to write a post, the internet is super slow or just out altogether. So frustrating!
We’ve also been very busy with school and getting ready for Christmas. And cleaning. And keeping up with crazy Balto. There’s never a dull moment here!
The family room is finally finished! It took 6 months to get everything done, but it has been repaired and repainted as well as a new coat of paint on the kitchen. Plus new stain on the back deck! Of course, the insurance company didn’t pay for everything, so we ended up having to put the trim back up in the family room and paint that ourselves. And we still have to fix the scuttle hole that goes to the attic. Plus, repair the hole in the side of the deck caused by a tree limb.
But, at least we finally got to move our furniture in! Sometimes I just sit on the couch and watch the leaves fall outside, even if it’s just for a few minutes. The view from the family room windows is beautiful right now! I wish I could share it with you, but I just can’t get a good picture.
My daughter couldn’t wait to start decorating for Christmas, so she started earlier this week. I helped with a few things, but she’s done most of it so far. We’re waiting on our Christmas tree to arrive, so we can put that up in the corner and fill it up with decorations. It has always been a tradition to put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving as well as the Christmas village and nativity. The village and nativity are up, so hopefully, the tree arrives in time! My daughter hung a penguin decoration up over the mantel because she said it looked too bare. I guess that’s a hint for me to start working on a Christmas wreath!
Work on the other house is coming along. There’s not a lot left to do, but it seems like a ton since it’s a bunch of smaller things. Since my last update, we’ve painted all 3 bedrooms, hung new doors and painted them all, put new windows in the back bedroom, repaired spots in the bedroom ceilings, repainted the foundation, and of course, cleaned and cleaned and cleaned.
We’re now working on adding trim to all the bedroom doors and windows, which my husband is making himself. He took 2 days off this week and worked on repairing the ceiling in the dining room and painting the foundation while it was warm and sunny.
I haven’t taken photos of the new doors yet, but here are some photos of some of the work we’ve done so far. I won’t bore you with every room, but 2 of the bedrooms needed repairs done to the ceiling and we painted all 3 bedrooms the same color.
My mom and I went to a craft fair last weekend and then visited the Farmer’s Market. After that, we went to a store we both loved called Willow Tree. While shopping for vintage Christmas items we came across this very unique, and quite scary-looking, Santa.
If you look closely, he has a note attached that explains the reason for his light bulb eyes.
It says, “I am a rare 1930s Santa Claus. Most often found in a storefront window display, I would lure customers inside with my lighted eyes. My face is buckram, as well as my hands. My eyes do light up. I’ve read where another Santa like me had blinking lights. Perhaps I did at one time. I’m so old, I can’t remember.”
I had to look up buckram because I wasn’t sure what that was. According to Wikipedia, “buckram is a stiff cotton (occasionally linen or horsehair) cloth with a loose weave, often muslin. The fabric is soaked in a sizing agent such as wheat starch paste, glue (such as PVA glue), or pyroxylin (gelatinized nitrocellulose, developed around 1910), then dried. When rewetted or warmed, it can be shaped to create durable firm fabric for book covers, hats, and elements of clothing.” Interesting!
I’m not sure if this 1930s Santa would lure me into the store or send me running for the hills!
You’d think this update would be longer since I haven’t shared one in so long! But I wanted to keep it short and sweet.
And now it’s your turn. What you have been up to recently? Are you decorating for Christmas early this year or waiting to get through Thanksgiving first? Do you have Thanksgiving plans? I look forward to hearing all about it!
Enjoy your week and I wish all my US friends a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving!!
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Oh well! It looks tingly. Congrats, lovely Michelle, you are almost ready for the Christmas celebration. 🤗👍😘😘💖
Thank you so much! I'm glad to be able to relax a little. 🤗
Your family room is so cozy!!
Thank you so much!!
Both houses look wonderful! Your new home looks so festive and welcoming…the penguin is so cute. 😊
Thank you so much!! My daughter is hooked on penguins this year so I have them stuck in random rooms. Haha!
The environments are cozy and the red color gives it a touch of distinction. I'm glad for you.
Thank you so much!! I find the red to be quite cozy, too. 🙂
You are welcome
Wow you guys have been busy! I bet each accomplishment makes you feel good though. I am glad you got your family room done and started on Christmas decorations. I haven’t put up any fall or Thanksgiving decorations. And I really don’t want to put up any Christmas decorations either. If my husband wants them, then I will. I don’t know if I told you this, but we decided not to stay in the house that we moved into earlier this year. The yard just isn’t big enough for our dogs to run and play. So we have been looking around. And this house just doesn’t feel Ike home, so that’s why I don’t feel like decorating. The whole situation has taken a toll on both of us. Hopefully when we find our “real” home things will look up. But I am still looking forward to Christmas. And I am looking forward to the the Luke Bible study that I’m hosting on my blog Dec 1-24. I know you are busy, so don’t feel obligated to check in every day. Sending hugs your way, my friend! 🎄
I am so sorry that you have felt that way but I completely understand. I was just telling my husband the other day that I wish you could "test drive" a house like you can with cars. I'm feeling the same way about our house. Its a beautiful house, but it just doesn't feel like home. And honestly I've been so homesick! I haven't felt like decorating, either, but I do some for my daughter, so I get where you're coming from. (She's done most of it, though.) I'm really looking forward to your Luke study and I cannot tell you how much your gratitude series has helped me stay positive through all this. I wish we lived closer so we could have coffee and rant! Haha! 🤗
Test driving a home sounds like a great idea. 🤔 I’m glad you have your daughter to help decorate. At least that way you can still enjoy the fun of the holidays and not have to do too much. I did tell my husband that at some point I would like to ride around and look at Christmas lights. And we have been watching Hallmark Christmas movies. So that helps lift our spirits. Yes I agree - I wish we lived closer too!! That would be so much fun to get together. And since we are both in the same boat, it’s so nice to have someone that understands. No one else gets it. I will be praying for you! 🙏♥️
Michelle, you have been a busy lady. I am so happy for you that the family room is finished. It looks great. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you so much! I'm glad the work is done so strange men won't be coming in and out of my house anymore. Lol! Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving as well!
So busy doing so much, its inspiring. I have just converted a spare bedroom into a study and its so much better for writing. When I have had enough I can leave the room.
Happy Thanksgiving.
That's awesome! It's nice to have a place just for writing. Thank you for sharing! And happy Thanksgiving to you as well!
Beautiful!! The living room looks so cozy, I’m glad you can enjoy it right in time for the holidays!! I hope your Thanksgiving and Christmas season are blessed!!❤️
P.S. the Santa would send me running for the hills for sure!!!
Thank you!! I'm so glad it's finally done. I agree - that Santa is a little too creepy for me! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas season, too!!
Your home is looking fabulous. Good luck with the other house project too.
Balto is as handsome as ever! Such a darling.
PS: Buckram was regularly used in India under the main fabric to stiffen up garments. Santa's eyes are the best! ;)
Thank you! I'm so glad it's finally finished. 🙂 Balto definitely keeps us laughing! He's such a sweet dog.
Thanks for sharing that about buckram. I'd never heard of it before. That's interesting!
Hi. New here. Redoing home stuff is a lot of work, it seems. We are getting ready to remodel bathrooms this week. Can't wait until they are done! Ha ha.
I wish you all the best with your bathroom remodels. It is hard work, but it's definitely worth it. It's fun to look back and say that you did that! Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂
Oooo! Love that thought! Been brushing my teeth with the bathtub faucet for awhile. Ha. Having the sinks in will definitely be a treat. You are very welcome. Found you on a reader search for different blogs content I like! Hope you have a great night!
Oh, I've been there. And while we were remodeling our kitchen I was washing dishes in the bathtub. HAHA!
Hahaha!! That is great!! Love that! :)