Twelve Pieces (4 of 12)

What Have We Done?

My husband and I (mostly my husband) are renovating the livingroom/diningroom/bedroom in a 1920s story-and-a-half house.

In my lifetime, I have been witness to the renovation process through various friends and family but had NO IDEA how stressful and life altering these things can be until we started renovating our own house last year.

We started with the kitchen — at first it was so exciting! The prospect of updating a very outdated kitchen, making it more efficient and functional... insulating the walls so as to save on heating bills — all good!! But as the old kitchen came tumbling down, and the old plaster came off (leaving a cloud of dust that I swear has yet to truly settle) I started to panic... as we tore the lathe from the studs and swept away the last bit of plaster, I was overcome with a sense of dread... what had we done??? What a MESS! How are we EVER going to FIX this???

My husband assured me everything would work out fine. And it did. The kitchen is beautiful and a joy to work in.

Next we (he) tackled the bathroom. At first it was so exciting! The prospect of updating a very outdated bathroom, yadda, yadda, yadda, haven't we seen this movie before??? You'd think I would learn, but nooooo... looking at the shell that was once our bathroom - I panicked! What had we done??? and again, my wonderful guy calmed me down and reassured me that everything would be just fine. And it was. The bathroom is lovely.

So now we (he) is doing the rest of the main floor and THIS time I am trying my best NOT to panic.

The dust will eventually be gone and the house will be a cozy, comfy, energy efficient HOME that we can be really proud of... <3

Twelve Pieces (3 of 12)

The Truth

I found the truth one cool October evening 

Just inside the doorway and up a flight of stairs

He held me close and whispered things I didn't want to hear

Then sent me on my way

No goodbye kiss

No I love you's

Just a token for the bus ride home

Give Away!

I am playing along in a fun little swap, head on over to HighlandGhillie's BlogSpot (if only to check out her amazing photography)…

The rules are (and I'm copying the text from HighlandGhillie's Blog):

The first five people who respond to this post will get something made by me. It will be my choice, but will, hopefully, be something you can use or enjoy for its aesthetic merits. 

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations, they are:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like it!
   
2. You will receive this item before the end of the year (December 31, 2009) or sooner.
   
3. You will have no idea what the item will be or when you will receive it.
   
4. To participate, you must re-post this on your blog and put together something to be sent out as five surprises of your own. These surprises can be anything — a piece of art, a photo, a poem —whatever you choose!
   

Twelve Pieces (2 of 12)

02_09

Just Stopping by…

My cousin and her husband stopped by today on their way to Ottawa. I hadn't seen her in quite some time so it was really good to visit with her and catch up on all that's been going on in our lives. 

A few years ago we moved away from friends and family so we don't often meet up on the spur of the moment like you would do when you live in the same city… so it's really nice to have visitor's just "pop" in!

She brought us a lovely hostess gift — these three votive holders and some wonderful vanilla candles. So cute! AND she baked us some VERY tasty butter tarts (even she said they aren't as good as Junie's) and peanut butter pecan cookies —YUM!