Bed Nook: 4

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With help from Sug and my son I have started to build a bed nook on the upstairs landing at the shore house.

The landing area is 114″ long on the window wall and 106.5″ wide.

In the third installment we built Ikea under-bed drawers and a bed frame from 2 by 4s.

Drawers and frame.

This past Saturday we added a shelf and headboard at each end of the bed.

Basic support is tied into the wall about 2 inches under the window.

The plywood is supported with 2 by 4s screwed into the wall.

The shelf will be useful to hold books, a lamp, a glass of water, etc.

The shelf and headboard are 1/4″ plywood.

A second piece of plywood was positioned at right angles to the shelf and cut out at the bottom to rest on the bed frame.  Small blocks of 2 by 4 secured the pieces of plywood at the corner. Both sides were accomplished with one 4 by 8 sheet of plywood.

We also tried to install the front surround but ran into problems with a sloped floor.

The plan was to encase the entire project in a frame made of MDF.  We got started on it but ran out of steam when the measurements didn’t work out exactly.  So we will make another trip to finish the construction portion of the project.

Shutters will eliminate the need for curtains at the windows.

I also tried an old shutter at the window for size.  I think it will work well but needs first to be painted.

The supply list:

  • 2 by 4s
  • 2 – 4 by 8 sheets 1/2″ plywood MDF
  • 1 – 4 by 8 sheet 1/4″ plywood
  • Long brads for pneumatic nailer
  • Pocket screws for Kreg jig

Here’s the original plan with the finished items highlighted in pink font:

  1.  Choose a paint color for the ceiling and walls.  The trim will be Simply White semi-gloss to match the rest of the house.
  2.   Wash the windows and clean shades.  Measure to see if shutters would work.
  3.   Buy paint and prime and paint ceiling and walls. 

    Painting the room made it appear bigger and brighter.

  4.  Measure the room.
  5.  Draw a plan for the bedframe and nook frame.
  6.  Purchase and assemble under bed drawer from Ikea.
  7.   Purchase lumber for the project.
  8.   Build the frame and facing. Remember to move the electric outlet.
  9.   Paint the facing and visible frame.
  10.   Make the bed with fresh linens.
  11.   Hang art inside the nook.
  12.   Add a lamp to the nook — wall sconce or small brass lamp.

The next step is to finish the frame then paint the wood and MDF white like the trim in the rest of the house.

Before

In progress

This project is a little more involved than I expected but we are making progress.

Jo

The Glass House in Baltimore

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Charlie and I made an afternoon visit to The Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens in Baltimore — often called the Glass House by locals.

The Rawlings Conservatory is in Druid Hill Park near the Baltimore Zoo.

The Conservatory is the second-oldest steel framed-and-glass building still in use in the United States.  Established in 1888 as the Druid Hill Conservatory, the Howard P. Rawlings Conservatory has grown from the original Palm House and Orchid Room to include three greenhouses, two display pavilions, and outdoor gardens.

The entrance lobby was fragrant with spring blooming bulbs — daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths.

I particularly chose this week to visit because the gardens are in the midst of their Spring Flower Show which also involves sales of plants.

Orchids of a variety of colors and sizes festooned the orchid room.

The young lady at the front desk took our temperature then directed us first to the oldest part of the building which houses the orchid room and the palm room.

I took my mask down momentarily so Charlie could snap a photo of me among the orchids.

The orchids were abundant and lavish. We visited this room at the beginning and end of our tour.  We were enamored.

The palms make good use of the height of the conservatory.

Then we headed into the palm court.

This garden had a small footbridge set up from which I took this photo. (Grape hyacinth in the foreground.)

We went back through the lobby to access the remainder of the greenhouses. Another room was decorated with spring blooms.

Arrows were placed on the paths to maximize social distancing concerns.

Finally we toured the remainder greenhouses which included Ponderosa lemons, cacti of all sizes, olives trees among the large variety of specimens.

The beds along the foundation of the conservatory are planted with red tulips which change with the season.

Our tour took about 45 minutes.  Convenient free parking is available right outside the building. Timed tickets are required but also are free.

Jo

101 in 1001 #5: First Check-in

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I began this new list of 101 tasks I would like to complete in 1001 days on February 6th of 2020.  Here’s my progress a little more than a year into the list.

My new (5th) list began February 6, 2020. It will end on November 3, 2022. Fourth list started May 10, 2017 (first list ended 11/13/2011, second list 8/11/2014, third list 5/9/2017) until February 5, 2020. Completed items are in blue, black is the color for original post.

  1. Go over Legacy documents with family. 2021
  2. Take a trip to Assateague/Chincoteague. Complete! 8/31/2020
  3. Find the North Star, Polaris. Complete! 8/21/2019 

    Charlie and I found the North Star together. Now I see it almost every day.

  4. Visit Rawlings Conservatory – Complete! 4/7/2021
  5. Visit Brookside Gardens Complete! 8/19/2020
  6. Attend Master Gardener class Complete! 2/29/2020
  7. Tour U.S. Capitol —

    I remember using the underground tram system from the Capitol to the Senate Office Building many years ago.

  8. Tour Bureau of Engraving and Printing
  9. Visit the National Archives
  10. NYC long weekend
  11. Go to top of Empire State Building

    I’ve been to the top of the Empire State Building twice in my life — now I want to go again with Charlie.

  12. Visit 9/11 Memorial Plaza  Complete! 3/23/2021
  13. Take a trip to Hawaii. – Maui and the Big Island 2024
  14. Visit Greece 2022
  15. Get rid of 50 books. Complete! 11/9/2020
  16. Visit New Orleans Complete! 2/22/2021
  17. Redecorate Conservatory – new rug and seating
  18. Create a nice office and guest room in the pink bedroom. Started 4/28/2020
  19. Host a swap meet – soup, books, CDs, cookies
  20. Hang photos in upstairs hall
  21. Host a dinner party for 6
  22. Make a month’s worth of meals one weekend. Plan for June, 2021
  23. Get new mattress for king-sized bed.  Complete! 11/24/2020
  24. Make a home maintenance calendar.
  25. Fly in a helicopter 2024
  26. Set blogging goals.
  27. Sort out things in attic by attaching children’s names, give away, sell, etc. Give heirlooms to children Making headway
  28. Build daybed nook in Grace Cottage
  29. Learn to copyright (watermark) photos
  30. Make a photo album of Mommie
  31. Travel to Iceland to see the Northern lights 202?

    Seeing the Northern Lights is on my bucket list.

  32. Visit New Orleans 2021 Duplicate of #16 so changing to: Plan a cruise.
  33. Write a novel based on work
  34. Increase net worth by 25% Up a little more than 14%
  35. Paint landscapes/seascapes on canvas/wood
  36. Memorize a poem.
  37. Make a household inventory with photos
  38. Finish laundry room
  39. Finish painting trim in pink bedroom
  40. Make a master menu for 14 days of meals
  41. Wash all the windows in the house Complete! 11/27/2020
  42. Paint dining room table Complete! 6/28/2020 

    An old dark table lightened and updated.

  43. Use my God box.
  44. Build bench for mudroom.
  45. Finish shelves in master bedroom. Complete! 5/3/2020
  46. Design Etsy boutique packaging
  47. Achieve my personal weight goal
  48. Get rid of 5 big items from the house:
  49. Design and print business cards
  50. Organize papers, bills, and contracts from renovation
  51. Attend 5 concerts:
  52. Build a structure for trash cans and recycle bins
  53. Install all trim Started 5/1/2020
  54. Paint all trim
  55. Repaint exterior parts of house that have weathered.
  56. Clean out car
  57. Clean up all paint cans
  58. Clear out the basement  Tile has been organized
  59. Remove 10 boxes from the attic Complete! 7/19/2020
  60. Build frame for full length mirror
  61. Give 5 parties
  62. Coffee table for conservatory Complete! 5/7/2020 
  63. Paint secretary.  I gave it away instead.  Maybe the new owners will upgrade it. Complete! 7/11/2020
  64. Dye hall rug Complete! 7/18/2020
  65. Paint green vanity
  66. Hot air balloon ride Complete! 6/9/2020 

    Our hot air balloon ride was magical.

  67. Refinish tall dresser
  68. Clear out mudroom closet
  69. Whiten my teeth Complete! 5/8/2020
  70. Fast for 24 hours Complete! 2/28/2020
  71. Work on side hustle
  72. Teach Dash a new trick Complete! 8/9/2020
  73. Buy a winter coat
  74. Plan retirement January 31, 2023
  75. Throw away/donate 30 things and do not replace them Complete! 7/19/2020
  76. Play guitar again

    My guitar.

  77. Take ukulele lessons Complete! 2/25/2020
  78. Drink 70 ounces of water each day for a week  Complete! 3/21/2020
  79. Try 5 new restaurants  Complete! 2/25/2021
  80. Get a manicure
  81. Build deck onto conservatory
  82. Upgrade dollhouse castle
  83. Paver patio at bottom of new deck
  84. Host a book club Summer, 202?
  85. Clean up pond

    Judging by the sound the pond is loaded with frogs.

  86. Learn 5 new songs for performance.
  87. Clean up all tile in basement Complete! 4/28/2020 
  88. Stain shed Complete! 6/9/2020 
  89. Renovate shore house bathroom Complete! 2/27/2020 

    Finished!

  90. Paint shore house sheds
  91. Paint shore house kitchen cabinets  Complete! 10/17/2020 

    Before

    Everyone loves the new kitchen color.

  92. Visit 5 significant local churches
  93. Paint bump-out  Complete! 4/19/2020

    Before

    After

  94. See 5 theatrical productions
  95. Put outdoor shower at shore house
  96. Take down screen porch Complete! 1/23/2020

    Before

    After

  97. Install dual system — heating and air conditioning — in master bedroom in shore house
  98. Install foundation plantings at back of Glade house  Complete! 4/28/2020 

    Small hedge is planted.

  99. Get together with Sister
  100. Upgrade security system at home
  101. Private

Starting the new list has been challenging since some of the items have been unfinished on the last three lists and the Covid epidemic has all but stopped our travel and entertaining plans.  However, I’m hoping to be more productive this time through.

Jo

Happy Easter and a Menu

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After having attended a very early Easter service my plan is to come home and cook a feast for Charlie, Sug, and me.

Charlie at the organ

We’ll eat early in the afternoon after Charlie has finished playing music for multiple church services.

Bunnies and fresh flowers from the yard create a centerpiece with this year’s egg project.

Here’s my proposed menu:

First Course — Shrimp salad in avocado half  (Charlie’s salad will be in tomatoes served with crackers because he doesn’t care for avocado.)

Steamed spiced shrimp makes a lovely shrimp salad

Entrée — Roast turkey breast and gravy, mashed potatoes, French green beans, roasted asparagus, cheese sauce, cranberry sauce.

Homemade cranberry sauce.

Dessert — Mascarpone cream with lemon curd and blueberries.

I’ve made a version of this dessert before.

After dinner — Espresso and a piece of chocolate.

A decaf double espresso to finish the meal with a piece of extra dark chocolate.

That should make us all fat and happy.

Indeed.

Jo

April, 2021: Plans

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April is always a great month for renewal — flowers blooming, vegetable patch growing, dogs losing their winter coats. We have lots of fun planned in April — The first weekend is both my son’s birthday and Easter. We will also need to continue to make progress on some projects as the weather turns nice.

Here’s the list:

  1.  Celebrate Easter.

    The Chapel at The Glade

  2.  Remove one box from attic.

    Who’s next?

  3.  Refresh and relist all items on Marketplace and Craigslist.
  4.  Work on a shore house project.

    We’re making headway on the bed nook.

  5.  See a movie: An Affair to Remember 
  6.  Read a book:  The Prince and the Pauper. 

    The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain.

  7.  Take a day trip.
  8. Continue to get rid of clutter in Treetops room.

    We need to clear enough clutter to patch and paint the room which has developed major cracks.

  9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: RENEWAL.
  10. Write a goal list for May, 2021.

Jo

March, 2021: Checked

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March has been a month of a few accomplishments that I hadn’t disclosed previously.  I took a free online, 9-week course, Introduction to Classical Music, with Yale professor Craig Wright.  I passed with very good grades and have a new appreciation for a style of music of which I was almost illiterate.

Our grave marker has been cast in bronze and installed.

Also the bronze grave marker, which we began working on here, has been installed.

  1.  Work on Bed Nook at the shore house.

    Before

    Now

  2.  Clean up tools and hardware in laundry closet.  I pulled out odd tools and stored them in the tool chest and put odd bits of hardware together with like items.  This task took less than 5 minutes.  What was I waiting for?

    The tools and hardware are gone and now my sewing machine will fit in the closet.

  3.  Get Covid vaccinated. Checking multiple venues multiple times a day, day after day, I was finally rewarded with a 1-dose vaccine appointment.  So I’m happy to say I have been fully vaccinated against the corona virus as we understand it at this time. And Charlie is scheduled.
  4.  Declutter the Treetops room and evaluate the issues that need to be repaired.  I have cleared off enough surfaces to see multiple cracks in both the walls and ceiling which seem to be caused by the renovation of 2013.

    Before

    After

  5.  See a movie. Once again there are no theatres open near me so Charlie and I watched Gay Divorcee starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers featuring “our” song, Night and Day, by George and Ira Gershwin.

    Night and day, you are the one.

  6.  Read a book:  Sagas of Icelanders (Edda).  I ordered this book from our local library from which one may borrow books but not actually go into the library.  The sagas are very old and rife with odd names that I can neither pronounce nor remember but an interesting look at the Nordic people from their own viewpoint.

    We’re still hoping to actually visit Iceland some day.

  7.  Take a day trip.  We traveled by car to the New Jersey side of New York harbor where we caught the Liberty Landing Ferry the PATH train to NYC.

    The new World Trade Center in New York City.

    We spent a couple of hours touring  the Battery area, the 9/11 Monument, and the financial district, soaking up the ambiance of lower Manhattan.
  8.  Do an egg craft.  At the end of the month I finally got busy with a seasonal project I had been holding off for a year.

    The yellow eggs are the color of daffodils.

    I made a variety of paper-covered eggshells.
  9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: HOPE.
  10. Write a goal list for April, 2021.

Jo

 

Egg on My . . .

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Recently we have been getting our fresh eggs from a friend with chickens.

Our farm fresh eggs are naturally beautiful colors.

As it happens we had dozen or so old eggs from the grocery store which we didn’t plan to eat. I decided to use the shells for a little springtime craft.  I have some printed tissue paper which I am going to decoupage onto the blown-out shells.

Poking a hole in an egg shell with a push pin is delicate work.

Charlie offered to clean out a dozen old eggs by poking a hole in two ends of an egg with a push pin then enlarging the holes and breaking through the membrane with an antique ice pick.

Charlie blew into one hole and the egg yolk/white came out the other one.

When all the shells were empty and washed and dry, I carefully glued pieces of tissue or napkin onto the egg shell.

I used colorful napkins from my pantry and tissue paper.

Before applying the napkins I pulled the backing off so only a thin piece of paper remained. Then I ripped the paper into pieces about the size of a half-dollar.

I lined up all my supplies.

I arranged the paper bits in piles and put on surgical gloves to keep the ModPodge off my fingers.

I worked on half an egg then let it set while I moved to another one.

I stroked the ModPodge onto the eggshell with an old paintbrush.

I smoothed the tissue down with the brush and applied more ModPodge.

As the glue dried the wrinkles became less noticeable.  A more careful person could make the overall design less haphazard.

These could be made in almost any theme.

When they’re fully dry I’ll inspect any imperfections and try to smooth them out by adding more glue.

The yellow eggs are the color of daffodils.

Music note eggs

Now I have an inexpensive seasonal display which are not as beautiful as the natural eggs in the first photo.

Jo

Day Trip Adventure to NYC

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Charlie and Sug have been wanting a chance to see the 9/11 Memorial in person.

Our plan was to ferry across the Hudson River from New Jersey to NYC.

My original plan was to take a long weekend in NYC.  However, since the theatres are closed due to Covid we have not scheduled a trip to NYC.

We were headed to the tall building in the center of the picture.

Instead I looked for a way to make a day trip to the Memorial much like our trip to the Statue of Liberty.

We strolled out on the ferry dock only to discover the ferry was not running.

We drove 3 hours to Liberty State Park on the New Jersey side of New York Harbor with the intention of riding the Liberty Landing Ferry across the harbor to Battery Park.  Unfortunately the ferry was taking an unannounced hiatus.

I was very disappointed but Sug and Charlie reminded me that:

  1.   I like an adventure.
  2.   I had toured us all over Europe making major adjustments as necessary.

So instead of the ferry we drove to Jersey City (10 minutes away) to the Grove Street station of the PATH train that would take us to the World Trade Center.

The train ticket into NYC is $2.75 one way.

We parked under the Grove Pointe apartments next to Starbucks.

I take lots of photos while we’re traveling especially to remind me where we parked, where we caught a bus, train, or streetcar, etc. — informational photos that often come in handy when asking for directions.

The underground train let us off in the area of what used to be called Ground Zero and is now more properly known as the 9/11 Memorial. (In order to exit the correct door of the building nearest to the monument we asked security officers for directions.  We did this more than once on our visit.  New Yorkers were happy to give us some advice which we found to be correct in all cases.)

World Trade Center, NYC

As we emerged from the building we could see the World Trade Center Tower that replaces the 2 which were destroyed.

The 9/11 Memorial is free to enter. (The Museum which is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday is not.)

We walked around the two large pools where the World Trade Center’s twin towers once stood.    The atmosphere of the memorial, Reflecting Absence,  was serene yet moving.

One of the memorial pools.

Set within the footprints of the original Twin Towers, each pool is approximately 1-acre in size.

The area is hushed and reflective.

The names of every person who perished in the terror attacks of February 26, 1993 & September 11, 2001 are honored in bronze around the twin Memorial pools.

The Raging Bull near Wall Street.

We headed down Broadway toward the New York Stock Exchange until we met the Raging Bull.  This was my addition to the list of sites to visit.

The dome between the two tall buildings is Brookfield Place.

We retraced our steps and walked past the 9/11 Monument again until we came to Brookfield Place where we ate lunch.  BFPL houses a food court, Hudson Eats!, on the second floor with a variety of vendors.

I can recommend both the location and the food.

I had decided to get my lunch at Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque. Charlie and Sug followed suit. Lunch was reasonably priced and the ambiance was calm and comfortable with social distancing  enforced by table placement.

Brookfield Place overlooks the Hudson River.

We were seated in the restaurant section overlooking the Hudson River.

A portion of World Trade Center Transportation Hub ‘Oculus NYC’ where we caught the train.

After lunch we strolled back to the PATH station and took a return train marked “Newark” to Grove Street Station in Jersey City where we picked up our car and drove home.  Unfortunately the projected 3-hour ride turned into an 8-hour ordeal due to multiple accidents on the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

A wonderful trip — and that’s no bull.

We had a lovely day trip to NYC enjoying the most beautiful weather imaginable.

Jo

Bed Nook: 3

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With help from Sug and my son I have started to build a bed nook on the upstairs landing at the shore house.

The landing area is 114″ long on the window wall and 106.5″ wide.

After taking measurements I redrew my ground plan of the upstairs with more accurate (but not exact) dimensions so I could create a building design for the bed nook.

My preliminary working drawing is very basic.

I’m not really a carpenter but I thought this would be an easy enough project for a beginner.

The supply list:

  • 2 by 4s
  • 4 by 8 sheets 1/2″ plywood
  • Long brads for pneumatic nailer
  • Pocket screws for Kreg jig

Here’s the original plan with the finished items highlighted in pink font:

  1.  Choose a paint color for the ceiling and walls.  The trim will be Simply White semi-gloss to match the rest of the house.
  2.   Wash the windows and clean shades.  Measure to see if shutters would work.
  3.   Buy paint and prime and paint ceiling and walls. 

    Painting the room made it appear bigger and brighter.

  4.  Measure the room.
  5.  Draw a plan for the bedframe and nook frame.
  6.  Purchase and assemble under bed drawer from Ikea.
  7.   Purchase lumber for the project.
  8.   Build the frame and facing. Remember to move the electric outlet.
  9.   Paint the facing and visible frame.
  10.   Make the bed with fresh linens.
  11.   Hang art inside the nook.
  12.   Add a lamp to the nook — wall sconce or small brass lamp.

I bought an under-bed drawer unit from Ikea.

The Hemnes 2-drawer set comes ready to construct.

Sug and I worked together to build the kit.

These drawers went together easily especially with 2 builders as called for in the instructions.

When assembled we used the two drawers to give us the dimensions of the bedframe which we made from 2 by 4s held together with 2-inch pocket screws.  I drilled the holes using my Kreg jig and my son screwed it together.

Pre-drilled pocket-screw holes provide a stable framework.

After the frame was built we added 4 legs to raise it above the top of the drawers.

The bed frame and accompanying draws fit nicely against the wall under the window.

We added 3 bed slats to support the boxspring and mattress.

So far the measurements have worked to create the beginning of a bed nook.

The next step is to add a shelf and headboard at each end of the bed.  Then we’ll encase the entire project in a frame much like the one below.

I plan to raise the headboard to the height of the first shelf in the above inspiration picture then have a shelf for a lamp, books, clock, etc. at both ends of the bed.

This project is a little more involved than I expected but we are making progress.

Jo

Laundry Closet Clean-up

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Every time I go to get something from the closet in the laundry I have to fight through a mess of odd bits of hardware and a tangle of poles.

After trimming the laundry room the closet was in shambles.

A shelf of afghans still needs a new home.

Not to mention I need to move the sewing machine which sits in front of the closet because there’s no room on the floor for it to fit inside.

The tools and hardware are gone and now my sewing machine will fit in the closet.

Finally I’ve cleared away enough items to be able to see everything in the closet and store my new machine (with its homemade cover) on the floor inside.

Next item:  clear out the afghans my grandmother made.

Jo