Everything Is Blooming!

The peonies are gorgeous this year! (I know, I should have given them a basket for support before they got so huge... There is always next year)

Still working on pulling together the landscape in the front, but it's getting there! We tore out the overgrown evergreen bushes that flanked the steps - any suggestions? I'm inclined to rip it all out and start over (keeping the peonies of course!) but I like the maturity of some of the shrubs.... I think we are adding a Japanese Maple somewhere to the left of the steps, but besides that I am at a loss.

Going to work on the veggie and herb garden this weekend!

Brunching

Had the Grafton girls over a few weeks ago. We had a great time and it was my first brunch party. Couldn't resist the tulips at the store. I think that means that spring is on its way!

Backsplash! At Long Last!

Justin's brother, Jordan, did an AMAZING job installing our backsplash tile last week. I'm still smiling every time I walk into the kitchen. Oh - and he added almost all of the hardware to the cabinets also. Yipee!!!

Trim around the cutout between the living room and kitchen/dining room and we'll be nearly finished!

Winter Update! (part 2)

And now, for the kitchen update. (yes, we still aren't finished nearly 10 months later!)

But we are getting a lot closer!

Justin's brother came up and installed our new kitchen window - which we wanted to get done before installing the backsplash tile. Even though everyone tried to talk me out of a casement window, I'm so glad that we ended up going with it. I love the unobstructed view to the backyard and it makes me want ALL new windows!! That might actually be the next big project we take on :) Gotta get those tax credits when we can!

And I FINALLY picked a color for the kitchen. It's a shade of white, but has just enough silver/grey tint to contrast w/the white furniture and trim. It is a different color depending on the time of day, and even though it's not Justin's favorite, I think it is slowly winning him over. Plus I like how it doesn't battle with the orange in the living room.

Winter Update! (part 1)

I've been seriously slacking with the blog updates, but to be honest.... that initial ambition that we had to get everything done faded pretty fast!

We did manage to get the front of the house painted and ripped out those dying/overgrown bushes. I think it makes the house look just a tad bigger. Dreadding digging those stumps out come spring, though. Maybe they'll die on their own over the winter??? A girl can dream...

And Justin and his dad installed our new garage door, which I think ups the curb appeal dramatically. I love it!

Still waiting on one part for the electric opener to be installed, but we'll get there.

If we hadn't bought each other kayaks for Christmas on Black Friday, there would have actually been room for a car in the garage this winter!

PS - Look at that sweet wreath that we made from trimming the juniper bush out back!

Brush strokes

Been a while since an update, been a busy summer! The rainy month of June put a damper on our painting efforts but we're finally been able to make some progress on painting the exterior of the house. 

Grow, veggies, grow!

We did a little bit more work in the garden a few weeks back. It's so exciting to see the veggies grow. So far we've harvested beans, scallions, a few peas and some cherry tomatoes. All the tomatoes are going to ripen at once, though - we're going to have a ton! And hopefully some peppers will be ready to pick soon, too!

Here's the before and after of the garden:

Oh - and we installed the hammock. Finally! Justin said if he knew how much enjoyment would have come from so little work than he would have done it last summer right when we moved in!