A little bit of house lust ::

This weekend Adam and I did some modest repairs around the house.  Adam took apart the bench he made me last summer.  Since living in our house, the wood dried out to such an extent that the legs were turning into an A shape.  Needless to say, he wasn't exactly happy about the do over, and is less excited about fixing the cracks in the table top.

I covet this kitchen.  Source.

He also took down this 1980s "hood" and cupboard that was above our stove and matched nothing.  It left an ugly space, but feels good to have it down.  (Now we just need to cut out a hole in the wall there, to have a view through the living room of the court yard.)

I want to copy this bathroom stool idea.
And look at the cute thing hanging in there.  They must never use that shower... ?
Source.

My chores were a lot less substantial, but just as good feeling.  Cleaning the bathroom, kitchen, living room - including all the floors.  Making up a tasty batch of barbocoa, which once June finally tasted, she asked me to make every night!  I was also the driving force behind about 6 loads of laundry.  It is amazing how much laundry piles up around here.

These 3 kitchen photos are all from dwell.com, an article which caught my eye in part from the Salinger title.
Check it out here.
I totally love it.
In fact, would even move to a town like Charleston in order to have the same restoration opportunities.
At least it is on the beach....

Sweet J and M practically watched movies all weekend.  And tagged along on trips to Lowe's, played with the pink backpack, and did lots of snuggling.  I want to note for the record that it is adorable the way M says "glubbs" (gloves) and that right now he is not a baby, not a little or a big boy, but a KID.  And don't even bother arguing with him about it.

I love the painting on board above the fireplace.  Source.

Sadly, I had to neglect my many art projects this weekend.  I'm getting so close to finishing the alphabet illustrations that it feels fantastic.  I've also lined up a printer who will print them as flashcards for me.  Right now I am designing what will go on the back of the card, so expect a post soon requesting your opinion on what to use.  I'm working on a little cartoon "persona" which is kind of fun and kind of a challenge.

Mt. View Public Sculpture

Today I was on a walk in the cold rain down in Ship Creek.  I walked by a quonset hut with Fleetwood Mac blaring.  Inside, I saw someone who may have been welding for all I knew.  The hut was warm and golden with light compared to the drizzly salt-smelling outdoors.  She had the garage door wide open and I could feel heat emanating out.  But what was so eye-catching were the masks.

Photos taken with my iPhone

I walked by at first, but curiosity got me bad.  I turned back and gestured to the woman inside that I'd like to take a picture.  She gave me a thumbs up back.  Ultimately she came out and told me that the faces are all residents of Mt. View neighborhood.  I told her that "my other dream life is as an artist."  She agreed it was pretty cool.  And while my little rendition of this conversation is coming off trite, it was a nice little exchange that left me uplifted and hopeful.


The eventual installation will be a public sculpture in Mt. View, where each mask is embedded in a steel wall and lit from within.  This will be so cool in the dark wintertime I can hardly stand it.  I'm also excited because who knows?  Maybe this could be the beginning of knowing some creative, possibly like-minded people.  I always like that.


See more on the project at their website, www.keseypollock.com.


P.S. It seems like cool things are happening in Anchorage.  I mean, Drew Barrymore is here!  I cannot help hoping to run into her, invite her over for dinner, show her how much our June looks like Gertie...


P.S. 2: There are classes!  I wonder if I could get 15 people?

Kitchen Inspiration

Remodelista, Schwartz Kitchen, More here.

Bit by bit, Adam and I intend to update our new home as we did our old home in the Sonoran Desert.  Last winter when we were living at my Mom's house, in fact ever since our home deal closed 2 days before Miles was born, I have been obsessed with nesting.  It was particularly rough having nowhere to actually nest, and having all of our stuff stored in my Dad's garage/horse stable (photos from inside).

Canadian House and Home

So last winter I collected these photos and have been unearthing them as I reorganize my photo stash, only to discover that many of them I still really love.

From Apartment Therapy

I think that the style I like is warm rustic modern.  And the good thing about it is that I think Adam can get behind a warm modern look too, which is essential.  Yesterday he said, "So how does remodeling our kitchen down to the studs sound?"  And I had to confess, it sounded good to me.  Though without him, I can only dream.  So I'm glad he is on board.

From Skona Hem

It is funny to me how many of the photos I save feature my favorite color.  I do not do it intentionally.


Here, check out what our friends Shelby and Joe did with their kitchen.  I think it looks awesome.

A girl can dream

These are photos of a house that is oh, hmm... $200,000 too expensive. But I just love these windows. And the whole place says woodsy homey charm to me.