So I have a girlfriend who follows lots of blogs.
I'm checking a few out myself and would love to know your favorites.
A few observations I've made about successful blogs.
1. Take beautiful pictures, post them often.
2. Write less.
3. Content should be rich.
Check out the Nienie dialogues and Posie's Rosy little things. Both have fabulous pictures and wonderful writing.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Getting Zen with my sitch
Good Morning All!
It was a whirlwind weekend loaded with fun, food and love!
We got our radiators back from the shop (more details and pics on that later). What you need to know at the moment is that those babies stink to high heaven and the smell kept Dan and I up all night on Friday night. Ugh.
Saturday was crisp and beautiful and saw me running around like a crazy woman getting ready for guests to arrive for the night from out of town.
I bought groceries, I bought a new toilet seat for the house and the amount of time it took for Dan to replace it was both frustrating and comical. Nothing really ever goes as planned in our little abode.
I think if we anticipated what amount of time it was going to take and doubled it, we would be closer to reality.
Anyhoo, I made chili and it was so yummy. I made homemade cornbread. My friends ate with lots of mmmm sounds and that makes me very happy.
My home makes me very happy. An in the midst of all the changes we've been experiencing I forgot that the friends I've grown to know and love in Lake Forest will still be my friends even after I make the eventual move to Evanston. It is not an all or nothing thing.
Here's my ah ah for the day...
I get to have it all. I get to be happy because I've worked very hard at achieving happiness and a level of serenity in my life.
I get to have a beautiful house and cook beautiful meals and enjoy every moment of it EVEN if it's just on the weekends. And just because it's on the weekends doesn't mean that my experience or joy is cheapened for one moment.
So just for today I am grateful for all the gifts I have in my life and all the wonderful people who color it so brightly.
I wish the same joys for you.
Love,
Linder
P.S. This week we move onto the demo pics and the pretty radiators!
It was a whirlwind weekend loaded with fun, food and love!
We got our radiators back from the shop (more details and pics on that later). What you need to know at the moment is that those babies stink to high heaven and the smell kept Dan and I up all night on Friday night. Ugh.
Saturday was crisp and beautiful and saw me running around like a crazy woman getting ready for guests to arrive for the night from out of town.
I bought groceries, I bought a new toilet seat for the house and the amount of time it took for Dan to replace it was both frustrating and comical. Nothing really ever goes as planned in our little abode.
I think if we anticipated what amount of time it was going to take and doubled it, we would be closer to reality.
Anyhoo, I made chili and it was so yummy. I made homemade cornbread. My friends ate with lots of mmmm sounds and that makes me very happy.
My home makes me very happy. An in the midst of all the changes we've been experiencing I forgot that the friends I've grown to know and love in Lake Forest will still be my friends even after I make the eventual move to Evanston. It is not an all or nothing thing.
Here's my ah ah for the day...
I get to have it all. I get to be happy because I've worked very hard at achieving happiness and a level of serenity in my life.
I get to have a beautiful house and cook beautiful meals and enjoy every moment of it EVEN if it's just on the weekends. And just because it's on the weekends doesn't mean that my experience or joy is cheapened for one moment.
So just for today I am grateful for all the gifts I have in my life and all the wonderful people who color it so brightly.
I wish the same joys for you.
Love,
Linder
P.S. This week we move onto the demo pics and the pretty radiators!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Thursday Musings
Good Morning!
I noticed on Facebook yesterday that almost everyone was experiencing gloomy weather.
A lot of people chose to stay indoors and craft, cook, read, build a fire and in general just nest and be cozy!
These are the things I do on the weekends.
My job demands a lot from me and at the end of my day, I'm so lucky if I have the energy to heat up leftovers or grab a bowl of cereal.
But on the weekends it's different. I go to my boyfriend and my house. Dan and I snuggle a lot, talk a lot and in generaI soak up each others presence. The in between times, we work on our own projects. Ibuy groceries and I become what Dan calls "The Mad Scientist". He says he calls me this because every time he passes the kitchen he sees food flying.
This is my form of nesting and it's a good one too since we've been living without heat for the past 3 weeks.
Our radiators all went in to be sandblasted, epoxied and painted. They're coming back today and tomorrow and we hope that by the weekend, we'll have warmth once again! Beleive me, you'll hear about it and see pictures too.
Anyway, last weekend I had so much fun! I made a crustless quiche for breakfast and I roasted a turkey breast for dinner whilst making a lovely beef stew in the crockpot!
It all turned out yummy and more importantly (even without heat) it felt like home.
I have to admit that the coach house where I live during the week is looking a little sad and neglected these days. A girl has to choose where her energy is going to go and right now it's work, Dan and the house.
It's raining out this morning which means no walk. My choice today is to run a bath, put some laundry in and clean up my livingroom which has taken on the feel of a war zone!
Everyone has struggles in their lives. I am trying to focus on everything beautiful in mine and always, always count my blessings.
There are good days and bad days but most days I'm very clear how lucky I am to have the man and home of my dreams. There is a notion that is ever present in my heart which is this;
I am always watched over and cared for. If I choose I can but reach out and find comfort and solace with my higher power and those that I love.
I am rich beyond measure!
Love,
Linder
I noticed on Facebook yesterday that almost everyone was experiencing gloomy weather.
A lot of people chose to stay indoors and craft, cook, read, build a fire and in general just nest and be cozy!
These are the things I do on the weekends.
My job demands a lot from me and at the end of my day, I'm so lucky if I have the energy to heat up leftovers or grab a bowl of cereal.
But on the weekends it's different. I go to my boyfriend and my house. Dan and I snuggle a lot, talk a lot and in generaI soak up each others presence. The in between times, we work on our own projects. Ibuy groceries and I become what Dan calls "The Mad Scientist". He says he calls me this because every time he passes the kitchen he sees food flying.
This is my form of nesting and it's a good one too since we've been living without heat for the past 3 weeks.
Our radiators all went in to be sandblasted, epoxied and painted. They're coming back today and tomorrow and we hope that by the weekend, we'll have warmth once again! Beleive me, you'll hear about it and see pictures too.
Anyway, last weekend I had so much fun! I made a crustless quiche for breakfast and I roasted a turkey breast for dinner whilst making a lovely beef stew in the crockpot!
It all turned out yummy and more importantly (even without heat) it felt like home.
I have to admit that the coach house where I live during the week is looking a little sad and neglected these days. A girl has to choose where her energy is going to go and right now it's work, Dan and the house.
It's raining out this morning which means no walk. My choice today is to run a bath, put some laundry in and clean up my livingroom which has taken on the feel of a war zone!
Everyone has struggles in their lives. I am trying to focus on everything beautiful in mine and always, always count my blessings.
There are good days and bad days but most days I'm very clear how lucky I am to have the man and home of my dreams. There is a notion that is ever present in my heart which is this;
I am always watched over and cared for. If I choose I can but reach out and find comfort and solace with my higher power and those that I love.
I am rich beyond measure!
Love,
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Crack Room panel peek
Underneath that awful paneling was this pretty wallpaper. Yes, it's red and black but so reminiscent of years past. Dan's nephew Bryan likened the pattern to a bandana.
When we get to the demo in this room, we're going to cut out a piece of this wallpaper underneath that we can frame and keep in honor of the house. I'm really pretty excited to see what else we find beneath these walls.
Renovation can be exhausting but little surprises like this are worth it!
The Crack Room!
Words cannot describe the feeling I had when I walked into the Master Bedroom.
70's paneling even on the beautiful bedroom door. And just for giggles, in the frenzy of our first day in the house, we decided to pull off some of that paneling and see what what underneath.
What can I say except that after that, the Master bedroom took on a look similar to well...a crack room!
Here is the proof. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the owner previous to the one we bought the house from, decided it would be a nifty idea to lay cork flooring on top of the hardwood floors! Yippee!
FYI, I'm having trouble with my pictures tonight so you'll have to wait for the ripped up wall pictures...sorry!
I'll try to post more tomorrow. Right now I'm going to turn off the computer and see if she'll behave if I give 'er a rest.
Have a great night!
Linder
70's paneling even on the beautiful bedroom door. And just for giggles, in the frenzy of our first day in the house, we decided to pull off some of that paneling and see what what underneath.
What can I say except that after that, the Master bedroom took on a look similar to well...a crack room!
FYI, I'm having trouble with my pictures tonight so you'll have to wait for the ripped up wall pictures...sorry!
I'll try to post more tomorrow. Right now I'm going to turn off the computer and see if she'll behave if I give 'er a rest.
Have a great night!
Linder
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Onward and upward to the 2nd floor "before" pictures
It's 35 degrees outside this morning with a wind chill making it feel like 29! Woo Hoo!
I love this weather.
I've got the tub filling and the iron warming up which tells me I have a few minutes to play here and start showing you the 2nd floor of our house.
The pictures above are of our guest room which we've recently named "The Paddington Room" Dan has a cool plaque from a train station in England that fits perfectly on the door and say "Paddington" hence the name of the room.
Ok, back to it...
These pictures are dark so I will explain. Orange carpeting and floral wallpaper.
These next few are brighter.
It's actually a very pretty room. At the moment this is the only completed room we have in the house. Although it's the guest room, Dan and I have made this home base. When you see the Master Bedroom or "The crack room" as we call it, you'll understand why!
Just around the corner is a full bath. Each bedroom has a full bath which for a Victorian is a dream come true. Obviously these were added later on, we think in the 40's or 50's. Hmm, let me clarify that the tub etc. went in then. As near as we can figure there was a pretty big remodel in the 70's.
I love this weather.
The pictures above are of our guest room which we've recently named "The Paddington Room" Dan has a cool plaque from a train station in England that fits perfectly on the door and say "Paddington" hence the name of the room.
Ok, back to it...
These pictures are dark so I will explain. Orange carpeting and floral wallpaper.
It's actually a very pretty room. At the moment this is the only completed room we have in the house. Although it's the guest room, Dan and I have made this home base. When you see the Master Bedroom or "The crack room" as we call it, you'll understand why!
Just around the corner is a full bath. Each bedroom has a full bath which for a Victorian is a dream come true. Obviously these were added later on, we think in the 40's or 50's. Hmm, let me clarify that the tub etc. went in then. As near as we can figure there was a pretty big remodel in the 70's.
It's a very large bathroom. The tile is what my friend Mary referred to as "chicken wire" tile. There's lots of tweaking to do in here but it's a very serviceable bath and for you soakers out there I must point out the depth of my tub. Ahhhhhh. A few essential oils and a good book and I will be gone for several hours.
Speaking of tubs, mine is ready. Time to get ready for work!
Enjoy the beautiful Fall day wherever you are!
Best,
Linder
In all the picture posting excitement I forgot..
The Livingroom pictures! Sheesh.
Here they are.
Here they are.
OK, now that's the entire first floor!
I'm just up and heading out for my morning walk. I'll post the 2nd floor when I get back.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Doh!
Man alive, what a rush! I posted all of those pictures and then...
Here's the last few.
The last picture from the last post was of our powder room. It sits right off the dining room on the main floor.
It's tiny and the floor tiles are mustard yellow and white.
Does it need to be said? Ok, it's going to go bye, bye too. We've already picked out some cool tile to go in there and the beauty part is that because it's so small it's going to cost us about $30.00 to install! How much do I love that!?
OK here is my last picture of the night and coincidentally the last picture on the first floor.
When Dan and I first saw the house, it was snowing outside. I walked into the powder room and saw this and thought..."I'm home".
Stay tuned for the 2nd floor "before" pictures starting tomorrow.
As my dear 'ol Dad would say "nigh, night sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!"
Night all! (yawn)
Here's the last few.
The last picture from the last post was of our powder room. It sits right off the dining room on the main floor.
Does it need to be said? Ok, it's going to go bye, bye too. We've already picked out some cool tile to go in there and the beauty part is that because it's so small it's going to cost us about $30.00 to install! How much do I love that!?
OK here is my last picture of the night and coincidentally the last picture on the first floor.
Stay tuned for the 2nd floor "before" pictures starting tomorrow.
As my dear 'ol Dad would say "nigh, night sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!"
Night all! (yawn)
By Jove, I think I've got it!
Thanks to FarmGirl Monica, I am going to attempt a death defying fete. Drumroll please...
I, the magnificent Linder am going to post more than one photo on the SAME post at the same time! (the audience all goes "Ooooohhhhh").
Can I have complete quiet in the room please, and kids DON'T try this at home.
What you are about to see is a skill that has taken me years to perfect (ok, 2 days tops if it works but who's counting?)
If I'm able to pull this off what you will see is the before pictures of my first floor, I KNOW, I've promised it before but I feel in my bones that it will work this time.
Here goes...
The Dining Room! Woo Hoo!
There's a lovely view into the backyard. We have bunnies and birds of all types, chipmunks and squirrels. We call it our Secret Garden. Hang on I'll post a picture of the backyard.
Isn't it pretty? It's a tiny slice of heaven for us. next year I want a little vegetable garden.
OK, back to the interior...
Here's another picture of the Dining Room.
Oh my God this is working! I am so excited I could wet myself.
(It's probably due to the color of those walls...yikes!)
Now a few pictures of the Sun Room and side porch.
Opposite this wall is a door that leads out to the screened in porch. It is the only way to get to the backyard right now.
What we've just decided to do is to close off that door or rather take it out and build in a wall. After that we'll build in a fireplace and make this a cozy little ante room off of the living room. Excellent idea, right?
We'll take out a window in the dining room and put the door to the screened in porch there instead. It makes more sense that way and I get my fireplace! Truthfully, even if it didn't make sense I'd say it did so I could get my fireplace. Ahhh greed. it works for me!
Here's the side porch (or screened in porch if you like).
All of this furniture came with the house. Right now it's being used as a workroom for painting and sawing etc.. Eventually it will be the house office. The window at the end of the porch is where we'll pit the door in.
Dare I finish off the first floor with the kitchen and powder room? YES, damnit I will, I'm on a roll and I can't be stopped now.
A few pictures of my 1970's kitchen. The stained glass window is real and it's a keeper!
I, the magnificent Linder am going to post more than one photo on the SAME post at the same time! (the audience all goes "Ooooohhhhh").
Can I have complete quiet in the room please, and kids DON'T try this at home.
What you are about to see is a skill that has taken me years to perfect (ok, 2 days tops if it works but who's counting?)
If I'm able to pull this off what you will see is the before pictures of my first floor, I KNOW, I've promised it before but I feel in my bones that it will work this time.
The Dining Room! Woo Hoo!
Isn't it pretty? It's a tiny slice of heaven for us. next year I want a little vegetable garden.
OK, back to the interior...
Oh my God this is working! I am so excited I could wet myself.
(It's probably due to the color of those walls...yikes!)
Opposite this wall is a door that leads out to the screened in porch. It is the only way to get to the backyard right now.
What we've just decided to do is to close off that door or rather take it out and build in a wall. After that we'll build in a fireplace and make this a cozy little ante room off of the living room. Excellent idea, right?
We'll take out a window in the dining room and put the door to the screened in porch there instead. It makes more sense that way and I get my fireplace! Truthfully, even if it didn't make sense I'd say it did so I could get my fireplace. Ahhh greed. it works for me!
All of this furniture came with the house. Right now it's being used as a workroom for painting and sawing etc.. Eventually it will be the house office. The window at the end of the porch is where we'll pit the door in.
Dare I finish off the first floor with the kitchen and powder room? YES, damnit I will, I'm on a roll and I can't be stopped now.
"Before picture" our entryway
You may notice 2 things immediately:
1. The handsome man in the doorway, that's Dan (lucky me!)
2. The grandeur of the peach wallpaper which blankets EVERYTHING. Yeah, wait til you see what happened next! I love demolition!
1. The handsome man in the doorway, that's Dan (lucky me!)
2. The grandeur of the peach wallpaper which blankets EVERYTHING. Yeah, wait til you see what happened next! I love demolition!
This is "Amanda" our Victorian home built in 1893
She's a little rough around the edges but a beauty to us nonetheless.
Soon we hope to add the front porch that was taken away so long ago and restore her to the gorgeous girl she once was.
Soon we hope to add the front porch that was taken away so long ago and restore her to the gorgeous girl she once was.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Welcome!
A little about me...
I am 49 years old and hail from Bellevue, WA. I relocated to Los Angeles, CA about 11 years ago where I began a career as a House Manager and Personal Assistant.
I was lucky enough to meet my boyfriend Dan there, whom very shortly after we met informed me that plans were in the works to move back to Chicago, IL where he was born and raised.
Dan and I conducted a long distance relationship over the next several years only seeing each other when our time and mostly finances permitted.
In June of 2008 my daughter Elora graduated from High School and gave me her blessing to make the move to Chicago to be with Dan and start a new life here. As providence would have it in July of 2008, I was hired and started a new job in Lake Forest, IL on a property where I now work and live.
Elora is attending college in Boston, MA and Dan is living in our recently purchased bastardized Victorian home in Evanston, IL.
Our house was built in 1893 and measures about 1500 sq. ft. not including the basement. The house which Dan calls "Amanda" has seen many changes over the years not all of which I would say are good ones!
The old girl has loads of charm and some (but not much) of the original work from when she was built.
It is our intention to restore her as beautifully and economically as we can which in and of itself is quite an undertaking especially when you consider that the bulk of my contributions are done on the weekends! God bless Dan for being so handy and most of all willing to work on and live in "Amanda" while she is being re-invented.
I have loads of pictures and information to share. Initially, I'll catch you up to where we are now.
So grab a cup of your favorite beverage and enjoy!
Best,
Linda
I am 49 years old and hail from Bellevue, WA. I relocated to Los Angeles, CA about 11 years ago where I began a career as a House Manager and Personal Assistant.
I was lucky enough to meet my boyfriend Dan there, whom very shortly after we met informed me that plans were in the works to move back to Chicago, IL where he was born and raised.
Dan and I conducted a long distance relationship over the next several years only seeing each other when our time and mostly finances permitted.
In June of 2008 my daughter Elora graduated from High School and gave me her blessing to make the move to Chicago to be with Dan and start a new life here. As providence would have it in July of 2008, I was hired and started a new job in Lake Forest, IL on a property where I now work and live.
Elora is attending college in Boston, MA and Dan is living in our recently purchased bastardized Victorian home in Evanston, IL.
Our house was built in 1893 and measures about 1500 sq. ft. not including the basement. The house which Dan calls "Amanda" has seen many changes over the years not all of which I would say are good ones!
The old girl has loads of charm and some (but not much) of the original work from when she was built.
It is our intention to restore her as beautifully and economically as we can which in and of itself is quite an undertaking especially when you consider that the bulk of my contributions are done on the weekends! God bless Dan for being so handy and most of all willing to work on and live in "Amanda" while she is being re-invented.
I have loads of pictures and information to share. Initially, I'll catch you up to where we are now.
So grab a cup of your favorite beverage and enjoy!
Best,
Linda
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