If you haven’t been reading our blog since day one, you probably don’t know we have been working on renovating a master bathroom for quite some time.

Remember this post? Followed by this?

I know it’s only been three years but we thought you would finally like to see the “finished” room (as finished as it is going to be “for now”). Truth be told, we were finished over a year and a half ago but our internet connection is so bad it’s taken this long to post the results (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it).

The room was originally a bedroom but was converted to a full bath before we moved in. Below is how it appeared. The room is approximately 11×14.

We stripped the wall-paper and put up bead board (individual pieces, not paneling) and painted the plaster walls above it.

Thomas had to demo the west wall to insulate it and then installed and mudded the drywall, then sanded and painted.

We used Sherwin-Williams Duration Extra White Semi-Gloss on the bead board and trim and Sherwin Williams Duration Home “Crystal Clear” Matte on the walls. (I should note here that this was the fourth pale sea blue/green that we finally settled on—yet another reason why projects take me so long to complete.)

Thomas built a shelf above the sinks. I decided to keep the original dark wood mirrors because they reminded me of the finish on one of the boats my father owned. I got the HIS and HER plaques at Pottery Barn. The altered vintage bottles are from The Barn House Market Place. I included one of my my favorite quotes here so we could see it each morning as we prepare for the day. We also added extendable wall mount mirrors to each side (available from Ikea).

My vintage ceramic hand and Victorian Shell Box hold my jewelry while I shower. I also have an antique silver powder shaker on the shelf.

Thomas’ end of the shelf has his shaving supplies; antique silver shaving mug, shaving brush and straight razor. Also a vintage barber shaker from Faded Plains. His shaving strop has a permanent spot to hang.

The lights over the sink are from Pottery Barn. The overhead light is from Ikea. The Ikea fixture comes in a silver finish, but we preferred black so we spray painted before hanging.  All the light fixtures are filled with “Edison” style carbon filament bulbs for an old-fashioned touch.

Above the commode is a vintage man’s wool bathing suit, circa early 1900s. I also included an antique bathing suit rental/dressing room admission ticket.

To the left, on the north wall, there is a wooden cubby I purchased from Pottery Barn. I have filled it with antique postcards, trinkets and shells. Under the cubby, I hung a framed antique print of bathing beauties.

I hooked a vintage basket to the wall and use it to hold bath tissue.

We decided to use vintage glass door knobs to hold the curtains back and allow natural light into the room.

The antique armoire holds my lotions, potions and other toiletries as well as extra towels. Included are bath specialties from Victoria’s Whimsy.

I got the beautiful shell box from Layla’s (of The Lettered Cottage) mother, Jude. The drift wood boat came from the White Flower Farmhouse. I painted the Seashell sign and found the old oar while thrifting. I considered painting it, but like its scars and the way the color reflects that of the original pine floor.

Thomas created the chest for me. It affords me extra storage as well as a place to sit, dry off and moisturize. He will be sharing a tutorial in an upcoming post.

We discovered the ladder in an outbuilding on the property when we moved in. I use it as a towel rack. Since I don’t like storing things in the shower, I added numbered hooks purchased at Pottery Barn and hung burlap bags purchased from LaurieAnna’s Vintage Home, thus creating a spot for shampoo, conditioner, wash clothes, hand towels and bath mats.

The beautiful shower curtain was custom made for me by Mary, Kim’s (of Twice Remembered Cottage) mother. If you are interested in having something sewn, message Mary via her Etsy shop, Trunk and Trellis. The antique basket holds bath sheets and a bundle of lavender which fills the air with a wonderful fragrance.

The sign was created by Kim of Twice Remembered Cottage and available at her Etsy shop, She Could Fly. It adds a touch of whimsy to the room. I painted the sandpiper and nesting gulls on pieces of drift wood I found beach combing and framed a feather I chased and caught along a beach.

The full mirror was purchased at Ikea.

When you live by the sea you always have a beach bag prepared. Thomas added an applique (ornamental molding) to the door.

I found the antique library table while thrifting and painted it white. I decided to use it in this room because the brace reminds me of ocean waves. The silver tray holds antique engraved vanity jars, a framed vintage photograph, a large shell filled with rose petal soaps, a vintage guest towel and treasures from the sea.

The antique french canning jar from Decor to Adore holds fresh daisies.

The vintage wooden life guard first aid chest is our medicine cabinet.

The rug is from Dash and Albert.

So, was it worth the wait?

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Linking to:

Between Naps On the Porch Metamorphosis Monday

Home Stories A2Z Tutorials & Tips

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Tuesday’s Treasures

Today’s Creative Blog Get Your Craft On

Tip Junkie Tip Me Tuesday

Everything Under the Moon Bedazzle Me Monday

Under the Table and Dreaming Sunday Showcase

It’s Overflowing With Creativity

Faded Charm White Wednesday

The Shabby Creek Cottage Transformation Thursday

The Vintage Farmhouse Creative Things Thursday

Brambleberry Cottage Time Travel Thursday

Common Ground Vintage Inspiration Friday

At the Picket Fence Inspiration Friday

Redoux Link Up Party

Stuff and Nonsense Fridays Unfolded

2805 Potpourri Friday

French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday

Freckled Laundry Air Your Laundry Friday

My Romantic Home Show & Tell Friday

Miss Mustard Seed’s Furniture Feature Friday

Addicted to Decorating Addicts (Not So) Anonymous Link Party

Tatertots & Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party

Funky Junk Sat Nite Special

The House in the Roses Show Off Your Cottage Monday

You Are Talking Too Much Meet Me Monday

Ask Anna Weekend Warrior Link Party

What’s in the Gunny Sack Link Party

We will be featuring regular posts from two beautiful, intelligent, creative young women. Even though I am partial to them because they are my daughters doesn’t mean it’s not true! The first is here today. Please show some blog love to Miss Emily.

This past fall, I started my very first year at the best culinary school in the United States. The Culinary Institute of America, located in the scenic Hudson Valley is where I now call home.  I am currently enrolled in the CIA’s Baking and Pastry Arts Bachelor program.  Since my classes consist of baking up delicious treats for all to enjoy, I decided to share some of the recipes with you.

The recipes I will be sharing are easy to do and require only simple ingredients and a scale. Many may ask, “Why a scale?”  I will tell you: at the CIA all of our recipes are weighed out instead of being measured.  The difference between the two is accuracy, which is very important when baking any product. Your products will come out the same every single time if everything is scaled correctly.  One thing I was not aware of before starting at the CIA is that there are no uniform standards for measuring spoons. You can buy a set of measuring spoons from Bed Bath and Beyond and another from Home Goods, and the sizes may be completely different.  This is just one example of why it is better for bakers to scale ingredients rather than measure.

With Valentine’s Day arriving in a few weeks, what better treat to share than sugar cookies? One of my personal favorites, they can be cut out in many different shapes and are very simple to make.

Here are the Ingredients you will need:

• Butter 9 oz
• Sugar 12 oz
• Eggs 2 oz
• Honey ½ oz
• Flour, Cake 10 oz
• Flour, Bread 5 oz
• Salt 3.5 gram
• Baking Soda 2 gram
• Vanilla 3 gram

The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees.

If you are new to scaling, it may be best to scale ingredients separately in labeled containers to ensure no mistakes are made.

Make sure the butter is cubed and COLD.

If you do not have access to cake and bread flour, All Purpose flour may be used.  If using All Purpose Flour, the weight will be 15 oz of AP flour.

(Fun fact:  AP flour is a combination of both cake and bread flour)

Always remember that in baking, sugar is considered a “wet ingredient” and should never be combined with “dry ingredients”

In a stationary mixer using the paddle attachment, add cubed butter and sugar to the bowl. Cream together on low speed until homogenous.

Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl from time to time to make sure all parts are incorporated. When the butter and sugar are creamed, the mixture should look like the image below.

Next, add your eggs in 3 to four increments, mixing after each part is added on low speed.

After all eggs are incorporated, mixture should look like this:

The next step is to combine your dry ingredients and sift them.

(cake flour, bread flour, salt, and baking soda)

After remaining dry ingredients are sifted, add to the mixture all at once.

Be careful when you begin mixing again.  In the bakeshop, we “pulse” the mixer, turning it on and off quickly to make sure we don’t get a face full of flour!

When flour begins to incorporate, leave the mixer on low speed.

You should begin to see a dough forming

Lastly, add in vanilla and honey.

If adding food coloring, add only one to two drops at a time.

When finished, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 10 minutes.

I like to shape my dough into a square for easier rolling later.

After dough is refrigerated, unwrap and place on a FLOUR DUSTED SURFACE.  The flour dusting will ensure the dough does not stick.

*Before rolling the dough, beat it with your rolling pin.  Yes, I mean hit your dough over and over with your pin; this will help prevent your dough from cracking when rolling it out.

Feel free to keep throwing flour ON TOP and UNDER your dough throughout the rolling process so it does not stick to your surface and rolling pin.

I like to break off pieces one at a time to roll out.  I roll my dough ¼ of an inch thick, then cut with a cookie cutter.

I line my sheet pan with parchment paper and then line the cut out cookies up 4 by 6.

One last touch I like to do with my cookies before baking them, is to brush them (just enough to moisten)  with a small amount of milk and sprinkle sanding sugar on them.

Bake the cookies at 350 degrees.

At the CIA, we are never given a time for any of our products.  Our chefs want us to get used to always watching what we are baking.

Since these cookies are very thin, they only need to bake for 10 minutes or less. Please keep an eye on them, they are very easy to burn!

When finished, the cookies should be very light in color with only a little brown on the bottom and sides.

Let cool, and enjoy!

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Home Stories A 2 Z Tutorials & Tips

Most readers of The Lettered Cottage are looking at photographs of  DIY projects, renovations and house tours. I remember the first words of Layla’s that spoke to me: “I was walking home that day, by myself for some reason, and I just stopped. Right in the middle of the road. I stretched out my arms and took it all in. The blue sky above me, the grassy ground in front of me, the corn fields on either side of me, and the S P A C E all around me. I told myself (out loud) to, “Always remember this moment. When you’re older, remember this moment.” I stood there for a few minutes, just soaking it up. I’ll never forget it.”

In that instant I knew she ‘got it’ and considered her a friend.

On my return to The Land of Blog, I told you I walk and run daily on the dirt roads that act as a perimeter of the property surrounding the Fairfield House.

My rounds have been a source of solace. In the very least, I’ve logged in 2 miles a day, that’s 730 miles in 2011. The journey sometimes consists of biting winds pushing me and the remains of the previous season around desolate fields into oblivion. In the warmer seasons, biting ‘green heads’ (aka pine flies, horse flies) and saber toothed mosquitoes chase me the entire way. All days, I’ve discovered everything created with love inspires. It is on these pilgrimages that I give thanks, hear echoes of angels and listen for HIS whisper. I forget about me and am absorbed by the surroundings that confirm I am part of something so much larger than myself.  If anyone ever doubts the existence of God, get out of your neighborhood and into the raw authentic beauty nature offers us. Profound simplicity is a spiritual experience of accepting each moment with love, grace and gratitude. I know peace. I am aware I am on sacred ground and am filled with so much goodness there is no room left for the pain of days gone by or worry about things that may or may not happen.

Scout, our Rat Terrier, is my constant companion. When Thomas is home he joins us. I have gotten in the habit of taking my camera or binoculars, unless it’s raining.  It is easy to forget you are in the most densely populated state in the union. I am amazed at the amount of wildlife in our little nook of the universe — deer, raccoons, skunk, muskrats, turtles, snakes, fox, otter, ducks, snow geese, hawks, egrets, owls and other raptors.

It was on one such journey that I first spied the bald eagles. The magnificence stopped me in my tracks and took my breath away as tears filled my eyes.  I am blessed. I will never forget it.

We have come to know each others habits by observation. We each belong and are not a threat to the other. Over the past year I’ve had the privilege of building a trust that affords me to get nearly as close to them as I do my hummingbirds. It’s been my best kept secret, shared only with a precious few.

Last year there were 34 Bald Eagles nesting on the Cohansey River on January 11, and the Cumberland County Christmas Bird Count, held January 2, estimated there are at least 88 Bald Eagle in Cumberland County. Their numbers are growing. If you are interested in seeing them for yourself and are in the area join New Jersey Audubon, Citizens United, Cumberland County Planning Commission, and Natural Lands Trust’s other New Jersey partners to celebrate the raptors of South Jersey at the Cumberland County Winter Eagle Festival.

Words are not adequate enough to describe the exhilaration you feel when you see eagles soar. Your spirit soars with them.

I cannot help but consider the cars that travel up and down my road, passing by without noticing this gift. Are you aware of all your blessings?

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Linking to:

Farmhouse Friday

Linking to Women Living Well

Readers may have noticed that we’re more than somewhat fond of of the old-fashioned at the Fairfield House. It’s not so much that we’re trying to move backwards as we find it a useful way to look to the future. You can’t after all, know where you’re going unless you know where you’ve been.

However, it’s often not appreciated that we live in a time where we actually do know something of our past, or at least the past of people very much like us. For most of human history the vast masses of humanity were illiterate and so left no permanent record when they passed from this earth. What we know instead are the minute doings of kings, vassals, priests , and the wealthy–debris from lives of the once great, floating down a river of memory on fragile parchment rafts. We know of these people what they told us and not, incidentally, including how the brick maker down in town lived, or or how the local peasant farmers got by.

In such ages, the comparative trickle of written words would grant every work outsized importance, but there’s no denying so much of great worth was produced. No one would seriously dispute the value of a Virgil, Shakespeare, or Dante; even if few bother to read them today.

Now of course in the the 21st century we have magnificent tools to express and record our thoughts. Still I wonder if our recorded thoughts by some chance survive the centuries, whether the world will be improved by them or if the insights of the best of us will have been drowned in a sea of trivialities. We who can say so much to so many with such ease spend much of our time recording and discussing the doings of the famous; it’s as though nothing has changed in the thousands of years since recorded history began.  Among so much noise, you must strain to hear the music.

In the end, I think it is not the record of the things we have done that will matter, but how we answered the questions of our purpose—why were we here in this narrow span of time. The moments of our lives are like the slow drip of water onto stones; wearing us away to nothing more than memories crafted by the yet unknown tellers of our tales.  Wherever our Shakespeare is, I hope he’s doing more than busily texting “ur bff 4evr” to a friend.

It’s a new year and with that comes a renewed sense of commitment to ourselves. We all want to be and do better than the previous year. When we give a voice to the commitment it serves as a signature on a contract and we are less likely to default. I’ve been reading a lot about ‘word of the year’. Instead of making a New Year’s resolution, you pick one word to keep your goals in focus. My friend Layla from The Lettered Cottage decided to take this trend to the next level and made it a party. You’re all invited!

This year I decided I needed a VERB of the year.

My Verb of the year is GO!

As in Let GO

We replay past failures and disappointments in our head, allowing those emotional hangovers to limit ourselves in the present. We hold on tight to frustration and worry about things we have no control over. We embrace stress, which causes internal and external tension. We fill our lives, homes and minds with things that are neither beautiful or useful.

This year Let GO

It is only by letting GO that are hands are free to accept whatever good we are blessed with.

My Verb of the year is GO!

As in Ready, Set, GO!

I want to GO beyond dreaming, or considering, or planning, or waiting for perfect opportunities.  I want to go ahead and do it.

My Verb of the year is GO!

As in GO out!

Go out in the big, beautiful world full of wonder and experience life as it was meant to be — up close and personal.

My Verb of the year is GO!

As  in GOing on! Contrary to what some may have inferred from my last post I am not going anywhere. I have a lot GOing on this year at The Fairfield House and look forward to sharing it with you. You may have noticed the blog “renovation”. There’s more to come. Now Go!

The summer sizzle melted my mojo. Autumn left me feeling as colorless and crumpled as the dry, dead leaves crunching beneath my feet and as delicate and ready to disintegrate if stepped upon.

The new year has arrived but not in “full white cloaked charm”.

It was unseasonably warm in NJ until last week. The cold reminder of the first year anniversary of the last time I saw Joseph.

During my self-imposed exile, I did some blog hopping, Etsy and e-Bay shopping, sat like a bird without a tweet on Twitter

and oohed and ahhed at the colossal collection of creativity on Pinterest.

Each time logging on with hopes of being inspired and motivated. Each time logging off deflated; less myself, more somebody else — overwhelmed by what I saw and underwhelmed by what I am.

These venues give everyone a voice and it seems at times many are singing the same song in perfect harmony.

When you join in the chorus, you often can’t hear your own voice or worse, mistake it for another’s.

My senses were bombarded and I became numb to the over saturation of stimuli.

I want this, that and the other thing. I want it all. I don’t know what I want. I want nothing at all.

It was not until I closed my laptop and opened my door; logged off and stepped out; stopped looking all over the web and started searching my heart that I found what I longed for.

I sought THE Creator and was filled with true inspiration, gratitude, and love.

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Linking to:

Women Living Well

Paint Party Friday

Do you know that the embryo flower of these paperwhite bulbs has been already formed and all we do is coax it out with sunlight and water?

Do you know you were created with a purpose?

All you need is to keep yourself in the light and nourish your body, mind, and spirit and you too will bloom.

My wish for you this year. . .

Live on purpose.

Live with purpose.

And bloom.

———-

Linking to White Wednesday at Faded Charm.

The last of the dahlias have bloomed.

I wanted to create something special. Something that would not involve a thirty minute ride to the closest store for supplies.

Sitting in the sunshine amidst autumn splendor, I wove the dahlia stems into a grapevine base I created.

It can be used as a wreath.

Or it can be used as a centerpiece.

To water the flowers, just soak the wreath in a sink.

No, it won’t last forever but at no cost it adds priceless beauty to my home.

———-

Linking to:

Women Living Well

My Romantic Home

Laurie Anna’s Vintage Home

The Charm of Home

At the Picket Fence

Decor to Adore

The Shabby Nest

Addicted 2 Decorating

Between Naps On the Porch

DIY Showoff

Home Stories of A 2 Z

The Project Queen

Just look at them smirking--they know you've been using a disposable five blade.

Men, it’s clear the country is going to hell in a hand basket. I admit I don’t really know what that is, but you have to agree it sounds like an undignified way to arrive.  All the other damned souls are going to laugh at us.  We all know the reason, but no one until now has had the guts to just say it. We’re weak, we’re undisciplined, we’re afraid of doing the hard things that must be done. You know what I’m talking about. America just hasn’t been the same since the demise of the straight razor.

What do we have instead? Namby pamby prissy little five bladed safety slivers with plastic (plastic! I kid you not) handles. I mean, what kind of material is plastic. No one is going to take you seriously with a plastic handled safety sliver. Sharp metal implements meant for a man’s hand should have manly handles, like STEEL or BONE or WOOD. If the material can’t double as a great nickname, I want nothing to do with it. Who wouldn’t want to be known as “Steel” or “Bone”, to say nothing of “Wood” (especially if you’re a bit past middle age. You know what I’m saying).  And what on earth is it with the five blades–what is your beard made of, carbon fiber? It’s just another case of life imitating the Onion.

Now, I won’t say it’s a conspiracy to keep us shelling out mega bucks for blades that last about 10 strokes on the average beard, it’s just damned suspicious, that’s all. The replacement blades in my neighborhood store are kept locked in a glass case and I think we’ve established that it’s not because they’re afraid someone’s going to steal them to go on a slasher-type killing spree. No, it’s just because they cost $24 for a 10 pack. Wouldn’t it be cheaper to hire a slinky young thing to snip each hair individually? Well OK, no, actually it wouldn’t and Deborah already said she won’t do it; but I digress.

It’s worth pointing out that nothing with the word “safety” in the name can possibly be any good. It’s like those products that say “natural” on the label–a synonym for “doesn’t work”.  For example, what kind of car would your rather drive–one known for it’s tremendous safety reputation or something named after a wild beast like a Cobra, Mustang or Viper? This is not a hard decision; if you think otherwise you may as well stop reading right now.

True, a good straight razor costs a few bucks, but  not much more than a couple packs of safety blades and it will last your lifetime. With a little luck and care, you may have something worthwhile to hand down to your heir, instead of the indignity of a lawyer somewhere saying  “Percy, he wanted you to have his Gillettes.”

It’s also a sure bet your blushing bride will never swipe it to shave her legs; if she does, she’s the type of lady I wouldn’t want to try to stop.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Straight razor (with manly handle)

Badger bristle brush–just the name makes your testosterone level surge; hair from a dead badger–count me in.

Cake of shaving soap (about a dollar)

Razor strop. At this point you no doubt feel so manly that you’ve sworn off vegetables and taken a vow to eat only beef . . . that you killed yourself . . . with your bare hands

Styptic pencil  in case of minor “incidents”

Manly after shave like Bay Rum

There are any number of guides on using and maintaining a straight razor, like the one linked here, so I won’t bother going over the whole ritual. Nevertheless, remember you’re scraping, not slicing, skill comes with practice (just ask your sweetheart), and use cold water to rinse; it tightens up the skin.  Don’t forget the bay rum. Who cares how it smells, it sounds like something Ernest Hemingway would use and that’s good enough.

Remember all those shaving ads where the sexy lady is standing around watching a man shave? She’s just hanging out until the guy with the straight razor gets there. Do it for her. By God, do it for America.

Wired magazine, June 1997

The creative genius that saved Apple Computer has passed away. Steve Jobs is dead at the age of 56. By all accounts an intensely driven perfectionist and clearly a creative genius, I can say that I owe much of any professional success I have enjoyed to Steve Jobs. Whenever I was backed up to an impossible deadline or banging my head on the desk over an insoluble problem, I usually can reach into a bag of assorted Apple software and hardware tricks and pull out the proverbial rabbit. The real magic was Steve and  his relentless insistence on not merely good, but insanely great products that disappeared into the background and functioned as extensions of the user’s own mind.

That one man could make things so much better for so many people is a bit of a miracle. He drove the creation of new wealth through the force of creative will. We are all richer by his efforts. When politicians start talking about how CEOs are overpaid while preparing for another round of taxing and spending other people’s money, I hope someone mentions His Steveness. Whatever his paycheck, I think we still owe him.