Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

We finally installed the fence this past summer to give the backyard a more private feel. It also helps give the landscaping a backdrop. With the color-matched shed, the backyard has finally come together!

Laundry room is finished, and we moved in a year ago this weekend!

Wow, it's been so long. As you can tell, I'm not blogging on home repairs as much... That would be because I've been adventuring more, which is mostly what my other blog is about.

We finished the laundry room! Walls are painted a nice stone color, floors are gray to match the kitchen, and the bench and cabinet my dad built as an Xmas gift is installed. Lights have been replaced and the tiny utility sink has been removed, much thanks to my dad and an electrician. I'll have before and after shots soon. What's amazing is that we've beeen able to complete every room in our house that we had planned to within a year. Now comes the addition :) - just kidding.

So what's next? Oh, staining the shed, putting up the fence, and of course LOTS of gardening. And we just uprooted 16 arborvitae ... all dead from some unknown cause, tho' I could guess as I found remnants of burlap left in the holes from where I dug them up.

And we celebrate the anniversary of our move-in date this weekend. Wow, quite a bit can happen in a year!

Painting again, Christmas, New Years, the IKEA Zoo, and a certain ski hill

And there's been a few new developments.

We painted the bathroom a lavender color. We also found out that finding a vanity that's 21" wide to fit a sink in is darn near impossible. So we're reconsidering what we'll do with the bathroom, if any more than just changing a fixture.

We celebrated our first Christmas in our "new" house! It was fun, and did a "tree cutting brunch" with friends, then had friends over to decorate the tree later that evening. I think that's what got me in the holiday mood most of all... just spending time with friends.

We've been working on a couple of other things in the house - the outside light that I ordered 4 mos. ago is finally up outside. Took that long. I had to have a carpenter come and cut the siding and install the light. The electrician I hired couldn't do that on his employer's clock, so he offered to come over on a Sunday and did a mighty fine job. It looks quite nice and breaks up the monotony of the front of the house. :)

I made a trip to the new IKEA in Stoughton, MA. Gee, I didn't know Boston had a zoo?! Well, it was at IKEA. So busy, and I have several things to return, of course - blinds that are too narrow and a bathroom fixture that doesn't fit. I bought a corner shelf for the dining room. Here, Ray has attempted to assemble it. As one can see on the left side of the shelf, there is something seriously wrong with his construction of it. A bit frustrated and angry at me for taking this photo, "Werner's daughter" figured it out. We've since stained it red and need to put the final coat of poly on it.

And did you know Lebanon has its own ski area? This photo represents my view of it out of my office window. I can also see the skiers as they head down the ski jump, but unfortunately, I don't see where/if they land. Lebanon was received some press in Sports Illustrated and named Sportstown USA... not bad.

We had a New Year's gathering at our house too. Just 10 of us, and it was a fun time. Lots of laughs and I made my little tuna capered breadmen, almond lace cookies, and fruits dipped in chocolate. And guests brought their specialty as well.
Pretty yummy.

And so here we are in 2006! And I think we're almost out of house projects... naaaah!

The Patio...

is done. After several weeks of back-breaking work, the patio is, well, a patio.

We began laying the rocks on Friday and were done by 4 PM that day, with only a few extras to spare. It went much easier than expected at this point, and quicker, and looks fantastic. I really enjoyed this part - laying the stones out and blending them together was an artistic puzzle. We used 1.5 tons of manufactured stone, and about 2080 lbs. fieldstones, plus the free 60-80 ones. Total cost: about $650.

Now for a break as we heal our aching backs and take our weekends pursuing more enjoyable activities.