Design Flaw

I couldn't begin to tell you how much time we spent planning the kitchen, well before even one strip of wallpaper was ripped off. The home reno shows and the professional kitchen designers could make you think it's not so hard, but there is a lot to consider. A whole lot. I'm pretty proud of what we accomplished and the last two weeks has seen me spend more time cooking and baking than I have in the last two years. My dawning realization? There is something I didn't consider.  I guess I had assumed that the dogs would hang out on their beds in the TV room, or on the sheepskin in front of the fireplace in the living room. And they do. As long as I'm there with them. Which I haven't been, because a) I'm excited to have my kitchen back, and b) it's just a good time of year to bake.

So, here's my problem:

Yes, I should have bought TWO of those chef's gel mats. One for in front of the stove, but also one for in front of the fridge. Because even though I don't stand in front of the fridge for any length of time, I think I know a dog who would put a second mat to good use.

Oh, sure, the other thing is that I can't get to the fridge or the stove without telling a dog to move. The looks I get...as if they thought the countertop should be plenty of space for me.

You asked for it

Whew! Thanks to all for reading and thanks to those who came out for the open house! Your patience during the last couple of years is commendable - I am happy to know we still have friends. :)  Even though we didn`t quite get all the last bits of stuff done that we wanted to, we were ready to entertain on Saturday night and really appreciated the show of support. And the wine! Sunday was the first day in I cannot remember how long where there wasn`t a tool in sight and no sawdust to be found. It looks like a REAL house. Apparently, it looks so much like a real house people can`t remember what it looked like before. For those who asked for more `before` photos (somehow I thought there were enough in two years of blog entries, but perhaps not) I`ve put a bunch together. Nothing comprehensive and the order isn`t the best, but it will give you something to go on. Check the picassa web album link below. They scare me now. A lot. Now is not a good time to ask if I`d do it again.

House Before

You can click the link, then pick `slideshow`near the top - let it run through the show or speed it up by clicking the arrows at the bottom.

*

Today was one of those great-walking-in-the-snow-days. Know what I mean? Cold, but not biting. Fresh, fluffy, snow with just a little stickiness. Blue sky with some wispy clouds.  Besides, my other option was to stay home and finish painting the front closet.

But that's just me. I wear a down-filled parka and a pair of old boots by Pajar (no, not while I'm painting.) This makes me toasty warm on these excursions. If it was all up to me we'd stay home and watch the snow from the inside. Preferably in front of the fire with a good book and a cup of something hot. And alcoholic. I know the dogs are with me on this. They don't have much in the way of body fat or underfur, but one puppy plus one boisterous 4-year old dog means you go outside whether or not the going's good. Anything 'warmer' than -10C means we go. Oh, right, I'm supposed to tell you we also don't go in the rain. Duh.

Last weekend, this meant we were out in the windstorm of the century. Granted, we didn't realize how windy it really was until we got to the park in the open and there were Christmas tree sized branches scattered about on the ground. We didn't stay out long.

As I was saying, today was a terrific day for a romp in the snow. I wore mittens because they were in my pocket from when I shoveled the sidewalk this morning. And the driveway (did I tell you the front closet needed to be painted?). Mittens make button pushing a bit of a challenge so some of the shots I was trying to take didn't get taken in time. On the other hand (ha ha) I ended up with some gems I didn't even try for. I love mittens.

This pretty much exemplifies Rory. The look in his eyes, the expression on his face: the focused insanity that is typical of Rory. The ears are just a bonus.

The park we frequent has a pretty steep hill down to the river in some spots. The blurbs of fencing are a nice touch, but realistically, you need to be careful near the edge. Gotham knows this. Rory fancies himself a bit of a daredevil.

What Gotham also knows is that this is entirely a ruse. Edge or no, Rory will make like he just found the most interesting delicious bit of rabbit poo and poor Gotham will be unable to help himself. He'll be compelled to go over and investigate. And when he does all bets are off. Unless you`re betting on Rory. Not much for the mercy is our Rory.

Gotham did end up going for a tumble today. Luckily there are a lot of bushes and shrubby grass and snow to ease the way. Oh, and we weren't at the steep part. Not to be outdone, Rory went flying after him to show him the way back.

Here is Gotham thinking that Rory must have had enough by now. Not. Flying snowdog.

This is where Gotham is in his element. He must think he is still Little because he loves running through the copses  - dodging this way and that - and he knows Rory won't come in. Rory waits for him on the outside, our hero not being a fan of having branches dump their load of snow on him and then smack him on the way out.

They aren`t always at a flat-out run. Sometimes, stillness prevails. That, or he's trying to figure out why his little kiwis are so cold.

Then it's right back to one more demonstration of brotherly affection before we head home.