Viking Range

For the past several years our kitchen floors were a tan, tile-look vinyl. It was a huge upgrade from what they used to be.
When I grew up in our little square farmhouse our kitchen floors were a not-so lovely linoleum. The color, well...is best described as vomit. I know. Yum. Under that layer of vom... linoleum was another layer of linoleum. That layer was similar in color...just more green swirls instead of brown swirls. Under the second layer was maple flooring original to our house. I always wanted to unbury the maple and refinish it, but knew we could encounter a surprise such as an old patch, burn marks or something like that.
Usually when we tackle a big project around here, it because of a "one thing led to another" scenario. That's what happened with my kitchen floor.

I have been using my mamas old gas range. It's a late 80's early 90's Whirlpool LP range. My mom got it used, and it served her well. Really, it served us all well. Many, many people were fed fabulous meals on my Mama's gas range, but it has seen it's day.
We have been saving and looking for a new/used range for quite some time. I knew I wanted a pro-style range, and I wanted (and have been dreaming about) something 36" wide or wider with convection bake and a grill or griddle... Well, several weeks ago we found one on Craigslist...with the matching hood! The price was nothing short of a miracle. It was very well cared for, and it amazing shape especially since it was built in 1997!

To make a long story short, we moved the range into the house. (All 450 lbs of it) I didn't want to move it to the kitchen until I took out the old flooring. So, as I mentioned, "One thing led to another." and I started ripping out the old flooring.

Sprained Ankle

Don't you just hate it when an injury or sickness keeps you from doing what you need to do? I HATE that!

My husband and I have been working hard to finish up a kitchen reno we've been working on for 3 months now. This is our last week there, so all those little details need to be finished. Last week I took a couple of days off, because I hurt my back.  I sat at home unable to work on the Reno and  unable to get things done in my own home. Grrr!  Same type of thing happened on Monday.

 I worked on the reno, got groceries, drove home so happy. The sun was shining, little glimpses of green popping out of the brown snow. (Isn't it so ugly this time of year?)
I arrived home, and made one trip in the house with an armful of groceries. I stepped out our back door to go back for more. As I sprung out the door, I stepped down and rolled my ankle on our welcome mat!  Hold on....That's not it...there's more. I rolled my ankle, insert loud cracking noise here, fell off the step and landed directly in the muddy flower bed below. (This was the second time this EXACT thing happened since October...Don't laugh). It knocked the wind out of me. I could barely breathe, and I couldn't move. I was SO angry. It was the same icky "Oh my gosh, I cannot believe that just happened, I have WAY too much to do in my life" feeling...You know, that one?

I finally threw out the doormat

I let our homeowner know what happened. She was great, and directed me to a physical therapist who also specializes in pain management.
Indeed, I have a bad sprain. While assessing my damage, I mentioned that I have dislocated my shoulder 9 times in 23 years, and have lost mobility for the last 15. Through breathing techniques and light pressure, he helped me get more mobility in my shoulder than I have ever had. It was amazing. We talked about foods and the benefit of cutting certain things out. Why gluten intolerance has become more prevalent in recent years and how antibiotics in meat is basically killing people. It was an amazing experience, unlike any "healthcare" experience I have ever had. I will be going back.

Do  you have an amazing alternative healthcare provider that you trust?

A Busy Week...

Okay, so it's been almost two weeks since my last post. Don't judge...I've been busy.

I keep putting off posts for better photos, but then I forget to take better photos...So.... I'm just outing random ones up so you can see at least some progress!

Last week, we made new cabinet doors for the island, and finished painting and glazing the old cabinet doors for the "new" look. This week the back splash was installed along with lots of little things I'm sure you don't care to hear about.

After our loooong cold winter, (which isn't over yet) I had a chance to get out to my studio and throw a few bowls. Even though we had a heater out there all winter, my clay still froze. All is good now. Yay!!

Then, last Sunday my baby Hannah (she's 18) and I went to an awesome concert in Chippewa Falls. When Jody and I got married I went online searching for music...I found a video of Anna Johnson and her sister Julia singing at a coffee shop. I was blown away by their perfect, clear voices and beautiful harmony. Without gushing, I am a HUGE fan.

Anyway, I hope you have a great week!

Before and after cupboard doors

Maybe as time marches on I will become more consistent with my posts. I hope so. We have been WAY too busy lately, but busy is good, so I'm thankful.

We are nearing the home stretch of a kitchen renovation for a friend. The old plywood cabinets were saved and painted. We added some trim and moulding, Then gave it a glaze finish. The homeowner worked on them right beside me. It was great to have her input!

LEFT: Getting trim-  RIGHT: Trimmed and painted

LEFT: Painted - RIGHT: Glazed

We will be off to work soon, more photos to come! Have a great day!!

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.