ALL

The Blue Bush

bluebush16

I had so much fun reading Baker Bettie’s post on their new home that it inspired me to give you guys a little peak into our lives.

It’s been one year since I started the ‘post college’ stage of my life that I’m currently knee deep in. It’s been a year since I moved into The Blue Bush with Wyatt and our peanut butter loving dog, Tuko. The Blue Bush (as we like to call it since…well…the outside of the house is bright blue) is a cozy little Midwest home that was built in 1910. Yup, that’s what the records say…1910. So, as you can imagine, the place isn’t exactly in tip top shape. We’ve worked hard to transform it into a home that reflects us and it’s been fun to watch the process unfold. I’ve collected quite a few pictures of the last year so I was thinking this could be a good time to show you around.

bluebush21

This also means it’s been one year since we owned a microwave or a dishwasher. Can you guess which one we miss the most? What my nails wouldn’t do to have a rest from being drenched in soapy dish water for just ONE night.

As for the microwave… I always just forget they even exist these days. I still remember the look on Wyatt’s face when I first purposed not having a microwave in our new home…the look of bewilderment followed by complete disbelief. But he agreed and it’s been wonderful. I’ve learned SO many new things since having to go back to cooking ingredients the way they are supposed to be cooked (i.e. using a double boiler, boiling water over the stove top, etc). My favorite part about not having a microwave is that you always have to work for your food around here. Sure, if you REALLY want to just eat a frozen dinner of (veggie) nuggets then that’s fine…but you’ll have to bake them for 20 minutes in the oven which means you could just whip up some polenta / sautéed veggies in that same amount of time. It really has helped me to not take short cuts and prepare real food in the kitchen.

bluebush4 bluebush6 bluebush3 bluebush2 bluebush

We’ve filled the house with lots of vintage furniture…

bluebush20

…And vinyl records..

bluebush7

..And have filled our sunroom with house plants (which is a perfect little hideout full of green in the middle of winter)

 bluebush17

This is the studio room…

bluebush8

<— Wyatt’s desk and (can you tell who is the clean one in this relationship? ahem, definitely not me…) and my desk —>

bluebush15 bluebush11

We spent a lot of our time in the backyard. I’ve managed to build two gardens…one with herbs and one with vegetables. The cucumbers and zucchini have been going crazy and it’s finally time for the tomatoes to start ripening (!!!).

 bluebush12

bluebush14

bluebush13

Well, I just wanted to take the opportunity to show you around a little. It’s crazy it’s taken a whole year to get around to telling you about my obsession with house plants, my love for vinyl records, and show you a peak of our little cozy home. Thanks for reading!

 bluebush10

Comment

6 Comments

  • carey
    July 12, 2013

    Oh man, there are not enough ♥s in the world! If we lived closer, we would clearly be awesome friends. I’ve been microwaveless for years and don’t miss the thing one bit. And just a month or so ago, I thought to myself, “You know what would make great wall decorations? MAPS.” Ah! I also thought we had the same sewing machine for a second, but I double-checked and mine is a little different. (It also lives in my closet at the moment. I cannot wait for the day when I have a space where I can set it up permanently.) I love those old houses that need a little TLC to spruce them up and really make them feel like home. You guys have done an awesome job! (:

    • Shellywest
      carey
      July 12, 2013

      Ah yes – if we lived close by then we could have sewing and baking get togethers all the time (ahh..if only). Also, I’m a little map/globe obsessed but can’t help it…they are AWESOME. We have huge maps over both our bed and tv and I’ve spent hours laying there and pondering about placed I didn’t know existed.

  • Debby
    July 12, 2013

    Ohhh what a wonderful house and I love the globe and the map, must be awesome to live in there 🙂

    • Shellywest
      Debby
      July 12, 2013

      Thanks so much, Debby! I sometimes go a little overboard with the maps/globe…can’t help it!

  • Harriet
    July 13, 2013

    I have such terrarium envy right now. Gorgeous photos – your dog looks so friendly and adorable.

  • becca
    July 22, 2013

    really really LOVE this post, and your house! such nice little odds & ends around the house.
    we don’t have a microwave either! at first it was out of being cheap, and then it was the space issues, and now I am just so much happier without it. yay for real cooking!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.