Forward - Along the Road

My Christmas present was brought inside the house this morning!  Eric Chupak was kind enough to come by on his way home from work and help Dwayne carry it up from the basement to inside the house.

Now - mind you - all this was going on before we had managed to even have a full cup of coffee.

But it all did go down - after - dogs were rounded up - leashed up - and dragged outside - their little heads thumping on each of the steps on their way down - to a soaked yard - to do their morning business.

Alright - so, Zucker ran out to the yard - on all fours.  I carried Carlie.  Actually - it was just easier than dragging her.  And this photo is telling a lie!  It looks like I colored my hair - again.  And let the gray grow out about two inches.  But that is not the case!

I'll have you know I have wacked off every strand holding Ms. Clairol - and proudly fight with the ever-so-natural hues of - salt 'n peppa !!!!

Dwayne and ' Chupak ' brought the table up by way of the French doors at the back deck porch - not such an easy task.  This table is now - without a doubt - the heaviest piece of furniture in this house.

And that's my favorite coffee cup sitting by the computer.  It has a note printed on it - written by Toto - to Dorothy.  You know - The Wizard of Oz.  The letter says - " Dear Dorothy, Hate Oz - took the shoes.  Find your own way home!  Toto! "

I just love the work Dwayne did on the leaves.  The natural beauty of the grain and the knots in this old barn lumber offers so much to the beauty of this table.  It’s just absolutely gorgeous.  Photos can’t seem to do justice.

I love the concept he used of the arms that secure in tongue-and-groove fashion for supporting a leaf on each end. ( Dwayne had been vacuuming the hidden pocket for storing the leaves and supports. )

Dwayne put the perfect finish on this piece!  I’m not one that likes that shiny look on wood furniture.  I’m just too much of a woodsy - natural kind of girl - I guess.

I’ve always believed - if you’re gonna make something out of a material from nature - then - it should have a natural finish for appeal.  What you do with that material should result in simply enhancing and magnifying its own God-given beauty.

And for another little winter task - we aimed for our French doors and the window over the kitchen sink.

This is a photo provided by the previous owners. The topper over the kitchen sink window has gone from this -

To this!

 

 

This was a shot taken in 2008 - during our first Christmas here at the house.  The French Doors have gone from this -

To this!  Can you tell that I'm taking most of these photos while the work is in progress?  Dwayne was - still -  dismantling the hardware for the vertical blinds.

The placemats for the dining table are next - as well as window treatments for the Living room.

Little by little - we keep moving forward - along the road!