Minor facelifts

For the first two years we were in this house, we dedicated much of our home improvement efforts (and money) on the outside of the house. A new paint job, cleaning up the overgrown and neglected landscaping, getting the sprinklers working well, removing a few trees, you get the idea . . .

Now it's time to tackle the inside!

We started in the rooms we spend the most time—the kitchen and family room. A fresh, warm coat of paint on the walls did wonders to liven up the space. It went from a drab off-white to a warm yellow-gold.

A new sectional and a few new pieces of art for the walls make the room feel a little more complete.

We've still got some work to do to finish it up . . . an area rug, sofa table, and TV cabinet are on the docket, but we're getting there.

The construction of the kitchen has always seemed strange to me. We have awesome appliances—a huge built-in Sub-Zero fridge, double ovens, and a six-burner Thermador stove are a dream come true. But the cabinets were basic paint grade cabinets, painted white with stainless steel hardware. Yuck. The paint was starting to chip, and looked pretty awful, and it was just so . . . white.

Since a total kitchen remodel wasn't in the budget, we opted for the next best thing . . . to paint over them!

We chose a soft greenish gray color for the cabinets to tie in the green in the countertops, with a coffee glaze in the grooves to give them an antiqued, semi-distressed look. We added green wainscoting along the backside of the bar. The result?

The new cabinet color ties in beautifully with the granite, and the distressed look adds dimension and interest. We pulled off the weird gaudy golden scrolls and added wainscoting to the back side of the island bar, to tie in the cabinets. The wall color is a soft, golden hue and the whole area looks much warmer now. I'm a happy camper (or, should I say, a happy cooker?)!

Grateful

November is quickly coming to an end, and it's only appropriate for me to post about our Thanksgiving before it becomes a distant memory!

We opted to stay close to home this year—Steve's back just wasn't up to a long car ride down to So. Cal for our traditional holiday camping adventure and visit with his family.

We invited our good friends the Olsen's and the Joly's to join us for dinner. Neither of them have family close by, so it was fun to celebrate with good friends!

Here's a photo recap of the day:

The adults sat in the dining room.

The kids sat in the kitchen. Olivia helped make the cute silverware holders.

The veggie tray turned out perfect . . . it looked like something out of a magazine!

Steve started carving the turkey before I thought to take a picture, but it looked beautiful!

All the kids, just before dinner. Don't they look like they could all be related???

Katelyn & Maddy slept over, and the kids had fun lounging!

I am thankful for good friends who help fill the void left by not having family close by.

I am thankful for a warm house and no shortage of food to eat.

I am thankful for good health (and good health insurance for when we're not so healthy!). The past few months with Steve have been a good reminder that our health isn't something to be taken for granted!

I am thankful for three amazing kids, who test my patience, and give me more love than I ever thought possible.

I am thankful for a husband who provides for our family and takes his job seriously. He is still, and always will be, the love of my life. 

I am thankful for my faith, and the knowledge that God is real, and knows who I am, and has a hand in my life. 

Happy Thanksgiving Folks!

Election Day

While the rest of the country was voting on who will be our president for the next 4 years, I was trying to decide what color iPhone 5 I should order. Big decision people...

I've had a black iPhone forever, since the original one came out 5 years ago. It's sleek, classy, and I know how it looks after years of use.

The white one is a little more feminine, and might be a nice change.

So which got my vote?

I went with the white. It'll be here in 3-4 weeks.

Now to pick out a case...

PS I did vote in the election...mailed my ballot in two weeks ago. Not that it mattered...