Mother's Day 2009

Le Renouvellement de la Cuisine est Demarré!

Et je suis contente! (The kitchen remodeling has begun,and I am happy!) My lights from my favorite store, "La Maison de Campagne" are hung, and as of today I have a farm sink with a Belle Foret oil rubbed bronze faucet. So, basically, the kitchen is starting its transformation, and hopefully I will begin my own as well. There is just something about being comfortable in one's own kitchen- loving the decor and moving around with ease because it just feels like home. I have admitted to everyone that I HATED the kitchen in the house that we bought and only agreed to buy the house on the condition that we wrapped a redecorating budget into the deal. So, we wrapped what I thought was a generous amount for remodeling into the deal and then I found out that actually everything is more expensive than I thought. Luckily, my father-in-law rocks and he helped us out on modifying both our island and sink cabinet and installing the sink. You see the key to my dream kitchen is the french country farmhouse look, and while I have compromised on many areas of the redecorating/ remodeling, I really wanted a farm sink. So, today, I got my dream sink installed. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it is key to achieving the look that I want for my kitchen- the look that will remind me of my fond memories of my house in the french countryside, and all that I learned while I lived there about cooking and enjoying life around the table. Take a look at these "before" pictures.










So while things are changing slowly they are changing surely. We got lights up, my island looks better as we took the doors off of one side in order to make a bookshelf for my cookbook collection, and today my sink and faucet were installed. We still have a long way to go with the walls, cabinets, and countertops, but it feels good to be on the way to a new kitchen that I know I will love! Here are the pictures that I took today:

On a Positive Note

In May there is a fresh produce market on Saturday mornings in downtown Greenville! I am way excited about going to check it out today. Hoping that it will be a shopping experience akin to our weekly market in Billom. I really miss that. I am so looking forward to the produce stands opening up around here too. I get tired of always having to go into a bigger supermarket to buy things- seems like I am always drawn to buy things other than just what we "need" - or I keep thinking, "I bet we are almost out of this or that and then what was supposed to be a 5 minute trip ends up being a 20-30 minute trip. But, wait, I am determined to remain positive. So, here goes:

10 Positive things about living back in the States:
1. Living close to family
2. South Carolina weather rocks! Sunshine most of the year is great!
3. I love my front porch swing!
4. SA is in a wonderful school where they are helping me to instill in her a love for God, His Word, and His world.
5. The language barrier has greatly diminished (although I do still have difficulties at times with "HoneaPAthese" ex. Do y'all understand the expression "Coming up a cloud"?
6. We have Target! And Old Navy!
7. We have Chick Fil A!
8. The Sportsclub has childcare!
9. Cooking in America is easier- recipes in English, ingredients readily found, etc.
10.D gets home around 5:00

There! See, and you all thought I couldn't be so positive!