Bathroom Remodel Before

So last year we had several major construction projects new roof, new drywall, new guest room ceiling, finished hardwoods.  And while we were at it we had the contractor redo our main bathroom.  

This poor room was in despite need of some love.  The floors were straight from the 1990 lowes vinyl that I think every house had at one point.  the drywall had never been primed and when the wallpaper was removed it also removed the drywall - hello bumpy walls. The sink and vanity were ugly wood that was warped at the bottom.  And while I couldn't spend $5k and get a new tub we did basically everything else and for roughly about $1k too.

Anyhow I wanted to share a few snaps from before because well next week I am going to share afters (I just need to hang the frames and get the cleaning lady to polish it up nice).

Oh yes I forgot to mention the towel bars were gradually "falling down". And the toliet paper holder bit the big one like 5 years ago.  Oh and look there that toliet is two tone.

Isn't that vanity sexy?

I sanded and taped off that door in 2004 (obviously I got it painted).

And here is my husband who just yanked out the vanity about to rip out toliet and all the drywall but first a selfie.

Just an FYI one of things we did to save money while having a contractor complete the work was we did all the demo work. So we stripped the walls down to the studs and removed the vinyl and the sexy asbestos tile under it.  It probably saved us about $400.  I also saved money using lowes coupons, Menards rebates and buying tile that was the end of the lot. 

Tuesday 10 - oh January

I am bringing back this old standby, since I have not been blogging regularly even though I still write posts in my head. My Tuesday 10 a list of 10 things I am loving on right now Tuesday January 27.

1.  Guerrilla Art Projects with friends follow us @leftforyou on Twitter and Instagram.  

2.  New baby tricks like pulling up into standing 

3.  Baby play dates (Date 1 of 2015)

4. Grown up date night.  I am guessing Dustin is glad it wasn't also "chore" date night 

5. This Quote screen shotted from @alliepal

6. This selfie fur trimmed coat for win.

7.  Remembering times like this when looking for photos of Schreve and I (note most photos also include Jono +\- a bottle glass or pitcher.

8. Babies in stripes oh heck just this baby.

9.  This verse a powerful reminder.

10. Lifesavers are the new gum 

Babyburf 7 months

Dear Babyburf - 

We arrived at 7 months with a clap.  You are starting to be very clingy and yet want to be fiercely independent at the same time.  You are always a delight and we can't wait to see what's next.

- This last month you learned to clap, pull yourself into standing position, and pop into position to crawl although you don't go anywhere.

- Nana has been teaching you Animal  noises and your tiger/lion and monkey are pretty good.

- You weigh roughly 20 lbs we don't go to the doctor again until 9 months so I am not sure where you are exactly but you were 19 lbs 8 oz last month.

- You mimic us coughing and laughing which is quite comical.

- You are at the last setting of the cloth diapers that are supposed to last until 35lbs - yikes.

- you current favorite toy is your red donut.

- you added all sorts of things to your diet this month but your favorite is toasted bagel, which you don't even eat but just gnaw on.

- I love when get all talkative when nobody is paying you attention at dinner.

- you crack me up when eating making mmmmm sounds and then trying to move the tray yourself afterward. 

-you had a play date with baby Ewan (your birthday twin) and you are still bigger than him.  But it was so cute how you "played" together.

- you scare me in the bath as this is where you like to stand-up on your own the best and its slippery in the bath.

- I love watching you experiment with things

- I love how you grab my fingers to pull yourself into standing position then shake around dancing.

- I also like rocking you to sleep in your room now even though you are teething.

- daddy has been working nonstop so we can save money to get a bigger yard and house, and he only sees you for a few minutes in he morning and at night.

- he's always so excited when you are happy to see him.

- He always wants to push you in the stroller and carry you whenever he is with us.

- I think he also likes how you grab his beard.

Keep growing little baby man. 

Love mommy 

34 - Block of the Month w/Thea

Thea and I are doing a Block of The Month this year.   We decided to do the Sew Mama Sew one from 2012.  Link here ... http://www.sewmamasew.com/2012/01/modern-block-of-the-month-bom-january-sew-along/

My first attempt while the block wasn't challenging somehow I screwed it up and it was too small!  And I also decided I don't like the gingham print.  

So I made a second block adding and extra 1/2 inch to the measurements of the pattern.  This worked much better.  I also swapped in a chevron pink for the gingham.  I like this much better.

I am doing this entirely from stash fabrics (see photo at the top) although I desperately want to buy something in the olive in the + fabric.  I am going to alternate prints since I only had small cuts of the pink and some of the other prints.

1:12 Recipe: Zuppa Toscana

So my first new recipe was a soup - go figure it's January so don't be surprised if my next one is soup too!  Anyhow I saw this recipe on someone's blog and they commented on how easy it was so I was sold.  7 ingredients and 30 minutes. Done and done.

Well it was really simple.  I switched the gnocchi for potatoes and cooked the potatoes to soften in advance but it turned out find.  I would have used gnocchi but they didn't have any at my marsh (Jono substitutions are acceptable).  Anyhow it was well received lots of comments no leftovers in the bowl.

http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/easy-zuppa-toscana-recipe/

Sorry I didn't have better photos i forgot.  I also made the chili and we had both for game night.

New favorite activity

Around here the baby has a new favorite activity.  

Emptying the toy basket.

In this activity he takes each toy individually, tastes it, tests noise making potential usually beating it against another toy, then moves on to the next one.   He will climb into the basket to get them all out.  He gets frustrated when the big toy he removed gets in his way and or gets his head stuck. 

I pretty much think this is awesome.

And so does this guy...

Best of 2014

Time for the "Best of" literally I could make everything into a best of this year was full of so much bests!  So let's get started! 

We had a polar vortex and got dressed to the nines.

We did several remodeling projects, but the best one was the baby's room.

My favorite quilt was the scrap vomits!  I also loved the girlfriend one.  I will revisit this concept later.

Ahh the magic was everywhere.  The most magical was obviously jones.

I set out to make 25 breads I made like 8 but our favorite was by far pretzel bread. Yummy.

We went on many trips and visited new places but by far we enjoyed Oregon the most.

The best tourist outfit came to Florida with us.  

The worst/best cry was my unexpected ball session and Jono and Lolos wedding.  

I made a lot of stuff but by far the best thing was this guy.  He's so much fun and joy.

Man was he soooo small back when he wore his 80s track shorts.   Too cute.

We had such a nice time at Cremona that by far this was our favorite family event.  I hope when jones is older we have new traditions ourselves.

We only had a few BBQs this year but Labor Day was pretty sweet.

My favorite photo which is going on the wall.  I love it.

Hello bacon!

The favorite toy was the gourd.  Jones are it until the bacteria in his mouth ate it away.

These girls were by far my people this year.  I love them all.

Lynleys and Johns wedding was the best backyard wedding ever.  Also the best color scheme and lipstick - I know want to wear red lipstick everywhere.

This is my favorite family photo although closely behind were several others.

Best trip to my past life was our boston trip, it was so nice see my people back in MA. I miss them so

And best new tradition jonesy adding the star to the tree (he wanted to keep it not leave it).

And last but least the best selfie has to be with our new selfie stick.

Book 44 - Where did you go Bernadette

Book 44 finished - Where did You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple.  This was a relatively quick book for me.  The introduction was interesting being that it's emails, letters, faxes etc.  I liked that however I don't think anyone writes emails quite so detailed.  The storyline of this one was kind of ridiculous but there was some humor and believability to it.  Overall I enjoyed it although I sort of want to smack the kid Bea she has bratty moments.  I hear there will be a movie of this one and I think it could be interesting sort of like running with scissors.  I hope they cast Bill Murray.  Anyhow still have two other half started books to finish.

34 Completed - 2014 List

I actually completed 34 items and have another 4 half finished.  I think that's respectable.  Last year was a pretty amazing year for all sorts of reasons.  It was full of all sorts of adventures likehaving a baby, doing what seems like 1,000 remodeling projects, Kathleen moving away, we traveled to Florida, Portland, Seattle, boston, Milwaukee, and New York, Dustin changed jobs twice, and I transitioned into working from home full time.  We crammed a lot in. It was good times mostly with a touch of sad times.

1. Become a Mom - complete 
2. Bake 25 Breads - In Progress, #2, #3, #4, #5, 
3. Attend Jono and Lo's Wedding - Attended
4. Babymoon trip - Oregon, Portland, Seattle, Gorge, Ocean
5. Improv Quilt with Thea - Sent to Thea, In Progress
6. Add Lo to the photo wall - Done.
7. Start a down payment savings account for a second house - started it only has the initial deposit though.
8. Create a family tradition - we started a few we'll see what takes
9. Service project - my volunteering sucked this year but I did do vacation bible school so considering this done
10. Paint the babies room - Done. 
11. Remove carpet in back bedrooms - Babies Room Done, 
12. Set goals for our marriage - Done
13. Buy 30 $1 things - I actually did this but never blogged about it
14. Dress-up for a date at McDonald’s
15. Build a new kitchen table - Done. 
16. Eat a pomegranate - done
17. Make the baby a quilt - Finished, Quilt 2
18. Paint the Master bedroom
19. Give Kathleen a 25 Party - WWELive and Comedy Club Done. 
20. Take Dustin to Fogo de Chao
21. Make a Scrap Vomit Quilt - Finished and Finished
22. Watch 20 Classic Movies
23. Anne Geddes photo my baby (yes at least once) 
24. Take monthly family photos with the baby and Dustin - done
25. Break from phone 5-10pm for one week
26. 4 Crafty Projects - Sparkle Tights, Lo's Shower Decor, BabyBurf Mobile, 
27. Clean out the Coffee Table - Done
28. Make Pop Tarts
29. Host a trivia night
30. Balloon surprise someone for their birthday
31. Be less critical at work - maybe it's a day to day thing
32. Kathleen's cross-stitch gift 
33. Go to an art museum with Momo - Art Museum Visited
34. Go baby clothes shopping with Momo - we went thrifting twice Done!
35. Play date with baby and JJ - done
36. _______________ with Lita - done Lita babysat
37. _______________ with Jono and Lolo - Picnic Done
38. Finish the sushi quilt - almost!
39. A double date - we did this at least Twice
40. Learn something - only 100 things about being a mother
41. Refinish the babies desk
42. Create a new work from home space for me - done although I want to reorganize it
43. Roadtrip with Kemi
44. Use my SLR camera at least twice monthly - January twice exactly, February also exactly twice, March Done thanks to babymoon, April - done
45. Finish the 52 books - sadly not done.
46. Surprise Dustin - New Bench Press check
47. Summer party - done
48. ____________________ Spring Activity 
49.  Summer Activity - done
50. Cremona Fall Activity - done
51. Christmas tree Winter Activity - done
52. Make a new list - done

December Family Photos

I was much better about getting family photos in December.  I made a special point to request them.  We also had a session with My friend Miranda who's taking our family photos.  She shot a few before it got too dark but we are going to capture more as well.  Anyhow I am glad this month I got more.  I especially love this one of us and our Christmas Tree.  

And for Christmas I got a selfie stick and a remote so I look forward to more of these lovelies (Ps this is all the Jones and Co clan + Jason, Kenny and Jayda who might as well be family).