Autumn in the City

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OD1l7gRCR9OFbmSChurvjz_ZS_8Hq3zedtfX10WWYvz1KjROErvSbRKgAkd2hr8boP6b6UReOU6YfYZhQYKnQWWAs8Bi1qQZsh0Un7I2O9lf5gDgsRTlFRniJJqaokvwjx3zpabyzVI/s1600/IMG_3905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OD1l7gRCR9OFbmSChurvjz_ZS_8Hq3zedtfX10WWYvz1KjROErvSbRKgAkd2hr8boP6b6UReOU6YfYZhQYKnQWWAs8Bi1qQZsh0Un7I2O9lf5gDgsRTlFRniJJqaokvwjx3zpabyzVI/s400/IMG_3905.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My street, October 26</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First I want to thank everyone for their wonderful comments about my house.  I've put a lot of effort into transforming my little urban cottage and I'm thrilled that others can appreciate it too.  I've been so rapt up in the project, I feel like I lost an entire summer but it was hard to miss the autumn color this morning.  We had some rain last night which always intensifies the color and morning sun made them almost florescent. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQpFiJnOnvFWw41Kr7yggEVyBl8M8SFQWQSInqIW9iZ6qxa0SZJQ2boTBSUBSl5M8WKAr6_KwMbaqqmW5kMdUwDgpnqrUwl5Gx7iNlwQuVjdnNV3OgrN-MXB5f9zd-jUXYiAitbiWLeA/s1600/IMG_3907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQpFiJnOnvFWw41Kr7yggEVyBl8M8SFQWQSInqIW9iZ6qxa0SZJQ2boTBSUBSl5M8WKAr6_KwMbaqqmW5kMdUwDgpnqrUwl5Gx7iNlwQuVjdnNV3OgrN-MXB5f9zd-jUXYiAitbiWLeA/s400/IMG_3907.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The color peaks in late September, early October in the northernmost parts of New England and moves south toward Boston.  In another week or two, all of the leaves will be gone.  I think we're at peak right now in the city but I don't recall seeing color this bright in a long time.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfW792IERzqvXfLlid6BScooyYWjHi1hogbjCbQL_hEZFwv0CGssRlfs9qPQrp_LURRKKNNl3u2_EsLDrFec_0QxYRpXYX9xL18wakqB6GsbOlDbE4ucdg5h-uIiFghC1vfgI85cOhUU/s1600/IMG_3909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfW792IERzqvXfLlid6BScooyYWjHi1hogbjCbQL_hEZFwv0CGssRlfs9qPQrp_LURRKKNNl3u2_EsLDrFec_0QxYRpXYX9xL18wakqB6GsbOlDbE4ucdg5h-uIiFghC1vfgI85cOhUU/s400/IMG_3909.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love spring and summer and I always lament the onset of autumn but with color like this, how can you not enjoy it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYxCnOhZCh5_9AkhmYoA0VvyWr_dOYEuaYmS42pmydd9DkKpMtm2bf1pqwoOXBA4AIHd1EjgTlsQd2ZgcX10qCEgWZmE4JUMoPPyS706ic5lBtGyd2-MKkkDp7MXiWeFuxUlp-3LBId8/s1600/IMG_3910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYxCnOhZCh5_9AkhmYoA0VvyWr_dOYEuaYmS42pmydd9DkKpMtm2bf1pqwoOXBA4AIHd1EjgTlsQd2ZgcX10qCEgWZmE4JUMoPPyS706ic5lBtGyd2-MKkkDp7MXiWeFuxUlp-3LBId8/s400/IMG_3910.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think autumn is starting to grow on me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgcL5_2KvgfxgkVqC_-2yRgK5exVQksLA-gucbVdeelihGT-3Pd8MtmaSEOOY2uAy6oFW-YXdUaDe_PKxfQHQtcncWOUTKB-x7Rhwv9s2JcPx1-D_B7yfoGTcHTFfNuX8hCVj_9tfq5Y/s1600/IMG_3912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgcL5_2KvgfxgkVqC_-2yRgK5exVQksLA-gucbVdeelihGT-3Pd8MtmaSEOOY2uAy6oFW-YXdUaDe_PKxfQHQtcncWOUTKB-x7Rhwv9s2JcPx1-D_B7yfoGTcHTFfNuX8hCVj_9tfq5Y/s400/IMG_3912.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even in the middle of downtown Boston, there's fall color to enjoy.  This park just one block from my office used to be a hideous two- or three-story cement parking garage.  The owners demolished the garage, rebuilt it underground and added this beautiful park.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5Own6D2rVWZcB_lRDIUW6UcaXgdEioBYiTU6ChpadOp5EA3d9abZDUL0kxSfssLzAx8vCJ1TDOlSt8SxeD4m66SWy7W_Oo-wNCtaNhMMlqKAmWJzXDCdQLva4eEpdq5tyhDdTB9K4Zk/s1600/IMG_3917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5Own6D2rVWZcB_lRDIUW6UcaXgdEioBYiTU6ChpadOp5EA3d9abZDUL0kxSfssLzAx8vCJ1TDOlSt8SxeD4m66SWy7W_Oo-wNCtaNhMMlqKAmWJzXDCdQLva4eEpdq5tyhDdTB9K4Zk/s400/IMG_3917.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a entrance to the parking garage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlvVzIN6eyHyfndrMlAo4-x5RMQdMKu-hnksH35gDu1wxaGN9oj_O9AMQ30jYyxSAV2ug8mSVDgtUQrvDXg2NznEWuDU_F0d4qRxwvB-w-4X4NPBfebPIK_sBeNTKLNKc9fMg_r67CiA/s1600/IMG_3913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlvVzIN6eyHyfndrMlAo4-x5RMQdMKu-hnksH35gDu1wxaGN9oj_O9AMQ30jYyxSAV2ug8mSVDgtUQrvDXg2NznEWuDU_F0d4qRxwvB-w-4X4NPBfebPIK_sBeNTKLNKc9fMg_r67CiA/s400/IMG_3913.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">During summer months, the park is literally packed with people enjoying their lunch hours sitting on the grass.  (The park hands out mats to sit on.)  I enjoy it most in the morning when people are scurrying to work, too busy to enjoy a few moments outside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2n1SI3w8M5e_30Xrlz2Js5EVO81STBIALcrXaZfOz3V1YLPybK-i_hKyF_52nau1NQuo_zRCrcNL7JHQSsojRn34ik-XjOYkj-hIdgiv0HjTE0jROzKrcgKqo0Or-ux040htpNOTUc0/s1600/IMG_3920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2n1SI3w8M5e_30Xrlz2Js5EVO81STBIALcrXaZfOz3V1YLPybK-i_hKyF_52nau1NQuo_zRCrcNL7JHQSsojRn34ik-XjOYkj-hIdgiv0HjTE0jROzKrcgKqo0Or-ux040htpNOTUc0/s400/IMG_3920.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The park has a full-time staff of people constantly sweeping, washing, watering, trimming, planting and trimming to keep the park pristine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMI3VmTmITYREz9rrAWmsT5bcz94Jk1ltpvDCQ_YnbWh8DbTeLglgaNIPfGg1TPiv7FJ8W5hu7Zh8vxOvHdZFLSXpJMy2eoIaCglzsxXs8jVKyI2gil59FWTdJQ9NonGx7PeAqKxrp4YM/s1600/IMG_3911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMI3VmTmITYREz9rrAWmsT5bcz94Jk1ltpvDCQ_YnbWh8DbTeLglgaNIPfGg1TPiv7FJ8W5hu7Zh8vxOvHdZFLSXpJMy2eoIaCglzsxXs8jVKyI2gil59FWTdJQ9NonGx7PeAqKxrp4YM/s400/IMG_3911.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even when you live and work in the city, there are plenty of places to enjoy the amazing colors of autumn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Autumn in the City

My street, October 26 First I want to thank everyone for their wonderful comments about my house.  I've put a lot of effort into transfo...

Read more »

Exterior Paint, Before and After

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnxbSDbWl3LJFZe5kTbDHUHKzC8m4AciU3xjnqJyiFm6fW5n059LwY-t8o1ypftqeP__wBy0NfYXNVMU91zLisZkCCuoZCYDIysHioLYjnvrUFVL3ZRK2ziLkbUlcK-a4Dtx7-Wu_rv0/s1600/IMG_3875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnxbSDbWl3LJFZe5kTbDHUHKzC8m4AciU3xjnqJyiFm6fW5n059LwY-t8o1ypftqeP__wBy0NfYXNVMU91zLisZkCCuoZCYDIysHioLYjnvrUFVL3ZRK2ziLkbUlcK-a4Dtx7-Wu_rv0/s400/IMG_3875.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You may notice that I've changed the photo on my header.  When I started my blog, I borrowed the facade of another...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieu2qmn0X3ksZgEnISWJ4tGP8vNEhK44U-4qGBXLd7QhqxS9_GDB9fHEcpuHyY1-1sT7upQ9DkfK9YK2t5jV71ulfLCIJ9kS9uoxJnXUikaVEY0oP67a91hm6Z1O70uOjdzMc98KPQgzc/s1600/IMG_1399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieu2qmn0X3ksZgEnISWJ4tGP8vNEhK44U-4qGBXLd7QhqxS9_GDB9fHEcpuHyY1-1sT7upQ9DkfK9YK2t5jV71ulfLCIJ9kS9uoxJnXUikaVEY0oP67a91hm6Z1O70uOjdzMc98KPQgzc/s400/IMG_1399.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...Cambridge Greek Revival.  I'm happy to be able to retire that photo and use an image from my own house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4w3n8NwWJN0opYmXV-02c0KZkU-IeAGRslLTusAkRchZMXpG4lDWuEf1O3nPKxNBsHBiQf1HFBajCFNf4zaFLQrW7zG3gEKpUkPpC7vjCE2epIS3LVRegeO4omwj5fJk35RMMW_Cz-c/s1600/IMG_3820_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4w3n8NwWJN0opYmXV-02c0KZkU-IeAGRslLTusAkRchZMXpG4lDWuEf1O3nPKxNBsHBiQf1HFBajCFNf4zaFLQrW7zG3gEKpUkPpC7vjCE2epIS3LVRegeO4omwj5fJk35RMMW_Cz-c/s400/IMG_3820_3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When you last saw the house after the columns were installed, this is what it looked like.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A coat of paint went a LONG way to unite all the different materials and colors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60qW2-iO0xlMdu4FXcJ07zKscfFns1KQ4nGIUpcu4iaszgmSdtCOenoJsUfX9IHnzUvAIHlKRlrfJqYqIAP7Fj_r7EswUipP0zQ5dsNLazrOwu4IBi8XnKvvFVxMUlsHBcshgs00SOJY/s1600/IMG_3886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60qW2-iO0xlMdu4FXcJ07zKscfFns1KQ4nGIUpcu4iaszgmSdtCOenoJsUfX9IHnzUvAIHlKRlrfJqYqIAP7Fj_r7EswUipP0zQ5dsNLazrOwu4IBi8XnKvvFVxMUlsHBcshgs00SOJY/s400/IMG_3886.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is what it looks like as of this morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isn't the difference amazing?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oGPUi0HU9ef0ttANUv1j1Qk4C9jgjj63WgohHuHBDm1FAsNEWyHYxqpEKP6_KgreTNtF1O04T0WbHwzE9E5muCcMVqX3l-aM-GwjDtrc1kTB9s1KS-9ZM0C6RDsQBLju8__0V3sfS-w/s1600/75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oGPUi0HU9ef0ttANUv1j1Qk4C9jgjj63WgohHuHBDm1FAsNEWyHYxqpEKP6_KgreTNtF1O04T0WbHwzE9E5muCcMVqX3l-aM-GwjDtrc1kTB9s1KS-9ZM0C6RDsQBLju8__0V3sfS-w/s400/75.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't think I've ever shown this photo.  This is what house looked like when I bought it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I did a lot of simple projects, always working on the ugliest thing.  I replaced the wrought iron posts at the front porch, repainted the foundation, removed the chain link fence, installed a new cedar picket fence, planted a few shrubs, painted the ugly aluminum door and moved the main power line that ran down the front of the house.  The cedar fence was quite expensive but the rest of the projects were done as weekend projects for relatively little money.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPttJNJYtCpUAEAVeO_BwndsvQk5JLDKwLodw36SeoBxKF7Y5cBeHTRP729dsvqQYbFFfUdQcOSeJ_lxlm2R5TkNXhZjXpRIqIlm2mUawk3G9vvvAIJves5ymQTMVwwrQgF9THAU-Jj8/s1600/IMG_2168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPttJNJYtCpUAEAVeO_BwndsvQk5JLDKwLodw36SeoBxKF7Y5cBeHTRP729dsvqQYbFFfUdQcOSeJ_lxlm2R5TkNXhZjXpRIqIlm2mUawk3G9vvvAIJves5ymQTMVwwrQgF9THAU-Jj8/s400/IMG_2168.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All of these projects resulted in the house you saw when I was applying for my variance in April.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJeHl5DMBbhJ8eSwmn01WllcU8Pmjr5ZcV7i7Ga2gixsAf6_2xdcnfTYRTjAOpq5HEhd3swZq8civWnmGPEThmb9QI0YNBbfOkDv_bq5zTUPnUAxhw8h4IjX-CqWlb0SRMWmj5rh-wUw/s1600/IMG_3888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJeHl5DMBbhJ8eSwmn01WllcU8Pmjr5ZcV7i7Ga2gixsAf6_2xdcnfTYRTjAOpq5HEhd3swZq8civWnmGPEThmb9QI0YNBbfOkDv_bq5zTUPnUAxhw8h4IjX-CqWlb0SRMWmj5rh-wUw/s400/IMG_3888.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Click on any of the photos to enlarge.)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here is the house today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-AIE84srOUU9xbZh6iZJ0rHpXXzYkeNYR9ubvGJ6GMUI6nt8QKxVmHu_bDNXGh34SSdjP27okr3mZBcc9mQ7QYbP6MNX2xaD0HA5qdEyc6T0zC4ppV4ehPnR4IVhbz8t6kQ5EoTtZf8/s1600/IMG_3829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-AIE84srOUU9xbZh6iZJ0rHpXXzYkeNYR9ubvGJ6GMUI6nt8QKxVmHu_bDNXGh34SSdjP27okr3mZBcc9mQ7QYbP6MNX2xaD0HA5qdEyc6T0zC4ppV4ehPnR4IVhbz8t6kQ5EoTtZf8/s400/IMG_3829.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember this view?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRjjmbFu_CsXx3p2turK3flDCwOF9J62YcwX3jOOQCqcCtuQ32k3UU4moSQQjwKDdQP3DA04Jw364PbmDMBlk9hcu3mYB6chyphenhyphenikKRdVY-GWP-LPBomDtPXUloSCZRbiV3FHSdDIuexD0/s1600/IMG_3881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRjjmbFu_CsXx3p2turK3flDCwOF9J62YcwX3jOOQCqcCtuQ32k3UU4moSQQjwKDdQP3DA04Jw364PbmDMBlk9hcu3mYB6chyphenhyphenikKRdVY-GWP-LPBomDtPXUloSCZRbiV3FHSdDIuexD0/s400/IMG_3881.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The paint totally integrated the original shingles into the new work...and saved me a lot of money.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmx_dtFA20GCl2BnOFJYbpoT-fIjseun1kBtAIXJNJdAuBeaDLH5yKM9QEyAaAPTho49O_e5n5lS_3lKtJmHdO11I2Xui7Ssv0EeBiP_meF6wb9x2xOppk4TsQy4lK_NE7edg9j0zDIAA/s1600/IMG_3882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmx_dtFA20GCl2BnOFJYbpoT-fIjseun1kBtAIXJNJdAuBeaDLH5yKM9QEyAaAPTho49O_e5n5lS_3lKtJmHdO11I2Xui7Ssv0EeBiP_meF6wb9x2xOppk4TsQy4lK_NE7edg9j0zDIAA/s400/IMG_3882.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The beadboard ceiling is painted sky blue.  (I'm not sure why the crown molding is painted blue.  I wouldn't have done that and I'll probably change that.)  Just waiting for the new light to be installed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6ncjznDzVWjv9YPu03dH7yvTrI8zIAxby68rYu2CfOuwUgIAYoyrtFqfUcsAkWaH6vRd8HSzy7E60M6HwEFSZhywRybjLXVA7UL17DLDs_06C22HOp48_siUuNEEFOCJ29WYliTMRfg/s1600/IMG_3895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6ncjznDzVWjv9YPu03dH7yvTrI8zIAxby68rYu2CfOuwUgIAYoyrtFqfUcsAkWaH6vRd8HSzy7E60M6HwEFSZhywRybjLXVA7UL17DLDs_06C22HOp48_siUuNEEFOCJ29WYliTMRfg/s400/IMG_3895.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And all the old wood trim on the pediment was scraped, primed and is now looking really great.  (The "Head of the Charles" crew races are taking place on the Charles River this weekend and I just happened to catch a plane pulling an advertising banner in this photo.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGI3YlA8ub74t13b3cQjRMYjuNDTEsT4WgL0sntZbk69vmyqB1CpxpUV1PSTpOcyzDLb5mJxEpoBBk25Nc3W6wGimzeqegPGah07RgcTki465PzEYKhS6iJIaMCSh4xtteUc7aiPBpwZE/s1600/house+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGI3YlA8ub74t13b3cQjRMYjuNDTEsT4WgL0sntZbk69vmyqB1CpxpUV1PSTpOcyzDLb5mJxEpoBBk25Nc3W6wGimzeqegPGah07RgcTki465PzEYKhS6iJIaMCSh4xtteUc7aiPBpwZE/s400/house+003.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's another old photo of the house when I bought it.  This shows the old deck railings and the handicapped ramp that was attached to the back porch along with a sidewalk that ran across the entire yard to the front door.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVY9KhhlsGz11_b1s9CDi4u8nKKshxfs4n0eYZRlcoX82svhGbCMi07SE9hQHYQJVT7UTF7TPEN_v_HIeZ-87hvr06nI-0tlJq1DjMVTJQA-Sb7oFbtcEpDMhiRAH9bZjnC2LSrTDWTo/s1600/IMG_0947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVY9KhhlsGz11_b1s9CDi4u8nKKshxfs4n0eYZRlcoX82svhGbCMi07SE9hQHYQJVT7UTF7TPEN_v_HIeZ-87hvr06nI-0tlJq1DjMVTJQA-Sb7oFbtcEpDMhiRAH9bZjnC2LSrTDWTo/s400/IMG_0947.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You've seen before what I did with that space.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9LrQE9LuiDyCo1YsxClje3nWOOLCEwazimtLwQstbUDt3Ym-4PiPsWJIAjj6ox7nBJ3VWbBbMiXuj6Me46ZKhnfQxEWtGuJiA5igmWzqAzaSOCV2g-Ko9WQhB3DpZXYHAHaMygxl6Is/s1600/IMG_3887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9LrQE9LuiDyCo1YsxClje3nWOOLCEwazimtLwQstbUDt3Ym-4PiPsWJIAjj6ox7nBJ3VWbBbMiXuj6Me46ZKhnfQxEWtGuJiA5igmWzqAzaSOCV2g-Ko9WQhB3DpZXYHAHaMygxl6Is/s400/IMG_3887.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is that same view today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAqs_U5kosXGodmoBYP32IvnEFC431WCYBlxoOBWrXPMqhvhJTxOXIHGE5RNeJhYqTTsu9Ed4YVzyfNxG3-rqwLeFal4GcWPq5DhgjxgoCnWqaE_sVdDKioHD5hqHKMnOAFzfhmQdG4Y/s1600/IMG_3878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAqs_U5kosXGodmoBYP32IvnEFC431WCYBlxoOBWrXPMqhvhJTxOXIHGE5RNeJhYqTTsu9Ed4YVzyfNxG3-rqwLeFal4GcWPq5DhgjxgoCnWqaE_sVdDKioHD5hqHKMnOAFzfhmQdG4Y/s400/IMG_3878.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had to exclude the back porches from this phase of the overall project and they're looking a little tired and sagging but a coat of paint should go a long way to helping them blend in.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qp2cerCHfOkZng_DG-HQHD3IbJB37CK0hmxydx_SqDmg0ski8x-LL4RX5qySn6XKhWhy5i8Q5ng2R70EGN3zolP_mv7DoCHiQW17wLWMneb-LFkqaene1FY8cuk5V5MgIjIlsoLwAIc/s1600/IMG_3879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qp2cerCHfOkZng_DG-HQHD3IbJB37CK0hmxydx_SqDmg0ski8x-LL4RX5qySn6XKhWhy5i8Q5ng2R70EGN3zolP_mv7DoCHiQW17wLWMneb-LFkqaene1FY8cuk5V5MgIjIlsoLwAIc/s400/IMG_3879.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The porch ceilings are beadboard and were quite water damaged under the old vinyl siding but hours of scraping and priming by the painters have really cleaned it up.  See why I was worried about color of the primer?  It's WAY off from the color I chose.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7EWHQCWKev29pBxK6lre_Jr2ayxXqMo7YZzhqXppGJ-IR7okXAOTJ8VtMeh_asV1pm6HQVmDcao329Vf3KyLUjNAKUy0N5_7S4WQkjblJGc8elwZ9OcxvpuRe2ZY9T_jJ3lIemWfcGE/s1600/IMG_3880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7EWHQCWKev29pBxK6lre_Jr2ayxXqMo7YZzhqXppGJ-IR7okXAOTJ8VtMeh_asV1pm6HQVmDcao329Vf3KyLUjNAKUy0N5_7S4WQkjblJGc8elwZ9OcxvpuRe2ZY9T_jJ3lIemWfcGE/s320/IMG_3880.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the pilaster at the back corner of the house.  The upstairs deck railing was too short to reach the pilaster after the three layers of siding were removed so we added a post and tied it in. It's good enough for now.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJNSlEAl7lfmFSujLEX7651tBVacmcqbw9vPulGlLJ0nj-zEHq6LbO1VWAdjI5MRh8Bb4FplcyElWdTSUytZ5MrvQ3bWCadYoX7XkpL4Z16IxX1Kcvig5yXuvAOzOzHNIfgnBbpc41jw/s1600/IMG_3899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJNSlEAl7lfmFSujLEX7651tBVacmcqbw9vPulGlLJ0nj-zEHq6LbO1VWAdjI5MRh8Bb4FplcyElWdTSUytZ5MrvQ3bWCadYoX7XkpL4Z16IxX1Kcvig5yXuvAOzOzHNIfgnBbpc41jw/s400/IMG_3899.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(I put a coat of paint on the front door since I took photos this morning)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The sidelights will hopefully go in this week and the rest of the windows should come in the next few weeks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihi5mCaqclWn1czVhnUGO3v0xYvnv4LLXxelVk8gEraGiGMlKUKsjIXuuSoa8xWzAaE4Cl6y9XQMF57ht-4Zyu5Lmsbl8v6sWIYKIpnu7gllaMoGvUnp_bRNvggrfhjAuYpmkBb_dJC_k/s1600/IMG_3899_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihi5mCaqclWn1czVhnUGO3v0xYvnv4LLXxelVk8gEraGiGMlKUKsjIXuuSoa8xWzAaE4Cl6y9XQMF57ht-4Zyu5Lmsbl8v6sWIYKIpnu7gllaMoGvUnp_bRNvggrfhjAuYpmkBb_dJC_k/s400/IMG_3899_2.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Exterior Paint, Before and After

You may notice that I've changed the photo on my header.  When I started my blog, I borrowed the facade of another... ...Cambridge Greek...

Read more »

Concessions, Splurges and a Preview

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QLLxRwPs9W7wAOeA_GsxNEyA5IwVxxGdieiN9K_wmRrHiAvWd-E0q4pAU1WUANOsAKaVb8NJIjBhtFnq3lf33vJhIKjwCdEvXEWfVxaWClSeYr4kLCrKjNDJG_RhEHOUAvRG1q_6vOs/s1600/circa+chinoiserie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QLLxRwPs9W7wAOeA_GsxNEyA5IwVxxGdieiN9K_wmRrHiAvWd-E0q4pAU1WUANOsAKaVb8NJIjBhtFnq3lf33vJhIKjwCdEvXEWfVxaWClSeYr4kLCrKjNDJG_RhEHOUAvRG1q_6vOs/s320/circa+chinoiserie.png" width="151" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Doing a renovation requires a lot of decisions that involve money.  Sometimes there's a fine balance between what you want and how much it costs.  One of the things I've found helpful, as I did with the Louis XVI chairs, is to study the details of expensive options and then look for something with similar details that's more in tune with my budget.  You may remember this light fixture from my <a href="http://anurbancottage.blogspot.com/2010/07/chinoiserie-for-your-porch.html">Chinoiserie for your Porch</a> post.  I'm glad I didn't fall in love with the light because at $1200, it wasn't even a consideration.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhhuv9RUSzrQotgsJDNPC5A8OlxtFTTPgLQ_d7M37idWzxx2Kvzo3NMlKboym_jOb-dkG_qBXrIfZyxeHV0pra_6yx2B3jl3dyZlu_RPPQf7OR-3nRrITd8RXm4y8GR3SppT2Z86gL6o/s1600/house+of+antique+hardware+Fifth+Avenue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhhuv9RUSzrQotgsJDNPC5A8OlxtFTTPgLQ_d7M37idWzxx2Kvzo3NMlKboym_jOb-dkG_qBXrIfZyxeHV0pra_6yx2B3jl3dyZlu_RPPQf7OR-3nRrITd8RXm4y8GR3SppT2Z86gL6o/s320/house+of+antique+hardware+Fifth+Avenue.png" width="196" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVU45MFTcnEERuU9t5qHttOAtBitgcWSWVAX2ebA-iJILF2qWVxY8-JpLABmuVvzkbm0BrLmJHU1e5vBk4XnAn6pUuV8fV-hwC3tSzisZt-qqNNc6ycr4CTdrNPfnu7_eOK9j68gk3S-0/s1600/Picture+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVU45MFTcnEERuU9t5qHttOAtBitgcWSWVAX2ebA-iJILF2qWVxY8-JpLABmuVvzkbm0BrLmJHU1e5vBk4XnAn6pUuV8fV-hwC3tSzisZt-qqNNc6ycr4CTdrNPfnu7_eOK9j68gk3S-0/s320/Picture+8.png" width="136" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You may also remember this entry set on the left with the crystal knob on the inside.  This would have been a splurge at nearly $400 but I found the Schlage entry set (on the right) at Home Depot for $144.   It doesn't have a crystal knob on the inside but it looks very similar on the outside and gave me an extra $250 to work with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvDKG9UT_tMU1iWDebZ1K8fHDbsNI-wYSUw80QfCTGM-1-urZhyufXsSrRHwz96mhEK4wH-op31Fh71sUIjOmFZ5qvmJbbrxDD0UQ9Zj83hWl5pBpaabGKfb-7i6Fn9XdCYeIQ87cUgg/s1600/MX-1027-EB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvDKG9UT_tMU1iWDebZ1K8fHDbsNI-wYSUw80QfCTGM-1-urZhyufXsSrRHwz96mhEK4wH-op31Fh71sUIjOmFZ5qvmJbbrxDD0UQ9Zj83hWl5pBpaabGKfb-7i6Fn9XdCYeIQ87cUgg/s320/MX-1027-EB.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You may also remember these $24 lights I bought for the front and back porches.  Last week I had a friend hold up one of the lights on the front porch.   The large beam supported by the columns... </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYF86X3OShvMiIVYwaiCButnUU77vNDvDAD-7gvLBF09yNM4P48Eqd8cA5Rv1B14SFy6Q9R0f5releZDO3T5Rj6YadI0-6pd9vdu6X2cUTEypewt7ItO8vvu78PcGahhpygyri0vVO3s/s1600/IMG_3849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYF86X3OShvMiIVYwaiCButnUU77vNDvDAD-7gvLBF09yNM4P48Eqd8cA5Rv1B14SFy6Q9R0f5releZDO3T5Rj6YadI0-6pd9vdu6X2cUTEypewt7ItO8vvu78PcGahhpygyri0vVO3s/s200/IMG_3849.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...covered up half of the light so all you could see was...</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIUxB0G2QydrVYpCfx-2r5ole_SWhAMLNCIuVjlapeg1tSPA7K-9XJBdoeWFywj-WxP2_g8DAwmXC0J9knrl8j5NMZG8gyK-TTUfcnTYmdGnuM3HWF_eVj6Hz_MQBACHR8yj_k6ctZhk/s1600/MX-1027-EB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIUxB0G2QydrVYpCfx-2r5ole_SWhAMLNCIuVjlapeg1tSPA7K-9XJBdoeWFywj-WxP2_g8DAwmXC0J9knrl8j5NMZG8gyK-TTUfcnTYmdGnuM3HWF_eVj6Hz_MQBACHR8yj_k6ctZhk/s320/MX-1027-EB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...this big udder hanging down between the two columns.  It looked REALLY silly.  Sometimes you just can't plan these things.  So I went back to the drawing board to find a light that was a short pendant.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's fairly easy to research details for a historical house; there are plenty of real-life examples and/or books to look at.  But deciding on a light fixture for a house that was built before electricity was invented is a more difficult task for me.  There seems to be a big gap in styles between what I perceived as Colonial (think Paul Revere) and later styles such as Victorian and Art Nouveau.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijerU66ilFQZ1IiOkIixrPOe2TqZletRalHiBVQ0McXS0NmQ9TdWjFJp7cFW5c6LZd3w3675Ny-psfocmCymUGy_gRYlgV5O9sYhqAtvMCg5J5gFRV38peBhHQOWd46E7Yxw_4edj-T_A/s1600/IMG_3559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijerU66ilFQZ1IiOkIixrPOe2TqZletRalHiBVQ0McXS0NmQ9TdWjFJp7cFW5c6LZd3w3675Ny-psfocmCymUGy_gRYlgV5O9sYhqAtvMCg5J5gFRV38peBhHQOWd46E7Yxw_4edj-T_A/s320/IMG_3559.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After my visit to Marblehead where I saw a lot of these onion lanterns, I did a little research on them and found they were used on whaling ships and as a work light into the 1800s.  The round glass helped shed water and protect the flame from blowing out while the cage protected the glass from breaking.  If you've ever been Cape Cod, you probably saw them everywhere.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_0NIYlIr40OGR-eQ2-v0NFBap8NuuUWKgm8_gfZEmDO7CotzBQJegn0d0GoThFe3r8M2JPiBlZlR_Mpl3Xb0GyhN7dGwsTG7KEiRjpX_X5DdVB8MfLv7sPTeptaAzRzhYpLsBx7KCFQ/s1600/TL-F-1877-BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_0NIYlIr40OGR-eQ2-v0NFBap8NuuUWKgm8_gfZEmDO7CotzBQJegn0d0GoThFe3r8M2JPiBlZlR_Mpl3Xb0GyhN7dGwsTG7KEiRjpX_X5DdVB8MfLv7sPTeptaAzRzhYpLsBx7KCFQ/s1600/TL-F-1877-BB.jpg" /></a></div><br />So I traded in one of my $24 lights for this onion lantern pendant. I hope it works out better than the udder light.  I do think this round light works better against all the straight lines of the house but I also think this choice is a little bit of a copout.  You see these lights quite a bit but you'll see in a minute why I chose it.</div></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFRNWdTq1BRhaoSQXzbl0VcaARJvkeSehxjbkixsSQImuOmSkiI9RiUc_5FoeiP_XdQNyMzwPJv6ipInSlyZNJkBbM9fxpyomA93lOmp-5JZT4xRTiM42oeDE-pw-bIv0MigKNz8cNAc/s1600/90678.112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFRNWdTq1BRhaoSQXzbl0VcaARJvkeSehxjbkixsSQImuOmSkiI9RiUc_5FoeiP_XdQNyMzwPJv6ipInSlyZNJkBbM9fxpyomA93lOmp-5JZT4xRTiM42oeDE-pw-bIv0MigKNz8cNAc/s200/90678.112.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These Baldwin house numbers sell for about $10 at Home Depot but I've been looking for something really unique.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmUbGLQMTIp5TgZeDr8aKcAj8x2qFMJpP212s5SyYepvtnuqkIejUyzDSnuPW0DPSLK8jM4oTX6Tz0cKIVRQmmUXeRPTBJsq4DjON2Xp16Hsm9CeNwGOgFtyRBe_vo1vx6CjQ5C728Es/s1600/il_430xN.150935954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmUbGLQMTIp5TgZeDr8aKcAj8x2qFMJpP212s5SyYepvtnuqkIejUyzDSnuPW0DPSLK8jM4oTX6Tz0cKIVRQmmUXeRPTBJsq4DjON2Xp16Hsm9CeNwGOgFtyRBe_vo1vx6CjQ5C728Es/s320/il_430xN.150935954.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've been looking for something vintage like this French <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49288466/quatre-vingt-seize-96-vintage-french?ref=sr_list_4&ga_search_query=vintage+french+house+number&ga_search_type=vintage&ga_page=&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title">enameled house number</a> found on Etsy...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyjIorIYAoJpH2TFF_QgcrHUlMfWp8QJ6TWU6Tu7JcXEBhDtu-kIPc7HayncxW2RoAL5_f1vmHaMS1e5LSGIZgId2WInR4ycIoseI-eIAbK7kvYiQ__y37YWd2JWy8EY2PezWHt8yJMY/s1600/il_430xN.159581211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyjIorIYAoJpH2TFF_QgcrHUlMfWp8QJ6TWU6Tu7JcXEBhDtu-kIPc7HayncxW2RoAL5_f1vmHaMS1e5LSGIZgId2WInR4ycIoseI-eIAbK7kvYiQ__y37YWd2JWy8EY2PezWHt8yJMY/s320/il_430xN.159581211.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and they run about $20 to $30 each, but I haven't been able to find my house number and I wasn't sure I wanted to add blue to four paint colors I'll have right at the front door.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But on my search, I just happened to come across this company in Denmark called <a href="http://www.ramsign.com/products_category.asp?vg=500">Ram Sign</a>...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_yprN-5ZsIt6z36DhKUQvofUuzs96N7uqefTTeF43c_1LcOc6nF1pzX5BFrvYhMJJ7owM7XH1s6748yjabWfZpNGuESV6aneUNzCJo8J2e5cPkFIYGu7Vvx3of2a6xeCSkmP0Z5dxZ4/s1600/m12,5sif2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_yprN-5ZsIt6z36DhKUQvofUuzs96N7uqefTTeF43c_1LcOc6nF1pzX5BFrvYhMJJ7owM7XH1s6748yjabWfZpNGuESV6aneUNzCJo8J2e5cPkFIYGu7Vvx3of2a6xeCSkmP0Z5dxZ4/s200/m12,5sif2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...where I found these enameled house number in black.  They're made custom in four days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was a splurge compared to the Baldwin or vintage French house numbers at $69 (shipping is free) but I'm still within the money I saved not getting the crystal doorknob.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the thing I love the most about the onion lantern and the house number is...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AUdbdtv_NmjRfGxHpGqNZDOrNOi8_xuTKktIIRj6ItptpTBIE-w1SE0cYrJ6D1qf53C7y64X94SsVvzcE9gAm4OEdO8TIDQ6w-Liv6RcrpbkOdfVNJctaIxKtRQEZdqk6sU6DLJsgDs/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AUdbdtv_NmjRfGxHpGqNZDOrNOi8_xuTKktIIRj6ItptpTBIE-w1SE0cYrJ6D1qf53C7y64X94SsVvzcE9gAm4OEdO8TIDQ6w-Liv6RcrpbkOdfVNJctaIxKtRQEZdqk6sU6DLJsgDs/s320/Picture+1.png" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...how well they work together.  The clear glass with the black ring of black metal is almost the reverse of the black circle with a white ring around the edge of it.  I think they look great together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*** House Preview ***</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The weather cooperated a little bit this week and the house is just about all primed.  All of the raw wood, white primer and old brown trim have been reduced to just a few colors.  The problem is none of the colors seem to be the right colors.  I'm a little scared.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwcxjEYi-O7MoO4DV-9tA6QaUyB6iww3bbXlYbKKllNjERevsCqLg7N9qWHRTmFpJoi-UbFBJCk-KR5zX7qoxsxq7mWtZFZexUD07KnD6wzqZuu3IwOe4O2PdfkGyvmxui33kbMNvyXY/s1600/IMG_3855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwcxjEYi-O7MoO4DV-9tA6QaUyB6iww3bbXlYbKKllNjERevsCqLg7N9qWHRTmFpJoi-UbFBJCk-KR5zX7qoxsxq7mWtZFZexUD07KnD6wzqZuu3IwOe4O2PdfkGyvmxui33kbMNvyXY/s400/IMG_3855.jpg" width="127" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The primer on the front is very brown and the paint on the shingled side of the house is a blueish gray.  I took out my original sample cans of paint and none of them are the same.  The primer on the front is closest to what I chose, but the final paint color should be darker and grayer.  I have a call in to them to make sure there's no confusion.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngog_ZZVpfXA22k1ozImcDgqLAXIHdyK4fmle2_L2brWw2bldWvTfh6sXp0Lmguh1RAu8794mEOEwTXUO2pDKyqJvgj6tzP2kHg1jPKiK2ZvRUiIPWg-KBv9eR5LSmtmqaECUlA4Ltd8/s1600/IMG_3858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngog_ZZVpfXA22k1ozImcDgqLAXIHdyK4fmle2_L2brWw2bldWvTfh6sXp0Lmguh1RAu8794mEOEwTXUO2pDKyqJvgj6tzP2kHg1jPKiK2ZvRUiIPWg-KBv9eR5LSmtmqaECUlA4Ltd8/s400/IMG_3858.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a closeup of the tongue-and-groove siding so you can get a better idea of what it looks like.  It was hard to see in the photos when it was unprimed cedar. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPmNJykY8jRuddiacipUmF9yPxjX3VgsF8-dC3jMOQnCm3otUxhxsD-hr11IUMWivNQHIsSFAqtJyrPlBjtD01lUqCdqIuyRhJUF4PZEHOMCAavUMdFLbUQB50qmVPl26iaYlhbSHuPU/s1600/IMG_3859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPmNJykY8jRuddiacipUmF9yPxjX3VgsF8-dC3jMOQnCm3otUxhxsD-hr11IUMWivNQHIsSFAqtJyrPlBjtD01lUqCdqIuyRhJUF4PZEHOMCAavUMdFLbUQB50qmVPl26iaYlhbSHuPU/s400/IMG_3859.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here it is up on the attic pediment all primed and ready for paint.    I'm really pleased with how it turned out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hopefully the weather will continue to cooperate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Concessions, Splurges and a Preview

Doing a renovation requires a lot of decisions that involve money.  Sometimes there's a fine balance between what you want and how much ...

Read more »

At Last!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsbN7Z7eNT4ROb1zdBhU8Jh2VhQMsbwNAzk8Q1Om7JhHDRzMvLGOSeTfT08dWgV0WEtk59rYOx4K4zeVTXGIYjzqtVyRb9T9XvdwugKh6T71RZbhIf2Zz-JWdWI1w8wlM2DwBzPBSwMA/s1600/IMG_3827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsbN7Z7eNT4ROb1zdBhU8Jh2VhQMsbwNAzk8Q1Om7JhHDRzMvLGOSeTfT08dWgV0WEtk59rYOx4K4zeVTXGIYjzqtVyRb9T9XvdwugKh6T71RZbhIf2Zz-JWdWI1w8wlM2DwBzPBSwMA/s320/IMG_3827.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even from the earliest stages of the exterior and front porch project, I've wanted to see the columns in place.  They're an icon that set the tone for the whole exterior.  My long-awaited vision was realized as I rounded the corner on my walk home from work last night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The columns are installed!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNRa9RxiUMew6Z5DRr-I0YOCKKUteRxoJZyqMcU3JTREtfXIjgIMXHK4eiHd-M3n00pgxTpDjG7zV7i4JxNf1k8RRrpD7K7t8yHlp6j8plCZ-GuYFyarLqg5SUVU-lWzmY2xvxsXhed4/s1600/IMG_3819_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNRa9RxiUMew6Z5DRr-I0YOCKKUteRxoJZyqMcU3JTREtfXIjgIMXHK4eiHd-M3n00pgxTpDjG7zV7i4JxNf1k8RRrpD7K7t8yHlp6j8plCZ-GuYFyarLqg5SUVU-lWzmY2xvxsXhed4/s400/IMG_3819_3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Despite all the colors and different materials, it finally looks like the house I dreamed of when I first saw it.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzADHn2E9vPU1f6xA8rRd28CoWl8F0sZrVlKymfsAxHxb0v0WBbbOluOgxApRh0oYT7efCzKJJbY4s_48bND2XN-n2S7RkAae6rZlkK57fi-Vfieekw0JcN_WvvMKvqXWK0sq4Kgt-OYQ/s1600/IMG_3820_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzADHn2E9vPU1f6xA8rRd28CoWl8F0sZrVlKymfsAxHxb0v0WBbbOluOgxApRh0oYT7efCzKJJbY4s_48bND2XN-n2S7RkAae6rZlkK57fi-Vfieekw0JcN_WvvMKvqXWK0sq4Kgt-OYQ/s400/IMG_3820_3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think it's been difficult for neighbors to understand where I was going too.  Several of them were out on the street watching as the last column went in. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSFbI_ge2MCHxZs57m0WAVY7lvaOy6N2CVZvtPL1A92LaWfSwHV1_Pm6KzBCuvuztSKc41vxBKdcvtSLrFyq4uRi3jantssldn-xZ1_dT49MT7NCmzaPu9nVNq9QcegNOnttp69X917I/s1600/IMG_3829_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSFbI_ge2MCHxZs57m0WAVY7lvaOy6N2CVZvtPL1A92LaWfSwHV1_Pm6KzBCuvuztSKc41vxBKdcvtSLrFyq4uRi3jantssldn-xZ1_dT49MT7NCmzaPu9nVNq9QcegNOnttp69X917I/s640/IMG_3829_3.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The house is suddenly getting a lot of attention.  Cars are stopping as they drive by.  Neighbors are standing outside looking....taking pictures...asking questions about how I chose the details.  I'm pleased that people are interested.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even more unbelievable (and amusing) I just met a neighbor who lives four houses away across the street who after 31 years on the street says she "noticed" my house for the first time.  She never realized what beautiful windows I had.   I didn't let on.   Hahaha!!!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGR2Uyvmz481Ka3OxSrgLY00R4xZg3XAmwvY52LG4xsjSJsxJcEUwi_pF6Ld7U6RgTNQKGjk6g5ODwVU5vYsYlVm69FDcQ-ghnpKwuVoQSJvpnAFNLlbZeMSROdwEezqA_3GvC2kCq_o/s1600/IMG_3830_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGR2Uyvmz481Ka3OxSrgLY00R4xZg3XAmwvY52LG4xsjSJsxJcEUwi_pF6Ld7U6RgTNQKGjk6g5ODwVU5vYsYlVm69FDcQ-ghnpKwuVoQSJvpnAFNLlbZeMSROdwEezqA_3GvC2kCq_o/s400/IMG_3830_3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The painters are supposed to arrive on Monday.  This may be your last view until the final reveal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy weekend.  Happy Thanksgiving to the Canadians!  Happy Columbus Day to the Americans.    Happy Spring to the Southern Hemisphere.</div>

At Last!

Even from the earliest stages of the exterior and front porch project, I've wanted to see the columns in place.  They're an icon tha...

Read more »

Recipes | Cupcakes | Chocolate & Salted Caramel Cupcakes

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlFj5v_YVp2rynt3uVWQQ7RosuQVR3QtIkMRYT8m2lmY4eQarI50aKwC4VpELA9wQGTgG_OYd8vxCascLERdg2vP39-GQ3vcL5WpAcVTaS9RICC8umqzoh2eAWH4dz52gp19rHTLVtPs/s1600/IMG_1354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlFj5v_YVp2rynt3uVWQQ7RosuQVR3QtIkMRYT8m2lmY4eQarI50aKwC4VpELA9wQGTgG_OYd8vxCascLERdg2vP39-GQ3vcL5WpAcVTaS9RICC8umqzoh2eAWH4dz52gp19rHTLVtPs/s640/IMG_1354.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />These cupcakes are sooo decadent and sooo simple.  Yes, simple.  I created these from a basic chocolate cupcake and chocolate buttercream recipe, then topped it with store-bought caramel topping and flaked sea salt. <br /><br />Ingredients :<br />1 box of chocolate cake mix, prepared as box directs<br />18 white jumbo cupcake paper liners<br />4 sticks of butter<br />6 cups of powdered sugar<br />1 cup of chocolate chips<br />1/2 cup of heavy cream<br />1 jar of caramel topping<br />1 tablespoon of sea salt<br /><br /><i>New! <a href="http://mad.ly/signups/118273/join"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8;">Printable Recipes</span>, here.</a></i><br /><br />How to :<br /><br />1 - Bake Chocolate Cupcakes in Jumbo or Extra Large White Cupcake Liners.  You can use a boxed cake mix to make it extra easy.   One box makes 18 large cupcakes.<br /><br />2 - Chocolate Buttercream<br /><br />4 sticks of soften butter<br />6 cups of powdered sugar<br />1 cup of chocolate chips<br />1/2 cup of heavy cream<br /><br />Place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and pour over heavy cream.  Microwave for 1 minute, then stir.  Repeat until the chocolate ganache (yes, that is ganache!) is smooth.  Be careful not to over heat.  Refrigerate for 15 minutes until cool.<br /><br />In your kitchen aid fitted with a paddle attachment, whip butter and 4 cups sugar for 3 minutes until fluffy and smooth.  Pour in chocolate ganache and 2 more cups of powdered sugar.  Whip until smooth.  Add more powdered sugar, if necessary to create the thickness. <br /><br />Put the buttercream in a pastry bag (or ziploc bag) and cut 1 inch opening at the bottom of the bag.  Pipe in a swirl on top of the cupcake - be very generous with frosting.<br /><br />3 - Caramel Topping<br /><br />Heat the jar of caramel (I used an ice cream caramel topping) for about 20 seconds just until pourable.  Drizzle over each cupcake.<br /><br />4 - Sea Salt<br /><br />Sprinkle over each cupcake.

Recipes | Cupcakes | Chocolate & Salted Caramel Cupcakes

These cupcakes are sooo decadent and sooo simple.  Yes, simple.  I created these from a basic chocolate cupcake and chocolate buttercream re...

Read more »