‘All the windows of my Heart I open to the day’
John Whittier
Warmth and light…. these two simple elements now grace our home.
The old discarded windows lean against the walls waiting for their fate. A reminder of the past and the many lives this house has seen come and go.
My favorite place is always by the kitchen window looking out to the little road below and I wonder who else stood in just this spot, what dreams they had here. I walk through these rooms, along the narrow paths of the Borgata and I sense that they are aware and keeping watch over our shenanigans.
It has been chaotic here and the house is a jumble of tools, rocks, windows, wiring and daily life. Over the weekend we will be cleaning up and getting back to a sense of normality. It’s all systems go and we have a very special guest coming to visit late November, she is a friend I met on facebook and we can’t wait to meet her in person.
I have been a bit under the weather recently and so has Sam with his kidney stones but such is life hey especially when you have so much on your plate.
I’m off to start tidying up the place so I can show you all some after photos, have a wonderful Halloween if you celebrate it and a great weekend.
and the gang x
Such a big step too Lisa. Windows enclose and frame so much of our interior lives. As the winter approaches where you are and the spring finally shows its face on this side of the world….I send you love. xx
Well these windows are so gorgeous we have a lot to live up to. I love knowing you are seeing the signs of spring while we are waiting for snowflakes xx
love back to you x
I am SO excited for you!! HOORAY! HOORAY! And I love the pic of Carina warming her backside. 🙂 So cute. 🙂
Yes she and I are like bookends at the fire with our backsides toasting! Amazing the difference just feeling warm can make to the spirit xxx Sending love to you and your Bear x
Wonderful! And…..the woodstove! Our woodstove is the best thing that makes Winter bearable here in the Rocky Mountains So In know you will probably feel the same way. I love that photo of Carina toasting her bottom by the fire! And Sam looks so happy and smiley.
Hope you both are feeling better now.
We have no idea how cold it’s going to get here but I feel a bit better knowing we can heat the house. Sam is trying to get the house sealed and then we’ll work on the interior through winter. My favorite spot is in front of the fire warming up with Carina. I imagine the Rocky mountains would get cold…..very cold xx
So happy for you all, Lisa! and your collective joy is clear to see! A great series of pics. Well done, girl! Living the dream and loving it. So beautiful… Much love to you all!!
Oh hugs to you Shivanii, I wish you were here to share it with us. How is sunny Melbourne and one day via India come visit us xxx
Ridiculously happy on this end that windows on the other side of the world have been installed :)) Stay warm. Be well xx
Crazy isn’t it, the long anticipated windows made everyone happy x
Great news! Wonderful windows and warmth.
Jenny I can’t tell you the difference it makes to the house, friends in the village have been coming up for a look lol x
They look great. Safe and secure and warm of the winter. Happy Days.
This is the first house in a long time that I feel is our home, we have always renovated with the aim to sell. Happy Days Duane xx
nice work, and you all seem to be keeping your good humor in the process!
It’s all a front lol, I’ve almost murdered the whole bunch of them a few times! Lucky for Sam my aim is no good lol x
Finally some warmth! I know you must be relieved.
I feel like our house is now a home Jeff, and we just need to finish getting it sealed up before Winter sets in. Then we have plenty of jobs to do inside xxx
Gosh its beginning to look so inviting and so warm! Love the fire place, and the windows are going to be so good with winter coming up.
Hope you feel better asap and enjoy your visit with friends. Love the photos of you all xxx
Oh thanks Lisa, I was just telling someone about you today. She was going to look up your blog. The fireplace is my favorite spot and can’t wait to see snow through the new windows without feeling cold. Feeling a bit better so maybe it’s healing, look forward to one day visiting with you all over here!!
sending love to the boys x
Windows, and a lovely fireplace. Just in the nick of time. (Even Sicily has just turned cool today.) Congratulations on all your wonderful progress and hard work, Lisa. Tanti baci from Sicilia.
We always seem to pull through in the nick of time, it’s our skill! I can’t imagine Sicily being cool, thanks for the baci and back at you!! ciao ciao xxx
I can’t tell you how happy I am to see your windows in!! Having done a bit of renovating and so on I know how satisfying it is to get a job done, and it will be warm inside……great.
Well done Chiodo family xoxo
Yes Kaye once you are in the renovating club you can understand the feeling when one job is done!! Totally toasty inside now, I feel the cold so this is heaven! xxx
Letting in the Italian sunshine from outside, and retaining familial warmth inside. It’s a win-win situation!
and knock out views of the mountains, borgata and the cows x
Heating AND windows – now you are definitely sorted for l’inverno!
Enjoy!!
Feeling totally spoiled and toasty warm!
Lisa I know this feeling of wonder and love and renewal! And also new windows!! I remember when all of our old ones came out – those windows people before us had gazed through – the difference in temperature and comfort! Just wonderful. Enjoy your clean up and your new warm home. It must be so beautiful where you are. Xxcat
Catherine it’s so beautiful here, the leaves are falling and the ancient borgata that have been hidden are now becoming visible including ours. I don’t think the house minds our changing the windows lol, what did you do with your old ones? We have a film crew coming in eleven days hence the clean up xxx
sending love
Exciting times! (And winter so close). You have just reminded me of two years ago… and in summer I am so very very grateful for the double glazing.
I’m about to test my first winter with them in (went to family for the winter last year). I envy you your wood burner, my heat goes three floors up and out the chimney top, or through the open door and window as I try to “unsmoke” the kitchen.
http://kay-thereisnopath.blogspot.it/2011/07/back-to-original.html
http://kay-thereisnopath.blogspot.it/2011/07/institutionalised.html
Thanks for the memories, what a satisfying thing it is to do, restoring these old places.
Oh we get that problem when we light the stove, kitchen full of smoke. I hope your winter is warm as toast. Yes these old houses give back the love you put in x
Fantastic, congrats guys !!!
Thanks Doug you know what a process it has been xx
How exciting! I take my hat off to you guys. It’s no easy undertaking. Good on you 🙂
Well at least now if you take your hat off you’ll be warm lol x