Kitchen Renovation 2013 ~ Home On Purpose

Header is out of control. I'm using Sarah's tutorial to fix, but wanted to get on with house post!
You gotta want it. You can't give in when you want to cry. Because when you've recovered from the stress of all the choices and the inevitable mishaps, it all comes together into what you never imagined you could design.
Why go to all the trouble?
Our home was just right for all the reasons you just can't 'buy'. Great schools, great pricepoint in a neighborhood, potential for possible re-sale, if the need arose. But it was the one from which most folks ran walked away. Bad carpet, poor use of space, questionable window placement...But the changes were calling us like the Sirens. We're suckers for a challenge. 
And we needed a home. Bad.  
The yard is over an acre. It was a treed lot. It's now 50 trees less than it started. I now look out a kitchen window into a flat yard with a treeline in the back.

After in what was the dining room/school room.

 

I previously had a great view(sans trees), but the kitchen left alot to be desired as it was a drop zone for everyone's stuff, right in my dinner preparations. Now everyone has their own area, that's not in my kitchen!  

Kitchen in previous location. Wall to the right no longer exist!

And the kitchen sink/bar is gone!

View from doorway helps with perspective.

View from the door before.

View from the door after. If you look carefully on the floor

 you can see where the previously room dividing bar/countertop/sink area used to exist.

Now just some fun shots, of my ever so quickly picture friendly staging. Far from finished, but you can see the general idea.

By the way, we left one set of the cabinets on the right of the picture above and put a coordinating granite countertop and tile.

They are not perfect, but serve as a buffet and desk and storage.

I mixed it all up with stainless, white crackle subway tiile and

St. Cecelia granite. A friendly terracotta sheep holds my spoons.

Mason jars are used for rice and beans.

I'm hiding my sugar in the cabinet. For now.

That's a quince tree my neighbor gave me. As soon as the crews quick tromping around the yard, it's going in! That's Jack's plate, a baby gift from Hadley Pottery.

Exterior Before.

 

 

Exterior After.

Colors: Sherwin Williams siding: Anonymous/trim:Creamy. Door stained Dark Walnut. Minwax.

New roof helped with black architectural shingles. Certain Teed.  

 

I tried to get this post up and going, because I knew folks might be in the middle of the same thing. And wonder what it might look like. Should I mix all those finishes in my kitchen? Really. They don't match Edie's exquisite kitchens, but I know I'm not Edie.(love lifeingrace) You have to go with what you like. I knew I loved oil rubbed  bronze faucets, but knew also that I needed my husband not to panic when the finish was damaged. And besides it looked so clean to use chrome. So I got exactly the faucet I've been wanting, and the finish that made sense. To me.

After all as much as I'd love for other folks to come wash my dishes... really,

 I'll be the one in there the most. And truthfully, I spend way to much time on Pinterest. Just got to decide and get packed up for little leage. Make the decision and move on.

I also wanted to share this with folks because I think Edie's Home On Purpose theme is amazing.

We aren't lucky, we're blessed. And we've planned, praying that it will be what God has in mind for our lives. To use our home.  To finish the inconvenient projects and live. Garden, eat, play and enjoy friends, share and serve in our community. So that's what we'll do.

For now, I'm headed to the garden because that's what's for dinner. More pictures to come, because friends-- it's not complete. We have floors and fireplace to go. But the kitchen's open for business.

 

Blessings on your home. Use it to glorify God, serving your family and those who pass your way.

Hebrews 13:2

'Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unaware.'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Routine During Renovation

 

Reading through the Bible. Even in the sheet rock dust. Cereal. Toast and the book of 1st Kings. That'll wake you up in the morning.

We are so thankful for our newly renovated home. It's coming together. Just need to snap a couple of more pictures before I post the big reveal. But I cooked dinner in the kitchen for the first time last night. Boy it tasted good!

March 2013

This old girl is getting a face-lift. It only took 2 months to get the plans squared away. But the roofers are almost done today and we'll be working on windows and  paint next week. Then onto the kitchen. Deep breath. I have said a few times, 'what if I don't get it right?' 'Did I really pick that color/design/finish/hardware?' But this may not be my final home. And for certain, it is not my forever home. That's a plan I can't mess with, one made for me by One greater, who won't let me ruin that design.

Where your treasure is laid up, there will your heart be also. Somewhere beyond the blue.

Welcome March. Even with your mighty winds and flurries.

#42 Lifetime Meds ~ In Praise of January

"I believe that God is weary of being called down on both sides of an argument," said Inman to Ada Monroe's father, in the movie & book Cold Mountain.
And I believe he is. But then I remember out of the corner of my mind so many who have gone before with so much more agony or frustration of what seems so unjust in life.
If it is not an argument of gay marriage, modern slavery's existence, hunger & disease, or the safety of our children/2nd amendment rights, I'm sure I can muster something else to exaust my energy.
Like the skin irritation I can't seem to solve, or the cat scratch I thought was a cat-bite on Henry's neck. Or that our public library just received 26 books on Islam from our federal government via, the NEH. Lord, deliver me. Jesus, come.
But I will call Him to me, through prayer and thanksgiving.
Lifetime Meds. That's what I called it. And the Meds don't work lessen you take them, as Ruby would say. She is one of my most favorite characters in literature & portrayed well in the movie. I can imagine Ada Monroe would think so too. Even as refined as she was.

Reading - Marilynne Robinson's When I Was a Child I Read Books.  "The great truth that is too often forgotten is that it is in the nature of people to do good to one another." from her essay 'Imagination and Community.' Great essay on getting along, losing cynicism, even in light of that which reaches our core, and makes us weep. #366
Loving- my children, even when it's stressful and raining. #367
skating with Henry on Saturdays #368
our cat Larry, yes, I said cat. #369
my sweet husband, who is such a sweet father, lover, provider. #370
Eating -  #371 borcht, thankyou Grandma. #372 chinese appetizers from Trader Joes, and their frozen shrimp fried rice.
Watching - "Downton Abbey" along with every other romantic junky. #373 I heard it was exceptional for the reason there are no characters who are side-lined. All characters are significant. The texts on my phone from bff will indicate, they're in our psyche to stay for a while. #374 bff. she's a lifesaver. literally. and she's always just a phone call away.
Sewing - knitting a scarf#375. beautiful yarn #376
Listening - Steven Curtis Chapman, "JOY" album. yes, it's Christmas music, but "In the Bleak Midwinter" is so beautiful.
"I would give Him my heart" rings so beautifully. I bought the Cd through teary eyes, the day of the Sandy Hook tragedy. I will never hear that music again, without thinking of the feelings and the loss of that day. But it's beautiful. and has been yet another lifesaver this season. #377.

Praying -  praying for peace, for moments of nature in my soul. for oxygen. for comfort for those in pain.  #378

Thankyou Ann, for creating this jumping off place, where I find my Meds. Lifetime Meds. Joining others at A Holy Experience.

January 2013

The new year has begun. School is back in full swing. JAC activities are on the horizon. We had a wonderful  birthday for Eric. Chinese was the theme. Everything (thanks to Trader Joes).

 

I realized I like my china again. It comes it goes. I'm fickle.

 

We have realized we need a dog, and then the cat gets in a fight, along with too many other miscellaneous chaos creators happen, and I rethink that whole 'dog thing'.

Everyone is healthy. For now.

I have a pet squirrel. Well not really, but he comes and sits and watches me in the morning. He feeds out of Jack's birdfeeder.

We begin renovation February 4, and I couldn't be more excited.

Happy January.

 

Lifemeds #42 Advent week 2

Our Monday reading from Handel's Messiah Family Advent Reader talked about the gold that was brought to the baby Jesus. The refrain "and He shall purify" is so true. He wishes for our flexibility, our purity, our willingness to submit

as gold will once it has been purified. 

 

Thankful today for advent, staring me in the face so boldly this year. So ably capable of guiding us to submit to His humble nature.

 

Handel's words were meant to inspire, uplift, not merely to entertain. And they do.

So while we walk our mortal path, I'm thankful for a school that still has a "3rd Grade Christmas Musical" #366

Rose of Athens production done like no other of

"A Christmas Carol" #367

Cornerstone's production "The Christmas Post" #368

That both my children sat well through each, listening & enjoying, savoring the season- fully. #369

Apologies. Acceptance. #370

Roberto Innocenti's illustrated version of Charles Dicken's Christmas Carol. #371

Love when Marley says "Mankind was my business."

 Convicting, is it not?

 

#372 That my husband is so moved by this story. that he thinks every man should be made to view/read each year.

 

Thankful. Not enough, but I'm paying attention moreso to Henry's words during the night, "I dreamed about shapes." and "I love you."

#373

 

#374 Health, medical care. Fresh water.

#375 my neighbor's garden, green onions. broccoli still from my own.

Restarting the Lifetime Meds #42, and joining others at

A Holy Experience. The faithful.

Won't you join me? Go there. You won't be dissappointed.

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



December Details 2012 ~ Lifemeds #41

She's been off her meds, Lifemeds that is. She starts again.... today.

Reading Confessions of a Counterfeit Farm Girl by Susan McCorkindale. #352
Ann Voskamp's A Glorious Coming -A Jessie Tree Advent Celebration #353

 

The Handel's Messiah Family Advent Reader by Donna w. Payne & Fran Lenzo#354

Bible Reading with Family - I Samuel #355

Listening Classical Conversations Latin Memory Work, Cycle 1. #356
Handel's 'Messiah' #357   Corelli's 'Concerto Grosso' #358

 

Sewing actually, knitting a hat. #359

 
Growing broccoli  #360
Eating the neighbors onions from his garden and apple pie. #361
Watching Christmas classics #362 & advertisements for 'Downton Abbey' #363
Loving my boys excitement over decorations & Christmas #364
Praying for my nephew during finals #365

I'm starting up the LifeMeds. Why did I stop? Joining others to thank the Ultimate Giver at
 A Holy Experience.