A City Girl's Country Dream

Brood II Secadas (2013)

Written By: Ms Jay - May• 22•13

Well they really hyped up the emergence of billions of Secadas swarming the East Coast this Spring…but I have not seen a single one. I had some a few years ago and the noise from them is deafening but this year I haven’t heard a peep yet and this is supposed to be the big 17 year old swarm! I checked the Internet today and people everywhere are reporting them. I don’t know if it is a hoax or not though because I haven’t seen one yet.

Don’t know what they are? Watch this video.

Photos and sound only

Please comment if you have seen them or have a story to share…

Posted in plants/Garden in and out, weirdness | No Comments »

An Update on my Moroccan Inspired kitchen…

Written By: Ms Jay - May• 13•13

This was going to be a Moroccan kitchen but it is the beginning of my eclectic Moroccan, Indian and country kitchen…in various stages of progress… I still have to put the Moroccan lanterns up and the flip up table…and some curtains in the bay window…and something to cover the doorway between the living room and the bedroom.

I have been working on the kitchen while and people have been asking for updated photos. I have a lot to do yet but I figured I would give you an update. If you want to see or refresh your memory on the kitchen click the kitchen tag in the right menu tag box and you can read all about it.

That little shelf with the door was actually the window that I took out of the kitchen on the other side. I made this shelf between the studs and as you see they are not very deep. Just the right depth for a cup. I put the window on as a door. I plan to one day hang some pretty awesome cups in here….soon as I design them

That piece of carved rosewood on top came from a rosewood room divider that I have repurposed. I have pieces of it all over the house to tie everything in together. That curtain rod to hold my baskets is the less than $10 curtain rod.

(more…)

Posted in between the studs shelf, budget, kitchen, Logs, renovations | 2 Comments »

Bedstand

Written By: Ms Jay - May• 04•13

YES YES YES…I am starting another project even though I have so many unfinished ones…please don’t judge me.. I have a good excuse for every unfinished project in this joint. This project was unplanned.

See what happened wazzzz….I was surfing Pinterest this morning and I saw this project where they were transforming plain ole plastic drawers into something a bit more snazzy (see link below under paper instructions). She made her drawers look quite nice and I thought to myself that I can do this…with a twist of course. I would have done it her way but I did not have any scrapbook paper on hand and I was not going shopping for any today.

Okay so here we go to my little project that I promise you will be complete TODAY. The goal is to make my bed stand look a little more sophisticated than a Dollar General set of drawers LOL. See…I have one of these super cheap plastic drawers next to each side of my bed. I don’t really like them but I can’t use the nightstands that go with my dressers because they no longer fit in the same space where my new bed is. This bed is much wider and I am not interested in rearranging my bedroom just so I can fit some nightstands in there. So it is what it is. This is what I am working with. Not very attractive right?

(more…)

Posted in Bedroom, DIY Crafting | 2 Comments »

Spring Garden Projects

Written By: Ms Jay - May• 01•13

Need some inspiration of projects for your garden…or something to give your honey to do? LOL here you go:

Pillar perfection

Eight, 10- and 18-inch-diameter PVC pipes cut to varying heights serve as the basis for these mosaic pillars. Overturned terra-cotta saucers turn two of the pipes into pedestals; the third cradles a flowerpot.

(more…)

Posted in Projects, Yard | 1 Comment »

Chicks Story…edited

Written By: Ms Jay - Apr• 28•13

This was the Nanna/Ummi weekend but only one of my three grandsons came. I was very disappointed as I had things for them to do, repairs to the coop to be made (so the buys can get used to using the drill and hammer and learning how to paint) but it wound up being just little G and I. After we went shopping. I think I figured out that it worked out better being with one grandson rather than 3. In this instance anyway. That is usually not the case.

We drove about an hour to get 4 chickens. I wound up buying:

a Cuckoo Maran who I found out when I got home is a brown layer not a chocolate layer but they are pretty so I am okay with it

a golden comet

a Barred Rock which looks just like the Cockoo Maran.
a Speckled Sussex (more…)

Posted in Chickens, grandkid stories, The Farm | 4 Comments »

Home on the Farm!!

Written By: Ms Jay - Apr• 27•13

This was the Nanna/Ummi weekend but only one of my three grandsons came. I was very disappointed as I had things for them to do, repairs to the coop to be made (so they can get used to using the drill and hammer and learning how to paint) but it wound up being just little G and I. After we went shopping I think I figured out that it worked out better being with one grandson rather than 3.

We drove about an hour to get 4 chickens. I wound up buying:

a Cuckoo Maran who I found out when I got home is a brown layer not a chocolate layer but they are pretty so I am okay with it

a Golden Comet,

a Barred Rock which looks just like the Cockoo Maran.

a Speckled Sussex

(more…)

Posted in Chickens, The Farm | No Comments »

The Windows Aren’t Done Yet…See what happened wazzzz….

Written By: Ms Jay - Apr• 24•13

Okay so I had a schedule. Get the house painted, repair all the windows, put up the new screen doors, cut down some of these small trees, change the outside lighting, re-mulch the yard and get new rocks for the driveway and I am done with the outside until the fall! When the guys were finished with the outside of the house I would be finished with the windows and then I would get the trim painted and the chicken coop repaired and cleaned out and everybody would be happy. OF COURSE it did not work out like that.

On Friday I was taking my daily exercise walk and I fell and busted my butt… on the ground… in the street… yes…on hard cement. I fell so hard it scared the living bejesus out of me. I could not get up and when I was finally able to get up I could not walk. I was paralyzed for a good five minutes. The guy I was walking with said he never heard anyone hit the ground so hard. It happened right at the end of the day and I did not go to the doctor until Monday.
(more…)

Posted in Contractor experiences, House Exterior | 2 Comments »

Warning: Don’t fall for the okey doke sales pitch (historic windows discussion)

Written By: Ms Jay - Apr• 21•13

I took the screens off my windows so I can repair them…that was before I realized I have to remove the sashes. I thought I could scrape and paint the sashes right in place but that is going to be a lot of work to do it in a way that they will not wind up sticking. I have to buy the storm windows for the outside so I can remove the sashes. I will not leave the windows with nothing in them because:

If I have nothing on the windows the bees and wasps will think that is an open invitation for them to move in and/or
If I cover it with plastic the thieves will be thinking I am inviting them in to steal all the junk I have that no one really wants.

So I started looking for storm windows. Now as you know my house was built in the 1940′s or somewhere thereabout. It was originally a sweat and tears log cabin built by Mr Gates (and friends and family) for his wife Georgia. It was later added on to with additions by the next owner, Mr Walker. The wood is hand sawed and milled from the tress on the property.. Cedar trees that is, so there is zero insect damage to the house. That’s the fantastic part. The part that is not so fantastic is I have no earthly idea where they got these freaking window sizes from. Mr Walker worked for the old Hardware Store down town for many many years and I can usually find replacements in there for many of the house things that go awry because guess where they came from? Right.

The windows though…that’s a different story…a sad story. The windows are an odd size and it is killing me to find them. You might ask…where are the windows that were there before? Well on the non log cabin side of the house they put in wood screens instead of storm windows. They are a plain wooden frame on hinges that you can tilt out. They have screen only in them…no glass. New they should have looked like this

Mine were inoperable because they were sealed shut and they looked like this…rotted and needed to be replaced

They are so fragile that they were crumbling as I moved them. Interestingly enough the worst damage was at the bottom. The windows had to be pried out because of all the caulking all around. They (the experts) tell you to never caulk the bottom of separate screens or storms because you want to have an outlet for water that seeps in…otherwise it will rot the wood. Okay so now we know that is true!!

I don’t feel bad replacing the screen windows with storm windows because the rest of the windows around the house have storm windows and once they are all replaced my windows will be matchy matchy! (more…)

Posted in Waiting room reading, windows | 6 Comments »

House Painting Update

Written By: Ms Jay - Apr• 18•13

Okay so the guys showed up today to work on the house…

And this is how it is looking now… well kindda sortta. It looks way lighter in the photos for some reason. Maybe because it was getting to be dusk…not sure

The front of my house looks so funny with everything cut down so low. I had to do that so they could paint in peace…it will grow back…I hope

One of the goals of painting the house was to make the spot where I took the window out to disappear without having to reside the house. I am almost there!!

I am thinking the red brick at the rear of the house needs to be painted as well. What do you think??
okay…never mind…don’t answer that. The painters already got on me about it. (the nerve…LOL).

I was cleaning out my tool drawer and there was a nest was in there. Not seeing the eggs the guy took it out and just like a guy he laughed at me for being nervous for touching a nest and threw it to the ground. The eggs were so small we did not see them. I found them later with one being broken and the rest intact. My neighbor Louise would have smashed them. I forgot her reasoning why but she always destroyed the nests she found. Ahhhhh, I won’t be doing that….but I will be showing my grandsons when they come next weekend!

As for the windows I searched, researched, and searched till my eyeballs turned purple last night. I found out that Lowe’s sells Single-Glazed Basement Aluminum windows …just what I am looking for… for about $15 a piece.

I got frustrated going through the sizes trying to find what I wanted so I am going to have to go to the store to get a price. bummer… but if it works out you can’t really lose paying $15 for a new window right?

Next stop was Craigslist. I found some listings for old windows. One person was asking $40 per window for some tore up from the floor up windows. Yeah I imagine he is still holding on to them because the going price is usually $5 a piece…at least in my world it is. Yeah I would say I am just cheap like that but noooooooo… I am just poor like that.
SO I found these…

I wrote to each person and even though I got responses no one has confirmed that they have what I need. they are all kind of far from me and in different directions so its not going to be easy to do this if they don’t help by looking to see if they have what I need.
My windows are such odd sized…22.5″w x 26″ for the itty bitty windows in the front. If I find storms for them great…if not oh well
20.5″w x 47.5″ for the windows that I HAVE to fix. Storms on these windows is not an option.
22″ x 52″ if I change out the bedroom windows (optional)
and the one bathroom window is 20.5″ x 40.25″ (optional)

Sooooo wish me luck…luck that I find my windows….luck that I find them for $5 a piece and luck that I can get them home without messing up the leather in my new car!!

Posted in House Exterior, paint colors, renovations | 2 Comments »

Fig Tree Cutting

Written By: Ms Jay - Apr• 16•13

I want a fig tree. I don’t know why I want a fig tree, because all its going to do is attract those God awful deer in my yard once they know there is something to eat. I have been here for 5 years and I have yet to taste one of the peaches or plums from my trees so I am probably just setting myself up to be disappointed but I saw this photo and it looked so good I have to take a chance!!

Its Orange And Cardamom Spiced, Honeyed Fig, Olive Oil Tea Cake.

I went next door and took 4 cuttings off the tree. I soaked them in water over night. Not sure why I did that but I did.

On each piece I cut off four pieces of the bark around the bottom like this:

Then I dipped it in rooting powder

(more…)

Posted in plants/Garden in and out, recipies | No Comments »

Windows Part One

Written By: Ms Jay - Apr• 16•13

I have a problem and it is about time I correct it. I have no choice now. It has to do with my windows. My 50 year old windows. I have these handmade screens covering two of my windows. No doubt Mr Walker made them when he converted the house from a log cabin because this is the only place they are on the house. No, I take that back. This is the only outside wall from the original log cabin so Mr. Gates must have made these windows. That makes them well over 50 years old! Waaaaaaaaay past their natural lifetime.

I also have a glass window, which I am presuming is supposed to be a storm window.

The windows need to be replaced but the budget does not allow it right now. I am not about to put vinyl windows up if I can’t replace all 11 remaining windows and the cost of replacement wood windows is through the roof. The best I can do is repair what I have and buy some storm windows and call it a day.

I went to Lowes to buy storm windows…they have to be custom ordered because of the sizes, and they are not cheap. PASS. I went to Habitat for Humanity and to my shock and surprise they did not have any. The surplus store I previously purchased windows from is no longer in business. I asked the new owners what happened to the all the windows they had in the yard and they had no idea. I knew I should have gotten those windows when I saw them. They were only $5 each but I had gotten all the windows for my sun room that day I figured I could always come back for the storms later. You know what they say…never put off till tomorrow what can be done today.

Well first thing is first. I have to repair what I have.

When I took the screens off this is what I am working with.

And this is what a home made screen window looks like

Quite ugly in its present condition right? I would say so!

Here is my plan:
1- scrape off all that old lead based paint
2- re-glaze the glass
3- paint the frames
4- Hope to God I can find affordable, plain old storm windows.

If you have any experience or input or advice, please, by all means, feel free to jump in!!

Posted in House Exterior, Projects, renovations | 6 Comments »

Day 2 of the House Painting Job

Written By: Ms Jay - Apr• 14•13

I am not sure what in the heck I was thinking trying to paint this house because I know good and darn well I am afraid of heights…but I went out there with my big girl panties on and pulled out my loooong extension ladder and got busy. But before I get into that I better tell you that I have a slight change of colors. Noooo I did not abandon the Sumac Berry…it is here to stay.

Okay so what happened wazzzzz…

I posted my blog post from yesterday on Gardenweb. This morning when I got up bright and early ready to work I saw that I had a response to my post from a lady who said that she liked my info and asked my opinion on a yellow house with plum trim. (more…)

Posted in House Exterior, paint colors | 4 Comments »

What Color Do I paint my Front Door (or my house for that matter)?

Written By: Ms Jay - Apr• 13•13

Your house colors and the feel it gives the looker is one of the main factors in curb appeal. In my humble opinion curb appeal is especially important if you don’t have furniture, your housekeeping skills need work, or you are a hoarder. LOL… Not that I meet any of those requirements…I’m just saying.

I have heard that a red door is the color to use if you are trying to sell your house. I have painted my doors red before selling and each sold quickly so I believe it. I think a red door is the bomb. My friend Sandi says she painted her door red to signify being protected by the blood of Jesus. A past neighbor told me she loved purple doors because that signified royalty (and when you enter her castle you better act like you know…LOL…) and one chick I know painted her door money green for good luck….

The colors you use is really just a matter of personal preference mixed with emotions and superstitions (yes I said superstitions). My mother always taught me that color means EVERYTHING so therefore I am not afraid of it and she hated black on anything. She thought is was bad luck that will suck you into some black hole. I like black but only in small doses.

NOTE: I posted this article on Gardenweb in a forum that I never posted in before and some people were absolute meanies about this. Because there were a couple of racial comments and undertones I did not really pay much to the attack as I know there are many IGNORANT people who’s world is ruled by race creed and colors. I am not one of those people. I say whenever anyone posts anything people have to understand that it is their personal opinion that they are sharing and if they dont agree there is no need to attack people because what one thinks is absolutely stunning might be a dud to another but one thing is that we all have the right to like what we want to like and share it with womever we please to share it with with out being ATTACKED!. But some people have mean spirits and they are who they are!

So here are my color thoughts:

Green house: Purple door, red door, or try turquoise if you’re really edgy!

(more…)

Posted in bedroom, House Exterior, Inspirations, paint colors | 9 Comments »

A Point of no Return

Written By: Ms Jay - Apr• 11•13

Well I just could not wait. I get a hair up my butt and I have to act on it. Impulsive…always been like that and probably too old to change that now. Its engrained in my blood. So just to remind you here is my house and how it looked this morning.

Here is my vision (minus the trim)

Not many people shared my vision. I started doubting myself also but then I went into a neighborhood going through gentrification where the houses are about the same age as mine and I saw subdued shades of blue, green, lots and lots of salmon, purple and even lime green. The neighborhood looks edgy and hip…I liked it! I think it might be the trend right now.
I can not decide on the trim color and I am not really sure if that green door is the right shade of green. I went on Valspars website to try to get some color palate ideas but I could not find a way to get suggestions for palettes for colors I pick. It just wasn’t happening. I sent a message complaining that they don’t help color blind people like me and a guy named Michael from customer relations emailed me back. He said:
If you go to valsparpaint.com
Click ‘Explore colors’
Click ‘Color Selector’
Going through the palettes, find the color you like and click on it.
When the swatch of your paint comes up, to the right you will see the accenting colors for the one you picked. It says ‘select a suggested palette’
Here is the link for ‘Sumac Berry’:

http://www.valsparpaint.com/en/explore-colors/color-selector/index.html?ref=colorselector_homepage_menu2#2

Okay so I follow his first steps and when I find Sumac Berry I don’t see the accenting colors on the right nor do I see “select a suggested palate”. So I go to option two, which was to click the link. It did not work for me either. I hate when a company rep sends me a message with misinformation in it. He sent me his number to call him directly so he could step me through it,,,I know it’s not there but I am going to call. I was going to call when I got home today but the painters showed up and as soon as I got to the crib it was busy busy busy cluster clouds flying round this joint. When I realized the time it was 4 minutes prior to the latest time Michael said I could call him so I did not call. Anyway the painters got part of the house done and I put the first coat of paint on the door.

I need ideas on the trim color. I am going to play around with that tool on Valspars website tonight but I just don’t trust me picking out the right trim colors. What do you think? Can you help?

Posted in paint colors, Projects | 4 Comments »

A Nice day out!!

Written By: Ms Jay - Apr• 07•13

Today was a beautiful day and all I could think of was getting a few things done. I had two of my grandsons with me since last night and today we went to get the third one that lives over an hour away. One of them made a movie last week with his Nabi…I thought this was cute so I have to share it…

I was going to buy some black mulch from the soil recycling place but they talked me out of it because he said it looks terrible when the black fades to silver. I took his advice. They won’t sell me any ole thing and that’s a great thing. When I went there I asked him to tell me how much mulch I purchased last year and he said I did not purchase any…its been two years. Oh yeahhhh I was so busy on the inside of the house that the outside got totally neglected!! And yeah, my yard looks a wreck!
I had Eric come over and do the trim around my back door and now it is finally done!! I was getting worried about bugs coming in the house. I was going to repair my windows as well but I got so busy with other stuff I never got around to it. We moved flowers, planted bulbs, dug up weeds, cleaned out the chicken coop, cut down all the vines that were climbing my barn and choking some of my trees and all sorts of other stuff. The yard was wet as heck but whatever, the maintenance MUST continue!!They had a good time and so did Bear!

I tested out my colors on the house. I first got Valspars Moss Rose (on the right) and at first it looked fine but then it started looking too bright so I went back to Lowes and got Valspars Sumac Berry. I like that one better. It looks bright in the photo but it is not bright at all… (left side)
For the door I got Valspars Brisk olive and for the trim I got Valspar’s Homestead Resort Sunwash. I love that color!! I know you might not be able to see this BUT it is going to look nice.
We plan to paint the house next week. and put up the screen doors. I decided to get the plain screen doors.

hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Work is never done here! Looking at the photos, they are very Easter colors LOL. Well to be reminded of the resurrection of Christ is not a bad thing….

I have to get something better for the windows. They look boring right now!!

Posted in House Exterior, paint colors, Projects, renovations, Yard | 3 Comments »

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