Miscellany Monday - Blues & Friendships

 Can it possibly be Monday again already?  I sure had good intentions to do more than one blog last week, but alas!  That just didn't happen and here we are a week later.  My oh my, where does the time go?  But, it is always good to know that Carissa is here Monday after Monday waiting for us to join her for Miscellany Monday.

BLUES & BLUES

 A few weeks ago I featured our newly enclosed back porch and included pictures of a couple outdoor plant stands.  I asked for suggestions about whether to paint them or not.

Daryl @ porch enclosure system suggested that a navy blue would look nice.  After discussing this with Hubby on numerous occasions, we decided to give it a try.

Now, there is navy blue and there is navy blue.

  So, after looking at what seemed like hundreds of color charts, I made my selection and got busy.

Because the stands would be unprotected outside, and the wood was already showing a lot of deterioration, I applied a good coat of primer.

Now, the final coat and stands are in place.

 

 I think I'm pleased with the result.  It picks up the colors in the painting just inside the window.

 

Thank you Daryl, for the advice to go with navy blue.

FRIENDSHIP

In the early 1970's we became friends with Neal and Becky DeForest.  Our two oldest babies, John and Ginger, were only a few months apart and grew up as brother and sister.  They were always in the same classes all the way through school; in all the same church activities; in band together.  When Ginger's little brother, Neal Allen was born, he became John's little brother too.

The DeForest family adopted John as their own as well and he spent many hours with them, fishing, playing ball, and seeing who was the faster runner.

The years have passed and distance has kept them apart, but the bond still exists.

John and Ginger reunite at a their 10th class reunion in 1997.

 During those years, there were several couples of us who went to church together, most of the men worked together, and our kids were all about the same age.  We would get together on weekends to eat, play games, eat, and did I say eat?  We valued the friendships.

 Left to right:  Robert & Nancy, Andy & Sandy, Neal & Becky, Dick & I

 As we were all celebrating our 35th wedding anniversaries at about the same time, we decided to take a cruise together. What better way to celebrate such a momentous occasion than to do it with your best friends?

 Our Caribbean Cruise was amazing and memorable!

Becky, Sandy, Libby, Nancy, & Monica

 Last week, our dear friend Neal, died suddenly from a massive heart-attack.

As I look back, I am grateful for these lasting friendships.  I am grateful for our many years to share times together.  I am grateful for the example he was to our son.  I am grateful for the friendship and mutual respect he and Dick had.

One of the most memorable things that was said about Neal is,

"When the Lord changed him, he never got over it!"

Thank you Neal for living your life as a testimony to the Lord and what He can do in and through one individual.

We will miss you!

 A good friend of Neal's has paid a humorous and yet very sincere tribute to him HERE

Miscellany Monday: Back Porch Enclosure Update

Happy Monday Morning to all of you who along with me look forward to

Miscellany Monday

Back Porch Enclosure Update

We are getting close - only waiting for the electrician to return and the slab of granite to be delivered for the built-in counter and the construction will be complete.

Want to see where we are so far?

The layering began with the rug.  I found this at IKEA in Frisco, Texas and it just whispered, "Please take me home with you."  At this point, I could have never left something so hypnotic that contained all my comfort colors alone in that huge cold building.

So, here it is!

It contains every color I am using throughout my house right now, and I just happen to love it.

So, once I got it down, I began bringing in the few current pieces I plan to use to create the first step in the layering process.

The rockers will probably not stay, but I haven't found anything to replace them with yet.

The black metal tables were already being used on the old back porch so will keep them.

The neutral love seat should be delivered on Monday and will go between the tables.

I then began adding a few accessories to warm it up a bit.  The Ponytail was a gift from my middle sis last weekend.  There are still lamps and odds and ends to be added, of course.

Although we are still waiting for the granite piece to go atop the built-in counter - also expected Monday,

I couldn't wait to start adding some favorite items to the open overhead shelves.

This will be an on-going project but for now, I love seeing some of the old treasured items that mean nothing to anyone but me.

This old tea pitcher belonged to my grandmother who lived with us until her death when I was 9 years old, 1953.  My mother continued brewing tea in it for as long as I can remember.  You can see that it was repaired many times.  I treasure this old piece and the memories it evokes.

The plate belonged to a dear old friend who would be nearing 100 years old now.  It belonged to her aunt and was given to "Granny" in 1933.  I love the cracks and chips, but especially the color and significance.

This old bowl was a wedding gift to my mom back in 1943.

This is the floral design on the top.  Yes, more repaired cracks.  We couldn't afford to throw anything away, and I'm so glad we didn't.

These two wood pieces were designed and carved by my dad.  He had such a love for wood and was able to make some beautiful items that are now spread throughout the family.

We had friends over for desert after church and lunch today, so we pulled these metal chairs from the front porch so we could all enjoy sitting in our new space. I may even decide to keep the chairs out here to replace the rockers.  What do you think?

This is the view of the back addition from the patio.  I think it looks pretty good.

My next projects are to paint the two column finials that hold the matching urns by the windows.  The urns will eventually hold plants but not until we get back from our extended visit to to Indiana.

Any suggestions on what they should be painted?

 

So, there you are.  Our little addition is taking shape and we are loving our time spent out there.

Hopefully, next week I can do a Before and After Blog.

Back Porch Enclosure Update

Okay, if nothing else, I am true to my word.

I promised to keep you updated on the progress of our remodeling project.

I think in this case, pictures are indeed worth a thousand words

or

at least 30. 

Work was to begin between 8 and 8:30 a.m. Monday morning so on Saturday we made sure everything was ready.  Rug is protecting the built-in cabinet from the weekend rains.

 Monday 5:30 p.m.

Workers came at 9:30 and left a few minutes later because they were missing a few pieces of building materials. We were told they would be back by 8:30 Tuesday morning.

Tuesday 8:30 a.m.

 

Tuesday 11:00 a.m.

Work began at 10:00 a.m. by a great crew of carpenters.  There were a few minor snags that had to be straightened out due to a lack of communication between all parties.  But we got it started.

Thankfully, Hubby oversaw everything that was done.

Tuesday 5:30 p.m.

   First day results with plans to get started and hopefully finish the majority of the carpentry work on Wednesday between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m

Look familiar?  You are right, 8:30 came and went and here it is 4:00 p.m. and nothing has changed.

Hubby and I have a long planned and anticipated trip to Daughter's in Dallas tomorrow for the weekend, so maybe Monday between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. we will again see some progress being made.

It will be worth the wait I am sure when it is all finished and I have decided how to furnish this narrow little space.

My advice to myself!