Greetings, loyal followers,

A whole lot of nothing has happened construction-wise since my last post. We are still waiting on the following, which at this rate may or may not be done by the end of the year:

• shutters to be hung
• cupola to be painted and installed
• porches to be adjusted and screened
• porches to finish being painted
• exterior paint touch up
• floors to be touched up
• interior paint to be touched up
• window film to be removed and screens put in
• a bunch of other miscellaneous items. Our punch list is two pages long

Since these items are out of my control, I have focused instead on furnishings and décor.

We took a trip to Kentucky a few weeks ago to pick up items from my grandmother’s house. The good news is all of this furniture is very sturdy. The bad news is it is heavy. The guys are smiling in this photo but they had a real time moving these pieces.

But, everything and everyone made it safely to our house.

These twin beds were my mom’s and aunt’s growing up. I adore them.

Also, fun fact, this piece of furniture on the left is called a “chest on chest”. I thought my mom was “pulling my leg” when she told me that, but lo and behold, it actually says that on the tag on the back of the piece of furniture.

I’m waiting on the drapery hardware to arrive to install the buffalo check panels, but this is shaping up to be one of my favorite rooms.

We also picked up this church pew in Kentucky, which had been a fixture on my granny and papa’s carport my entire life (I’m sure even longer than that). I gave it a fresh coat of paint and it will go on the screened porch with the dining table (that I do not have yet).

In outdoor news, Josh purchased this monstrosity to collect rain. It too, will soon be painted black.

Out front, we started on the landscaping. Still much to do, but it does feel less like a job site and more like a home each time we plant something.

And my irises that I transplanted last fall from our old house are in full bloom by the driveway.

We got tired of waiting on the painters and exterior trim guys so we went ahead and put out our random assortment of porch furniture on the front porch so we can use it as the weather gets nicer. I got some new cushions for the sofa and chair that were from Josh’s bachelor life and painted the rocking chairs that were also on granny and papa’s carport for years. All of this will go to the screened porch once it’s complete, but we have been enjoying it in the meantime.

I installed my custom kitchen window treatments the second the were ready. I am in love with them. I found this fabric several years ago and knew I had to have it somewhere in the house where I could enjoy it everyday. They were a splurge, but I couldn’t be more thrilled.

Bu assisted with the shade installation.

There is still touch up to be done in the butler’s pantry and the wine fridge needs to be put back (it currently looks lovely in the middle of the mudroom), but I have put on the cabinet hardware and we are using it as a bar.

Bu got a little touch up – his first bath in his new sink.

There was some verbal protesting, but everyone made it out unscathed.

He’s always happy to be fresh and clean, but does not enjoy the process. I have similar feelings about working out.

Bu says please no more baths this year.

We’ve also had quite a bit of rain. We lost power and cell coverage for a while the other day. Wouldn’t recommend it.

As a result of all of this rain, Josh spends a lot of time spreading grass seed and putting down erosion control matting.

It’s about time to be thinking about our garden and all I want to do is plant things. All Bu wants to do is follow me out onto the porch.

Alas, due to MORE rain, my projects for today will have to be indoors. So I will be painting this bench, with Bu’s supervision.

Please pray for shutter installation soon.