I can’t seem to get back in the swing of things here. We’ve spent days getting our “new” kitchen back into some semblance of order. It’s amazing how much thought goes into what goes where. Our cabinet configuration is just different enough to warrant changing things around from what they were. Our new ovens need a little calibration and the cooktop takes some getting used to. Our old ovens had a noisy timer that just kept ringing until you turned it off. More like an alarm than a timer. Now our new oven timer makes a very quiet pinging noise, almost like it doesn’t want to disturb anyone. Oh, excuse me, so sorry to bother you but I believe your food is cooked.

We’ve managed to do a few other things over the long holiday weekend as well. Here are just a few.

Although the weather has not been great—cloudy with spotty rain—we have managed to spend some time outside on our newly refurbished deck and down by the pool in our poolside gazebo.

The gazebo is a not only a nice retreat during the day, but also at night.

And what could be more American on the 4th of July than delicious grilled hamburgers, macaroni salad and sweet corn? And yes, it tasted every bit as good as it looks.

Today finds us moving out of our bedroom and into one of the smaller rooms as tomorrow our master bath undergoes a complete rip out and remodel. It’s going to be so awesome when it’s finished, but until then it’s going to be noisy, dusty, and inconvenient for the next two weeks. Photos to follow, both before and through the process.

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

You live in the most idyllic setting - I love to see your home and the alterations you are making.  Your houses look like mansions they must take an age to clean.  I live in a new 2 bedroom bungalow with a small garden, work full time and can clean through my house in no time at all!  Must try the pie it sounds and looks so yummy.