renovating is messy.....

ok, i am going to level with ya - this post was drafted A WEEK AGO -
I am still learning how to load pictures and post on my new Mac and frankly, I
have just been too busy to post.  but don't you worry...i have plenty posts coming...
and so much to share with all of you.

Happy belated Easter to all of you!

Our family headed to central Oregon and visited my 

parents - a treat as I can't remember the last

time we spent Easter with extended family.

I have not posted family pictures much on this blog but

thought it appropriate to offer proof that we

have survived the BIG move intact and {relatively} happy.

This family picture was actually taken in Phoenix, Arizona while we were there
on spring break {mid move} on the occasion of me and my
husband's 20th wedding anniversary. yes, you got that right,
i was a child bride.

Today begins week two three of living in temporary housing, which

for us is a small two bedroom apartment with a kitchen that allows for just

one person to stand in and a washing machine that fits just four items

per wash cycle.  Not exactly ideal living conditions but

a lesson, nonetheless, on just how fortunate we are

to be looking forward to moving into a beautifully renovated

home.

Speaking of which....

Our painters were busy at work all last week.  The kitchen cabinets and built-in's 

are all sporting a fresh coat of Benjamin Moore's "White Dove".  I know

there are a ton of blog posts on DIY kitchen cabinet painting but I really

think the best and most durable method is having the cabinets 

professionally sprayed.  I realize this is more costly and not

always in the budget.  For us, our kitchen had very nice {relatively new}

custom cabinetry that just happened to be natural maple.

We felt the cost would be too great for a less than professional job

on such quality cabinets.  I may have thought otherwise if the 

cabinets were of the stock variety or perhaps older.

For the main color walls - in the kitchen, great room and hallways, I chose 

Benjamin Moore "Halo", a beautiful subtle gray/white/blue.

For the master bedroom, I chose Benjamin Moore "Storm" - a dark

blue/slate/gray that looks oh-so crisp with white trim.

Of course, I am getting excited to actually move in and unpack all my

treasures!  However, there is still work to be done....this  last week we

are having a gas cooktop installed {my preference for cooking} and the new

carpet will be installed on the staircase and upstairs hallway and bedrooms.

All messy tasks!

Back soon - "pinky promise" as my friend Kasey would say!