Monday 6 August 2018

The Dream Team

The average temperature for August here on the Isle of Lewis is 16 degrees, so we are on track it seems.  I will add that December's average is 7 degrees so not as bad as people presume.  What we do have in these Winter months are the terrible winds particularly to the North of the Island where we live.  On a lighter note the weather systems are quite fast and blow over very quickly.  It does take a little getting used at times particularly when the temperatures are reaching record highs around the world.  However, we did have a particularly good Spring here with the sun shining for days on end.  At the moment is is quite overcast and dreary with little outbursts of rain now and again.

The damp weather has kept us inside enabling the dream team to work together once again.  Gerard and I have been working on the porch/utility room, known as a vestibule here on the Island.  It is slow going but we are starting to see an improvement albeit slowly.  Why is it it looks worse before it looks better?  We have refurbished/recycled an old wardrobe putting shelves inside and now getting it ready for extra Winter storage.



Black board paint was used for the top panels enabling me to make shopping lists or words of wisdom...who knows but it worked out quite well.

We wanted to restore the vestibule to its former glory, so we have put back the v lining using a pine cladding which will be painted.  It is still very much a work in progress.   We are having fun as we work together and that is all that matters.  I will share some better photographs as we progress.

Gerard has also painted an old chair that was in the outbuilding.


In really good condition, just so unloved.   I have covered the old seat pad with my beloved Harris Tweed and the frame remains another work in progress.


A little more sanding and then waxing and it will be a perfect addition.

The mint has done amazingly well and has been contained in the tyre so as I am not sure what will happen to it through the Winter months here I  decided to cut some stems to dry.  I also chopped some of the leaves into ice cube trays ready to pop into potatoes or drinks as needed.  A little taste of Summer in those days you need a boost.



 The wonderful aroma wafting around my little cottage right now is amazing, I do so wish I could share it with you.

Well, I must get on I have a paint brush with my name on it...whilst our furry resident has a little nap.



See you soon.










30 comments:

  1. wonderful projects...looking good!

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  2. That all felt very cozy. I'd probably want to join the dog for a nap!

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  3. I think that cabinet will make excellent storage space. A fresh coat of paint does wonders. The chair looks great too.
    xx Beca

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  4. Your makeovers are great! I love them both. It was very clever to put chalkboard paint on the wardrobe, it will be useful and beautiful.

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  5. I really like the cabinet. Your weather sounds good. The older I get the less I like hot weather.

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  6. Great work on the furniture, just love that Harris tweed. Our temp yesterday was 100F (nearly 38C) and it will be the same today. 16C (60.8F) sounds perfect to me.

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  7. You have worked hard and it already looks good. I love yellow and I once repainted a kitchen the same colour yellow, I tried to convince my son it was a different yellow, but he knew! Love the Harris Tweed seat, it looks very grand. Nice to be able to work together, that's what I like too! Just posted a photo of me on my blog showing my hair, not very different but it's early days. Can I resist colouring it? I always said I 'd go to my grave wearing Nice'n Easy!'

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  8. How fun for the two of you to work together on these projects. I’m looking forward to the day when my Dennis is home and we can do things like this too. Everything is looking very cozy and ready for winter in your home. Love the chair and the cabinet. And I specially love that precious photo at the end. He looks very content.
    Blessings, Betsy

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  9. There is no question that inclement weather is sometimes a blessing when it gives us the urge to finish projects inside, or simply to relax and read a good book.

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  10. I like the word vestibule; it is old-fashioned, but so clear as to its purpose. Yours is looking great with all the hard work of the Dream Team. I love mint and dry it for tea, but have never thought of freezing it as you have. Yum!

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  11. Great makeovers. You both must be very satisfied at the transforming Love them all. Mint should survive and reappear.

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  12. The wardrobe looks lovely. Are those transfers you have used on the doors? I love the teapot.
    Hugs-x-

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  13. Installing shelves in the wardrobe is such a good and useful idea. When we divided the house with our son I lost my big linen closet. We bought a large old Oak wardrobe and now it serves as my linen closet. Not nearly as spacious but I was probably keeping too much anyway.

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  14. What an excellent idea to use blackboard paint, I think your new cupboard will become invaluable, love the tweed chair too xx

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  15. It's going to look great when you get the "vestibule" finished. My grandma used to call the entry to her house a vestibule but I haven't heard it used for many years. The blackboards are a fun idea. I think your grandchildren might enjoy them, too.

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  16. Restoration of your vestibule is progressing very well, for sure! I especially like your idea of using black board paint on the wardrobe panels. And, the "new" chair with its fresh coat of paint and seat of Harris tweed is now a very attractive piece to be used wherever there's a need. It seems the Dream Team is quite productive in all kinds of weather, even on damp and dreary days!

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  17. The new Harris Tweed chair cover is really pretty. Mickey is a beautiful dog! I just love him.

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  18. So lovely that you work together and see the fruits of your toil. The vestibule is coming along nicely. I love the chair cover, it looks great.

    What a wonderful idea to freeze the mint into water cubes!

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  19. Both of you are great in making over used furniture and things to make them brand new! I haven't tried keeping herbs in ice cubes. So far I have only tried freezing lemon juice.

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  20. Bad weather is a great excuse to get some crafting done, not that we need an excuse! Lovely

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  21. Nice job on the chair. That mint looks great too. Sadly my peppermint all died with this odd year. I have two sprigs of spearmint going and I'm not harvesting and hoping for a good year next year.

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  22. I just love your beautiful makeovers, my friend. The cabinet is just too cute with the decals on it.

    Hugs to you!

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  23. It's all looking great, love the seat in tweed that is a lovely makeover. x

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  24. That chair is looking very nice with a refinishing and a new seat cover. Hope it will be very comfy and not too warm with the Harris tweed, but then that’s a good thing in cooler weather. The mint looks refreshing just from the photos. Continued success on the painting projects.

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  25. I love that wardrobe, you are certainly busy.........

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  26. love the indoor project while the outside weather is wet. We still have to fix the fence that the bear broke over the winter (the royal we, I'm not doing anything). Plus some outdoor garden tending before the fall.

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  27. I understand the weather cooling...fall is coming here soon as well. What a lovely little cupboard, and I think it looks charming!
    OH mint...I love mint, and I think it's great that you grew it in a tire...it does spread a lot. I hope that it overwinters for you...it's amazingly hearty. I have some mint growing in my windowsill inside....I ran out of garden space outside...but I might plant some out after I harvest more.
    I'm sure your kitchen smells amazing, and great idea of how to preserve it for winter days!

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  28. I didn't grow any mint this year and now that I read your post, I wish I had planted it. The scent is wonderful. I will welcome cooling weather here as I have more energy when it's cooler.
    Wonderful wardrobe and the decals that decorate it.
    betsy

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  29. I like the makeover of the wardrobe and chair which you can use in the vestibule/utility room. It takes a little time to do these projects, but you're both practical and creative. A dream team indeed!

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  30. I'm glad you're working on the vestibul a bit at a time. You can't finish it if you don't start it! You have summer there now? We've had another hot day .Watered outdoors once it cooled a bit. Sun was round and red on way home from dinner with Phil. Pretty even tho the smoke from fires caused it! Have a good week!

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