design journal : stainless steel apron sink

As the kitchen renovation looms on the horizon, I thought I would share our most recent addition to the design -- a stainless steel apron sink.  Originally we were looking at white porcelain farmhouse sinks, which I think look absolutely gorgeous.  But while searching for one we both might like, Hubby came across a stainless steel option and threw it out there to me.  I was smitten.  We both agreed it went better with our vision for the kitchen - which hopefully will capture a warm, yet industrial look.  So the sink was ordered and it arrived the very next day.

While I can't show you exactly what our kitchen will look like, here are some gorgeous kitchens featuring stainless steel sinks...

Eclectic Kitchen design by Miami Interior Designer Pinto Designs and Associates

Traditional Kitchen design by Other Metros Kitchen And Bath Kitchens Unlimited- Karen Kassen, CMKBD

Source: inspirationfordecoration.blogspot.com via Jennifer Hsu on Pinterest

Source: armasdesign.blogspot.com via Laurel on Pinterest

Contemporary Kitchen design by Atlanta Kitchen And Bath Teri Turan

The image below sort of shows how the sink will vibe with the dark cherry cabinets in our future kitchen, and the lighter shade of granite countertops we are planning on.  I love the look! {Um, and that beverage basin built into the island!!!}

Traditional Kitchen design by Phoenix Design-build Pankow Construction - Design/Remodeling - PHX, AZ

What is your favorite style of kitchen sink? 

In what ways does your kitchen reflect your design style/personality? 

What type of faucet do you think we should go with? 

Super industrial or more traditional?  

g

awkward family photo.

This past weekend my parents drove here from Minnesota to visit us.

I am pretty sure I was the laziest hostess ever.  I cooked only one meal.  I spent half the time in my pajamas.  I didn't refuse any junk food that was offered my way.  I may or may not have gained five pounds.

Despite my laziness, we spent three days doing a lot of laughing, eating, and walking around the city, an amusement park, and a farm/pumpkin patch.

It was sheer bliss, and though I tearfully said goodbye to my parents this morning, I am grateful for the three days we had together.

Anyway, I think there is a book dedicated to really awkward family photos.  While I don't think I have any that are quite awkward enough to make it into such a book, a few we took this weekend made us all laugh when we finally downloaded them and viewed them as a slideshow on our TV.

I might have peed a little.

Here is my favorite:

This year's Christmas card, perhaps???

Happy Monday!

g

the renovation : pretty pink door

Somewhere along the line, someone who formerly owned our house

  loved pink.

For one thing, the exterior was formerly a pink.

A faded salmon hue, really.

Then, we recently discovered the former state of at least one of our interior doors.

It was white...and pale pink.

We found this out when Hubby removed the door, which was currently non-functioning.  What I mean is that behind it was simply dead space, and drywall, as somewhere along the line someone decided this didn't need to be a doorway anymore.  

So it was just a random door that didn't lead anywhere, right in our kitchen.

This space is actually a blessing in disguise, as it is what our new fridge is going to slide into, so that it can be counter-depth.  It is kind of perfect.

Whenever there are tools involved, particularly sharp ones, this little guy is there to help:

So when the door came off we got to truly appreciate what the previous owner did to restore these extra-tall, solid-wood doors.  He took them from this....

 ...to this:

Refinishing these doors was a fantastic investment, at least in my eyes, as they are part of what made me fall in love with the house!

Another look at where the pink door was formerly housed. Oh, and do you spy the small child wielding a screwdriver?  (I'm a really good mom.)

 "Wow, that is sharp, mama!"

 Anyway, here is the doorway with the trim removed as well.  Still have to remove the framing to fit the refrigerator in.  Another weekend, perhaps?

So that is the current {only} project going on in the 'dream home' right now - removing trim (and eventually the fireplace) that is currently in our kitchen, so that the new cabinets can be installed.  Install projection: late November!

Finally, some of our reno dreams will become reality - I hope! 

g

3 films

Movies.  Like most, I love watching movies, particularly those of the girlie, chick-flick persuasion.   So here are three that I, as a girlie chick,  really enjoy.  This is not a 'top three' movies of all time, but rather just three I really enjoy...

1. Something's Gotta Give.  I love Diane Keaton and even moreso in this film where she exudes such style AND is a writer...swoon!  I totally buy the chemistry between her and Jack Nicholson in this romance between two older, successful, and very funny people.

{source}

2.  The Memory Keeper's Daughter.  Even though the book is leagues better than this TV movie {big shocker} I really love this little story.  I watched it for the second time recently and completely balled my eyes out several times.  I mean, sobbed.

{source}

3. Footloose.  Okay, you knew I had to give props to an eighties classic.  Yes, NOT the new version.  The only version there is: the Kevin Bacon version.  I could watch this movie a million times, and each time I am transported back to my girlhood in the eighties with every single amazing song on the soundtrack...which I owned, on cassette, of course.  Even though the gymnastics scene in the grain mill still is beyond cheesy {I mean, check out that pose below that actually made the movie poster!!!} the rest of the movie rocks my little preacher's daughter world.

{source}

Linking below with Lauren and Tiffany - only two more weeks of these fun prompts!!!

g

carb-lover like mama?

From these pictures you would assume that my son relishes devouring a plateful of spaghetti, just like his mama does.  

{side note: I used to order spaghetti on dates all the time when I was really young. dumb! I also ordered grilled cheese a lot.  lame!}  

Anyway, it may appear that he loves this spaghetti feast, but, in fact, breads and pasta rate very low on this kiddos list of favorite foods.  Sigh.

In fact, he mostly just made a mess with this pile of pasta.

He actually prefers the food groups in this order:
1) fruits and veggies
2) dairy
3) junk food
4) breads/pastas
5) meat

I'm sure this will all change as he gets older, so for now I will just be satisfied that he eats his veggies.

g

6 places + 5 foods + 4 books = playing catch-up!

Been a little distracted by unpacking and organizing process going on full-swing in the 'dream home.'  So, extremely late, here are:

6 places...
1. boundary waters canoe area
2. my kitchen {even in its current state}
3. my parent's farm
4. napa valley
5. seattle
6. new york city {any season, for any reason}

5 foods...
1. pizza
2. warm, crusty bread dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar
3. goat cheese {plain, on things, doesn't matter}
4. hummus + 'naked' pita chips
5. 'my' chipotle burrito - steak, rice, corn salsa, cheese + sour cream
(Yes, clearly I like cheese and carbs.)

Source: someecards.com via Greta on Pinterest

4 books...
1. pride and prejudice and zombies - reading right now, think is hilarious and fantastic!
2. the great gatsby - how can you not be in love with this novel?
3. the poisonwood bible - such a good read about sisterhood and motherhood.
4. the awakening - will forever remind me of my college women's lit days.  so much to analyze, such a classic.

Linking up again here with these lovely ladies...

We close on the sale of our 'other' house tomorrow -
so happy and hopeful that all goes well!

Hope all is going beautifully in your world!
g

one year ago : a european traveler

One year ago...

we were rushing through an airport,

while the baby slept,

ignoring all the hustle and bustle.

We were on our way to visit my parents,

who were living in Prague for a year,

my dad preaching in a church there.

Baby's first international flight.

At two months old.

Yes, we are those parents.

Was he really ever this tiny and immobile...

and bald?

g