This and That

I really don't know how I ever had time to work full-time and take care of a house and kids.  I also don't understand people who say they don't know what they'll do with their time after retirement.  Irv probably wishes I'd go back to work so that I'd stop thinking of projects.  So here's a synopsis of what we've been up to the last few weeks.

Updating our guestroom was overdue.  We still had the green walls that were popular several years ago plus the furniture needed an update too.

We started by painting the room.  Irv is the best painter ever.  He hardly makes a mess at all whereas when I paint I am covered from head to toe in paint.  We chose a neutral gray.

Luckily, Irv is agile and he can climb up to those high places.

Here he is acting like Michelangelo.  I have to give a shout out to Walmart paint.  I'd recently read a review of their paint and decided to try it.  We had bought enough to do two coats since we were covering a dark color, but it looked great after only one coat.  

Now to add a new queen size bed, mattress, quilt set and window coverings.  The room has been transformed into the modern era.  I never want to be that old grandma who doesn't keep her house up to date.  The old furniture is being donated to an organization that helps homeless families get back on their feet.

The second guest room (aka my studio) also got an update.  The new paint will come later, but now we have a nice bed in that room also and I've removed some of my "art stuff" from the room to make it less cluttered so our guests feel comfortable.  I can't stand cluttered rooms.  Next spring I'll be getting a "She Shed" so I'll have my own space back then.  Yes, there are pink walls in this room and I like them.  Actually the color is terracotta.

For Christmas this year I want to smoke a turkey breast rather than roasting a whole turkey.  Last weekend Irv got to be my guinea pig to see how it comes out.  I brined the breast in an apple cider solution for several hours. 

Then stuck it in the smoker for about 4 hours.

I'm not bragging, but it was darn good.  This will definitely be on this year's menu.

I also did some sewing this week for my favorite grandson who does medieval sword fighting.  Now he will be properly attired for the tournaments.  (Hopefully he doesn't read my blog.)  Thanks to my sweet hubby for being my model. 

We've also decorated our house like crazy this year (at least more than usual for us).  That's what you do when your favorite three year old granddaughter is coming to spend the holidays with you.  Check out Irv's video that he took with his drone.

Sometimes you have to put aside all the things that need to be done and step outside to re-center yourself.  For me, that's out on a trail somewhere.  We did this hike on Wednesday afternoon and later that evening it snowed.  You have to love Colorado.

Life is good here.  I hope everyone is having a peaceful holiday season.