Almost DIY, Almost Done, Almost April 2025

Two winters work has turned this house into a beautiful home. Looking at it makes all the hours Daryl spent on his knees to make the floor spectacular, and the hours I spent sanding, grinding and staining to make a functional coffee table out of a stump and a raw slab of wood, all worthwhile. Then of course there were the windows and doors that had to be removed, sanded and stained. And so much more. It was all worthwhile!

The $40 table we watched being made last year and have been using outside, just needed a good sanding and clear sealer to become an end table.

The kitchen is not very big and there are not a lot of cupboards. But oh my!! Still not finished.The only drawers and doors are going to be under the sink. Maybe they will be ready before Daryl comes home. Eventually we will get chairs for the island.

We have this lovely ‘European’ sink. At the shop we were told it was difficult to get the right sized parts here, but it is so pretty! Well the shop staff knew what they were talking about. Maybe it is a good thing we don’t have drawers and cupboards yet. Access is so much easier for the multiple attempts to stop leaks.

The house we have rented for the past three winters has a gas stove. I have had a terrible time adjusting the oven temperature to anywhere near where it is supposed to be. However, last year when we arrived there was an air fryer oven with multiple functions. It worked so well. When shopping for the ‘new’ house, we found a stove with two ovens, the top an electric air fryer, and the bottom gas. It came with zero instructions so the functioning is a work in progress as there are a zillion buttons, but we are getting there! I find it weird that the gas tank for the stove is inside the house. At some point Daryl will drill a hole in the wall and put the tank outside. The backsplash is also a project for another year.

Bedrooms are finished, just need bedding, supplies and artwork. And maybe a dresser or two.

Storage space is at a premium. There is one storage area in our bedroom, above this space and above both closets, storage space has been created. Also above the washer and dryer area. Amazing what you can put ‘up there’.

Now we just need every day stuff for inside. However, there is still a ways to go on the outside. That is a project for another year. When we return in the fall, it’s still rainy season so everything will be lush and green for a couple of months.

We didn’t smash the bottle, but we did have a glass of wine to celebrate our new home away from home.

Cheers

Ruth