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At Long Last, A Completed Door/Table

It's with GREAT pleasure that I share these photos with you. Today my husband and I brought the door/table (now just a table!) into the house and shared our first meal on it (leftover pizza - we're high class!).



It turned out better than I'd ever imagined.



It took longer than I'd originally intended, but that was really just due to my weird grad school schedule.

We can easily fit 6 people around it, and probably 8 with no problem, as well.

Here's the breakdown:

$35 Old door from Charlottesville's Habitat ReStore
$25 Safecoat Acrylacq Non-toxic Sealant
$7 Miniwax Gunstock Stain
$20 Sandpaper (you'll remember, I did the whole series.. 60 grit to 400 grit)
$10 Cheap paintbrushes for staining
$10 Staining supplies (plastic drop cloth, gloves, rags, miscellaneous)
$60 Wood for table apron/frame (yeah, wood is expensive)
$32 4 Legs
Awesome friend who helped build the frame and attach the legs - priceless

$199 Total

Could we have bought a dining room table that we love for cheaper? I'm going to say maybe, but doubtful. Real wood tables aren't cheap. You could probably also save money if you had some of the supplies already on hand (like all the brushes, stain, sealant, prep materials). And you could definitely save time if you use an electric sander.

I had hours of fun working on it. I felt like I was making something for my future family, picturing kiddies throwing food at one another and such. All in all, I feel like it was a good investment and a fun project.

Starr Hill Brewery

Yesterday we did a tour and tasting at Starr Hill Brewery in Crozet. People were actually working (brewery, bottling, boxing) during the tour, so we got to see the place in action!









For some reason in the last photo, I was most fascinated by the machine that added a little glue to a metal piece so that labels could be applied. Do you see that machine?

My husband loves their "Northern Lights" India Pale Ale, I prefer the "Festie" - their Amber German-style Lager.

Breweries = good stuff.

Descent into Wild Man

The Royal Wedding

Has infiltrated American life today.

Check out this cake that the School of Nursing purchased to celebrate??

"The dishes are done, man!"

Points for you if you can place the quote above!

In truth, the dishes are not done, and this door/table still needs a final coat of varnish.. BUT.. come on, it's almost done.



Yesterday instead of writing one of many papers due in the next few days, I decided to stain the new legs and frame of my table. It was such a gorgeous day, how could I not take advantage of it?



I only did one coat of stain on the legs instead of the two I used on the table top. I like that the legs are just a hint lighter; I think it gives it some subtle contrast. The legs also have closer grains, so they didn't want to pick up the stain quite as nicely as the top did. Hope you like it! Expect a true FINAL photo in the next few days!

No Easter Portrait for Biscuit

I have new respect for pet and wildlife photographers. Dogs sure don't take portraits..



This is about as close as we ever got.



Then it was time to go wild.



Time to eat grass.



Time to ponder whether or not to continue eating the grass.



Time to romp, and time to put the tripod in peril.



And time to eat sticks, holding on for dear life.



Happy Easter.