More Caulking Photos of My DIY Bathtub Project

The clear shower curtain is thrown over the wrap-around shower rod to keep it out of the way for the best light in this photo showing my overhead shower head that comes out of the ceiling.

Here's another shot with the show curtain pushed all the way open.

I bought this amazing WORKFORCE caulking gun from the Home Depot. The manager of the Paint Department suggested this one when I told him I wanted the best one they sell and he gave me a demo. He also told me to cut the smallest hole from the caulk tube tip. I should have twisted the barrel around so you could see the name. It's very light weight and was the most expensive one they had @$9.97. I love it. It has a ratchet rod---see photo below with the space bar. It clicks when you squeeze the trigger. When you are working, the hook is turned up so the notches on the rod are facing down. When you want to quit and rest the hook is turned down and the notches are up. Here's how I remember it -- Down Time, want to take a break, turn hook DOWN. Break over. Get UP and go back to work. Turn hook UP. For some reason, this item is getting bad reviews on the HD website but I absolutely love it. If you want to caulk like a girl, buy this one. Smile.

Close-up of the handle.

I always make a huge mess when I work. Especially when embarking on a project I've never done before. I have a huge collection of tools picked up at garage sales so I can usually find the best tool for the job. I had to purchase a new caulking gun and a tube of silicone sealer. I had a caulking gun I got this summer from Ace Hardware but I ended up hating it the first time I used it. It was free with a coupon so I can't really complain.

Secret weapons to use when caulking. I watched this YouTube Video of an English contractor using a popsicle stick or paddle pop. Skip over to 230 so you won't have to watch him eat it. This tip really works. I got the best thin bead using the popsicle stick but it was too thin and didn't adequately cover both the tile and the tub. So I reapplied and used this bigger stick that I found in my craft supplies. Pictured is a 6" ruler. You can probably buy these sticks at Michael's. I have several and I'm guarding them carefully. 

I love my honed marble subway tiles with the black diamond border. You can't see it because of the mess on the floor but there's a large black diamond in the middle of my floor. I'm so happy to be finished with this job. xo

This is the silicone sealant I used. Soap and water cleanup. Will last for at least 20 years and by then, I won't care.

Caulk Finished + A Snow Scene

I'll post some more photos in the morning but I wanted you to see my caulking job. I really liked doing it and I love the caulking gun I bought. Can't wait to do more. I tried using my finger, a small spoon from the frozen yogurt place, and a popsicle stick to get an even line. But ended up using something I found upstairs in my craft supplies stash -- a wooden stick that is bigger than a popsicle stick but smaller than a tongue depressor and it made just the bead I needed to cover the bottom of the tile and the right amount of tub. I had to do two applications of caulk because my gap was so deep after I dug out all of the old grout. I have a shower head that comes out of the ceiling that I'll try to get in a picture tomorrow. I'm tired but very happy.

Here is my balcony overlooking my barn/garage and the rear of my property. We got a nice layer of ice on top of this accumulation later in the day and poor Webster had a heck of a time finding a place to go after dinner. He kept falling through the deep stuff. It's very cold too and windy. Good night. xo

The Snow Queen is Working Overtime

The Snow Queen by Gyula Talos

She visited my cottage again last night and left a big heavy mess. I'll post a couple of photos of the snow here at my cottage later. via

Old Key that Was Never Lost

So amazing. I spend countless hours searching for keys and my glasses. Doesn't everyone?

The original key used at Stirling Castle in Scotland. The Castle dates from at least the early 12th century; present buildings mostly built between 1490 and 1600. I wonder how big this key is? I'm sure it must be quite large, never to have been lost in 900 years, counting from the 12th century to the 21st century! It's beautiful, isn't it? via

Virtual Snacks for The Party I'm Not Having

This looks like a delicious assortment of things to munch on while watching TV. Have a great evening. xo via

Best Media Room Ever.

I don't usually like flat screen TVs over a fireplace but I really love this one. Isn't this room fabulous? I love everything about it. I'm sure the Super Bowl party here will be fabulous. Me, won't be watching. PBS doesn't care and neither do I. via

My Favorite Landscaping

Wild and wonderful, easy to maintain. via 

I did go to the Home Depot today and got caulk and a caulking gun and I intend to master both. I'm still digging out grout and I'm doing that masterfully too. See you in the morning. xo

Connected cottages.

Via Houzz

Forget the back part. I'll just take the front connected cottages. Love this look!

Cleaning Big Ben

via

After seeing this photo, I shall not complain about my current task at hand. I am digging out all the old grout around my tub and then I'll put in new. Grout, not caulk. Heaven only knows why today was the day I decided to do it. It's like granite and I have every tool I own in the bathroom. A hammer and chisel to loosen and an old nail set to dig are my favorites, so far. I have a corner tub so I only have two sides around the top of the tub and then down to the floor. It's going well and I'm excited. It's a pretty awkward job and I have to get in the tub to work in certain spots. I'm not going to rush because I can use the shower downstairs until I finish. I know I will do a better job than any hired hand because I care the most about getting out all of the old stuff. I have a feeling a pro would just rough up the old stuff and put new over it, right? Then charge me a lot of money and run away.

The wind is howling outside and more snow is supposed to be coming over the weekend so I will have plenty to do if I get snowed in. Have a great weekend. xo

Boo.

My cat Tabitha has never been interested in boxes. This is so cute. via

Jeffersonian Architecture

Looks like a very good read.

In 1999, historians at the Virginia Historical Society acquired three curiously bound volumes of drawings and documents created between 1821 and 1858 by a long and unjustifiably-forgotten architect named Thomas R. Blackburn. Inspection revealed that these were, in fact, no ordinary documents but a unique window onto the life of a distinguished builder and his revered master: Thomas Jefferson.

In these extraordinary books, we find Blackburn, at first a young carpenter, engaged in the construction of Jeffersons famed "academical village" at the University of Virginia. He simultaneously embarked on an ambitious program of architectural study, guided, it appears, by Jefferson himself. The drawings he executed in the four decades that followed extraordinary ink and watercolor explorations of his many residential and civic commissions bear witness to his emergence as a mature and prolific architect in his own right.

In Jeffersons Shadow is a unique document of the relationship between an unknown but highly skilled country builder and the American statesman widely considered this nations first gentleman architect. But it is also an indispensable resource on the little-understood practice of architecture in the early and mid-nineteenth century. text found here This book is currently available on Amazon.

A Federal Beauty: New Home, Looks Old

Entry portico of this new classical house.

G. P.Schafer, Architecture

View 9-photo slideshow of this amazing new construction. When page loads, click on NEW CLASSICAL HOUSE in left column. Be prepared for a real treat!

Nice Cave.

I love this interesting sofa with the adjustable back. You can flip it up or down depending on your mood. Want to lean back? Flip it up. Want to throw your arm over the back? Flip it down. And I love the arms that are like tables. The rug is fabulous as well. I know this is probably designed by a stylist as an ad and it all works, doesn't it? via

Ducky Weather

I am amazed at how well animals cope with the cold weather. Mine go out willingly and seem to enjoy a romp but are glad to get back inside to defrost. Isn't this a great photo of the duck looking through the chicken wire covered by a hoar frost? via

Happy Snow

This is the kind of snow I like. Soft and fluffy and not too deep. Sun burning through the morning mist to cast long shadows is always nice too. Poor New England and Long Island got the brunt of the storm this week. I heard the entire island of Nantucket was without power!!! Juno shifted direction and went 50 miles east to spare my part of the world. I hope all is back to normal for everyone soon. Lovely snow scene found here. xo

Four Sheep and A Ruin in Northern Ireland

These beautiful sheep seem to be posing for the camera in front of this sadly neglected stone house. They look almost like big fat stuffed toys, don't they? via

'Tis The Season For Snow Buntings

Link: both images.

Snowflake or Snow bunting illustrated by R. Bruce Horsfall from ‘Bird Biographies’ (1923) by Alice E. Ball (1867-1948).

Snow Bunting (1890–1948). Watercolour by Charles Emile Heil (1870–1950). Image and text courtesy MFA Boston.

Cottage in Lower Slaughter England

It's delightful, isn't it and it looks to be a 2-family house. Love the gardens. Found on Pinterest. I hope I dream about the cottages in England tonight instead of waking up every hour to look out the window on blizzard watch. The wind is still howling but we have had no snow since morning. Sweet dreams. xo

No Blizzard Here!

What blizzard? Webster has been keeping an eye on the weather ever since he got up this morning. He and Tabitha went out earlier but didn't stay long. There is a very fine snow that is still falling at a pretty fast clip but it's not supposed to amount to much. I am going to wait until it stops completely before I shovel my walk and clean off my car. My plow man has already been here so my driveway is fine. It was all much ado about nothing in my area and I'm so relieved. Hope all is well where you are. xo

This kept it away.

Why is it that when I am totally prepared in every way for whatever Mother Nature brings my way, nothing happens? I took a bath before bed last night and left the water in the tub in case there was a power outage. I have a well and there's no water for flushing if there is no power. I feel that I am personally responsible for keeping the blizzard at bay. Smile. I absolutely love my 1930s corner Kohler bathtub. 

Belton House - Grantham, Lincolnshire England

It's gorgeous, isn't it? via This manor house has nothing to do with the Earl of Grantham in Downton Abbey. I'm really enjoying Grantchester on Masterpiece Mystery. Are you watching?

So far the blizzard hasn't arrived at my cottage. I'm hoping it's more of a coastal thing and won't be as bad as the reporters are saying it might be. The heavy snow and winds will be here after midnight. Be safe and warm. Fingers crossed for us all. xo