Kitchen Lighting

In our ongoing efforts to "update" and "maximize return on investment" for our house, we've updated the kitchen lighting. For a total of 60 dollars, we grabbed this system at Ikea on our way back from MI. It's newly hung, so you'll have to excuse the "kinky" cords. They'll straighten out over time...we hope.

Before...

I can not tell you how much I despised this lamp in here...however, I moved it to the "dining room" which we made a sitting room and it looks FAB!

After...

I love the new look it gives the kitchen!

KITCHEN CABINETS!!!

Well it's only taken me 2 shorts years to get up the guts to paint these kitchen cabinets. The Standard Builders Oak color wasn't cutting it for me but I was apprehensive of the undertaking. After reading blogs and getting google help, I finally decided I could do it.
I labeled everything, set up shop in the garage and after 2 weeks (off and on) they were completed. One coat oil based primer and 2 coats paint. Swiss Coffee was the paint color, doesn't that sound yummy??

So here's the before...

Bear in mind this is the DAY we moved in...notice the lack of refrigeration...(and lack of cleanliness)

And here's the after!!!

Now, we want to get a new darker countertop and sink...we'll see when that happens...

I love it though! It's so bright and NOT dated looking!!! YAY!
...and I get to leave it to someone else in a year...*tear*

Preperation...

As most of you know, we only have a little over a year left here in our first home. And if you know me, that means I'm already preparing for the move. Because I'm crazy. And I know that. I'm ok with it. I think. No I am. really.
Ok, so what's first, you may ask? First, I had to clean out the cupboards in the kitchen. We've simplified over the last year, and with a few trips to Good Will and a big garage sale, we've pretty much gotten rid of anything that isn't necessity. My cupboards are so organized, it makes me happy to put dishes away. I know, right? I just mentioned happy and housework in the same sentence...I told you I was crazy.
So next stop for me was the laundry. But let's rewind. We moved into this house in May of 2009. For almost 2 years I've dealt with storing my vacuum in plain sight due to TOTAL lack of storage space. The only closet it could have been stored in, I of course ripped out to make and entryway for all our coats and shoes. Though I do love my vacuum (It's a purple dyson, who couldn't love it), it's usually filled with dirt and dust, so I don't like leaving it on display. SO fast forward to now, and I needed to find a spot to put this thing. What more logical spot than the laundry room. It's located upstairs, right off the bedrooms, and would be very convenient. Hmm, problem was, there was wasted space. It's a long narrow room; closet, washing machine, and dryer right in a row with a small space on the floor for a basket. That just wasn't working for me. SO here's the before:

Atrocity!

What I did was:
Moved the washer and dryer under the window. (Had to run to the big orange to get longer intake hoses that would reach, like 14 dollars total) Still side by side but I've freed up room next to the closet to put the vacuum! I used my new circular saw! to cut down the counter top (which is really just a cheap luan door painted white) to the new width of the room, and Voila! A new and improved "walk in" laundry room.

Glorious!

LtoR- Basket of outgrown clothes for consignment, rags and old towels for quick cleanups, baskets of Laundry supplies, batteries, lightbulbs, etc., hangers for kids clothes, best sign ever, (not pictured)hangers for Adult clothes

(LtoR-Basket on floor to ensure proper dirty clothes placement~yeah right, Colored bins for each child's clothes, small wastebasket to collect lint/dryer sheets, and there's a small basket to collect coins and toys found in pockets, not pictured is my vacuum, the reason for all this chaos, but it's right next to the laundry basket!)

(I think there might be room for a small chair and book in the corner, if I could only find time to sneak away)

Next up! The garage!

Spring has Sprung!

Lalalalalalala! I could sing like a Disney princess! My grass is growing in full, my flowers are bursting with buds and now we have a little mama bird in our tree that's about to start her family! Quick! Someone make up a snappy little tune for that!
Grant and I were enjoying some time on the swing today and we noticed her sitting in her cozy little nest. She flew away before I could snap pics of her, but I tried to get some nest pics without disrupting the eco-balance of her home. Doesn't look like there's any eggs yet, but maybe soon!!!!!

Here's Mama Bird! Can't tell here, but she's a bit hefty looking!

Oh Yeah, and my hydrangeas started blooming!!! Aren't they scrumptious?!?!

Patio update

Well, looks like babies aren't my only strong suit, apparently I can grow grass too! I laid this patio just one short month ago and it's filled in rather nicely!