Our Old House and Its Blue Herons

There is a fine blue heron who fishes the stream (a branch of the little Wolf River)a half block from our house. While Jon was building the second story of the garage last year, he would see the blue heron fly overhead, so low it was almost scary. We see him often standing still as a statue waiting to make his catch.

I want to know how many years blue herons like the one we see fished in the stream? Is that why the original owner/builder of our house John Olsen Wrolstad and his wife Mathea featured etched glass doors of 3 herons on the front porch?
Above: Front Door features a large blue heron

Above: 2 Herons at Dining Room Door to Front Porch
Even stranger is our story. We saw our old house for the first time in 2000. Jon said, I want to show you an old house I think is neat. When we first saw the house, we learned the house had been vacant for almost 40 years. We saw the house from the driveway and didn't notice the front doors with the etched glass (1 heron on the front door), and 2 herons on the side door to the dining room.

The strange part of the story begins now, as I tell you about our former home and beautiful flower beds, fountains, picket fences, etc. In 2003 or 2004 I don't remember the exact year we bought a statue for the yard--it was 3 herons.

Above: Our former property on Elm Valley Road and the 3 blue heron statue/fountain.

Forward to February 18, 2007 Jon and I had our first walk through of the old house (after pining for it for 6-1/2 years). When I entered the dining room, and walked straight forward toward the front door in the foyer I saw the 1 heron etched glass door, and then immediately to my left as I was still in the dining room I caught the image 2 herons etched glass door--the dining room door leading to the porch. My eyes filled with tears as I immediately thought of our own 3 heron statue at home. Coincidence I know, but at that moment I felt connected to the old house we were about to buy.



Seven minutes into the walk-thru in the upstairs hallways I smiled at Jon and he smiling back turned to the realtor and said, "we'll take the house".

We moved the 3 herons statue from the barn location yesterday, to a spot in the west yard where I can look out my kitchen window and enjoy it now during the fall and winter months.

Little Giant Plant Duster, circa 1890

From the rafters of our old barn Jon found the Little Giant Duster. Take a peek at the label through the magnifying glass,


Jon was out in the shop working this morning before the sun came up (5:00a). I was having my first cup of coffee when he brought the duster in the house for me to see. We both have strong feelings for old items like these used by the previous owners. By touching it we feel a connection--like a handshake. Jon and I like the steam-punked look of old gears even though the items we display are on the rusty side. The smallest gear is frozen now, and the base of the blower has a fist size hole claimed by rust.





On top of the duster is the lid where you add the dusting powder. Can't read the lid--as the paint is nearly flaked off. At the top of the lid--appears to be the word UNIVERSAL. And further down another long word or two words--beginning with two letters MO.

We'll do a little research on the duster, but have no plans to "clean it up". We don't want to disturb the patina. I'll make a shelf for it and display it in the summer kitchen--that is . . . after Jon finishes the carriage house, converting it into his man-cave and moves his deer heads there. Deer heads in the summer kitchen?? Yep. Oh well . . .

Haviland Limoges China

I've only heard about its beauty and quality. Recently I found a stunning collection at a local consignment shop . . . Haviland, Limoges France (Schleiger 270 Rose Pattern). Production period 1894-1918. The pattern is light and airy, and I love it. Can't wait to dress the table in the red dining room.

Here is the link to the history of Haviland Limoges China. http://www.havilandonline.com/History.htm

Nearing End of Card File Project

I never dreamed working on the library card files would be such a large project. Two people, more than a week's worth of consistent toil. But, thanks to my Mom Lorraine, we're nearly there.



Above is one of the 66" long credenza without its 60 drawers. As I washed, then sanded the frame I realized the credenza is divided into four boxes--each containing 15 drawers. The four boxes were connected with 30 or so screws.

I made the decision to have the credenza divided in half for final installation into the sewing room. I can see it in my head now--in the sewing room I will sit in the center of a 10 ft. length of table height counter top (120 inches). To the left will be half the credenza 33 inches (minus its ugly legs) and the other half of the credenza to my right 33 inches. The remaining space is 54" where I can sit and sew.



Below are "one third of the drawers". Yep, this photograph shows 44 drawers in a row. The process was:
remove 120 drawers
remove brass ferrules and rods
remove the brass drawer pull hardware (Mom)
clean the brass hardware (Mom)
sand drawer fronts to remove old paint finish
prime drawers
2 coats black satin





The brass knobs on the rods can be removed, but must be heated to separate.

Taking the credenza sections apart sure made the unit easier to carry it back to the garage after painting. At this moment all the drawers are painted, and Jon and I sat a couple of hours re-installing the cleaned brass pulls Mom cleaned. Cleaning the brass pulls is a slow, steel wool cleaning process. I've got to hand it to Mom, she cleaned 8 hours straight for 3 days. Amazing!

Back to 1925

You're looking at a photo taken of our house in 1925 featuring second home owner Thomas Quien and his two grandchildren Mary Jane and Donna Quien.


Today the steps were rebuilt. We haven't had front steps in the last two years. Chalk it up to too many projects to do; too little time.





Even though these photos are cluttered with stuff from construction, I'm delighted to show them to you, and even more excited about walking down the steps instead of jumping down. I don't know about you, but my 60 year old legs don't "do jumps" any more.

Below is what the front porch and steps looked like two years ago before repairs:


Below is a photograph of the east porch entrance. Soon the front porch will have the same railing system, including the restored original spindles. The two piece railings are toast, so all of it is new material except for the spindles. Mom and I worked two summers restoring original spindles to make them suitable for reconstruction of the front porch.

Refurbishing Card Files - Project Continues

My mother Lorraine and I are refurbishing library card files (furniture for the art studio).


Mom unscrewed the brass fittings, and I sanded the wooden drawer fronts. We will continue the project today.


Mom cleans each of the brass fittings with steel wool. Ater sanding, we'll prime the frame and drawer fronts, and finish with two coats of black satin paint.

Front Porch - New Stairs

This week Dad and Jon poured footings for new front porch stairs.