Well, the old door has finally closed on 2018 and a new one has opened for 2019. Our house has literally done that just a few weeks ago, when we replaced our old, cracked and weather beaten front door. Some of you know how much I love red doors but I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth and when someone offers you a perfectly good white one it would be a sin to refuse. For anyone who has been following my blog since the early days, you’ll know that we’ve been renovating an old cottage (while living in it) so I thought I would give an update on the progress. As you can see from the above image, the white door has settled in well to its new surroundings.
This is the old one we said goodbye to. I’m not missing it at all. We still have lots to do but we’re getting there. Having spent what money we had on the major work – new roof, insulation, heating and flooring – we are now at the recycling stage and trying to use up some of the materials we removed from inside the house. Mr. R. has used the flooring that came from the upstairs bedrooms to build a covered porch on the rear of the house. A lot of it was water damaged and warped but there was enough to give us a decent sized utility area. Great at the moment for storing materials still to be used.
In the photo below you can see what it’s like from the outside. Note the look of disapproval on the Gaffer’s face as he inspects the garden. He’s been waiting a long time to have it tidied up and cleared out but we haven’t told him it will be another few months before that happens. There’s a lot of work to be done on the outside of the house but that’s for drier weather. The interior is keeping us busy enough for the winter.
I had intended posting one last Thursday Doors in late December but it was a busier than usual month for our family and I never got round to it. My eldest and her hubby turned forty (which made me feel my age). My youngest turned twenty-one (which made me feel young-ish). It was the first anniversary of my father’s death (which made me feel sad). But the highlight of 2018 for me has to be the birth of our sixth grandchild (which made me feel so many good emotions it brought the year to a positive, happy end). She arrived the day before my dad’s anniversary and I was there to greet her when she came home from hospital, only a couple of days old. It’s really difficult to feel sad with a newborn grandchild in your arms.
I want to thank all of you who have paid a visit to my blog in 2018 and I hope you will stop by when you can as 2019 rolls on. May it be a good and peaceful year for you. As always, Norm has a link to lots of wonderful Thursday Doors on his blog. You can even join in the fun by posting some of your own, if you’d like to.
Wishing you all the best in 2019. The house is looking great, but yes, the Gaffer should be pushing harder.
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Thanks, Jackie, hoping the year will be a good one for you, too. I’ll pass that on to the Gaffer.
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It looks like you are making great progress on your home. Already it’s come a long way and a new front door seals it 🙂
Congratulations on the newest grandchild and happy new year!
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Yes, the house has definitely improved over the past few months. Hoping you have a great year ahead, Joanne.
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The cottage is looking like it’s really coming along. The door is way better than the green one. Did you keep the green one to repurpose?
Congratulations on the Grandchild! Happy New Year to you all!
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We still have the old door, minus the cracked glass. Not sure what to do with it yet, though. Have a great 2019, Deborah.
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We also had a lot of reno work down in 2018 and more slated for this next year. We just had our front door painted a beet red! The house is a rather bland grey so it works very well. Hope the doors you open this next year will bring much joy!
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Beet red sounds fabulous against a grey background, Jan. Here’s to a peaceful, happy year for you and yours.
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Looks like you’ve made a lot of progress since the last update. I’m sure you must be encouraged, especially when you can score a nice upgrade for the door.
Much health and happiness for 2019 Jean and congrats on the new family member 🙂
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Thanks, Norm. Hope the year ahead will be a great one for you and your family.
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Jean you are still young, believe me! And belated congrats to your 6th grandchild! Am really hoping my “youngest” will get married some time, and have another grand child there. Thank you for the update on your renovation – it’s looking good and cosy! That this New Year may bring you lots of joy:)
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Thanks, Jesh. May the year ahead be a wonderful one for you and your family.
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Lots going on in your life, isn’t there, Jean. 🙂 I would take the new door, too, and of course you can always paint it if you like. I’m excited to see your new abode coming together and to seeing how it continues to evolve in 2019!
janet
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Once we have it decorated and pretty much complete I’ll do a blog of before and after photos. Fingers crossed that will happen in 2019, Janet.
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I love red doors, too, but the white one is a keeper! Happy New Year, and it seems you have lots of happy to celebrate.
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All the best to you, too, for a great 2019.
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Best wishes for a happy, healthy 2019 with plenty of time out to rock that new baby. 🙂 I love DIY so I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about your house update. That white door looks just fine, and let’s face it – red paint is always available. 🙂
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Thank you, Judy, and I hope 2019 will be a wonderful year for you and yours. The white certainly reflects more light on the interior of the door than red would, so I’m happy about that.
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The Gaffer does look disappointed, lol!
I love the white door and I feel like a gifted door means you will receive many blessings as well.
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The poor old Gaffer can hardly make his way through the nettles to have a pee at this stage, Joey, so I can’t blame him for being grumpy, lol.
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So much goes into home renovation. Survived a half of our home being done in 2014. My hats off to you for enduring. And congratulations on the newest grandchild! A lovely start to your year 😊
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The year has definitely started off on a positive note, thanks. Hoping the same for you and your family.
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Happy New Year Jean. Blessings as you and your family celebrate the birth and life of the new grandchild.
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Thank you, and here’s to a great year ahead for you and yours.
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Oh, Jean, it’s exciting to see your progress. And you can always paint the door. 😉 (Even though the white has its place there! At least from the inside, as the photo shows.) All well to you and your family! And tell the pup that after it will be much better. 😉
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Now that we have replaced the old door, I have to admit to preferring white on the inside, Manja. It’s much brighter than red would have been.
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A very belated Happy New Year, Jean:). Many thanks for sharing your new door and your ongoing progress – the new slate roof is beautiful btw… And huge congratulations on the birth of your 6th grandchild – the feelings that pour through you as you hold a child of your child in your arms is always intense, I find…
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Thank you, Sarah. It’s definitely the most amazing feeling holding a grandchild. May the year ahead be full of peace and good health for you and your family.
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Looks like you’re making good progress, Jean. I know how renovations go., it’s a long process.
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I know, Dan. Long and tiring but worth it.
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Nice new door. Much better than the old one. Have a happy, productive 2019.
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Thank you. May 2019 be a great year for you.
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Happy New Year, and it is a beautiful new door.
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Thanks, Jennie. Hope the year ahead is a good one for you and yours.
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You’re welcome, Jean. Best to you in the new year!
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Congrats Jean on a great renovation! Sounds like it has been a bit of a hectic year for you. My eldest just turned 40 three days after Christmas and it does make you realize how fast time flies!
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Adult children can make you feel your age alright, but the bonus is you can have adult conversations with them.
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You’re definitely right about it being hard to feel sad while holding a newborn! Congratulations to your family for the new addition 🙂
As for your new front door – it’s still possible to paint it red, but it looks pretty good as it is!
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I think we’ll be leaving it as it is, white is growing on me, lol.
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Thanks for sharing, Sarah 😊
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