Happy Memorial Day

As we all know today is Memorial Day so it will just be a short thank you post.

Thank you to all the people and families that have made our lives and world better and for the countless sacrifices that you have made. It is very much appreciated.

So as you start your holiday and summer season off, take a moment and think about what your life and world could have been like without their sacrifices.

Source: google.com via Heather on Pinterest

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Sunday Funday Photos

Summer is in full swing here

We have been having a great deal of rain so things have been coming into bloom.

Sid's painting of Cupid's Cay

Our adopted Bahamian kitty- soon to be international traveler. 

Sunset from the Cay

Rainbow over Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera

Goats on the roof next door

Water spout from Cupid's Cay

Our House  on Cupid's Cay

View from the house over the Harbour at night

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Choosing, installing and maintaining a fireplace

Choosing, installing and maintaining a fireplace
A guest post by Karen Asbury

A fireplace can become pivotal to any room you choose to install it in. They are a grand gesture that can set the tone of a room and really enhance the design of any home. However, with the vastness of this market, it can become difficult to know where to begin for some. Here are a few helpful tips on what to think about each step of the way.


Choosing a fireplace
Before you part with any cash, there are a few thing you may want to consider first.

Size - Take a look at the room you’re hoping to add a fireplace to and focus on the size. The height, length and width will all need to be considered to determine the dimensions of the fireplace. Although it can be tempting to go for a dramatically large fireplace, one that is too large can overpower a room and make the area look smaller as a result.

Realistic expectations - Think about what you can accurately achieve. Can the house cope with the type of fire you want? Does it have a chimney? The house you wish to install in will determine what type of fireplace you are able to accommodate.
Aesthetics - With the practical matters out of the way, you can now look at the fun stuff – designs: How will it look? For many, an attractive fireplace will be a focal point in the room. Able to house family ornaments or pictures, as well as providing warmth for the whole area, a fireplace is a good investment for any house. Different materials are available for fireplaces including stone, slate and granite, as well as the ever-popular marble fireplaces, which all achieve a different finish.

Installation
Installation in this area is very much a craftsman’s job. Although some choose the DIY option, to guarantee the highest possible finish, an accomplished installer is key.

Although we are living in a DIY world where more proud homeowners want to put their own touch on the house, a professional will always produce better results.

All good fitters will firstly survey the job before giving any quotes regarding price, as the size of the job will impact on the cost. It is always wise when re-decorating to get multiple quotes, no matter what the project: you don’t want to get ripped off, or hire someone who is unqualified.

It is worth mentioning that for the fire itself – whether gas, electric or a wood-burner - heating devices generally need to be fitted according to specific regulations and they often need to pass a test before they can be approved and used. These should always be completed by a professional. If they’re not, your home insurance could become invalid.


Maintenance

Like anything else in a domestic environment, regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure that it remains looking as good as it did in many years time as it did on the day of installation. Not only this, but negligence can lead to damage and in extreme circumstances, even a new frame altogether, so consider this a way to secure the investment you have made.

No matter which type of fireplace you have chosen, here are a few maintenance tips to keep your newest home addition good as new: Cleaning after fire – Regardless of your type of fire, cleaning will be imperative. Ensure ash is cold before sweeping it away and always protect your flooring from soot and ash stains.

Spring clean – Cleaning and dusting the fireplace mantelpiece will probably be part of your cleaning routine already, but it’s worth carrying out a spring clean every now and then. The manufacturer of the fireplace should have some recommendations for keeping your type of fireplace at its best. The perfect time to do this is in the warmer months, when you’re less likely to use the fire.

Sweep the chimney –After the last fire of the season, it’s a good idea to make sure the fireplace is in shipshape before returning to it in the colder months. Enquire with a professional annually to have your chimney swept to remove soot and reduce the risk of a chimney fire.
Karen is interested in property news and interior design. In her free time, she enjoys writing and decorating her family home.

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It's almost time

As most of you know it's almost time for us to close up the house here in the Bahamas and return to the US or more exactly, Vermont for the summer. We tend to start the procedure early because there as so many things that need to be done so that waiting until the end would be too hard. Every day we try to tackle pieces that need to be taken care of such as replacing shutter hinges or slightly draining the cistern of water. Summer can be very wet here and not to mention the potential for hurricanes so I drain down the cistern to allow space for new water. The plants appreciate it.

If you see the dot and circle in the middle of Cupid's Cay that would be our house and as you see its actually only a few hundred feet to the water on either side. A fact that makes us very diligent about preparations when we leave. During Irene last year the causeway to the island (top right) was completely covered  and the water didn't recede for 2 days. It was a true island again.

In preparation for leaving we also have to start packing away clothing in plastic bags to protect them against the high humidity of the coming summer months. It is warm and humid now in May but by July and August, it can be intense. We've done it all so many times it's a routine of sorts but one that you can't skip any of the pieces.

Here's a very partial list-

Disconnect and bring in the propane tank.

Change hinges as needed.

Drain cistern.

Pack away clothes

Seal up electronics that will stay here in plastic bags

Have the phone and cable turned off for the summer

Pay final bills

Shut off water supply

Clean up yard

Empty and clean refrigerator

Make sure there is nothing left around outside that could be an issue if there's a hurricane.

Cover furniture and beds with plastic- just in case.

Add to the list of items needed when we come back.

And much more but it all will get done and then un-done when we come back. Strangely I'm already missing the humidity. Actually I'll be missing my beach and the daily walks.

Now this summer we will be building a home in Vermont so that there should be plenty to read and see about that whole process so look out for those posts.

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