Good news, everyone!

I know it's been awhile since I've last blogged, but it is only because I am actually working on a very important project for the house. But, my friends, you will have to wait for more information on that. Hopefully, if I keep my nose to the sewing machine (hint, hint), I will be finished this weekend!

Bones is working on a very cool project for the bathroom. But I'm not sure when that will be done, as a certain distraction by the name of Chris D has rolled into town on a rail. Well, rails. He came in on a train.

But one thing is for certain:

I got into Michigan State University's graduate journalism program!

Yeah me! Now buy me a cocktail.

Of course, I've also been discussing trying to get into law school. Certain parties have suggested I do both. Here I thought if people wanted to kill me, they would just lock me in a room full of cats. I wasn't expecting such a slow and laborious means of death.

So on with the show.

Many of you know the how the exterior of our house looks now.

A lovely shade of blue. Like the summer sky (not pictured).

But let us not forget how our sweet little starter home used to look.

A not so lovely shade of flesh. Like a... well, you know.
The one thing this picture has going for it is the sunshine and the leaves on the trees. The blahs going on outside right now really makes me want to stay curled up in bed. Like this:

Or, even better:

This is how he got his hippy/Native American name, Scruffy Sunbeam.

I promise, the next post will have some exciting new projects. Including one from a special guest. Oooh!

If They Mated: Dog Edition

But first, this is a blog about the house after all. So, I offer up further proof of Bones's talent and skills. Here we have a chair that Bones bought off of eBay for cheap.

Keep in mind that Bones painted the metal black. It had previously been a shiny gold. Very '80's. However, it is really comfortable; thus, worth saving. Here it is today:

Ok, it's not the best photo, but you get the gist. And the chair is not technically finished, in case you noticed that the slats are not perfectly spaced. Bones based his remake on a style created by William Morris. Google Image "William Morris chair," and you'll see Bones has essentially created a very nice replica.

The chair has gone from exile in the sun room to a central spot in the living room and has become my favorite chair.

Here's bonus "behind-the-scenes" footage of Bones in process of making the chair. Yes, he's in the living room. No, I wasn't pleased.

And now, I present If They Mated: Dog Edition

Miniature Schnauzer
(courtesy Junior Britannica)

+

Yorkie
(courtesy cuteoverload.com)

=

Essentially, I'm just offering proof that Scruffy is a "Schnorkie," a Schnauzer-Yorkie mix. Yep, he's a designer dog. Most likely, the (illegal) breeder was trying to make more money by crossbreeding, since designer dogs are in such high demand.

By the way, the sweater on the Yorkie was made from an argyle sock.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I realized that pretty much everyone I know is married, about to be married, or at least getting a steady dose of lovin'. All happily, as far as I know. It was four years ago today that Bones proposed to me. Awww. What I remember best is that I totally screwed up my hair that day. It was a bleach job gone horribly awry. Yet, Bones still proposed. What a guy.

Anyway, go get your Love on, make it a whole long weekend of lovin'. The world will be a better place. Right on.

The photo is courtesy http://cuteoverload.com, where there are other pictures of animals with hearts on them if you need some inspiration.

Scruffy's Birthday: A Photoessay

Man. Why did they drag me from under the couch? I was so cozy. I should be called French President Nicholas So-Kozy.

What? What do you want?

Harumph.

OH!

For moi?

No! Really?

*Nom, nom, nom*

*Nom, nom (deep breath) nom*

So full

HAPPY FOURTH BIRTHDAY, MEESTER!

Works in Progress

Today's focus is on showing some of the baby steps Bones has made on various parts of the house. But, to paraphrase, "This is one small step for us, one giant leap for home improvement." I am just amazed that in a relatively short amount of time, Bones can undo years worth of outdated conventions (painted-over wallpaper everywhere, including the ceiling) and create modern, yet classic, looks. Judging by that description, I think it's safe to say I've been watching too much Project Runway--stop me if I start saying that the house is "fashion-forward" and "fierce."
So, on with the show:

This makes me feel rich just looking at it. And, lately, that's the only way I'm going to feel rich. The only thing missing is...Anyone? That's right, the doors. However, Bones can't be faulted for that, since he is currently working on a more important project which I will show below. Bones used curly maple for the cupboards, which has quickly become one of my favorite woods, unlike some of those boring and useless woods out there--I'm talking to you, balsa. The counter tops are granite tile, the color is known as "Uba Tuba." Just say it out loud, it's fun. The tiles were the cheaper alternative to having a slab counter top. It was a good compromise considering my refusal of anything laminate.

To appreciate the rich beauty further, let's take a look at the "Before":

And yet, we almost didn't get this place because someone bid over the asking price. Notice the linoleum on the counter top. That's brown duct tape around the sink. I don't even know what the old owner's were going for with the black, scalloped thingie, but it ain't working.

Moving on, Bones is in the midst of a fixing up the bathroom, formerly a blight compared to rest of the first floor. You may have seen it thusly:

All done up in a color I call "Institution Green."

But, Friday night Bones started a new project that I have to show before it's even finished.

Ahh, yes, much better. And it's just going to get better. He'll be breaking up the wainscotting into boxes, or frames; and of course we'll be getting rid of the green. Now I feel like I'm peeing in style. Like I'm peeing in a millionaire's personal library. Take that, random millionaire!

Well, come back on Tuesday, Scruffy's birthday is tomorrow, and I'll be posting pics. He's going to be four. That's two years that he's been with us. Our baby's growing up! I'll be making him a cheeseburger.

Scruffy's Do

Recently, I gave Scruffy a new hairdo. While it is far from professional, it does make him look more puppy-ish. I figured now would be as good a time as any to give you all a glimpse of Scruffy through the ages. And, at the right you can vote for which 'do is your fave. Fun! Behold:

The Ewok.

The original look. This is why he got stuck with the name. But notice the crossed paws and overall casual look, he doesn't seem at all bothered that he can barely see from under those eyebrows. Or the fact that whatever he had gotten into is stuck in his beard.

The Gandolf
This was his first haircut. I guess the groomer thought the beard was really working for him. Maybe she was just trying to balance out the ears.

Haircut #2
Ummm...Not much to say here. He's just too friggin' cute for words.

The Keith Richards
Or, in this case, the "Scruff" Richards.

The Traditional Schnauzer
So shiny. He looks like he's made of metal. He could be the Tin Man's dog. What would he ask the Wizard for?

The Punky Beard
You can't really tell here, but his beard is significantly shorter (and uneven).

So, that's Scruffy through the ages. Be sure to vote for your favorite look and DON'T BE AFRAID TO POST COMMENTS, PEOPLE! Seriously, just click on where it says "comments" and post, post, post. We'd love to hear from you. Dosie has been the only brave and smart soul to do so. You rock, Dose.

A Walk through the Wood(working)s

Good day, everyone. Today we will be taking a stroll through some of the handiwork Bones has done since we moved in two years ago. Enjoy!

This is a Celtic knot that Bones hand carved for the living room. Personally, I would have gotten confused and carved where I wasn't supposed to. You would probably also see my blood smeared on it from cutting myself while trying to carve after a couple glasses of wine. So kudos, Bones, kudos to you.

This is a detail from another another hand-carved piece. This one was designed by Bones to match the light fixture. Genius!

These pictures are from our kitchen. I know what you're thinking, Why is everything so red? Well, I'll have you know that the camera didn't do justice to the subtle variations of the shades. If you were here, you would notice how totally different Merlot, Burning Bush, and Penthouse Garnet (ooh la la!) are from one another.

Anyhoozle, notice the noble arch Bones put in. Ignore the missing springer (look it up). Bones is working on carving those pieces.

I'm just going to throw in some "before" photos so you can see the wonders Bones has wrought.

I'm not sure what look the old (literally) owners were going for, but we did keep one element of their decor. See the little knocker on the bathroom door? It says, "Hurry." Ha!

So, that concludes our tour for the day. Hope you enjoyed it!