Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Winter Blues...

January is quickly coming to a close. It's been a cold month, a wet month and we have gone almost 2 weeks w/out a peek of sunshine. Well, the sun did burn through some clouds on Sunday and provided enough blue sky to make kitten britches. It was short lived, but it felt and looked wonderful. The temps warmed to almost 50, so I acutally threw open a window and let some fresh air into the house. Alas, the temps tumbled, the winds are howling a a bit of snow fell. I will take the snow... it's covering the brown, blech of an Indiana winter.

I have been gazing out the windows of my house thinking about spring and enjoying the garden. We use the winter months to plan our veggie garden. I asked Jim if we could expand it a bit this year. I love to can and freeze veggies for use in the winter and would like to incorporate more to the garden. We will see if he complies.

We also have some interior home projects we are ready to tackle. We have lived in our home since May of 1992. I love to cook and the only room in the house that still shows the age of my home is the kitchen. So this year the kitchen gets a bit of a face lift. Not a huge project - no new cabinets. We will be sanding and re-finishing them. I might be saying "we should have just replaced them" after this project. We have lovely, solid cabinets and frankly can't afford the price to replace them. We do have newer appliances, so we don't have to worry about that expense. New counter, new backsplash and fresh paint. We are putting up a beadboard ceiling and have found a lovely ceiling fixture/ light to finish it off. New paint on the walls as well. (haven't picked a color). The back hall off the kitchen is wallpapered. That is coming down and fresh paint for the walls and the trim. The Dining Room and Living Room need painting - that might wait until fall.

I am excited to freshen things up a bit. Jim and I enjoy doing a lot of our own work. We are ambitious that way! LOL...

What do you have planned this year? Any home improvements? I will get pics posted as we progress if anyone is interested!

10 comments:

Paula said...

We're building a garage... how's that for a little home improvement project? ;)

Have fun re-doing your kitchen. I know it will be beautiful!

Paula V said...

Yes, I want to see those pics. I always have painting to do. I have done the bulk of it since moving in April. Still need to paint up the stairwell. Fun, fun. Need to paint one wall of office...like a rust color. Need to paint all the doors and trim in bedroom and bath upstairs. Dirty white needs to be transformed to match the whiter white down stairs.

Anonymous said...

Hey Kristen,

Oh I covet that you've lived in your home for so long. That's such a gift. ANd, I can't wait to see/hear about your updates. Be sure to post pictures.

By the way, what are "kitten britches"?

Hugs,
Kim

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

Hey friend~It's so good to see a post from you!

How exciting....updating your kitchen. I hope you bring us along on your journey?

Know that I've been thinking about you and praying for you!

Have a BLESSED week.

Donna's Book Nook said...

Over the last 4 years I have updated and freshened my very old home. I took paper off in the living room, dining room and breezeway; painted bathroom, LR, DR, and kitchen and put sunflower border up in kitchen. New curtains in LR and DR and kitchen. Anyway, I enjoyed doing it, but I don't have any more home improvement planned for a while. I'll be interested to see your progress.

Beth Herring said...

Looking forward to seeing what y'all have planned for this year!

Yolanda said...

Kristen,

Good morning, the sun is shining but it is so cold here, sitting right at 20 degrees. Hard on my body, and ready for some warmth.

I love spring and like you, are ready for green and new life that we are able to witness all around us.

Much love and thinking of you today,
Yolanda

Smelling Coffee said...

What fun! A kitchen face lift is a huge gift to your entire home. I know you'll be so glad you did it. I hope you plan on posting lots of before and after photos. ;-)

Jennifer

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Just like HGTV... yes, post the pictures when you can! I love to see home improvements. As for our house, well, we're parsonage folks, so I don't see any major improvements other than the ones that include my cleaning up and throwing away. Then again, that might give the entire place a "lift."

peace~elaine

Angela Baylis said...

It's funny you should ask... We have been using the same mattress that I've had for 24 years. We just ordered it yesterday. We've decided to wait on the bed for now. First, we need to get new carpet, but before we do that we need to get the bathroom fixed. Have you ever read the book, "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie"? Haha. We woke up this morning stressed out. We'll have to do it in stages. How exciting that you guys can do a lot of the work yourselves. You are saving a ton of money! I'll look forward to pictures.
Love,
Angie xoxo