Saturday, January 22, 2011

What Happens When You Paint

"The rectory dining room and kitchen were upside down and backward, and the plunder from the two rooms had been scattered throughout the parlor and along the hallway, not to mention dumped on either side of the steps all the way to the landing. . . .

He saw his wife on occasion, but hardly recognized her, smeared as she was with pumpkin-colored paint, and her hair tied back with a rag. . . .

What he wondered was how much longer they'd be dodging around paint buckets and ladders, not to mention that he'd stepped in a skillet last night as he went up to bed. His study was the only place on the ground floor that hadn't been invaded by the haste to transform the rectory into an old Italian villa before May fifteenth."

Jan Karon, These High, Green Hills

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Maybe he could have helped out so it would be done faster?

Sonja said...

Something tells me this passage speaks to you personally these days. :) looking forward to seeing the results of your labor. BTW, loved Bella's singing! Beautiful!

Rae said...

My favorite book series of all time!!!!

SisterlyLove said...

I love those books. :) Stepped in a skillet! Love it. :)

Genevieve

Anna said...

I love Jan Karon's books. . . keep meaning to go back and reread them. Small town, good cooking, Haviland china, life in the ministry. Loved it all!! Good luck with the painting.

Mama C said...

I just reread those books. Love them! It is because of this book that I have pumpkin colored walls..not in the kitchen but the mail bathroom. Now if my gardens just looked like Father Tim's I would be doing good!

Martha said...

I'm assuming you're painting? I particularly liked this chapter when I read the book. It speaks to all of us who redo our houses!

Shana said...

Hope your painting adventure is going well! I just love Jan Karon! I have reread these books so many time :)

Lisa said...

I hope you're done before May 15th, Anna.

Lisateresa

kath said...

Oh, I can so totally relate to this passage!!

naomi said...

This made me laugh. I have been daydreaming of fresh paint for some time, but my ceilings are so high it would require a scaffolding, and I know too well the chaos that accompanies such an undertaking. I'm looking forward to seeing pictures when you are done!

Cindy said...

You just reminded me of how much I enjoyed that series. Hope your painting project goes well and quickly. Can we see the results?

Virginia said...

I *love* this book!

Anonymous said...

Good luck with the painting. I recently repainted our kitchen, so know first hand the chaos of home improvement projects. Still, I'm sure it'll be great fun (especially when you get to see how all that hard work paid off).

Michael Neiger said...

I love Jan Karon's books ... just reread all of the Mitford books last year. She's one of the few authors who can make me laugh out loud, while I'm reading silently to myself! I guess it's because of how realistic her characters & descriptions are. And, yes, that's what happens when you paint.

Mrs. M said...

I recognized that portion immediately. I love that series. I also love what Anonymous said at the tippy top of your comments. So true. That Father Tim is a man of thoughts, not much for creative endevours with his hands. Except for that Christmas Tale, which I read every single year to get myself in the right spirit of the season.

maven said...

Coincidence? I think NOT! (LOL) I am just now in the middle of this very book (for the first time) AND I am painting my kitchen!

Amy said...

I love this quote!! I know this phenomenon quite well, having just painted two bathrooms. I am eyeing my kitchen next...can't wait to see your freshly painted living room!

Anonymous said...

How did your painting turn out?

Heather Anne said...

Oh dear! That bad? Well you and Clara knew going in it was going to be an undertaking. It always looks worse before it gets better. Just think of all the joy your freshly painted room will bring ... and next time when Giles brings home the guys, perhaps you'll hand them the brushes and rollers!

Anonymous said...

We are in the process of buying a home and I am *so* excited to be able to pick out paint colors.

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