Spring is here...finally

Spring is here and we've begun the transition from inside work to outside. Of course, we're still tinkering around with the kitchen. We still have to install the hardware, 2 pendant lights over the sink and re-frame out the door. All that stuff needs to be ordered, measured, just plain given some thought...which I don't have right now.

So here are some of the yard's highlights. There's still A LOT to do, like pour the back patio and so much weeding. The list is endless.

Hydrangeas

Tulip- late bloomer

Mess of a rose garden + a couple poppies

Rose, Bologna variety

The new climbing hydrangea + newly planted sweet peas

The herb pot (probably too soon)

New wind chimes above our window!

Lettuce barely breaks ground

Radishes, trying to survive the slugs, ants, squirrels

Spring invades the veggie garden

Blueberry bushes! Sweet peas in the background.

One of many clematises. (trying to hide the shed)

Another clematis, climbing home made trellis!

Cherry blossoms.

Cherry blossoms.

Geranium starts...amongst the hardy mums

Blueberries and a climber!

I don't have a picture yet (rolled my ankle on a rock and limped inside), but I planted two blueberry bushes and a climbing hydrangea this afternoon!

The picture to the left is a hydrangea, but mine will look a little different. Mostly because it's climbing a crappy old chain link fence. But you get the idea. My parents brought it as a gift on Easter. Good gift. They said there's practically took over the whole fence. I do remember, as a kid, that huge vine thing almost blocking the gate. Dad finally had to cut it down or risk losing the 4x4 posts. Anyway, I'm excited for that!

The blueberries might be okay for a few years, but I'm worried about what will happen when they reach the hard WA clay. I hope they survive. I dug huge holes and backfilled with peat moss and compost. I don't even care that much if I get berries. I just what a couple huge shrubs in the back yard.

Also, something is eating my radish leaves. Any ideas? I bought insect spray because I know we get ants back there. I thought I saw some whitefly buzzing around though.

My ankle hurts.

Backsplash is done

Check out the rest of the photos. There are some random ones thrown in there. Enjoy.



I painted a fake window with chalkboard paint. Now I need some chalk.



Now I have to seal all that tile. Ugh. Question is flat (so it stays the same as you see it now) or high gloss (really showing off the marble).

Getting closer...

This post won't have any pictures, because we finished up this weekend too late for the good light. But just imagine Fir floors under the new light. The grout is all crammed into the tile backsplash! Finally, there is a backsplash. So now we're looking at new hardware, pendants for above the sink, and filling nail holes. Oh, and we have to fix the door trim. That'll be a big, expensive job that starts at Dunn Lumber. We'll probably wait until after the trip to Espana.

Side note: I'm done with this crap. I've moved on to the yard. Of course, this is a fleeting afair with the sun that won't end well. Like all spring flings, I will be left in the dark and cold. Luckily, I got a lot done. 1/2 yard of compost spread in the terrace, rat traps placed behind the bricks, herbs planted, radishes are coming up, fushias and geraniums in the dirt, and dahlias in the ground. I'd say that's a lot for one weekend!

Backsplash!

The molding is up and we're moving on to the backsplash. Check out the amazing grey marble. Apparently it's not as easy to install as we thought, but the good news is marble is easy to cut...very soft material.

Crown and Base

Check out the huge saw we're using to cut all the molding. This thing comes in handy when you build a jig and begin cutting your crown.

Check out that new cabinet. You're barely even going to notice the old fuse box. We painted it white and the removable shelves will fit in right over the top. Beautiful! You hardly notice the window is all messed up again. They removed the casing and readjusted it so that it sits in there flush.


The crown is done. Now comes the crappy part, filling nail holes and caulking the little gaps. Fortunately, the gaps aren't too huge. Nice work fellas!

Electricians suck!

First off, before we get to the electricity, check out these countertops! We finished the grouting the other night. Some of the grout around the sink is already sealed. I'll do this portion maybe tomorrow. Waiting for the grout to fully dry.


After some research, I've discovered we should probably seal the actual granite itself because on flat black, the grease spots and water spots will stain the tile. This stuff doesn't show up on earth tone granite. While that granite stains under grape juice, wine, and coffee, ours stains with pizza boxes and condensation. Everyone suggests spending A LOT on the best stuff... from a real tile store vs. a home improvement store.


Okay, the electricians showed up for day 2 to hook up the under cabinet lighting and plugs. All for $430~ Holy crap! So now we're up to $1430 mostly cash under the table. I need to become a journeyman! After all that (plus he has to come out for 10 mins. Monday to install a smaller under cabinet light under the small cabinet), we tried plugging in the range and it was the wrong plug in. He installed a dryer plug in! (right top). We went out and spent $5 for the correct one.


You can bet that we called him and left a message. He finally called back and said it was something we could fix. He apologized and said he didn't really pay attention to what the warehouse gave him. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Que catso! We even went to the store to buy a 99 cent box of Mac n' Cheese I was craving. We finally switched it out and ate crappy, delicious, pre-packaged dinners.

Do you think I'll have some comments when he comes back out to install the last light? Good lord. Contractors are worse than used car salesmen. There, I said it.