The Pantry

The pantry previously had the washer and dryer which we moved downstairs - the wallpaper was extremely difficult to remove and I tried EVERY trick including the Downey fabric softener but eventually we got it.  Down the road the plan is to install shelving but for now it has the refrigerator and microwave.  The window looks out onto the backyard.  My husband really wanted a shiny new refrigerator but this one just keeps on ticking and works fine!!!!

Building the Half Bath Upstairs

After previously just posting the "after" pictures I felt compelled to complete the story by posting the process of converting one of our upstairs closets into a half bath.  Before sheet rocking in the ceiling we completely insulated the attic and then "the window" was built as a skylight.  The open shelving unit to the left of the sink was custom built to fit right in!

Bee you ti full Colorado

The High Plains of Lamar

Mt. Sopris in the distance!

This is the Spanish Peaks

Windmills on the High PlainsPueblo

Crested Butte

Near Westcliffe

Above Telluride

Decorating for Christmas 2014

We had an added push to make our little bungalow festive this year - the annual Lamar Parade of Homes included us.  I continued to receive conflicting reports about how festive our home had to be in order to meet expectations.  I frantically went shopping at Target to stock up in lights and garlands but we went for pretty minimal. We had the good fortune of buying the perfect pre-decorated tree at the "Tree Auction" where donated trees are auctioned to raise money for our Domestic Safety Organization - same as the Parade of Homes charity.  We had many, many people traipsing through - a good handful were friends of the previous owner who is in a nursing home.  Her sisters were very sweet and said she would have liked the changes we made.  

Such a jolly Santa!

We had a fun trip to an antique shop in Oxford, Ohio over Thanksgiving where I picked up the three Santas and the hand towel.

The unique nativity scene was handmade by my grandmother Katy.  Family history has it that my brother Matt brought it to Show and Tell when he was in kindergarten and baby Jesus went missing!  Fortunately Katy made a new one.

New Half Bath

This is our little half bath inside the guest room.  The existing closet measured 3' wide by 6' long - just big enough for a small sink and toilet.  The room was gutted down to the studs so we were able to create this built in shelving above the sink.  One of my favorite purchases for this house is the light fixture that we got on Etsy.









As you can see the slope of the roof over this closet was just right for adding a skylight.  It's almost like a window since it comes down fairly low into the room.  I will also be posting all the pics of the process of building the room.

Love this room!!!!

The Back Yard

The back yard has gone through various iterations in three years.   Eventually we replaced the chain link fence with wooden fencing (nothing too fancy in the back).  We planted some grass seed and then my husband built a drainage system - underground pipe out to the street - covered with stones.

We installed cattle gates across the driveway so that the dogs would have an enclosed space and now that the front is fenced they can run all the way around! That is Michael out in front.

Chain link

Putting in the first section

Planting a lilac bush and pear tree

I've included pictures from the very beginning when we had a big pile of wood in the back corner and chain link fence all around.

and then it was completely dug up for the new plumbing we installed. 

It only took one year for the fence to be covered in green!

Later on the telephone pole was completely knocked out in a storm and they put the wires on a neighbors pole.

Painting the telephone pole the color of the fence really helped it blend in!

This is Michael's resting place under the echinacea - Michael the big siamese cat that ruled the house!