Blinds For My Babes

I finally got around to getting some window treatments in the kids rooms. Poor Skeeto has had blankets covering his windows to help him sleep for over 2 years now. I know, it's ghetto. I just wasn't sure what to do with them...Drapes? Blinds? Roman shades?

I ended up deciding on wood blinds. I got them off of Blinds.com for pretty cheap. They were super easy to install too -- did it myself in about an hour. I wish they were a little brighter white, but they'll do. At least my kids won't feel like trailer trash. And I might even get to sleep in a little longer on the weekends. They do a pretty good job of blocking out the light.

Izzypop's room got some too.  I can only imagine that she'll be playing with them in the middle of the night.  I hope those screws hold :)

Are We Done Yet?

I need to touch up some areas of paint, but for all intents and purposes, yes, we're done....in the kitchen anyway. The awful under cabinet lighting has been swapped out and I wrote the last check to James today. The lighting looks much better.  Below is before, to the right is after.

Here's another before and after. Sorry about the blurry after :)

And here's the final kitchen with and without the main lights on. Thanks James for taking care of this. And thank you for a beautiful kitchen. We will enjoy it for many years to come.  

Onto the next...

I Love My New Keetchen!

We've been super busy lately, but we've slowly been getting used to our new kitchen.  It is pretty awesome.  These pics probably all look the same to you as the last time, but we can see the little changes :).

Here's a closer pic of the sign I bought from Hobby Lobby to accessorize this space.  I like the big jars with it.  I am still looking for a clock to go above the pantry door and maybe a pantry sign to go on the pantry itself.  Also, I am planning on making a sign to put above the calendar area.  We'll get there.

Here's some of a finished dining room.

We've started accessorizing and more importantly cooking.  No serious cooking, mind you, but cooking nonetheless.  First you take the cookie dough.  You take the cookie dough and put it in the oven.

Then you make a face. (You're killing me Smalls!)

When the cookies are golden, you take them out of the oven.

And then....you stuff.

Good times with great kids.  Nothing beats baking cookies in a brand new kitchen and enjoying them with these two.  It was a good night.

Breakfast On The Griddle

This morning we used the griddle for the first time. Eggs over easy and hashbrowns. Also used the new 4 slice toaster for some yummy toast. Izzypop actually ate breakfast...VICTORY!

The list is dwindling.  Here's what's left:

• Under-cabinet lighting swap
• Window hardware
• Custom vent made for hood outlet 
• Last little bit of touch up paint
• Clean downstairs
• Finish moving kitchen items back upstairs
• Accessorize

I'm Checking My List

Over the last few days we've been trying to check the last few items off the To Do List.  Here's some progress:

The exterior of the window has been finished...

the interior of the window has been painted...

...and the shades are now working.

I was tired of the nagging from Brian and took the plastic off of the griddle cover on the range and we got the oven racks in.  Do I smell peanut butter bars in the near future?



I also removed the cardboard and plastic from the front of the fridge.  It's purdy.

Some other things on the list were done too, like fixing the floor transition (below).  I worked my guts out last night trying to get all the remaining painting finished.  I spent 6 1/2 hours painting and cleaning and I am still not quite done.  It feels so good to be this close, though.

So, here's the latest version of the To Do List:

• Under-cabinet lighting swap
• Window hardware
• Put vent cover on range hood outlet
• Level appliances properly
• Patch drywall downstairs
• Last little bit of touch up paint
• Clean (neverending)
• Finish moving kitchen items back upstairs
• Accessorize (NB: We bought a clock to put above the pantry.  I put a battery in it and it ticked so loud, I promptly pulled the battery out and put it back in the box.  That thing is going back to the store!  Annoying!)

The List Is Dwindling

We are almost done.  It is looking so good.  Today James finished caulking the backsplash and put the switchplates on.

I also put the toaster in its rightful place...happy now Brian?

I wish I could give you a better perspective on how good this looks!

I am trying out a new panoramic program.  Some are better than others:

I also spent some time putting our china in the display cabinets.  We need more interesting pieces.  I have a serving bowl on the way.  Our china is Mikasa Gothic Platinum.  You can get it at Bed Bath and Beyond so we're going to start using those 20% off coupons you get in the mail and buy some serving pieces.  I also am going to try and get some plate stands so I can put a few of the plates upright.  It is a work in progress.

There are still a lot of little things left.  We'll get there though.  I think we might be close enough to refinance, anyway, which would be great at these rates!

Breaking It In

We actually cooked on the range today!  What did we cook you ask?  Some gourmet meal worthy of a king?  Not exactly.  Izzypop has been hounding me for days to make some Hamburger Helper.  I know, it seems like sacrilege to even say the words Hamburger and Helper together in this kitchen, but Izzypop does get what she wants most of the time.

The range hood is all installed.  The vent is working and so are the lights.

 

I really think we will be using this lighting a lot.  It is nice.

In other news, the microwave got put into the cupboard that will be its permanent home.  Out of sight.

The pantry pocket door was painted and installed.  As much as I *love* that pantry...I'm not a fan of looking at everything that is *in* the pantry all the time.  The door helps.

All in all, it was a nice evening.  Sitting down to a home cooked meal together as a family...even if it was Hamburger Helper.

Attempting To Move In

Today James finished grouting the back splash.  I forgot to tell him we wanted grey grout so he used white...sorry Brian.  It still looks great.  I think after tomorrow I might feel like its done enough to start cooking in this kitchen.  That would be awesome.

 

I started moving our things in.  The first thing I wanted to put away was all our new Pottery Barn Great White dishes.  We bought them on sale and with a gift card months ago and they have been packed away downstairs.  They look pretty good in our white kitchen, don't you think?

I had grandiose plans for how much I'd be able to move into the kitchen tonight.  Those plans were thwarted when I looked out the window and saw the trees blowing furiously in the wind.  I figured I better check on our fence that is close to collapsing.  The fence was fine.  What I did find, though, was that the umbrella on our patio table had blown over and shattered the table top into about a gazillion pieces.  Ugh.  I spent the rest of the evening cleaning that up.  In case you ever wondered, yes, you can vacuum your lawn with a shop vac.  I bet the people walking by thought I was crazy anal retentive.  I quarantined the area with the lawn chairs so Bea doesn't walk all over it tomorrow.  I am sure there are pieces I missed seeing as it was dark by the time I finished for the night.  So much for getting to bed early.  I love home ownership.