Every day here on My Coconut Island in the Sky is special and important but more so that recently when Kim Smerek visited for the first time in 9 years – impossible to imagine but true, nonetheless.

We are always looking for new ways to keep things fresh and inviting here at TSH, and we have observed that as incredible as this may sound after nearly 31 years operating as a B&B, many folks strolling past comment, “What do you suppose this is?”

The Capt. took a few days of well-deserved respite then proceeded to clear coat the left side.

In a mere couple of hours, the Capt. wrapped up the left side and we simply adore the perfect asymmetry.

The Capt. forged ahead with over-painting the center area (no priming needed as it was on the stuccoed wall) where he has decided to replicate Kim’s geometric under-pattern. He sketched in the new pattern and flew into action painting the checkerboard and the ultimate finishing curlieque.

Perhaps we are still on the zenith-like high of the completed faux redux but for whatever reason the creative tsunami continues and Capt. Allen has launched into his unique but blended contribution to this masterpiece.

We are literally down to the last several snippets of squares to be completed – 3 that fall over the step under the gate - and the remaining portion of the design nearest to the house which is temporarily currently covered with foliage that would have to be destroyed so we shall await mother nature’s bidding.

As we near completion of this masterful restoration, the really nasty, pitted area turned out to be not as daunting as we thought. Much contemplation on behalf of the Capt. was needed to plan the chronology of the upcoming final steps

The other day we were scouring with copper scouring pads and hot water the stove top, warming shelf, and all outer surfaces in our monthly deep clean. We were so jazzed at the regeneration – nearly rebirth – of the old cooker girl that I was left with the scouring notion stuck in my head.

Is it even possible that a person could literally LIVE WITH anything for nearly 23 years and only just recognize a new aspect? Well, I can tell you I experienced that very thing. While admiring and reviewing yesterday’s progress which constituted about 20 days into the project with 90% done not counting application of the topcoats, a pattern just leapt off the surface to me – duuuhhh!