Table for 12

We have a great table in our kitchen -- when we put all the leaves in it seats 12. Oh, some great memories around this table -- with family, friends, and plenty with kids from the Youth Group. This table was a gift to us in a way. One of our very first gardening clients owned one of the Oak Liquidator stores and one day he told Danny to go into the store and pick anything he wanted -- he would sell it to us at cost. It took us all of 30 seconds to decide what we would purchase -- at the time we were using a hand-me-down table from my parents, which my mom had purchased used from the classified ads in the paper when I was 8 years old. The table legs were completely wobbly (perhaps from Andrew and Layne doing the PeeWee Herman dance in my high heels on the table top) and a tablecloth was mandatory. So when we received the offer to purchase a new table at cost, it was indeed a gift!

Hard to believe, but that was about 17 years ago -- and our table was looking every bit of its 17 years old. Several water rings from sweaty glasses being left without a coaster and the finish was absolutely worn completely off in some places; but it was the x-large sweater mark in the middle of the table that pushed me over the edge (Son #2 didn't realize you don't dry your sweaters on a wood table!)

So on Memorial Day weekend, I decided to take on the task of refinishing the table. Our friend Kendall had suggested I use a tung-oil finish, so I did my online research for tung oil finishes and felt I was up to the challenge.

Ten coats of tung oil would be required -- and each coat would require 24 hours to cure. No problem -- I'd have this little project done within a few weeks.

Everything went along just fine for the first 8 coats -- and then I began experiencing a few health issues -- which resulted in doctor's orders for zero physical activity. Bummer! My table has been sitting in my garage for almost 2 months, just waiting for those last 2 coats.

Well, now that I have a surgery date scheduled, it's like I'm an expectant mother going through the "nesting" stage. My husband was at Hartland last week and I recognized this as an opportunity to defy the doctor's orders without having to immediately face the wrath of my husband. I couldn't stand it -- I decided I was going to finish that table.

I survived and I am just pleased as punch with the final outcome. My table looks as good as new -- maybe even better. And one major item checked off of my "presurgery to-do" list!
If you have a project that needs refinishing, I would highly recommend a tung-oil finish. It's pretty much a goof-proof method for refinishing. It was very exciting to come home from work today and see my table back in the kitchen -- right where it belongs -- ready for making more memories!

NOTICE: THIS IS NOT A SWEATER DRYING RACK!

(Okay, I could also say no PeeWee Herman Dancing -- but you know this Grammy would crack up if I walked in the room and saw Avery atop the table doing the PeeWee Herman dance in my high heels!)