Happy 1 Year Anniversay!

It has been one whole year since we took possession of the house. Well, technically it's been one year and 2 days. I remember getting the big news while working a shift at the store last August. After work, I walked back to our apartment on Roncesvalles positively bursting with excitement. I couldn't wait to see Ian so we could celebrate! Now we've had a year of celebrations right here in this gorgeous house and I'm looking forward to many many more. That reminds me, it's about time to start planning that backyard party!

How to go from Yucky to Awesome (Backyard Edition)

Step one: Dig some holes


Step two: Put posts and cement in aforementioned holes


Step 3: Say "Hi" to the neighbour cat (a.k.a. Tinga's new boyfriend)


Step 4: Add boards to aforementioned posts


Step 5: Plant more flowers


Step 6: Painstakingly assemble a BBQ


Step 7: Add a gate


Step 5: Find a home for the BBQ


Step 6: More flowers!


Step 7: Check out the new fence


Step 8: Start planning backyard parties!!!

But it looks so good in Portugal!!!

I have heard this argument several times in the last few weeks since we've returned from our two week vacation to Portugal. You see, Ian has been bugging me to tile the front of our house....and I keep shooting him down. As much as I love that virtually every building facade in Portugal is covered in amazing tiles I somehow don't think it would work here. Now just because I won't agree to tile our house, doesn't mean I can't enjoy the beauty of the tiled buildings that so inspired him. Here's a couple shots from our trip.







This photo is of the oldest restaurant in Portugal, The Tavares Restaurant. Waahooo Family History!

Back to Work

Well, we still haven't managed to get any pictures on the walls and the basement is still full of unpacked boxes but we are super happy and comfortable here in our little house. We've even started upgrading a bit with a new TV, new mattress and a new couch (on order still). What I've really been itching to get to though is the backyard. It's been a long time since I have had outdoor space to work with and so far, it's seemed pretty daunting. Thankfully, my parents are masters when it comes to creating a beautiful garden and they brought their expertise and muscles over today. It's not much to look at yet but I am beyond excited.

Before


And After (still a work in progress but soooo much better)






In other news, while my grandparents were in Portugal, the family pitched in a gave them a whole new kitchen! It was an awesome surprise. My grandmother's cupboards were jammed packed with stuff that she'd forgotten about and most of those items got piled up in a spare room rather than put back in the new kitchen. I did insist on saving one special item though. It's an owl cookie jar! This little guy now lives in my kitchen. I think I might use it to hold wooden spoons and stuff since I never bake cookies.

Now that the house is pretty much done...

...I've been spending my free time at the craft table again. My mom asked me to make a book full of cards for her good friend as a birthday present and I had a blast putting it all together. I unfortunately forgot to take a picture of the actual book but I did photograph the cards. I made 20 cards total and here are my favourites:

New year in the new house

I know, I know, I've been ignoring the blog lately. You can blame the holiday season, my new job and general laziness for that. But better late than never, here are some before and after shots.

Bathroom Before


Bathroom After


View from front door - Before


View from front door - After


Kitchen Before (1)


Kitchen After (1)


Kitchen Before (2)


Kitchen After (2)


And last but not least, here's a pic of the lovely Tinga watching the action on the street. Notice the bum leg - so cute. She's actually perched atop two of my re-upholstery projects - both projects done using Amy Butler fabric.

Perhaps I've gotten too comfortable....

Now that all of the big things are completed (excluding next year's outdoor projects), it's been pretty easy to ignore the rest of the small things that need to be done. I thought that compiling a to-do list might help so I've typed up one big long one to be posted on the fridge.....on that to do list is "find fridge magnets". I've even got a handy deadline of December's house warming party.

The good news is that we are now enjoying a working stove and the furnace is blasting. There's a bit of duct work to be done still but our home is much warmer already.

I should probably also add "post before and after shots on blog". Perhaps that can wait til after the party though....why spoil the surprise?