#36: Tile Kitchen Backsplash

We've had this one done for a long time and I kept forgetting about it!   I think we actually started this one over last Christmas and worked on it some into February.  It took awhile until we got everything grouted and the paint retouched, but I think that was done by at least summer.  I can't remember.  We're kind of slow remodelers around here! 

Then I kept forgetting to take a picture.  Or let's be real....I'd keep forgetting to take a picture when the kitchen was actually clean!

BEFORE:

This is how the kitchen looked in the realtor's pictures when we bought the house:

Take special note of the horrid countertops and the single sink.  That is, if you can take your eyes off of the lovely curtains and flower sticker things they put on the walls (which were a bear to get off!).

One of the first things we did when we moved in was to demo the backsplash and the countertops. 

We then replaced the countertops almost immediately and while we were at it we changed to a double stainless steel sink.  We also changed out all the hardware on the cupboards.

Then we got new appliances...We had also painted the kitchen red and all the trim white in the meantime, as you can see above.  Until last Christmas though, we lived with the attractive yellow "backsplash" that was left when we tore down the tile.   It was during this time that I made this 101 in 1001 list and decided it needed to be a priority to get it done!

Here's how it all looked just before we started...

And here it is in process:

I even helped do one wall as well.  Ok...so the real story is, I actually made requested Trevor re-do this wall because it was crooked.  So I felt guilty and told him I would do it.   Then I showed him how it was done. :)

The "re-do" might be what caused me to get this look:

Here it is ready to be grouted:  (For the life of me I can't figure out what is on that plate in the picture above....yuck.  I think it is some kind of meat thawing.  I should be more aware of  what is in my pictures!) 

AFTER:

Here's what the kitchen looks like now!

I really like it!  It's simple and not that amazing (sometimes I wish we'd done something more fun like glass tiles), but we did it ourselves and we did it cheap!  What could be better?!

So the kitchen is pretty much complete now, except for the curtains I am "working" on (for the past year!) for the breakfast area (see #38) and the crown molding we plan to put up in the whole house.  We are contemplating doing something with the kitchen cabinets.  They are old and dated, but we definitely don't want to lay down the money to replace them.  I've thought of painting them white or a really dark brown, but I just can't decide.  Does anyone have any advice or opinions on painting your cabinets?  I've heard good and bad things.

Christmas with the Duffy's

I know everyone is so over Christmas right now and I debated not even posting this, but this blog has become more of a journal/scrapbook for me than anything and I want to remember it.  And hey, I actually got this posted six days earlier than I did last year.

We got to enjoy a whole week in Nebraska relaxing and spending time with family.  It was GREAT.  I think it's been hard to want to write about such a relaxing time now that I've been working 10-hour days.

We arrived Saturday night before Christmas just as Mom and Dad were returning from their anniversary date to the symphony in Omaha.  It was their 34th anniversary!  I made them take a picture since they looked so nice.

The rest of the week was pretty uneventful.  We went to Lincoln one day to Kim & Justin's, but other than that, we spent most of the time at the house.  Mostly because of this...

I was kind of glad though because it brought Kim's family to stay with us before Christmas day.  They knew the weather was supposed to be bad so they went ahead and came before Christmas.

Justin brought Guitar Hero to the house and we spent a lot of time playing Rock Band.  The boys even took a midnight trip to Wal-mart one night because they had mastered all the songs and wanted to buy some more.

Kim, Justin, & Trevor rocking out (especially Trevor!)

Rachel, Ryan, & Caroline were also able to spend the whole week.  We love getting to see them...it's not nearly enough!

Caroline loved this decorative rocking horse of Grandma's.

Caroline gave Grandma this polar bear ornament.  It was to remind her of their special day at the zoo.

On Christmas Eve, Grandpa missed breakfast because he was out snow blowing.  When he came back in Victoria was ready to go play in the snow with Grandpa!  He had to eat standing up.

   Later that day, Grandpa & Victoria kept checking NORAD's website to see where Santa was traveling on Christmas Eve on the other side of the world.

It was so fun to have Victoria there to be very excited for Santa's arrival.  Here she is with her cookies, mints, and milk for Santa and carrots for his reindeer.

Kim had bought the girls some reindeer antlers from the Target $1 bin, so we got some Christmas Eve pictures of the girls with them.  Here's a video of the adults trying to get the kids excited to take a picture:

Then the adults also decided to have a little fun with the antlers!  Who knew you can have so much fun for $3?(I'm trying out using collages (thanks Gladys!) to get ALL of my pictures that I want to into a post without it being super long.  Hopefully you can still click on the picture to make it bigger to be able to see it if you want.  What do you think, do you like them?  Collages or no collages?!)

I also just found this next video that Ryan took that cracks me up every time!  This pretty much represents the adventure we had all week with these girls:  Caroline watching in amazement, Alexandra being busy, and Victoria saying something crazy!

You know Dasher & Dancer & Prancer &.....Sheesha!? :)

Christmas morning opening presents! 

Christmas dinner with Granny & Paul and Aunt Kathy & Linda.

Victoria sat at the kids table....by herself!!  She really wanted to.  I promise. :)

Trevor and Linda continuing their tradition of doing the dishes and chatting after holiday dinners.  They both enjoy that time!

On Christmas night, they decided to put the girls in their Christmas dresses to try to get some nice pictures.  THIS is what happened.  Ha!

They also got to open up a few more presents.  The girls sure were spoiled!

What a great time!  The next week was wonderful too as I only had to work one day that week before New Year's.  Now it's back to reality though...

#80: Actually Send Christmas Cards

Trevor and I have never sent Christmas cards since we've been married.  I always intended to, but it always snuck up on me.  So after my failure to once again send Christmas cards last year, I was pretty proud of myself with being so on top of it this year.

I actually ordered these cards back in October when I found out about some great discount codes to use at the Kodak Gallery that made these almost free.  Luckily, my friend Gladys had snapped a great picture of us at the cabin over Labor Day, so I had a picture ready to go.  I love how natural and happy we look in it.

I also got these super-cute matching stamps thanks to a great deal!

Thanks to a tip months ago from one of the money-saving blogs I follow, I found out that the kit to make these stamps was clearanced at Walgreens since the box still had a picture of a $0.42 stamp.   The kit was clearanced for less than the price of 20 stamps and included a code to order 20 stamps from Stamps.com.  So I bought a bunch of boxes and I had been waiting for a time to use them.  Perfect for Christmas cards!  I am curious if many people even noticed them though... Did you?!?

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.  We sure did.  I'm working on sorting through pictures and I'll post about it soon.