Kitchen Remodeling Update

Seriously, I question the people who built my house.

Cabinet doors were stained while hanging up.

The stipping goes slowly but surely. By the time I'm done with this kitchen project they'll have a job for me across the river

Flying Beer

Kudos go out to Amber for stopping in STL on her way home and picking up a selection of "beers that you can't find in MS". She had a few of us over to do some flight testing of said beers and enjoy a delishous pot roast. I don't know how she does it - but there is bacon in there - how could it NOT be good?

The beer lineup:

Ste Pete's English Ale

Young's Double Chocolate Stout

Melborne Bros. Apricot
Sam Smith's Tadcaster
Fisher Amber (from France)
St. Pete's IPA

In general the beers met with thumbs up, despite me being a girl. The St. Pete's Ale and IPA were ok (I"m not a big IPA fan). The Young's was good, but an after dinner, single beer kind of beer. The Melborne was waaaaaay sweet. Definitely for sipping in the summer while ice cold. The Fisher and Tadcaster were probably my favorites as far as plain old beers.

Aftwords we played this game caled quiddler that Amber's sister gave her for Christmas. It is sort of like gin with letters - you use the letters on the cards to spell words. We found out just how limited our vocabularies are and how poorly engineers and scientists spell! Fun Times!

Working away

I've got several doors down and cleaned... and the bottom cabinets are emptied. It is slow going. I am at the point of needing a 2nd can of stripping agent. Not a problem - I'm prepared, I have a can on hand. Problem: I can't get it open. Sometimes I hate being a girl.

While I wait I'm taking off the gorgeous wallpaper border. It is comming off surprisingly well! Yay!!

New toy

I played with my new toy today.

Goodbye Kitchen

Say goodbye to my kitchen.

farewell

au wiedersehen

au revoir

sayonara

Gorgreous finish and hardware - how could I give this up?

Expect periodic updates on Phase I of remodeling during the upcomming staycation.

Christmas, the finale!

Happy Boxing day to one and all! I hope Santa brought you lots and lots of goodies.

We celebrated Christmas up right in Vicksburg. Christmas eve mass was followed by falling asleep on the couch watching Love Actually (actually one of the better new Christmas movies).

On Christmas day I was awoken by a puppy wanting to let me know what day it was! About ten minutes later the phone rang, reminding me that I needed to get my butt out of bed - if everyone else had to be up - then so did I! We opened presents and I loaded up the fur family and we joined my friend Amanda and her family for a Christmas day extravaganza of watching the little one play with her princess palace, oogling the infant, and chilling out together. My puppies also enjoyed getting to play with the Young's greyhounds. Unfortunately, we have issues and getting 4 dogs to sit in one area for a group portrait is as likely as an avalanche in MS.

I want to thank everyone who invited me to spend Christmas with them - I treasure your kindness! Big thanks to my family and friends for all of their wonderful gifts.

Happy Christmas Eve

The packages have all arrived.

Presents are wrapped with care.

And I continue to battle with my bouts of domesticy.

Thus, I bring you, Christmas Cookies in the Kitchen.

I think I enjoy baking a little more than is good for me.

Tonight we'll be enjoying midnight mass at 8 PM (lol) and a traditional snack dinner Jersey-style (toasted raviolis) and the official opening of the first present (new pj's for opening gifts on Christmas morn)!