I put my old tea kettle in one of my donation boxes several months ago, and ever since then I've had to heat water for my tea in a sauce pan. (I know I can use the microwave, but I don't like to heat my tea water that way.) So last night, I decided it was time to acquire a new tea kettle. I've always wanted a copper one, so I ordered the one in the photo. I think this might be the first brand new tea kettle I've ever had. I usually buy them at yard sales; and my mama gave me her old Paul Revere one time. I use them till the bottom drops out almost. I'm not one to give up on a perfectly good tea kettle. I'm thinking this one will last me for the rest of my tea-drinking days.
I am getting very impatient with my progress (or lack thereof) around here. I want my life back in order. I want to get up in the morning and be able to decide what I want to do instead of knowing the night before. I want to make a quilt--two quilts actually. I want to make the chicken quilt for my kitchen, and I want to take part in the Charming Guys and Girls Moda "Schnibbles Times Two" challenge. And I haven't finished the Noah's Ark quilt for the church nursery, my bunny quilt, the monster quilt, Andy's heart quilt, and who knows what all. I am definitely ready to have the Yellow House makeover over.
But alas, not yet. I made some progress yesterday. One whole corner of the living room is now in order, a few more books in the book shelves, and I can see the tops of my kitchen counters and table now. But I'm afraid the surface is barely scratched. Next time I do this (IF THERE IS A NEXT TIME!) I'm definitely doing one room at a time instead of destroying my entire house all at once.
Thanks to all who made comments, answered questions, and gave support of my idea to paint the front door of my Yellow House red. I will do it, then, but not until the inside is back to normal. Can't wait though.
We had a monsoon here yesterday afternoon. For about 30 or 45 minutes it rained so hard I thought we were going to float away. There was an absolute river running down the side of my house--a swift running river. The street out front was another river. I could barely see the house across the street. When all was said and done (as they say on The Weather Channel, the rain gauge held 2 inches of water, and the yard was full of leaves and trash that had washed down the hill. So there's that to clean up.
My petunias that were out in the rain took a beating, and I'm planning to write the President a letter asking that my fairy garden be declared a national disaster area. But we needed the rain. All is fresh and clean this morning, if a little rumpled.
All right, then. I know you're getting impatient for the "GYHEM" (pronounced guy-him) Giveaway. From time to time, I'll be holding drawings for things from The Yellow House that just don't fit any more. The first giveaway is this Susan Winget Bunny Tapestry. It has hung in my kitchen for several years and is ready to find a new home. It's still in perfect condition. If you would like to welcome it to you house, just leave a comment on this post and tell me what you think "GYHEM" stands for. You don't have to be right to win. All names will go in the drawing. I'll draw for the hanging Wednesday and post a new giveaway at that time.
And remember what that great philosopher Who Dunnit said: "It's always driest before the rain."
This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.
On 05/17/2010, Helen in Switzerland said ...
Hi Susan,
I'm glad you're getting some rain Susan - but should you want some more, we in Switzerland would be glad to send you some....any amount you like, come to think of it. It has barely stopped in 2 1/2 weeks and we are bored with it and would like a little summer, please....pretty please!
I'm sure you probably are tearing your hair out with everything in chaos all at once - but I'm sure you'll probably get done quicker that way. If you go a room at a time there is just so much temptation to stop after one room. Which of course you can't do!
I really hope you're going to give us a video tour of the whole house when you're done. We only get to see snippets and I would just love to see the whole thing!
I'm planning on the hen quilt too - maybe we can make transatlantic matching quilts!
best wishes and hang on in there!
Helen
On 05/17/2010, Barbara Anne said ...
Hi Susan,
Love your new kettle!! Be sure to get some copper cleaner when at the grocery.
We had two such gully-washers last Wednesday and Friday nights and it's raining ever so gently today. I hear the garden smiling!
I'm guessing - in light of the current state of your home - that GYHEM stands for "Gads! You have enough messes!" I know that is not correct since this cute tapestry pre-dates the current redecorating chaos. If I win, this darling tapestry will go to AMIL since she has a place for it. I have no empty walls in my small kitchen.
Be kind to yourself, please, dear. Each day, choose one small area to complete and play for the rest of the day. It will get finished and you'll have spoons to spare each day. BTW, there was my mother again: "Cakes get done, people get finished."
Hugs!
On 05/17/2010, Penny @ The Comforts of Home and Lavender Hill Studio said ...
Love the copper tea kettle with the blue and white handles! I think your door would look wonderful painted red!
Please don't enter me in the giveaway, as adorable as it is, it would not fit in my house....just popping in to visit you.
Hugs,
Penny
On 05/17/2010, Alison said ...
I'm astonished at the progress you show us every day, don't lose heart, it'll be worth it in the end! GYHEM - Great Yellow House Extreme Makeover?
On 05/17/2010, Mona said ...
Haven't a clue. Give Your Hugs Every Morning? I love rabbits and Susan Winget. I would love for it to come hang in my kitchen. Thank you. Mona
On 05/17/2010, KAI said ...
Giving YOUR house extra mojo! 'Cause that's what you'll be DOING when you give away great items from YOUR Yellow House! LOL! I know you are ready to see the light at he end of the makeover tunnel, my sweet friend, but it really IS coming along! We bloggers can see it 'cause we don't have to endure the upheaval, but I know it must be almost impossible for you to see past the chaos! Oh, tea kettles! How I love 'em! And, like you, I keep them forever! We had gullywashers here Friday night through Saturday night. I do think they moved on to visit you in Alabama. Could be a message in that. "... there's gonna be a floody, floody ..." Hmmm, perhaps you SHOULD pull out your Noah's Ark quilt! Bwahahahaha ... sorry.
On 05/17/2010, KAI said ...
Ooops. So busy acting silly I didn't check over my comment before I sent it. I meant to write "... at THE end of the tunnel ..." And I didn't mean you are giving YOURSELF extra mojo. You'll be giving those who WIN your pretty things extra mojo for OUR houses. Good grief. I think I need some SERIOUS rest! Know any good insane asylums?
On 05/17/2010, Linda F. said ...
Hi Susan...I've enjoyed your blog for some time now and love to see what you're doing at your house. We just built a house so I know what you're going through. We've been in 8 months now and I still don't have pictures on the walls! But we finally sold our old house, had our garage sale this weekend so now I can clean out what's left and be done with that house and concentrate on this one. It is awful living in a mess...I agree with you there. I feel guilty sneaking in sewing time since I know I have so much other stuff to do. Therefore, for me, GYHEM means Get Your Hind End Moving!!
On 05/17/2010, Carla (from Alabama) said ...
Susan,
I love your blog. You always have so many interesting things to post. I know you are enjoying your home makeover and looking forward to the end so that you can sit back and do the things you love to do in your beautiful new surroundings.
I would love to have the Bunny; it is so pretty. Maybe Gyhem is "Giving You Her Earlier Memorabilia." Since you are being so kind to share your beautiful treasures with us.
On 05/17/2010, Teresa said ...
Love your tea kettle - it so fun to have pretty things like that. Ok..so what dose gyhem stand for - is it anything like mayhem? Must have something to do with cleaning out stuff you no longer need.
ps - drop by my blog, I have a giveaway going too.
On 05/17/2010, Deb said ...
Hi Susan ~ I didn't get to comment yesterday about your red door question...but we have a red door (actually, 5 of them!) and absolutely LOVE them! Well, I have no idea what gyhem means, but I'd love to enter for your rabbit hanging. You have a LOT going on inside your house!
On 05/17/2010, Anna said ...
Susan,
I love your bunny tapestry- He is so bright and cheery looking. I think that "giving yourself hugs each morning" is a great way to look at the day so that is what GYHem might mean.
Your winner is going to love owning your tapestry.
Regards,
Anna
On 05/18/2010, k&c's mom said ...
Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog. I've been following you since you lost your husband (a few weeks after I lost my husband to cancer) and it's been a huge encouragement to me to watch your journey. Please email sometime if you can.
rayeobrien@yahoo.com
On 05/18/2010, WendyC said ...
Give Yellow House Extreme Makeover?
I love emptying a room, sorting through the stuff and putting it back. But a whole house? Crazy woman. What will you do next spring? At least you are getting near to the best bit, sitting having a cup of tea with the satisfaction of a job well done :)
On 05/18/2010, Linda Ladner said ...
I hink it means "Get Your Hind End Moving" - That sort of fits your way of speaking/writing which, by the way, is very enjoyable. I have followed you since before you lost your sweet Vann, but I usually just lurk in the background of blogs I like. I redid my downstairs 3 years ago to combine the kitchen and tiny dining room, and now I call it my "Rabbit Room." Hang in there - it will all be worth it.
On 05/18/2010, Donna said ...
Love the teakettle and I love red doors ... but red doors would never go with my house. That is the cutest bunny wall hanging. When you finish your house you can come to my house and help me organize :)
Blessings,
Donna
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