Cottage Improvements - Exterior - 2022

 We purchased the Cottage in October 2021. As any old home can be, it was a touch neglected, and hence the fun of expressing new life into it began

The walkway needed replacing, so we spent a bit of time tilling down a few inches in depth so as to place flagstone as the walkway, filled in with pebbles or gravel in between. I've never had much luck with weed mat (always breaks down within a few years from my experience) so we decided to go a different route by placing roofing shingles down to keep grass from growing up. They were free, won't break down anytime this century, and other than being incredibly ugly while we patiently wait to find flagstone at an affordable price, have been a good weed blocker for the most part! 

There is an old oblong concrete pad to the North of the cottage that we initially thought we would transfer the tiny garage to (as its current location is not optimal given our addition floor plans) however after hosting multiple dinner parties on it this summer and fall we decided it is actually quite the perfect outdoor hosting spot, for our current budget especially.   

Last photo of the (3 shaded) brown Cottage before we commenced exterior painting in October! Also, Dad replaced our upstairs South and North facing windows!! A HUGE improvement for insulation and appearance 

Shaaaaazam ;) I managed to do all of the exterior painting over 4 days during Gale's afternoon naps.  Thank the heavens for good nappers! 

Next up in 2023 projects for us is the goal of rebuilding the front porch in cedar and metal (no more old white wood!) and replacing the current fascia and soffit with cedar.  We also need to put up the final siding for the West side of the house, which we had to replace during the painting process. 

I feel like the progress we have made this far is slow but steady, a whole new way of life for me.  Since little nugget came along, it's been the new tune we sing daily and I think we're finally finding a rhythm to it all! Just in time for baby number two to arrive this spring and teach us a thing or two ;)