Taking It for Granite . . .

The kittehs were appalled. Actually, so were we, on discovering that the wooden underpinnings of our sink were being gnawed on by larder beetles, dropping a powdery residue, as well as grubs and beetle bodies into the drawers and cabinets in the vicinity; 

DIY guy to the rescue! John decided to replace the wood and formica with an un-gnawable concrete countertop. After a lot of careful study of various DIY books on the subject, he built  a form down in his shop and poured the concrete mixture. After it had hardened, there was grinding the surface flat and polishing and sealing. (This was a slow process, over a period of weeks.)

At last it was ready. Drawers and cupboards had to be emptied and the sink removed (we had an interesting few days without it -- washing dishes and garden produce in the bathroom.)

And here it is!

No one wants to drop this on a toe . . .

  

Once it's on the hand truck,  tensions abate.

But then there are the steps . . .

Justin pulls: John pushes . . .

Yep, this endeavor involved a lot of tools . . .

Easing it into place . . .

Yes!

And there it is. Now John is casting  some long narrow bits for the backsplash.

Thank you, John! You are a man of many talents!

I'm pretty impressed with how nice concrete can look . . .

  

Even if the kittehs aren't.

Coral Cupboard

Some time back -- ten, maybe fifteen years ago -- I decided it would be nice to paint the inside of my kitchen cabinets red -- or rather, a coral-ish red. Just a nice surprising pop of color when I opened a cabinet, I thought,  would be refreshing.

And I thought and thought about it and now and then brought home paint chips of the sort of color I envisioned but it remained a 'someday' project -- hardly necessary but fun.

Then, finally, last year, when I had turned in the manuscript for The Day of Small Things, I actually went and bought some paint, mixed to what, according to the paint chip, was just the color that had been haunting me, lo these many years.

Well, you know how that goes. Suddenly I was caught up in writing Under the Skin -- and playing catch up from the beginning. The brave little can of coral paint languished in a dark corner, collecting dust. 

Yesterday dawned hot and humid and it seemed a good time for an indoor project -- preferably one that could be executed in front of a fan and listening to a recorded book.

In fact, it seemed a good time to begin the coral paint project!

I began with the cupboard where my spices and baking supplies, teas and vitamins stay.  Just getting things out, deciding if they really needed to be tossed out or if the jars only needed a good wipe -- that part took well over an hour.  

Finally though, the cupboard was empty and wiped down with alcohol in hopes of providing a clean surface for my long-awaited coral paint. I pried open the can and began.


Horrors! What appeared was a dreadful Pepto-Bismal pink! I mean, REALLY awful! 

Arrgh!

 The dab of dry paint on the can's lid, however, was the coral-ish red I'd wanted and I know that paint color changes as it dries so, only slightly daunted, I painted on, enjoying  Neil Gaiman's Ananzi Boys as I worked.

Three coats later, it settled down to a more respectable coral -- not yet as dark as the color on the paint can lid but okay by me. After all. it would be mostly hidden when I put things back.

Later in the evening, as I was doing the dishes after supper, I glanced at my handiwork and was startled by a quick flash of memory -- when I was growing up, our neighbors had an outdoor party room with a tiny enclosed bar. I think that I remember this coral color back there -- behind the shelves? Inside the cabinets? 

I can't be sure -- but is it possible I've been carrying this idea  -- not ten or fifteen years but over fifty? 


And what other projects does my subconscious have in store for me?


First I'd better finish those other cupboards.

Handmade

We've always been fond of handmade gifts -- for giving or receiving. This year, alas, I had no time to make anything but John stepped in and turned (pun intended) out these beautiful wine stoppers from an array of exotic woods . . .

along with some elegant bowls and tiny little kaleidoscopes (not pictured.)

Claui surprised us with a lovely set of hand-embroidered napkins. She worked on them, she told me, during the power outage, by means of a head lamp. I love it!

And Justin presented us with an elaborate drawing of our extended family . . . (He was quite kind to some of us in his depiction of body shape.)

John and I are standing in the front door with Maggie between us and a tangle of dogs in front of us -- Molly and the Border boys, Jack and Dan.

Then going counter-clockwise, Ali Ali is in a rocking chair, next, our friend Josie, Claui, with William trying to climb into her lap, and Justin (looking pretty pleased with himself.)

Next is Otis the pit bull, sulking under the little table. Our friend Kasie is pouring wine, while Cory is taking a picture of Miss Susie Hutchins. Ethan and Aileen and their dogs are next. (Ethan is dashing in a frock coat, such as he wore at his wedding) and Big Eddie is stretching on the railing.

Handmade and heartwarming!