Black and White Wednesday

Dahlia....meet Dahlia! (I know, I'm hopelessly corny).

On Monday night, Dahlia (daughter - just in case there was any question) was so anxious for me to take some pictures of "her" Dahlia flower. I said the morning light might be better.

First thing this morning - I open my eyes and she's standing over me, saying "it's morning....the light is right". She must have been thinking about it all night. (Yikes, I think I've created a monster.)

So I stumble to get my camera and we go to the patio and take a couple of pictures. (I had my exposure set too high so they're slightly off.)

Dahlia is then yanking on my arm to go back upstairs to put them on the computer so she can see them and I can edit them for...her words......"Black and White Wednesday Mommy....everybody will gasp when they see the size of my Dahlia!!"

So....are y'all gasping? (She'll want to know.)

g


I messed around with the color here.

Isn't it interesting what goes on in their little minds. I'm constantly surprised, bemused and delighted.

Stop over to Lisa's for more photo fun.


This week-end we went to our friend's house and Daddy got his girls into the pool. (Well....all except his big girl....that would be me. What? Someone had to take the pictures.)



And guess who LOVES the water?

Oh yes....she does!

Bienvenue.........chez nous !!

Finally.........it's done!

(ish)

After 3 long months, I'm happy to say our renovation is done. (The "ish" is still a few door frames, base boards, a little painting, decor and....oh yeah...a MASSIVE amount of cleaning (cough, sputter, choke) and unpacking to do.

My poor garden is calling me and the kiddies could handle a little more Mommy time but the big stuff is done (read - I'm never doing this again!!).

But

I'm grateful because I really love it. I LOVE IT!!! Hear me?

So....let's start at the front door.

The foyer.

View from the back.

And now....drum roll please

Ma cuisine.









Little touches ( I used ever last square inch).





See in there....in the corner? My very first and favorite cookbook.

Ever.



Little tea sets - brought back from China.

And my favorite - purchased quickly and oh -so -guiltily from a tea house in Beijing.

(I could stare at that chubby shape all day.)

Ahem.....for those of you who need a potty break....or just a break....you are excused. I know this is long but it is my one and only last renovation so I'm showing it all.


Drawers, drawers and more drawers.

Love, love, love!!!








I'm in love with my faucet.



My kitchen is not big - but I like it that way. I'm a solo cook and everything is within arms or a few steps reach. So get out of my way 'cause I can fly.

And my diningroom is very large so this size kitchen is perfect for me/us.






And the (old library) now family room - connected so I can see everything and we can all be together. Walls and closets and a powder room were removed and re-located to get this view.

And I spend a fair amount of time just staring and grinning.

All CD's and DVD's and toys and games are tucked away. Just my beloved books hold center stage. We use to have our piano in here too. We sold it (along with a whack of recording equipment) and bought a little beauty which I'll reveal later. It's in the loft - where we lived for the better part of 3 months - so there's no way any human eyes will see that cacophonous area except us for awhile.








Did I mention I love my books?

(This is about a quarter of them. I gave/threw away about half of what I originally had in this room and we have book cases in the loft, my art studio, and Dan's office too. And Dahlia's collection is....ummm.......pretty big and growing.

I know....you don't have to say it!))

My all-time favorite book is on this shelf. Can you guess?

Ta-da!

I don't know why....I just loved this book. Period.

Well, that's it! I still have to finish up the powder room and a few other things which I'll show later. (That is if you're into powder rooms.)

:)

And to all those who have sympathized and waited patiently - thank you.

And if you're renovating....well....God bless you!

And may the force be with you.

Black and White Wednesday "A tiny tease"

So, our endless renovation is just about finished, tomorrow should be nice and sunny so I'll grab my camera and go crazy.

I'll post the finished product on Thursday. Meanwhile, for Lisa's black and white theme - I thought I'd give you a tiny preview.....just to whet your appetite.

Family room mantle. Just a quick peek.

And my favorite part of our new kitchen. (Well....one of them.)

There's the tease.

More on Thursday.