There is a reason why I love painting and never quite latched onto quilting. Patience. I am a finisher and I like to finish in a day. If a project drags on too long, I get bored with it. Well, my patience is really being tested on these counters. It took a couple of days to get them routed, sanded and ready to be installed, but then I had to put the finish on. The finish I chose, Waterlox, is an 11 day process. 11 days!?! I can’t just slap on a coat and install them when they are tacky? It’s four coats of finish with 24 hours between each and a 7 day cure time. It’s torture for an impatient DIYer such as myself. BUT…it’s really worth the wait. The counters are on day 3 of the curing process and they are so beautiful and I don’t want to rush the installation. I want to follow the instructions like a good girl. I do go down and pet them and look longingly at them, though. The label didn’t say anything about not petting them during the curing process.
Now, if you’re impatient, like I am, you might think that one coat will do just fine. Well, after one coat, I immediately saw I was in for three more. This finish soaks into the wood and it soaks in unevenly for the first two coats. By the third coat, it was starting to look really good, but the finish was pretty rough to the touch. We sanded the bare wood down to a 220 grit smoothness, so I was a little bummed.
See all the bumps in the grain? You could feel all of those.
So, I decided to sand. Some people do, some people don’t. The problem with sanding is that if you leave any sanding marks, they’ll be visible in the final coat. I knew I wouldn’t be happy with them if they felt rough, so I sanded. I wrapped 320 grit sand paper around a block and gently ran the “sanding block” over the surface. They key to sanding at this stage is to sand in the direction of the grain, not swirls, which is why I didn’t use an orbital sander, and to use gentle, even pressure.
As you can see in the photo, sanding knocked down the rough edges, making the finish buttery soft.
Here’s what it looked like all roughed up.
To clean away the dust and make sure there weren’t any sanding marks that would show through, I wiped the finish with mineral spirits. Since the Waterlox finish has a mineral spirits base, it’s the best product to use for this. The counters were so smooth after that step.
(The bottom part of the counter in the photo above was wiped with mineral spirits.)
I applied the final coat on Thursday and they are stunning.
The glossiness will fade over the first 6 months to a medium gloss finish.
I’m not going to lie. It’s testing my patience, but I know Thursday will be here before I know it.
…and before signing off, I wanted to share my latest cow painting. I really don’t have a thing for cows…or maybe I do? This is my third cow painting. Hmm… Anyway, I bought this from Cari Humphry during my visit to Arkansas. When visiting the shops, a wall of (mostly) cow paintings caught my eye. I loved several of them, but this one in particular stole my fancy.
Just a black and white spotted cow lumbering down the road, in colors that are perfect for my house. I loved the odd shape of the canvas as well. I knew immediately I wanted to buy it, but I had a book signing to do. As I was signing books, I was certain someone would walk in and buy it. You know about my paranoia thing… When I was all done, I practically made a bee-line to the wall of paintings and told Cari I was buying it.
This piece was an original, but she also had many giclee prints available (which are prints of paintings, but they are on canvas and artists usually paint over them to add texture.) It was really hard to tell the difference between the two. Of course, I said “gick-ley” like a total hick, when it’s actually pronounced, “zhe-clay.” Heaven help me when I go on my shopping trip to France…one day. I will thoroughly butcher anything I say or make it sound German, which is my default “foreign language mode”.
That was a fun little rabbit trail.
Anyway, I love her. Him? Cari? And I think this cow needs a name. I already have Eulalie and Adele. Maybe we’ll have another cow-naming contest…
127 Responses
HE looks like a “Toby” to me-ha! Love your site! 🙂
I think that cow is my favorite of your three Marian. Love your counters they’re going to look so pretty!
Looks like a Rue to me,a real Southern lady..Can’t wait to see the kitchen finished..It will be awesome for sure..
Just wanted to let you know that I tried the cauliflower soup recipe and it was a huge hit. Even with Mr. Enchanted Carnivore – high praise indeed!
xo,
Lisa
p.s. I like the name Declan
The counters are lovely! I agree, I would have had to sand them too! As for the cow – how about Unabelle? (Pronounced U-na-bell) 🙂
Looking good =) love the new cow too!
Debbie
Gertie. She looks just like a Gertie to me. 🙂 Love your countertops. Stunning!
Love your Holstein cow. She’s a beauty!
ha ha that is a girl cow and she looks like a Mabel to me ;).[you can almost see her utter] so excited to see the kitchen done. guess I am not patient either. When we installed our counters I coated the butcher block with mineral oil every day for about a week, then went with the stuff from Ikea. so far have been pretty happy. my kitchen star is our farm house sink .
I am the exact same way! If I can’t do it in a day – not interested! But I torture myself anyway! These counters will be so worth it! I can’t wait to see them. I’m in the middle of a kitchen makeover and will have to decide on a countertop, so I’m anxious to see!
Nice cow ; )
They’re looking good!
I used a DIY black walnut on our island and did the finishing myself, but used the Waterlox sealer first which made the finish go on evenly. My sister just did some Ikea buthcherblock in part of her kitchen, and it turned out beautifully as well!
Love the new cow…
Great call on your counter tops–you knew just what to do! I am glad you are so pleased with them. They are very beautiful. We have been looking for a cow painting for some time, or chickens, since we had 25 chickens on our “farm” in VA prior to life in the big city. I checked out Cari’s site and realized I had browsed there before when looking for a cow piece. We ended up purchasing “Chicken Approach”, a “gick-lee” (you’re not the only one!), in a larger size that we can frame (we prefer frames). We are so looking forward to getting this, framing it, and having a piece above our buffet–finally! I have a wierd thing for cows also. Not obsessed but how can you not like them? I want four cow prints of Cari’s printed on paper for some frames we have that need REAL artwork. My husband thinks that might be too many cows in one place. He doesn’t have a better plan, so I think I’ll be looking at the cow prints again soon!
It looks to me that your cow is walking down an Irish lane. How about Patrick?
I would say it looks like a he, an old cow named George.
I have a fondness for cow paintings and have several, two are in my kitchen, a matching pair. One white and one black and white. Both extreme close ups. The white one has her long tongue licking a nostril, quirky but that’s what drew me to them. I think your cow looks like a cow that was named after my late grandmother because she was the PURTIEST baby calf, and it’s named Chlorus Ann. A quite different name you certainly don’t hear often if ever. But that was her name. And she loved antiques and all things Blue Willow. Willow would also be a nice name. 🙂
We owned a dairy farm for 14 years near Fayetteville and named all of our newborn calves. My favorite was a holstein named Twilight, not associated with the current show or books. She was so gentle and the perfect producer of milk and beautiful calves. Yes…I do have a thing about cows!
In my experience with varnish of any kind the varnish always raises the grain of the wood. It must be sanded when completely dry. It needs to be sanded between every coat after than but less as the grain is no longer open. The final coat still needs sanding and you can use a worn out fine grit. Wipe it down and done.
I love your butcher block. It makes my granite look passe’.
As for lovely lady cow…We called every cow we ever had Boss. Dad said that the sound Boss was calming to the girl when she was being milked. thanks for your blog. I enjoy it very much.
I am soooo jealous of your counter top! It’s going to look fantastic. I want wood counters so bad. Maybe if I decide to paint my lower cabinets white like the uppers, but right now I don’t want to do that.
I think Suzie is good name for a cow. Our neighbor when I was growing up had a cow named Suzie.
I think Hermione is a good name for your new cow… Because I liked your first cow, Eulalie, I went to Cindy Austin’s site and purchased one of her lamb prints for my cabin. The sheep also was unnamed, but she looked so peaceful and content, I call her Ewe Phoria. You’re right, the giclee is just like an original (no matter how you pronounce it).
Marian…love that cow canvas!! I’ve been on the hunt for a couple perfect cow prints for a while. I’m so glad to see cows out in the design world! I grew up on a dairy farm and milked cows until I was 18 and I miss them so much…such sweet and gentle creatures. My mom had cow stuff all over our house growing up. I had one cow named Felicia that was like a dog…she didn’t need a fence or even a halter, just followed me around everywhere. She’d let the kids climb all over her at the fair too. I’d love to get a painting of her commissioned! Someday 🙂
How about…..”Elsie the cow”…..for obvious reasons, ha! Do they have Borden Milk in your area? If they don’t, that won’t make one bit of sense, lol!
You simply MUST have a Bessie
She looks like a Hyacinth to me! She’s determined, and undaunted, even if perhaps a bit comical lumbering along….just like Hyacinth Bucket in the old PBS show Keeping up Appearances. Maybe that gives me away as a PBS nerd but if that’s what it takes to love things like Downton Abbey count me in! Happy Counter-top-waiting!
oh marian –
her name is mamie lee! pronounce mamie like fame-ie and then you have to say it fast and run it all together like one name…mamielee. so perfect.
your newest mmsmp retailer, the french market(ordering tomorrow-already had customers calling,yay!)
robin
Your counter is looking beautiful. In the end, you will be happy that you took time to do it right. Just some things cannot be rushed. Also love your newest cow picture. Would love a cow picture, but would be so unusual for me … but the idea is growing on me.
Blessings,
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures
The bench tops are looking beautiful, a lot of work and waiting.
I don’t know why but I always call cows Bella
Merle……………..
The counters will be lovely. Worth the wait!
I vote for Violet. My grandmother’s name and she lived on a dairy farm. She always said that cows had the sweetest breath 🙂
Maisy
Oh geez, I bought a cow print at an auction about 30 years ago, still have it and still love it. It isn’t fancy, very simple and I have always been drawn to cows since. I adore Eulalie but even her print is out of my price range! She sure is fun to look at though!
loving the counter.You have and your family have done a wonderful job on the counters really like the look and the whole kitchen is going to be beautiful, I can see it showing up in HGTV’s magazine with details on the how….your painting I love her I had a grandmother who grew up around a dairy.Magdalina and her frieinds called her Lina she said Maggy sounded like the name for a cow…so maybe Maggy PS she was a determined German and when upset with grandpa the german flew…..
That counter top is so beautiful Marian. I cant wait to see it in your kitchen .Love your new cow too.
Hi Marian,
Love the new cow, strolling down the road. Wonderful! Like the wall finish as well.
the patience on your counter is paying off big time!
Cheers!,
Barbara
Beautiful counters.
Ermingtrude. Definitely an Ermintrude. But then all cows are Ermingtrude to me due to a very popular kids show when I was growing up.
In honor of her esteemed Holstein heritage, she should be named Holly. It’s the proper thing to do in cow society.
And those counters are gorgeous! (I’d name them Patience. It’s the proper thing to do in counter cultures.)
Love what you do! I’d call him Humphrey!
Love your counter Marian… it’s gonna look FAN-TAS-TIC! And, I’ve got a few names for your beautiful cow:
1. Meadow
2. Miranda (because she looks like she’s miranderin’ down the lane)
3. LuLuBelle
ta ta for now
That cow is a Tallulah if I ever saw one…
I think the name would go well with Eulalie and Adele!
Good to know on the Waterlox. It’s the last thing I have to order, and apparently, I should’ve ordered it long ago now that I know it’s going to be an 11 day process!
I love your cows. This one looks like Francis to me.
Perfect spot for the painting, Marion!
It is a Holstein cow and definitely a “she”. You have had some great name suggestions. I may need to “borrow” some for future paintings. 🙂
Thanks so much for posting about my painting!
Cari
Your counters are striking, they are going to look incredible once installed! I love that cow – my favorite cow painting so far – just like the way she is sashaying down the road.
You should come to Switzerland, Marion! I’ll be your French translator, you can speak all the German you want and we of course have cows galore!
Eugenia.
The countertops look fantastic and I can’t wait to see them installed! The cow painting is great…love the colors, shape, everything!
Don’t worry about France….I’ll go with you…I speak French….really, it’s no sacrifice at all…just call me……
The counters are totally you’re style. I think once you get them in, you’ll feel like they’ve always been there. So you.
And I’m pulling for Loraine for the cow.
Love the cow painting…it looks wonderful against the chalkboard painted wall! The butcher block counter top will fit into your kitchen perfectly! We have butcher block and they are ready for another “oiling”, but it’s not something i love to do.
I think she should be named Patience-in honor of your counter tops! (She definitely looks like a cow, not a bull.)
Good to know I must be patient with these counters.I like you am not patient! I like finishing things up ASAP 🙂
In honor of your french faux pas……..how about naming her Beatrice…..pronounced bay-uh-treese!!!
Ha! I totally call it “gick-ley”, too. Who knew it had a fancy pronunciation? Your countertops are BEAUTIFUL. I’m with you on a lack of patience and wanting something done in a day, too. 11 days is quite the test. I just zinc’d another small section of countertop last night. Now you have me staring at the big “L” shaped section (I’ve procrastinated that piece for a year) and thinking, “hmmm….butcher block would be so pretty.” But, I’ve already invested in the zinc and I do love it. Love the warmth of the wood too, though. I think one of my first conversations with you was about barn wood countertops waaaaaay back when. I’m so happy you finally have your wood tops!
I have nary a cow print in my house. Wonder if that will change someday? I had a best friend when I was a teenager who had to help milk cows – and it kept her from doing some of the stuff we wanted to do together because her dad was rather not-so-nice. I wonder if that has anything to do with the fact that I shy away from adding cows to my decor??
I’ve always wondered how to say giclee! Thanks for the info 🙂
Since Cari herself didn’t name this one, how about naming it after her? HaHa 🙂 Whatever you decide to name her, she looks GREAT in your kitchen.
Love the cow! I was told that the word is pronounced “glee-zay”. I wonder how many other ways we can come up with?!!
those butcher block counters are beautiful..may have to rethink my want for marble. LOVE the meandering cow! Still waiting for cow head from Decor Steals!! Geez : )
I see her as “MayBelle”…
cow is a cow whatever the name & she is lovely!
Kelly
I’m totally getting a Mildred or Mabel vibe from that cow!!!!!
Stunning counter tops! Can’t wait to see them installed!! LOL!!! I literally laughed out loud reading your post ~ especially the paranoid shopping feeling and the pronunciation of giclee! 🙂 I would have said the same thing. Too funny!!! I’m SO BUMMED that I can’t make the Atlanta book signing. I’ve planned my husband’s 50th b-day surprise celebration that same day. Please try to come back ‘down’ this way…Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston ~ they’re all within a couple of hours driving distance. 🙂 God bless you! P.S. Love the cow print too!
oH she looks just like sweet rosie… aka rosie posie… a lovely little heifer a friend of mine had. Rosie also had a sweet little baby named Petunia. 🙂
Oh yes! That is a wonderful cow picture. I just visited the shop on etsy and made it a favorite so I can get a cow when i move.
Your counters are lovely! I can’t wait to see them after they are installed! I think your lovely cow looks like a Josephine. 🙂
i used my iTranslate which pronounced it Zhe-clay. First use I’ve found for that app 😉
Counters are beautiful! Can’t wait to see how they fare in a family setting. I think the cow looks like Emaline myself!
The counter came out great – I love it!
I tried to buy the same one off her site for a friend of mine who grew up on a dairy farm…but alas you have snatched up the last one. 😉 It looks beautiful against your wall!. I’d guess at the color of Grey…but I know it has a fancy name. hehe
That countertop is gorgeous! Can’t wait to see it installed. And you pronouce glicee better than I do LOLOLOL
She’s definitely a Mabelline. I am also an impatient diy’er so I feel your pain. But the counters are gorgeous. I know you will be happy you waited.
Bessie is an awesome cow name!!
I always wondered what correct pronunciation of Giclee was supposed to be. I pronounced it phonically but of course that’s not correct, ah well.
Your counter top is breath taking so smooth and shiny, wow, makes me want to rub it. No wonder you “petted it”
I absolutely love your cow, the shape of the canvas really does it also. There’s just something about cows isn ‘t there, they seem so sweet, I want to go up to them and pet them, talk to them.
When we lived in MT I’d get caught on road often when people were moving their cattle so really got an up close view of them. My husband told me things their cow did on their farm in OK, really funny things.
Your countertops are so beautiful – you make me laugh. I can so identify with you:)
Do you ever offer ideas/advice for redecorating? I have a very 80’s house – paneling and all. I love the french farmhouse look, but I don’t even know where to begin. VERY limited budget, but I am a do-it-yourselfer, so I am not afraid to get in and try. Was wondering if I emailed you some pics, if you could at least give me some starting points. Thanks
The counters are beautiful! Well worth the wait. And I think you should name your cow Jemima, as she meanders on down the road. Love her too. Beautiful colors.
Marion- You’re counters are gorgeous. Be patient. (I understand, I’m a ‘hurry up and get it done person too’) I love this cow picture. We moved 2 years ago. The point is we had a one and a half acres in a canyon. The terrain was hilly and the local ranchers would take their cows out to our canyon and they would graze and have their babies, and this was the view from my bedroom and bath, family room, kitchen and dining room. That is what I really miss. The cows roaming and calling out to their babies, such a surreal scene. Thanks for sharing your counter and picture. Blessings Paula
Your countertop is looking gorgeous…definitely worth all of your hard work! Love the cow painting…she looks like a Lola to me…
Like your countertops – love the cow painting (all of them) and I see the names Caribelle or Holycar (as in Holycow).
I’m getting a Caribella from that cow. Love your home and all that you do, look forward to each and every post!
“Anyway, I love her. Him? Cari? And I think this cow needs a name. I already have Eulalie and Adele.”
*whispers to Marion* Cows are always female. This lovely beast in the painting is a cow, not a bull. 😉
The countertops are beautiful; thanks for great postings. I’m an avid subscriber.
Your counters look amazing. Thank you for all the tips. Haven’t done counters before but good to know. I also love your new little cow.
Counter top is fab. Good work! Cant wait to see it installed, and in its full glory.
Since you already have French names for your other bovine beauties, how about another French name for the newcomer? I suggest, – Mirabelle.
Your beautiful black and white cows remind me of the Holstein cows my grandpa milked on his dairy farm in Indiana. As a little girl, I always loved their huge eyes and beautiful eyelashes. Grandpa would whistle, open the gate and his graceful girls would proceed to their assigned milking stalls. They always knew where to go……these graceful girls. She so looks like a Grace to me.
she looks like an Imogene to me.
The butcher block countertop turns out beautifully. Thank you for the tips. Can’t wait to see the complete makeover.
Typical cow name that comes to mind is Bessie. You could bring it into this century and name her Bess!
p.s. the counter looks awesome! the whole kitchen is going to be so beautiful. not that it isn’t already!
I agree. No farm is complete without a Bessie. My grandparents had a Bessie. Also, kitchen will be gorgeous!
Hi, Marian!
AMAZING job on the counter!
Kudos from being patient… I know, it would kill me, too!
And again congratulations on being brave and sanding the rough parts…
It will look perfect in your kitchen!
About the cow painting, funny how we get attracted by certain things! I love horses even though I have no horse pictures anywhere. Also old houses. I guess we also change our taste from time to time. I used to be annoyed at changing my taste, now I find it fun! You influenced me with Ironstone, for example… and perhaps now I will be attracted to cow paintings! LOL!
enjoy!
Neat picture, I think she looks like a Evelyn.
How about Le Zheclay the cow…she is french…no?
Love the great textures happening in your kitchen/den/office area – do you love the chalk wall?
Valentina fiorinella.
Avelina
I’m stashing cash so I can get a “Eulalie.” Hopefully soon.
Good job on the countertop!
I love love the counter tops and the cow!
I LOVE the cow print how about Holy Cow for the name…. As a matter of fact I have a friend that has a unique shop in a small one room church. Praise the Lord they expanded to a larger sanctuary. And the name of her business is Holy Cow. Blessings to you.
I LOVE THE NEW COW!! IN MY REAL LIFE I MANAGED AN ORGANIC CATTLE FARM AND WE KEPT A COUPLE HOLSTEINS TO PROVIDE MILK FOR CALVES THAT WEREN’T TAKEN BY THEIR MOTHERS…OURS WERE NAMED DAISY AND BABY, MOST DAIRIES SEEM TO HAVE A DAISY, IT’S A GOOD SOLID NAME. WOW THOSE COUNTER TOPS ARE INCREDIBLE!! I AM ALMOST JEALOUS!!
Love the cow! He looks like a Norman to me
I am so proud of you for taking your time and doing the right thing by your new countertops. It will be so worth it for the years and years of enjoyment and compliments you receive on them. Your entire kitchen for that matter. My cow name suggestion is going to be SashaBelle.
Love the counters… Did you know you can “sand” with plain old paper bags? Just tear off a strip and run it over the item to be sanded. The brown paper just takes the edge off and makes a smooth surface.
Cow? Bebe’ or Flora. Lolo Hey wait that’s it! Lola…..
I love cows too! I am a city girl and my husband was raised in farm country. When we visit his family we drive by farms with cows. I’m always yelling, “look at that baby cow”. Then…. “I want a baby cow”. My husband asks me what I am going to do with it when it grows up. Nothing; it will be my pet cow, of course. Maybe I will just have to get myself a baby cow painting. They really are the cutest thing ever! By the way, I do love your counters. So worth the wait.
Love Cows! And the counter is beautiful!
My MeMaw Mary’s cow was Clarabelle. She was the sweetest little cow and so well behaved. I vote for Clarabelle. 🙂
Your counter tops are going to be beautiful. I love your cow. She told me her name is Clementine 😉
Please address her as Mamie Mustard Seed !! Oh, and yep, counters are gorgeous.
Name her Gick-lee, she is a Southern cow. Can’t wait to see the final on the countertops!
Marian– just was thinking– do you only have one 8 ft section of countertop? If so, would you mind sharing how much Waterlox you bought to cover it? I’ll have to order it, and as you know, it comes in a qt for $40, and a gallon for $100…so I’d rather get it right the first time, but not over buy it either! Thanks!
LOVE the cow Marian. I am crushing on them at the moment too!
Have you ever used steel wool in lieu of sandpaper? It’s perfect for knocking back any roughness prior to top coating. It leaves an incredibly silky finish and is a lot less likely to cause scratches.
Can’t wait to see your finished kitchen.
I think she is a “Gerty” (short for Gertrude) … MOO!
Before reading the comments I thought…nope…she is a Gertrude…look at her swagger and attitude…….and Marian needs to call her ‘Gerty’ for short…(you realize of course there is a reason you put her in your office….she will impart much knowledge and wisdom) then I read Molly’s comment.
Doesn’t Gerty like the ‘mature’ cow in the herd, you know the one with all the wisdom and knowledge to impart to the younger cows……the cow all the young, love struck cows run to when Brauregard the bull breaks their hearts…..Gerty, the strong lady who is confident enough to stroll down the lane….. alone……knowing no one is going to mess with Gerty!!!
Euphemia ~ because she’s Eulalie’s Southern cousin from Arkansas.
How about Gertrude…Gertie for short!
You can name your cow what ever you won’t, on the other hand your counter tops are beautiful, keep up the good work.
Counter tops are beautiful.
I like the name Eleanor or Ellie for short.
The countertop is just beautiful! So worth your waiting time!
Oh my Goodness! The countertop is so pretty. Thats what I want in my kitchen. All the hard work and the time that it has taken, will be well worth it. Such a lovely stain also. Oh and the cow, she looks like a Mazy to me..
Your countertop is beautiful! I love the shape and subject of the canvas too! I keep thinking of her as a Mia Anders… for what it’s worth… 🙂
Beautiful countertops! Just fabulous!
I like Chloe. Chloe just seems to fit her. 🙂
I’ve heard cows should be named after flowers….so how about Buttercup:)
Your canvas is beautiful !
I hit the same problem with the grain raising on the second/third coat of Waterlox but I was not as brave as you are, so I avoided sanding. Instead, I took a friend’s advice and crumbled up a brown paper grocery bag ( not a lunch bag as it is too thin) and ‘sanded’ with it, also going with the grain. There was very little dust or grit and the tops were smooth. The final finish made my cheap rubberwood ( a salvage store find) countertops look like a traditional higher end butcherblock. That was 4 years ago and I am still very happy with them and I get tons of compliments on them. Your wait will be worth it. Thanks for sharing the journey!
I used Waterlox on my countertop. It is butcherblock as well. I have had it for over a year now and still absolutely love it!! I only did 3 coats, but will probably need to do another coat or two in the next few years, although I have to tell you, I love the aged look it has seemed to develop already from use. 🙂 I used coffee to stain mine originally, and then decided the look wasn’t dark enough so added some stain to the Waterlox on one of the coats. Also, I beat mine up a bit with hammer and a pitch fork…yes, I know. That sounds pretty bad. 🙂 I love the way it came out though. You can see it here, if you’d like. 🙂 http://pumpkinpiepainter.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-coffee-stained-chain-beaten-wooden.html
Counter top is beautiful. Love the Cow canvas. I’d name her Isabella. (keeping with the name beginning with vowels – A, E, I – then you need and O and U (Opal and Ursula – so two more cow pictures). Sorry, I love names and tend to get carried away.
Love the countertops, and my vote for the cow is Humphrey 🙂 seems like a male to me for some reason.
Hi Marian, love your counters. I too, recently did my own counters wuth original water lox. I love the product, but yes it is time consuming. One thing I wanted to pass along that I found on the Water Lox website, is that you should wait the full 30 day cure time before using any silicone on it. Ahhhh, so maybe see about that before installing the sink too early. I have an undermount and did the required two coats on the underside to stop warping, so I did wait the full cure time. But maybe I am wring, I will try to find it again. Maybe it was just suggested….
I just looked again, and it said 5-7days of regular cure time. Well, I don’t know what I read earlier, but at least now we know! Good luck!
Ooooooo. I LOVE the butcher block counters, I want some so bad too!… And the latest cow is just wonderful!. It’s so sweet how she is peacefully ambling down the road on her daily walk home. It looks as if she’s walked that same path a hundred times. I really like the shape of the canvas… and the colors are perfect for your house. I would have wanted her too… she represents the perfect essence of what is so appealing about a cow.
Cindy
I do love that cow and the shape. I have a narrow wall in my kitchen that would fit that size perfectly. Maybe I’ll get a gick-ley!
It’s still on my list to visit the gallery in Hillsborough, N.C. where the artist who painted Eulalie sells some of her work. I’m thinking of buying my mom one of her paintings for her birthday or Mother’s Day. She would never spend that on herself, and I know she’s a big fan of your cow!
And those countertops are gorgeous. Definitely worth the wait, but I understand your pain.
And I want to know how you keep your workshop floors so clean. You really are superwoman!
Marion, I see you love cows. Have you seen my paintings? I have been at Lucketts over the last 5 years. You bought some cool cabinet doors (for shutters) from me. I paint on wood, the paintings are waterproof so they can go outside or behind a sink. xo
What about Gertie?
Your countertop is so beautiful! I am very impatient also but your patience is paying off and congratulations on being able to wait. I don’t see why petting would be off limits lol. You’re too funny.
Ps. I think your pretty little slumber cow should be named miss butters or just butters 😉
Emmaline
Hi MMS,
I have been in love with this little cow painting forever. Does she have a giclee print that I could purchase? I would do anything to get ahold of this painting! Please get back with me.
Love your blog!!
Marian,
I got my original “No Where Fast” painting by Cari last week and I’m in love. Thank you so much for sending me her way. She is a very talented artist. Looks even better in person.