my how things change : reno : week 8

Well. Week eight was a while ago, but here is what happened:
Backsplash!

Hood! Hardware!

While the kitchen is not yet 100% complete, I have had time to 100% fall in love with it. I'm not going to be all fluffy and lie to you, my blog-reading BFF. Of course, there are some things I would like to have done in hindsight, but still, it. is. awe. some.

I'm feeling pretty darn lucky right now, lounging comfortably on our new couch, Christmas lights glimmering on our tree to the right and adorning our exterior on the left, glass of red wine in hand and falling in love with Beyonce (yeah, that's right) to her live "I Am ... World Tour" in the background. Drinking it all in before Holiday-Mania is in full swing.

Bummer

Hello all! I'm currently out of town and I didn't bring my camera cord. I'm definitely behind and again confusing myself about the status of my kitchen as compared to my last update. Anyway, I haven't quite had a full day at home with enough dinner time to cook the bourguignon so I made the potato, leek, and watercress soup. It was so delicious. I fed a crowded house with all smiles. The only downside being that I broke two blenders. Not one, but two. This soup cost me $150 in appliances. Soup gets an A+ though.. worth it? Maybe. Note to self (and you, of course): Next time cut the leeks smaller!

sweet Sweet Paul

We've been lucky enough to have some wonderful lovers make us homemade soups and stews and chilis and roasts during this renovation, but I can't kick the need to cook! To chop. To mince. To smell sweet smells all coming together. I've been printing and copying and saving and drooling over so many recipes recently.

I'm craving some seasonal cinnamon-pumpkin muffins after a good soup that spent a Sunday a' simmerin' ... and then I met Sweet Paul.

Met through this wide web, of course, and I've only "met" him. I'm sure he has no idea about me. The Sweet Paul (e) Magazine is just divine. Such beautiful food images and design and the best-sounding recipes. Anyway, I think I've found IT. The one dish worthy enough of being my first homemade meal in our new kitchen, with vegetables chopped on our new counters, lit by our new pendant lamps and sitting on our new wonderful five burner stove for hours under our new hood.

Beef Bourguignon. It looks so seasonally delicious and I'm not intimidated by any of the ingredients! Coming in at a close second, third and fourth, which simply means, to be made at a later time:

You must check out the Sweet Paul mag. I'll let you know how the Bourguignon turns out!

images: Sweet Paul

my how things change : reno : week 7

I've gotten so behind on my posts that I'm even confusing myself. So, here it is: Reno, Week 7. I (clear of throat. Literally; I just cleared my throat) intended to post at the end of each week. Week seven was actually October 25-29. I'm a few days behind on this one, but, oh, week seven was an exciting one!

Our faucet is working, we moved the food to the beautiful and beautifully CLEAN new fridge, our pendant lighting was installed (four total, you can see one peeking in the top-right corner), our trim is being completed, our hardwood stairs leading to the basement look beautiful. Sighh... it's all coming together!

And. We. Are. LOVING. It. I truly do not think I could be happier. I am never going to want to leave this kitchen, which should delight Chris, really. Homemade food all the time? Sign me up! Especially after what feels like the take-out tour of Cincinnati. And, yes, my pants are indeed fiting tighter. I think it was week six that did me in.

Every time I go through the zipped-up tarp that separates this beautiful new kitchen world from our increasingly messy living space to open up that big, pristine fridge to get the Brita (yes, we opted not to get the outer fridge water spout contraption) I breathe such a sigh of relief. I am one grateful girl. How many people get to design and then utilize and live in and love their dream kitchen? Not many.

All the while this little guy is still holding down the fort.

Which, as evidenced by the shredded curling iron and dvd player cords that we came home to, can be a rather boring job. Everything seems a little too safe here, might as well add some adventure to the day!

I guess he isn't quite ready to be left out of his kennel, but does something expensive have to be ruined every time we think he is? It'll be a while before I have an answer to that question!

Coming up in week 8: backsplash and cabinet hardware! You won't want to miss it!