I wanted to be First!!

Look what I found when I came home this Afternoon...

Mr. Bing enjoying My new Island! I went through all the do's and Don't's

with William about using my new Island and counter tops but Obviously, I should

have included Bing in the conversation. Looks like I'll need to buy more Clorox wipes! Sigh...

Oh no! Not the Rolly-polly face... Not even that will get you out of this Trouble,

this time, mister! I wanted to be the First to break-in/Enjoy my new island, not You! 

I don't think he's Listening. What do you think?

Counter tops and More!

It's here! The day my New counter tops and Island top Finally arrived

I'm so ready for this... Let's go!
(click on photos to enlarge)

Being without Counter tops hasn't been much fun... Not just for the obvious Challenges it

presents in the kitchen but also because of the huge mess and and Wild disorganization

moving the whole kitchen into the Living room caused. You know... I hate disorganization!

As nice as this Butcher block island has been, I just needed more!

Here come my New counter tops and Island

top too! They are Late, late, late, but Finally here!

The sink looks pretty good... Even out here in the front yard!

The edge looks just like the edge in the photo of my Inspiration kitchen!

In we go! Slipped in right under my Subway tile

back splash as planned! No need to cut tile. Whew!

Brawn and Concentration is what this takes

I love watching Men at work...

So this is the Secret behind the Corian seamless seam... Looks serious!

Looks like technical Magic! At least now we know...

Lots of things Thrill me about the man I married but near the
top of my list is his Gardening skills, and his ability to install
a faucet and repair any plumbing problem you can Imagine!

Finally! Our counter top Project has come to an end

You know me so you know Perfect is my favorite thing...
And, what you see here is close-to-Perfect marriage
of the new Counter top with the edge of my stove

Allowing the counter top overhang to Extend an extra inch and
a half to make this Counter (beneath the cabinet where I keep
our glassware) a bit deeper was a great idea because it makes
this work surface even more usable than it was before

The best thing I did for this Project was decide to
revamp my Island with a larger top. I am more excited
about this new Work space than I can tell you!

There are some Issues we need to address tomorrow before I
agree to sign off... I have every confidence that the contractor
will take care of them and satisfy me completely. Until then,
I'll try not to lose too much sleep! (Update: Contractor forged
my husband's signature to get paid by Costco and then refused
to take care of the issues - Fortunately, I was able to prove, by
faxing copy of our tax return with my husband's signature on it,
that the signature was forged. Thank goodness we contracted
this job through Costco - They stood behind us, made the
contractor fix the issues with heir work, and came back to
ask me what they could do to make it right... Although I was
angry and could have probably demanded all of my money
back, I remained calm and reasonable and asked only for
$800 - Just enough to make my point to the contractor!)

Today there is a give away at The Pioneer Woman's blog where for a

prize she asks us to tell her which Kitchen item we cannot do without... After

being without counter tops for almost a month... Counter tops had to be
my answer. I mean, really! I have just about every kitchen tool and Gadget
imaginable but without Counter tops, NOTHING in the kitchen is possible!

To remind you... Before

After!

I didn't end up with the Culinary faucet I thought I wanted

but I'm perfectly happy with the one we picked out together

Before again...

After again!

Guess who will be Back in her kitchen this Weekend!?

For other post related to counter top project, click here

On a Spring stroll

Down at the pond I found Agapanthus coming up!

The ducks sure are Enjoying our backyard this evening!

They cruise in for Dinner, lounge to digest for

a while on the cool, Lush grass and then take Flight

Hostas, ferns, Japanese maples and Azaleas

... and Fish!

I see the Clematis by the pool is Showing off!

As soon as it Finishes blooming I'll ask him to cut it back a little

though because it's taking over this spot. And, we can't have that!

I see progress was made Today at the pool! The solar reel is set up, the Cover is on

and the Ladder and handrail are in. He's re-staining the Fence too and it looks great!

Nothing says Spring like a new nest and Bird's egg!

My favorite color is Yellow but these days it's all about the Green!

all the Shades of green!

Someone very sweet at work is just about to accept a Proposal and she's told me more

than once that she thinks under my Arbor would be a perfect spot to take their Vows

And, I agree. Of course, she has a standing Invitation to wed under my arbor

Because the only thing that could make a Blooming spring

arbor more Lovely is a beautiful Bride standing beneath it!

Any way... Looks like there is Progress being

made on the Roof across the street!

Coming home...

We were gone only Six days and I hardly recognize the neighborhood! Looks like the

house across the Street closed and the new neighbors have begun Work on the roof

Considering the view they have from their home, I think it's

about time the View from our property was improved too!

The first thing I noticed on my Walk this evening was the azaleas!

Every year I can't imagine them Prettier but every year they Prove me wrong!

I have sure Missed this...

and this.

The arbor Rose is blooming again... I can't imagine the Garden without it!

or the red Columbine

The blooms on this sweet little Dogwood tree thrill me but I favor

its Leaves the most! See the way the Color seems to bleed off the tips?

More beautiful Azaleas. They're a Good thing!

He found that little Sprite for the bird bath in Columbus this weekend

Everywhere I walk I'm seeing Green and I love it!

Well, hello there my little Wisteria!

Hostas amaze me. How they manage to go Away so completely and come back without

any Help at all just seems so Miraculous to me. I see why people Love them so much

Coming home to New leaves in the forest is the best way to come home!

New pond plants aren't bad either!

I was Way against this pond he wanted to build. Did you know that?

I was. He said I lacked vision to see what he Knew it would be... And, he was

right. I saw a mushy, Shady spot where I was convinced nothing would Ever grow 

But he knew. Something about Hostas, ferns, hostas, Ferns, hostas, ferns...

I should have known!

This is one example of where I'm glad he ignored me. Completely.

Very glad!

and when I see our Backyard I'm always glad he knows how to Ride a

mower! Because I can't. It's more that I won't but that's another story!

Look at that! A whole new patch of Iris!

I see Azaleas everywhere!

Pink is my Favorite!

The sky pencils grew a Foot in the six days we were gone. He said tomorrow

is Pool day. The new solar Cover and reel arrived while we were away and the pots

around the Pool need to be planted. And, then there is the matter of the Ladder and handrail

for the Steps to be installed. I just hope he has time to Pressure-wash the patio furniture!

These are the Best kind of spring snowballs

the Front yard looks like a picture today!

Little green Japanese maple in front of the Living room window is so back

the Boxwoods have a new Flush of growth too!

Man! That Japanese Maple just gets lovelier and lovelier

by the day. Doesn't it? It's so good to be Home!