That 90's Ranch

Blog

  • A Winter Thaw, a Quiet House, and Learning to Sew at That 90’s Ranch

    A new sewing machine, fresh fabric, and the quiet promise of learning something new.

    Hey! Today, the weather is finally breaking after a week of below-freezing temperatures. The water faucets have been turned off at That 90’s Ranch for the first time in days. The house feels suddenly, eerily quiet—no more tap, tap, tap of water hitting porcelain basins, just the soft popping of burning wood in the stove.

    This afternoon, I’m looking forward to opening the windows and letting the house inhale fresh air.

    Ronnie Kay Design, my Etsy shop, has been slow lately. Instead of fighting that, I’ve used the pause to restyle the shop and take a closer look at its performance. I’m committed to it. I love making wreaths and dreaming up new designs. The marketing side of running a shop… well, not so much—but I’m learning.

    Last week, I bought a sewing machine, picked up some fabric, and spent time watching YouTube tutorials. I’m hoping to start making wreath sashes to offer in my shop. Before I get there, though, I think I’ll try my hand at some potholders to test my sewing skills.

    Wish me luck!

    Ronnie Kay Design is where I share my love of wreaths and seasonal décor—slowly, thoughtfully, and always inspired by home. If you’d like to see what I’ve been working on (and what’s coming next), you can find my shop on Etsy at https://ronniekaydesign.etsy.com.

  • Lemons to Lemonade

    Life has thrown a few curve balls at me, as it does to everyone. I never expected that I would live to old age without issue, but I just thought I had more time. More to time to work, achieve, travel, time to save, time to plan my future. My life isn’t over, but my health just hasn’t improved like I expected it to. Now at 60, it feels like this train is riding the brakes and I have had to make some tough decisions.

    So….enough of this sob story. I’m no longer able to work full time in my previous career and like most everyone else on the planet, this will make a huge impact on me physically, emotionally and financially.

    That 90’s Ranch has grown on me and I, and my family have invested time and resources into this humble home. So the plan going forward is to keep working and maintaining her, but also to understand that I was never going to live here forever. I’m working on staying flexible and open while navigating several health obstacles.

    I opened an Etsy Shop where I sell wreaths. It gives me purpose and a creative outlet which I have enjoyed thoroughly and if I can only work an hour or two a day, it’s okay. That 90’s Ranch is now filled with faux florals and greenery and has new purpose as well.

    Is this my Lemonade? Maybe. Maybe not. I’m gonna find out.

  • Love the One You’re With

    I bought That 90’s Ranch on a whim. Purchased in 2021 at the height of Covid, I got caught up in the whirlwind of real estate activity. Located a block from my mother’s home who I worked overtime with as a Realtor and having a large yard outside of the city limits with a shop building made it somewhat attractive.

    I was hoping to find a small dreamy home with European cottage charm with a yard big enough to have English style rose garden outlined with well manicured box hedges and loads of character. Like every buyer I’ve worked with over the last 20 years, I wanted a home filled with luxurious, generous spaces at a small price. It’s completely unrealistic that I would find such a lofty and ideal English style property in this area. It’s certainly possible that it could happen, it’s just not probable.

    That 90’s Ranch, while well maintained and custom built by the first owners, was very typical of all brick ranch homes built in the last half of the 80’s and first half of the 90’s. It had some great features including a large sunroom, but was no where near what I wanted to purchase.

    Today, The 90’s Ranch looks different, but in many ways the same and I have come to love it. If you love seeing before and afters, stay tuned.

  • Tulip Update

    My labors to celebrate Spring 2025 have paid off. These beauties mean more to me this year than pretty flowers. I am recovering from yet another surgery which means that lifting bags of compost and mulch is not in my immediate future, but I will not dwell on my misfortune. I will instead celebrate all that I have planted and established since purchasing That 90’s Ranch.

    Landscaping your home can impact the resale potential of any home. That 90’s Ranch had great bones and just needed a little tweaking. Maybe it won’t happen in 2025, but I sure am glad that I have accomplished what little I have! Hope you are having a great Spring!

  • Come on Spring!

    At least 5″ of snow fell on Tuesday and subzero temperatures followed. The frozen Ranch requires little maintenance and is prepared for these types of events but longs for Spring. I replaced the old vent free gas fireplace that was present when I purchased the home in 2020 in the living room with a wood burning insert. One of the best decisions I made and am grateful that I was economically able to. The wood is messy and my little wagon full of wood was heavy to pull in the snow, but there is no better comforting warmth than wood heat. The fireplace was originally built as an open hearth fireplace and the insert is made by Vermont Castings – Montpellier Model and barely fit in the existing opening.

    As comfortable and snug as the Ranch is, I have a bit of cabin fever (don’t you?) and am anxious to start pulling the leaves, spreading compost and anxious to see if my efforts to fill in the blank spaces I made last year, come back this year.

    Oh and I planted 100 tulip bulbs which were marked down 75% at my favorite big box store. We had an unseasonably warm Fall and took the chance hoping that maybe I wasn’t too late. This is only the second time I have ever planted tulips. My technique was primitive pushing a trowel as far as I could into the soil, pulled it back and dropped the bulb in, pulled out the trowel. It did take me 2 days because of some health issues but I have my fingers crossed. We will find out soon!

    Hope you are warm and comfortable!