The Host and The House Barn

What a fun day!

Due to a confluence of circumstances my turn to host book club came today as we're in the midst of the house barn remodel.

The book is The Host by Stephenie Meyer, of Twilight fame. It is a surprisingly good book although a little adolescent and feminine in it's scifi-ity. I REALLY loved it and recommended it, that's why it was at my house.

So anyway getting ready this for it this morning was very stressful, but after 3 glasses of champagne it turned into a very fun and relaxing evening with the book club girls.

But why talk? PICTURES!!

While I was partying, the guys got the carpet in and finished up the house barn. Move in day is tomorrow!

House Barn Makeover!

We are currently in the midst of an emergency remodel of the building formerly known as the Big Red Barn, now renamed the House Barn.

Like so many others, my unfortunate brother Tim lost his job last fall. Last month he hit a deer in his car. It was a minor accident but insurance totaled the car, so he and his wife have been borrowing various cars while fighting insurace and looking for a new one. Last week they learned they were going to lose their apartment.

So this weeknd we're pulling together to clean up the room upstairs that I use to start plants for the garden. It's like one of those home makeover shows but except with more drinking and swearing. Also there isn't any plumbing for a toilet so they'll have to come into the house frequently. Except for Tim, he'll probably just pee out the window or something. So not really like one of those shows at all... maybe a redneck version.

Before (after preliminary cleanup):

First a tile backsplash:

Then a coat of paint (cranberry punch):

Then some pergo type flooring for the kitchen area:

Not bad progress for one day of work! Carpet's going in tomorrow morning. :)

Busy Week

It's been busy around the farm lately so here's a pictorial rundown of what's been happening.

Monday:

It's spring! Our tulips are blooming! My grandmother planted them 20 years ago and I love seeing them every spring.

Tomatoes are needing transplanting to bigger pots, haven't gotten to that yet.

Tuesday:

Tested a honey-chile glazed salmon with black bean sauce and jalapeno crema recipe. Served with rice, delicious! Learned a valuable lesson, honey-chile glaze when converted to smoke will make you cough like mad. Note to self: keep heat on LOW!

Wednesday:

Haircut and highlights courtesy Tonia's Salon in Chaska. The pic doesn't do it justice, it turned out really cool.

Thursday:

Went to Kohler & Dramm downtown to get flowers for Paul Spangrud's Memorial. :( Also picked up some gifts for my Old Sames, for when I host in three weeks.

Friday:

(Photo unavailable)

Planted potatoes in the rain, got in all the reds. They're so tasty. Then went shopping with Katie, got some super cute black shoes-should get a picture of those-I LOVE them! Then we smuggled a bottle of rum into Star Trek. Great movie, absolutely loved it, and that's not just the rum talking. :)

Saturday:

Flowers for Paul. Such a shock, his passing. So sad for the family, my best friend's Necole and Tim, Tammie and Katie. Their parents Mary and Verne, and his young son Will and wife Nancy.

The memorial was packed with well over a hundred showing up, so many good friends coming together to show their support, and many more who couldn't be there were very there in spirit.

So that was my week, full of new beginnings and farewells that will not be final.