Dirt Road Adventures – The Best-Laid Plans
The best-laid plans of mice and men! Am I right?
Oh well, the mother/daughter beach trip didn’t happen.
When it was time for my daughter to join me at the beach, the bad weather was rolling in.
Rainy and cold was the forecast and since that eliminated our favorite thing, (reading on the beach for hours), we postponed our trip.
However, Brad was able to get the cedar shake shingles installed on the front of the cottage. YEAH!
Y’all this tiny cottage has been remodeled from top to bottom and inside and out. And we did it all by ourselves.
If you missed the inside check out Tiny House Ideas for Beach Cottage Before and After.
So should we paint them or leave them to age naturally?
I really need your help.
But don’t they look good?
He did such a great job.
Featured
I was so honored to be featured on Rebecca at Farmhouse at Meadowhill’s YouTube channel. She shared a beautifully arranged tour of my home.
In addition, my Ultimate Guide to Creative Tablescapes was featured by Fabulous Friday Link Party.
(Posts on The Ponds Farmhouse may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See the full disclosure details here.)
This is a look back at all my adventures this past week.
While Brad was adding shingles to the cottage, I was helping a friend with a screen printed canvas that just wasn’t working with her decor.
I can’t wait for you to see what I did to make it work for her. Stay turned and I’ll share the process next week here.
In Case You Missed It!
I shared 9 Creative Patriotic DIY Ideas on Tuesday and How to Refurbish Outdoor Furniture on Thursday!
In addition, How to Build Cheap DIY Raised Garden Beds and 10 Best Herbs to Grow & Why.
Adventures off the Dirt Road
Why Didn’t I Think of That?
Each week, there are so many wonderful blog posts, and I’m sharing some of my favorites with you today.
There are so many creative ideas, and I’m always asking myself, “Why didn’t I think of that”? LOL
Wait Until You See This Powder Room Wallpaper & Remodel – Heather Krout
Don’t you just love these Dried Artichokes? Jennifer at J Dub By Design shares how to dry them here.
Y’all I love to entertain but I don’t know if I’d attempt 50 guests at one table. See how Mary makes it look easy with How to Host a Memorable Dinner Party.
You have to see From Antique Farm Disc to Amazing Water Fountain from my friend Wendy.
This and That
Check out this recycled tin can project from Kippi – How to Make Tin Can Planters
Just in time for planting check out Stacy’s – Gardening 101 A Guide for Beginners.
What about some fresh dill in this Chicken Orzo Soup with Lemon and Dill recipe of Meeghan’s.
I’d love to walk the beach with Ann after seeing Beachcombing, Blue Mussels, and an Antique Bowl.
What’s in my cart this week?
Y’all I’m so in love with these dishes from Bico Cermanics – Summer Provence
This lint shaver extends the live of your clothing and upholstery fabrics.
These Self Watering Plant Spikes really saved my new plants while I was at the Beach.
I’ve got big plans for this Star Punch.
These white jeans for Spring and Summer. I’m ordering a second pair because I love them so much.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. I look forward to sharing all my adventures next week.
Love that cute beach house! If you’re going for the Nantucket/Newport style, they are left to age naturally. They will weather, with some even becoming very dark/black. When we had our house, which was new construction, in Portsmouth, RI (community on the island with Newport), I didn’t want them to turn dark, so we put bleaching oil on them. You have to do that every few years, though. I visited up there and drove by our former house, and the new owners painted all the cedar shake siding white! UGH. It looks so out of place, because that’s just not a thing up there, unless people are trying to cover something up I think. And all of the houses in that neighborhood with the gorgeous views are cedar shake with white trim, in keeping with the style. I can’t complain because it’s not my house, but it kind of makes me sick. Therefore I vote for natural or put bleaching oil on them.
Thanks Sherry, I think we have decided to leave natural and see how they age. Believe me, my husband does not want to paint them!
Rachel your beach house is so cute! I want to come for a visit too! Thanks for sharing my gardening post! xoxo
Thanks and your welcome anytime.
I just love your little cottage! I would leave the shingles as they are. Isn’t it amazing how you can function well with so little in a small place. We purchased a small house and I’m happy as a clam.
Betsy, thanks and I think we will leave then natural and see how they age. I agree about the small cozy house. We have just enough room for us to be comfortable and it’s a snap to clean!
The shingles on your beach house are so perfect! The cottage exterior now looks quaint, and in keeping with that word (quaint!), I would leave the shingles to weather naturally…the normal aging effect would be exactly what one would expect to have happen…
Also: I’ve looked at those white jeans on Amazon, but I normally stay away from white pants. How do you manage to keep those white jeans clean? Or maybe I’m just a dirt-magnet and should stay away from light colored clothing!
Thanks and have a great day.
Gail,
Thanks so much for your input about the beach house. As for the white jeans, I feel the same about white tops! It never fails that I drop tomato sauce or something similar on every white top I own. I don’t wear the white jean daily, however they look great for a dinner date or a lunch date. Just be sure to keep a napkin in your lap because white is a magnet for stains. I hope this helps. Thanks for stopping by.
Rachel, your house tour video is stunning. You have created such a lovely home. Hugs to you.
Tan so so much for sharing Rachel and I love the shakes natural. So charming🤗
Although the shingles look nice now, I think that when they have turned grey you may find they make the cottage look old and shabby. Of course, some people love that look. Anyway, you could always paint them then, if you wanted to, perhaps the same pretty blue that I think I see in the corner of one shot. Great job Brad. He’s a keeper!
Rachel, I love your beach cottage~it looks dreamy and I’m sure you will make the right choice on the cedar shingles. Thank you so much for featuring my dinner party post. You are a sweet friend. And I love looking at all the other posts you shared too! Some new ones for me to follow. Happy Sunday.
Thank you Mary. It was a pleasure!
WOW! The shake shingles look amazing! What a beautiful transformation.
Aging naturally would enhance their beauty.
Thank you n Brad for sharing.
Theresa,
I really appreciate your input. Thanks for stopping by.
I am new to your site and have been really enjoying it. Don’t hate me, I love your cottage. Personally I would leave the top above the roof line alone but paint the front a soft sage green but that’s just me. It’s beautiful either way.
Ally, I appreciate your input and welcome to my Blog. I hope you will come visit often and I love interacting with everyone.
Definitely leave the shakes natural! They are gorgeous!
Karen,
You are so sweet to reply. Thanks so much for your input.
It’s always so much fun to see what you guys are up to, Rachel. I totally grieve you and your daughter did not get to have your mother/daughter trip but I’m thankful your husband got up the shingles and I know your reunion will be extra sweet when you see each other. The updates to the house have all been amazing. I’m definitely on team natural. They’re just so pretty! Hugs, CoCo
CoCo,
Thanks so much for your input