Ice Box

A new item that I'd been hunting for years to add to our Butler's Pantry...

It fits perfectly between the cabinets and the doorway.  

We had previously had a little wine fridge sitting on a side table in this space, but it stopped cooling and it really didn't match in here anyway!

I'm using it for storage... 

bread, rolls & bagels in the top; bottles in the bottom (the metal shelf is removable).

As I posted that link above to the Butler's Pantry post, I realized that I never posted any final/finished photos.  I'll have to take some and update that!

Backyard Decorating

A few little items that we added in the backyard!

A Butterfly house that we got as a Christmas gift:

We re-used one of the old fence posts to stand it on.  

We still have to paint it the gray of the privacy fence.

The butterfly bush is going to be re-planted from the side of the house (where it was moved before construction on the backyard began) to a spot nearby.

I've been going back and forth on what to do around the sundial.  Putting in plants would mean digging up the leveled foundation underneath- which would cause a hassle if I decide to go with the blue stone that I think I really want.  So I don't want to do anything too permanent for the time being.

I found these rocks in the craft section of the store and bought a bunch.  

They reminded me of the rocks on the beach we always went to when I was growing up!  

The boys picked out a few rocks that they liked on a recent trip to California and added them to it too.  

I think we will make this our little memory rock garden for the time being, adding a few from each trip we take!

Patio Fan Installed

More progress on the pavilion... we picked out the light and fan.
Then installed it and our neighbor came over to help us with the electrical hook-up.

The gray fan blades will look more cohesive once we paint the pavilion ceiling blue.  We can't do any painting on it for a year while the wood ages.  We plan to paint it complementary colors to the house.

I love that it has a timer!  I can put the light on for dinner time, set the timer and not have to worry about running back out to turn off the lights after I had cleared the table!

Patio Furniture Placement

With the pavilion up, I was anxious to get the new patio furniture up there (it was being stored in the barn all this time).

The electric is run to it, we just need to have it connected in the basement.

We also have to install the ceiling fan & light.

The landscaper will be back to finish the slate around the posts (they had to be left open so that the building inspector could check the footings).

I think we'll put the little fire pit on the one side, and eventually the grill will go on the other side (closest to the house).

We are finally getting to enjoy it a bit back here!

Putting up the Pavilion

This was the most exciting day... the pavilion was ready to be delivered & built!

I can't believe it only took them 1 day!

The building inspector came soon after to approve it- all went smoothly with that!

The builders did knock into the sundial and the bottom of the arrow broke off.  They immediately offered to pay for replacing that piece.  The piece is currently on back-order, so we will order it on our own when it is back in stock.