The kitchen

We are back from vacation.  I'm craving routine, just like fall kind of suggests.  Not ready for school, but ready to have a plan and be aware of how busy we let ourselves get.  I need space.  I've been trying to create space in my calendar and my brain.  I want space to drop everything and help a friend.  I want space to say yes to playdates but not become so busy they are a chore.  I need space to be with my kids.  The time is getting shorter and shorter that they will be at home with me.  My kids needs space too.  The big one is ready for school, he just doesn't know it.  He needs time away from "brudder".  They spend almost every second together.  I bet that gets old.  

I would also like some space and time to spend in my new kitchen!  

It's done...

I need to finish the curtains.  This is one of them.  The other window is bare.  I found this ruffle fabric and couldn't resist.  Something needs to be girly in my house of boys.  The walls are very orange.  This pictures doesn't do justice to the terra-cotta on them!

We have a few things left to finish including changing the dining room wall to a more orange color (the shrimp pink color looks very pink next to my orange).  There are random outlets not covered and I can't decide on lights above the sink so the electrical wire sits there to remind me.

Behind this wall used to be a non working bathtub.  Stick a kind church volunteer in the old bathroom for a hour or so and you will have room for a pantry.  Bye bye bathtub.  HELLO pullout drawers!

Oh and that's my new table.  It is something I always dreamed of.  A little vintage formica topped table.  Yummy.  I don't have chairs yet, but that's okay.  I found this table in a little antique store near us.  They were closed but I asked if they had anything like that.  I wasn't planning on driving back if they didn't have one.  She said yes and told me if I didn't look around at anything else she would show me the table.  I bought it.  I stuffed it in our car and drove off quickly.  I didn't want her to change her mind.  I love it lots and lots.  (Yes, it's dirty.  Yes, I have 2 kids!)

This is the church's house, but they asked what I wanted.  My wish list was a little different.  I wanted my mixer to fit under my cabinets.  I didn't wait 8 years to get one and then put it away to never see again.  I just heart this little guy.  Plus, I asked for no doors around the window so I could set stuff.  I like little decoration and I have ZERO wall space since it is all covered in pretty new cabinets.  

I made these cute blocks (they say "BE YOU") and put up some mason jars on the ledge above the window.  

We feel super duper blessed to have a new kitchen (also it's nice the sink doesn't leak anymore...)

This rarely if ever happens in a parsonage.  Pretty much one in a million.  So I've been baking up a storm and planning our Christmas open house. 

This is my brand new planner.  I've had it for a couple months now, but finally put the finishing touches on it.  I'm a planner junky.  Anything to help me organize seems worth it.  

The best part is its new home.  We cut out a part of the wall and added all of this counter space next to the stove.  I pretty much live at this little spot.  I'm standing here right now typing.  My planner sits here everyday.  I can see the TV and the kids playing.  I can see my pretty new gray wall and the dining room.  Heck, it used to be a small doorway.  The world is wide open now!

I stuck some stickers of my favorite bible verses and phrases around my planner.  The front says "I Am a Child of God."  Pretty much everything I need to know!

The inside has a few fun things I found on pinterest.  

The back has a little more motivation.  Love that I can change it whenever I want.  I found all the stuff for the inside for free online.

Check out http://yourway.net for printables.

I modified a cleaning list from Martha Stewart.  I have about a million tabs in the binder to keep me all in line!  

Can you tell I'm excited?  Bring on the new school year.