Brand Spankin' New Look

We finally got our new soffit, guttering and downspouts. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and deal with the expense in order to achieve curb appeal. Here is our before photo. This was taken right after we signed the contract.

This is right after the new soffit, guttering and downspouts. We are moving right along with our sweet little fixer upper now. We still have to do shutters and landscaping. 

We're also planning to put in a U-shaped driveway in our front yard. Parking is tight on our street. This way we can accommodate more vehicles when we start having our bed and breakfast guests.

But, Mi Miguel said, "First I'm going to build you the pergola because I think we will enjoy it way more than a driveway." I love this man. As soon as it cools down we can start this project.

You can find all my blog entries on Facebook: Florida Warmth and Water.

We are on the letter V with our alphabetical restaurant journey. All the restaurants we've been to so far are on Facebook: Florida Restaurants A-Z. 

Elephant! What Elephant?

Two days ago, I posted on social media that I'm looking for a specific dresser or sideboard to convert into a vanity for the master bathroom. In fact, I've been casually looking for one ever since we bought the house a year ago. Without even being aware of it, yesterday was the day to look for it.

I knew what to look for and exactly what I wanted. It had to be unique but not to antique. I wanted it to be fun but not over the top in color and design. If I could find one at a great price that didn't need to be painted, that would even be a better option. 

Painting doesn't appeal to me much these days. Painting walls and furniture in the same house nearly every day for a year kind of made me grow tired of what once fascinated me.

The next day after posting that I'm looking for a piece to convert to a vanity, my friend, Miss Becky suggested Habitat for Humanity. It was there that I stumbled across the perfect one.

We wanted something no longer than 67 inches and a depth of no more than 18 inches. This piece met that criteria.

When I got up yesterday, I had plans to stop by a new friend's house to check out her kitchen design and then the grocery. After that I needed to get home to prepare for my get together later in the evening. On the way to the grocery store to pick up good things to eat there stood the Habitat for Humanity right in my path. It was a sign, right?

I've driven by the Habitat for Humanity several times but haven't stopped in since they had to shut down. This particular one tends to be high on their prices, which a business can do in this tourist type area.

Somehow on the way to Publix yesterday, my vehicle just kind of turned right into the parking lot of Habitat For Humanity. Even though I was pressed for time and needed to get groceries there I sat not realizing what was waiting inside for me.

The minute I stepped in the door I saw what I thought could work for a bubble light, for our coastal home. I sent a photo to Mi Miguel and he said, "It's kind of weird looking." We really don't need a light fixture. We have temporary ones up that work fine for right now. He was right.

There was however a light next to it that was very unique. It wasn't at all weird. It was unique. I took photos of it, but thought not to send them to Mi Miguel. The incredible deal the manager gave me would make anyone love this light fixture. I think Mi Miguel is  going to love it too.

It will be perfect in the dining room. Mi Miguel has already installed our "forever" light for that room.

I didn't feel the need to broadcast this purchase right away because you see, before he installed the "forever" light, there was this light fixture that you see in the photo above. I'm pretty sure I let him know that it was just a temporary light when we bought it. 

We had to hurriedly choose something because the original owner of the house wanted to keep her Murano chandelier.

But, once he sees this light he will understand. It's solid brass, heavy and has the most wonderful glass flower shaped shades you've ever seen. Isn't it "PERFECT?"

Setting the much needed light fixture at the register, I felt an urge to go peek at the furniture. I thought I should quickly peruse the whole store in fact. Our "Simplify Your Life" mantra was in the back of my mind. But, being pressed for time and zipping through the aisles not expecting to see much, a quick perusing shouldn't be a problem. 

Right then, Waaaahhhh, there it stood...THE DRESSER. THE ONE!

I sent a picture of it to Mi Miguel. He liked it as well.  But he had no idea where we should put it until we were ready for it in the master bathroom.

We obviously think very differently. A treasure this grand, can sit smack dab in the middle of the living room if need be. You see, wondering where I'll put an incredibly special buy like this has never been a problem for me.

Mi Miguel on the other hand thinks about things like, how in the world does she expect me to load it up and unload it. He thinks about how it will block the thoroughfare from one room to the next.

All I can see is, "THE ONE." We'll climb over it for a month if need be. After convincing him that we will never find another dresser like this. He agreed that it was truly an amazing dresser. 

I paid for it and put a "Sold" post it note on all three pieces. Yes, there was a night stand and mirror to match. Why wouldn't you buy all three pieces. They closed at five so Mi Miguel would have to pick it up the next morning.

On the way to the grocery store, I called him again since we always talk on his lunch break anyway. I shared my concern with leaving the set at the store with just a piece of paper stuck to it as my only evidence of purchase. The receipt had no description just a price. The vagueness of purchase concerned me. Mi Miguel agreed that it should be picked up on his lunch break. We met up at the Habitat For Humanity and got the set all loaded up. It was at this point that I informed him  that I found the "PERFECT" light for the dining room. A blank look fell over his face. 

The dresser set is delivered. There it sits in the middle of the master bedroom, blocking the thoroughfare, just like Mi Miguel said it would. It's one of those things where I feel prouder than a peacock and no one else seems to understand. 

The matching nightstand is in my living room being used as a side table for now. It matches the dresser and mirror, we may need it as we finish up renovating the bathroom. For what, we don't know that yet either. But we do have it if we need it. The mirror is gingerly propped up against the dresser. I have no clue what I'll do with the one mirror but I'm sure when the time comes we'll be glad we have it.

When Mi Miguel sees this terrific set,I'm sure this is what he sees.

When I lay my eyes upon this "once in a lifetime treasure," this is what I see.  

But I ask you, isn't this dresser perfect for a double sink vanity in a coastal cottage style bathroom? 

Can't you see my treasure of a dresser being a double sink vanity in a bathroom like this? 

Or this? Yes, I can too. Let's do this Mi Miguel. How hard can it be?

Israeli Food? Fascinating!

If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Steve, then you're missing out on one of Florida's hidden treasures. 

You may remember Karen, she was chosen "Fascinating Person" the month of March. Had I not met Karen at a ladies group, over a year ago, Mi Miguel and I wouldn't have met her husband Steve.

This in turn had both Steve and Karen curious about my Facebook Group:Florida Restaurants A-Z https://www.facebook.com/groups/floridarestaurants/ They soon joined us to so many of our restaurant picks. 

Upon meeting Steve, one of the first things you quickly find out about him is his passion for his sailboat.

Over the years Steve has learned to navigate the seas with his sailboat and...

if you want to know about the stars and constellations, Steve will enthusiastically navigate you to Orion or The Big Dipper or Ursa Minor. His enthusiasm for the stars has him toting his huge, I mean HUGE telescope all around Florida. Young and old alike lend him an ear to learn all about the beauty in our vast sky.

If you can't find him sailing on the water or viewing the sky, look for him in a field or park, nary a bird escapes his eye. 

If you haven't figured it out by now, you should know that Steve is quite the enthusiast. His interests have no bounds.

Just when you think you have Steve all figured out, he pulls another talent out of his hat. Here are a few of his projects. Each project he makes is more impressive than the last.

Not only does Steve find an interest in so many hobbies, he's also a great conversationalist. Rarely do you find a person that you enjoy conversing with to and fro on a wide array of topics. Even more rarer to find is another couple that offers  this with welcoming ease. 

Not only does he have lots of hobbies. But, has traveled quite a bit too. In fact, just like Johnny  Cash, Steve has been places. He's been..."Everywhere Man." 

Last evening, Mi Miguel and I discovered that Steve has yet another hidden talent. We were invited to their house to eat shakshuka. It's an Israeli dish that Steve prepared for the first time.

It was made to perfection and served piping hot. Because of Steve, Mi Miguel now knows what alcoholic root beer tast"es" like.

Great friends like a rare gem are hard to find. Mi Miguel and I are blessed to know this wonderful couple. They've been so patient with us as we've struggled to settle into our new life here in Florida.

Honestly, I don't think I would have liked living in Florida near as much as I do if it weren't for this lovely, lovely couple.

Let's Call The Whole (DIY) Thing Off

 We've been working on our house now for 14 months. We have two guest bedrooms, hallway, living room, dining room, master walk-in closet all finished. We've also painted the exterior. I'm tired.

Mi Miguel is tired. We have two bathrooms, master bedroom and the kitchen left to do.

You can't imagine the excitement I felt when Mi Miguel said he'd like to hire someone to finish the two bathrooms and kitchen. I'm all in with this great idea. This afternoon we're going to show the contractor this version of what we like and see what he can come up with.

We both are comfortable with this kitchen layout. I'm going to keep the kinda country look. In fact, Mi Miguel said I've come up with my own style. I call the look of our home, beach farmhouse. 

The calm colors that we are leaning towards and the lifestyle that we live is a combination of a little bit beach... 

and little bit country farmhouse. So, we're going to go with that. Actually, we're tired and don't know what else to call this look that we've come up with.

Doing all the physical labor ourselves has been exhausting. Making decisions has also been tiring. It's time for someone to step in and help us.

The plumbing and rewiring of the bathrooms and kitchen is too much for us to figure out. A professional is just what we need. 

Getting the kitchen and bathrooms finished a lot faster will give us more time to lull around at the lake and beach. 

Yes, it's time for us to kick our feet up and relax. All decisions have been made, the contractor is coming today. New guttering next week. Yep, our work here is almost done. No more decisions. No more work.

But, I can't help thinking that this bathroom might be better.

This kitchen is still a thought too maybe.

I also like the simplicity of this kitchen too.

This is nice for the guest bathroom. We should probably stain the concrete though. Arrrgh, decisions, decisions, I just want it to be over, finished. 

And yet, this bathroom catches my eye too. The shower would have to be at the other end of the room though. 

When I look at this bathroom, I think,"Come on Mi Miguel. We can do this. How hard can it be?"

This kitchen looks easy enough don't you think, Mi Miguel?

If we take it one step at a time, I bet we could figure this kitchen out and do it ourselves.  

Or, maybe I'll just hand it all over to the contractor, kick back, relax, enjoy a Greek frappe and call the whole DIY thing off.