No, we didn't take a trip to the grocery on an empty stomach and buy everything in sight. No, we aren't packing for an eight-week camping trip. We just decided to empty and freshen up our pantry with a coat of paint. Isn't that what every hip and happenin' couple does on the weekend these days? No fancy parties or chic clubs for the Chez Ragged inhabitants. We traded our dancing shoes for paint splattered socks.
Actually I can't take much credit for our new and improved food storage area, my dear Cynical dug in this project while I was away at play on Saturday. However, I did catch the home improvement vibe and knocked out one of my projects: freshening up our fireplace.
It's amazing what a little paint can do. Our pantry had been stripped of its oh-so-attractive contact paper whenever we first moved in here, but alas, lack of time and interest meant it never was painted as planned.
Over Christmas break I did paint the back of the door and that's as far as my painting enthusiasm took me. Cynical, however, managed to muster the gumption to take on this task. Not only did he paint my pantry a beautiful bright white, but he also cut and is securing linoleum to cover up the nasty yellow stuff underneath. It will even have a true-blue threshhold. I am such a lucky girl. I have some handy baskets to place inside to organize all of the stuff and soon we will be the fanciest couple on the block.
Before
Our fireplace was going to look a little shabby once we got our shiny new floors, so I decided to freshen it up with some new black paint. Yes, it was black before, and I liked the look, so I didn't venture far from the original appearance. Why fix it if it ain't broke.
After
It was a tedious job, assuring good coverage on old brick. It was further complicated whenever Cooper tested the paint with his right paw and then took off through the house. It got even more harrowing when Eli followed suit and for about 15 minutes both Cynical and I were retracing their paths to assure they hadn't left a trail. God bless latex paint.
It's been a productive and good weekend overall. On Friday night I continued my birthday celebration (it's still May, so it's still legal) with a girls' night out with some friends and former colleagues. It's amazing how much I miss them and how I didn't want the night to end. We had a wonderful meal at a cozy little local restaurant with the best ever spinach salad. Afterward we walked along beside the riverfront, watched as prom-goers glided along to their big event and basically gabbed, laughed, watched the water and bonded. I couldn't have asked for a better way to wrap up my birthday.
Yesterday I ventured to Newburgh and Evansville to pick up some knitting supplies (a needle to further my habit) and to visit a dear college friend. On the way to pick up my goodies, I noticed that the little town of Newburgh was hosting a wine fest and I made a mental note to stop back by on my way home to peruse the art portion of the local fair.
I was so very glad to meet Scribe M for lunch and only sorry that we had to part as she spent some time with her family and I made my way home. (I gifted her two dishcloths and a new shirt as her birthday was Friday.) The trip home was made brighter as I made a few stops and then headed to the wine festival. Drawn to pottery, I found beautifully crafted and designed pieces. Wishing I was independently wealthy and had the space for several items, I simply looked and didn't buy. It was a wonderfully peaceful afternoon, walking along the riverfront yet again, looking at such talent.
I made my way home to Cynical and our newly painted pantry. He cooked a yummy dinner for us and we both relaxed: me knitting and watching television, him on the computer, watching along with me.
I stayed up late finishing yet another dish cloth and tackling a more complicated version while Cynical snoozed next to me. We awoke this morning ready for the tasks at hand. The pantry needed another coat of paint (hence every flat surface in our kitchen is still covered with its contents) and I had to tackle the fireplace.
Cynical, the gardener that he is, is mowing the yard now and I am preparing for the week yet again. Our weekend was full, but was gone much to quickly, leaving us with a mess to clean up in the kitchen, the smell of fresh paint and the will to dig in deeper on our home improvement checklist.
2 comments:
So have you decided to stay...redneck neighbors and all or are you getting it ready to put it up to sell?
It looks so bright and clean. I love to stack and sort, so the task you have coming up of reloading the shelves really appeals to me.
And as to the contents of the pantry, my eye was drawn to the Quaker oatmeal. Yum, I love the stuff...a little sugar, a little milk, a few raisons, some walnuts, and it can't be beat for taste and health.
Kudos on a productive weekend! I need a nap after just reading about all the activity. :)
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