DIY Countertop

Over a year ago we changed our flooring and have been talking about changing the countertops so they "fit" in with the new look.  Well after all that talk about the countertops and all that waiting I decided to take this matter into my own hands.  So I got out my tools on Friday night and started this project as John closed his eyes and waited for the moment to tell me........ it won't work. 

I was determined to change this look of 90's Hunter Green.  Here is how the kitchen looks before.  

Yes I know I should have done my dishes before starting and I should have cleaned off the counters but I get excited and can't wait to start and cleaning isn't the fun part.  

Here is my main tool.

A paintbrush is all I need.  Remember John always says if it doesn't move eventually I will paint it.   So since we didn't replace them in over a year I painted them.   They begin with two coats of the base color.  This paint is really sticky and stinky.  We got company on Friday and I totally got all of us high on the fumes as John feed them drinks.  

I ran out of the base coat on Friday night and had to wait till morning to go buy more. 

I was worried about the roller and brush strokes because I could feel them and see them but it's too late to turn back now...... and the change we are seeing already is huge.  Friday night at midnight I'm still painting and didn't realize I only had the spotlights on and not the overhead light.  That's not normal our kitchen is always dark at night but it must have been the dark counters absorbing the light.  

The next steps involved making a marble like pattern with 4 different colors of the paint.  To do this pinterest recommended a sea sponge.  I could not bring myself to buy one of them, that is so 80's and I didn't like that effect back then I'm certainly not going to like it now.  So I used scrunched up paper toweling dipped in the paint colors.  But the paper toweling would get sticky with paint and stick to the counter so I used a plastic grocery bag, worked fantastic.  

This is the point where John left the house, he couldn't take it anymore.  It was looking like a random splatter of colors and the gold color was ugly.  He rode the 4-wheeler out to the woods and said he'd be back in time for us to go out with the kids.  

I used a cereal box ripped in half to make some veining lines.  

I have to tell you that I hated it at this point.  Too defined and chopping looking.  But there is no turning back so I kept going with the last color and the white calmed it all down and brought everything together.  

Here is after.

The paints were chosen from the floor color but I didn't wan't it too matchy.  It looks totally different in these photos because of the change in distance but they match but with the counters being much lighter than the flooring.  

Went out for supper with the kids giving the paint a chance to really cure and the house to air out.  Sunday I put a few items back onto the counters but we aren't using them yet for daily use.  We'll give them a few days to cure......... oh and John can't stop looking at them, he thinks it's awesome.

Don't worry I changed the snow day chalkboard today but not till after the picture was taken.

Next up for paint is that telephone cabinet..... it's stood still long enough in that shabby white state.  

This is a totally different look and so far it's fabulous.  I stop and stare at them every time I walk through.  If you have 90's countertops to replace use the painting method it's much, much cheaper.  If you need to get a closer look before taking the plunge come on over and feel them for yourself.  

Baby A has change to Little A

Our Baby A has had his first birthday and even though I could call him baby A a lot longer I'm sure he would like me to not call him a baby forever.  So he's my Little A now.  

Adam and Monica had his birthday party with all the family and they did a fantastic job.  When we first got there Little A was sleeping and this is the note his mommy wrote for him when he woke up.  So sweet. 

He was having a sock monkey birthday complete with a bunch of balloons that all the other kids liked better than him.

We had pizza and Jr loved it.  He even wore a sock monkey outfit.  

Jr is loved by everyone, he seriously is the best baby ever and everyone enjoys having him sit on their lap.  He goes from one person to the next to the next and smiles at everyone all day long.  His birthday was spent with so many people that mean a lot to Adam, Monica and Jr.  

Including Josh who can't get enough of Jr........... and Adam.

We had a little entertainment....... don't leave Max alone in the bathroom or he'll find you no matter where you are.

Little A had cupcakes and wanted to touch it so it's a bit far away as we sing Happy Birthday to him.  

This little man loves his mommy so much, he listens to her and you can tell that she means the world to him.  

And daddy is on the same level.  Jr loves his daddy too.  Watching them together totally melts my heart.  Raising your children to be great parents is the most rewarding thing in the world and we've accomplished that with all 3 of our children.  They are all amazing mommy's and daddy's.

I've been teaching Jr how to blow out his candles but now that the moment has come he can't do it.  A little help from mommy and daddy is needed.

Now it's time to eat the cake and he has no interest in it.

He was more interested in playing with it than eating it.

His grandpa Dave and grandpa John were sitting there and he did this to them every once in a while. 

Present time.

We had a great time celebrating his 1st birthday even though it seems impossible for a year to have passed already.  He has been a joy to all of us and can't wait to watch his personality unfold.

Up North Visitors, More Snow, and More Paint

This last weekend we got to head up north on a Friday night.  We arrived just before dark and of course all the snow that was on the roof was now on our sidewalk.  The snow was packed tight and we couldn't shovel it so up and down the hills it was.  

At the top of this hill you had to duck to get under the roof.

View out the door of the snow that fell off the roof.  I will be so happy when all this white stuff is gone and there are campers out there and water to float in.

Saturday morning sky looking out the patio door.

It was snowing again but sitting here soaking up the sunshine made it not seem that bad. 

Friday night when we arrived we had to wait for 3 deer to leisurely walk off the driveway and head into the woods.  Saturday night we were getting ready to go out for supper and these 3 were checking out the place.  They circled us and from the looks of their trails they do this a lot.  

I shot these out the window and this little guy didn't want to leave.

Saturday I primed and painted cupboard doors and Sunday morning John hung them.  Everything is painted, now we will add a full sized fridge and some kind of counter where the stove is supposed to be.  I really don't want a stove right now since we have learned to cook everything with either the grill or electric frying pan but I don't want to permanently cover the area.  After all I am the queen of preparing chips and salsa for supper and who needs a stove for that.  I'm thinking a fun dresser or high table and maybe even cut a hole in the wall into the dining area.  But for now it's fine just the way it is. 

Floors are next...... we just have to decide what.

And my vision for a little cottage charm with vintage small plates hung on the walls is starting to happen.  I like it and John doesn't say a word...... I know he hates it but he loves me too much to tell me.  What better use for beer can tabs than to epoxy them to the back of the plates for hangers and he's okay with me asking him to drink another one.  

I already have the next room plans in my head..... 

starts with primer and ends with vintage sheet music.