As predicted and undesired, the snow came. Two to four inches predicted. Some last night. More this afternoon. And, maybe more tonight. Guess we'll be out shoveling this afternoon. I understand that some folks are looking forward to working in their gardens this weekend. Good for them. I'm envious.
Below are some photos I just took to show the amount we have gotten so far. It looks worse in the front of the house. There is more on the way. This batch came from the North. The next batch will be coming from the South. I'm not complaining. I just want Spring to get serious.
I took this photo because I like the linear effect.
The plot on the far side of the step is where our Kockout Rose bushes and Catmint plants are located. We trimmed them back a couple of weeks ago in preparation for Spring. We do it every year. As they grow, I will post photos.
This robin is probably asking the same question I am, "If robins are a harbinger of Spring, where did all of this snow come from? And, it's cold, too".
There is something quite beautiful about a cardinal and the snow. He was in the burning bush just on the other side of the fence. As I was trying to take the photo through the window, he must have caught the motion and moved to a safer place. He is still beautiful.
I waited a while and sure enough the cardinal returned to the tree and the bush.
A telephoto lens works wonders, even when shooting through a window.
At last the redecorating project is complete. The concept of the project was the removal of lots of wall paper and have it replaced with paint. Apparently, wall paper is becoming passe. Hey, you gotta watch the redecorating shows on HGTV and such to keep up to date.
Phase 1 showed the place in disarray. We had to move a lot of stuff to make room for the professionals to come in and do their respective things. First were the paper removers. Then Phase 2 got underway with the painters coming in and painting all of those bare walls and some others where the paint needed to be renewed. It has been about 12 (plus or minus) years since the last update.
After that the faux finishers came in and worked their magic which was Phase 3. In the dining room they put in vertical stripes of the same color. The stripes alternated between egg shell and satin. It gives a unique effect and we didn't have to remove the chair rail. In the great room the did the faux finish. Here they used the same color of paint as the base coat. The difference is the manner in which the top coat was applied. The wrapped a wad of cloth in plastic wrap and applied the paint that way. It took quite a few days for the top coat to dry due to the depth of the paint. In the end it looks almost like leather. The colors are quite different from before the project started, but we really like the warmth that has been added to the home.
Phase 4 was the final phase. This is where Maryann and I put everything back in its place. Hanging the drapes back up in the great room was easier than either of us thought it would be. I think we had more trouble hanging the mirror in the upstairs sitting room. Of course, hanging the mirror in the great room was fun too. Among the chores was the need to polish furniture and kitchen/powder room/laundry cabinets. It took us about five days to get everything back in place. I have to admit it was a lot of work, but very satisfying. All in all it was a great project and we are pleased with the results. #315
These are photos of the faux paint finishes being applied to the dining room and great room. All we have to do now is wait for the paint to dry, and put everything back where it belongs. The photos for that will constitute phase 4. I suppose that a more detailed explanation is in order. It will be forthcoming on the next posting.
Next week the final group of painters come to put the finishing touches to our current redecorating project. New photos will be available then. We have had a great time putting things back.
We have been busy with redecorating. Actually we hired a team of guys to remove the wall paper. The painters will be along shortly, with a little bit of luck.
Since our return trip we have been doing lots of things to catch up on all of the chores we had to do to get the old homestead back in order.
While working on the patio about a week ago we discovered we had a visitor. It came from under the hot tub. I think it has moved on. We haven't seen it since. It was nice to have him/her around.
At that time we were having some plants replaced that didn't make it from the patio redo last year. Now were are waiting for the new chair covers. When they arrive and are installed there will be photos forthcoming. In the meantime, enjoy the turtle and the Clematis.
This is what it looked like from the end of our driveway when I went out to get the paper this morning. Last week this time that was all sleety ice, but not quite as deep. This should be somewhere between 3 & 6 inches.
It's nice to have a garage. The Del Sol really likes it.
With a little bit of luck our neighbor will come across the street and clear it off for us. I did help them remove the sleety ice from their driveway yesterday.
Update: Same day, 12:40 PM
George, the neighbor with the snow blower called after I posted the above information. There have been occasions when he calls us by mistake. Apparently his boss's phone number is very close to ours. (Two numbers reversed.) After identifying myself, I asked if he wanted to talk to me or his boss. This time it was me he wanted. He then asked if I wanted a blow job. Needless to say, I laughed long and loud. (You thought I might have said long and hard, didn't you? 'fess up now, it did cross your mind.) I told him that would be acceptable. He said he would upon completing a job for his boss.
So here is George blowing snow. The kid with him lives next door to me and is not related to either of us. The kid thought that it would be more fun dodging snow from the snow blower than snow balls thrown by his brother, sister, their friend and his dear dad.
After the older brother had his fun with the snow blower the younger kids thought it might be fun too. That worked for a while until they decided to get closer to the blower. We had to put a stop to that prior to someone getting hurt.
As you can see George did a great job. I did have to take the manual snow removal device, i.e., snow shovel, to take the snow off of the walk after more was blown up on it.
We are now ready to receive our dinner guests (George and Gale) this evening. I did go over to his house to help him get most of the ice off of his driveway. After all what are friends for? Did I mention that George is also a retired Army officer? #81
I took this photo because I like the linear effect.
The plot on the far side of the step is where our Kockout Rose bushes and Catmint plants are located. We trimmed them back a couple of weeks ago in preparation for Spring. We do it every year. As they grow, I will post photos.
This robin is probably asking the same question I am, "If robins are a harbinger of Spring, where did all of this snow come from? And, it's cold, too".
There is something quite beautiful about a cardinal and the snow. He was in the burning bush just on the other side of the fence. As I was trying to take the photo through the window, he must have caught the motion and moved to a safer place. He is still beautiful.
I waited a while and sure enough the cardinal returned to the tree and the bush.
A telephoto lens works wonders, even when shooting through a window.
Enjoy!
I took this photo because I like the linear effect.
The plot on the far side of the step is where our Kockout Rose bushes and Catmint plants are located. We trimmed them back a couple of weeks ago in preparation for Spring. We do it every year. As they grow, I will post photos.
This robin is probably asking the same question I am, "If robins are a harbinger of Spring, where did all of this snow come from? And, it's cold, too".
There is something quite beautiful about a cardinal and the snow. He was in the burning bush just on the other side of the fence. As I was trying to take the photo through the window, he must have caught the motion and moved to a safer place. He is still beautiful.
I waited a while and sure enough the cardinal returned to the tree and the bush.
A telephoto lens works wonders, even when shooting through a window.
Enjoy!
