Friday, January 10, 2014

Renovation Diary: Potting Shed Update



The holidays are long gone, but I haven't gotten back into a blogging rhythm, Lord knows why.
However, the renovation is moving quickly at Rattlebridge. One project is almost finished: the potting shed.

Do you remember how this part of the yard looked "before?"

 
By late December, the potting shed was 85% finished. 


 We ordered the plans online and asked the framer to make the shed taller and wider. He also modified the roof so that it wouldn't be top heavy. Then he followed the plans perfectly, which called for lattice windows, herringbone bricks, and a "witch hat" roof. The windows will eventually be fitted with Plexiglas. Right now, we're debating whether to paint, stain,
or just let the shed "weather" naturally.
 
 Inside, we'll probably seal the wood (clear, no stain).
 
We decided to cover one window because I'll need a place to hang tools.
My GC, Mike Cox, put up a board and moved it from window to window, so
we could study the light.
 
I love the "Stay Out" sign (below). Here's the history behind it: Mike had propped the sign on the garage door, warning folks that the interior floors were being refinished. I ended up taking the sign home and using it for a paint sample. Quite a journey for one little piece of wood.

We talked about the electricity and lighting, too.


 Mike had a few suggestions for the floor. We could stain the concrete, leave it alone,
or do a brick floor (pavers or just fill with sand rather than mortar), etc.

But first, we needed to eliminate a window.
It wasn't easy. Sunlight looked so pretty as it streamed through the lattice...which window had the least light? The North. But this decision was complicated by the placement of the shed. The door is at an angle, facing the potager and the driveway. Wouldn't it look odd to cover one of the "front" windows?

We made Bandwidth walk around outside the shed, holding a board up to each window.

We finally chose one that faced the backyard.
A word about the lattice. From the outside, you can't see
inside the shed. When you're inside, the view is clear.

 
What a joy to look up and see rafters.
I've never had an opportunity to play with vertical decorating,
but it'll be fun.

 
A barn pendant will provide the main lighting.


I couldn't resist string lights--they'll add a touch of whimsy. (This type of bulb won't be
made anymore, so I bought extras.) I can totally see these lights in the shed.


 I'd had my heart set on a Dutch door.

 I showed the framer a photo of a JELD-WEN Dutch door. Over the holidays, he made one
just like it in his workshop.
 
A view of the door, shaker shingles, and a copper weather vane. We're looking for a stone slabs to use as a door step. Meanwhile, the garden sleeps under a snowy crust.


Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend!

 
 
 


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Thursday, January 9, 2014

Foodie Friday Recipe Party -- January 10th

 
So glad you're joining us for the January 10th Foodie Friday.
 
The cupcake photo (above) was taken a year ago for a Downton Abbey party. Did you
see last Sunday's season premier? If so, what did you think about it?
 
 
Were you affected by the Polar Vortex? That's a new term--one I never want to hear again.
Ever.
Here in middle Tennessee, temps hovered at zero. When the thermometer finally
crept up to 17 degrees, I thought I was in the tropics. Oh, happy day.
 
Speaking of happy . . . .
Last week's Foodie Friday recipes were awesome. You can take a peek HERE. 
 
Here are the 5 most-viewed recipes.
 
(If you're visiting from Pinterest, you will need to "pin" the Top 5 Recipes from the source blog.
Click on the link that's above each image. Thanks.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thanks to everyone who shared recipes.
 
. . . .
 
 
In case you missed the Mystery Ingredient Club announcement, here's a recap:
 
You're Cordially Invited...
 
What: The 3rd Mystery Ingredient Club
When: February 6th and 7th
Where: Foodie Friday, Rattlebridge Farm
 
 
What is the Mystery Ingredient Club?
 
Are you a fan of the cooking show Chopped? The participants are given
a basket that's filled with outlandish mystery ingredients, and it's up to the chefs to
create a dish.
 
That's what you'll do at our MIC.
 
An ingredient is announced, and /cooks are invited to use their imaginations.
You can read about the guidelines for the premier event HERE.
 
Additionally, you might want to take a peek at the First Mystery Ingredient Club and the second.
(Note: If you're visiting from Pinterest, be sure to click on the above links, scroll down to the bottom of each post and click on the members' names, and you'll find deliciousness to "pin.")
 
For the first two events, I reached out to several bloggers and asked if they would participate, then I mailed them the secret ingredient/s. The parties were delightful.
 
Quite a few bloggers suggested that the event be open to anyone who wished to participate. Everyone will purchase the ingredient, use it in a recipe, and share the finished product at the MIC/Foodie Friday Linky Party on Feb 6th and 7th.

 
Mary at Home Is Where the Boat Is suggested the ingredient for the 3rd party.
Can you guess what it is?

 





The mystery ingredient is . . .
Dark Chocolate.
 
 
Here are the guidelines for the Mystery Ingredient Club
 
1. Find a recipe that includes dark chocolate. Purchase any type of dark chocolate: Bars, cocoa, or any type that sparks your imagination. I'm buying salted dark chocolate at Publix.
 
2. Create a blog post and add it to the Foodie Friday/MIC linky party on February 7th. You aren't required to have a backlink. (See updated Foodie Friday guidelines.)
 
3. If you are participating, please let me know by leaving a comment. (Thanks to
the bloggers who left enthusiastic comments last week. Can't wait to see what you'll bake.)
  
Participating bloggers will be featured in future posts.
 
If you are contributing a recipe to this week's Foodie Friday, locate the blue Inlinkz icon in the lower, left-hand portion of this post. Click on the icon and follow the directions. After you complete the process, you will see a red "x" beside your name. This allows you to delete your link if you made an error; the red "x" is visible to you only. Pretty please do not pin images from the FF thumbnails. Visit the source blogs. Thanks. For a complete, UPDATED guide to this linky party, click HERE.

You are cordially invited to pin with us at Foodie Friday's Consuming Passions board on Pinterest. http://www.pinterest.com/mleewest/consuming-passions/

Update 1/10/14: I'm testing a feature at the linky party. The thumbnails will be randomly shuffled. Let me know how you feel about this feature.

Thank you so much for visiting. You and your recipes make my world a happier place.

 
Love,
                                       
 

 
 
 

 

 

Monday, January 6, 2014

You're Invited to the Mystery Ingredient Club

 
You're Cordially Invited...
 
What: The 3rd Mystery Ingredient Club
When: February 6th and 7th
Where: Foodie Friday, Rattlebridge Farm
 
 
What is the Mystery Ingredient Club?
 
Are you a fan of the cooking show Chopped? The participants are given
a basket that's filled with outlandish mystery ingredients, and it's up to the chefs to
create a dish.
 
That's what you'll do at our MIC.
 
An ingredient is announced, and /cooks are invited to use their imaginations.
You can read about the guidelines for the premier event HERE.
 
Additionally, you might want to take a peek at the First Mystery Ingredient Club and the second.
(Note: If you're visiting from Pinterest, be sure to click on the above links, scroll down to the bottom of each post and click on the members' names, and you'll find deliciousness to "pin.")
 
For the first two events, I reached out to several bloggers and asked if they would participate, then I mailed them the secret ingredient/s. The parties were delightful. Quite a few bloggers suggested that the event be open to anyone who wished to participate; they would purchase the ingredient, use it in a recipe, and present the finished product at the MIC/Foodie Friday Linky Party.

 
Mary at Home Is Where the Boat Is suggested the ingredient for the 3rd party.
Can you guess what it is?

 





The mystery ingredient is . . .
Dark Chocolate.
 
 
Here are the guidelines for the Mystery Ingredient Club:
 
1. Purchase any type of dark chocolate in your MIC recipe. Bars, cocoa, or any type
that sparks your imagination.
 
2. Create a recipe and add it to the linky party on February 7th. You aren't required to
have a backlink.
 
3. If you are participating, please let me know by leaving a comment.
 
 
 
And that's it! 
 
Welcome to the Mystery Ingredient Club!
 
 
Love,
                                       
 
 

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Foodie Friday--January 3, 2014


 Welcome to the first Foodie Friday of 2014.
I hope the New Year brings you joy, contentment, and great recipes. We cooked, visited with family, tended to the farm, and tried to stay warm. 
 
Speaking of food . . . I'm always excited to see what you've cooked up each week. I thought it would be fun to include a  round-up of last week's favorite Foodie Friday recipes. 
 

Note: To visit a blog, click on the title below each photo.
 
Last Week's Favorite Foodie Friday Recipes
 


 
 
 
 

 


 
 

Sourdough Native's Scalloped Ham-Potato-and Broccoli



Picture Perfect Cooking's Basic Slow Cooker Roast



Hope in Every Season's Chicken Ranch Casserole


 Olla-Podrida's Caribbean Cornbread



Swirl and Spice's Cranberry and Coconut Gummy Candies



Stump de Noël by Home Is Where the Boat Is


The Mystery Ingredient Club returns Friday, February 7th, along with the regular Foodie Friday
party. If you aren't familiar with the club, you can read about it HERE. Past MIC parties included an unusual ingredient: preserved lemons ...

... and a mystery sprinkle kit for Halloween.


The February party is open to everyone.
If you'd like to play along, the secret ingredient will be unveiled Monday, January 6th, along with places to find the ingredient (it won't be truffles!) and brief guidelines--they'll be a little different.
But fun!
Hope you'll join us!


If you are contributing a recipe to this week's Foodie Friday, locate the blue Inlinkz icon in the lower, left-hand portion of this post. Click on the icon and follow the directions. After you complete the process, you will see a red "x" beside your name. This allows you to delete your link if you made an error; the red "x" is visible to you only. Pretty please do not pin images from the FF thumbnails. Visit the source blogs. Thanks.


For a complete guide to this linky party, click HERE.

You are cordially invited to pin with us at Foodie Friday's Consuming Passions board.


Thank you so much for visiting. Your recipes make the world a happier place.