Kitchen Done - well almost

Today was the last day for the kitchen renovation. We are done, well, almost. I still have some painting to do - but it is done enough to be working away and I even have cabinet space to spare - not much though.

Here are some pictures of the new kitchen. I will also update once all of the painting is done. There is paint from the counter to the upper cabinets, but it is kind of hard to see. The color is called - Irish cream. YUMMO!!

The House that Mom Built

I asked our contractors if we could have one of the boxes from the cabinets so that I could make a house for the girls. I made a roof with skylights, a door with a window, 2 windows - 1 with a window flower box and a mailbox. Here are some pictures of the girls playing with their house.

He's Gone

I received word today that Charles died yesterday morning in the loving arms of his wife, Deborah. My heart aches for her & his two daughters Julia & Cayce. I used to babysit Cayce. They are having a memorial service this Sunday for him. I tried to figure out a way that I could go, but I just can't. However, they are going to have a Memorial Iron Pour and show of his sculpture in October in Tallahassee. I think I will try to make that. I think I might have to go buy some Hamms and have one in honor of Charles.

I am amazed

There are often days when I wonder if I am getting through to Cecilia. Does she really pay attention to things? Does she listen to what I say or does she pay attention to what I do?

Yup. she does.

She came up to me and said "Celie hungry." So, we went downstairs to get her a banana. Once upstairs, I started peeling it for her. I ran back downstairs for a minute - well, I thought for a minute - it must have been 5. Celie came down - empty handed. I asked her where was the banana as I had visions of mushed banana in the carpet in my bedroom with the peel in many pieces all over the upstairs. Her answer - "In my tummy," Good answer, I guess. So, I escorted her upstairs dreading what I might find. I found the door to "my" room (my craftroom/picnic area during our renovations) open. I went inside to find that she had opened the door and placed the banana peel in the trash can in my room. WOW!! She does pay attention.

Now, if I could just get her to stop dumping the goldfish all over the living room floor.

Kitchen Updates

I thought that I would post some before and midway pictures from our recent remodeling. The floors are coming out absolutely beautifully - at least we think so. They have all the coats on the dining room and will come back and put the final on the rest once the kitchen is in.

I think once you see the before, you will understand why we had to renovate the kitchen.

Looking from the foyer to the kitchen & hearth room area. Notice that lovely hood, the tile and the carpeting, oh yeah, don't forget the wallpaper either.


Same look but with our Ash hardwood floors and no more hood or wallpaper.

This is looking into the dining room from the stairs landing area. There were 3 sliding glass doors in the dining room that we replaced. That is a new chandelier too.

This is the view of the back wall - kitchen and hearth room area. Isn't it lovely?


Same view today. We replaced the one slider in the kitchen with a window to make way for more cabinets. Hardwood throughout.

Here is a picture of kitchen. This was all that we had. What you see is what the entire kitchen was. Oh, I am sorry, there was an 18" wide base cabinet of drawers to the right of the dishwasher. But that is it for counterspace and cabinets in the kitchen.


This is my kitchen as of today. I have a microwave and an electric skillet. Our refrigerator is in the living room. I have a sink so I can still do dishes - but that will be gone on Monday when they start installing the cabinets. I guess we will have to eat out then. Darn.


This is looking from the back wall to the foyer. The space between the kitchen and the fireplace we are calling the hearth room. They called it a family room, but it is too long and skinny for that. Notice the green paint? That is the same green as our Chelsea house - that used to be a lovely textured vinyl wallpaper. What are the two holes to the left of the fireplace? The one on the same side as the fireplace was an indoor grill (that didn't work). The other hole on the side was discovered when we removed the wet bar, it was the piping for the indoor grill exhaust and grease catch. Nice huh?


I can't wait to post updated pictures of the space as soon as everything is done. That will be around Easter, hopefully.

Hope you like what we have done.

Bears - 2 different views

Again, this a Celie's "people" thing. Celie had organized her bears so that they were taking a bath in her toy kitchen sink.

Anna didn't think they should be that way. She reorganized them like this:

Positioning Elmo

I know that I have posted before about how Celie will arrange her "people" in different positions and areas of the house. Well, here are some Elmo shots that I couldn't resist.

Elmos as Kilroy. Elmo & Cookie Driving Elmo's

Celie's ready for School

OK, I am a sucker for a sale and anything Disney - so they were having some super duper sales and I got a Princess backpack for Celie - justification - way on sale & she is starting preschool in the fall and will need one. I also got her a princess jean jacket - justification - way on sale too & she can hand it down to Anna.

When I unpacked them, Celie decided that she wanted the backpack on - she was watching Dora the Explorer and wanted to be like her. Then when she saw the jacket, she had to have that on too. I had to take a picture of her. She sat watching TV with her jacket and backpack on for quite a while. I am glad she likes them.