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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Chaos In A Wee Bit Housie


(Are you looking for the Apple Tart recipe linked from BJ's or Lady Katharine's blog?  Click here!)
 
Ol' Robert Burns, the Scottish poet, had the skinny
on God's creatures when he wrote:

The best laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft a-gley.


Yes, Robert Burns talked funny, but we get his drift.
************************************************
 My kitchen painting has been merrily ganging a-gley for three weeks now.
Yesterday I planned on spending the entire day, paintbrush in hand,
making magic happen with my dear buddy Mr. Sherwin Williams, a bit of sandpaper,
and a good Purdy 1-1/2 inch slant bristle brush.

Finishing first coats on these:

 I've got tables full of semi-painted cabinet doors all over the kitchen, study and sunroom -- everywhere!
 See?  Everywhere!

I wanted to put a second coat on the frames:


But in a twist that Mr. Burns would appreciate,
I instead spent the day with my dad, who needed a little assistance after a fall overnight.
I got home just before dark, and painted till almost 9 p.m.

I got first coats of paint on everything, including the little space at the top of the
cellar stairs where we hang our coats.  We hang them when there is no wet paint in the vicinity.
Oh, Howard.  I hope that door trim paint was dry
before you tossed your coat on that hook!

Still need to wallpaper that stair wall . . . .
My house is a mess.  As Robbie Burns would say, "Thy wee bit housie, too, in ruin"
 Yes, he really did write that.  The poem is to a mouse whose nest is ploughed under.

Anyway, in my wee bit housie, there is kitchen stuff everywhere, although I did put back some of the
dishes that live in the old walnut cupboard, above. But it is also holding things
from inside cabinets.  Or from countertops.
Or, boxes of stuff we don't want Dion fetching out of now-door-less cupboards.

He has already hooked a box of Stoned Wheat Crackers, and honestly -- he is no help at all.
He naps under the tables while I paint.  Earn your keep, man!
Every once in awhile I look again at my inspiration picture, and think,
"Yes, it will be worth it."  It's my mantra.

And I'll keep thinking that later this afternoon, when I have to go back to my Dad.
He is way more important than Mr. Sherwin Williams, any day.


Have a lovely Tuesday,  my friends ...
I am going back to painting and a LibriVox recording of The Woman In White -- Cass


Sugar Bee Craft Edition blog is sponsoring Take-a-Look Tuesday.  Loads of ideas.
Click here to visit or join!


And Tam at The Gypsy's Corner
is back with another
Three Or More Tuesday...
you never know
what you will find!
Click here to visit or join!

26 comments:

  1. Cass, it will get done and you are such a good daughter! ♥O

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  2. I hope your father is ok.

    The kitchen will be beautiful and you will appreciate it more from all your hard work.

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  3. Hi Cass,
    You'll get used to having all the doors hanging around and won't ever want to put them back on. Okay not really, but really everything is coming along nicely. I can't believe how it really is looking like the picture. A change of pace this afternoon after all that painting might not be a bad idea, you'll catch up later. Someday you might even get to relax a little yourself!
    Valerie

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  4. That is going to be so lovely!! I can't wait to see it all finished:) Hope your dad is OK!

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  5. Sending get-well wishes to your dad I hope he is feeling better soon.
    I think your kitchen is going to be just gorgeous, if it turns out anything close to your inspiration piece, then it will !

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  6. Hope your Dad is ok.
    They did talk funny back then didn't they. :-D

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  7. Best wishes for your Dad. What a big task you are undertaking. I wish you well with the results.

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  8. Ah yes-the best laid plans of mice and men! If you want a good belly laugh ready Burn's poem..Bessie's Boil...Says I to my missus ba'goom lass..You've something I see on your mind.. and on it goes... I must have read that poem a hundred times (hearing it first from my father & then on to my children)

    Anyway- Your kitchen can wait. Dads are much more important. I know how anxious it is to have a parent that is starting to falter-having been there myself. Just keep looking at that inspiration picture and saying...someday..someday... Meanwhile, I also know how hard it is to live with the mess... Hugs- Diana

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  9. Hi Cass. I hope your Dad will be doing better really soon! You're a wonderful daughter to leave your busyness and go be with him!
    Can't wait to see it all finished! :)
    I went to see Mr. Sherwin Williams this afternoon myself.
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;O

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  10. Oh Cass, what an unpleasant reminder you've given me of a task I need to finish. It's only been 3 years since I started my bottom cupboards...it was such a mess I'm still regretting finishing the top ones. But, I think I will try to find my inspiration magazine picture and get back at it again. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  11. You are a wonderful daughter and person.
    Wishing your dad well and you rested. (((hugs)))

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  12. I'm so sorry about your dad's fall and hope he is on the mend. The painting can wait. It looks like you are really progressing well!

    XO,
    Jane

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  13. Ohh, I bet you are just a wee bit tired! Take care of yourself and your Dad, kitchen will always be there waiting for you.

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  14. Hi Cass, I hope your Dad is recovering from his fall. If the kitchen does not get done for Thanksgiving, there is Christmas. Take care of yourself.

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  15. Hi Kass,
    Your kitchen is going to be SO gorgeous when you are through. I love your sense of humor, most important in times of busy-ness and troubles.
    Hugs, Cindy

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  16. Hope your dad is OK. Love those Robbie Burns quotes! Yes, looking more like your inspiration picture every day...

    Pam

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  17. I don't know where you get your energy, Cass!
    That inspiration photo will still be fresh when you get back from being with your dad.

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  18. Oh, I do hope your Dad is feeling better. It is so hard when our parents get older. I lost my Mom in January and miss her every single day. As far as your kitchen goes, what a huge job! The inspiration magazine photo is worth it though.

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  19. I hope Pop Pop is feeling better.
    And DIY is like cleaning out closets; it always looks like a disaster midway...and its always worth it in the end.

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  20. I came from 'BJ's' for the apple tart.

    But must tell you, I sooooooooo love your old house! Oh how lucky you are. It's just beautiful.

    Oh and that bottle of Jack on the kitchen counter? No need to explain. Any counter is well decorated, by a bottle of Jack. ,-)))) You might add a little, to the next tart you make, even. ,-)

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  21. Visiting a blog to watch paint dry....
    Looks great so far!

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  22. Ah Phyllis, the only thing better would be visiting a blog to watch grass grow.
    Love, your S-I-L :-)
    PS don't forget cranberry pie for Thanksgiving!

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  23. Despite the setbacks your kitchen is coming along nicely. Look at it this way, when you can get back to it your paint will be nice and dry and ready for the second coat. I'm hoping your Dad is doing better. Hang in there!

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  24. Cass,

    Your kitchen looks like mine and sadly, I am not painting. HA! I adore the wall paper. Your cabinets will look spectacular when finished. We will be moving onto our kitchen after the new year. I knew if I started it before Thanksgiving, we'd be making reservations for the holiday feast. I admire your energy. Bottle it and sell on etsy.

    Your Friend,
    Deborah

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  25. oh, I hope your dad is doing well today. Painting kitchen? Mine has been torn up for weeks. My goal is also t'giving! I only hope!
    I can't wait to see your reveal!
    gail

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  26. It looks like the kitchen project is going well! I can't wait to see it when it's done (I have a severe case of kitchen envy!) it's going to look sooooooo gorgeous. The inspiration picture always makes me drool too.

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