Busy year so far!

Here we are, 3 months into the new year, we've had a preview of spring temperatures and, at least down here, have managed to dust off the shorts, see what fits and wear them around for a couple of days.  Sunglasses are needed down here as the reflection off of everyone's winter white legs is blinding.

We kicked off the year needing some home improvements -- heat is good, future air conditioning a must, the garage door , already wounded when we bought the house, decided in true unsouthern fashion that it would not rise again.  Naturally Clara is in need of repairs and we look forward to that soon enough.  Although I could whine and complain, I am trying to use this blog for more productive outlets, and so I will not launch into a monologue about paying so much money in copays this year we could repaint the whole doctor's office in Sherwin-Williams high gloss, and that doesn't include the price for the "ear repair".  No, I will not.  Instead, I would like to give you a brief glimpse into the work we, the Nolls, have done ourselves, because we have accomplished quite a few household projects in just 3 months.

I wanted to save this for last, but this is how it came up. I am honestly thinking of getting it framed.  It's the first time, without me working with her and without any suggestions, that Greta has created what I think is just about the cutest face I've ever seen.  What creativity.  What artistic expression!  I'm so proud.

I was hoping for a better shot of all of Chris' hardwork on our new kitchen floor, but alas, I couldn't get the shot I wanted.  SO, here it is.  Doesn't it look great?  I would've done a before and after, the before was too yucky.  It is just a laminate floor, but very woody looking.  I think it looks a little more "distressed" in this picture than it really looks in person, but congratulate Chris.  He did it almost completely solo, as I am of no use using in kind of saw or measuring let alone the physical stuff that needed to be done.  Unless it involves tape, glue or staples, don't ask me to put it together.

Another one of Chris' creations -- bird feeder on a post.  (Oh, let's call it what it really is:  Squirrel Diner.)  We were tired of the squirrels constantly knocking the other one down, or the rain collecting and sprouting new gunk in it.  Chris took two old fence posts, nailed them together and mounted a feeder.  It works great, the seed lasts longer, and we've had some fine feathered visitors when the squirrels are taking a break.

These pictures are out of order, but this is a table that is now in Greta's room.  Chris and our very wonderful neighbor "Mr. Bill" made this. (Chris under the astute direction of Bill.)  He cut everything but the legs and put the entire table together -- fine craftsmanship.  I did the painting, with a little help.  It's not quite complete, and there are some touchups needed, but I wanted to show it to you.  It is about 3 feet long.  I guess I better get to work on finishing this!

So there we are, great job to us all.  We'll have to figure out our next project, but I'm proud of what we've done so far.