"Progress in the Kitchen"

"Ahhh!

The fresh aroma of...

...paint.



How did I know when I told the painters they could start at 6 in the morning earlier this week that I would awaken that day with a migraine?



You know the kind that makes you sensitive to smells?


But, the headache didn't last long. Thanks to the migraine man I told you about not long ago.

Then I was right down in with the paint and the painters...fumes and all...

...documenting the steady progress crews are making in our kitchen.

Our previously dark, rough wood ceiling is now a bright...

...almost sparkly white. I love things that sparkle. Roger says that will keep the ceiling looking clean and bright. And what Roger says,

goes around here.

We kept the beams dark, though for contrast. I wasn't sure how that would look. But I'm lovin' it.



I am not lovin' the look...

...of this. The painters discovered fresh water damage on the wall in the kitchen.

And...

...water dripping from the ceiling.

Not a lot. But a steady parade of...

...drops.

Which they collected in...

...what else? A paint can.

Seems we've accumulated a bit too much snow and ice on the roof.

For those of who who have never seen one, this...

...is what we in Minnesota affectionately call an ice damn.

With the emphasis on DAMN.

Makes you want to think twice before walking underneath these daggers.

Fortunately, Dan...

...the cabinet installer, doubles as a problem solver. He got right on the phone. Called the carpenter. Who called a roofer. Who got someone over to shovel a bunch of snow off the roof. No more leak. At least for now.

We'll see what the rest of the season holds.

By mid week...

Dan was well on his way...

...getting the cabinets in.

We went with a Minnesota company to save on shipping time, cost and fuel resources.

The cabinets are white. It will be a big change from our old dark wood cabinets.

The other big development: appliances arrived.

A refrigerator. Sub-zero. Like the weather.

Don't drop it guys.

Not to worry.

They're pros.

We kept our main range. But had to replace our combination microwave second oven because of a huge crack in the microwave. Here's the new one.


I ask them...

...if I can take pictures of them while...


...they maneuver the appliances around...

...the many corners between the front door and the kitchen.

"Sure," they say.

"Not a problem."

"How did we look?"

That's what they ask when I thank them for letting me take pictures of them working.

"You looked great. Really strong."

"Muscly. You can even tell through your jackets."