Yesterday was such a productive day. We were outside by 9 and stayed there until dinner time. The weather was in the mid 70’s, the sun was shining, the birds were chirping and the skeeters stayed away because I was slathered in Repel Max 40. đ
The HH mowed the yard and the field and used the weed eater while I painted the little barn and planted the petunias I started from seed in the back. It was a good day!
The HH putting the gutters back up.
Goodbye frumpy old green and red barn….
Hello white and bright barn!
We still have a bit of touch up paint work to do, and we still need to clean the roof and paint the hardware black, and install two light fixtures, but it’s getting there.
Last night just before going inside, I planted a row of my favorite Mammoth sunflowers in the little tilled strip in front of the barn. And this weekend we’ll dig out an area in front of the barn so I can get those two hibiscus plants in the ground on the side of the barn doors. {we had one at the house before the last one and it was BEAUTIFUL!}
Home improvement projects can be sort of funny sometimes, because when we started this project, all I thought we were going to do was paint the barn…. maybe plant a few sunflowers. But now, I see something else.
I see a cobblestone {or crushed rock} walkway to the barn doors, a wreath {or maybe two} hanging on the barn doors in the winter. An American flag across the side of the barn during the summer.
I can see a row foxglove and lupine and other wildflowers planted along the {soon to be} cleared out section between the grass and the lawn and oodles of tulips blooming along the side of the barn where I just planted sunflower seeds.
By just doing that one thing {painting the barn} I can see a section of our property in a new light. And I love that. I love how one thing leads to another. And how this property is such a joy, relaxing even. It doesn’t feel like work. We don’t feel bogged down by projects {or in a hurry to complete them because we know we’ll be moving soon}.
It feels good to be home I guess. That’s what it is.
A home. Finally we are home. đ
Now, if anyone out there knows how to remove house paint from the top of my head, that would be AHH-SOME. đ
Have a good one,
~Mavis
Robin in WI says
Wonder if rubbing alcohol removes paint from hair … that would be my own first experiment. It’s Google time. đ
Mavis Butterfield says
Gaaa. I just don’t want to end up with a bald spot.
nancy says
You need to make a wonderful barn quilt. That barn is screaming for it.
Maureen says
I was thinking the same thing!
Kim says
Maybe only hang out with people who are shorter than you……..until it washes out over time???? No one will see it?
This project went pretty fast! It is a huge improvement from the previous colors. Very nicely done. Love all the ideas you have about further improvements to it.
It must feel so nice to finally be……………home.
Lissa says
Looks fantastic! And the contrast with the plants and colors will be spectacular. Are you sure you’re not going to move? I don’t think I could stand it. hahahaha
Brianna says
I have always used Dawn dishsoap to remove paint. It takes a little rubbing and the apply, rub, lather, rinse, reapply, method until it works itself out. I have long hair and when I was painting my house interior I managed to dip my ponytail in paint a few times or hit the wet painted ceiling with my head. The Dawn is gentle too, just takes patience.
Sydelle says
Have you tried peanut butter to get the paint out? Rub it in, let the oils loosen the connection between the paint and the hair. Like getting gum out of hair, remember?
Jody says
I agree with the barn quilt suggestion. It would be perfect on that wall.
Mrs. C. says
Peanut butter or butter for the hair.
Kelli says
If any barn screamed BARN QUILT, this is it!!
A super fun project for you both…HH can handle the woodworking and you the painting.
Diane says
Hi,
2 things…if you don’t mind!
A) In your experience, how long does it take for sunflowers to germinate? I recently planted some and it’s looking like I got a 0% germination rate which I’ve never had before (I’m beyond the time listed on the packet. I’m bummed. Wondering if I got a bad packet or if there’s a trick I don’t know about, thoughts?
B) Have you ever tried one of those devices that is supposed to drive away mosquitoes from an outdoor sitting space? I’ll have to do some more reading, one type I think uses some kind of chemical, the others uses sound waves. Just wondering if you or anyone reading has experience with anything like that? I’d love to come up with something that works that doesn’t include slathering on a bunch of chemicals on my skin directly! A girl can dream. right?
I’m in the Pac NW.
Thanks
Linda Sand says
Off makes a clip on gadget that works for me. Mosquitoes love me but this thing actually works! I once fastened it to the arm of a chair and it kept both me and my neighbor bite free while people on the other side of the group were slapping away.
Sue says
Ideally sunflowers come up in a week or so, assuming it’s warm enough for them.
If they are planted too deeply I suppose they might either be delayed or not come up at all.
On the other hand if they are planted too shallowly sometimes the birds find them before they germinate.
Heidi P says
We use a sound wave flying insect device and it works well. It does take a bit of time to become fully activated as in all the existing insects have hatched that have been laid. Ours covers half an acre. There are others that cover a larger land area. We are in the PNW as well.
Mavis Butterfield says
It usually takes about a week for them to pop up. I’ve had a hard time with them sometimes though because the birds will find them before they germinate.
I have never tried one of those mosquito devices, so I can’t help with that. đ
Jules says
The barn looks great! I’m already looking forward to pics of all the flowers around it
Cathi says
I had never heard of barn quilts before, thank you Nancy!
I think a “barn quilt” of one of your rug hooking designs would be amazing on your little barn Mavis.
In our family of sloppy painters we’ve always just used conditioner and then a very fine tooth comb to get paint out.
The conditioner softens it and then it just slides off with the comb.
Patti says
I have a friend who lives on her family’s homeplace and she has a white barn with a barn quilt on it. She has weddings and photographers and farmer’s/craft markets and all kinds of things at her place. You can look at it on Facebook – Boxwood Manor – and see some of her events but especially the video which shows her white barn with the quilt.
Kathy Brown says
Rub toothpaste or peanut butter into the paint. It loosens the paint and you can wash it out!
Rita says
The American flag sounds perfect.
Kippy says
Agree regarding barn quilt. Iâd try olive oil on your hair to remove the paint. Other option would be Dawn dishwashing liquid but that might dry your hair too much.
Lori King says
Well I had to look up barn quilt! They are made from wood, the pattern painted on with bright colors- Lowes has a sunflower one ($340!) that I bet you could paint yourself in a heartbeat! Love the ideas that come to you just from painting the barn. It looks awesome!
Jude DeWitt says
Umm…am I the only one who caught “we’ll be moving soon” ???
I hope that was a typo. If not, that HH of yours will be used up before you two get to your ‘forever home’.
Susie says
Jude, I think she was saying that it’s nice to not be in a hurry (like they have before) because they knew they were going to be moving soon. In other words, because they know they’ll be staying in this house “forever”, there’s no big rush to get things done…they can relax & take their time. đ
Sara says
I can’t wait to see the end result, it sounds like it will be perfect
Michèle says
Yes! I was going to suggest a barn quilt yesterday…but was shy. After all, itâs a âNew Englandâ thing and would give form and color in those snowy white months
Lace Faerie says
If blue dawn dish detergent doesnât get it, Iâd try something like orange essential oil.
Pj Truman says
After 9/11 you couldnât buy a flag, because they were all sold out. We painted a flag on our little shed barn along the road. When we started with a big white rectangle, all the neighbors wondered what we were up to, but we kept it a secret. When it was finished, everyone loved it. Random people stop and take pictures there, even professional senior photo shoots, it was even in the newspaper. We planted purple and lavender irises in front of it. Now itâs aged and weathered and a landmark known as the flag barn.
Linda Practical Parsimony says
Use shampoo, comb and fingertips to remove the paint. I ha long hair and always managed to get paint in my hair.
Stacey says
The old colors looked good, but you have won me over to white. It looks great! I had never heard of a barn quilt, either, which is strange since I’ve spent so much of my life in “farm country.” I love them, but I also love the idea of simple wreaths. I’m sure whatever you do will look beautiful
Hanna Sawyer says
How big do the hibiscus bushes get? I just saw some at Walmart and thought about getting some for my front fence.
Beverly says
I agree about the barn quilt. I am from North Carolina and in Rowan County where I live there is a barn quilt trail out in the country. You can stop at the country store (can’t remember the name of it) and get a brochure leading you all out through the country roads looking at the barn quilts on huge working barns. They also do classes to learn how to paint the barn quilts. My little town has a shop that gives classes as well. The barn quilts can be all sizes.
Linda T says
If the Dawn doesn’t get enough of the paint out, isopropyl alcohol will (I’d fill the bottle cap and work it into the hair.) It is the kind of alcohol used for back and joint rubs, and doesn’t remove hair in those areas.
Isopropyl alcohol will also take paint out of clothing, often even if it has dried.
Good luck Mavis! Love the new rug!