Field Trips & Fresh Paint

Thank you for the encouraging comments and emails

I received on my last post.

I appreciate that I can be open with you.

And thank you Kelly for your contagious enthusiasm!

About a month ago

we had our house painted.

Although you may not notice a difference,

you must know that it IS a different color..

a weeeeee bit different.
We were inspired by our trip last Fall
to Annapolis, MD.
The architecture of our home seems to fit in
better with that part of the country.
A variation of the Cape Cod style.

Here is a
 BEFORE PICTURE:

We live on a hill, so the wall slants with the street. This photo is prior to moving in.
We have made a lot of changes to the yard.  We are trying to use
landscaping to "balance" the yard with the house.
I missed the opportunity to paint the concrete wall a natural color
this summer, but its on the list for
next year.  

The house was already a bright "primer" white color.
We decided on a creamier off white color called "Dover White"

We had all the blue/green trim painted in 

the same white color.

It makes the house appear larger,

and doesn't draw attention to the window trim 

(or lack of window trim, really)

This is a creamy white that is soft and warm

but does not have a strong yellow tint.

The goal was to create a warmth, as though the evening sun was

glowing upon it.

AFTER:

There was a hedge of scraggly roses along the sidewalk.
It was if they had arms! They'd attack our legs
when we passed through!  We added sod and are hoping it will
blend in with the existing lawn soon:)

The previous owner had gone over the house 

with a spray primer without doing

the necessary prep work.

Boy did it need PREP work!

Its still the original 3/4" Cedar siding from when the house

was built in the 1930's.

The Cedar is still is GREAT shape

except for some areas of dry rot

and abuse from the weather,

which caused some peeling and flaking.

There were also places that bubbled up whenever

it got hot outside.

We found out later that you are never supposed

to caulk under the edge of Cedar siding.

This was done years before we moved in, 

so there is nothing we can do 

about it at this point.

When Cedar siding is caulked,

primed and painted,

the wood can't breathe.

It needs to release air pressure,
 causing the paint to bubble.

Honestly, we thought the painter was trying to pull our leg,

 but it made sense.

As the temperatures cooled off

the bubbles shrank back.

We were told that the paint should not peel away

at the bubbling for several years,

but we need to stay on top of the maintenance.

Apparently, this is the same reason our attic storage spaces under

the eaves retain dampness.

(Thank goodness for Damp Rid!!!)

Another option is to have siding vents installed all over
the exterior of the house, but that sure

doesn't sound very attractive.

For now...we will enjoy the clean creamy white as it is.

Later, we are planning to add color with shutters
and more landscaping.

That will be a Spring project! 

                    

Views from our front steps.
The quality pretty much stinks...again, its my cell phone
Sorry Folks!!

During the prep work,

I asked the painters to remove the tile numbers above the door.

They were very popular in the 1990's.

I wanted a clean look,

so they had to go.

After about 2 weeks, I realized we had not put up

new house numbers!

I mean, what if we needed a pizza delivered, right?

So,

I really wanted to do a beautiful metal plaque

with the house numbers

and attach it to the very tall concrete wall at the street.

But I still need to repaint the concrete.

So I went to Lowe's!

On the Summer clearance, I found this outdoor concrete plaque

in green. 

It has a Daisy pattern etched in and glazed in a mocha.

I liked how the green would "pop" against

the crisp white siding.

The size was perfect...and for only $11.00

(plus the 10% military discount)

it was a bargain.

I found aged copper 5" house numbers

at $5.00 a piece.

I have not decided on where to hang it yet.

I put it on our bench for the pictures.

I also planted the front pots for Fall.

I love the color combination!
Did you see the (dead) sunflowers on the bench?
They are from our garden.
They were full of seeds.
Its been fun watching the squirrels steal them one by one.
They drag the entire flower across the yard.
*Determination*

BTW... I  subbed a few days last week for Elementary School.
The kids were so stinkin' cute!  Such enthusiasm.

I love subbing. It's a perfect balance.

I can work according to my schedule,

and still do projects and work towards my big goal.

On Thursday

I took the Edmonds/Kingston Ferry over to spend
time with my friend Leslie.
We went to a wonderful place called
The Spare Room

My beautiful friend Leslie drooling over the stuff at
 The Spare Room

Yummy!

While there I found a gorgeous scarf that looks like burlap,
but is sooooo soft and feminine.  I also
found a beautiful glass bead bracelet for only $10!
(The store I worked at in Poulsbo had them
overpriced at $39 for the SAME exact bracelet.)






There are two Spare Room locations.
  Everett and Camano Island.
My friends from Shabby Stuff have a booth
inside the Camano Island location.
Both locations are filled with beautiful and reasonably
priced furniture & gifts!

Then, Leslie took me out for a lovely lunch
on the water as a belated Birthday gift.
It was very, very sweet.
*Thank you Les!*

Our family had a GREAT weekend too.
Here is a quick rundown...
Friday night high school Football...wooo hoooo!

Saturday:  Shelton Oyster Festival

My husband, Jeff, and Uncle Jack.
Jack loves to travel and do judging at food competitions.
He is also an amazing chef himself!

Then, we met up with friends to see
the movie Courageous.
It was a great movie!
*Bring a tissue*

Sunday:  Church, laundry, football...
Jeff canned plum/blackberry jelly & more tomatoes.
We snacked on home baked italian crusty bread
with brie & roasted garlic/olive oil

Just in case you thought we were refined or something...
Last night we had super nachos
while watching
Monday Night Football

*home*sweet*home*

Friends and food are good for the soul.

Life is good!

xoxoxo

Jodi