The Spillway

My dear friend's baby is a few months old, and we're delighted that he's coming to visit soon. So of course I asked: "You're taking him to see the fish, aren't you?"

When our baby girl came home at a year and a half old, we weren't up for big vacations. We'd had enough grand and transatlantic adventures for awhile, and needed little ones. So we stayed at my mom and dad's, and we took our kids to the park. This included, for reasons I can't really explain beyond the shivery-horror pleasure, a trip to feed the fishes at the spillway. Thus began a family tradition: new family member, welcome to the fish at the spillway.

When my friend's husband first came to town to be introduced around, spillway. New cousin? What will he think of the spillway? Think this might be the guy your auntie wants to marry? Has he ever been to the spillway? etc.

Dear baby A, I don't know why . . . but we can't wait to see what you think of the spillway.

And of course, guests, maps will be provided -- not only to swimming and fishing, but also, and more importantly, to the spillway.

Pymatuning State Park

In the Garden

After much labor on the part of K and Mom, and less labor but more fun on the part of the P trio, Dad's peace rose, a rainbow knock-out (beautiful already), and a bella roma are featured in the front yard. The perennial border will surprise us -- we couldn't tell what each bulb would become. We hope the shade garden thrives once more -- hostas that had been mowed over are coming back, and they'll be surrounded by cinnamon ferns and lily of the valley among other specimens.

I'm hopeful that more planting will follow the painting, still imagined as our project for May. Having ruled a metal roof out (the waste-reduction benefit is eliminated if the shingles have to be removed and a portion of the roof rebuilt anyway) we decided on the Roof in Harvard Slate. There's still time to vote on paint and trim!

Summer 2012

The Pink Palace is booking for the summer! Between families' vacations and a planned reunion, June and August are busy months for the house that once sat empty. We're excited that many of you are helping to fill it.

Run my Reno

We've just applied to Rivr Media's Run my Reno, because we think everyone -- not just the Pymatuning area, but all of America -- should help to choose the new color for the Pink Palace. And we think the house and the town would be great DiY tv stars.

Spring Plans

The spring will bring change to the Pink Palace, including a promised new coat of paint. We'd considered taking a vote during the town's fair, since the house sits so prominently on the corner -- and since the color scheme has brought more comment than anything else.

Our plans were delayed, and we're left to select the color on our own. (The rest of the block is currently white, and many of the neighbors have suggested we follow suit). The girls want the Pink Palace to stay pink, but we're looking at these palettes: Sherwin Williams and California Paints.

We're also looking into a metal roof. Details, and product options, to follow.

House History Continued

I've had a fantastic email exchange with Victor Hugo's granddaughter, now in her 80's, regarding the original house plans. There have been several stories of the architecture of the Pink Palace and its brother, including the thought that it may have been a Sears Home or a Sterling such as these but can find no interior evidence (numbered joists etc) and the idea that the wood for some of both of the houses came from The Palms (the original home, known so for its attached conservatory with two-story high palm trees) has more support.

I'd welcome your thoughts, and am hoping to collect more from his granddaughter, who is also the town historian and an accomplished writer, soon!

Outfitting the Pink Palace

We knew we wouldn't be able to furnish the Pink Palace any time soon. We'd furnish Mom and Dad's room so they had somewhere comfortable to stay, but the rest of us would plan on bringing sleeping bags. It would be the most luxurious campsite ever -- a tea cart was included -- but it would be a campsite for awhile. And, at eight minutes from the lake, what else could we need (for now) but a kayak?

But one night at a work dinner, K's friend and colleague asked, "You wouldn't happen to know anyone who needs some furniture, would you?" K. laughed, and told her about the Pink Palace.

Her generosity overwhelmed us and filled the Pink Palace. There is now furniture in almost every room -- everything from bunk beds to bookshelves, and blankets to boot!