Monday, September 2, 2013

Update on The Cottage

We have been going at this place we call home,
non stop.
Well, except for yesterday.
We went to the beach.
Panama City, Florida, to be exact!


It was really nice to take a break from the house
and go exploring.
We had such a great time and can't wait
to explore somewhere else along the coast.

They don't lie when they say the sand is sugar white and
the water is warm. Us "Westies" are 
not accustomed to that because the
Pacific Ocean way out West is mighty COLD!

The kids had a blast.
We didn't plan on having a day "at" the beach
(we were going to hit a few places to decide where 
our beach day would be in the future)
but two little fellas had different plans.



It was a fun, fun day. 
Can't wait to have another
"day off"!

Below are some photos of The Cottage and our progress.
These were taken a few days ago and I have since
 finished painting the kitchen ceiling and getting the first coat on 
the walls. It's really starting to come together
and I am excited!
Each room will have it's own
blog post with before and after photos.
Getting closer to that makes me happy!

Introducing... 

My pink ceiling!

 My Laundry Room


 The Kitchen




 Our living room




 Our front yard and garden area that 
is getting a complete makeover.
Keeping the fence though,
at least for now.

 I cleared out the inside of the picket fence today.
 There's beautiful Lantana growing on the other side
so I'm deciding whether to make a border garden or sod to the fence line. Hmm...

 Our backyard (we did this on Labor Day).
Wait, isn't it supposed to be a day free from labor?

 
And where we haul all the trimmings for pickup.
So much stuff, you can't see the fence!
The city guys come by a couple of times
a week to pick up trimmings {for FREE}!
I like to keep them coming back. Last time I gave them
warm brownies. This time it will be cupcakes. 
I ain't no fool!



Yep, that's about it for now.
On our way home from the beach,
we pulled over so we can catch a few pics of 
these cuties. Don't you just want to kiss that face? 
If that calf was mine, I would!


See you all soon. 
{I have to keep you and all separated still.
I'm not at the ya'll stage yet. I did have to let 
go of my "you guys" because I got the business
for saying that!!}

xo, Amber

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Amber, your home and property are gorgeous! Y'all have done so much in a relatively short period of time. I grew up saying "y'all," so I can't help it. Did you go to the Gulf Coast? Where do you live conducive to the coast? Your photos are beautiful too! Thank you for sharing, you pretty and talented Southern Belle you!!!
xoxo,
Nancy

Amber ~ The French Pressed Home said...

Hi Nancy! Thank you so much for your sweet comment. When I take the time to stand back and look, we have done alot in a short period of time. Sometimes I don't see that because I only see the list of "to-do's". Working in the yard is one of my favorite things to do. You can make such a huge impact just by cleaning up! Can't wait to start planting. Yes, we went to the Gulf Coast. We are about 3 hours from Panama but closer to Alabama beaches. We plan on hitting Mobile next time. One place I really want to go to is Fairhope. There are some beautiful waterways there with NOLA flavor (as I've seen in photos). Can't wait!!

Susie said...

Amber, Yes, it's sad...but sometimes we really have to work on holidays to get all the stuff done. Your family did enjoy the beach and that was nice. I would be scared of spiders if I were cutting out all that brush. Blessings to you and your family. xoxo,Susie

Unknown said...

It looks so beautiful - everything from the inside to the outside - and love that white picket fence !!!
XOXO

Amber ~ The French Pressed Home said...

Oh Susie, there are some creepy spiders here not to mention some other crazy bugs! I don't mind them as long as they don't crawl on me. I only got the willy's once when I picked up a dead piece of wood loaded with ants and they fell on me. Yuk!

Amber ~ The French Pressed Home said...

Thanks Suzan! I love the fence too. Husband isn't a fan of vinyl but I reminded him how much moisture there is here and how little upkeep it is. He agreed, it's beautiful! Haha! Can't wait to reseed the yard. Too many bare spots!

Mammabellarte Rita Reade said...

Black Rooster Cottage is looking good! The beach looks amazing I am glad you guys took a little break! Ciao

Amber ~ The French Pressed Home said...

Thanks Rita! Can't wait till you visit!! Good luck with The Vintage Marketplace this weekend! I wish I was there!

Kerri said...

Wow!!! You guys are kicking some serious boo-tey on the house and yard!!! I LOVE your Living Room!!! Keep up the good work ;)

NanaDiana said...

Amber- You have done a wonderful job so far. I can't wait to see it ALL DONE..if we ever are DONE! It is a wonderful house and has great bones from what I can see.

Sounds like you had a fun "day off" with your family. We all need those, don't we? xo Diana

Mom E. said...

Amber,
Ya'll are AMAZIN'!!! I visited Alabama 25 years ago and loved it! The gulf coast was beautiful and warm, and we were there in December. I love the interior of your home. Ya'll have worked so hard inside and out, and it is beautiful progress. I keep working toward progress in my home.... But accidents continue to happen!!!
I am so glad you took a break, it was a well deserved one. I need to get back to work. We had family for three weeks and i need to work again now!
Hugs to you!
Betsy

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

What a fabulous place you have. It's obvious that you've invested a lot of work and creativity.
Blessings,
Laura
Harvest Lane Cottage