'Till We Meet Again

It's been quite a year.  A year of learning about Blogland, technology and making a 1960ish rental ranch a home.  It has been enjoyable, productive and therapeutic.  Thanks friends and followers, but I think it's time to tip my hat and say so long..........for now!  All the work at The Ranch is done.


Some trails are happy ones,
Others are blue.
It's the way you ride the trail that counts,
Here's a happy one for you.


Happy trails to you, until we meet again, 
                                      
                                           -  Dale Evans  -

                                                         - D.B. -

Post Card 9

I'm still around, things have just been very quiet around here.  Maybe I need to plan a party?

Painting Fever/Fervor

Yesterday dawned gray and snowy (yay).  My husband left for tennis and I found myself with an unopened can of paint and my favorite radio station "flashing back" to 1972.  Perfect painting conditions!  So to the sounds of Todd Rundgren, Pure Prairie League, early Rod Stewart etc.  I went to work.

I had originally wanted to paint the Kitchen/Bistro an apple green but couldn't find just the right color.........til now! The magic of Wheat Grass (Sherwin Williams).  It looks so much better than the yellow I chose, which by the way, was called Oklahoma Wheat (Benjamin Moore).  Another theme emerges!  At least I'm consistent in my choice of grains, if nothing else.  I've been keeping the rest of the kitchen a secret, but I now feel comfortable in sharing -

Veeery "efficient."  It really does meet all my needs EXCEPT a double oven would be wonderful!  Did I mention I was kitchen spoiled in my previous life?


What a great morning.  I also got to hear Michael Murphy's Geronimo's Cadillac!  Wow, I was immediately transported back to my brother's waterbed, complete with Pier One IMPORTS batik bedspread, listening to the Cosmic Cowboy album on his"hi-fi."  Where were you in "72"?

2011 Project One, CHECK!

I have been waiting for the sun to come out to show you the front room.  Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you - WHEAT GRASS!!!

This color is so lovely.  It changes all the time.  At one point, the Middle One couldn't tell I had painted - it goes a subtle gold in the early evening.

Look how much better the blue and white looks!

It's really not this intense in person.  My husband finds it soothing, I find it cheerful - win/win!

Thank you Verizon for my rebate, which provided funding for the paint.  The only problem, I had a whole can of unopened paint left over!  What to do?  Waste not, want not, right?  Kitchen tour tomorrow!

January Vignette

I thought I was over this sort of thing, but I just can't help it - I am compelled to create a seasonal vignette in the Bistro.

My mom always made a big deal out of being Pennsylvania Dutch.  I grew up believing my ancestors came from the land of tulips and windmills.  Turns out, Pennsylvania Dutch means German.  Oh well, I still love tulips and brave little boys who can save the world by sticking their finger in the dam.  By the way, that's my mom's childhood copy of Hans Brinker behind little Sonja!  Sorry so dark, but I shoot when the mood strikes!  


The Front Room is painted.............more later.

The Sound of Silence

The boys finally go back to school tomorrow.  Don't get me wrong, I love having them home but I'm one of those people that enjoys ALONE TIME.  Tonight my husband treated them to dinner out, which left me time to vacuum up pine needles and put things in order.  I also had the opportunity to make some Ranch Dressing decisions.  Once the front room is painted, a book shelf will be added!  I miss my books being at my fingertips!!!  Word to the wise, don't ever give me a Kindle.  The best thing of all was sitting, for a moment, in silence and looking at some of the things I HAVE accomplished at The Ranch.

See where the desk is?  That's where the bookcase (when I find a deal) will go.  Don't worry, it will all be okay.  

I'm back in the Blue Den with the Little One.  Moment over but that's okay.  I know someday I will long for the clamor and laughs they provide.  Wait, who am I kidding.  By the time the five year old leaves the house, I'll probably be entertaining grandkids! 


Purchasing paint tomorrow, Wheat Grass it is.

Let the projects begin!!!

I got the long awaited picture light this Christmas!  I no longer have to stand over the "bar" with a flashlight for mood lighting!

What a relief!  Now..........it's time to change that wall color.  Before we moved in, I was happy with the neutral paint colors, tiles, flooring etc.  Believe me, we lucked out in finding THIS house.  I could tell you horror stories about other ranches we looked at to rent.  One of them was so bad, I came home and went directly to the shower!

So here we go ...................off to the paint store!  Good bye anemic walls, hello Wheat Grass (I think).