Tag: Houndstooth

More progress

The contractors have finally pulled our kitchen cabinets in preparation for a lot of things. First, everything behind and under the cabinets has to be treated for mold. There really isn’t much mold, considering the flood happened seven months ago, but now it’s being dealt with.

Second, we think the flooding shorted out parts of the electrical system on the dishwasher. It will still work, but only on one setting which is like three hours long. I may be exaggerating. But still, insanely long. The guy who came and inspected the dishwasher for the insurance company said it was okay, and it was only afterward that we realized it wasn’t working right. Nobody liked this dishwasher anyway. So it’s gone, and a new one will be delivered in the next week or so that’s better suited to our smaller loads and infrequent use of a dishwasher (usually only after dinners here with friends).

Third, I never liked the stove that was here when we moved in. It was electric, which was fine, but the range top was glass, and I was warned not to use my iron skillets on it. NEVER TELL A SOUTHERN WOMAN WHO COOKS THAT SHE CAN’T USE HER IRON SKILLETS. So they’ve only been used in the oven for cornbread and such since we moved into the house. Now that they pulled the cabinets (and this is tricky with granite, but they did a great job), the plumber will install a gas line to the stove area, so I’ll be getting a new gas stove with a regular stovetop. BACK TO IRON SKILLETS, BITCHES. Also, it’s oddly hard to keep those glass tops clean. Maybe with the gas stove, I’ll cook more AND have a cleaner kitchen. HA HA HA HA HA.

When the new cabinets come, they’ll be a surprise. Tom and I made a bold decision we hope works out. I’m saving the reveal for their installation. =)


Meanwhile, here are the cabinet doors and drawer fronts and pull out shelves from the old cabinets.

Today the quarter round is down throughout the house and tomorrow we can start seriously moving various pieces of furniture back into their rightful places. In fact, we’re going to get a very important piece of furniture today. Stay tuned!

Please share my umbrella

For our Christmas photo, I wanted to buy umbrellas that represented Houston’s sports teams, several of whom–Rockets, Astros, and Texans–had feature roles in making 2017 meaningful for us. Alas, I couldn’t find any, so instead I bought the three oversized black umbrellas that are in the photo.

Before the flood, my walking stick I’d gotten one year at the Renaissance Festival, and my father’s cane were propped in a corner of the library. Then after the new umbrellas came, I decided I’d like an umbrella stand, so Debby and I went shopping yesterday to find one. And I lost my mind and bought six dining room chairs at my favorite antique/retro store. I’ll share photos later when they are delivered.

Debby did find an umbrella stand for me to purchase, too. Mission successful!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

St. Patrick’s Day has nothing to do with why I’m celebrating (though I am wearing green).

Today, FINALLY, every room (for now–this is about to change in the kitchen) has walls, and every room except the office (still to come) and kitchen and bathrooms (don’t need) has new flooring. Our tile people officially finished Phase I today.

IT’S LIKE A HOME AGAIN!

Below is some natural stone tile that Kimberly at The Tile Shop helped us pick out for transitions between the new floor tile and the old kitchen tile (which didn’t need replacing). We love it.

Going from kitchen to library.
Going from dining room to kitchen.

As you can see, Tom and I now have to clean grout haze and just plain dirty floors. Although it’s a bit pointless until all the work is done, I’m so excited to have floors again that I want to make the attempt.

Transport Thursday!

As you know, I don’t usually post photos of our volunteers and fosters, just the rescued animals, on Thursdays. I believe I have featured Angelita (also known as Angel) on my blog before, but I was so excited to see her today that I really wanted to feature her again. Here she is with her fosters Whitney, Winky, and Wynne.

These pups had a few health issues to deal with, so it was wonderful to see them on their way today. However, the reason I’m sharing them and Angelita is because not only did I get the chance to thank her in person for something, but I get to let you know what a difference she made to our family after Harvey’s floods.

Before the rains came, Angelita had recently married and moved into her new home with her husband. She delayed putting her previous home up for sale and offered it for our use, free and clear, when she saw on Facebook how we’d been impacted by the flooding. Angelita is the reason Timothy and his dogs Pixie, Penny, and Pollock had a wonderful roof over their heads for a couple of months until they could return to a restored Fox Den. It gave us all some space, enabled Tim’s dogs to be with him–and if you have companion animals, you know how necessary they are to your morale in difficult times–and kept Tim and Jack apart (necessary for a peaceful home for us all!).

We have long known that Angelita really is an angel because of the level of care and commitment she gives to animals in need. We will always be grateful to her for being our personal angel, as well.

ETA: Whitney, Winky, and Wynne were all adopted within hours of their arrival in Colorado.

The Painters, the middle bedroom

Not sure if you can tell really, but once again we decided not to go with the former white. This is a very pale gray, but it almost seems to have a lavender tone. We like it and are looking forward to redoing this room because most of its furniture other than the bed and one display cabinet was lost.

Work and photos pictured here actually occurred later than post is dated.

Photo Friday, No. 588

Current Photo Friday theme: Pattern


It’s no secret that I like houndstooth. I think I used that fabric for a swing coat for Barbie way back when I had time to sew and watch “Project Runway.” Good times. Lynne created a pattern for the fabric that she’ll use to cover the little stools that go with our tavern tables. The plan is when the house is ready, those tables will be moved from their old location in the office to the wall under the blinds in the library. It’s a good work space for coloring, crafting, and especially for setting up laptops. FOR WHEN WE HAVE VISITORS AGAIN. It’s been over seven months since a Houndstooth Hall Craft Night.