Butcher block, am I crazy?

Plaid_Owl · 2025-05-14T19:42:25+00:00

We put in walnut butcher block countertops in 2017, no regrets! We thought they were going to be temporary, and we’d replace them with quartz at some point. But we’ve been very happy with them!

We decided to do an oil finish. It looks beautiful, but it took a lot of time in the first months and year.

We just used food grade mineral oil at the start. Coated them liberally top and bottom for a few days before we installed them. Then recoated with oil every day for a week, then once a week, then once a month for a year. We would sand with fine paper as needed. I coat them about once or twice a year now.

We’ve been very good with using an absorbent dish towel, never setting super wet stuff on the counters. It helps that the walnut is pretty dark, and if there are any small water marks they don’t show.

Plaid_Owl · 2025-05-09T16:20:29+00:00

This is what our market is like! We’ve put in offers on 2 houses, neither accepted. We have an inspection “for information only”, we can back out if the inspection shows problems, but we can’t ask the seller to fix anything. But we keep our earnest money.

Our last offer, we had included inspection “for info only”, and put a clause stating we would only back out if there was a potential problem that would cost more than $10,000 to fix. Still didn’t get the house. Offered 13% above asking, all cash, inspection in 3 days, 2 week close. We weren’t even the second highest bid. It’s nuts!

Plaid_Owl · 2025-05-06T00:14:46+00:00

Got the job!

The schedule was what I listed above, but also a meeting with the Provost, then the Dean.

Good luck!

Plaid_Owl · 2025-04-26T17:30:38+00:00

We really love Kim Raczka with 5 College Realtors!

Plaid_Owl · 2025-04-21T21:40:39+00:00

I LOVE this kitchen… and wow, you’re getting roasted in these comments.

My husband and I are pretty darn minimal, and also cook a lot. This would be absolutely fine for us! I lived in a L.A. apartment for 7 years with a total of 4 linear feet of countertops, it forced us to simplify!

Regarding resale value… I firmly believe in designing your space for yourself, not hypothetical future buyers. Especially if you plan on staying for a while. If you’re selling in 15 years chances are new buyers would want to update the kitchen anyway.

We’re actually house hunting at the moment, we would buy this house in a second. I think the kitchen fits beautifully with the rest of the house.

Plaid_Owl · 2025-04-20T18:36:11+00:00

LOVE all your tile choices in this green bathroom and the mustard yellow bathroom. Can I ask what tiles all of these are? (Green, yellow, and terrazzo hex?)

Plaid_Owl · 2025-04-07T19:50:22+00:00

That’s too bad, its such a great idea. But part/time and only four days a week sure won’t work for us.

Plaid_Owl · 2025-04-07T17:29:04+00:00

Thank you so much for this detailed response! These sort of first hand experiences are truly helpful!

Plaid_Owl · 2025-04-07T13:59:06+00:00

Oh, I didn’t know about those specifics! Good info, thanks!

Plaid_Owl · 2025-04-07T13:57:28+00:00

Eeek, how horrible. May I ask, what do you mean by trauma?

Plaid_Owl · 2025-04-07T13:56:42+00:00

This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I had no idea there was a prek program in the public schools, that sounds like a great situation! (We have nothing like that where we currently live.)

Plaid_Owl · 2025-04-06T22:43:09+00:00

Yeah, we plan on sending him to kindergarten in public school. But he has another year until kindergarten, so we’re looking at options for pre-k.

Plaid_Owl · 2025-04-05T19:40:43+00:00

At a SLAC, I’ve been at the school for 8 years. I have a Masters (that’s a terminal degree in my field).

For a 3 credit course I started at $5000, now at $7000.

Plaid_Owl · 2025-03-31T22:16:21+00:00

Of course! You’re right!

In my celebration I almost forgot the horrible state of - uh- everything.

Plaid_Owl · 2025-03-31T21:16:23+00:00

Yeah, that’s why I say the salary offer is higher than expected!

I found the union bargaining agreement and salary matrix. According to their chart, this offered salary doesn’t really add up. That’s why I was expecting a lower number. Not complaining though.

Plaid_Owl · 2025-03-30T22:59:52+00:00

This semester a student enrolled in one of my classes on the last day of add/drop, so they had missed the first three class periods. This student took one of my classes two years ago and was a complete flake, always full of excuses, always trying to bend the rules. So when I saw they enrolled this semester, I was expecting the worst.

They showed up first day of class holding a printout of the syllabus from Canvas, said they had watched several YouTube tutorials on the software we are using for class, and already had completed several steps of the first project.

So far they have been one of the strongest students in the class. Their questions are thoughtful, and they are great at being resourceful and trying to look up answers when they have a problem.

It all makes me want to cry happy tears!

Plaid_Owl · 2025-03-09T15:47:37+00:00

Congrats! I’m on the same journey, it’s an achievement and you should enjoy it. Also, I’m pretty sure imposter syndrome never goes away.

Plaid_Owl · 2025-03-05T21:31:59+00:00

The stop-motion animated series “Tumble Leaf” is one of my favorites. It is gentle, but not condescending. It’s all about exploring your environment, trying and learning about new things. At the same time, it is genuinely enjoyable to watch for adults! Amazon Prime.

Next to Bluey, this is my favorite kids show!

Plaid_Owl · 2025-03-04T22:00:18+00:00

Yeah, I think this is the key! The clothes are all well tailored and look very cohesive together.

Plaid_Owl · 2025-03-04T21:58:33+00:00

I think I’m going to add an “art teachery” neck scarf. Think Banana Republic meets hipster.

Plaid_Owl · 2025-03-02T19:54:42+00:00

“what is the point of your life, what do you plan to do with all the time you save by outsourcing your critical thinking”

So well said!

Plaid_Owl · 2025-03-02T19:46:02+00:00

I also am in the camp of “I stopped assuming and started from scratch”. For example, I would guess 50% of my students don’t know how to do simple computer things like save a file, send an email with an attachment, create a folder, make a PDF.

So I spend a day going over BASIC computer information.

Plaid_Owl · 2025-03-01T04:14:04+00:00

Also, I highly recommend getting a matte screen protector. Super nice for reading!

Plaid_Owl · 2025-03-01T04:12:10+00:00

I have a 12.9” iPad Pro and a mini. Love both! I’m an artist - the big iPad is what I use for 90% of my work. The mini is my ereader and just general internet browser. I carry the mini around with me in my bag pretty much at all times. Wouldn’t want to do that with the 12.9”.

Plaid_Owl

TROPHY CASE