Before & Afters!!

Now who doesn't love a good before and after? I am not going to be the one to say "it was all worth it" because really..... I had some near melt downs during the process. But it is nice to be done with it. And showing before & afters are the most fun! It's not all decorated....haven't gotten around to hanging pictures....but it's up, functional, and pretty darn fabulous to me!

BEFORE: Kitchen - 70's hit hard.

AFTER: Kitchen - yea! Open shelvery love!

BEFORE: Fridge....huge and in the way

AFTER: Fridge Removal.... nice space!

BEFORE: Dark Living Area

AFTER: Lighter, Brighter, Removal of 70's Lighting!

BEFORE: Outside needs help

AFTER: A little paint & new roof does wonders!

Bathroom renovation up next.....sigh.

Almost 2.

I almost can't believe it. Two. It's flown. Sophie is at an age where she can do no wrong. Well, I know she does wrong. But she's just so darn cute when she does it, that it's hard to get mad at her. ; )

Some things I hope I remember about "almost 2":
* You don't understand questions. If we ask, "What's your name?" Your answer? "Name" or "How old are you?" Your answer: "You". It's adorable.
* Turkey, Cheese, and fruit. That's about all you eat. That's it.
* You've learned how to communicate. You can say "Mmm hmmm" for yes or nod your head. It's great. I can finally understand what you want now. Hallalujah!
*I love your "head downs". That means you want your head on my shoulder....sweetness personified.

We love you!

Sophie loves to put on other people's stuff....

Flyin' High with "Shock" as she calls it


Lovin' her some Sissy!

Hooray, It's Granite Day!

I've never been so excited about a rock before....(well, once before, when Boog gave me an engagement ring.) Granite bar top - finished! We have two more steps before kitchen/living room remodel 2010 is done. And it couldn't come at a better time....2011 is here and Boog & I both are excited about renewing and refreshing our minds......

but we are delighted seeing our home vision come to fruition.

Eating our first dinner of White Bean Chicken Chili!

Two more steps to go - kitchen window replaced & open upper shelves~

I'm Signed Up!

Maybe it's all this creating that's been going on at the Ferrell household lately. Maybe it's that Sophie has reached that point where I'm starting to feel a little more freedom...she's not so baby anymore. Maybe after posting so many blogs like this one or this one that deal with me wanting to "create" .

Maybe - and this one is probably the truth - I'm a little more like my mom than I thought. My most cherished memories are of her teaching me at a very young age the art of ceramics from start to finish (with the kiln in our garage!) She always told me, "An artist never messes up...." which I still think about to this day.

Anyway, with the encouragement of my hubs (and probably ease of guilt factor there, since he often is gone on marathon days or trail running ventures!) I've signed up for a one day workshop in February with "Altar'd" painting and refurbishing designs. I'm really excited to learn how to glaze, paint, and restore an old piece of furniture back to life. I probably could have learned myself, but going to a workshop with five other like-minded souls wanting to create.....it just sounds therapeutic. ( Visit their website and read the owner's bio.....her testimony is amazing.)

Even more so, I'm excited to work with my hands again ....

it's been too long.

Showing His Skills Again!

I've always wanted a Harvest Table. But it is hard to find one that's just the right size...not too primitive looking...not too fabricated...but most of all, not too expensive! So lo and behold, my woodworking hubby decided he would make me one for my Christmas present.

He took 4 days and built, sanded, stained, poly'd, sanded, stained, poly'd....you get the picture. I had some antique chairs that matched perfect. And after all that hard work, I think his finished product is beautiful!

Thank you, hubs! I love it!

Merry Christmas Ya'll!

For the first time, we didn't get a Christmas card out this year. I might try to do a post-one, but just in case, I snapped a few quick ones of the best presents Boog & I have ever been given.

Merry Christmas All! Sophie (almost 2) and Grace (6)

(Couldn't resist the nose picker one!)

Christmas Eve Eve

There's nothing like playing in unfinished cabinetry during the holidays!

We didn't make deadline. My kitchen isn't finished : ( but good news is that it WILL be finished by New Years. It doesn't matter though. These past few months of remodel have taught me a couple of things:
1) Not to ever remodel near the holiday season ever again.
2) It will always take longer than you think (and be more expensive!)
3) Never trust a machete wearing plumber who isn't licensed (duh!)
4) Ladies, start knowing carpentry vocab like shim, caulk, 1x4, 2x4, etc. just so you don't sound like an idiot calling it "that piece of wood thingy" ( like me!)
but mainly.....I have been reminded how blessed we are to be able to do this remodel and all of it is in total vain if:
5) My home is worthless if it doesn't have Jesus being shown and spoken to these little precious girls and anyone else who enters.

Thank you Jesus for sweetness such as this!