If we were having coffee… well, we wouldn’t be able to make it to the kitchen right now, but I’d invite you around back. I’ve got the hose set up, so I can offer you water. I could wash out that cute little flower pot for a mug.
No? Okay, well come around back anyway, and I’ll show you what I’ve been up to.
Remember that little concrete countertop I poured a couple of weeks ago? Well, I worked on grinding and finishing it this week. And now it’s going to be a very shiny stepping stone for the yard somewhere.
Apparently there’s a kind of sweet spot with concrete finishing, right when it gets that nice smooth sheen, and before it begins getting really shiny and starts revealing even more pits than what one has already sanded out. I was going for a shiny look, and managed to polish my way right past that smooth sweet spot.
With proper training, experience and equipment, I suppose there are subtler nuances between finishing stages, but I lack all of the above. Hey, it was fun, though, and I haven’t given up!
Today, I gave it another go ‘round with a pour-in-place top. Same size as the first one, but this time instead of doing all the dirty work in the garage and then bringing it into the house to install, I built the mold right onto the counter surface and poured the concrete directly into its final resting place, doing all the dirty work in the kitchen.
Hence the inaccessibility. It’s a small space to begin with, but once you’ve pulled both the fridge and the stove away from the walls, and have slopped impromptu concrete speed bumps all over the floor, well… I guess I’ll be going out for my morning coffees this coming week.
I’ll likely remove the forms on Wednesday, and assuming it’s functional, I’ll begin grinding and polishing. This time I’m going for that smooth sheen. Let’s hope I get it right. A girl can only use so many stepping stones.
Have a great week! Maybe I’ll see you at the coffee shop.
P.S. — If you notice that Chules looks a little straggly, it’s because he chose to take on the water hose while I was rinsing off my tools in the back yard. Despite what he tries to claim, I did NOT start a water fight! (I did win it, though. 😉 )
#WeekendCoffeeShare is hosted by Emily at NerdintheBrain.com. Head on over to see what others are sharing this weekend. They probably won’t make you drink from the hose.
What Rhymes with Stanza? 
Your kitchen will be lovely when it done.
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Thank you bettylouise. I sure hope so.
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Chules looks like he wants to know if he can put his paw print on it this time. I am enjoying this project. I think I’ll get quotes on granite. 🙂
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I could give you some concrete quotes, but most of my quotes on concrete begin with expletives. And Chules did step in a smaller form i had used for leftovers. but then i ended up stepping in it, too.
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I do have to admit, contracting my kitchen wasn’t any faster. And maybe not better either!
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Hahaha. Well, that remains to be seen. But it keeps me busy and entertained, and I learn something new every day, whether I intended to or not 🙂
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That is the important thing. I think it keeps Chules entertained too. BTW I don’t see Tux anywhere. 🙂
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Tux isn’t in the least curious about the kitchen goings on. He hangs out in the bedroom, glad that Chules is distracted so he can get some uninterrupted napping done.
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I admire your courage! It’s a general consensus around my place that I can’t be trusted with tools – power or manual. Or sharp objects. Or open flame. I’m sure your project will turn out beautifully and what a rush to know that you did it on your own.
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Thanks! I probably shouldn’t be trusted with any of it either. Chules keeps trying to mime the word “Help!” when I take my project photos with him in them.
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Smart dog! Does he do it like the Village People do the Y.M.C.A? Because that who make a GREAT Youtube video. :o)
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He tried that, but got flummoxed at the letter “E.” I think now he’s trying some kind of NLP body language. I really need to take away his internet privileges.
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Haha! Maybe ban all Mimes from your yard, too.
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Good idea!
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That looks like a huge project.
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Yes. It started out with the notion that I would do a little paint touch up on the cabinets. Somewhere along the line, it took on a life of its own.
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That’s how all good projects start! 🙂
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As far as I’m concerned, kudos to you for undertaking this project! And sharing it with us. I have a shitload of tools sitting in my garage since my husband passed, and I’ve absolutely no urge whatsoever to ever use them…
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I’m sorry for your loss. It’s hard to get the motivation going sometimes, but once everything’s been torn up, there’s no turning back! Some of my tools actually belonged to my father, and it’s kind of a way for me to honor his memory, although he’s probably turning in his grave at some of my carpentry “techniques.”
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Thank you, that is kind.
Hey! At least you try! I just look at the tools and scratch my head… I do have women friends who love to use power tools…. I prefer watching men use ’em! 😉
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