A New Window

This is how the front of the house looked before we started. 

We wanted to add another window to the front of the house (in the dining room), but we weren't sure where to place it.  So I whipped up a few renderings. 

In this one, the new window is right beside the old window in just the same configuration as the side by side double hung windows on the other side of the house.

In this one, the new window is the same distance from the left corner of the house as the window on the right is from thr right corner. 

I call this one the "there was a sale on windows" look. 

And I call this one... well, no, this is how it actually looks now with the new window installed. 

I think it looks nice. 

Renovation Progress - Kitchen

I don't have a photo of the very original state of the kitchen - I wish I did, but I'll try to describe below. 

Shingles: The kitchen walls were covered in a thick later of dark cedar shingles that had to go. 

Second Stage:  So, this is right after I removed the shingles from all of the exposed plywood on the walls that you see here. 

Cabinets and most appliances gone! 

Down to the studs. 

Here it is last week with all the electric roughed in and after the insulator put up vapor barrier but before she blew in the insulation. Looking tight! 

And this is yesterday! 

Renovation Progress - Baby's Room

The small room that used to be the darkroom/office will someday soon be the baby's room/guest room.

Here are some photos of the progress. 

ORIGINAL STATE: Bare room after I removed three rows high of perimeter shelves and a built in desk and lots of storage furniture. 

MID-DEMO: After I pulled the barn wood paneling off the walls. 

MID-DEMO: Black vapor paper barrier paper (?) removed. 

FINAL DEMO STATE: After I pulled all insulation and screws and nails and light fixtures. I HATE FIBERGLASS INSULATION!!

YESTERDAY: Re-insulated with blow-in cellulose under clear vapor barrier and windows installed. 

Looking good! It's suddenly the nicest room in the whole house. 

A Lovely Fall Walk to Water

Last Saturday we went apple picking nearby, then we drove over to New Hampshire and took a hike in White Mountain National Forest.  It was a beautiful day.  Our children are beautiful.  Everything was great (except maybe the part where Sadie  suddenly shrieked at the top of her lungs on the drive home because she discovered a little caterpillar on her arm - holy cats! That was loud!).

Frankie is a full fledged trail monkey now too!

So much mischief in those eyes!

Frankie collected lots of acorns and stored them in her pockets.

Sadie turned 18 recently - or looks like she did.

OH! And we were there too!

What a beautiful family I have!!!

Un petit dejuner sur l'erbe, sans la dejuner.

Francesca is a little delight.

Sadie is amazing with her little sister.

And this is the most joyous thing I've ever seen - these 3 hanging out together.

What a nice day!