Libations: Getting Painted

Our house exterior was looking shabby. It had been painted once early on, but hadn't been touched since. We got a recommendation for a paint company from our trusted contractor, and went with it. Sunset Painting did a fabulous job. They took good care of our plants, and also painted the oldest iron railings and the pergola. It feels like a new house!

Choosing the new color. Whole Wheat and Casa Blanca.

Preparing the siding for paint.

The first coat.

The new color is lighter, creamier, and more golden.

The brick color limits what paint color we can choose.

All finished, except for the trim.

We've also been working in the yard and I've taken care of a few more things for the pantry. I got a few garden plants started in the window. Squash and cucumbers. They got going so fast that they were out in the yard within a week! I also ground seeded the carrots and planted some cherry tomato plants purchased from the farmer's market. I dehydrated some of last year's storage apples; usually we have enough from our apple tree to last the year out, but last year was a poor crop. This year should be a good one, since the apple tree has bloomed beautifully.

Seedling tray. I removed the heat mat after the first few days.

Ready for the garden.

Apple blossoms.

A very full dehydrator. I use the dried fruit to make granola.

My apple peeler, corer, slicer. A great kitchen tool.

I also got my second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Russ and I celebrated by getting a free Krispy Kreme donut after our second doses. That got me into the mood for more donuts, so I picked some up with Russ' repaired boots. The shoe repair business we like is across the street from The Original House of Donuts. Other than donuts, our diet has been improving with the reopening of the Farmer's Markets in Tacoma. I've been making a lot of asparagus and mushroom dishes.