Winter Projects

Greetings!
Although I did not post anything during the month of February there has been a lot of activity filling our days.  Most of it has been ho-hum, such as math and phonics lessons, taking the garbage out, washing dishes, keeping the fire in the wood stove ablaze, and shoveling the sidewalks.

We did have some branches freeze and break off this winter

We have also been busy making plans for spring.  All the snow melted off in February and we enjoyed some warm weather, but towards the end of the month another storm blew through and it's gift of another foot of snow is just starting to melt off now.

Greta, Corey's Mom came for a visit during the last week of February. There was a count down for her arrival. We did some exploring while she was here and found a copious and reasonably priced pottery shop in Spirit Lake and an eclectic home decor/gift shop as well.  Since we were unable to go to Sandpoint because of a snowstorm we decided to check out a recommended pizza restaurant in Hauser.  It was awesome; they cook the pizza in a brick oven, and since we sat at the bar we were able to watch the whole process.  We plan to return as the weather warms up to enjoy the outdoor dining patio right across from the lake.  We were also able to spend some time in Spokane as well.  We finally made it to Natural Grocers so that Greta and I could buy some herbal coffee that is amazing!  Even Corey, the coffee connoisseur appreciated the flavor.  He said that it like a weak, but good quality coffee.

Our home school co-op is in full swing and the kids are back in the rhythm of Monday Morning Madness.  They seem to like their classes and are able to engage in subject matter that I do not have time to explore with them.  I am teaching from a book called Geography Through Art  that is going well.  I really appreciate the kids in my class and am pleased with their creativity.

We ended up having two Mondays in a row off from co-op so I was inspired to paint.  I decided to tackle the kitchen wall and back splash.  As you can see below, the back splash was covered with wallpaper - not ugly, but outdated and starting to peel.  Esther and Lillia removed the wallpaper this summer while I painted the dining room.  Underneath the melon-colored flower motif was dirty-pink painted particle board.  We lived with the particle board, but it was starting to wear on me this winter.  It just made the kitchen look dreary.

Before picture.

Current state of the back splash - the new microwave really helps!

I primed the back splash after Corey used Spackle to smooth out the gaps and grooves, then I painted the back splash Valspar's Forest Moss.  Corey thinks it is dark grey, Greta thought it more of a brown, and I think it is green so let's just say it is brownish, greenish, grey.  I painted the one wall in the kitchen a light grey (Valspar -Secluded Beach) and used the leftover paint to apply this star tile stencil that I found online.  It took a while to get the hang of stenciling.  The key is to use hardly any paint!  I really like the ease of stenciling, when you get tired just recap the paint, wash out the brush, and continue when you feel like it.  Also, if you mess up, just paint over and start again - no problem!

bathroom sneak peak

I know that I said that I would not show pictures of our one and only bathroom until it was finished, but Corey is in the process of installing the wood trim, and he is almost done.  I just had to post a sneak peak.  The trim around the doorway has not been added yet, but I just love how the sink and light fixture look together along with the oblong mirror.

Check out my post, Phase One Bathroom Remodel if you can't remember how this space used to look.  I just revisited that post, and I feel assured that there a no more weeds growing between my walls!

Several weeks ago our shipment of chicks arrived.  Unfortunately the weather temperatures dropped below 10 degrees, and the baby chickens were in transit for three days - eek!  A bad combination that led to what felt like a chicken death camp!  For forty-eight hours after they arrived the kids and I worked hard at saving the weak, little buggers.  We would bring the downtrodden and droopy chicks inside and feed them sugar water with eye-droppers and let them rest by the wood stove.  We ended up losing eleven chicks out of the twenty-six, some of which the kids had especially picked out themselves.  Fortunately we did receive a credit from the hatchery, but losing so many was very disheartening.

Eleanor with Agnes and Asa with Poppy

Corey and the kids went down to our local feed store and found some more chicks to replace some of the breeds we had lost.  They are all very healthy and active.  Their breed feathers are starting to show and it is fun watching their different personalities emerge.  The kids have even named a few: Agnes (Eleanor's Leghorn), Poppy (the silver-laced Polish), Mayonnaise (Asa's Whiting Blue) and Cleopatra and Hatsepsut (the Ameraucanas).  Corey has decided to name his rooster Frank.  Right now they are in the garage, but when it warms up we will put them outside.

Which one is the puppy?

Speaking of healthy, Clive is now bigger than Willa.  He is seven months old and is much thicker than Willa.  He is super sweet and has been easier to train than Willa was.  He is also quite rambunctious.  I have started to take Clive on my walks with Willa.  I have to hold their leashes in separate hands otherwise Clive just wants to jump and chew on Willa.  He loves being outside and  doesn't seem to mind water, so maybe he will be Corey's canoe dog.  I guess we will find out this summer 😎