re:post

a few more pics of the [near] final products...

re:entry

we have a new door! dave and anthony installed it this morning!

just getting started...



lucy guarding the tools...


inside view -


cutting back the siding for the new trim...






trimmed out (still need a drip cap at the top)...




and with the primer coat of paint on the trim...


tomorrow we will fill the screw holes, caulk, and paint the trim.
(old door still on the front porch) -


and the shed is coming along as well!






and the four interior doors we ordered are in-house and ready to be painted.


it was a reeaaaaallllyyyy hot day today, so we're exhausted and our a/c is working overtime now to try to cool the house back down, but we're so happy with our new door. many thanks to new daddy dave for building it and helping us install it!

re:tain

anthony started framing the shed this weekend (the foundation was completed last weekend). the rest of our progress on the house depends on getting the shed done so we have a place to store all of our tools/equipment/yard stuff that's currently in our family room.








we're still trying to decide how to clad it, but we're leaning towards 2x2s on the top 1/3 and T1-11 plywood (running horizontal) or corrugated metal for the bottom 2/3.
update - like this:




kitten update:
i made good progress socializing the kittens. they were letting me come up to them and pick them up without scattering or hissing. unfortunately someone has now walked off with two of them (in separate incidents when no one was around) - hopefully to take them to good homes. only the cute whiter one is left now.

re:landscape

with a $300 investment in plants, soil, peat and pine straw and taking a few extra bulbs from a friend's yard, this weekend we worked on increasing our curb appeal and making the deck more lush and inviting...























now we just have to cross our fingers that this side of the house gets enough sun for these plants to stay alive!

and here's an update to our redamndiculous list:


some of these items are in progress (front door, doors) and now we've made a little progress on that last item on the list as well. up next will be a small shed, and stair treads and the family room floor. slowly but surely...

re:laxing

anthony finished up the majority of the deck on saturday, and we spent the weekend entertaining guests for cookouts!




it's so nice, especially with the pecan tree leafing out and giving us some dappled shade. now that the painters are done we'll start some landscaping projects soon - before it gets too hot.

we still have to build two small steps - one from the ground to the first platform and one between the platform and the deck, and then just close in the bottom with 1x4s and seal the whole thing. but it's enjoyable now as-is!

re:visit

we had our first overnight guests this weekend for easter (anthony's parents), so we worked to make the house as comfortable as a house can be without any interior doors...

using some of our construction paraphernalia for decor -




some of our recent ikea purchases -




the new kitchen was in full effect for easter dinner (setting off the smoke detectors on preheating the oven for the first time - that was fun).




love this view through the dining room -


we got the pantry functional just in time for the first big meal too -


anthony's parents brought down this very cool vintage radio that was in their attic -


love it! as far as house projects go, anthony framed the deck last weekend, so next up are decking and stairs...


and we put up yet another paint sample - renwick olive - bottom center of the window.


and the close up - renwick olive above the avocado. i'll have to try another photo at a different time of day, maybe. what do all you avocado lovers think of renwick olive? its more earthy, i think. not as punchy. avocado on the entire house might be too much green.


i'm happy to hear any comments or recommendations you may have!

re:ciprocate

this weekend we commenced work on the new deck in the backyard, off the family room. anthony dug some holes and put some gravel in the bottom, and we mixed some concrete to pour some footings.






and, for the past several weeks, our friend dave has been working on a new front door for us to replace our cheap hollow-core aluminum front door. he and anthony fit in a few hours working on it here and there, and anthony helps out as best he can, but dave's doing a really nice thing for us.


the door is mahogany with a single panel on the bottom, and the top will have 3 lites of glass to match our windows. it should be ready to be hung in a few weeks or so.


it's great having friends who are handy (or woodworkers, in dave's case) and who are also doing renovation projects, so we can take turns working on each others' houses. dave recently finished building a garage and is getting ready to start an addition on his house. we'll be paying him back for our door soon enough... :)