Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Cozy evening

Just a lovely evening cozy on the couch with the hubby, talking, sipping our teas, listening to a "crackling fire", smelling pine scented candles, kitty on the lap, with the baby sound asleep.
Feeling very blessed.

Thursday, December 7, 2017

home updates: kitchen sink and coffee table edition

We finally got rid of our old constantly stained sink. No matter how hard I scrubbed, or how long the bleaching comet sat in there overnight, it remained stained.
ew
At the same time we did this we decided to put in a reverse osmosis system. I had one at my parents and I've always thought they were the "gold standard" of water purification. Then later we were talking to a neighbor who told us that our city has the best water in several local counties.... whoops... well, can't hurt! The system was $200 on amazon and it's installed now so it's staying.
new sink from Lowes
It took Doug a couple hours to install it. I think a couple frustrating hours actually. He had issues with the sink strainers leaking and the instructions on the part said only apply a bit of silicone and the guys at Lowes were like "oh no, you have to load it on". So he had a few trips back and forth, but eventually the leaks stopped.
Ta-da! The new sink is a little deeper and quite nice. We don't have an 'after' of the under the sink area. But the reverse osmosis system takes up almost the entire right hand side with just a little room for the container of trash bags. Surprisingly we still have enough room on the other side for everything else. There was a roaster pan that went out to the shed, but other than that, everything fits. And since I've used that pan once since getting it at my 2010 wedding, I figured it didn't matter too much being stored in the shed. I do miss that little ridge around the old sink for holding the sponge, but oh well.
The other new thing lately is a lovely new coffee table my dad built for us.
In the summer my dad said he had a piece of walnut wood that he was wondering if I wanted him to make anything. He had just finished making a table for my brother, and had a lull in his work, so I think he was getting crafty. I can't remember if it's from a tree he actually cut, I think so.
We had been using the coffee table I got for a previous wedding gift, and it was just laminated wood and getting chipped and peeling and the edges were sharp for a soon-to-be little walker. So I suggested a replacement coffee table. And Dad got right to work!
Pretty soon he had made it into boards, sanded it down, and put the pieces together to see how I liked the order.
I don't have more of his 'progress' pictures, but pretty soon he had it all built, then we chose a stain, and he stained it, varnished, and applied a wax topcoat. And then delivered it.
I love how he followed the natural pattern of the bark to make the rounded edges, it's so unique.
Our last table had this handy feature that the top lifted up, so I definitely wanted this one to do it too. And actually this one brings the top to a more appropriate level for working on the laptop or eating dinner, so that's awesome.
It's so beautiful. My dad is so talented!

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

food and concerts

Veggies to roast: potatoes, butternut squash, and rainbow carrots. August loves them.
We went to my parent's choir Christmas concert. It was really very beautiful. August was a good boy, I kept him busy by giving him one cheerio at a time out of my hand. It was like a 20:1 ratio of cheerios to songs, but oh well, they were multi-grain, and kept him quiet, am I right??
One song the attendees were invited to sing along with the choir. I had to post the words, they are so beautiful.
I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play And mild and sweet their songs repeat Of peace on earth good will to men
And in despair I bowed my head There is no peace on earth I said For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men
Then rang the bells more loud and deep God is not dead, nor does he sleep (peace on earth, peace on earth) The wrong shall fail, the right prevail With peace on earth, good will to men
Here's a link so you can listen and sing along! :) (altho no organ on this track)
The organ was playing and everyone was singing. These are the times I miss being part of a more traditional church and the hymns and the organ. I really do like our church, but I miss that! And they had a couple songs with handbell accompaniment, and I miss that too, I miss playing handbells. I guess I'll let a little my preference worship style slide for solid biblical teaching, but I wish I could have both.
The next day mom watched August for a half day so I could go to a communication in healthcare class at work. It was actually pretty good. Then we met up afterwards at Unos for lunch. My friend Matt said August was behind because I haven't given him crayons yet. So here ya go August,
and this my friend is why I don't give him crayons!
I think he'll catch up come preschool!