Parties, Parties, Parties

Now that the renovation is almost done I thought I would reflect on some fun times we've had over the last few weeks.  We met the kids in Georgetown for lunch on Father's Day.  We are enjoying the times we can get together with all the kids and as Laura and John move back to Dallas in August those times will be fewer and far between.

                                                                      Marylee

                                                                             Todd

                                                                John and Laura

                                                                       Sarah and Bryan

                                                                      Sadie

Then came Todd's 60th birthday.  With the kitchen still in the works we met at Red Lobster for a nice meal.  I brought cherry pies and we had a great time.

                                                               Marylee and Todd

                                                                 Jill, Todd and Bob

                                                                John, Todd and Laura

                                                               Vicki, Todd and Dick

                                                              Marlene and Todd

                                                                 Sarah and Todd

                                                                      Todd and Bryan                                                          

                                                          Doug, Todd and Richard

                                                              John, Laura and Todd

                                                                   Bryan and Todd

Then next came the 4th of July at our house and our kitchen was ready!  Well, there is still 2nd coats on woodwork to do and a few minor things but we had a wonderful time.

                                     Marylee and her special 4th of July creation.

                                                          Wilmore 4th of July Parade

                                                           Laura, John and Zuzu

                                                            Sarah, Bryan and Sadie

                                                            Jennifer and Paul

                                                              Marlene and Valorie

                                                   Todd and his "Smokin" lawnmower            

                              The famous Wilmore Lawnmower Brigade

                                                               He's still smokin!

                                                           "Smokin" some more

                                                  Is he doing that on purpose?

                                                            Phil and Todd

                                           Sarah, Bryan, Valorie and Scott

                                                John, Laura, Yoonie and Paul

                                                              Gayle at the pie counter.

                                                             Jennifer, Paul, Jenny, Jimmy, and Cassie

                                                           Johanna and Phil

Are you starting to think that everything we do revolves around food?  Yes, food, family, friends, holidays, special days and much happiness.      We are blessed!

Faucets!

My maternal Grandmother did not have running water or a bathroom until she was in her 70's.  For the last week and a half we have only had running water for cooking, washing and drinking from our shower.  In the spirit of my Grandma who I never heard complain,  I won't complain either.  I am however very grateful and I have a new appreciation for my Grandma.

Today the kitchen and bathroom faucets were installed and the dishwasher too!  We can use real plates now!  There was a hitch with the bathroom vessel sink.  I got a great deal on it at Lowes but I should have gone on line and looked at the reviews.  They all said there is no drain that will work with this sink.  The plumber tried everything but it would not stop leaking so I ordered a sink and the plumber will be back again.   In the meantime we have a vessel dishpan.  I'll think of Grandma as I use it.

 We had our first meal in the new kitchen today and I was able to utilized the island, the sink and the stove.  I kept walking to the living room to go to the fridge but hopefully it won't take too long to retrain myself.

Turning in early tonight.  I'm tired.

                                               Got this sink and faucet at Overstock.com

                              
                   Kenna ordered the Maytag Dishwasher and held it at Lowes for me until I needed it.

                                                           Ordered this faucet on line too.

                                                             Dishpan vessel sink.

                                                    Todd enjoying the kitchen table.

 Former shop counter, now our island.  Top made by Kari Evely, stained and finished by Todd.

                                        

                                                        The fridge is in the kitchen now.

The Finishing Work

The kitchen is now open to the living room and we wanted the trim to match.  Miles and Kenny spent the last two days making the baseboards and trim to match.  These guys are really talented.  It's tedious work and it looks great.  I doubt my painting skills do it justice.  I painted a few base boards last night and quit after I knocked over a quart of paint on the finished floor.  Quick clean up.  Lesson learned.  Don't paint when you are tired.  Here are some pictures of the finish work.

                                  This is the living room trim they were matching.

                                                Miles and Kenny finishing the trim work.

                                                  Beautiful trim.

                       Miles does carpentry, finish work, decks, and we just found out he can do concrete too.
We give him our best recommendation!

Salt and Pepper Counter Top

I thought I wanted a solid surface counter top but after much discussion with the kitchen designer at Lowes, Kenna Routt, we decided on the granite.  Lowes has 7 or 8 to choose from at an installed price and sometimes they even have 18 months same as cash.  You go to the granite place and pick out the slab.  That was interesting.   So, today was the install day for the counter top.  Kenna came over to watch and was a big help in the decision of faucet placement, and she also told us we needed a hole cut for an air duct for the dishwasher.   I  highly recommend her services at Lowes.  She helped me choose a dishwasher and microwave and kept me up to date when it came in and they held it for me at Lowes until I needed it.  Here are some pictures of the counter top.  Lowes granite features a 15 year sealer so no worries for quite a while.

Kenna has a degree in interior design and will be glad to help you plan your kitchen.

We Have Lighting

It seems like we haven't had lighting in the kitchen for a month.  I do know for sure that we have never had lighting like this.  Under cabinet lighting, task lighting, can lights, and a chandelier.  Mark's Electric out of Danville is amazing.  Mark and Van work fast and very well together.  One switch was covered up by drywall but they just cut out the drywall and finished it.  I won't  comment on the drywall because I'm just so excited about the lighting.   I can't believe this is our kitchen.  If I'm dreaming I hope it doesn't end.  

                                                            Mark, of Mark's Electric

Van, of Mark's Electric

My little joker, Marylee 

                                        

Coutertops tomorrow!

Progress in the Kitchen

Well, lots has happened since my last post.  The cabinets are in, and they are beautiful.  More than I hoped for.  The Amish really are craftsmen.

The counter top template has been made.

This will be a big week with the electrician installing the lights,  the carpenter finishing the woodwork, and the plumber installing the faucets.  We haven't had lights or water in the kitchen for a while so it will be great to have both.   I've got doors and woodwork to paint, cabinets to figure out where to place things, and soon a counter top.   Can the end of the project really be in sight.  Sure hope so.