gardenjunkpickergirls

We are Moving!

2013-03-25T22:16:00.001-05:00

So sad....the picker blog as we know it is closing down..... one last hoorah.
Not finished of course, but taking on a new identity.

Spring break 2013. Some spring. Although we headed south, we encountered cold and snow rivaling a January in Chicago.
It took us a while to get through Iowa. We took some cool pictures of old barns, (aka... trespassing) and of course did some picking. Kansas is cold and snowy. Mo and I just returned from from dinner and I was feeling nostalgic. I asked her if she remembered one of our first road trip more than 20 years ago.
"Don't you remember we got so drunk at the Hanger Nine in Carbondale, and almost didn't make it home "? No recollection on her part, as it must have been one of many times we put ourselves in that predicament.

Flash forward.... Mo worked at the plant today, and I wrote some grad school papers. How old and boring we are. WAIT!!!!! It gets worse! While she was working, I cut up veggies for the cooler, washed a bunch of stuff that COULD have been thrown away, and wrapped our food in the plastic that was on the coffee cups. Yes, I am a saver, what can I say? This is not our last post - just our last post on the picker blog - please follow us on: http://www.gardeningnotlandscaping.com/ this site will combine gardening and picking as well as the adventures of the Alma! You can also find us on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/lauraleelaursen/ and http://pinterest.com/gardenjunkpick/ oh and there is some good tweets on https://twitter.com/junkpickergirls - our trip is only half over and we have not even told you about the transcendental meditation university we experienced - so please make the switch with us and stay tuned, we have too many little bags of left overs for this road trip to be over!

Picking takes a new turn

2013-03-05T19:33:00.003-06:00

This is the story of some lucky chickens and a few benefits for the humans as well!

I have been picking since I was kid when my mom would have me jump out of the station wagon on the way to school on garbage day when she saw rusty gold. But this weekend while on vacation in California, I went dumpster diving of a new kind. My friend started dumpster diving to feed her chickens, but she quickly learned that human consumables can be found as well.

When you get food for free, you can be choosy - so these items go to the chickens.

The good stuff goes to the family- tonight - stir fry!

This goes directly into the compost.

Even more Chicken food. How do you spend your vacation?

Alma Ideas & Urban Farming

2013-02-03T14:10:00.002-06:00

Laura Here: So here are a few updates on the Alma. Things have been on hold for a while, partially due to cold weather, and our lives being extra busy. For now she is "wintering" peacefully near the center of the universe, Monee, Illinois on a friends farm. However, we are always on the lookout for ways to make her more beautiful and travel worthy. First find: Something I found on the Internet called "Kooler-Air". The idea is that you fill a cooler with frozen liter bottles, place the fan apparatus on top, and ta-da!!! air conditioned comfort. Obviously, I was desperate, as you might imagine, she heats up like a tin can in the summer, and its quite uncomfortable. Despite all the rave reviews in the Internet, it turned out to be useless. Still working on A/C....

My next good find may actually pan out. While browsing the newly opened, and very quaint, Geneva Illinois Ace Hardware, I came across this paint. It is definitely more affordable than the other options we have seen. We would still need to figure out an application method, but this is do-able!!! If the winter continues to be mild, we may be able to transform the ugly brown Alma by early spring!!

MO here: A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to go to Southern California for work and added a few days to visit a friend. She is an home-schooling urban farmer in Costa Mesa, CA. She has 1/4 of the land I have and does a lot with it. A few books she had checked out from the library are some must reads. The Quarter Acre Farmer, The Essential Urban Farmer, Made From Scratch and Holy Cows & Hog Heaven

One job I got was slopping the chickens.

The chicken coop has grown since the last time I visited.

Only one egg that morning.

From inside the coop . . . I am ready to raise chickens and even have the area picked out in my yard. My husband is not convinced the work is worth the eggs and our dog may go crazy and bother the neighbors. I have a few months to convince him. I was thinking maybe bees would be a better option, I could do the bees in Michigan as they need less work and have a better area there for them. I also want to start making my own soda and beef jerky.

Between the chicken slop and composting - they have very little trash- this is a great incentive to do both!

Wedding in a Barn

2012-10-20T08:59:00.001-05:00

A threat of rain, moved an October 19th outdoor wedding into a local barn. When you pulled up to the site is was absolutely spectacular.

I could not imagine it any prettier. The rain held off to create a picture perfect setting.

The trees in the background were the backdrop to the wedding party photos after the ceremony.

Each attendee received a program, song card and an old fashion flag to wave after the ceremony.

Simple details added to the charm of the day.

The barn inside and out had small details everywhere.

Each bridesmaids dress was slightly different with lovely flowers.

This is the "save the date" card. From the very beginning of the planning, this wedding was all about simple personal details.

The music was provided by a small band including guitars and fiddles, Songs you knew but with a country feel.

After the service, attendees were invited to stay to have an old fashion soda, and a carmel apple while the wedding party got their photos taken outside.

The old dresser served as an alter and the flags, strung through the rafters added charm.

The "alter" held the items "something old (the bible) something new (the rings in the box) something borrowed (the pearls) and something blue (the dresser)". The service was performed by a minister and the scripture readings and songs were so moving, with a great message for all couples to live by.

Watch Storage Wars tonight

2012-10-17T08:06:00.001-05:00

This summer, While in Austin with our daughter, we ran into the filming of Storage Wars Texas. Scott and I both were on camera and might be on the show tonight. It is on at 8:30pm Central time on A&E. If you are not familiar with the show- this is me with "MO", one of the pickers.

We paid for 2 Pinata's, but only brought one back to the restaurant where our daughter was holding our table. After texting all of her friend how weird her parents are, we gave Cinderella to a little girl, who was going to use it at her birthday the following week.

Later that night, without our Pinata, Linnea was not excited about carrying it around all night.

2 Auctions in 2 States

2012-10-01T20:48:00.000-05:00

On Labor Day we went to one of our favorite annual auctions in Michigan- with at least 3 rings going on at any one time - but sometimes it gets a little overwhelming and we ended up only bidding on a few things.

This past weekend we were in Wisconsin visiting my parents, of course we needed to find an auction, my mom, the world biggest picker rarely goes to auctions, so she was excited to go. The Auctin was in the small town of St. Nazianz - we passed an old seminary that had a sign advertising a thrift store, so we had to stop. it was a cool old place, but in major disrepair.
I found this video on its history that I found interesting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb0SGJF-puM

This find was $10 that included a chair- I sold the chair for $3 on the spot- so I think I made a great deal- but it almost did not make it home. My husband took the door off and anything else he could to lighten the load and it still weighed about 200lb. There was no chance the 2 of us could lift it onto the truck, so he wanted to leave it- it also came with hand wrought fireplace tools, so that was worth the cost. Fortunately, we found 3 strong young guys to help him lift it on the truck. The entire way home he threatened that he was just going to push it off the back of the truck at the end of the driveway and let the scrap metal dealers take it. Well, when we get home he said he would try to drop it in the wheel barrow and go no more then 20 feet. So it is now under the tree right by the driveway- actually a nice spot for it!

The auction had so many things, that it was 2 days long.

Normally the auctions we go to, people do not bring lawn chairs so we had to stand.

The rocks went for $40! I really wanted then - but with no way to get them from Wisconsin to Michigan, I was out of luck.

I thought this might be a nice design for the future.

Our friend Michele gave this to Laura - too cute- just had to have something about trailers!

Travelers with a purpose

2012-09-09T19:09:00.002-05:00

With school starting, and both of our jobs revolving around the school schedule, the picking and blogging has taken a back seat, but I could not help but share what 2 young women are doing with their "gap" year. Travel with a purpose, I think we can all take a lesson from their spirit. Follow their adventures and those of people all over the world. giveyourgap.org -
Check out the video to right - (for some reason it would not embed in the post)

I am not sure I have the energy for couch surfing - but if you are young enough, your adventures do not have to cost a lot of money - check out couch surfing - couchsurfing.org

Northwoods - but no picking

2012-08-10T11:40:00.000-05:00

Last week was a short trip for Scott and I. We took the "mini" car so no picking happened, although we did have time to take pictures.

Unlike the typical vacation, we stayed in the back of your friends bar. Midway Bar. So this was not exactly relaxing, but a lot of fun.

The barn across the street has seen better days, but in the northwoods, you use everything, if you ever want to learn how to be good to the environment and save resources, live like the people who live far from big cities. They do not buy things they do not need and the find more then one purpose for everything. You use a fan instead of air-conditioning and heat your home and water with wood. It was much like how I saw people living in Estonia when I visited last year. It is amazing how backward so many of us live and think we are being responsible just because we recycle a few things.

We did not see any wolves or bears, but my husband did see a about 20 wild turkeys in the parking lot of the bar one morning, I was woken up by Shane scaring them away!

One evening we took a drive looking for a spot to take pictures of the sunset over the water, we found some abandon log cabins.

The hardest thing about vacationing in the back of a bar, is that you are vacationing in the back of a bar of someone who has the need to have more bourbons then "The Kentucky Bourbon Trail" (13 total)! At least we did not need to have to worry about a designated driver.

Laura in Savannah

2012-08-03T10:44:00.002-05:00

I was lucky enough to spend a few days in Savannah, GA, with great friend (and former roommate of both Mo and I) Michele. I would love to say I had a chance to do some picking, but time was limited. We instead had to focus on good food and wine. I got to munch on some regional favorites such as southern biscuits, fried green tomatoes, and plenty of fresh seafood.

We spent one night in St, Simons Island at a B&B called The Village Inn and Pub. It was very quaint. We swam, hit the stores, swam, ate crab, swam...get it? It's really hot down there, and the best place to be is in the water!!

Back in Savannah, we hit Back in the Day Bakery. I nicknamed the all butter all day bakery. (watch their video below and check out their nook online) . . . Delicious. Other than that we just really enjoyed visiting. Michele lives in a beautiful old house in the historic district of Savannah...with (list including, but not limited to..) four wiener dogs, several fish, a lizard, a snake and a big old tortoise that lives in an enclosure in her back yard. Oh, and her lovely husband. Her back yard is beautiful. It is full of older canopies and antique architecture bits. Is is definitely a different environment and the plants go wild!! Next time I go, I would like to drive, perhaps with Mo, and really explore the south on way down to Savannah.

The Alma makes it to its 4th state

2012-07-30T16:10:00.002-05:00

Well summer wasn't going to be complete until Mo and I had a road trip. This was our first trip without her hubby along to trouble shoot. I did take my 16 year old son Jack, who is pretty handy. The destination, Davenport Iowa and the West Lake Campground. We managed to get a pull through site, thus eliminating having to back up the Alma (still a challenge). It was a beautiful site and all was well until we discovered that we couldn't get the hitch off....One of our campground hosts who was all of five feet zero, came over, bounced on the truck and got it loose. Problem solved!!

Jack ended up being a trooper..shopping and all.

After setting up camp, we headed over to LeClaire Iowa to see the actual American Pickers store, Antique Archeology. These guys are our inspiration, though we "pick" much different items. Alas, Mike and Frank were not around, but we did see Danielle who has a shop of her own next door. Her stuff was way more our style, very fun and girly-ish.

Danielle's store "4 Miles 2 Memphis", named after her two sons.

The photos are deceiving- a block from the Mississippi and in town.

After shopping, we headed to the country music festival Heartland Jam, where Mo's daughter was working. We heard some great music from Justin Moore and Jack was very pleased with the performances. That made it all worthwhile....nothing like a sulky teenager.

On our way home we stopped in Rock Falls, IL to see my Aunt Ruth, Uncle Art and cousin Craig. They got a chance to check out the Alma and did an outstanding job of pretending to be impressed...just kidding. They really got a kick out of it.

A one night road trip does not nearly satisfy me, so we already planning our next excellent adventure!!

Washing the Alma

2012-07-18T19:55:00.002-05:00

Well Alma needed a bath before the paint job, so that is what Johnny and I did this morning.

I used a medium bristle brush and some dirtex. After scrubbing we power rinsed it.

We came away with 5 large buckets of dirty water.

The end result? She pretty much looks the same as before. Oh well... I am confident that when we paint, it will adhere better because she is much cleaner!! We are planning our 2nd trip this weekend to Davenport Iowa, Stopping by Antique Archeology "First hand view of the American Pickers Store". Can't wait- this time no Scott so we are hoping for a pull through site or we may be in trouble!

Road Trip Through Indiana

2012-07-13T16:29:00.000-05:00

My job takes me to some interesting places, this week I got to sleep in a train car at Union Station in Indianapolis. It was a short trip and I was carpooling with 2 co-workers who had never been to an auction, so I found an auction in Valparaiso on the way home.

Well I could not get them to bid on anything, so we did not stay that long- I do not think they could get past bidding on stuff you don't really need. Like these candle sticks were missing 1/2 their crystals so I will have to find some to mix in. Do I need them...

Can't ever pass up pottery.

These platters reminded me of my grandmother.

While I was gone, Laura was washing the Alma, reveling more of the original blue paint - our goal is to paint the outside next week... can't wait!

The Maiden Voyage of the Alma

2012-06-26T20:33:00.000-05:00

The trip began at this drive through in Indiana- don't really need to post the name, although friendly, not really a must visit type of place- but it had a place to park the trailer was cheap, and fit with the theme of the adventure.

Laura supplied the "Sparkling Wine" to christen the Alma the cork popped and we celebrated.

The weather was perfect and we all relaxed!

This is the fancy camp site about 4 coolers- beer, wine, bourbon, salmon and chicken on the grill. Scott thought he would sit back and be served . . . it did not really work out that way- but he had fun anyway.

From the minute we opened the door of the trailer we were learning about trailer camping, first thing the clock fell off the wall and the glass broke- my mistake, next we forgot the outside extension cord - my mistake again, that is when we started to make a list for next time- the purpose for this trip was to learn and we were learning.

After camp was set up it was time to play . . . and we taught Laura Kubb - Swedish Chess. If you want to learn more about this game check the link- since we were on the way to the bathroom we got a lot of comments.

Laura started to master the game.

Laura surprised us with a portable shower, yes we were 50 feet from the bathrooms, but hey we have it so why not shower at your own camp site.

Since we did not have water hook up, the shower came in handy, not only did Laura shower in it- we used it to rinse off dishes and our hands- solar heated - a great find.

So did I mention we were at Tippecanoe State River Park? We were the oldest camper at the campground so we got some looks. I can not wait to get the outside painted- then we will really get the looks!

On the way home Laura and I did the driving, Laura on the back roads and I did the highway driving. The trailer is now in Laura's driveway and it only took her 30 minutes to back it in - pretty good since when I tried to back it in our driveway it took 45 minutes and I never did succeed! It looks like Laura and I need to keep Scott around for a while- he is pretty handy!

Road trip without the Alma

2012-06-21T15:22:00.000-05:00

Scott and I took a road trip to Austin Texas a week before the maiden voyage of the real Alma. But if in Austin,go to El Alma- great drinks and food!

A great vintage find Roadhouse Relics, Todd Sanders makes some incredible neon signs.

They had a back area with lots of cool old signs and statues.

I found all the vintage trailers . . . they are all in Austin! Most are food carts but they are everywhere.

Todd Sanders at work.

This Crown was made for "The Junk Gypsies"

If you go Austin and want to find the junk and vintage shops, pick up flier called "Vintage Around Town Guide"

More vintage cars.

The MO's meet! In an effort to embarrass our daughter we had to stop by a filming of Storage Wars Texas across the street from where we were eating dinner. Evidently Moe and Vince got stuck with a truckload of pinata's. So we had to buy one and sit it in a chair for our entire dinner. After dinner we gave it to a little girl who is going to use it at her birthday next week. We wanted to carry it around the 6th street bars all night but our daughter said she would leave us.

More cool food trucks.

Not just vintage cars in Austin, Have you ever used a Car2GO?

Sweatshop central was in action this weekend in Michigan

2012-06-05T16:50:00.001-05:00

The goal . . . our version of Glamping (Glamor Camping), and all this was achieved without even leaving the driveway. Two nights in the trailer, but since we do not even know how to drive it an Scott was on a motorcycle trip we camped at home.

The curtains are up so at least the second night we had a little privacy

Sweatshop central was in action this weekend in Michigan. Although we did make some time to pick and explore. The Alma is apparently made of cement...Who knew??? While trying to hang (tiny) nails and hardware, we had to pound like we were tearing down the Berlin wall. At least we know she is solid. Also, Mo does not believe in using a drill, (actually she never asked to use a drill - it was sitting in the garage) so all was done by hand.

My contributions were practical...plastic plates and garbage bags, etc...
We slept in there both nights and it was extremely comfortable.

We also did assembly line sewing. Mo also did not have a seam ripper, but does now thanks to the lovely neighbor, Tina. Our thrifty fabric and bedspreads made for fabulous curtains. Mo had some adorable dishes and decorative items.The vintage barbeque set was found at Goodwill for a few bucks and never used - could not pass it up.

Bailey seems to be at home in the Alma - watching the moon and never jumped out.

The trailer is filled with little touches, vintage pot holder and apron.

The curtain pull backs were painted by Laura.

This original mini oil painting was found at an auction.

A few of the GLAM items - an antique cutting board and sterling silver tea caddy.

The toaster was a gift from a work friend of Laura - fits perfect- matches the original paper light shade. We did find we need very low wattage bulbs so not to burn the wood paneling.

Paper towel holder - painted, oiled and up.

Yes, we did work late into the night but we had music and drinks so all was good.

The clock an auction find last weekend.

Cups were mine and cup holder was found at Gaga's Antiques in Riverside MI

On another note, we did not start working until later on Saturday because we were busy treasure hunting. We both had some good finds....Mo took the prize though. She had so much stuff I had to sit in the back of the car with the dog on my lap on the way home!! We also checked out a campground, KOA in Coloma, to see the different amenities.

Gaga's store was unique, but I loved the building- the facade was added from old columns that were to have been added to "Mary's Fire proof Hotel" in Benton Harbor- the building was never completely finished as designed so these pillars were in a field along the road. I love that hotel!

Sunday was the final touches and photo time. As evidenced by the pics, all our (opps..and Swede's) hard work was worth it. Now we have all summer to go on adventures and fill up the Alma with our Picks!!!

Its time to place your final vote

2012-05-31T23:37:00.000-05:00

The finishing touches are finally coming into place- Scott and I found some inexpensive mattresses at an old standby Bargain Tyme in Benton Harbor. Just happened to have in stock a 3/4 mattress and a very inexpensive twin so we are set.

My mother in law made all the cool pillow cases- from some fabric we had and the bedspreads were taken off some beds in the house.

It is time to place your final vote to name the trailer - log on and vote to the right- we are cutting the voting off this weekend. We have new narrowed down options, so it is time to cast your final vote.

Laura and I are going up without Scott this weekend to put the girly touches on the trailer- he is off on his own road trip on his motorcycle- can't do much junking on the bike- but I am sure he will have fun,

Scott has been the traveler lately- last week is was in Atlanta- landed just in time to go to an Auction at Gallery 63, one of our favorite shows on tv- the people are so real. He said there was plenty of great deals but since he was flying- he could not get anything- but worth the trip!

Don't forget to vote- next weekend the trailer will hopefully hit the road!

We have water and electric!

2012-05-24T19:43:00.000-05:00

We have water! Bought the correct type of hose - always something more to buy!

Scott had to replace the outside electrical plug he is really very amazing.

The old plug, the new one is bigger so he had to make the hole bigger- We really are close to getting on the road!

Finishing touches on the Alma

2012-05-17T11:35:00.000-05:00

Mothers Day weekend was a pickers dream- since "my mother" is one of the original pickers, we started the weekend on Friday hitting some favorite spots in Michigan. Shawnee Road Antiques is a fun spot to get dirty digging in barns.

Since my last visit they had added an Outhouse.

This is in the outhouse!

I bought 2 of 8 snack sets that will match our trailer perfectly - they were a little pricy so I just got the 2, maybe I will check back later and get more- not a smoker but love the cigarette holder on the edge:)

Spring loaded top on salt and pepper shakers.

This stirling tea caddy was in great shape and did not cost much - adding a little glam to the Alma.

Cleaned up some of the items in the Alma - the original fly swatter

One paper light shade was in the trailed just need to fine one more. I started to pack 2 boxes of items for the trailers - Scott now thinks he bought a full size doll house for Laura and I to decorate - well kinda...

Opportunity to give

2012-05-10T07:26:00.003-05:00

Today May 10th the World Lupus foundation is asking to us to ask 10 people to donate $10.

Text to Give. On May 10, tell 10 people about lupus and ask them to text LUPUS to 80888* to give $10 to the LFA. Click here to learn more and for sample messages you can share!

*A one-time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your pre-paid balance. Message and data rates may apply. All charges are billed and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. By participating you certify that you agree to the terms and conditions and you are 18 years or older or have parental permission. All purchases must be authorized by the account holder. Donations are collected for the benefit of the Lupus Foundation of America by the Innovated Giving Foundation and subject to the terms found at igfn.org/t. Privacy Policy:igfn.org/p . Text STOP to 80888 to stop. Text HELP to 80888 for help.

To learn more about Lupus Awareness Month, please visit www.lupus.org/awareness

Not much left to do in the Alma!

2012-05-06T21:01:00.000-05:00

Scotts an amazing carpenter skills! We have a table and benches with storage!

The table lowers to create a bed. We needed to angle the corners of the table so we could get our butts past the corner of the counter on the left side. Now we just need to make a mattress and cushions for the benches.

The back bed fits a twin mattress - but will be a little narrow - we could order a custom sized mattress, but the money is running low.

Now the sewing begins, curtains, pillows, fabric is picked out. There are still a few cosmetic things to do- but the major work is done- look out we will be hitting the road by the end of the month. We still need a name and an outside paint job- the maiden voyage may come first!

We have Fire!

2012-05-03T19:28:00.001-05:00

When Laura was up for Easter to Michigan she picked up a new propane tank- and last weekend we got to see if we could blow up the Alma.

The stove, oven and the light we have named "the decapitator" all use propane.

I was hoping to remove the stove to paint it- but it was not coming out easily so we decided to see if it would work first.

Well it works, so now we do not want to take it out - just in case it does not go back in easily - so we will need to work on plan "B". The heater runs with Kerosene and the stove heats the trailer so fast- we are going to not worry about using it at this point. We are really more worried about being to hot not too cold.

"The decapitator" is located over the table, but since there is not a table yet, every time you move around that part of the trailer you ram your head into it- we have all done it!

All the wood for the dinette / bed is cut, stained and painted- and Scott will be installing it this weekend! We are almost ready for our first trip!

Fabric options for the Alma

2012-05-01T10:57:00.003-05:00

Well I was up in northern Illinois last Saturday and had hopes of doing some junking....

Unfortunatly, I had more to do than time to do it. I did make it to Blumen Gardens in Sycamore, where they were having an antique show. Not much there for the thrifty girl...inspirational but a little pricy. I happened to run in tp Mo's mom- The true expert on locating good finds.

She gave the name of a place in Dekalb that sells vintage fabric.

Long story short, I spent the better part of the afternoon there. The store is called Moxie's...resale meets Urban Outfitters.

They had tons of great clothes, books, nick-knacks and retro textiles. It was tough to make a decision, hence all the pics. I ended up buying two remnants.

This is something Mo and I will need to consider together.

Getting very excited about the maiden voyage of the Alma ( or what ever her name is)!! Champange is chilling for the occasion.

not much picking in Seattle

2012-04-29T20:43:00.000-05:00

There was not much time to go picking in Seattle - but plenty of time to find interesting items.

This is the only Antique Store I went in and they would not allow photos.

Seattle is a beautiful City.

When I saw these boat from the Ferry I thought they were toy boats- they seemed so small.

Seattle is full of art, what an inspiration.

We had great weather and I had a wonderful tour guide.

Many street performers came out to enjoy the warm weather.

My cousins can uses Bio Fuel.

I am looking at a new car- a diesel might be a fuel efficient way to go and I just looked up that there are actually biodiesel stations near my house - who knew?!

The BUsiness trips on planes are over for a while - and good thing, the Alma is almost ready for its first road trip - we are shooting for June 1st for our version of a "Glamping Trip"

Laura did No work on the Alma!

2012-04-10T08:22:00.000-05:00

Well I did'nt get any work done on the the Alma this weekend, but did manage to do some picking. I went up to Michigan with my good friend Michele, a friend since 5th grade. She actually has an app on her phone for garage sales!!!

We hit a couple of estate sales where Michele found an Elvis 45, In the Ghetto.

One of the best things about picking is meeting new people. On our first stop we met a lady who was in the 1948 Olympics! She was also a professional bowler and a Chicago cop for 20 years.

She must have really appreciated our visit because she was quite the talker!! The best were her stories of chasing "hoodlums" off her property with a colt 45!

I found some textiles and dishes that might work well in the trailer.
I also found another cool website for adventure seekers with trailers!!! They meet all over the country, they will be in northwest Illinois this summer. Check out nationalglampingweekend.com for info.

Big progress on the Alma

2012-04-01T15:46:00.001-05:00

After the first day of work on the Alma we made pizza - Every morning we woke up sore!

This is Scott's work area- he has a good plan for the benches that will fold into the second bed. As you can see he needs to finish up so he can get the boat out soon.

This is the back of the trailer we will put the name - keep voting - and the blog name.

We have some ideas for painting the outside- but will need to get some tips on all the how to's.

Laura could not wait to put her mark on the outside.

Suggestions welcome - "the big brown turd" needs help on the outside... but inside is looking good!

We opted for 4 colors, red, turquoise, yellow and lime green.

Scott made the table out of a vintage 1950's tabletop my daughter used in college - the legs were replaced by a post that can raise and lower for when it is used as part of the bed.

The tile was a great find from Century Tile. The brand is called Excelon. It comes in a variety of colors and is easy to install with just glue. I made all the cuts and will glue down with Scott's help next time.

Laura painted the icebox silver - this is the before.

This is the one piece of tile I did not cut - the straight cuts were easy- this will not be!

Another job we still need to do is polish all the windows.

Check out all the wood- Laura did all the poly work while I put on all the cabinet doors and flooring.

The oven is another big project - we need to paint- we are planning on black but are not sure if we can remove it to paint it.

Laura wanted some splashes of yellow - this will wake us up in the morning!

Laura painted the outside - we need to clean up the inside.

The fridge is looking good.

The curtain pulls got some color - another fun touch. I think we are still on track to be done my June. Keep voting on names!