Saturday, August 27, 2011

Preparations


The beautiful sunny morning didn't speak of the approaching hurricane.  It seems that we'll be spared the worst but we'll be on the windy side of the storm which means flying debris and possible downed trees and power outages.  I don't really have any hatches to batten but a few preparations seem logical like shopping for groceries and getting all the laundry done.


The back porch furniture is also getting rounded up.  The topiary that have made a happy home of the back porch for the summer are also coming in.  Winds of 50 to 70 miles an hour could surely send them flying.  


I love the green algae that's developed on the shaded pots.


The kitchen doors are all painted and the hardware is on.  Even though the other hardware in the kitchen is nickel, I chose the same bronze knobs that will eventually be used throughout the house.  These doors will eventually be used on the closet and bathroom upstairs.


Here's a picture of the old sliding doors before I did the most recent work to spruce up the kitchen.


I'm really happy I did this work.


The sun is gone and storm will be settling in overnight.  Bands of heavy rain are just beginning.  Water is already seeping in to the basement but I don't expect any major water problems.  I do worry about my big old tree though.

I hope everyone in Irene's path is and will be safe and well.  








36 comments:

  1. hi steve. what a difference those doors make. and the topiaries sure picked up, they must love where they are outside. my son is in boston right now and i just got off the phone with him, he says it's raining and they are expected to lose power. hope your tree and you survive the night.

    xo
    janet

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  2. Boarded up the restaurant windows this morning, hoping for the best! Be safe, let's hope it's just a tropical storm by time it hits!

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  3. Be safe...property and otherwise.

    You have really changed the feel of the kitchen just by changing out those doors and hardware. It really is in keeping with the whole feel of he house. And I really like the bottom cabinets painted out. I think it make it look bigger and adds dimension.

    Have a good evening.

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  4. Your doors in the kitchen look great. You should put signs on them so you won't get mixed up in the night or something.
    The colour of things outside your house definitely looks menacing. No sign of anything yet here. Stay dry!

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  5. Your kitchen is a place of beauty. I wish we were there with you learning to bke a pie.

    Instead we're ensconced with a mad man who is out shopping for a cook out!!!!!

    Come on baby light my fire!

    Be safe you.

    xo Jane

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  6. I hope that tree keeps all its limbs in place, Steve, and that no harm is done to you and your lovely home. (I made your recipe for lunch, not spaghetti exactly, as I don't have your nifty machine. I used a vegetable peeler instead and it looked fine and tasted good!)

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  7. Your kitchen is beautiful!

    We too brought the flower pots in and moved the furniture into the garage. We are noticing a change in the wind and hoping not to lose any old trees, too. Keep safe!!

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  8. Let's hope it's nothing at all and we don't all take off for Kansas!! Be well and safe.

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  9. Those doors are snazzy..so finished and elegant.

    We're surrounded by trees. The pear tree is so unhappy, and i'm worried she'll tumble tomorrow onto my neighbor's sun room.

    Stopped at Allendale farm for tomatoes, tiny beets and corn. Jane definitely has the corner on feasting thru the hurricane!

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  10. Thanks Steve, be safe! We just returned from Maine where we battened down the hatches and are now back in MA!

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  11. Ahhh...I was thinking about you and wondering if you were making preperations for the storm. Here in CNY, we're looking at high winds and rain...hopefully, not too much rain. The wind might be a problem as I have an old tree myself that I worry about.
    Your kitchen is coming along nicely..Be safe!!! **Tami

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  12. Hi Steve
    Yes battening down what hatches there are...lots of rain in chunks so far...we shall see what Irene is up to by mid day sunday I guess. Your kitchen doors were a big improvement.

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  13. Hi Steve, I hope you are all safe and your house and tree are spared. I bet there will be lots of limbs down everywhere - glad you have stocked up on essentials (including clean clothes!). Your kitchen is so charming as-is. I like the new doors very much - it has so much character even in its semi-done state. I love all your charming finds...

    Stay safe! We are following the east coast situation regularly on CNN and I keep listening for Boston info.

    Thinking of you,

    xo Terri

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  14. Be safe.I hope there wont be too much damage in your basement. Seems you have prepared as much as you can.

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  15. I love everything about your home.
    Perfection.
    I will have you and your home and your beautiful old tree in my thoughts and prayers to keep you safe and sound.
    :) - Cindi

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  16. Hey Steve,
    Batten down what you can...been watching the news all day and for once I'm glad I live in the middle of the country.
    Hope everything goes well tonight. Be safe in your fabulous new home! :)

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  17. Your home is very beautful.
    Keeping fingers crossed and praying that Irene will develop into a gentle breeze
    Helen xx

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  18. Stay safe. The early pictures coming to NZ now of the flooding etc indicate there will be a lot of damage, and apparently already 8 deaths?

    On a brighter note, the house is looking terrific. Well done on a great job :-)

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  19. Hey Steve, may your beautiful house and tree stay safe! Your doors ant topiaries look truly beautiful.

    Time to open your closet and have a hurricane nip of something strong!

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  20. What a difference the ”new” doors make in your kitchen. It looks like you are bringing all the style back to your urban cottage. I love following your posts!

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  21. I enjoy following your posts! What a difference your ”new” doors make in your kitchen! You are definitely bringing the style back to your urban cottage.

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  22. Steve, here in VA on the western side of DC it's calm following a night that brought bands of wind and rain and we still have power! Amazing. So lucky. Do be safe. May Irene be kind to you and your neighbors and friends.
    Linda

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  23. Everything looks beautiful! Here's hoping Irene spares your home and tree. All the best.

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  24. Your home is so beautiful I love that emerald crop of topiary in the porch.
    May I ask for some advice? My home was built in 1870 and I am dying to paint my dark wooden doors white - do you think that's a travesty? And...how one earth do you keep them clean? As they are now, they have needed no upkeep whatsoever.
    Thank you!

    i hope things pass as smoothly as possible for you.

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  25. Oh and yes clean pants and socks - always an essential in stressful times!

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  26. Firstly, stay safe and I hope you have no damage from Irene. Secondly, love the doors and other changes you made in the kitchen. Very nice!
    Claudia

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  27. Love your topiary...I hope you are safe!

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  28. I think that door change was so worth it! It just completely alters the look of your kitchen. I hope you have survived the storm, even without hatches to batten.

    Camille

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  29. Love your new doors, no matter where they end up! The topiaries are beautiful. I hope all is well with you when Irene is through.

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  30. The doors add the right touch of character to the kitchen, just like they've always been there.

    Irene came and went and not any significant damage here. Just a little lost sleep waiting and praying.

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  31. Hi Steve,
    Haven't had internet for the past 24 hours, but I was thinking about you. Irene left us pretty much unscathed. Four hours, eleven bags of leaves and pinecones, and a big pile of small tree limbs later and you'd never even know she had been here. I wish the same - or better - for you! Karin Lifeinsmallchunks.blogspot.com

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  32. What a big difference those doors make Steve and as always love your attention to detail with the door hardware.. I'm a big fan of topiary, love yours in those very lovely pots. I will keep my fingers crossed for your big old tree :) x

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  33. Just lots of leaves on the ground up here in Salem the day after the storm...thanks for the exterior shot of your adorable house; it reminded me that I saw a house very similar to yours just off Route 7 in Sheffield, MA a couple of weeks ago. A country version of your urban cottage.

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  34. love your doors. I love the new "island", what is it topped with? Anyway, the more I see your kitchen, the more I think slate floors.

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  35. Isabel,
    The island is a vintage lab table so it's slate. I think slate floors would look great.

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  36. I love all the details, prints, the kitchen is sublime, I cant stop, gorgeous!

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