day 160

I slipped away to the house for a bit on Saturday morning to take photos before we started filling it up. Our walk-through was on Friday afternoon and we still have a punch list of items to complete, but I'm thankful we were able to receive occupancy and avoid a short-term hotel stay.

The punch list isn't too crazy and includes things like: patch drywall, touch up paint, install hood extender, replace master bedroom carpet, fix leaky sink, tighten tub faucet, finish installing plumbing fixtures, caulk around windows, shim squeaky floor, trim closet door, add additional shelf brackets, etc.

We also have a to-do list, which includes: hanging curtain rods/blinds, installing cabinet hardware, hanging bathroom fixtures (TP holders, towel rings, etc.) and installing the washer/dryer.  My father-in-law was able to get the hardware installed and we hung those temporary paper blinds over most windows.  Hubby took care of the washer/dryer and will start installing the remaining bathroom fixtures this week.  Progress!

In other words, it's mostly done.  But the contractors are working hard to make sure it's totally done soon.  The drywall guy, carpet crew, carpenter and plumbers were all here today.  And the painter is supposed to be coming tomorrow.  I'm finally seeing the light that we'll be wrapping up soon!

I'll continue to share photos as we personalize this house and make it our home, but I wanted to make sure I documented what it looked like on move-in day.

Without further ado...

[exterior - still need to paint trim, stain door and pour sidewalk/driveway]

[foyer - still need to stain door]

[living room from foyer - still need to touch up paint]

[fireplace]

[dining area from living room]

[flex room]

[living room from flex room]

[dining area - still need a great rug!]

[living room from dining area]

[dining area and my gorgeous handmade table]

[kitchen - before hardware was installed]

[kitchen - before hardware and hood extender]

[kitchen - before hardware]

[kitchen - before hardware]

[kitchen - before hardware]

[E's room from hallway]

[E's room/closet]

[E's room]

[main bath - before hardware, plumbing and mirrors]

[spare bedroom]

[spare bedroom/closet]

[powder room before pedestal sink]

[laundry room before washer/dryer]

[drop zone before hardware]

[hallway off kitchen - master bedroom at end, basement stairs on right]

[master bedroom]

[master bathroom]

[master bathroom tub]

[master bathroom vanity]

[master bathroom vanity]

[master bathroom shower]

[master bathroom shower]

[master bathroom]

[master bath vanity]

Hopefully I'll be back with moving stories and more interior shots later this week.  Until then, you'll find me unpacking, working and sleeping.

day 135 (and menu monday)

We're supposed to be into our new house by April 15.  I'm probably the only one that finds it funny.  Despite not being a tax accountant, there is just something about Tax Day no matter what type of accounting you do.

Anyway, it hit me this weekend that it's only four weeks away.  In some ways, I'm like "Four weeks?  Still?".  And in other ways, I'm all "Holy moly.  Four weeks?!  There is still so much to do... and pack."

We've been living as minimally as possible these past six months, so I'm hesitant to pack up too much right away.  As I was pondering what I could start putting into boxes, I realized there was an easy and obvious start.  The freezer and pantry.  Why even pack them?  Let's eat the food up!  Besides being less to move, it should save us some cash, which will be especially nice with the double bills we've been paying lately (rent and construction loan, double electric bills, double water bills, storage unit, PO box, etc.).

I spent about an hour this weekend taking an inventory of our cupboards and freezer.  And then I made my weekly meal plan based upon what we had on hand.  We're still going to need to buy fresh fruits and veggies, milk, eggs, yogurt, bread, etc, but I'm hoping all of the meat and most of the non-perishables will come from our existing stash for the next few weeks.

Besides the items above, we also have the staples -- oils, spices, flour, sugars, condiments, etc.  And our freezer was actually stocked with quite a bit more meat than I realized.  I love good surprises like that!

After careful review, I came up with the following plan for this week:

Sunday: Chicken Parmesan
Monday: Parmesan Crusted Tilapia (based upon Broiled Tilapia Parmesan - but modified to use panko, bread crumbs, cayenne pepper and Old Bay seasoning), Yellow Rice, Mixed Veggies
Tuesday: Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Best Pancakes Ever
Wednesday: Chicken Strips (based upon Simple Southern-Style "Unfried" Chicken), homemade Mac 'n Cheese
Thursday: Pork Chops, Veggies, Rice
Friday: Frozen Pizza
Saturday: Crockpot Italian Chicken (chicken breasts, Italian dressing packet, water - on low for 6 hours - served with mozzarella cheese on a toasted bun)

 
We had to pick up a few things, but the majority of the ingredients came from the pantry/fridge/freezer.  One week down...three more to go!  I have a few more ideas for the coming weeks, but I'd love any input on some of your favorite recipes that use the ingredients above.  Possibilities include: Slow-Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup (chicken, tomatoes, enchilada sauce, onion, chiles), Granny's Swiss Steak (cubed steak, onion soup mix, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, mushrooms, egg noodles), Chili (chili diced tomatoes, diced tomatoes, ground beef, tomato sauce), Baked Mostaccioli (pasta, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese), Spinach Stuffed Shells (jumbo shells, creamed spinach, mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce) and The Best Pork Chop You Will Ever Taste (Ranch dressing, breadcrumbs, Italian dressing packet, parmesan cheese, pork chops).  Now - it's your turn.  Do share!

In house related news, our trim was painted last week at some point - maybe Thursday or Friday (day 130 or 131).  The most exciting part was that the carpenters were out on Saturday to install our master bathroom vanity.  Of course, it didn't go off without a hitch.

I've been in love with this vanity that I found on Houzz since the day I first spied it.

Traditional Bathroom by Denver Interior Designer Chalet

It's beautiful, right?  Our cabinet supplier was able to design something very similar, but once the assembly started, we realized it was going to be about 15 inches too small.  We had used our builder's cabinet plans as a starting point when we met with the cabinet supplier we ended up using.  It turns out, the plans were based upon an older floor plan, when the vanity was on a different wall.  And, while Hubby and I double checked all of the kitchen measurements, we never checked the master bath.  Aye.

After a bit of a panic, I finally agreed with the idea of inserting another 15" cabinet in between the center two banks of drawers.

We debated between adding another 3-drawer bank, installing a pull out trash can behind a large door or just doing open shelving.  My cousin did a rough Photoshop mark-up of the 3-drawer option and the open shelves option and we ultimately decided on the open shelves.  The cabinet order was placed yesterday and we'll hopefully be able to wrap this up once and for all next week.  Well, after I finally decide on hardware.  Any suggestions?

Additionally, after a panicked call to our granite supplier on Saturday, we were grateful to learn that our granite slab is 116" -- which leaves enough room to accommodate the new 110" vanity.  Thank goodness!

The carpenter was also able to work on installing the wainscoting around the tub, as well as the crown moulding on the kitchen cabinets.  The small details make such a difference!

[wainscoting tub surround]

[Merillat Tolani - Maple Chiffon cabinets with added crown moulding]

[Kashmir White granite - in the daylight!]

[Merillat Tolani - Maple Chiffon cabinets with added crown moulding]

[drop zone - Merillat Tolani in Maple Sable]

We should receive our new wall oven cabinet this Thursday and I'm hoping the new fireplace mantle is slated to be delivered this week as well.  Did I mention the current one is much too small?

Each day that goes by, I think I get a little more anxious.  But we're in the home stretch.  And I'm so grateful.

day 128

Not much has changed on the house this past week.  The backhoe returned last Thursday (day 123) and started digging up the front yard.  After racking our brains a bit, we realized they were hooking up the sewer and water lines.

At some point on Friday or Saturday they hit the underground electrical lines and we were without power until the utility company was able to come out yesterday morning.  Everything is back up and running now, though.

The big news is that the granite was installed in the kitchen today (day 128)!  The stone is Kashmir White and it looks amazing.  They still need to finish some caulking, drill the faucet holes, and cut out the area for the cooktop, but that's easy enough (says the person who doesn't have a clue how to do any of that).

They also put in the granite for the drop zone today, but my camera battery died before I could grab a photo.  I like it but I'm struggling with the 3" backsplash that was installed with the counter.  It's a small space so the backsplash seems a bit excessive.  Plus, it's totally unnecessary since there won't be water in the area.  On the plus side, it covers up the gaps between the countertop and the drywall.  Apparently the drywall is slightly bowed in the drop zone nook, which was their reasoning for installing the backsplashes in the first place.  I think I'm just going to live with them for now and if I still don't like them down the road, I can always do some demolition.

This whole backsplash discussion with the granite folks tonight got me thinking about the bathrooms, as well.  In the main bath, we'll definitely add the granite backsplash.  The bathroom will primarily be used by kids and it makes complete sense from a practical standpoint.  In the master bath, though, I really prefer the look of not having a backsplash.  But I don't want to ruin my drywall.  And I don't think I want to add tile.  Another decision that will need to be made soon.

Well, I'm kind of hoping soon.  Because that will mean the carpenters and tile guy showed up again.  I'm anxious to see the master bath vanity put together and also can't wait to see the tiled shower in the master bath.  Patience is becoming less and less of my strong suit these days.  I'm not sure if I blame the house construction or the two year old?

This past weekend, Hubby and I were able to escape the chaos for a bit.  We dropped E off with a sitter Sunday morning and spent the day shopping, browsing and even sitting down for lunch, without the interruptions of a certain little guy.  It was bliss.  But we were both missing E like crazy by the end of the afternoon.  It's funny how that works.

I also ran by the house on Saturday, during E's naptime, to grab some photos of the cabinets and trimwork on my big girl camera, in the daylight.  Since the last update, doors have finished being installed and most of the trimwork is complete.  Everything is really coming together and starting to get that almost-finished look.

Hopefully the next update will include a gorgeous master bath vanity.  Crossing my fingers. And toes.  And arms.  And legs.  And whatever else I can think of.