Tuesday, July 3, 2012

July 4th Mantle And Other Disasters

I don't even try to pretend that I can decorate a mantle. I just don't have the knack for it and Wild Bill loves electronics too much. Look behind the poor chicken's head and you will see the cable from the TV outlet that runs from the wall above the mantle and across the room to the TV, which we have sitting on a cabinet.



 I tried taking the picture from a different angle and that worked out better for the picture. But I'm thinking not many visitors will want to stand over next to the wall...and look down the line with the flags in front...so the cable won't show!


 As you can see in the picture above, it looked pretty barren before I added two packages of little flags from Hobby Lobby. The flags really need to be dulled down by soaking them in some tea to make them look faded and older, but I was getting ready for the tile guys to come the next morning so I called them good enuf.


Some where in the chaos I have an old faded flag that I like to drape on the mantle, but we're still in turmoil with the floors and other problems, and I don't have the energy to go pull out any more boxes to look for it.

 I bought the old crock that holds the flowers long ago at a fantastic garage sale. The pictures on the wall are oil paintings from the late 1800's. The old tag, that was barely hanging on the back years ago, said they were framed in San Francisco on Sutton Street in the 1880's. When the tag got so lose it wouldn't hold any more, I put it in a plastic bag and packed it away. So it's just another one of the things I'm looking for as I unpack years of boxes from the last six moves we've made.

 Sadly, I had to round up a bag of pinto beans and pour them in two mason jars to hold the little flags. It's necessary to improvise when your floors are in transition and the contents of closets have been packed up and stored who knows where!



Hope you have a happy 4th of July and that you're not in the middle of a remodeling nightmare like we are.  I'll wait until Thursday to tell you all the unexpected problems we've encountered during the last few weeks. We've come to expect the unexpected as we try to make all the changes needed to make this house or home.


Thank God we've learned to laugh instead of cry when problems present themselves. We even stayed calm and collected yesterday when Gary the electrician (who was cutting a hole in the wall to relocate the 220 wiring for the stove)  yelled: "...OH...OH SH*T... DAMN... WHERE'S THE GAS SHUTOFF???"  

Well... you know it's never a good thing when the electrician, who was cutting through the kitchen wall, is frantically running around looking for the gas shutoff!

Maybe you're not aware of this, but the plumbers do gas hook up stuff, not the electricians. I just learned this, and other things I never wanted to know, last year.

So, while Wild Bill and Gary the electrician ran outside to the gas main, I ran around opening windows and doors...and prayed...and laughed. That's all you can do when you're in the middle of a remodel!

Yeah, sad right? This is part of our front room and dining room, all ready for Bryan and Jay, the tile guys. But when they came this morning they discovered that the travertine tiles were the wrong size...and the truck won't bring the right ones until Thursday afternoon...so they can't start doing the tile until Friday or the following Monday. Happy 4th of July!

I'm linking up to the following linky parties. Come see what everyone's showing:

Cowgirl up! at http://farmhouseporch.blogspot.com/
Primp Your Stuff at http://www.primpjunktion.com/
White Wednesday at http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/
Open House Party at http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/
Wow Us Wed at http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/
Home & Garden Thurs http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Make It Pretty Monday at http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/

11 comments:

  1. Your July 4th mantel looks wonderful. I love the beans in the mason jars.

    I wish you all the best with the remodel. It will all be beautiful in no time.

    Dee

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  2. Just think how beautiful the space will be after the remodel! I think you mantel looks great. I'm thankful all is well. I'll look forward to photos after your finished. I'm your newest follower.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  3. The Mantel looks good to me and so patriotic, and if you are hiding some cords, then more power to ya!

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  4. I think you had a brilliant mantle theme. You did a really cute job. I hope your remodel will soon be behind you and you can just enjoy it all! Thanks so much for coming by with your encouraging words about my Shadow of the Flag post. I truly appreciate your kindness.
    Liz

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  5. Sometimes it is hard to see the blessing of a remodel while you are in the thick of it! We recently had several things done to our house, and it left me feeling ragged on occasion! It will be so beautiful in the end, and you will find yourself thinking about the next project! Happy 4th!

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  6. Love the touches of the flag. I can't decorate a mantel to save my life. lol. Thank you for sharing. Visiting from A Return to Loveliness. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-4.html Wishing you a grand 4th! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  7. Thank you for sharing this at the Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House. Hope to see you again next week. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  8. Those oil paintings are beautiful. I love ovals. I think you did a great job on your mantle. It came out great.

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  9. I think you did a wonderful job with your mantle! I can't wait to see your remodel progress. Thank you for visiting my blog and following!
    Your newest follower,
    Kathleen

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  10. I'm so glad that you found me so that I could "find" you! I had to smile at the part of the post where the electrician was frantically searching for the gas shut off. It brings back fond memories of my husband (who was my landlord on my first home remodel but that's another story)and I installed a gas shut off valve during an electrical storm after discovering that the house had NONE! Hang there, it'll be worth it. I promise! xo

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  11. Bless your heart! Remodeling does take a lot out of one! You've done a marvelous job - we all have cables and cords to deal with - the only thing I could think of was for you to paint the cable the wall color - perhaps it would blend in some - love the chicken and the flags - very creative! I do appreciate you sharing with A Return to Loveliness,
    Kathy

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