Granite Perusal

L had the day off so we decided to visit the industrial area today to check out the shop that will be cutting the granite and another shop where we would be ordering the lighting from.

I had this idea that it would be a gigantic warehouse where we could walk around looking at granite slices but instead it is more of a workshop where they were cutting and shaping the granite.

This worker cut off a few samples for us to take with us and explained a little of the process showing us an extra long counter that he was finishing and joining.

We are leaning towards the following white granites in our price range:

Camelot White

Miracle White

Moon White (This is the granite pictured in photo two above. It was quite striking in the shop.)

We both liked Siberian White but it is currently out of stock. 

I wonder if it will come back in stock in a few months.

Walls, Window Upgrades & Hiccups

The walls are up!

It was really exciting to see the walls were built the last time I was by the house.

This is the south view.

 West side with two bedroom windows.

This is the north view including the walkout basement, jut-out is the master bedroom window, window to the right is the bathroom, window and door to the left is the kitchen and door to deck.

This is the east side. When I first saw this I was a little shocked that the windows were only 2 feet by 2 feet and the window in the kitchen 2 feet by 6 feet. How did I miss this on the plans earlier? We emailed the builder to ask about enlarging the kitchen window to 6 feet by 6 feet. It will be an additional $2000. Crazy! 

Every change is thousands of dollars! Is it worth it? I am divided since there will be a house directly across from this one. Perhaps all we need is the natural light from this window and to forget having a large window here since there likely will not be a view. But I also love windows. Why are windows so expensive! 

In other news we had a hiccup yesterday as far as where we will live while this house is being built. 

We had planned to house sit for a lovely couple while they went to the United States for the winter to Mesa, Arizona. Unfortunately I got a call in the early morning that she had had a heartattack and was in the hospital. I was concerned for her health but it really did leave us in a lurch. It had been such an ideal situation. We would be renting their place for $750 a month plus $150 for snow removal. It included a garage, all utilities plus netflix/cable/internet, furnishings, dishes etc. 

I am trying to not be stressed out about this all and take it in stride. I left a deposit with her of $750 which has been cashed plus paid for all the snow removal on Saturday at $600 and left post-dated checks until April so I hope we will be able to recover this money. 

Luckily I was able to secure a new place yesterday thanks to connections that her husband had and so now we will be living in a renovated church. It costs a little more at $1100 plus utilities per month. I also needed to leave a security deposit of $1100. Unfortunately it is unfurnished so I am trying to figure out if we should move our furniture currently in our basement here for the cost of $3071 or buy some used items on kijiji that we can later re-sell or make the trip and try to move some of the items ourselves with L's dad's pick-up truck. 

Lots to think about as I likely shouldn't be lifting heavy items being 29 weeks pregnant. Plus L is working day in and day out it seems. He has worked 50+ days now with only 2 days off.  I am not even sure if he will be available to help me with moving at the end of the month. Our condo lease runs out at the end of this month so I do not have a lot of time to ponder this hiccup. 

Thanksgiving Update

Hello again! 

I spent the last two weeks away. First to visit my parents at their farm for Thanksgiving and then my mom returned with me to help me pack boxes. 

I had a fabulous thanksgiving! It was great to see my parents and my brother B and his wife J. From where we are living currently it is a 16 hour drive. Not for the faint of heart! 

We had some great walks, meals, and chats!

I am so thankful for my mom making the trip back to Medicine Hat with me. She has so much energy and we were able to completely pack the kitchen, under the bathroom sinks and the majority of my books. She lifted all of the boxes because she was worried about me being pregnant and lifting boxes. She even braved flying on her return leg of her journey. 

I was without internet for the majority of the time as my parents only have spotty internet coverage at their farm and we cancelled the internet at our home in Medicine Hat. I had all intentions of keeping up with posting in October but c'est la vie! 

I have much to be thankful for this year! 

Today marks 29 weeks pregnant! How is this possible! I am so excited to meet the little one in the new year. I had my doctor checkup on Friday morning and all looks good. The baby has been busy kicking away. My friends surprised me with a baby shower while I was in Grande Prairie. I was so surprised! How wonderful to have fabulous friends! 

Show Home Kitchen Inspiration

This past Saturday I visited several show homes. I love to traipse through homes and look at finishes, colour choices and glean design inspiration. Often in defining your style it is just as important to identify what aspects you do not like. Since we are having our home built I have the fun task of designing my kitchen, within limits of course. Many of these homes are million dollar homes and so I intend to take elements from some of these and fit them within my budget.

This was the first kitchen I viewed in a very modern home with clean, crisp lines and concrete floors. I did not like the polished concrete floors. We do not have the option of this finish for our cabinetry but L and I both agreed we like the modern look and the high contrast. I especially love the dark window frames. I will have to see if that is an option.

In this example, the cabinets are primarily dark and the quartz is very light, along with the floors. I do like the light counter tops but find the dark cabinetry a little much. Here and in several others homes I viewed I saw the oven and microwave on the side wall alongside the refridgerator. I really like this! I am not a fan of the wallpaper in the kitchen or that strange trim separating the upper cabinets. Several of the homes also had quartz that framed three sides of the island. I think I will skip on that style.

By contrast this kitchen is very light. I am leaning towards two tone cabinetry dark on the bottom, white granite and light upper cabinets. I liked the example of the range hood in this example.

Swoon! There were so many elements in this example that I loved. The floor, the dark cabinetry with the high contrast, the white quartz, the gas range top with the oven and microwave on an opposite wall, the backspash, the lighting above the island, the dark windows and crisp white walls. This is a u-shape kitchen, I have had one of these types of kitchens, but am excited that my new kitchen will be open concept. The huge fridge in this example is a bit much for my liking.

Here is another example of a modern kitchen. I thought the island/bar combo was a little odd as is the two tone cabinetry above the range top. I did like how it came out slightly at the range and the deep drawers as well as the fridge, stove/microwave combo on the opposite wall.

Here is an example of a microwave range hood. I have decided this is not the way I want to go. We will have that funny pantry door in the corner also. It is just the way it has to be. 

I was very happy to find this example last of all because I think it best explained to L what I want to do with our kitchen and is the exact same set-up. Also the colours are almost spot on.

I do wish I had a pantry like this... but never mind it is still going to be lovely.

A Little Ice Cream Celebration Reveal

It's cause for celebration!

This is my 100th blog post! 

Oh right your not here for that celebration. 

Your here to find out if I am having a boy or a girl!!

So the other night L came home and told me about a co-worker and the surprise party they had planned to find out if they were having a boy or girl. He thought it was a great idea that the ultrasound technician wrote what it was on a slip of paper and put it in an envelope. Then they took the envelope to a cake decorator and had a cake made up. After they planned to invite all of their friends and family over to cut into the cake and inside would tell if it was pink a girl or blue a boy. He thought this was lots of fun! Finding out from the ultrasound technician in the clinical office was not as thrilling he said. But because I had found out it was to late to plan something like that.

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!

I totally had wanted to plan a party. I even had all things pinned for such a time as this. 

As you will recall L told me he didn't want to find out if we were having a boy or girl. He said their are too few surprises in life.  I wanted to find out. He said I could. Now he is pestering me trying to find out if it is a girl or boy because I found out. 

Boys! I will never understand them.

As L is not yet a loyal reader of my blog I can post it here. 

So scoop yourself a big creamy chunky scoop of icecream and celebrate with me!

It's a..........

 Girl!! 

I'm totally thrilled. 

My heart leapt and danced a little jig when the ultrasound technician told me and I tried to fight back tears of joy and concentrate on what he was saying, but a few slipped out 'cause you know.

**Please  only post comments here.  Note if you know L in real life please try to keep the secret for him and do not post comments to instagram which is linked to his phone. Or for my facebook friends please do not comment there as facebook seems to have a wide reach.

A Pottery Artist Studio Visit

Often I pass this little studio/gallery that was once a church and think I should really pop in. 

Today was that day! 

It really is a treasure! 

It is run by the artists Zach Dietrich and Wendy Parsons. 

Zach throws pottery at the wheel and crafts more functional pieces.

Wendy sculpts detailed works. They also work collaboratively on some pieces.

I was met by Zach upon enterring. He was very friendly and invited me to visit the studio in the basement after browsing around and to see the wood fire kiln behind the studio that they were loading.

I tried to throw pottery at the wheel when I was in art school and it was challenging! But how lovely is this view?

I met some of the most friendly people in the studio in the basement from the local pottery club that were there to help load the kilns. They toured me through the studio, the kilns out back, and even invited me to join their pottery club, as well as, return the following day to help fire the kilns. 

They explained to me the difference between electric, gas and wood fire kilns and the effect it has on the finish of the piece. Here is the gas kiln loaded and ready to be fired.

The wood fire kiln is to be fired tomorrow. A wood fire kiln produces a much more rustic finish.

I couldn't help but purchase a few pieces when I left. I really liked that teapot pictured below also. It was priced at $120 which is reasonable for handcrafted pottery but unfortunately more than I had alloted myself to spend today especially since I would have wanted then to purchase the creamer and sugar to complete the set. Most of the tea-cups and coffee mugs are priced between $16-24 each. I purchased a teacup and two small bowls.

If you visit Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan be sure to check out this little gallery/studio. Many of the pieces are one of a kind hand crafted from Saskatchewan clay and glazes drawing on the colours and designs of the prairie environment.

Home Build Begins!

Building begins! We are building a house!

On Tuesday the foundation was dug.

I dropped by today and see that the concrete footings have been poured.  

We will have a walkout basement.

I'm standing taking this photo where our driveway will be likely.

Where you see the red heart shape is our lot.

In the next two photos I am standing on what will be the pathway behind and to the left of the red heart.

I love the iron fences that will open up to the park.

If a straight line were drawn from our property line on the west side it would align with those electrical boxes. Behind our property will be a large park with playground structures. I can hardly wait to see the playground design.

I am hopeful that the concrete will cure before the snow flies. It is looking a little dreary out! 

Last month I participated in a blog-tember challenge to post everyday in the month of September. One of the prompts was to write about a quote that is meaningful to you. One I carry with me is this, "Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come." 

In the next few months I will update you on our home build. The home should be completed by March when we are able to move in.

We are very excited!