Water

As the Summer season approaches its peak, and the news concerning safe water in our schools, homes as well as our beaches are becoming more relevant than ever. Here in Chicago, quite a few of our schools have had the drinking fountains shut off until they can bring down the lead levels; Our lakefront, at times also has had high levels of bacteria forcing them to close until they reach safety requirements for swimming; Our older homes often fall victim to hazardous minerals due to older pipes…  

This dilemma is just not only in my neck of the woods—Flint Michigan has been front-page news for some time, as well as several developing countries seeking safe drinking water. Just the other day I had turned on the television and caught “Trouble in the Water” an HBO documentary that really got me thinking, “How safe is our water?” 

In addition, an article by Virginia Sole-Smith in the latest Martha Stewart Magazine addresses this issue in Healthy Living. She suggests, becoming your own inspector of the home alongside sharing a neighborhood-activist level of involvement with members of the community to prevent, conserve and become proactive. The excerpt is below.

Take the Test:

“If you want to be more assured, there are loads of easy at home kits that will analyze the amount of minerals (including lead) and bacteria in your water… They are readily available through your local hardware store… You can also request one from the nonprofit alliance for Healthy Babies Bright Future (hbbf.org) its fee based on what you can afford to pay.” 

During this Sumer we all know how water plays an important role in the season and in our lives. Take the time to ensure the safety of your water. I have requested the test and hope you’ll do the same. It’s better to know and take action. 

Front Porch

Creeeeek. We’ve all heard it, the perfectly imperfect house sound that cannot be fixed despite our best efforts. We hear it most loudly our first nights in a new home, but over time, the noise becomes an audible welcome home. 

Traditional porch Midwest

For me, the culprit of this misdemeanor is our lovely front porch, the third step to be precise. 

An afternoon sip what could be better than a fresh Iced Tea

Brookfield Michigan B & B

Navy and White always a classic. Indoor Outdoor Rug design

Upon a glance, the white-washed porch might almost seem idyllic. After all, the front porch is the face of a happy American household where once can imagine growing old on. (To reference the overused, and valid cliché of the elderly couples drinking sweet tea in rocking chairs.)

However, these steps like any face well studied, has a few imperfections. For one, the paint is slowly beginning to peel off the edges, creating some wrinkles here and there, which, if according to plan, will be remedied in the autumn. But for now, these steps remain untouched until the last summer firefly can be spotted.

Welcoming a Rainy Day

White Washed and Sun Bleached

Smitten Kitchen : Always cooking up something terrific

Sundays

At first, like any house sound, this creek on the third step haunted me. It didn't matter how I was walking, treading heavily or lightly, the sound would mock me. The porch didn’t care if I had a bad day and had groceries in hand, the same bothersome noise would consistently emit rain or shine

A Restful Retreat 

Yes, if you’re wondering I did call whoever you call to remedy these problems and each time it became “fixed” the exact noise would remain—after attempting to solve the problem myself, naturally. 

So, like it or not, I had to deal with the “creeeeeek” each time I came to and from the house. 

Bunny Williams designs with Century Furniture

Over the seasons, I became used to the noise. The porch no longer irked me with its obnoxious sound. You might even say I was immune to it.

Magnificent Lighting

Mason Jars & Jute, a great DIY project

Yet, the fact remains that several school plays, honor roll ceremonies, and graduations later, I began to enjoy its welcome home.   

A beautiful wrap around in CAD

The Chanticleer Nantucket

Today, you can find me with a smile on my face on the front porch any given day of the week. I hope you find yourself just as lucky as I when coming across a house sound—

You’ll never know how blessed you are to uncover your house’s “welcome home.”