Progress With Our Cottage Renovation (and Chattanooga Day Trip)
Well, hello FALL! The temperatures are finally starting to cool here in East Tennessee. As I write this post it’s nighttime, and the girls are getting ready for bed. It was a cloudy day, with spots of rain, and temperatures in the high fifties. Yes, I guess you can say we have finally said goodbye to summer.
You know me, I live for the fall. It is my favorite season but I was hoping the transition into the cooler temperatures would happen more gradually. Instead we were confronted with a big twenty degree drop overnight. Yikes!
Let’s just say, I am glad that I decided to remove all of the summer clothes from the girls’ wardrobes. Otherwise, they’d be fighting me every morning about wearing shorts and tank tops. Then, shamelessly complaining about how cold they are. Ah, a glimpse into motherhood 🙂 Tell me I’m not alone here?
A Week Long Fall Break
Well for the girls and I, fall break was a little over three weeks long. We began our homeschool year the week after Fourth of July, and are following a 9 weeks on/3 weeks off schedule. So far, this new setup has been a success!
But, I am wondering how we will fare during the dreaded third quarter, when we have a long stretch of winter and few reasons to break up our weekly lessons. Time will tell, and I am hoping to implement museum Mondays and field trip Fridays to keep us from feeling trapped at home.
Cottage Renovation Update
Regardless, the freedom of fall break allowed us to make some serious progress with the renovation of this farmhouse cottage of ours. Justin and I (well, mostly Justin and our amazing neighbor) took on a major project. Placing a beam in our ceiling (to carry the load) the prior chimney wall supported.
You might remember that we took down our chimney with little more than a chisel and hammer.
The process of putting in the beam was a bit more involved. And, we realized that we were not at all prepared or qualified to take on this project alone after we began. Thankfully, a friend of ours is a contractor, and stopped by to let us know we were on the right path.
Right now, our beam is in place, and being shored up by a couple of 2x4s, and we have two temporary walls in place, as we await the delivery of the proper joist hangers to help us finish the job. Admittedly, there is some additional work that needs to happen in the basement, to support the floor joists. But, for the most part we can see the finish line with this major project and are giddy with excitement.
This project will transform the space and open our future living room to the dining area and kitchen. In case nobody told you, it’s hard work modernizing an 80 year old house. They just weren’t meant for the way we live today. But, I am fully confident that Justin and I will do this cottage justice. And, in time make it the cozy family home it deserves to be.
I am planning on uploading a video to our Youtube channel The Cottage Homestead to share a bit more on this project so stay tuned! But, for now check out our latest video right here!
Fun at Home Activity: The girls and I made aromatherapy playdough once again! This time they chose the color purple. Let me tell you, it was hard work figuring out just how much blue and red food coloring to add to the pot to get the perfect shade. I suggest more red than blue. Check your pantry! I’m sure you have most, if not all of the ingredients for this fun activity.
Our Pellet Stove
In other news, our pellet stove has officially been retired! Yes, we just installed this stove last year but there was another major milestone achieved over fall break. And, I cannot tell you how grateful I am to know that this winter we will be warm and toasty.
..::Flashback::..Last winter was rough! It was difficult trying to keep everyone warm, and even more disheartening when our pipes burst on Christmas Day due to single digit temperatures. We stayed at the holiday inn that Christmas.
I would often wake up bright and early, eagerly put on the slippers and robe beside my bed, and hurry off into the kitchen. That’s where the thermostat is.
It wouldn’t be shocking to see temperatures in the high fifties inside our house. So, I would fire up the oven to 300 and leave the door open, boil water on the stove for tea and try to think warm thoughts to heat up the house before the girls woke up.
Yes, it is a relief to know that I won’t wake up in the middle of the night to the humming of the pellet stove, and combat its dry heat. Or, worry about the electric heaters in the girls room being covered by a pillow or blanket that the girls may have kicked off their beds. Can you say fire hazard?! And a sleepless mom!
We finally called an HVAC technician who helped us get our central heating unit operational. It seems someone programmed the thermostat for gas, when it is truly electric. Ahem, not it!
There’s a bit of maintenance on the horizon with our HVAC system but, for now it’s working, and that is more than we thought possible. Perhaps I’ll be able to re-start my sourdough starter now that the temperature inside the cottage will be better regulated? We will see…
Day Trip to Chattanooga
Over the weekend, after many unanticipated delays, the four of us took a drive down to Chattanooga. For this trip we decided to visit the Incline Railway which takes you to the top of Lookout Mountain. I would say that everyone should take this ride at least once.
Climbing up the steep mountainside for the first time had most of us in shock over the engineering that was keeping us safe, and our bellies may have turned a few times the steeper the climb became, and the farther we traveled from ground level.
The girls were a bit disappointed that the ride back wasn’t at roller coaster speeds, haha! But, it was so cute to glance over during the ride and see them holding hands, and conversing about what they thought would happen next.
Once at the top, you get a beautiful view, I believe it’s similar to the view at the top of Rock City Gardens. Make sure to visit on a clear day so you get the full effect. There are two observation decks, and a gift shop.
We bought treats at the fudge shop, and the girls purchased two stuffies with their own money from the Animal Land booth. A wolf, and a kitten. I bet you can guess which stuffie was for whom.
Binge Watching: I’m very late to the game with this one but, I cannot get enough of the period Netflix drama, Bridgerton. I am hoping they find a way to bring back Simon and Daphne! As we await the third season, I am making my way through the Queen Charlotte series. I must admit, there are some parts I fast forward through but, for the most part I am addicted.
Lunch at the Tap House
After making our way back down the mountain (tip: make sure to check with an employee in the booth before deciding which line to stand on to board the tram) it was time for lunch. There are a lot more options in Chattanooga than the small town we currently live in. And, I must admit it felt so good to have a wide variety to choose from at our fingertips.
But, we ultimately decided on a restaurant within walking distance of the Incline, the Tap House. Yes, it is a bar but we weren’t the only family seated that afternoon. They have a wide variety of beer on tap and delicious American food. Not to mention, our server was super friendly which makes the experience all the better!
If you are in the area, definitely give this spot a try! There is outdoor seating where you could hang out for hours on a warm Saturday afternoon. But, be sure to get there early. Most of the patrons on the patio were there when we walked by to get to the incline railway, and still hanging on strong when we left the restaurant. Highly coveted seats!
Has fall got you in the baking spirit? Well, I highly recommend Joanna Gaines chocolate chip cookie recipe. Just google it, you’ll find the recipe right away. We’ve made half a dozen batches already, and they are delicious.
Back to Homeschool
Yes, fall break is officially over, and we are back to business. The first week back always comes with its trouble spots. But, I am happy to have a bit more structure to our day.
In an attempt to be constantly improving I decided to change our schedule for the first quarter. Let’s just say, I was not very happy with the results, so I’ve decided to revert to our old schedule from year three.
We will have a morning time where we have bible study, recite the pledge of allegiance, study the poem we are memorizing, read a chapter from whatever book we are reading (right now, its The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street) and stretch to make sure our bodies are warmed up and ready to sit at the table for our first lesson.
For our family, it feels good to start the day this way. Especially when the temperatures get a little cooler outside and the sun rises later in the day.
After our morning time, our very first lesson of the day is Math. Then, we mix it up with other lessons in short intervals throughout the day. Lessons like science, history, reading independently, spelling/sight words, handicrafts, reading comprehension, writing, etc.
Yes, we place heavy emphasis on language arts and math in our schedule. But, there is also time for crafts and fun activities as well. Which reminds me, I’ve decided to return to a curriculum for year five but, more on that later…
Be sure to check out our Free Preschool Curriculum! Whether you’re sending your kids to traditional school or decide to continue their education by homeschooling, this 30 week curated curriculum will set your child up for success in kindergarten!
Well, I guess that about catches you up on our fall break adventures in and out of the house! What is the best memory you have from your fall break this year?
