Guest Bedroom Update

Since my last post was about the guest bedroom, I thought I'd post a couple of other photos. I did halt that project in early June, just in time for my mom's visit, although I still have quite a bit to do as with most things around here.

Still need art above the bed. And could someone straighten that lamp please?

Slow Progress

I've been working on the guest bedroom and bathroom the last couple of weeks and feel like I'm getting there.

My biggest problem seems to be "completing" a room. I get to where it's OK and I kind of like it but it just never really feels "done".

I did come up with this little vignette which I'm semi happy with.

The Rye Bread Experiment - Part 1

My mom is coming for an extended visit in a couple of weeks and has some issues with wheat (and yeast) - not a gluten allergy per se, but something along those lines.
At home she has been able to find a 100% sourdough rye bread at her local store but, even though I haven't really searched too much, I have a feeling it's going to be a little harder to find here in Iowa.
So...I decided to have a go at baking my own.

I have to confess that this is not really "Part 1", since there were 3 or 4 failed attempts at making a starter before I actually got this thing to grow. Operator error - water too cold, room too cold.
When I finally decided to use a thermometer and a scale, things went a lot more smoothly. I used a combination of instructions (and some of my own ideas) for this. We'll see how that works out.

This morning, after a couple of weeks of trial and error, I finally have a starter that seems ready to go.
One last feeding this morning. Tonight I'll start the bread making process.

This is the starter before the feeding. There are two lines on the jar. The bottom line marks where it started at the last feeding and the top line how it doubled since then.

After this morning's feeding we are at the bottom line again and will, hopefully, be at the top line by tonight. I have two starters going right now because I'm worried that I'll ruin one and have to start over.

If you're interested in the whole process, there a tons of websites out there explaining it all. It's a, quite confusing, multi-step adventure but, even though I haven't actually gotten to the point of baking a loaf of bread successfully, I feel like I'm getting the hang of the starter part.

Let the Decorating Begin!

I've been doing quite a bit of painting around the house with a LOT more to do.
The kitchen walls went from brown-ish to green, which I love, but the big green space above the sliding door is bothering me just a little bit.

Before paint (and furniture):

After paint:

I'm trying to come up with something to break it up a little and this is my current idea:


It's a vinyl decal and I think it just may do the trick.

What do you think?

(Please ignore the big black blob in the kitchen. We'll be replacing it as soon as the sticker shock from all the other expenses we've had subsides.)

New House

A lot has happened since my last post. A lot!

We moved to Iowa from the Seattle area and love our new house.
I can't wait to get to decorating.

It's a modern Prairie style home in the woods.
(The photos are from the real estate listing. I'm waiting for my new wide angle lens to arrive at which time I'll take "real" photos.)

Front

Back

Screened porch!

Porch furniture is being delivered on Thursday. Exciting!