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Alberta Flooding

This is a tragic weekend in our closest city. It has affected many people including my son, who was evacuated from his home.  My friends and I drove to see the damage downstream which hadn't yet peaked.  The river was a violent, raging mess with many roads and bridges closed.  Unfortunately, I only had my phone camera with me,which died.   I am blogging from my iPhone as our Internet has been affected, so I apologize in advance as I am new to "computerless" blogging   The few pictures I was able to take, were of an area where hubby and I kayak.  

The river is much wider here than usual.   In fact I would say about three times what it normally is.

This is a road

This is a roadway too

Even the snakes were looking for higher ground. I saw four snakes within a few seconds. 

My heart goes out to the people who have lost family members.

 So tragic. 💔

A Cobblestone Path

Years ago, my Mom purchased a mold for creating cobblestone paths.  One of my genius sisters did something unique with it that I will share, soon.
 What I did with it, was what the manufacturer intended it for;  a cobblestone path.  This was just a test area, as we are thinking of making an outdoor patio area someday.  We had some left over ready-mix from one of our construction projects; six bags worth.
  Our test path isn't complete yet, but I thought I would share pics of it in the making!

This is where the path will be.  We leveled the site fairly well.  I mean I didn't get a level out, or anything as technical as that, just enough so the mold would sit flush against the ground.   I mean who does that anyways?  

The mixer...

The pouring bucket.

The mixer in action

Hubby screeding the first block

Waiting for the first block to set.  Only takes a few minutes before you pull the mold off.  The gloves to the left are what I used to push the concrete into the corners.  You could use a trowel, but I like to be hands on....I mean gloves on!

Second block done.  The maker of the mold engineered this thing to accept one bag of ready-mix per block.  Genius!  Our path will be six blocks worth.  Not a long path, but definitely a needed path.

It started to rain as we were mixing the third bag, and because we don't have an eavestrough on the garage, a steady drip was falling on one of our "cobbles"  I quickly leaned a sheet of styrofoam against the tree to save this poor little cobble from certain demise. 

And now we hurry up and wait :(
  That's always so hard for me!

Cheers.

Porch Makeover

This was my porch...

It was okay, but I felt with all the visible coats and shoes scattered about, it was junky and cluttered.

This is my porch during...

Sorry for some of the poor quality pics; phone camera

My sister and I decided to spend two days at each others house and be their helper.  For her turn at my house, we built two of these tall cabinets.  I was grateful for the team work as these succers were heavy!  She did most of the painting on the insides too.....not my favorite thing to do!  

I bought these two corbels from the Re-Store a few years ago.  They were marked $5.00 each but the day that I was there, all of the moldings were 50% off!!   The hoarder in me knew I would need them.  Thanks hoarder in me!!

Same thing for unit two.

You get a better sense of the added sides in this pic.  Both units are in!

I repurposed the old shelf, thus all the wood filler.

Installation of cornice moldings and corbels.

Building of the bench.  No worries of this baby collapsing :)

Ran out of plywood for the bench top, but I was able to scrounge some exterior ply from our building leftovers. Thus the two different finishes of the top.  I biscuit joined a two inch strip of solid oak to the front edge and intended to sew a cushion for the top to cover the plywood.  After it was all stained, I decided I liked it the way it was.  Front legs are being assembled in the picture.

Bench top is removed for staining and  a coat of white paint was applied to everything else.

The finishing touches; installing the trim!

The now pictures!

These were another hoarding deal.   I paid under $3.00 for these monster hooks many years ago and used them in my old closet.  As I have been working on a new closet, I  was able to re-purpose them to the porch!  And yes....Candy does fix EVERYTHING!!!!!

Yes!  I even built the doors.  They were probably the easiest thing about the whole project.  Sorry no pics.   

I used beadboard wallpaper above the bench.  I will still have to paint this.  I am hoping it will hold up to the abuse of the front entrance.  I bought it at Lowes, and I am not sure of the quality as it tore pretty easily during installation.

By the way, if you are wondering where all the coats went, I installed three hooks in each unit.  Now we can cram all of our outerwear in there!  

I am so happy for this new build.  THANKS to my sister, who helped me build both of the side units!
Cheers.

Linking up With

A Free Nightstand Makeover

Well here she is in all her glory.

You can check out the before pics  Here! & Here!

Overall I am fairly happy with it.  Was it worth diving in a dumpster.....Heck Yah!

I painted the inside a coral pink (but because I had to use my flash it shows more bubblegum pink).

and cuz yah, I totally got it for $0.49.  

I covered a piece of heavy cardboard in wallpaper and attached it to the back.

The crack in all its glory.

The crack repaired with a two part epoxy.

I love the grain of the veneer.  I rubbed the entire piece down with carnauba wax to seal the wood.

The concrete top with two coats of sealer.

A quick look before my funky knobs.

My funky knobs.

Not sure if I will make a basket for the bottom or just call it a day.
  Think I'll live with it for a month or so and see how it works.

  I was also thinking of painting the entire length of the legs in a checkerboard pattern similar in color to the knobs.  
  Any thoughts?

  Next up will be the new night stand for Hubby's side,
 but first, a porch makeover happened and I was there for the whole thing!

 Cheers!!