A New “Outlook” and a Wedding
David and I have been busily taking on house projects. The most complicated one yet was installing a new window in our master bedroom. When the house was built in 1987, it was common for windows in bedrooms to be small. And these were. The one we replaced was tucked into the far corner of the bedroom. We had to walk up to it to see the lake view. We knew when we first looked at the house that we wanted to replace that window.
Before (see featured photo above for after)
David took off the siding, built scaffolding, removed the old window, cut out the new opening, framed it, and had his brother help him install the window. Then he had to insulate it, put the siding back up, and take down the scaffolding. Now the outside was done, but he still had the inside to trim. I helped buy the materials, painted the pieces, and helped him install them. I filled the holes, and finish painted them. While we were at it, we also refurbished the trim of the small window on the south side. It had dark wood before, which we replaced or refinished. We are pleased with the result. Today I have a new and beautiful “outlook” on this life we have chosen.
Some time ago, we replaced the front door as well as the door to the garage. David also made new steps from the kitchen door to the garage. We’ve painted and/or replaced all the inside doors. We took apart the metal registers for the heating system, painted them, and put them back. We’ve restored or replaced baseboards. This house is starting to feel like our home, though we still need to renovate our two bathrooms and the guest bedroom.
One night last week, I came into the bedroom when it was dark, and there before me was a beautiful moonbeam across the water. It was the first time we’d seen one since we’ve lived here. We hope to see more, though we savored the moment because it felt like this might be a rare one.
Today was a gorgeous autumn day here in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. David and I went to a local orchard to pick Cortland apples for the winter. We also picked some Snowsweet apples (I’d never heard of them before!) and we’ve stored both varieties for the winter.
A photo I took along the roads we traveled
August 30 was a significant day for our family. Our son, Tim, got married to his sweetheart, Niina. There is so much hope for the future in a wedding, and it is especially so when it happens within one’s own family.
Tim and Niina
It was a small wedding with our family of four and Niina’s family of four (her mother, Yasemin, father Kaoru, and brother, Max).
From left to right: Yasemin, Kaoru, Max, Niina, Tim
The ceremony was at the city clerk’s office in NYC, the same place where Kaoru and Yasemin were married. They remarked several times how much it has changed since then.
After the ceremony, we strolled through the botanical gardens in Brooklyn, where Max took photos of the bride and groom.
For the wedding meal, we ate at Sumarai Mama, a Japanese restaurant. It was possibly the most exquisite meal I’ve eaten in my entire life. I felt like I was inside the movie Babbett’s Feast. They brought out one culinary delight after another that gradually satiated our appetites. When we left two hours later, I felt nourished in body, mind, and spirit. The leisurely meal left plenty of time for us to chat and celebrate this amazing day. Niina has already integrated into our family, though this day was a good time to affirm that. I now officially have a daughter, and I’m thrilled!
I will return to posting stories about those who grew up in a Plain community with an eighth-grade education and found their way to college. However, today I wanted to share our news.
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So much newness to be celebrated – a new house and a new family member! Then, reading further, I realize that you’ve already gotten to know and love the young woman who became your daughter-in-law and also that you renovated a house someone else had lived in and loved and left for you to make your own. So, maybe not newness so much as refreshment, which is good for the soul. However you apporach these happy events, consider yourself blessed.
Celia, thank you for your comments. Yes, I am so grateful. Today is another gorgeous day by the lake… another blessing.
Saloma, life looks and sounds good for you. Your exteriors doors look like “Amish blue” that I’ve see in Conewango Valley. Take care and be well.
Hello Tom. I had cousins living in Conewango Valley, but I don’t remember the color of their doors. At least not consciously. Perhaps I made an unconscious choice when I picked the color…
So good to hear from you, Tom. Many blessings to you along the roads you travel!
Congratulations for all you and Dave have to celebrate!
Thanks, Bruce.
Congratulations on your son’s wedding and the new house! The new window makes a difference–beautiful view! May you and David have many happy years there!
Thank you. We don’t know how many years are still ahead of us, but we will enjoy this for as long as possible. Great to see you here.
Wow…you can post as many picture as you want of the beautiful lakeview! My son lives in Waitsfield, VT, and I know there are many beautiful sites in VT. Congratulations on the good news in your family@
Thank you, Donna. I’m glad you enjoy the photos. Waitsfield is a beautiful area!
Such a lovely learning experience! Working to improve your home is a hugely rich way to develop an understanding of the world of construction – how we as humans house ourselves and our loved ones. My father’s ranch life, passed on to me and my siblings, made for much better homes in our lives and, for me, at 93, has left me with wealth, health and happiness.
I have photos of my kids stripping forms from foundation concrete, painting new sheet rock, doing roof work, all in the family. We all went to college and had rich lives, full of ability to deal with home building issues!
My dad’s family, way back, was Mennonite, from Heimiswil, Switzerland. Spent time in Trachselwald Prison because of faith.
Best Wishes to you and yours.
Rodger, it is great to see you here! It’s been a while since I heard from you. Thank you for your insights. It is interesting how we as humans house ourselves and our families. I sometimes wonder if this is the last “nest” David and I will create together, given we are getting older. We have moved more than a dozen times in our married life, and I think we are in need of a rest from all that.
So glad your children were involved in the building of your family’s “nest.” I’m sure they learned many life lessons from those experiences.
Thank you for coming by, and for your comments.
Your new window view is beautiful! And congratulations on the new daughter!
Thanks, Aleta. I am blessed by both… especially the latter!
Dear beautiful Saloma,
I loved reading this and feeling your beautiful energy. The photographs are stunning. How joyful to see Tim Tim and to see his sweet bride. I am so thrilled that you are here by two lakes– not because I will have access to such beautiful bodies of water, but because I will have access to hugging you. Love always Tonia
Dearest Friend, Tonia. It is wonderful to see you here! So glad you enjoyed the photos. You have known “Tim Tim” from the start of his life.
You are one of the reasons why it is wonderful to be back in Vermont, and I look forward to hugging you soon!
Much love to you!