Friday, February 27, 2009

ANTIQUE LADIES TRUNK

My Restoration Project
(One of my favorite things to do.)

About two years ago I found this trunk along the side of the road in Sharon Springs, NY.  Of course I back tracked, picked it up and brought it home. The outside was covered with leather, which obviously was in very poor shape, so I stripped the leather off.

 I did some research on it and discovered that it was a Ladies Hat trunk. It was made in Syracuse, NY.    These were called "Civil war Era, Gold Rush Half Trunk".  I found one like it on the web.

                                                         This is on the inside of the cover


I stripped all the hardware off it, polished the brass buttons, removed and painted the metal strip.  I didn't strip the inside paper lining even though it is in bad shape.  I wanted to have the original there, so I just polyurithaned over it, as is.  These are some of the tools I used.
Ta Da!
It's finished excepted for a new handle that goes on top
Now I have to decide where to put it and or what I'm going to use it for.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

GRANDKIDS WINTER VACATION (Part 4)

Just one more full day at Gma and Gpa's. We've kept them busy and they've kept us busy
Sue will be coming tomorrow evening after work and leaving with the kids Saturday afternoon.
In these pictures you'll see that they've been to the library (twice), went shopping at the dimestore, played outside everyday, Gpa built an addition to their snow fort today, played games, played with Barbie's, Cabbage Patch Dolls, watched some video's, built a snowman, plus many other things.
(Click on each picture to enlarge)

Monday, February 16, 2009

GRANDKIDS WINTER VACATION (Part 3)

THE THIRD FLOOR LOFT
Years ago when our oldest grandkids visited the cabin we built a 3rd floor loft for them to play in. Over the years they've played games, dolls, spied on the adults, and slept up there. Each one has many stories to tell about the loft. This week is Katie's first time in the loft. She is still pretty young but we watch her carefully and she knows not to come down by herself. Many of their friends and second cousins have also enjoyed the loft. Hey, If any of you guys read this, how about writing a memory. (Nate, Danae and Cara, what are your memories? )

GRANDKIDS WINTER VACATION (Part 3)

The kids and I making Valentine cookies. They made 3 large ones to give to Rachel, Hannah, and Noah, who were coming to dinner later in the day.

Mackenzie made Valentines for the F______ Family
"Katie"
This past summer we took Jessie and Mackenzie camping down at Northampton Beach Campsite. We camped beside the F________ Family. They have 3 children: Rachel, Hannah and Noah. The kids had a great time together. Mackenzie was very concerned that she'd "never" see them again, so I decided it'd be nice to invite them to dinner while Mack and Katie were here. I almost forgot to take pictures, so had to take them all just before they left. The kids had a good time and we enjoyed visiting with their parents; Jeanne and Mike.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

GRANDKIDS WINTER VACATION (Part 2)

Friday night Larry and I met our daughter Sue in Richfield Springs which is about half way between her house and ours. Kenzie 8 and Kate 2 1/2, were excited to say the least. They had a snack at Stewart's before we left for the cabin. We had hardly gotten our coats off when Kenzie read to us what she had written about King and Queen of Valentines day, which is the blog preceding this one.

Today (Saturday) they played inside all morning and then went outside this afternoon for about two hours. Below are some pictures.
(CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE)
Grandpa couldn't stand it, he had to go out with the girls. As you can see, he dug them a snow cave. He was hurting too cause he'd chased after Molly (dog) this morning when Molly was chasing a fox. Gpa (Larry) tried to run on the crust but kept falling through, finally fell and didn't know if he was going to get beable to get up or not. He's been complaining of a sore hip ever since, of course it didn't stop him from shoveling and digging a cave for Kate and Kenzie. Gma (me) had to be sure the cave was safe and Gpa said he made sure it was and it couldn't hurt them if it did cave in and besides, Gpa stayed with them while they were playing.

GRANDKIDS WINTER VACATION (Part 1)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
Our two youngest grandaughters, Kenzie and Kate, are here on a weeks vacation.
Kenzie wrote the following presentation and they gave us a chocolate rose

BY MACKENZIE
age 8

Thursday, February 12, 2009

February Birthdays SLC#1 AND SLC#3

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR TWO SONS
(Your the best)
SLC#3     2/16/1964

SLC#1   2/10/1957

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

RUSTIC BATHROOM IN PROGRESS

Mr. C is doing a super job as usual. How did I get such a talented hubby?  It's time consuming though, with many nooks and corners.  I'm getting excited to decorate.  Found a great picture today of an outhouse that I'll probably hang in there, the shower curtain arrived in the mail last week.  I keep taking little things in there to try them out.  As requested by some of my blog followers, I'm showing some pictures of "progress". 

A tradition of writing on a wall before we cover it. If you want to read it, click on the picture

We're getting new faucets, looking at the oiled bronze style, which look quite rustic.  I have a long piece of marble from my grandfathers drugstores soda fountain which we are putting as a back splash behind the sinks.  The sinks are set in an old buffet.  We are going to refinish it again.  Looking for new towel bars, very likely go with the oiled bronze.