Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Kitchen Renovations Part I

I have some exciting news and pictures! The kitchen is *almost* done. We are waiting for the tiles for the backsplash to come in, and then we'll be done! The granite was installed, the sink looks AMAZING, and we changed the hardware. It makes a HUGE difference and I can't believe how much better the kitchen looks.




Thursday, November 18, 2010

Strike a Pose

I am so lucky that I have friends that are talented. Especially when those friends become photographers and can shoot amazing work.

This year, I wanted to make really snazzy Christmas cards. I half-assed it last year, and was really displeased with the result. And given our handsome pups, I thought why not get a picture taken with the four of us by someone who knows what they are doing?? Capturing these four-legged friends looking at the camera at the same time proves quite challenging.

So I enlisted a friend, and former Bentley classmate--Brooke Allison Photography. I encourage you to check out her work. Not only does she do fabulous work, but she is a warm and bubbly person just waiting to take pictures and so easy to get along with!

We headed to Marina Bay in Quincy on a brisk fall day. So here are a couple shots of her fantastic work.




Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Sneak Peek. Kitchen Renovations

the house is a mess. I have cabinets on the floor, dining room, everywhere. I have no sink. I have no faucet. I have two dogs that don't seem to understand not to mess with the kitchen. I have leftovers because we were able to sneak in a dinner at Fat-Cat due to lack of kitchen.

So I share...

Cabinets in the living room:


Messy kitchen and ugly hardware:


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

PK 11.16.09

Today's post is a solemn one. Today mark's the one year anniversary since my aunt patty's passing (and my Nana's birthday!).

I've had a strange feeling all day. I feel like I should be sad. Then I think no no, stay strong. And then I feel like I could completely lose it. But I think it's because I have this sense of longing that will probably never go away. I find myself driving home some nights and going to pick up the phone to call her the way I always did. To update her on my life, work, personal, whatever it may be. She'd then of course give me her opinion whether or not I asked for it, the best part of our conversations. And of course her laugh, after I told her some ridiculous story.

Last year was a blur, I can't remember if I told her I loved her enough. Or if I thanked her enough. So here it goes...

Thank you Aunt Pat, for your amazing ability to listen and for your countless words of wisdom. Thank you for always being there and looking out for me, and my mother. Thank you for proving sometimes you have to give your mother a hard time because that's what daughters do. Thank you for believing in love despite hardships. Thank you for your ability to stay strong in the hardest of times...to never give up hope, to always believe, and to fight. We thought we were going to lose you 18 years before we did, and the world was a better place with you in it.

And thank you, to the man above, for giving us those extra years. Thank you to Dana Farber, Hospice and all of her best friends for supporting her, John, and my family through such a difficult time. I miss you every single day.


Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.
Buddha

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Pupdate November

During a little break from raking leaves, I snapped some photos of the boys. We were lucky enough to get weather in the 60's mid-November, so we had to take advantage and let the boys play while we worked.





Sunday, November 7, 2010

Meals and Memories Are Made Here

In a little over a week, our kitchen renovations will finally begin. I simply cannot wait for our upgrades, it's going to look so much better and is really worth the investment in the long run.

We had a relatively painless experience picking out granite and tile (thankfully the cabinets are new and not going anywhere so we didn't have to start from scratch).

I figured I'd give a sneak peak into our choices. We wanted to make our kitchen warm and inviting, but neutral so it will easy for prospective buyers to see themselves in this kitchen in a few years when we sell.

Granite:


Tile:


And then of course a reminder of the BEFORE state.

Exhibit A: (when we moved in)


Exhibit B: (current state)

Friday, November 5, 2010

Oh the places you'll go!

It was a very busy October for this gal. I had Veronica's wedding (AMAZING TIME!), which meant a house guest (wilky!) and lots of fun things to do, a trip to Austin to see Wilky (love that city!), and two business trips to California and Houston. I feel like I haven't seen the hubs in ages.

...I'm also writing this a little jet-lagged, so perhaps I don't even make sense.

I was so lucky to have spent the past month in warmer climates-- flip flops were entirely acceptable, Iced Starbucks drinks were a must, and outside dining doesn't cause you to get frostbite. But alas, I am home, it's fall....and well...it's getting cold. I've pulled out the sweaters, scarves, and boots. The only nice thing about this is that the holidays are right around the corner and so are our house renovations. tune in shortly for an update.