Sunday Morning Rituals

Without fail, this is what I do each Sunday morning.

1. Coffee, lots of half-n-half, one equal
2. reading the newspaper
3. watch CBS Sunday Morning - something about the trumpet in the opener is nostalgic. It has been the same opening anthem that has played since I lived at home with my parents as a child.
4. checking postsecret
5. surfing the web
6. french toast (made by my significant other, preferrably) with fresh fruit (KIWIS!) and homemade vanilla syrup

These rituals are founded on what I saw my parents do when I was a kid. Of course the latter three "rituals" are my modern additions.

What are are your rituals?

Outside: dining al fresco

The new Viva Terra catalog arrived this week. I can always find a thing or two to covet within its pages. This time, it is the railroad tie dining table and chairs. These would be perfect for summer dining on the new back patio - admiring all of the new landscaping that cost a small fortune.

It started small.

I live in a home that is just barely 1300 sf. It is a modest home and I love it. In May I finished my first remodeling project. It only took fourteen months. Only.

I can imagine the thoughts that are running through your mind, but only those who have gone through a remodel themselves understand such a time line. Oh, and let me add - I played the role of general contractor. I saved myself about half of the cost (or more) of some of the bids I received from licensed general contractors to undertake my kitchen remodel, but I certainly didn't spare myself any headache! And even with a plan and a budget, things got out of hand. A demolished kitchen brought with it questions that I hadn't fully contemplated. If I was demolishing everything, did that also mean the ugly floors? And if I was going to install new hardwood flooring in the kitchen (to match most of the rest of the house's existing hardwood floors) shouldn't I do it while the room was empty?

For the record, I did do it while the room was empty. And since the company was onsite doing the hardwood floor installation, I had them do the only other rooms that were also without hardwood - the two bathrooms. I also had them refinish the floors throughout the rest of the house while they were here.

And THAT is probably where the WHOLE HOUSE REMODEL started ... fourteen months ago.

I will probably do some retrospective postings on the who, what, when, where and how regarding the whole process in the coming months. Until then, I wanted to share with you the picture that served as inspiration. This image is from Cottage Living's online Design Assistant. You can view photos of kitchens (and other rooms) featured in the magazine and its sister publications (Sunset, Coastal Living, Southern Living, Southern Accents). Pictured is the inspiration photo of the kitchen that started it all.