Project #3: Blinds in the Sunroom

When we converted our screen porch into a sunroom (you can read all about it ~here~), I was so happy with all of the windows and all of the natural light! Although I knew that we would need some type of window treatment for privacy at night and to keep the sun out of people's eyes at certain times of the day, I really didn't want to cover those windows. And since I wasn't even sure what I wanted, I just waited. No hasty decisions for me. 

Fast forward about a year . . . 

I saw that BLINDS.COM was running a 4th of July sale and we decided to go for it. Ryan and Sarah had ordered from this company several times and were impressed with the quality as well as their customer service. 

After much deliberation (so typical of us . . . or is it me?), we chose Levelor Natural Woven Shades in Spa Cove Tan. They are cordless and have a light filtering liner.

We had paid to have them professionally installed, but when the time came to measure, there was no local installer available and no word on when there would be one. There was also a problem with what we had ordered (the problem was on our end!). With both issues, the company worked with us to resolve the problems and went above and beyond to make sure that we had what we wanted! We would highly recommend BLINDS.COM! 

After they arrived, we waited several weeks to install the blinds because we had two rounds of company in August and that was much better than blinds! On Labor Day, after eating our grilled burgers and corn-on-the-cob (see the ladder waiting in the background?), Ron hung all ten blinds in less than an hour! 

Yes, I did love my unadorned windows . . . 

. . . but I also love them with the new blinds! 

There is still plenty of light, but we now have the ability to filter the light and to create privacy in the room. 

Another house project checked off the list! This one, too, was mostly handled by Ron. Otherwise, it wouldn't have happened last year. 

I have one more 2023 house project left to tell you about. Unlike the library refresh and the bookcase in the bedroom, this one was not already in the works before our challenging year began. And unlike the library refresh and the blinds, it was not mostly handled by Ron. 

It was conceived and completed during the year and it was our biggest project by far!

Stay tuned . . . 

Cherry Vanilla Valentine Scones

 
A little Valentine love around the house . . . 

CHERRY VANILLA VALENTINE SCONES

 

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

12 tablespoons cold butter

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup cold heavy cream

1 cup dried Montmorency cherries
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 3 teaspoons half-and-half (or milk)

Directions: 
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. 

Cut cold butter into small pieces.
Add to dry ingredients; cut in until mixture is the size of small peas.
(Don't overmix!)

In a separate bowl, mix together eggs and cream with a fork.
Stir into flour/butter mixture, just until combined.
(Do not overmix!)

Fold in cherries.

Turn dough out onto a generously floured surface. Roll dough to 1/2-inch thick.
Dust top with flour, then cut with a heart cookie cutter. 

Place hearts on parchment-lined baking sheet. 
Bake at 400 degrees for 9-10 minutes.

Transfer scones to a wire rack.
(I transfer parchment and all to the cooling rack immediately after removing them from the oven to stop the bottoms from further browning.)

To make the glaze, stir vanilla into confectioner's sugar along with enough half-and-half to make a  drizzle.
With a spoon, drizzle the glaze back and forth across cooled scones.

Next up . . . House Project #3: Blinds in the Sunroom 

Tech update:  Just as suddenly as I became "Anonymous," I returned to "Cheryl." 🤷🏻‍♀️

Project #2: Bookcase for Primary Bedroom

Following a "break.," I am back to my series on house projects. Actually, it was my old laptop that broke. I had been limping along with it for several years after I had dropped it and cracked the case, but it finally said ENOUGH. I can't blame it. 

So, on we go . . .

The second house project of last year was actually begun the previous year. It had been partly built, but was put on hold as we were immersed in care giving. Priorities change quickly when there is a crisis!

When we remodeled our primary bedroom back in 2020, we had a table from The Farmhouse that we used as a desk. After a while, however, we decided that the room would work better with a bookcase rather than a desk. First of all, the desk top was a catch-all spot, always cluttered and piled with stuff. Mail, papers, magazines, books to be read, cords for electronics. I'd clean it off only to have it pile up again. Secondly, a bookcase would take up a smaller footprint in the small bedroom. Vertical space seemed to be the answer to both of these problems. 

So we went from this . . . 

to this . . . 
 

Ron made a simple design and built it as wide and tall as would fit the space to allow for the most storage. He used some old wood, but it was too orange-y, so we decided to paint it. I primed it and painted it in Linen White (an Olde Century paint color). Then I lightly distressed it to imitate wear. Finally, I rubbed on a coat of Briwax in light brown to seal and "age" the finish. 

We still have a tray to drop our mail (I'm keeping my eye out for an antique basket that is the right size), and a basket to hold magazines and catalogs. The shelves also hold our devotional books, my Bible, my small collection of Christian fiction, some decorating books, and a few personal photo books.

Even though it took nearly a year to complete it, the bookcase was a relatively small project that made a big difference in our bedroom. We gained a little space and lost a clutter magnet, a win on both counts!