Miscellany

According to one online dictionary, miscellany is, "a collection of various items, parts, or ingredients" and that is exactly what this post will resemble. It has been a long time since I've blogged or visited blogs. I did update Lindy's yesterday and now I'm trying to figure out what to post here...

First, it is Fiesta time in San Antonio and, after 13 years of living here, I FINALLY made a Fiesta wreath. I still think it needs more streamers at the bottom but that'll come later...

I feel like I've been so busy. One of the biggest things consuming my time has been an ongoing kitchen update. I can't say it is an entire renovation or overhaul but we've finally done some things that we've been wanting to take care of for a while and felt like we could afford. It seems like some people get to just do everything at once all throughout their house but we seem to have to exercise more delayed gratification...So far we've been blessed to:

• Replace old formica countertops with granite
• Replace our sink, fixtures, and garbage disposal
• Replace the linoleum with tile
• Replace the formica backsplash with stone
• Remove the old hood over the stove. Our new hood (black) was delivered today, so that'll go up soon (right, Don?!)

We still need to add hardware to the cabinets. I'm not fond of our cabinets but they're going to have to do. We also are in the process of ripping down wallpaper and then we'll paint. Eventually, we'll make some modifications to light fixtures, too. Then we can accessorize and make it fun!

All of this has required a great deal of time and many trips and countless hours to granite yards, tile stores, L*we's, and H*me Dep*t. In fact, you know you've been spending a lot of time at the DIY stores when your kid says during pretend play, "Here you go Mommy. It's a _____ and I built it at L*we's."

I'm a bit embarrassed to post before and after pictures because the project isn't finished but I'll do it anyway to give you an idea of how things are progressing.






As you can see, things look very different and I'm pleased with how things are coming along. I do, however, have a long way to go before it'll be complete. We owe very special thanks to Don's parents who were here nearly two weeks from Colorado. Don's dad did much of the tiling and backsplash and his mother helped with sealing, grouting, peeling wallpaper off walls, and consulting with design ideas. At times during their stay, the refrigerator was in the formal dining room, the dishwasher was in the family room, the washer and dryer were in the garage, and the microwave was on the floor of our kitchen. I still have stuff all over because we're still sealing grout and making finishing touches.

Hmmm...what else?

I joined a produce co-op organized by my wonderful friend, Elissa. I am excited to be saving money on fresh fruits and vegetables as well as look for ways to incorporate more of them into our diet. Honestly, I have typically purchased more frozen vegetables than fresh. Nothing wrong with that--perfectly healthy. However, having so many fresh veggies on hand is kind of a cool way to experiment some different ways to prepare vegetables such as roasting, using in stir fries, etc. I also am getting better about eating fruit as a snack or with meals.

Would love to gather some of your favorite fresh vegetable recipes!

Moving on...

I love to read. However, since motherhood I've read far less for pleasure than I used to when I was footloose and fancy free! (Ha!) This year, I've continued my love affair with the library and am trying to have something going constantly! Although so many of you have surpassed me on this, I've read the first two books of the Twilight series and look forward to the next two, as well as seeing the movie. Most recently, I read The S*hack. It was probably the most unusual book I've ever read. If you read it, I think it is important to remember it is a work of FICTION. While it is a very BIZARRE story, I think it does an excellent job showing that God is loving and desires a relationship with His children.

This week, I just started W*icked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. I'm not sure it is grabbing my attention. I was reading it, along with listening to the soundtrack because I don't think we'll be able to see it on stage anytime soon. I've started looking at non-essentials in terms of things I want to do around the house. Two tickets to W*icked equals SEVERAL knobs and pulls on the cabinets! I also have S*ame Kind of Different as Me up next on my nightstand. I've heard great things about this book and nearly had to walk out of church this past Sunday for fear our minister was going to tell too much about it.

Do you have a great book to recommend? Let me know! I'm always interested to hear what others are reading.

Well, has this modge podge of randomness sent you into a deep slumber?! I promise to try to stay away from posts like these in the future. I thought after three years, blogging would be like riding a bicycle but I think I just crashed into all the parked cars trying to get back in swing of it!

I hope it won't be as long until I post again. I also hope anyone who is reading this is doing well and enjoying life.

Blessings~
Lisa