Tree Trouble

Remember the gigantic tree in our new yard?  The historical registry White Oak tree dating back to the Civil War?  The one I was so proud of?  Bad news. 

We noticed that it wasn’t looking as healthy as it should be, so we called two different tree experts to have a look and offer their professional opinion.  Both concurred that the tree is dying from the inside out and it must come downL  I am so sad about this.  This tree was the major curb appeal of this property, and it was the first thing I noticed when we made an appointment to see the house.  It’s such a shame. 

Since the tree is so colossal it poses a grave danger should any dead limbs fall on the street or in the yard--or multiple neighbors' yard.  In fact, they will have to hire traffic controllers to stop traffic on the road just to remove it.  We got two estimates—one is about $5,000 and the other $8, 920.00 

In Every Life a Little Tree Must Fall...

So the gigantic historic Oak tree on our lawn isn't in great shape.  A gigantic limb has fallen off into the yard and it would take about 20 men to move it.  We're going to need a chainsaw to chop it up and haul it away.  I think the tree is really unhealthy, so we're going to call a tree expert to have a look and see if it can be saved.  With our luck I do not want it to fall on the house. 

It's sad because I fell in love with the tree and it gives character to the yard.  One of the neighbors told us that it's the only surviving Civil War era tree in the area, which is why it's on a registry (hence the plaque we found on it).  We really want to save it.  Last Fall the orange leaves were absolutely gorgeous.

Last night we went to check the humane trap to see if we caught the pet mouse.  Not yet, but I noticed that since the wall is down now I can see that the floor in the dining room is a full 4" higher than the kitchen floor.  That's where the peninsula is going on top of, so I am not sure what we are going to do to fix that problem.  Oh, I would love a day without a problem!

We've had a string of bad luck lately, but we're working really hard to get things to come together.  Bel Air Construction has been wonderful in helping to guide us.  They have set up a meeting with an electrician and plumber next week so we can get this show on the road.  Jeff and I are learning a lot in this process and we're trying to make smart decisions.  We adore this house and want it to be a happy home, so we know these efforts now are going to pay off bigtime later.

One nice thing:  the knobs and pulls arrived today and they are stunning!  They will be like jewelry to enhance the cabinetry.  I'm trying to stay excited by holding onto the vision of a finished kitchen.  I picture myself making a big Italian family dinner in there and I see everyone, including me, smiling!

Discoveries at the House

When I finally went to bed at 6 a.m. Jeff was still half asleep.  I started talking to him as I often do about the million things that race around in my brain that keep me from sleeping like a normal person.  Must be terrible to be married to me!  My head was full of ideas about the house and everything around it.  My attentions had turned toward the landscaping as everyone I know is giving us plants and trees and wanting to know when we can plant them.  Uh... we haven't even figured out the inside of this place yet.  We are grateful for the gestures, however.  Anyway I was thinking about my favorite trees and flowers and got stuck on the intoxicating scent and beauty of peony flowers.  They're my favorite!  I excitedly asked Jeff still in half-slumber, "Can we get some peonies?  Please, please peonies!?"  He was less than enthusiastic and muttered "I sleep."

We had to meet with our electrician today and what did I discover when we went over to the house this afternoon?  PEONIES! 

And lots of them!  I was so happy to see them--yet unbloomed and petals tightly wound in a ball so sweet even the little ants can't resist.  We also have a purple azalea that is in bloom.

Emerson wrote, "The Earth laughs in flowers."  I think he was right:-)

So onto less pleasant things... the living room looks like a warehouse for boxes.  Well, it kind of is actually.  The cabinetry is taking up the space right now.

I'm glad it's here so I can catch a glimpse of something brand new amidst all of this chaos and dust.



Here's one of the cabinet doors that will be on the base lazy susan cabinet.  I wonder who Susan was and why she was so lazy.  I'm glad she was!  Now I will have an easier time storing things.



This is some of the filler detail work.  I think it's so pretty!

I was happy to discover that there are a lot of ornate hinges original to the house.  I hope that we can get the paint off of them and keep them.  You just don't see charming details like this anymore.

Completed Window Purchase

Through Bel Air Construction we have purchased new windows for the entire house.  We chose Vytex windows in the Georgetown series.  My favorite window will be the triple picture window in the kitchen.  There is such a pretty view out of that window and it will let plenty of light in--much more than the small window that is there now. 

This new expanded window will give me something to look at while I prepare food and wash dishes.  There is a pretty fruit tree there, and I plan to hang the birdfeeder we bought on it so I can watch the birds.  We bought this copper and glass feeder:

Can't wait to see our feathered friends enjoying it!

First Purchase for Our New Home

What makes a house a home?  This is what we've been thinking about lately as we're in the process of buying our first home together.  We want it to be a haven for friends and family and to reflect who we are.  We really want to make it “ours.”


For me, it's the little touches that count.  We just bought the first item for our new place:  window candles for each window (21 of them).  I really enjoy the ambiance and warmth they add to a home’s exterior--a home just looks more welcoming with a soft glow in each window.  To come home and see those little lights in the dark will make the house even nicer as we fix it up.




We chose cordless candles with a solar sensor that allows them to light at dusk and turn off at dawn and to be set to turn on and off at specific times.  They are going to make coming home really nice--like the house is greeting us.  Love them!