It's Time for a Kitchen Tour

Hello, dear friends.  Today I am linking up with Kelly's Corner and a few other wonderful blogs.    If you are new to my blog and missed our kitchen renovation, you're lucky.  I wish I had zoned out during that time, too.  If you're still interested, you can find the posts here and here.

Here are a few pics of the house when it was on the market and when we moved in.  

This photo shows you what you see when you walk in the kitchen door.  We took out the above closet and replaced it with this cabinetry.

Here's a word of advice for anyone going through the kitchen renovation process.  The kitchen designer told me that everyone is placing the microwave in a lower cabinet.  If you are over 30 years old, don't do it.  It's a pain in the neck to bend over and attempt to read the numbers.  I now consider microwaving part of my cardio. 

We took down the wall to make the kitchen look larger.

I wanted to show you one thing.  Do you see the beautiful handpainted pumpkin?

My friend, sweet Karolyn, from The Relished Roost, gave that to me and a few other lucky bloggers a couple of years ago at luncheon.  

All the lighting fixtures, as well as this beautiful planter, are from The Enchanted Home shop.  What can I say... I'm a Tina wannabe.

There was a chimney where that cabinet is placed on the wall.

This area doubles as blog central when I am not in my office and need to keep an eye on the hoodlums.

We took the above closet out and added cabinetry to the right in this photo.  

It has slide-out shelves, which I love!

These are the last of my hydrangeas from my garden.  
I wish I could freeze them.

We kept the original cabinets and wood in the pantry.

Very seldom are the toys found in this basket.  Chowdah and Chili watch me painstakingly bend over to pick up all the toys and put them away.  They then take them out one by one, scatter them around, and chuckle under their breaths when they spot my expression.  

It's not easy being me.

The watercolor on the right is a house portrait that I had done for the Mister's birthday.  The artist is Terry Choate.  

 Terry surpassed my expectations with her talent.

Chowdah and Chili are even featured!

This is a terrible picture, but I wanted to show you my favorite thing about the kitchen.  This wooden area is original to the house and holds bucket loads of cutting boards and baking sheets.  When we move again, this is a must-have in my new kitchen.  Otherwise, I'll just leave all our stuff for the new owners.

The butler's pantry is another favorite area of our house.
The drawers, cabinets, and wood are originals.
If you doubt me, come over to my house and try to open a drawer or window. 

We liked Mom better when she took time off from blogging.
Please tell her to stop taking pictures of us. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time...

Proudly Linking up with:

That Friday Bloghop

Friday Frivolity

Friday Favorites

High Five for Friday

Home Sweet Home

Foodie Friday and Everything Else

Share Your Style

Finding Silver Pennies

Thoughts of Home on Thursdays

Back on Track with Hodgepodge

Hello, dear friends.  It feels great getting back into the swing of things.  Thanks to all who have welcomed me back to blogland.  I hope that y'all are enjoying the last weeks of Summer.

1.  Are you watching the Olympics?  Your favorite summer Olympic event?  I read recently a list of the most iconic Olympic moments in history... what stands out in your mind as a great moment from some past summer Olympic games?

Bravo is covering the Olympics during the day and has nothing but reruns on in the evening, so what else am I going to watch?   Sorry if I sound crabby; I'm going through Housewives withdrawal.

I find the rowing very relaxing to watch.  
It is almost hypnotizing to watch the synchronized oars hitting the water.

No matter how early in the day or how many hours of sleep I enjoyed the night before, it always makes me want to take a nap.

People, rather than moments, stand out in my mind when recalling past Olympics.

I wanted to be her.

I sported her haircut.

I was just full of myself with my new 'do.
Btw... that's my first husband.

I wanted to date him. 

2.  Have you ever been to Rio?  How about the place it all started - Greece?  Have you ever been to any of the Olympic games in person?  Is that something you'd like to do?  Have you ever met an Olympian in person?

I have never been to Rio.  I have been to Santorini.  Or rather, I looked at Santorini.  I chose to stay on the cruise ship because I have a fear of heights.  Just one of my laundry list of issues.

The rest of the gang made the voyage except one.  Can you guess who stayed back on the ship with me?  

3.  The ball's in their court (tennis), cross the finish line (track and field), on target (archery), make a splash (diving),  on a roll (gymnastics), out of one's depth (swimming) ... which Olympic-related idiom best applies to your life right now?  Explain.

How about out of one's depth with photoshop.
My poor photo teacher should be canonized.

4.  What have you earned a 'gold medal' in recently?

Sometimes, I think I deserve a gold medal for patience when dealing with a certain member of the family.

5.  What is it (or who is it) that motivates you to eat right, exercise, and do what can be healthy?

That's my problem!  
I need a mean ol' personal trainer to keep me in line.

That's me by the way.  Photoshop is a miracle worker.

6.  Are you young at heart or an old soul?  Explain.

Although these four individuals have given me plenty of gray hair along the way, they are responsible for keeping me young at heart.

7.  It's National S'mores Day (August 10th) ... are you a fan?  Will you celebrate with a s'mores today?

everythingcoastal.com

You bet you're Fluffernutter, I'm a fan.  

Unfortunately, no plans to indulge but the day is still young. 

Insert your own random thought here.

The Mister was away for the past couple of days on business.  I used the free time constructively to watch the entire latest season of Veep.  This show is not for the faint of heart.  It is politically incorrect, peppered with naughty curse words, and is wickedly funny.  

I told you I was shallow.

What's your favorite Olympic Event?

Until next time...

    

Castlewelt.com

What I did on my Summer Vacation

Hello, dear friends.  Fret no more. I am back.  I wish that I could tell you that I went on a fabulous vacation or spent my time doing good works in some far off country, but I did not.  

I spent my leisure time doing a lot of stuff that I didn't want to do.  I got a mammogram, a bone density test, my teeth cleaned, my eyes checked, painstakingly kept my flowers watered,  purged clothes that mysteriously shrunk in my closet, and I got a facelift.  OK, that's not true.  Let's just say it was wishful thinking.
 Or maybe I just wanted to see if you actually read the text on my blog and not just look at the pics like my family members.

This one's for you, #1 and #2.  
Next time you'll read the text.


The last few weeks also held some very enjoyable moments,as well.

I took photography lessons.  Yup, that's me.  Not only did I get a faux facelift, but I also lightened my hair and lost 40 lbs.  I told you I was a compulsive overachiever.

I also took photoshop lessons, which I think is as difficult as learning brain surgery.  At least for me, it is.  It's worth it, though.  Who needs plastic surgery when you've got Photoshop?

I don't know whether I shared a family secret with you.  After grooming Chili for a couple of years, her groomer felt it would be best for all if Chili found a new groomer.  I felt like I was at the principal's office and she told me that my kid was the school bully.    

After numerous phone calls and a gentle touch of bribery, I found Heather who grooms in her van.  The minute I met Chili's next victim stylist, I was confident that Chili was about to meet her match.  We "helped" Chili to get into her new salon and I checked on them periodically.  The very long two hours were filled with high-pitched yaps and deep-throated stern words.  I couldn't tell who had the upper hand, or paw, in Chili's case.

My money was on Heather all along!  As you can see, Chili was bursting with enthusiasm over her new 'do. 

  

I enjoyed a fabulous lunch in Dedham catching up with my two Sudbury sweethearts. 

   
A magical afternoon was spent with my Texas friend, Sarah from Hyacinths for the Soul and her dear friend, Phyllis, who lives in this charming home on the Cape. 

Phyllis and Sarah met each other years ago through the Quimper Club International.  Phyllis' home was so beautiful that it gave me heart palpitations.  I'm sure Sarah will have great photos so check out her blog periodically. 

I spent another fabulous evening with my book club buddies at an exquisite waterfront home.  We all enjoyed this book by Sejal Badani.

Cozy Little Kitchen

Nancy, the hostess with the mostess, served delicious dips and deserts and in between presented these mouthwatering sandwiches that were the hit of the night.  They melted in my mouth like buttah.

The Mister surprised me with dinner reservations at my favorite restaurant in NYC.  We also saw the best Broadway play that I've ever seen.  Hint:  it wasn't Hamilton.  More on that in a future post.

We had a great lunch at a new place (to us).  Rye Tavern is in Plymouth and features charming New England ambiance as well as delicious food.

Another fabulous literary luncheon on the Cape was in order with my two favorite Annes.  More on that in a later post. 

The Mister and I finally finished the entire series of Monarch.  We should have quit after the 4th season when most of the stars abandoned ship.  It lost its steam after that.

The only word I can think of is chilling when describing Bloodline.  The second season is as good as the first.

Suits is back and is as captivating as ever!  Oh, how I love that Harvey!

Slim pickins' at the movie theaters this summer.  Of course, the Mister insisted on seeing this one on opening weekend.  Jason Bourne uses the same familiar formula as in the past.  It is a two-hour chase scene with about two pages of dialogue.  Needless to say, the Mister loved it. 

I designed my own bitmoji.  I love that double chin wasn't an option in the design process.

August 7th is 

National Sisters Day

Happy Sister's Day to my Sista and partner in crime!

*****

I chose this day to come back to blogland for a reason.  Four years ago today, I sat down at my kitchen table in McKinney, Texas and wrote my first blogpost.  These four years have been nothing less than delightful.  I have met so many wonderful people in person as well as virtually, readers as well as fellow bloggers.  I consider you all friends. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this silly little blog.  You continue to make my day with your sweet notes and kind comments.

Until next time...

This is exactly how it rolled when I wrote my first post.  
It hasn't changed much, either.



Proudly linking up with:
Amaze Me Monday
Monday Madness
Thoughts of Home on Thursday