porch interior

We are almost finished now! This week the beadboard and trim was completed, except around the door frames. I painted the window insides and trim a crisp white. It took 3 coats plus primer but now they really help reflect the sunlight back into the room. And aren't those sconces beautiful? God is so good! We didn't have the funds for new lighting, and what we could afford was just ugly. I didn't even ask but He made sure I stopped into a Goodwill I rarely frequent, because their was a PAIR (and there is rarely two of ANYTHING at a thrift store) just sitting there waiting and only $10. They are stained glass, in perfect condition and exactly the same style and color of a lamp in our living room, bought five years ago. I love it when my Father gets so specific with blessing. How can you not know it's Him?! I think of how I hide little treats for the boys, just to see their eyes light up when I pull it out and say "Ta-Da!" Every time I flip the switch and enjoy that warm yellow glow, I hear His booming "Ta-Da!" and I get tickled all over again.

Here is the cement floor BEFORE. I was so nervous yesterday afternoon before I started tiling! I was online reading a dozen different DIY sites, trying not to miss any crucial step. Finally after 2 hours of this I realized I was just in avoidance mode. The only way to get this over with and have a mudroom we can USE is to get a floor down! Took a deep breath and decided that "okay. If I botch it and it looks awful I will just trust God to provide a beautiful area rug!" And got to work...

The tragic side effect of marrying a man who is almost one foot taller than you is that you rarely kiss each other standing up, unless a stepstool is handy. The good part is that his outgrown shirts are like giant smocks that come to your knees. You get to wear them when painting, or in this case, tiling. Remember how as a pre-schooler the teacher would put you in a backwards,cotton, men's shirt to paint at the easel? I think that memory is why I tend to feel like a 4 year old in one of John's old shirts. And thinking of preschool makes me crave graham crackers, but I digress.

The $2 set of volleyball knee pads were totally worth every cent. Do you like my tough little Fred Flintstone calves?! They look exactly like my Dads but they are more fitting on him, being male and all. I think that the gray thinset mortar that is crusting all over my legs here really adds to the Flintstone dynamic, very prehistoric. I could totally be working at the Quarry!

But it was ALL worth it! Today I put the sealer on and tomorrow after church I am going to do the grout. The colors are so pretty together and for under $50, the slate made a huge difference in the warmth and richness of this little room. Since I set each tile, I know where I slipped up and which grout lines are wider than the spacer but its not too bad. No area rug needed, anyway! Even better than the improvement over bare concrete is the feeling of learning a new skill and taking on a little challenge and having it turn out well. That, and my quiet husband keeps gushing over it and telling me how proud he is of me.

Gotta find that stepstool.