I know, I know: I haven’t posted for a while. It’s been a year of upheaval as I finally got around to renovating my house this year. I bought it in 2014 and it was in a really bad way. It looked (and felt) haunted.
BEFORE:
It started out as a metal-siding dairy barn (we think…from what we can figure out), and then it was added to over a 30-year span. Lots of weird roof lines, rotting siding, rotted out windows (it’s been drafty the last eight years), and rodents (actually RATS) underneath the base board. Very unnerving.
When Patrick moved in, he was terrified and remarked, “What have I moved into?!”
The things was…this place had potential. We both knew it. Some architects and contractors said to scrap it and start all over. Not only was that super expensive…but timely too. Not to mention very UN-environmentally friendly.
So we worked with a contractor and made a plan to turn this monstrosity into a modern-style farmhouse. We replaced the roof, the siding with Hardieplank (good to protect against fires), and for the most part, the windows are in. The deck off the master bedroom had completely rotted out–I never set foot out there–but now it’s a favorite spot for lounging and reading. This is such a more comfortable home. And I am no longer embarrassed to have people over.
AFTER:
We also tore out all of the grass and replaced with turf, drought-resistant plants, pavers, and pea gravel. We are still working on the interior; the kitchen is done and I’ll share that renovation in a later post.
In other news, Patrick and I started a podcast called “Too Old to Fake It.”
Our podcast is for those in mid-life seeking honest–often blunt–thoughts on everything from online dating; second marriage; examining (and re-examining) career opportunities/past jobs; family needs; retirement thoughts; and discussing current events, sports, and passions we want to pursue. At this point in our lives we are, frankly, too old to fake it, and want to live out our best lives all the while with a heavy dose of humor, honesty, and curiosity. P.S….this is an R-rated podcast (we tend to swear a lot, but not at each other).
We have posted five episodes so far and having fun! You can find it on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Iheartradio, and Amazon Audible.
If you have a listen, let us know what you think.
Lastly, Craft Napa 2023 registration opened a few weeks ago, and will take place Jan 12-15, 2023. It is entirely virtual this next January due to what is expected to be a strong flu season coupled with a new COVID variant. To preview all of the workshops, this is a good page to visit.
Do you have big Thanksgiving Day plans? My BFF from high school’s little sister is starring with Hugh Jackman in “The Music Man” on Broadway next week! We so wish we could join my friend’s family in NYC to see her, but we are tired after so much noise and upheaval here, and looking forward to a quiet day together in our home. I’m probably going to cook a couple of Cornish hens, make a charcuterie board, and call it a day.
From our house to yours, have a wonderful Thanksgiving,
Pokey
Sounds like a great plan. Keep it simple and take it easy!
Thank you, Betsey! Hope you enjoy a good start to your holiday season!
The house & yard looks wonderful! Congratulations!
I will have a listen to the podcast, you have peaked my interest indeed.
I think I will be spending my Thanksgiving with friends this year, just a few of us, so it should also be a quiet one. Maybe we’ll play some games too.
Happy Holidays!
Sue, sounds like a great Thanksgiving–my favorite ones are with friends. Happy Holidays back to you!
The house looks amazing, you guys should be proud!
Thank you, Linda! 🙂
Utterly fantastic. Thanks. Made a big difference in my day.
Congratulations on your house achievements, your enlightening path through life. I’ll check out that podcast.
(BTW your reasons for a virtual Craft Napa 2023 made me feel SO less alone in choices necessary for me and many of my friends.)
Denise, I’m glad you felt my choice for the online Craft Napa made sense. Hope you enjoy the podcast, and thanks for responding!
The remodel looks fabulous! Happy Thanksgiving to you, Patrick, and the critters!
Thanks Maria, hope you are well. And I hope you get a little rest after a busy season. So good to have seen you at PIQF.
Love hearing about your renovation adventure and look forward to CraftNapa at home again. Sorry I didn’t get in Carol Soderland’s dying class but know I will enjoy & grow from what I am taking. Look forward to finding your podcast.
I’m sorry you couldn’t get into her class…even the waitlist is full. Glad you are joining us for Craft Napa, though! Happy Thanksgiving,
I understand completely your situation. We are having our roof replaced and converting the attic space into a workroom for my husband. The noise is awful. We are retreating to the quietest room in the house. It will be great when it’s finished in February and hopefully this is the last renovation we will have to do to our 112 year old house. Thanksgiving and Christmas is coming; my husband, the chef, says he can’t face a big Christmas dinner with all the trimmings so we are having a simpler meal. Our family has been very supportive of this, so Christmas will be centred around our one-year-old grandson and not on being the perfect hosts and we are feeling great!
That sounds like a great plan, Lynne….especially after renovations. Happy Holidays to you!
Just right!
Thank you, Kate!
The before and after pics are just amazing. I’m so happy for you both and, despite some serious doubt (on my part) that you could bring the house back from the brink, you did it! And it looks incredible. Anyone who has been through a renovation knows what it takes out of you. Well done! I’m so happy it is (almost) over! Worth the wait!
Thank you, Leslie. 🙂 You certainly lived the “before” here so you know! I just saw something online about the new fabric line and I can’t wait to order some of “Prairie Song!”