Repurposing Queen

I've linked to "A Beautiful Life Friday" because I think what my daughter did at her house this week is BEAUTIFUL. Check out Melissa's The Inspired Room for more . . .

We visited with our Darling Daughter earlier this week. She and hubs heat their home with wood and making the many trips to the woodshed as easy as possible was her latest project.

The first order of business was to clear the path of the grass and weeds that took over during the summer.

In the years past this pathway has been slippery on wet days -- so her next task was to find some way to make it safer.

She wandered down to the barn and spotted these unused stall mats. Her hubby cut them in half and turned them upside down so that the ridges would provide traction on wet days.

But, sometimes a trip to the woodshed needs to be made in the late afternoon, after the winter sun has gone down beyond the horizon and the sky is dark. So the next stage of the project was to install some lengths of wood and top with a rope light.

When she read the directions she discovered that the manufacturer warned that the connection should be kept dry at all times.

That presented a problem for her -- there wasn't a convenient location for the plug that would stay dry.

Again, she returned to the barn and spotted a metal box that was a perfect solution.

I didn't recognized what the box was -- do you?

She is the Queen of repurposing!!!!

rita

Boo

Here are two of our neighbors who have gotten into the spirit of the spooky season. This first decorator has done something that I've never seen before with black cloth used as window covering on the outside. The effect is really great.

I wonder what kind of treats they give out here. Maybe I'll accompany my grandson Saturday night just to find out.

Next door to them is the house that assembles this spooky picket fence every year just for the season.

rita

Maltese Falcon

While we were on the road last month I saw a hunk of concrete that I thought looked like the Maltese Falcon and I wanted it for my own.


But the Cottage Master shook his head -- hauling that 40-plus pounds of concrete across the country didn't make sense to him. Besides, the antique store that was selling it was closed.


But, to my surprise, on the way home again we stopped by the same antique store and this time they were open -- and . . . he came home with us.

After one coat of black paint he looked like this . . .

Since I didn't prime him or any other prep work before I began to spray paint him he didn't get all over shiny but instead only the areas that still had paint on them are now shiny and the rest of him is flat black.

I love the way it makes his eyes stand out.

He's on the front porch for now. He may grace several places around QC before he finds a location that is perfect for him.

rita

Step right in

The previous owners installed the living room carpet right up to the door. While I have this wonderful handyman named Rob at my disposal I requested that we do something different at the front door.


When he took off the carpet we discovered some 1950's style linolium tile. That is the fun of owning an older home -- there are surprises under the surfaces.

Finished!

rita

Knock, knock -- who's there?

I was expecting my friend to drop in one afternoon so when I heard a knocking on a window I assumed it was Sherrie.

"Come in," I said.

Knock, knock, knock . . .

I got up and went to the front door but no one was there.

Knock, knock, knock . . .

Now I thought I was losing my mind -- I was going to pack a bag and check myself into the pysch unit of the hospital.

Knock, knock, knock . . .

I looked up at the skylight above me and saw a woodpecker! He / She was camera shy -- this is the only picture I could get . . .

rita

Improvements @ QC

Improvements continue here.

It's hard to believe after seeing what looks like a mess that it really is improving. My mother used to say -- it has to get worse before it can get better.

I just love watching a man work!! Especially when the finished project is in my home.

rita

What's going on here?

After being away from home for so many weeks we looked at QC with fresh eyes and decided it was time to finish a project I started last year -- the walls of the dining area.

One reason I was hesitating was because I struggled with what color to paint the walls after they had been mudded and textured.

Here is the work in progress. We are not doing the work ourselves but have hired a nice younger, stronger, enthusiastic, more able-bodied man.

He is a professional and is doing the job the right way. These walls are ready for a texture to be applied.

I am slowly getting caught up on reading all of my favorite bloggers. Here are some photos I took off of the Pretty Organized blog giving me some new ideas for fall decor.

Pop on over to her site today for some great ideas on hidden storage areas.

rita

Home Again

We are back at Quirky Cottage now. But, one last comment on our auto trip across the country. While driving through North Dakota we decided to stop in a little town to grab some fast food. According to the navigator, fast food was located on Main Street.

The first thing we saw as we entered the town was a John Deere factory.

As we headed for the town's Main street we saw the high school football team playing on a small field. Only two brave mothers were watching the game while sitting on a . . .



As we approached Main Street we were greeted by . . .


The entire length of Main Street was torn up! Not just a few blocks -- but the entire length! Now that's a small town.

We found our way back to the Interstate and drove to the next city to get our dinner.

While on the road I saw so many homes with fall mums and pumpkins decorating walkways and porches. I was eager to get home to deck QC out in her fall colors.

Here is a start -- a bit skimpy right now. I'll pick up some pumpkins this weekend to add to the display.


I read an article recently stating that most wreaths were hung on doors too high. Here is how I originally hung QC's fall wreath.

Then I experimented by hanging it lower . . .

I like it lower! Oh, and please note that lump of concrete in front of the scarecrow.

One the way home we stopped by the antique store that had been closed the first time we drove by and Cottage Master allowed me to purchase the Maltese Falcon! He will be freshly painted soon. (The bird, not the Cottage Master)

rita