Brazilian Cherry Floors!

The floors are IN! It's almost done - so exciting - we're STILL waiting for the cabinets though!!!! :)
Take a look at our pretty-pretty-shiny-shiny new Cherry hardwood floors. They feel so silky smooth under barefeet!

Stampin up Party!

Here's photos from the last few Stampin Up parties I've been to - the first one is from my party last night. It was so much fun! Thanks everyone for coming! :)

Lookie, Lookie!

The first coat of Red! It's just the way I imagined! We'll need to put a light second coat on, but PHEW finally it's starting to look like something! Can't wait for the floor and cabinets! :)

Also, there's been a special request for a close up of the chandelier - so here it is!
Ouch, my hands ache from rolling paint on all afternoon! :)

Oh Chandelier, Oh Chandelier

How lofty are thy branches! ;)

Update on the construction zone - we've installed the new chandelier and the moulding is up - everything has a fresh coat of primer! NEXT STEP: Paint! More pics to follow... Stay tuned!

Flooring will be delayed until next week - :( oh well!

New Auntie!

YAY! I'm a new aunt (again) - baby Lydia Elisabeth was born this morning. Photos to follow! :)

Granite, Sweet Granite

YAY! Our granite countertop was delivered today - now we just await the cabinets to go with it (and the moulding, painting, flooring, window shades!)

It's beautiful - Black Galaxy granite - you might not be able to see it in the photo, but there are some pretty gold flecks in their that really look great under lighting!

Recent Work

To prove we haven't spent the summer lazing around the house, I thought I'd update you on the recent work going on.

First, the kitchen remodeling project. Here's a photo of what it looks like right now. Painting and flooring will be done next week. Cabinets and granite countertop have been ordered and will come in soon I hope! It's not pretty now, but it will be!!

Also, we put in a wildflower garden in the front yard where the old stump used to be - Matthew put in a rock border and I added a sundial (sorry you can't see it in the photo, and anyways, it only tells the time in the morning b/c then it gets shady but... I wanted to put it outside!). The flowers are coming in nicely - most of the seeds were perennials, so I'm excited to see it really take off next year b/c I think most of them won't flower until their second year.



Writing wise - I spent the last 2 days writing my 1st 3 lessons for the school year - all in writing workshop mode. I see it as being a much better method for me in the classroom. Thinking about my lessons this way has really been stretching my mind as I search for ways to teach the strategy, and think about whether or not what I'm having the kids do is really going to make them successful! I think over time, it'll be easier to develop my plans once I get used to the method.

Also, I've been working on a poem - there's a first in a long time! It's a sestina.