Our curb might be more appealing soon

First, I'd like you to close your eyes. Picture criminally beautiful children wearing faux boho clothing with just the right amount of gray-toned reds and greens.  They're doing ironic things like admiring themselves in the mirror or petting chickens (despite the fact their dresses cost at least $200 each).  I've taken gorgeous photos of them and posted them for all to see.  And tens of thousands of people come to see them.

Okay, you can open your eyes now.  I'm not sure I could build up a huge fan base solely with photos of my chirrens, even though I've seen it done.  I would need to lose some weight, dye my hair a brighter color, and wear chic vintage housewifey dresses.  And find the beauty in simple things.  Of course, I do find beauty in butter, which isn't that complicated, but that genre is filled, too, with pioneering ladies in Oklahoma.

So what're you left with?  Something else awesome!  But not quite beautiful...yet.

Here's some more progress, this time on the back porch.  We removed a window and put a coat of paint on the door (with more to come, fyi. You can tell it's not done).

The door is Sherwin Williams "Refuge".

Here's how it looked before.  We had 29 windows in this house, and this north facing one wasn't actually adding much light, so we eliminated it.

And remember that living room window?  

The awning is now gone, the windows are shiny and wrapped, and the siding...well, it ain't the same either.

And a little bonus view of the south side of the house.  The icy weather has slowed the installation.  But I'm loving the new look.  Such an improvement!  I've had a couple of neighbors thank me.  One reminded me they'd been looking at the flaking beige paint on our house for over 20 years.

I have more to tell you, specifically about what's being done and why (like, why new siding rather than a coat of paint?), but that's for another post.

Magical Transformations

Remember how I said change is a-comin' to The Kiefer Cottage?  Well, it's finally underway.  Take a look at the wondrous work that's been taking place here.  You'll be more amazed if you look at the photos and read along. Out loud. At your desk at high volume.

BAM!

We now have a 200 amp, totally up to snuff electrical box.  There are no frightening illegal fixtures or junctions anymore.  I have been sleeping a lot better since this was done, especially after two electricians who don't know each other told us our box was the worst they had ever seen.  These guys aren't 20 year old apprentices, either, so I assume it really was that bad.

SHAZAAM!

We have a new front stoop that isn't falling down!

BOOM SHA BOOM!

Shiny new windows that operate correctly and actually lock.

ABRACADABRA!

A lovely new garage door that isn't rotting!

ALAKAZAM!

The awnings are on their way out.  The light has been amazing.  See how our living room is no longer a cave.

The only sad thing about this is our pumpkin who just couldn't keep his head up any longer.  He'll soon be getting warm in the compost pile and his soul will live on in the garden.

This is where we started.  The siding is getting a face lift in the next week, so more to come!