Psst- Sorry for the slightly belated post this morning, two out of the three human members of our household have the flu. Boo!
For those asking where February Superlatives went, here they are! We were just in Hawaii the week they were “due” so they carried over to this week. And boy are we glad February is over. Well, not the part where we ended it basking oceanside in 80-degree weather, but the part where our heads were spinning from three weeks of secret book project-doing and photoshoot-ing. Yeah, we’re glad that’s behind us. But since we survived all that (and lived to tell the tale!) in addition to prepping for a presentation in Portland while keeping our kitchen reno going, we can’t help but do our regular look back at what these 29 jam-packed days held (in yearbook superlative style, of course). We even tossed in some never-before-seen stuff for kicks. Oh and you can check out all of our monthly superlatives dating back to January 2011 right here (where you can peruse a year’s worth of projects in just 12 posts).
Most Hooked Up: Clara, who earned a special spot to hang up her coat when Sherry repurposed an old brown rail hook and spray painted it white as part of her Dude Get On That Already challenge.
Brightest: These horse bookends, after they were given the yellow spray paint treatment as – you guessed it – another Dude, Get On That Already challenge.
Best Cover Up: The patch job we did on the holes in our ceiling (where our old fluorescent light fixtures once were). “Best” might be a bit strong, since our process kinda involved more than a few globs of spackle raining down on Sherry in the process (and yes, we caught it on video).
Best Cover Up (Runner Up): The cover I built to conceal our range hood. Man it’s funny to look back on this thing all raw and unpainted.
Best Supporting Role: The brackets that we chose to keep our open shelves from falling off of the wall. We know not everyone is on board with them (to bracket or not to bracket is a debate for the ages!), but we love ’em.
Most Open Minded: Us, once we finally got our open shelves hung up in the kitchen. It was pretty much love at first sight.
Most Improved: Our open shelves, once they actually got filled up with dishes, glasses, serving bowls and a decorative item here and there. Unloading the dishwasher was never so fast. The verdict so far on living with open shelves: we love ’em!
Biggest Quack: The wooden goose that we (finally) hung up next to our front door.
The Close Call Award: Re-installing the crown molding in our kitchen, during which we nearly ran out of the existing molding scraps (which would’ve meant redoing the entire room, not just the missing sections). Phew!
Biggest Splash: The new art we hung in our kitchen, featuring a very colorful swimmer (and some imaginary fish that both Clara and some of you guys can see).
Blingiest: The light fixture that we ORBed and hung above our kitchen sink, which had been sitting around the house for about eight months just waiting or the perfect home.
Blingiest (Runner Up): Our backsplash tile, after we used some elbow grease and haze remover to bring its sparkle back (see how hazy it is on the left and how shiny it is on the right?).
Freshest: These tulips that added a nice burst of it’s-almost-spring to our kitchen.
The “It’s About Darn Time” Award: Our dishwasher, for finally getting the upgrade from bisque to matching stainless steel.
Biggest Potty Mouth: Me, for blabbing on and on about replacing the wax ring under the toilet in our hall bathroom.
Biggest Smash: Poor ol’ Ramsy, our ceramic ram head that was our one major casualty of the book photoshoots. RIP little buddy.
Most Organized: Sherry. At least she’s feeling that way after falling in love with her new non-grocery-coupon sorting folder.
Least Organized: Our tool drawers, which are still a mess – but at least they’re housed in a cabinet again (rather than being splayed out on our daybed). All it took was cutting down the old wall oven cabinet from our kitchen and re-situating it in our sunroom.
Class Clown: Us? No, this should probably go to the performers of the Richmond Comedy Coalition who had us giggling during their Richmond Famous improv show where we “guest starred” back in January. Though maybe Sherry should get the prize for “Weirdest Underwear Story.”
Most Flattering: The people of Portland, for truly going out of their way to make us feel welcome and special in their city. We still can’t express how fun it was to meet a bunch of you and how flattered we are by the lengths some of you went to pop in for a visit while we were at the Portland Home & Garden Show. Best. Readers. Ever.
Biggest Beach Bum: Clara, who couldn’t seem to get enough of the ocean (which is her preferred term for the beach, by the way) on our first ever vacation from blogging in Hawaii.
Longest House Guests: The book photography crew who essentially house-crashed us for three weeks, but took such great photos for the book that all the chaos was completely and utterly worth it! Our house is still far from back to normal, but we’ll get there… someday. Maybe by the time our book is out in October…
What did you guys squeak out in the short month that is February? Was yours as jam packed as ever? Have you ever made a list of accomplishments to look back on? Feel free to use the comment section of this post to list what you’ve done (or just toss out a few highlights). It’s so nice to take a break from adding things to the to-do list for a second, just to look back and appreciate the things you’ve victoriously completed. We totally think it helps us keep up the ol’ momentum!
Maria at inredningsvis.se says
JUST LOVELY PICS:) I really like your blog…so much nice inspiration.
I wish you a great weekend:)
LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
(Sweden)
chrissie lynn says
busy busy!
i just wanna know why sherry is answering comments when she’s sick! get back to bed <3
YoungHouseLove says
Rest assured I’m in a lying down position as I type these responses. Haha.
xo,
s
Kim says
So sorry to hear that you guys are sick! Feel better soon. Thank goodness you didn’t have the flu in Hawaii. (By the way, thanks for posting those cute videos of Clara dancing yesterday. I’ve been going through a rough time recently, and Clara videos always cheer me up and make me smile.)
Krystle @ ColorTansformedFamily says
I hope everyone gets to feeling better. I hear it is going around now.
Anna Sebok says
Looks like you guys had a fantastic (and well-deserved) vacation! I wish you had a video of the bean saying “little girl and doggy on on on on on a boat!” I bet it was unbelievably adorable! :)
YoungHouseLove says
I know, right?! We miss all the good stuff!
xo,
s
Heather Rae says
Yay!! Do you guys know exactly when in October the book will be out?? Hopefully before the 17th…then I can really get a birthday present I’ll love! :)
YoungHouseLove says
I wish we knew! We’re not sure we’ll get that info for a while but we’ll make a big announcement when we know!
xo,
s
Kelly says
It had to have been the plane that caused you to get sick! The last time my husband and I flew, I missed work for all but 4 hours the entire next week. It was miserable.
Angela says
Feel better!! The flu is no fun.
A happy thought though… I’m renting an apartment starting April 1st that has no cabinets or anything on one whole wall in the kitchen (just one lonely stove all by itself). Naked wall to most people = ugly kitchen. Naked wall to me = opportunity for open shelving! I’m so excited to be following in your footsteps soon!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! That’s so much fun. Good luck and send pics!
xo,
s
Kerri says
I love the open shelves and the backsplash tiles! So all around awesome.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Kerri!
xo,
s
Kim says
Feel better Sherry and Clara soon! Being sick is no fun :( And John, I know you’re taking good care of them – such a great hubby and daddy! But don’t get too close – you don’t wanna be next!
Andy says
Don’t forget to soak your toothbrush in listerine type mouthwash to kill the cooties while you are sick & get a new one when you are better. Airplane flu is the worst.
Elizabeth@ wake&gather says
I bet it feels so nice to look back on such a crazy month and all of your accomplishments!
Heather {B t C} says
I have to say I can’t ever see those big gorgeous grey beams in the family room! I love them!
February is always busy for me it’s my busy season @ work & for my PTO mom life (working on elemtary school yearbook, talent show, etc) so our home projects have slowed down. I don’t know how you find so much energy! You certainly deserved a nice Hawiian vaca! ( but glad your back…missed you guys!) :)
Chrissie says
Well, I’m officially inspired to finish the layout on my first book today! I don’t know how you guys do it all, but you are amazing! Stay shiny and feel better soon :-)
Meredith @ La Buena Vida says
Random question now that you’ve lived with the open shelves for awhile–have you guys noticed that the stuff on them gets greasy from being close to the stove? I feel like I’m always wiping down the cabinets on either side of the stove due to grease, and so I’ve always wondered whether or not it would be an issue with open shelves beside the stove…
YoungHouseLove says
Good question – but probably a bit premature to answer on our part. With all of the photoshoot craziness and then being gone for 10 days we haven’t done a whole lot of heavy duty cooking recently. But so far we haven’t noticed any grease issues!
-John
Gerardo says
You are not just amazing, entertaining and gorgeous, you are an inspiration, at least for me. Now that I’m unemployed you make me want to do something at least at home, and in this way my mind keeps working in something. Thank you so much for this blog and I wish you my best. You are awesome!
P.D.: Sorry for my english..
YoungHouseLove says
That is extremely kind of you, Gerardo – and your English was great!
-John
karenagain says
Well, I have everyone topped. During the ENTIRE month of February, I was in bed nursing a broken leg. Nothing got done around the house. My daughter cleaned twice a week. I lost fifteen pounds. BUT, I healed a bone!!! I can walk again. That’s awesome. Right? Now on to the next project. Finish the quilt, garage, shop, porch…. I healed a bone!
YoungHouseLove says
Wow – nice! Can’t say that’s a project we’ve tackled recently. :) Glad you’re back on your feet!
-John
Heidi P. says
So sorry that you guys are sick :(. Stay hydrated!! I live on oj and herbal tea when I’m sick and it does wonders.
Dee says
First, hope you are all on the mend and feeling well enough to enjoy Richmond’s preview of Spring! Second, love the Hawaii photos and the progress on the floor. Third and most importantly, I have enjoyed my early morning Clara Video Time! My son is completely grown now but watching Clara and that unabashed happiness of a two year old brought back fond memories of my own son’s “happy dance” as we used to call it. This is such a fun age and I thank you for sharing the videos. Seeing her happy dance really makes my day!
Jamie @ The Treehouse says
Ok, this is off topic but when I saw it I thought of your love of maps.
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/featured-seller-my-bearded-pigeon/?ref=fp_featured
YoungHouseLove says
Love it!
xo,
s
Laurena says
Morning from Halifax, NS!
I absolutely love your blog. You’re my fav diy-ers, and not only for inspiring the rest of us to diy but also for your humorous take on life.
In February I tackled a few things on my list, as part of my “dude get on that already”. I ‘refreshed’ an old dresser i had since elementary (which is over 25 years ago, ack!) and stripped/re-stained a dining table I’ve had just as long. Both turned out wicked.
I’m looking forward to your book coming out. Will it make it to stores in Atlantic Canada?
YoungHouseLove says
I think it’ll at least be available internationally on amazon.com, and might make it into Canadian stores as well, so I’ll keep you posted for sure! Thanks for the kind words, and congrats on the dresser and table makeovers!
xo,
s
Michelle N says
One of the best things that happened to me this month was the purchase of a label-maker! It has helped me take organizing to the next level and with three babies 3 and under, I need all of the help I can get!
Also with spring on the way, I have been “indulging” with fresh flowers from Trader Joe’s about once a week. They freshen up our [very] outdated kitchen and help me be content with what we do have, while we save for our remodel.
Jenny says
It looks like the grellow wall color in your kitchen is coming out alot clearer in recent pictures. Did you adjust some color settings? I feel like it used to look alot more green…If these pictures are more true-to-color, I really love it!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Jenny! I would say the color is pretty accurate in these pictures (though of course I can’t speak to everyone’s individual monitor settings). I think having swapped out the fluorescent lights is definitely helping, plus we’re taking more pictures in natural daylight when possible because we feel like that always yields the most true-to-life colors.
-John
myrna says
You’re probably right about catching it from being on a plane for hours. I always wear one of those allergy masks during the flight. I don’t get many strange looks; do get a few questions but when I explain they think it’s a great idea! Hope you & Clara feel better soon! In the meantime, snuggle up with Burger.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, on day five of fevers that sounds like a great idea!
xo,
s
Alyssa says
These monthly wrap ups are great! Thanks for making it so easy to keep up with your projects :) I loved Sherry’s spackle video, so funny!
Angela says
In February I closed the deal and bought a townhouse, my first home! And I moved. I learned how to install curtain rods. And how not to install them. I’ll be in DIY heaven for years and years.
YoungHouseLove says
Woot! Congrats on the new place!
xo,
s
kim says
John and Sherry
My 10 year old son and his friend showed me this video. I thought what can I do. I read a few blogs every day, and the people that have these blogs have a voice, you have a voice. Please watch the video, and have a voice, thanks.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Kim! Looks like the video didn’t come through in your comment, but if it’s the Invisible Children video, we’re on it! We have it on our Facebook page a few times, have retweeted it, and other commenters have even left links to it in the past two posts! Thanks for spreading the word!
xo,
s
kim says
Hi guys should have known you would be all over it already.
Laurel at SoPo Cottage says
Greetings from the other Portland – Maine! Just discovered your site and love it! Especially the brackets in the kitchen…..I just bought the exact same ones for our 1900 Victorian. Our kitchen is still a work in progress, but it’s inspirational to see what you’ve accomplished. It will give me a little boost for this week’s projects !
BTW – here’s our kitchen plan, hopefully we can share ‘after’ pics in the near future. http://sopocottage.blogspot.com/2012/02/creating-high-end-kitchen-with-modest.html
Laurel
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Laurel! Good luck with your Victorian!
xo,
s
Anna says
Your new backsplash and open shelving are stunning! So light and bright. Also, good for you taking a week off to enjoy just being a family in Hawaii! :)
Roeshel says
I hope you two are feeling better and had a peaceful, restful recovering weekend and that John wore his safety mask. ;)
I love this post – seeing things I may have missed (but didn’t). It’s a nice change to seeing all that’s not doing and looking at what you’ve accomplished.
My computer has been doing crazy things all day – is the longest house guests image wrong or is it just me because I recognize that pic. ;) Maybe it’s the fact that it’s midnight and I’m still on the computer! lol!
Have a great week! (Wasn’t the longer day awesome?!)
YoungHouseLove says
You’re probably just recognizing the mess from other pictures because we snapped plenty of “our house is a disaster!” photos. But these particular angles are definitely new. :)
-John