Special Day!!

Someone is celebrating her 7th bark day!!  Cannot believe how the time has flown by...seems only a short while ago we were picking Liesel up at the airport in Halifax...she was flown first class from Toronto on a transport plane!  Not in the cargo area of a passenger plane...but on a transport plane....she was in the air for only one hour!  The water in the dish clipped to the inside of her crate....was still full.  Smooth flight, or what?

Cutest wire baby ever!!  This was before she even came to us!!  No wonder I fell in love with that face...

Shortly after her arrival...heading out for an evening walk with her pie-bald brother from another mother!  Adorable in their little sweaters!  Still miss that little guy...cranky as he was...

And today...all of 7 years!  She received a couple new toys...(cause there is a shortage of them here...)

And new harness is on the way!  I've used the Puppia brand before...and they are a great fit...especially for smaller dogs!   How cute are the polka dots?

Mr. Seventies is making headway on the back entry!  He's been putting down the tiles...I'm really pleased with how they are looking!  The walls are finished with two coats of paint...once the tiles are down...it's a matter of the carpet installation...and the new door casing and base mouldings...

I dropped off the lower portion of the main bath window to the glass place earlier this morning...it should be ready later today.  I had taken it in a couple of weeks ago for measure...and the new glass was in & ready to be installed today...

We've had sun the last couple of days...which has been nice.  We actually had the chance to sit out on the deck yesterday.  It cooled down to a balmy 10 degrees overnight...heavy dew this morning.  Pain to go around and close all the windows before bed when the temperature dips that low.

Have an awesome day & thanks for stopping by!  

Carpet Measure Done

The back entry stairs have been measured and the carpet & underpad have been ordered.  Slight snafu...the carpeting I had chosen...was discontinued in December 2020.  The store had not been notified...so upon receiving a telephone call from the carpet salesman...I made a second trip to the store.  

Since there is heavy construction in that area...I went the "back" route and avoided the traffic and congestion...and long lines of vehicles....

This is now what has been ordered...a little touch of teal in it...along with the grey.  Thankfully, it is in stock...as you can see underneath the sample it's called Inland Water.  I'm hoping it takes no longer than two weeks to arrive...and was advised they have a couple of installers who do these type of "smaller jobs"....so that won't be an issue...

And I'm loving this...anyone with a Circuit machine can whip these up....but since I don't have one...I ordered one from a fantastic Etsy seller...

I think I ordered mine in black...(obviously this is not our door) .......I'll share when it arrives...

Today Mr. Seventies is back painting the back entry...with humidity forecast to be high...he's at it early this morning....

Once the walls are finished with two coats....the back entrance door needs to be painted, as only one side is complete.  Then...he is ready to begin installing the tiles.....

We're getting there!!

Back Entry-Work in Progress

We're still puttering away in the back entry.  I thought taking up the old carpet would be strenuous & difficult....but Mr. Seventies reports it was quite easy to remove.  We decided the carpet had been down for minimum 25-26 years...as the same carpet was installed in the lower family room.

And we installed laminate click flooring there in the fall of 2001.  But left the carpeting on the steps.   The plywood steps are not pretty...and are original to the house.  But they are sound...and sturdy...so we see no need to replace them...

Next, the boob light fixture was removed...

And two coats of fresh white paint was applied.  This entry is no easier to work in than the front entry...with about a 15 foot drop from the ceiling to the bottom...in tight quarters.  Once the paint was dry...the new light fixture was installed.   It's a good thing Mr. Seventies is a pro at installing new fixtures...as the instructions were of no use.  But it is up and I love how it looks....and it's so pretty when turned on at dark....

Ready for new paint....that little piece on the wall...is to keep the door from striking the wall when it opens...I prefer it to one of the wire ones on the base moulding...

And...remember how I was going to go with a light colour in the entry?  It appears I lied.  Well...not really a lie...just a change of heart.   Since the entry colour scheme is black, white...and grey....I chose Beautitone paint in the colour of...Real Grey...seems appropriate.  I think it will look awesome...when the door trim and base mouldings, floor tiles and carpeting are installed...

And I vow this will be the last time Mr. Seventies will be painting this entry.  If ever again...we will hire it out...as my nerves cannot take situations such as this...the man has no fear of heights.  I don't know what scares me more...the fact he has no fear....or that I am terrified of heights!  

So not only doing you get a glimpse of my painter hard at work...but also the wall colour!   In other news...I scored this amazing high chair on Facebook Marketplace for when our little grand baby comes for visits (and meals).   After a thorough cleaning & disinfecting....it's ready for use.  And the best part...it completely folds up when not in use!!

And look what came on sale BOGO at Michaels!!   I did an online order with store pick up...easy peasy...this is the one I wanted...

And since two for the price of one is even better...I got this one as well...since it has all of the colours that match the area rug in the family room.....

And speaking of area rugs...I have not been happy with the one in my vanity room since we put it down.  It's too big for the room...and an ugly brown.  I have not been able to put any decor in that room....since I do not like that rug!!  It literally has been laid down...and nothing else done...

So...it's going.  Either on FB Marketplace...or to daughters house...if she wants it for her hubby's man cave...either way....it's going.

I've ordered a smaller....very colourful area rug for the room.  It's bold & bright...and more my style...and will show more of the hardwood flooring.   I'll share once it has arrived...and I get the room pulled together a bit more.  Sometimes it takes a couple of attempts to get it just right...for me. 

It's raining here...again.  We've had a terrible July weather wise...which is why the decision was made to re-do the back entry sooner rather than later.  

The front walk has been put off until spring...Mr. Seventies has a torn oblique muscle and requires physical therapy...so any heavy lifting is out of the question,  And he has agreed, to hire the work out.  Or he's telling me to appease me...not sure which it is...but for now...I'm okay with that. 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have an amazing day where you are!!

Carpet For Back Entry Stairs

Because we live close to Home Depot....I thought I would start my carpeting search there.   I researched on their website...found a couple that were in the running...had the info on my phone....so off I went...thinking this was going to be wrapped up quickly.

For the record....service was non-existent.  I headed to the flooring department...and suddenly three employees sitting at the flooring desk...vanished.  Poof.  Gone.  I hung around for a few minutes...checked out the carpet samples...and finally went in search of someone....anyone...who could assist.  Found an employee...who paged the flooring sales person.  Five times.  No one responded.    By this time....fifteen minutes had passed...and the employee turned to me and with about as much empathy as she could muster mumbled a "Sorry..I can't get anyone to answer".   And that was the extent of the customer "service".  

Now I did not mention how much carpet I was looking to purchase...could have been an area rug...or carpeting for a whole house.  Not that it would have mattered...nor should it have mattered.  So Home Depot...a huge fail.  I should have known better.

I headed for a local company...which is a bit of a drive...through heavy construction....and traffic...and received immediate, cordial service!  The flooring salesman was very accommodating...we went through all the different brands, styles and colours which would be durable for stairs.  He is coming to get an exact measure in the next day or two....and gave me the sample board to bring home and make my choice.  This carpet is a bit more expensive per square foot...has a 20 year wear warranty...pet and traffic durable...

This is the large sample on one side..so you can get the feel and texture of the carpet...

And it comes in a variety of colours....the first sample in the second row is the one we've chosen.  It is gray with a black weave...as opposed to the one above it which is black with a gray weave (or lines).  The one on the top right looks gray....but it is Chestnut Brown.

Once the measure is done & the carpet ordered...we've been advised it will take about 1 1/2-2 weeks to arrive.  They have installers...so we don't even have to look after that.  Mr. Seventies had planned to remove the old carpet yesterday...but worked with our neighbour/contractor on a cottage.  Today he is sanding the back entry walls...then plans to take up the carpet...and perhaps get started on the painting of the entry ceiling.

All a work in progress...

Busy Couple of Days

Mr. Seventies has been working away at the back entry.  He installed the new back door handle...and plunger (closes the door)....simple white handle....

And the plunger installed on the inside.  I asked about replacing the metal threshold...but apparently it is attached to the door frame.  Mr. Seventies advised he will clean it with steel wool and/or sandpaper and it will look new.....I was happy to hear that...

I made a quick trip to the hardware store to pick up supplies needed...dry wall sparkle to fill and smooth holes and foam to fill a hole in the gyproc....this product is perfect for the job....goes on pink...and dries white...

And a small can of foam spray to fill the hole.  Great product...takes 24 hours to set and harden...then can be speckled, sanded & painted...

I picked up a new blade for cutting the floor tiles and a tube of Gorilla glue...just to add a dab or two to each tile for extra adhesive.  The glue may not be required....but it can't hurt to have it on hand and experiment with it...

Current status of the entry....today begins the job of ripping up the carpeting on the back stairs....

Since Mr. Seventies plans to paint the entry ceiling as well....its a good time to replace the boob light fixture there.  I love this one...and it's a semi flush mount...and does not hang down low enough to interfere with the back door opening and closing...it's black...so will co-ordinate with the black & white floor tiles...

I checked out a few paint chips...and am leaning towards something along the gray lines...haven't made my decisions firm yet.

As I was making my way home from the hardware store...I swung into a drive through and brought home a treat for Mr. Seventies....(and Liesel...enjoys a small bite or two of a plain donut ball)...

The cover I ordered from Amazon for the outdoor wicker love seat arrived...and it fits perfectly.  I measured beforehand and ordered the 48" wide size (also comes larger).  It has straps so the cover can be secured if the wind happens to come up.  I'm very pleased with the quality of the cover...it even comes with it's own storage bag.  It's not light & flimsy....the quality is excellent.

I do wish the delivery drivers would heed my sign though!  Although...it really makes no difference to Liesel if they ring the bell or knock on the door to alert they have left a package....she is the best doorbell anyone could have....

So this funny incident happened a few days ago.  It took daughter, her husband and father to install a car seat in our vehicle for grand baby.  In doing so...daughter set her cell phone on the roof of our SUV.  And forgot it there!!

We drove 12 minutes home...through three round abouts....and heavy traffic & upon arrival home our son-in-law called to inquire if the phone was on the roof.  Suspecting it had likely flown off...I was happy to report...it was still there!!  Just as I found it...

Our daughter was relieved...and promised never to tease her Dad again on how slow he drives!!  Now if Mama had been driving...it might have been a whole different story...lol!!

I plan to shop around today and hopefully find durable carpeting...likely a Berber loop carpet.  Very durable and easy maintenance for high traffic areas...such as stairs.  I suspect whatever I choose will need to be ordered...so there will likely be a delay or a while before it arrives....

So that's it from here...we had a torrential downpour last evening and overnight...really helped break the cycle of humidity we've been having the last few days.  My begonia flower pots are tucked under the outdoor furniture covers to prevent them from getting water logged.

Have an awesome day where ever you are today!  

Another Project Started

It appears Mr. Seventies is on a roll with getting projects on the go.  For years....the landing at the back entry has maintained a few horrible squeaks!  Since we are replacing the flooring...it seemed like a good time to figure out why....

He got a start in taking up the old vinyl flooring....on the landing...

And discovered the plywood floor....had never been screwed (or nailed in those days) down!  It was laid down...with nothing to secure it!  No wonder it moved....and squeaked like crazy!  Now it has been properly screwed down...secure and no more squeaks!!  

Today the plan is to pull up the floor covering on the two steps that lead into the kitchen...and remove the metal nosing (we plan to replace as well).   Which also led to a discussion about the carpet on the steps leading down to the lower level.  

We've decided to rip the carpet off...and barring any surprises...have new carpeting installed.  We mulled over various options...replacing the steps altogether...staining or painting them....but since the current carpet is glued down...once it's removed...it's likely best to have new carpet put down.   They are built from plywood...so it's not like they are beautiful hardwood stairs.   

Our exterior storm door needs a new handle and plunger (pulls the door closed)...so a trip to the hardware store is in order today.  And while there,  I plan to look at paint colours (for the back entry) and hope to find one like.  The entry is on the north side of the house...so I don't want anything really dark...I don't think.  When we installed the steel entrance door...it was important there be window in it...to allow as much light in as possible.  Our previous doors were solid..with a small half moon window at the top.  So plain..and not appealing...

The walls in the back entry need some work.  Nails have popped out over the years...once they are counter sunk, spackled & sanded..they will be ready for paint.  We have new door frame and base mouldings ready to be installed afterwards as well.  

Showers are pretty much in the forecast for most of the week...so this is a good week to putter away on this project.  We've enjoyed a few really hot days = much needed pool time!

Mr. Seventies cut an additional three bunches of lavender & has them hung in the storage shed to dry.  I'll pick up a few small bags...and fill with dried lavender for sachets.  

I'll share photos of this project as we get into it...and take you along for the ride.  Anyone else got projects on the go?  

Have an awesome day wherever you are!!

Summer Returning.....For The Weekend

To say this month's weather has been unpleasant...is an understatement.  As of today....we have been in the pool a grand total of one time in July!  We can't remember any other year where it has been so overcast and rainy...although we tend to forget some years.  The heat & sun are to return the next 3-4 days.

The outdoor wicker love seat cover is falling apart!  The fabric is literally disintegrating.  Before it fully falls apart...I'd searched locally for a new one with no luck.  So...Amazon it is.   This one I ordered is similar to the wicker chair covers...and they are holding up really well...so this one should be durable.

We've had so much rain...I've had to slide my begonia pots under the chair covers to keep them from getting water logged....

In chatting with our daughter...it appears grand baby is so eager to walk...she is having a number of falls!  And hitting her little head on the tile or hardwood floor!  So much so...they've put away her little walking train to prevent a serious head injury in a fall.

I'd never heard of a "walking helmet"... but what an awesome idea!  I had visions of her toddling about in a hockey helmet!  But these helmets are softly padded...like bubble wrap for the head! One should be arriving today for our little one...and then she can get back to the business of learning to walk!

My linen sheets arrived!  I am so impressed with them...the texture is very different.  Rough to start out...but they will soften as time passes.  I haven't put them on the bed yet....they need to be laundered first...and hung on the line outdoors.  Plan to do that over the weekend.  The duvet cover I ordered through a seller on Etsy...is being shipped today.  I will wait until it arrives and pull the bed together then.  Since they are fall colours.....I will likely wait until then. 

This is a Canadian company (Silk and Snow)...excellent quality linen bedding and customer service.(not a sponsored post...)  I like that the company sells mattresses using Canadian materials...and are made in Canada...as well as bedding.   I will be ordering another set in the not too distant future.  The sheets I ordered are Olive Green.  

The bees and I shared space while I picked the first bunch of lavender...they stayed on one side of the clump...and I snipped away on the other....

Mr. Seventies asked me last evening how I managed to pick a bunch...as the clump was currently covered in bees!  I had picked early morning...and there were only a couple of bees...and we had an understanding...the bees and I.   I wouldn't bother them...and they wouldn't bother me.

We have a date with our little one this evening....while her parents attend a function.  Since it's going to be warm....we are seeing a visit to the ice cream stand after her supper.  I suspect a bath will be in order after that outing!  

And today...I receive my second Covid vaccine.  I'm not anticipating any issues...it will be a relief to have it done.  

Have an awesome weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Exterior Reveal

Today I'm sharing the completed exterior refresh....we've had so many compliments on the colours chosen.  As a rule, I use the colour matching machine at Home Depot...you scan a paint colour chip...and it gives you co-ordinating colour suggestions.  

That machine was out of order.  So...I winged it...but chose two colours that I love...and glad I did!

I have a mat to place on the front step...but thought I'd give a couple of days for the stain to set...

Giving the house a power washing prior to painting was necessary...we are very happy with how everything turned out.

My lavender is a day or two away from being snipped!  I'll give it a couple more days of sun to "ripen" then I'll pick it down.  It smells amazing...I'll have a couple of bunches in the house and share a bouquet with my daughter.   This is one  of two clumps that are just about ready...

Mr. Seventies has the window from the main bath removed...it will be dropped it off a the glass shop today for glass replacement.  

We discovered the shocks on the hatchback on our SUV are broken.  This makes opening it very difficult...and it will fall sharply without being held up.  The garage is ordering new ones...it will take a day or two for them to arrive.  And of course...they are not covered under the warranty.  The salesman we dealt with advised they will be paying for most if not all of the repair.  Which I thought was very gracious of them...especially since we did not ask...nor was it expected.

I wasn't even going to advise the dealership...but the garage owner advised me to.... (his garage handles the vehicle maintenance for the dealership).  We don't bother with extended warranties either...we seldom use it...yet spend about $2,000 for it....or the required repair ... isn't covered anyways.  

We are hoping hot weather returns...we have not been in our pool in July...either it has been overcast or raining...fingers crossed things turn around soon.  So much for the forecast of a hot, dry summer!

Hope you are having beautiful weather in your area!  If so, send it our way please...

Busy Few Days....

There's been a whole lotta painting going on!  The shutters and flower boxes are finished...and re-installed.   The exterior trim around the doors has also been been given a fresh coat of paint.  Front and back entrance doors have been painted...here is a sneak peek...

Love, love, love the teal!  This just makes me want to get the back entry redone...lol.  It never ends!   The front door looks amazing....once the front step is re-stained...I'll share photos.  And...I may have Mr. Seventies convinced to have a new front concrete walkway poured....in the fall.  What would it hurt to have them come and do an estimate....right?  

Since the next few days the forecast is calling for hot & dry...we have a broken seal in the bottom half of the window in the main bath.  Mr. Seventies can pop the window out & we will drop it off at the glass shop to have it replaced.

I wanted a sign to hang on the front of the house..Mr. Seventies cut me a couple of boards (one for each entrance)...and they were given a couple of coats of teal paint.  I popped into Michaels...and picked up stencils...(not going to lie...I'm not in love with the sign...but it will do for now)...it was low cost & Mr. Seventies thinks it's great...he hung a completed one at the front door.   I'll keep my eye open for one I love a bit more...

We also went to the greenhouse to pick up petunias for the flower boxes.  Being so late in the season...flowers were half price!  We only needed eight potted flowers...so sixteen dollars was pretty cheap.  And they add a pop of colour...even if they only last a few weeks.  It's hot at the front of the house...so they need watering every couple of days.

While in Michaels...you guessed it...fall decor is being put out!  I'm okay with that....I love fall!  Still want to enjoy the next few short weeks of summer though.    The price on this wreath gave me heart palpitations though...$79!!  Crazy...though it likely will be cheaper when on sale or BOGO...

I wish my window ledges were wider!  How cute would this look filled with a plant...on a sunny kitchen window?

And I swooned over this tray...it is really large...could make a great spot to set the Keurig, coffee mugs, etc....

I'm definitely picking up this adorable banner for my fireplace!  These hang perfectly across it...and I mean...three of my favourite things...dogs...pumpkins and red trucks!!  And they will definitely be going on sale...or I will use coupons...

A close up...cute or what?

And an adorable matching cushion!!  Oh I love me red trucks!!

I love these mats...but dislike the way they feel on the feet.  And if placed outside...once they get wet...they take forever to dry...but this one is adorable...

Today forecasts to be cooler...but sunny...a great day to do the front step.   Best time to stain it is in the morning....before the afternoon sun comes around and it gets really hot. 

Mr. Seventies had his second vaccine a few days ago....without any issues.  I receive mine later in the week...be very glad to have it.  Rules here are being relaxed a bit...with those fully vaccinated...masks are no longer required (unless a store or establishment has a mask policy still in place).  I noticed Michaels had their mask policy sign removed...yet everyone in the store...including the cashiers...wore masks.  It's going to take a little while I think for people to have confidence to go maskless.  They have become the norm I guess...

Wishing everyone an awesome day!!  Thanks so much for stopping by....

Mid Week Catch Up

We have two coats of paint on the shutters...they are looking so nice!  We have more than enough paint to do a third coat...so will decide if they need another today.  The weather has been great for them to dry beautifully.

Yesterday...Miss Liesel had a dental cleaning...(an annual procedure).  Dachshunds are prone to periodontal disease...so keeping her gums and mouth healthy is very important,  It's hard to believe she will be seven the end of this month!  No extractions required...just a scaling & cleaning....she was a bit snoozy last evening...content to snuggle beside Mama...

We hope to refresh the back entry in the fall...always looking ahead!  Mr. Seventies is going to remove the vinyl flooring on the two steps and landing...and the reviews on these floor tiles is amazing...and I love the pattern!  I picked up four boxes (10 tiles per box)...to have ready.  I haven't chosen a paint colour...but have lots of time to decide...

This is a close up of the tile pattern...they are available on Amazon...but I picked them up at a hardware store close by...

I don't think I shared the lamps from Bed Bath & Beyond....they are so pretty.  The shades have a linen feel to them.  They are not as white as in the photo...but rather a cream colour...even here....the family room walls look green...they are not....but more of a darker gray/beige...

I popped into Home Sense over the weekend...not really looking for anything.  Found this pretty wreath...and love how it looks on my cabinet...

It's faux boxwood covered in baby's breath....and just the perfect size.  I'm crushing hard on these benches! I can just imagine one...in an entry...with baskets slid underneath for storage!  Oh what I would give for a bigger entry...

But such is life!  I'm very blessed and content with what I have. With the current costs of building materials and prices of homes sky rocketing out of control....I wouldn't want to be building or buying a home right now.  And yet..the amount of new construction happening in our neighbourhood is mind boggling!

So that's about everything from here!  Sun & cloud today...maybe get a start on painting the flower boxes.  Hope you have an awesome day!!