Sometimes I get to the end of a year, and think, “Man, I didn’t get a lot done.” And then I look through pictures and think – “Okay….. that was actually a lot, and you deserve a nap.”
This was one of those years!
We finished (ALMOST) all of my Studio!
I presented at the Ohio Music Education Association conference with my dear friend Aaron. (This is not Aaron, but rather my college mascot Zippy who was also in attendance.)
I found a beautiful mirror for my studio.
And upholstered some things!
We built some shelves for the studio –
And experienced an eclipse in our front yard!
Spring came…. roses bloomed…..
… and I made my old third floor office a dressing room. This has been a GAME CHANGER for staying organized and feeling at home.
We went to the beach with family….
….and got the stained glass hung up!
I organized the lighting / craft room (I need to blog this!).
And the biggest money spent was getting the front steps replaces with concrete and brick. HUGE project, and it’s DONE. Well, kind of. Dont, if you don’t count handrails.
Then, I took a 12-week leave of absence from school to rest my brain and my soul and my body. And the most Victorian thing to do was to go back to the sea – this time just us.
We hosted about 1,000 people for the home tour.
And then hosted a band on our porch for a summer event in town!
We bought a Hoosier cabinet, and I made it into a coffee bar on the third floor.
Halloween came next!
We went to Doug’s Alma Mater to see two of my students in the band for a football game!
And got some new Halloween lighting up!
We built a table for the library to eat dinners on.
And then went to New York City for Doug to run a marathon, and for us to see some shows. And to hang out in Central Park.
Then, I went back to school!
I got some artwork on the wall of my studio….
And then it was time to decorate for Christmas!
So really, looking back, we did A LOT. And most importantly, I listened to my body and brain and took a rest. And am SO READY to start 2025!
What’s on the goal list for the house?
- Organize the Basement (which is a HUGE HUGE HUGE project – it’s all of our tools and supplies and our “shop”)
- Finish the three builds in my Studio (sewing desk, bookcase, and finish the bed)
- Build a fence in the backyard
- Put up the newel posts and railings on the front porch steps
- Install the newel post light in the front stairwell
- Start the next room – I have a couple of contenders!
Super excited for all of those, and to look back in a year and see what we’ve done! Happy New Year to all of you!
Beautiful house. Thanks for sharing pictures. You are an inspiration to the rest of us.
Congratulations on all this hard work and thank you as always for the beautiful documentation. I’d love to hear more about the library table, unless I missed it! And am I remembering correctly that you had a basement flood early on? Is this a reorganization from those days?
You did a lot! I am glad that you took care of yourself when you needed a break- here’s to 2025!
a year goes by so fast, you forget to look around and see what you’re doing. I love your progress this year. Please post about your coffee bar and the studio art… The lady on the ostrich needs a name and a story!
Amy, months ago I sent you an original catalog image of your studio chandelier. Did you get it?