It's the Little Things

Being that we've lived here a year now, you'd think we be done with most rooms. At least the bulk of them. And I suppose we are; the important things are done (heating, plumbing, you know). But it's the little things that elude us. Things like towel bars, shades, toilet paper holders...

Finally finished the master bath. Thanks, Grandpa!

I've gotten pretty lax about posting photos of finished rooms and details on them, since building isn't our main focus now. But I do like to document it, so here's a new installment: 

::The Ofuro tub is the Neptune Osaka. It was the deepest soaking tub we could find with the smallest footprint and water usage. We didn't splurge for the jets or neck pillows, but we love it. The kids adore it.

::The toilet is the Toto Aquia, a dual-flush water saving toilet. We totally love it and probably should have gotten them for every toilet in the house, but we tried to save some money there.

::Our shower and bath fixtures are the Green Tea Collection by American Standard.

::Everything else is scrapped together: an off-the-shelf Menard's sink, the vanity base built to our specs by the cabinetmaker, boxes and boxes of Lowe's clearance tile (imported from Pennsylvania! Thanks Pap-pap!), a mirror from IKEA, and bamboo accessories (medicine cabinet, paper and towel holders, and shades) from your local big box store.

Whew. It feels a little overwhelming again revisiting it all now. All those decisions, all those purchases... glad to have another small part done.

Spring Getaway

We planned a family weekend way back in cold winter. We rented a Forest Service cabin to ski in to and spend a fun weekend curled up around the wood stove, reading, knitting, and eating simply.

Things didn't go according to plan. That happens (happens heaps with us). Spring came early, so with no snow we drove to the cabin. Temps were fluctuating but once we got a roaring fire going, we had to open the door to avoid roasting ourselves. And while it did not end up being particularly relaxing (the Beaner can't seem to sleep when out of routine), it was rewarding and fun.

A beautiful weekend: great times spent out of doors, a visit to a part of the Forest we hadn't tromped before, and a recharge to the system. We'll do it again.

Get Eggy With It

How We Spent Our Easter

 

:: Egg dyeing with family

:: Fun egg hunt with friends

:: Basket hunting with vigor

:: Ham indulgence with smiles

Hope your Easter was full and fun!

Somethings New

Big O started preschool this week. It's a great school with lots of outdoor time, art, and nutritious food. We're pretty excited about it and he's thrilled. After Day 1, all he could talk about was GAK, even though he kept forgetting what exactly it was called. So we picked up some ingredients (glue) and made it at home.

We used this recipe and mixed it up in the span of about 10 minutes. Truth in blogging: It really should have been about 3 minutes, but it wasn't panning out to be the idyllic home art/science project I had envisioned. My helper was getting too excited and dropped the glue bottle into the bowl, then crushed his graham cracker crumbs everywhere, then spilled his cup of milk. The kids were sent away for some bedroom quiet play, while Mama added the Borax and sealed the deal.

We reconvened for some slimey play. Good times had by all!

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GAK recipe (simplified):

8 oz Elmer's school glue

8 oz water

1/2 cup water

1 teaspoon Borax

couple drops food coloring

Pour the glue in a mixing bowl and refill glue bottle with water. Cap it and shake around to get all the glue and pour the water into the bowl. Add a couple drops of food coloring to the mixing bowl and mix around with a spoon. Put the Borax into the 1/2 cup of water and stir to mix. Add that to the mixing bowl, stirring with the spoon (or switching to your hands as the polymers form). Drop, bounce, push, stamp, and squish to your heart's content. Store in a plastic zip lock bag. Viola!