time in a bottle

yesterday we started work on covering up that big metal beam in the family room. 

one of matt's clients brought over some beautiful 140 year old barn wood for us to use. it's weathered and worn and full of knots and character. exactly what i was hoping we could find.

before we sealed up the beam, matt wrote a little story on the back of a picture of the three of us and hid it inside.

 i hope whoever finds it will be able to put a face to the hands that made this little place a home. and until then, there's a little open knot in the wood that we decided to keep for more treasure-stuffing.

and speaking of treasures...

max meditating and wearing goggles during taco night...to keep out the smell.

happy weekend, loves!

the state that i am in

 i thought i'd share a little on the state of our house remodeling.

we're inching our way closer to finishing the downstairs family and dining room (which used to be the garage and was converted by the previous owners). it's been in a drywall dusty and sad state for a few months now. but nothing compared to what it was before.

the drop panel ceiling is long gone (and half of the ceiling went with it), along with the textured faux finished walls and wood paneling.

we spent the day priming the room tuesday and it's got me itching for the fun part...scooping up new lighting, furniture, windows, flooring, more coats of paint, and other odds and ends.

doing this all on the cheap is the most exciting part. we'll see how well we do. 

 (the tv nook and existing bookshelf)

i would love to add a wall-mounted fireplace underneath the tv (the ventless fuel-flamed ones), but am having some trouble finding one that looks halfway realistic. 

  this is the view of the dining room (below the loft) from the family room. we're adding another window to add a bit of symmetry to things.

i'm still looking for the perfect railing for the loft. something with low impact...without being too modern?

our fingers are crossed to be able to find an old wood beam to replace the steel one there now.

it's been a slow process, this house...getting things done as we can afford. but i'm really enjoying this stage in our lives...making a mess and a niche for the three of us.

 and as of yesterday, the hole in our kitchen ceiling is officially patched and almost ready for paint! 

progress really does do wonders for a girl...

trimming the tree

the tree is lit, the house is warm, and we are officially moved in!

and to top all of that? 

it has been snowing the most beautiful first of december snow you'd ever know. the first of the season! 

this gal is in total bliss.

a little christmas

i doused our house in fresh white paint this weekend while matt was away for work. 

i wanted to surprise him with much progress when he got home...then realized that painting old white walls white again isn't the most exciting makeover reveal.

so i decorated for christmas. 

just a little here's and there's...enough to warm up the house and to soothe the christmas decorating itch i always get way too soon (i have very little self control when it comes to these things). 

the silly part is that there is so much construction work yet to be done all around...missing floorboards, random holes and wires and dust...but i got to put out my little tulle christmas tree...and it all makes sense.

 

max made a sign to hang up welcoming matt home and set up the winter village on the bookshelf. i keep catching him curled up in the chair and walking his fingers past the houses...making up back stories for the deer. a new favorite christmas memory for me to store in my mind. and that is definitely what this move is all about.

all in all, not too shabby for a weekend's work.

and really the christmas bits distract from the massive holes in the ceiling and walls.

making a house a home

it's amazing to me how life works itself out...how it wrinkles and releases and smooths in a blink. mine, like most, moved without warning and i found myself in the way..but i'm learning. and i'm overwhelmingly thankful for the lessons. a good jostle and shake up never hurt anyone i guess. and my oh my did my life jostle. but i'm happy and i've landed firm footed on solid ground.

and all this to say, life is moving and so are we. to dayton. we're fixing up matt's little house and are moving in, fingers crossed, before december begins. fresh starts and a new life wrapped in a shiny bow.

this has been a huge heaping portion on my full plate...here's a peak...

we're raising the family room ceiling up up up...

and have conquered the wet saw and tiling the kitchen back splash...

this tiny fireplace is begging for stockings...and may or may not be the reason for our late november move. haha. we're practical like that.

i can't wait to finish this and be settled. and to bring you all along!