When Dreams Need Help

Our farmhouse is not where I want it to be...yet.

But it's come a long way from where it started.

However, I still struggle with where it is and the dreams I have for it.

I look at rooms and know amazing is just waiting to happen.

I know that day is coming.

There's a long list of things we want to get done before we move there.

We're far from done but getting closer with each and every project we do.

I know some day it will all come together.

I'm trying to wait well. Make things look the best they can.

I have lots of dreams and reality doesn't quite match them yet.

But truthfully? I'm happy. Happy with our progress.

Happy with our journey.

This place tugs at my heart. It's our happy place. Our lifelong dream.

So here's to dreams and seeing what can be; and to reality and knowing the journey is just as wonderful.

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To help me on my journey of making dreams come true is this wonderful little home planner from KariAnne Wood of Thistlewood Farms.

 It's just the cutest thing ever and you know what? It is full of lessons and how to's for planning your space; all with wonderful, easy to follow worksheets, practical advice and great projects.

There's pockets to keep samples in, graph paper to sketch your floor plans on, places to put paint swatches, and so much more!

She reminds us our homes are one of a kind (like us!). Loved. A reflection of who we are. And it's ok there's imperfection.

So if you're like me, and you're trying to make your dreams become a reality but need a little help, why don't you grab one of these planners? It's like having your BFF along, who is there to give you good advice and help, while cheering you on.

*(While I received a DIY Home Planner, all opinions are my own.)

Making Progress

Things are growing and filling in the flowerbeds at the farm. This is the back bed along garage. The mint is going crazy! The green swimming pool is for the dogs to cool off in 😊

Another view of the back bed - the edging I found buried under the dirt by the driveway!

Another view further back - of the driveway bed (on the right). Farm Road sign is from Canton. I'm thinking about changing the "1" into a "B" so it says "Farm Road B" for the B Farm, of course!

Lantanas in bloom

The studio has been wired and insulation installed

The floor needs to be redone where the workbench is going plus Bruce needs to build a big door to go between the studio and workbench area.

The fire pit has been redone (it was torn up for brick to use for the walkway to the studio)😀

rebuild in progress!

The bees are thriving:

And mowing happens at the "Spot" and reception areas to groom the grounds every.single.time.we're. there!

Reception tent going on the left side of the fence line

Things are progressing nicely and everything should look nice in October for the wedding. It's a happy time for us as we prepare and get things ready.

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In other news, we got a new refrigerator. This one is nice and big! The smaller one is out in the garage to be used to store drinks and just have extra space when needed. We had a moment of panic when we got up to the farm and found the small one was warm inside. Fortunately, it only needed defrosting but we ended up losing everything inside of it. I decided to see it as an opportunity to clean it out. ha.

I even had time for a quick makeover of the metal chairs I picked up in Canton. They will be great around the fire pit!

Sorry for the less than great picture. I was in a hurry to take it before we left to come back to the city. They are super comfy! My grandparents had similar ones on their back porch. So these bring back happy memories too!

Then here at the city house, we are finally replacing the carpet in the living and dining rooms with laminate flooring. I'm so thrilled! With the dogs keeping the carpet looking nice has been a challenge. It goes in this Friday. Whoop!

It's going to look great and should help with resale when that time comes. 

Lastly, I continue to enjoy being part of KariAnne's book launch group. Not only is she amazing, but the group is too. In case you're interested in her book, "So Close To Amazing", you can pre-order it here:
https://www.amazon.com/So-Close-Amazing-Learni…/…/1496422015 
"This is a book celebrating the incredible, awesome, special individual within each of us. It’s also a book for anyone who has ever mismatched her shoes or trimmed her own bangs when a professional might have been a better choice or added too much soap to the washer and watched it overflow.

(Not that KariAnne Wood has ever done any of these things.)"

I really think you'll enjoy it! I know I am. 

Until next time!

Studio Progress In Spite of the Rain

Today I'm sharing the progress on the Tin Roof Art Studio and tomorrow I will be sharing some exciting news about a fun event! So read on then come on back tomorrow!

We just about have the exterior done in spite of the weather. It wasn't very cooperative - it  rained most of the week at the B Farm. Here is where we were a couple of weekends ago:

As you can see, most of the exterior sheathing was up but then Bruce had to head back to the city to work. I stayed hoping to paint and work in the yard.

But it rained almost everyday! It was too damp to do much of anything.

Raindrops hung from plants and spiderwebs while puddles reflected the nearby trees. 

The Sometimes Pond filled up with about two feet of water as well which made the dogs happy - they like to swim and splash!

Things were soggy, chilly, and foggy.

It really kept me from getting as much done as I hoped. But I did get the trim primed and painted.

And I picked out the paint for the front of the studio. I choose SW Aviatrix and Cut Ruby (not a SW color but I had them mix it for me with SW paint) for the front door.

Finally on Friday the sun came out so I pulled out the paint and painted as high as I could reach. Saturday, Bruce was back so he finished up the exterior sheathing and painted the upper portion. It's looking so good!

Next we need to add the trim and paint the door then the outside will be done and interior work will begin. I am truly happy!

Don't forget to come back tomorrow! You'll want to hear what's coming!

Please join me at these parties:

Inspire Me Tuesday

Your Inspired Design

Progress On The Studio - First Project of 2017

Hurray! Hurray!! HURRAY!!!

Last week was amazing! Not only did we spend the whole week at the farm, but our son Jay came up and stayed with us for 5 days, Bruce's brother and mom came up for a couple of days, and wait for it...

Tin Roof Studio got her windows and door installed!! 

It was Bruce who thought the barn bay with the concrete floor would make a great art studio.   It was Bruce who strongly encouraged me to think about it. And it is Bruce who is making it all happen! (Go Bruce!)

In the beginning this is what it looked like

And this past week, Tin Roof Studio really begin to look like a real studio.

On Monday, Bruce and Jay got busy getting the wall ready for the first window - framing the wall, cutting the hole and dry-fitting the window. 

I have to admit it was a little scary to watch the tin being cut but it went perfectly

Tuesday, they placed the window.Yippee!  One window down, two to go. 

On Wednesday we went to the same salvage place where we got the two front windows and found a door. (This place is pretty awesome. - they have just about everything! And it's very reasonable. You just have to dig for what you want). Work could now proceed on the front walls!

loaded and ready to take back to the B Farm

Then Thursday, Bruce started building the front walls, getting ready for the two big windows.

On Friday, B's brother Barry and his mom came up and with his brother's help got to work on the big windows and walls! 

The first window went up with our neighbor Simon helping lift the wall. Thank goodness, I didn't have to try to help. That baby is heavy!

As they started the second wall, they had fun teasing me about it being a studio/deer blind. Uh, no! I don't think so. LOL.

Bruce and Barry got the second window in place, then with Jay's help, they lifted it and got it nailed in. By evening, both windows were in, the walls up and secured, and the area above the door also closed in (oops, forgot to take a picture of that). 

And by lunchtime Saturday, the studio had a door! What a difference it makes having it all enclosed. 

Shall we go inside? I know you're dying to see what it looks like!

I can envision my easel here in this corner. The light is going to be fantastic!

My easel will be in the corner where the ladder is

Here's the other side. I plan on having a real cool backdrop area for photographing things:

To say I am excited to have the studio to this point is a definite understatement. The next step will be drying it all in. I can't wait to start creating in there. It's going to be fantastic!

I'd like to give a big shoutout to my son, Jay, and brother-in-law, Barry, for helping get the windows in and the front closed in. And thanks, Simon, for helping lift the wall. (Bet you didn't know you were going to have to help when you popped over to see the progress. 😀) We couldn't have done it without you!

P.S.

Bonnie and I weren't slacking while the guys were working. She and I raked leaves, cut back branches, and hauled leaves to the burn pile. Jay did lots and lots (ok the majority) of leaf raking and burning plus digging out thorny briars. I hope they know how much I appreciate their hard work!

P.S.P.S.

Those pictures of the colored leaves? 

Not from this Fall. I actually took those between Christmas and New Years. Our weather has been crazy warm with a few cold days here and there. While most of the leaves are down, I found these still clinging in full Autumn glory. 
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Head over to my shop - lots of the Christmas items are on sale! Just click on The Tin Roof Art Studio page.