The Pantry (for Rene')

I realized the house is getting to the point where I can show you more and should explain a bit more, thanks to Rene's questions about the pantry. So if you will please ignore the construction debris and extra furniture, that is exactly where we will start our tour:

The Pantry

Just off the new dining room, the pantry door goes through our old exterior wall and into the former garage. I couldn't find the tape measure just now, so I'll have to add the measurements at a later date. I'm tempted to say it's about 7' x 13'. Off the top of my head, I could be wrong. (What? That's right, you heard me. But I'll deny it).


The door to the pantry is one from the original bunkhouses. I still need to put the old #6 back on it. We made our new doors pocket doors. I really don't know why everyone doesn't install pocket doors, we love them.

Let's go inside, shall we?

Through the door to the right is where we will put our extra freezer and extra refrigerator, side by side. Living 35 miles from town, you need to stock up. A cowgirl's gotta have a decent pantry. We used to have our extra fridge and freezer in the garage.


Through the door to the left is where we installed some of our old kitchen cabinets and part of the old bar, for storage and also to have a work surface. (Incidentally, this is exactly the size our bar, and thus our kitchen, used to be: the length of those cabinets. Can you believe it??) Anyway, this is where the microwave will live, where we can run a dehydrator or meat slicer, or whatever appliance we'd like to use, but without cluttering up the main kitchen counter top. Sort of like a butler's pantry, I guess, but without a sink or anything.

We'll probably store extra appliances, like mixers, ice cream makers, etc. here in the pantry, even if we end up using them in the big kitchen. The pantry cabinets will probably also house some of our serving dishes, table linens, and miscellaneous other things. There is also room above the counter top for a couple shelves that will run the length of the counter.


Starting at the end of the cabinets, we will have floor-to-ceiling shelving that will wrap around the wall across from the cabinets, and go as far as it can while still allowing us room to get into the fridge and freezer.


I'm so excited to have a nice, bright, walk-in space to store all of our food and extra appliances. Maybe someday before we move, I'll take a picture of our current Bunkhouse living situation. I'm not complaining, I'm just sayin' a family of four can't live in a total of 3 rooms forever.

Bathroom Tile: The Wall

I've already told you that I'm positive the thought of tiling our master bathroom caused the Contractor many sleepless nights. Well, I'm fairly certain the shower wall today almost gave him an aneurysm.

It all started when he discovered he'd have to make 20 more angled cuts on 20 more tiles. Luckily his permanent marker hadn't worn off the tile saw platform, so that wasn't so bad.


Then he had to make a cut to come up over the tub edge.


Again, not so bad. But we kept messing up, both of us. We both made cuts that were just plain wrong. It wasn't a good day. I probably jinxed it when I said, "Look at all that extra tile we have! I bet we'll have a couple boxes left over to return."

I know I jinxed it. Contractor even said, "you shouldn't have said that." We dropped one of the rail edge pieces that cost almost $6 each. But I glued it back together. But still.


Our mud was drying way too fast, so we were moving much faster than when we did the floor. And I dropped a couple 3"x12" border pieces, which broke, of course.

And then. Then it was time for the cut going around the window frame. And also a cut on the same tile, on the angle to accommodate an offset 6" tile. Contractor said, "You don't know what you're asking me to do." And he drew it out. He was positive the tile was going to break. He was just sitting on the floor, looking at his red marks.


I said, "You're not going to have an aneurysm, are you?"

He just looked at me. (I think he may have had a little one.)

I said, "You can do it."

He said, "It's going to break."

And out he went, to the tile saw. I decided it was probably best if I didn't go out there until he was finished.

After what seemed an eternity, he came back inside. The tile was cut! And here it is, in place:



Isn't it just gorgeous? Contractor said he planned to come back tomorrow, to finish the tile on the tub surround. I said I planned on making cookies.

House Updates

Except for finishing the bathroom tile and a few odds and ends, the contractors are about done with our house! The electricians are here for the second day, and will need at least one more day when our wall oven and chandelier parts arrive. Also, we need to exchange our bedroom chandelier, so that will need to be reinstalled...Then the plumbers need to do their work.

For now, here are our new corbels, supporting our lovely Silestone counter top. We backed the cabinets with birch beaded board, which complements everything beautifully.


Here are the pendants above the kitchen island. Aren't they lovely? So fun. We still need the butcher block top for the island, in which we'll install our bar sink.


Here's a view of our kitchen from the living room (pre-existing area) of the house.


And here's the kitchen, as seen from the new dining room. The pot lights have not yet been installed, so that is another thing on the electrician's list.


And another shot of the kitchen, I think I snapped that picture from the door that used to lead from the kitchen to the garage, for those of you who were familiar with our old house.


This is our sunny yellow pantry. I installed the old cabinets all by myself, and then Number One trimmed down the old counter top from the bar and we both installed that. I am proud to say that it is quite sturdy and level! We'll put that extra beaded board on the end to tie in with the rest of the house.


This gorgeous pantry floor has the appearance of natural slate, you'd probably never guess it's vinyl!


Here is the gorgeous ceiling fan in the master bedroom. We had the electricians take it back down today because there is a crack in the top globe. We will have to take it all the way back to Home Depot at some point in the near future for an exchange.

And here is Number One, painting away in the master bathroom. We've both been working hard to get everything done. It feels like there is so much more to do. But it is definitely getting close!

German Film Crew

Today, we had a German film crew on the ranch, filming cowboy and ranching activities for a German television program for kids. They filmed Number One, catching the horses; Number One, CG, and Ranch Hand riding their horses. Number One and Ranch Hand, shoeing their horses. Things like that. They said Number One was the best rider on the ranch.

H-Bomb decided he wanted to be in the television show too, so after a big production I got both boys into jeans and shirts and boots and hats.

They filmed H-Bomb and Sawed Off, watching Daddy shoe horses and then the boys practicing their roping skills with Grammy. The camera guy loved them. It was really fun for them, and I'm excited to see the DVD of the program they will send us.

Ranch Hand was going up on the mountain to do some fencing, and the film crew was going to tag along to film him working and get a time-lapse of the sunset up there.

This is the conversation I overheard:

Ranch Hand: Do you like this shirt? I don't really like this shirt. What do you think?


Crew: It's fine.


RH: Do you want me to change my shirt? Should I wear something cowboy-ish? I'm going to change my shirt.


Crew: Ok.


RH: What about this cowboy hat? Should I wear this hat? You probably want me in a cowboy hat...


Crew: Yes, please, a cowboy hat.


RH: Okay, I'll go change my shirt and then we can go.



As Ranch Hand walked to his house, I called over and asked if they needed any help with wardrobe.

The camera guy replied, "Yes! And makeup too!"

And then I told CG she had a Prima Donna on her hands.

These models are so high maintenance.

Collared Lizard Has A Friend!

A girlfriend, that is.

Number One came home this morning with
a little gift for H-Bomb & Sawed Off:
a female collared lizard.

Maybe now we'll have to name them both.

I think he likes her...

Bathroom Tile, Day Two

Friday, Contractor and I geared up for Day Two of Tiling the Bathroom Floor. This is where most of the tile cutting came in, and I got a lot of practice!

I cut a bunch of tiles, the ones that just needed a straight cut or two. So basically, I cut all the tiles around the perimeter and at the end of the tub, and in the toilet area (except for the four tiles that surround the plumbing). I used the manual tile cutter (very similar to a glass cutter in that it just scores the tiles and then you break them, so I had some prior experience). By the end of the day, this cowgirl was cuttin' tiles like a pro. Pretty much.

I also used the tile saw, which is basically the same as a rock saw, so no big deal. I may even try slicing some jade I've got while that saw is still here. The only thing I really didn't like about the tile saw is getting covered in ceramic tile dust and spray...I don't remember that from lapidary work, but maybe it's just been too long? My hands and face were so dry and gritty by the end of the day. I suppose that's why lotion was invented. Also I must have cleaned my glasses at least 57 times! But Rene' was right: Tiling is fun!

Soon I will show you the gorgeous results of all our hard work. For now, the first half of the floor is covered with brown paper to protect it from flingin' mud. I could take it off to show you, but I just don't feel like it right now!

Now ALL that is left is tiling up and over the tub surround, and two shower walls. I better get to designing my pattern, I think Contractor is coming back Monday. He's such a slave driver.

~~~

*Update: I measured and designed the wall pattern this morning (Monday). Contractor has been showing up around noonish, so I should have plenty of time to change my mind 5 or 6 times before he gets here~

Stay tuned for pictures!

H-Bomb Discovered a Dinosaur!

A couple weeks ago, just after H-Bomb's Kindergarten field trip
to the Dinosaur Museum,
we took a trip to the Boneyard
(which you can read about in the second half of this post)
to get cement blocks and other supplies
to elevate my EarthBox garden.
H-Bomb and Sawed Off both had a great time
rummaging through all the treasures.

H-Bomb returned with armfuls of bones, from sheep, cows, etc.

The next thing we knew,
he had reconstructed
his very own dinosaur skeleton
on the porch:

He's even got things lined up in the correct order.

He'll be a paleontologist yet.

Tiling is Fun!

I'm pretty sure that the thought of tiling our bathroom has been keeping Contractor up at night. I didn't think my tile layout was all that extravagant, but I will admit it has changed and evolved some over the last few months to a somewhat simpler design.

We got 12x12" tiles, with 6x6" border/accent tiles, the accent tiles being both plain and four different patterns. I like things to be random and unexpected, so I wanted our tile layout to reflect that. I drew inspiration from my favorite spa up in the Big City, which has 24x24" tiles accented with some smaller mosaic tiles at an angle. However the spa tiles are not random at all.

First we laid out most of the tiles on the floor for a dry run, to get an idea of what we would have to do. I left some of the 12x12" tiles out so we could walk through the room and look at things.


We measured for the tile cutting, and then set up the 4-12" tile configuration with a 6" tile center. I figured it would be simple, once we got the correct measurement to lop off the edge of the 12x12's. Contractor was pretty worried about having to measure each and every tile, but we didn't have to. Sorry if I don't know the correct terminology, but it looks like this:



Contractor started cutting. I think he made the exact same cut on more than 30 tiles. I've forgotten how many tiles we hauled out to the tile saw. I carried the cut tiles back in and put them back into the layout.


Once all the tiles were cut, it was time to get down to business. Contractor mixed up the cement, which he calls "mud" and we started with the border. I basically handed him the tiles and then helped align them with the spacers.


This is what it looked like a couple hours in:


By 5:00pm, we had done all we could for the day. Contractor had a 24" x 12" space to sit in, and he said, "I guess this is what they mean by 'painting yourself into a corner.'" We cleaned up and he went home.

Back at it tomorrow!

Cowgirl Fashion Photo Shoot: Adam Kimmel

Last week, I was photographed by our friend Larry, to try out for a modeling job at a fashion photo shoot that was coming to the ranch. I expected them to just pass me by and show up with two blonds, but they decided to hire me! I was very excited! I checked out the designer's website ahead of time, and found some great outfits. I couldn't wait to see what designer fashions I would get to wear!

On Monday, Larry brought part of the crew down to scout the locations. I met Adam Kimmel, the designer; Jim Krantz, the photographer, and his wife Susan; Lynn, the producer; and a couple other crew members. They told me they had changed my schedule to Wednesday instead of Tuesday. We had a very nice visit. I asked Adam if I should wear my glasses or contacts, and he said, "Whatever you feel most comfortable in. Whenever I wear glasses with a cowboy hat it looks silly." I said, "I guess I should start looking in the mirror."

On Tuesday, I went out to the photo shoot site to see how it was going and talked to the producer, Lynn, about what time I should be there, etc. I asked her if there would be a makeup person, and she said, "No, they just want you au naturale." It really is a good thing Jenny taught me how to do natural-looking makeup!

Lynn told me to bring my cowboy "hats." Well, my dad commandeered my black Stetson a number of years ago and stretched it out. Number One took my brown cowboy hat and shrunk it, and I wasn't sure I could stretch it by 5AM the following morning. I haven't been anywhere to get a new hat yet. So I panicked a bit. Then I remembered that our dear friend Jean-Claude left his hat at CG's house, to ensure that he'll come back someday. I went up and tried it on, and if fit perfectly! Problem solved. I gathered the rest of my gear, my chinks, my two pairs of boots, contacts & saline solution, etc.

On the morning of the shoot, I woke up at 3:30am. I tried to sleep again until 4, but wasn't very successful.

At 4:00AM, I kicked Number One out of bed to go turn on the generator. We made coffee, and I got ready for my very first modeling job! We were scheduled to meet around 5:15AM, down at the Marlboro Corral. When you're the first person at the shoot, you have to open the gate. The moon was still out, but my little point and shoot doesn't take very good night pictures.


It's called the Marlboro Corral because it was built by some guys from Marlboro. It's quite rickety, so it's not very useful, but it is picturesque. Incidentally, it's not in any of the pictures that I saw being taken. And I didn't take any pictures of it either.

Below you can see the first car coming down the road to the photo shoot site.


Number One brought over some horses for us to use.


After everyone arrived, it was getting to be daylight. There was coffee (thank goodness) and breakfast sandwiches, fruit, etc.

They decided that they didn't want to shoot me (the girl) on a horse. So I just had to wait some more, but it was fun.


The male "cowboy/model" took off on a horse named Pete so they could take photos of him riding on a ridge. He was having trouble with the horse, getting more and more agitated (during which time the photographer, Jim Krantz, got some awesome shots of the horse rearing). The producer asked me to take the "cowboy/model" a different horse. I put a bridle on Zack, hopped on and rode while leading another horse over and up to where Pete and the "cowboy/model" were having their tiff. (and I didn't have my camera with me)

The "cowboy/model" saddled the second horse, hopped on and attempted to take off. I stayed up on the ridge, but out of the camera shot, just in case he needed anything else. The horse, having not yet been ridden, did not take kindly to the "cowboy/model's" spurs. He really should have warmed up the horse a bit before trying to gallop towards a cliff edge, but he didn't.

The horses could feel his anxiety and his anger. This "cowboy/model" was nervous about being bucked off, saying things like "I'm too old to fall on these rocks" and he started to make comments about our horses, and he was just plain angry. He also cussed in my presence. Not that I've never heard it before, but still he should have been more professional. I was trying to settle the horses down, calm them down, and here he was just being a jerk to them and then getting pissed and wondering why they weren't responding to him.

He even made a comment about the care of the horses, even though HE was the last person to ride them the day before and didn't brush them down after. I was not impressed with this man at all, which is why he doesn't deserve to be named here and the term "cowboy" is in quotes along with "model" because in my opinion, this jerk is neither.

So after the second horse (surprise!) didn't respond to him after 30 seconds, he wanted Zack, the horse with my saddle on. The photographer and entire crew were down there waiting, and he wanted to switch saddles. AGAIN. So we did. Larry walked all the way up the ridge to see what was going on.

With Larry, I led the horses down the rocky slope and out of the camera shot. I told Larry that guy should have brought his own horses. I pet the horses and apologized to them for that guy's behavior, and led them to a bunch of delicious grass.

Then Lynn, the producer, came to get me and take me to wardrobe to get dressed. I put on a luxuriously soft black sweater with embroidered steer heads on the front of the shoulders, along with my own Levi's, chinks, and boots. I asked the wardrobe ladies, Sabine (I think) and Natasha what it was made of, and Sabine said, "I don't know, probably cashmere." It was very warm and comfortable. We drove back over to the other ridge where they were shooting.

They decided that they wanted to get some pictures of me walking down a ridge, leading a horse. I walked UP the road and back down the ridge at least 6 times. Let me just tell you, it's not that easy walking down a ridge in the desert and avoiding cactus, rocks, sagebrush while "keeping your head up and looking around." I'm not sure how many pictures Jim took, but there were some really great ones.

In the meantime, the crew was setting up this muslin screen for "LookBook" shots.


I did some modeling for the LookBook photos, similar to the guy above. Just sort of walking in front of the screen, moving around in front of the screen. It was pretty fun. First I modeled the black steer head sweater. They told me they were just going to have me model the one outfit.

But then, they decided to put me in another outfit! Woohoo, time for wardrobe change. I do have to say it's a little strange to change clothes in front of a bunch of other people, but whatever, it was still fun. I wore a blue striped shirt, another probably cashmere cardigan, and tried on some unbelievably soft suspender pants in a gray sweatpant (but much softer) material. The gray pants didn't fit well, so back into my Levi's, chinks and boots. And of course the hat.

During the second outfit, it was really windy, but this made some nice effects with my hair flying around. There are some excellent shots of this outfit as well. Unfortunately, I don't have any to show you right now. But Jim and Susan are going to send me some, or eventually some might make it into Adam's 2010 LookBook!

When the crew broke for lunch and headed back to town, I went home. They were coming back around 4:30pm for another session. Number One had to take the horses back to the location, and he said they had invited us to have dinner with them at the corral. I got H-Bomb and Sawed Off dressed (in pants, even!) and headed over there.


The boys had a great time exploring in the desert, and Jim took some awesome family photos. He said he's going to send us some prints.

They took more LookBook photos of different models, including CG, and then took photos of Adam Kimmel himself. (center, facing the camera)


We had a dinner catered by a local restaurant, and everyone commented how cute H-Bomb and Sawed Off were in their cowboy hats and boots. And they tormented Natasha with a huge flying beetle they caught.

As the sun was starting to set, they got four male "cowboy/models" on horses, and started up the smoke machines. There will be some amazing photos from this shoot. I got a couple decent shots with my little digital.


It was a fantastic day, out of the ordinary, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I met some great people, and I wish them all the best. I'm so happy I was able to be a part of Adam Kimmel's LookBook 2010. The photos are on their way to Italy and/or Paris for a show in about a week, and I can't wait to see myself on his website!