Little Bistro Face-Lift

When I was young I went to a lot of garage sales. It's something I still like to do, but don't get a chance to do often. It's like treasure hunting... I love it! There's nothing like rooting through some one else's junk and finding something special, better yet, something I need!

In my mid 20's I had a perfect little space for a bistro table and chairs, so I began looking for a set. Within no time, I found a little brown set with beige cushions. (I know...delightful.) The price was great. I purchased it for $25!  I wish I had "before" pictures of that!
I spray painted the set red, and it lasted for years. A few days ago I decided it was time for another redo.

Red is one of my favorite colors, so I bought the most inexpensive red spray paint I could find ($1.52 a can at wal-mart) and sprayed away. (I only needed one can!) Then, I tackled the cushions.

I had left-over outdoor fabric from another project that is fade resistant, but if it rains it still gets wet. I decided to remedy this by purchasing a yard of heavy, clear vinyl to layer over the fabric.

Since the old cushions were destroyed, I bought some outdoor plywood and cut new bases for the seats. Then, I used left-over seat foam from my piano bench project, and cut out the rounds.

I used a staple gun to attach the vinyl and fabric to the base.

My little bistro set will continue to be a great spot for morning coffee for years to come!

New Cookbook Shelf

My kitchen has very little storage. It's the original 1920's kitchen...2 little upper cabinets, and a 10 foot bank of lowers. When I moved back in 5 years ago, I added shelves on the wall by the range. They have been great for mason jars full of rice, beans and noodles and other sundries.  An antique dresser has been handy storage for my baking sheets and pans, but my cookbooks have never really had a good home in my kitchen. I finally figured something out this morning.

I have a small cabinet that wasn't being used very well. It held a large slow-cooker and a waffle iron, but not much else fit. I thought it might make a good cookbook shelf, so I took the door off the hinges.

As it turns out, my cookbooks fit perfectly. I even had room to store some bowls that have been taking up my precious counter space. I put my rarely used books on the bottom shelf, and the ones I use most often on the top.

Of course, no cookbook shelf is complete without a cute little mouse!

Stripping the floors

Getting my new range was such a dream. I know I'm goofy, but here it goes...It was a dream come true. Since I was in my early 20's I wanted a Viking or a Wolf range. *Sigh*
But putting it on vinyl floors...not a dream. So I told Jody  that I would like to rip out the floors myself. (He had no problem with that.)

So, started removing the old 3 layers of flooring.

I found a LOT of old glue on the maple.

If you want to strip your floors yourself. Some advice: Give yourself a few days, and make an appointment in advance with a massage therapist. You're gonna need it.

I figured with such a small kitchen, this would be a piece of cake. Nope. Old glue on an old floor = Lots of work and chemicals. I used good, old fashioned Zip Strip and a putty knife. Open some windows and wear a mask and gloves made specifically for chemicals.

The floors took me about 3 days to rip apart and strip. They are still not sanded or refinished, but someday, when we remodel the kitchen we will sand, stain and polyurethane. For now, I am more than satisfied. 

My husband really likes our range. :)

Where I Began...

I figured a suitable place to start would be at the beginning.
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth..." Yes, this is what I believe, and without Him I wouldn't have a beginning. However, The "beginning" I am going to share is where I came from and how I arrived at the "litttle sqaure farmhouse". (Don't worry, it will be the short version!) ;)

 When I was four years old my parents moved my two older brothers and me to Wisconsin. We moved around a lot and lived in rental properties until  my parents bought a little square farmhouse in the country just outside of beautiful Maiden Rock. I was thirteen years old when we moved here, and when I was sixteen my parents added the last of my siblings to our family. At one time, there were eleven people living in this farmhouse. Yes, nine kids. Seven boys, 2 girls. We were home-schooled, so the house was busy  ALL. THE. TIME! The farmhouse was REALLY ugly when we first moved here. But it was home...It was our home.

Our home...and our transportation...(barf!)

I would lay awake at night and think about what I would do to the farmhouse if it were my own...

Fast forward, many years later.

My dad passed way, my mom finished raising the last six kids here, and was later remarried to a wonderful man from Kentucky.  The last of my siblings were moving away, and as this little square farmhouse was becoming empty, I became a divorced mom of two beautiful daughters and a full-time college student looking for a place to live.

In 2008, I moved back in and began renovations right away.