What a difference 100 days can make! So much has happened! So many new developments! So much executive action, so to speak! The amount of change is being called “unprecedented!” Unfortunately THEY are not talking about the past 100 days here at 23 Magnolia. Let’s get real, it’s probably best I don’t talk about what I’m talking about – I could end up in El Salvador!
Speaking of, I was actually there twenty years ago and had an incredible experience. After eagerly jumping on a Guatemalan chicken bus, I learned my Spanish mastery failed to comprehend that there would NOT be a bus waiting on the Salvadorian side of the border. I went through customs, then stood around watching loved ones hug family members, pile belongings into cars, and drive away. Slowly but surely, I became la una persona. So I did what all good backpackers do, I started walking. A pickup truck piled high with mangos slowed down and told me to hop in the back (at least I think that’s what he said). The driver took us along a beautiful cliff side road with the Pacific sparkling below, until we zigzagged down to El Zonte where I was dropped off to become the surfer I knew I was destined to be. My surfing never took off, but to this day those are still the best mangos I have ever eaten.
Enough day dreaming of the good ol’ days in a gang-ridden authoritarian county; let’s get back to springtime here in the PNW and focus on house updates! Throughout the dark, wet, cold, dreary, depressing (need I go on…) days of winter, Tache trimmed out the downstairs doors and windows. We painted and assembled them in the garage and then slipped the framing right into the windows. The best part is Tache used quartz for the windowsills so I can overwater my plants all I want. So thoughtful and smart!
He also tiled the fireplace with a gorgeous natural quartzite stone that sparkles in the twinkling light of my chandelier. After six years of living in various trailers and aboard stinky boats, this is all making me feel very fancy. He used leftover quartz from the windowsills for the edges of the fireplace and I’m telling you, it looks like we planned everything from the very beginning. Quote from The Dude aside, the fireplace really ties the room together.
While I was in Colorado for Galentines, Tache used the time alone to finish the stairs (maybe I should leave more often!). As he is known to do, he found some oak bullnose edging behind a tweaker’s house that just needed “cleaned up a bit.” He sanded and stained it, then made me decide over the phone which stain I liked best. I texted #2. Tache replied OK. The fun thing about making random decisions via text is that it’s up for debate whether we agreed on which stain was #2. Second from the left? Second from the right? Second lightest or darkest? Luckily there was no need for a fight – it turned out beautifully. We used the same cork flooring from upstairs for the tread and the #2 stained oak for the edge, giving a nice contrast and alternating design.
As the depressing winter weather began to clear, Tache turned his focus to the deck railings. To pass final inspection, which will allow us to legally live in the house… I mean, will allow us to finally move in!! (shhhh!!)… we need railings anywhere and everywhere someone might fall off and break a leg. He had our cedar guy make the railing posts and top, and then again, as he does, he scored free 6-ft glass panels to use as the balusters. I honestly don’t know all that he did to make it work, but there were many days I saw him standing on the deck twirling his beard – which means he was thinking. All the thinking paid off because it’s perfect.
A few photos below to fill you in on the rest of the house and life updates. For those keeping track, we’re at exactly five years since we bought the property. I don’t want to jinx myself and say “we’re getting close,” but it does feel like the house-building punch list is getting shorter. I guess we all will have to wait and see what the next 100 days brings!
I’m glad you accompanied your first outdoor shower with a martini. Nice touch! I can’t wait to see all the work you’ve done. Best 100 days EVER!
You two are amazing! It is hard to believe you accomplished all that in five years. Makes my heart happy💕
The house is looking great!!
I can’t wait to see all of this in person! Lots of laughs reading about these first 100 days which is a nice break from everything else!