Hello Collins

Wait for it..... The first Milkbarn bathroom is almost done. It's a very simple farmhouse style. We have to wait another 24 hours for the mirror glue to cure among other things. I'll unveil the quiet masterpiece when it is complete. I said 3/31 right? I might have lied about that. So let's talk about something else like rocks and spring and stilts. And maybe jelly doughnuts. Forget Me Knots I found these simple treasures by the back of the house. It makes me believe the simple farmhouse I want to create will be as sweet as these flowers. Your welcome Eldorado Springs! Our house is looking less haunted by the day. The Wall. Can you operate better than a 4 year old? Chester picked up operating quickly. I'm glad because heavy equipment operators make good money for college. And he has already told me he is going to USC because he says that's where Lucy is going. Did you hear that Dad? The baseball caps worked. Purty Spring is knocking. This bus...

We set a goal for our first room to be done...the bathroom. With four children, this is essential. In fact, I think we could categorize this as an emergency. A Very Big Collins Emergency. That sounds like a TV special no one would watch. There is a formula in the contracting world whether you diy or have it hired out. Just multiply. Multiply any time frame by 3. See!? You said January 31st....oh, what I really meant was March 31st. See?  Everything is awesome!  We have now aligned our reality with our expectations.     Th e true reality is there are days I feel like this. My Milk Barn Abbey moments. I don't want to talk about when we think something will get done. Or daydream about x y and z. In fact, my contractor is very clever in never quite communicating with me when he might be done. Clever Contractor Communication Skills. Silence with a smile. p.s. I cannot figure how to get this sneak peek photo on the right of Clay...

Great place for a bunny hideout. When we bought the Milkbarn...it had quite the inventory of appliances. This week we said goodbye to most of them. My favorite was the old white fridge in the driveway:)  It looked great with snow all around.  There really is nothing more welcoming on a front door step than a washer and dryer on it's side...and one more chocolate brown fridge. We also inherited the stove featured in the hit series, Bewitched. I didn't get a photo of that one. Too bad, it was really funky with lots of folding action. Like part appliance/part origami. So far we had 2 water heaters, 1 boiler, 2 refrigerators, 2 washers, 2 dryers and 3 stoves.  Among the jumble of appliances there was a diamond in the rough. An O'Keefe & Merritt stove. Humbly positioned in the corner of the kitchen as if to say, I'm no big deal. I tried to play it cool but I'm pretty sure this "free bee" sealed the deal for me. Fate led me to an article in REAL S...

Well, I am not sure the Milkbarn will actually  be famous. I just thought that sounded good for a first entry.   I don't know how to blog or write with finesse(did I spell that right?) or entertain through the written word but here I go chronicling our adventures and perhaps misadventures of remodeling a neglected home tucked against the rocky mountains. I figured 2014 would be that of a newborn year. I would be sleep deprived, wondering if I actually did know what I was doing and maybe secretly ask myself, why did I do this ? It is hard to say no to my husband for one:) He needed a project and I guess I am a romantic and a dreamer and wanted to make that happen for him. I felt like this house was that tiny Charlie Brown Christmas tree. I didn't want to be the Lucy and yell at Charlie Brown for bringing in something he thought needed him.  The Milkbarn needed to be taken care of and brought back to life. And I needed to feel happy too....so I signed some documents...