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Today marks two years of closing on our house! We didn't know our first house would be where it is at, but we have loved it. Here's to many more years and projects in our home! 

2015

Recently, I had someone ask if I was still publishing posts to this blog. I have never had a set schedule, but I never meant not to post for three months! New Years Eve was my last post! Now, I am sitting outside on a mild March afternoon realizing that was too long!

What have we been up to?

We have been fortunate to have opportunities to spend time with friends and family. We even went on a trip in February! (Z had a work trip and we extended it.) Taking care of the farm, or herd, if you will - Oscar, Kiki, Milo, and Beau dog and the love + mischievousness they bring.

What have we been doing to the house? Is the basement done??

Well, the basement has been the biggest accomplishment. We have even begun to slowly furnish the space with accessories and furniture. The next big part of the basement will be the kitchenette or bar area. We were patiently awaiting the reveal of new cabinets from IKEA. Now that they have been revealed, we have measured and priced. Our thought is to do one cabinet at a time, starting with base cabinets. Hopefully this will be the most cost-efficient way. It's a small space, but 6 cabinets, a sink, and countertops do add up!

In the meantime, I am becoming anxious to start working outside in our yard. The glimpses of warmth make me start craving Spring more and more! I am excited (and nervous) to see what plants will come back from last year; to watch the hundreds of bulbs we planted bloom, to begin working on this year's ideas. We are dreaming of IKEA decking (thank you "As-Is" for a start on that), more plants, trees, hostas, pathways, firepits (maybe!?!?), spending time outdoors, and pulling out the hot tub again.

Here's to Spring approaching & the excitement it brings!

New Year, New Goals

Here is to a great year, filled with happiness. Here is to the next year - may it bring you health, happiness, laughter, and smiles.

Around Christmas, we were discussing what we wanted to do to our house in the upcoming year. The basement was on top of our list. While it isn't fully finished, it is in a great state, and it is an area we enjoy spending time in! 

A few things stick out in my mind for 2015 and what I would like to accomplish throughout our house:

1. Clean / Organize our 4th Bedroom 
2. Clean / Organize Attic Space (Continue to buy bins that are holiday coordinated) 
3. Pull carpet going into basement on steps and refinish
4. New carpet runner throughout house (when #3 done)
5. Landscaping - Ongoing (When is it too early to buy more hosta?!)
6. Fence on North side of house (waiting on neighbor for height purposes)
7. 2nd Guest Room - Possibly paint, work on trim, and make more functional 
8. Wet Bar - Basement (Look at new IKEA cabinets in Feb. '15)
9. More DIY projects around the house 

I know there is more, but you get the idea. As of right now, we are at a point where many of the next projects (aside from paint, caulk, trim, etc) are more on the expensive end of the spectrum. Kitchens and baths are by far the most expensive, and I am already eyeballing kitchen ideas at IKEA as well as possible bathroom ideas for our guest bathroom. Those projects will be in the future, but it is fun to look and get ideas! 

Do you have any projects that you hope to accomplish in 2015? Here is to a great year!

Very Merry!

For those of you who are celebrating the end of Hanukkah or the beginning of Christmas Eve, I hope that each of you find time to eat, drink, & be cozy! May you find happiness, love, and laughter in these days and in the upcoming year!

From our family (and "farm") to yours! Cheers!

Winter Break To Do

Today was the first official full day of Winter break! A glorious time in which I have no work responsibilities. (Well, although they aren't all responsibilities I do have things that I need to do. Lesson planning, some grading, writing in plans... You get the idea.) Anyway, two weeks of time to get some things done! The next big break will not be until March. I will be craving Spring by that time and reminiscing on what we have done to our house in the second year of owning it. 

Back to this post. In the past week especially, we have been working on deep cleaning and tidying up some loose ends. Friday evening, we had Z's coworkers and friends over for a holiday celebration. I loved seeing our house filled with people! Our house is looking spectacular being so clean, and I must admit - it is a great feeling of that going into break. 

We did quite a few things to get prepared for the party, in terms of cleaning, and was able to get some tasks marked off my "winter break list." My new strategy to tackle the list is to do at least one thing on it each day that I am working on house things. If I feel motivated, I will do more. But, perhaps with this attitude, I will get more done! Here's what I hope to do:

1. Finish our Christmas Cards - this weekend! (They may arrive a day or two late, but whatever! It makes me happy to receive mail, and I hope it does with these people too!)
2. Organize our kitchen cabinets (mainly just a cabinet or two)
3. Organize our hallway linen closet
4. Organize our bathroom vanity *We purchased organizers from IKEA, so I hope to utilize those more. This one goes well with #3. 
5. Organize roll top desk in dining room.
6. Organize coat closet in entrance hallway.  DONE!

Not an extensive list, but things that I am really hoping to accomplish! I am hoping some tasks I can combine. Do you plan lists when you have time off to accomplish things? I am also hoping to snap some really good photos of our house in its clean state during the upcoming days, especially being decorated for Christmas. That is on the list somewhere, too.

And when not working on my list of things to do.... 

-E