Making Living Space more Live-able

On to living room - obviously adjoins the large kitchen/eating area.

We (royal use of the term since DH did 99.7% of the labor) removed carpet, tack strips, pad and assorted bits attached to concrete flooring.

Our original idea was to clean, stain and seal concrete but would have been a heck of a job given multiple stains and paint slop currently revealed on concrete slab. Glad we decided to go with cork flooring -

Eager to begin painting - will be a color at Home Depot - Behr paint called Fragrant Jasmine (barely creamy white) in eggshell and semi gloss finishes. House seems a little dark so we want to lighten up the walls and put a more reflective finish.

Think we've reached agreement on fireplace - currently sooty looking and dark brick pretty much overwhelms -the room. DH wants to build a mantle. We're going to paint the brick - either same color as we paint walls or a tone or two darker. What do y'all think?

Only one window in living room -

we will be installing an open outward front door to gain almost 3 feet of wall space.

Oh yes - will be putting in a ceiling hugger fan

with no light fixture - current one is a bit

too much.

Last picture just keeping it real - oxygen concentrator in house now so DH can move around attached to his O2 leash - too bad they haven't invented oxygen supply without a cord (yeah right - think about it). Mild case of want to get done - sure it'll intensify but time and money - all we need to git'er done on Buhlaland - and it is all good!

Buhlaland is Moving!

No - not as in the earth transporting itself elsewhere - DH and I have purchased a smaller home (downsizing is hardly the word - life altering might be accurate). During past couple of years we've realized his health issues won't allow him almost unbounded energy which was his normal. Keeping a large property which we no longer fully used wasn't good stewardship of God given resources (as well as being exhausting some days!)

We closed today on a smaller house north of where we are now - picture was Skip talking to the tree guy about taking out a couple of large trees which had the bad judgment to grow up against house or right where we need to build a workshop/shed! So the adventure begins - we'll document as much as possible the changes in new place (for now it will be called Windsor - since we'll still live on current Buhlaland until ready to put it up for sale). Woo hoo - biggest excitement right now for me - sandy soil! Deep sand - will grow sweet potatoes and white taters next spring - I know how to garden in sand! Our clay/loam combination on Buhlaland has been a continuing struggle for me. Already browsing on internet for sand plum bushes and rabbiteye blueberries - yum yum. All it takes is work and money - and the Lord allows us just enough energy for the work and money for what we need (wants might be a different budgetary process?). Today we got the keys, turned on the water supply and set off bug bombs at Windsor (black widow spiders had homesteaded the garage!). Small steps - but we have prayed this thing through and know "Do not despise…small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.” Zechariah 4:10 NLT

The Work has begun - we are ready for this new chapter - see ya again soon!

Shorter day - even less blogging

Picture was taken around 6:45 am - so strange to be still dark but it really IS the beginning of autumn this week. What happened to our summer? Thank goodness it is about done with - here in Texas we are still in a drought to break most records. A little rain last week to remind us it CAN rain - refreshing and cooled the earth down enough to get temps out of the triple digits.

Again I'm apologizing for the lack of blog entries - in about 10 days I can reveal what's been absorbing so much time and energy - I think it is good and hope you will also find it interesting - for now - on Buhlaland it is cooler, gooder (? what word is gooder) and blessed beyond belief - we have survived the summer of 2011!

Gear up for Grits!

Grits are not a gelatinous slab of pale goo on your plate - only the worst of southern cooks make grits which are not a tasty, basic corn dish adaptable in SO many ways.
I'm showing a spoon of freshly baked cheese and jalapeno grits. Wonderful side dish for brunch or supper. For a bit fancier presentation - bake in individual ramekins (also know as those little baking dishes).


1 cup quick cooking grits

2 cups water

2 cups milk

1 lb. Breakfast sausage – cooked and fat drained off

2 teaspoons Lawry’s season salt

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 15 ounce can cream style corn

¼ cup butter

3 beaten eggs


Preheat over to 375. Grease or spray with Pam a 13X9 inch baking dish. Bring milk, water and salt to boil and stir in grits. Cook grits over lowered flame stirring occasionally – until thickened but not stiff. Turn off heat, whisk in cheese, butter ,cooked sausage( and/or chopped jalapenos), cream style corn, then add beaten eggs. Bake in prepared baking dish for 45 minutes or until slightly puffed and browned on top.

NOTE: use “quick cooking” grits – not instant and whatever cooking directions are given on the box - use half water and half milk. For a kickier taste - add finely chopped jalapenos - I used about a tablespoon of dried jalapeno but you can add minced fresh or pickled jalapenos to your taste. Be careful - easy to get carried away and need a fire extinguisher at the table.

Try it - let me know if you like them. Highly adaptable dish - use chorizo instead of sausage or your favorite easily crumbled up meat (cooked bacon, venison sausage - almost anything goes)

We began making this dish while we owned a Bed and Breakfast in Colorado - because so many people have negative ideas of grits -we would tell them it is a ground corn dish! - worked because we had people from all over the world eat grits and love 'em.
It is comfort food on Buhlaland. I'll be back with more Christmasy cooking but have been wanting "real food" lately - sweets are coming soon!
Still cold here - ready for a burst of warm weather so we can do some fencing - goats got out last week and we've had to close off one of the pastures until the fencing can be done. Goats don't mind too much - they are getting extra rations of alfalfa to make up for less grazing area!
It is good on Buhlaland, the Lord provides such a bounty - for our eyes, stomach and heart!
From David Jeremiah “He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus” (2 Corinthians 4:14). Our future is filled with optimism and hope because we know that someday we will be like Him. We cannot lose heart and settle for a bag-lunch life when a heavenly feast beyond all imagination awaits us!"
Now THAT is a feast worth celebrating - May your Advent days build anticipation for the coming of the King.