More Marble Counters

Leif has chosen a White Carrara Gioia Marble for his kitchen counters and backsplashes. "Bianco Gioia Marble is a beautiful natural stone material that is quarried in Carrara, Italy. The region that produces this stunning natural stone is well known for producing some of the highest quality natural stone in the world." Leif's background is much whiter than other Carraras.

Below is Christian's Carrara Marble slab and very lovely as well.

Marble is natural, like a green plant.

Kitchen Cabinet Install

 

The boys spent this week installing kitchen cabinets. First the uppers and then lowers below them, after under counter lighting was installed by Leif. The uppers were designed around the cathedral beamed wall, plumbing and sink faucet space below. Base cabinets are always installed in the corner first, after finding the floor's highest level spot to shim all cabinets to.

White doors and White Carrara Marble counters are being added. The counters will have a full waterfall side facing the dining room and go up both backsplash walls.

Family Baby Shower

Alex's aunties all assembled a baby shower for Nina while her Mom was still visiting! It was central to their friends, although the theme of French Blue balloons and baby elephants came from their new place in DUMBO, Brooklyn. My gift came from Norway and hand knit there; a sweater much like our family heirlooms.

Myself in Norway and sweater knit by my Tanta Anna.

Alex in a vintage hand knit.

Prepping For Kitchen Cabinets

Bill has been painting the kitchen window trim before the cabinets are installed here. I bought Benjamin Moore Satin Impervo oil base trim paint in "Decorator's White" to match the walls. The solid mahogany trim boards were sun bleached and water stained, so we felt ok making the kitchen a little whiter this way. Nothing is level in this modern kitchen with the windows off one way and the floors the other. We are starting at the corner installing cabinets and will shim a 1 1/2" difference out. The cabinet below is called a "Super Susan" and can house an entire set of heavy duty "All Clad" pots and more. The sink plumbing has been moved and all new  electrical wiring, outlets and plugs are installed.

Our Anders 9/13 - 1/4/23

 Adopted 11/29/13

New year's Eve, our family dog Ander's was diagnosed with a devastating cancer. What seemed to us like an indestructible cross bred puppy rescued from Georgia, fell ill on Christmas and fighting for life in a week. He never looked his 9 yrs. old and called "handsome" by most greeters. As his caretaker, I am faced with parting from a family member willing to do anything for those he loved beyond measure, which is heartbreaking. He no longer barks in distress when I cry. It is for him.

A Past Post & Tribute To Our Anders

Having a dog on a farm is a good thing. Our Anders is a rescue puppy from GA who came with a docked tail and willingness to protect our properties from other stray animals. It is lovely to watch him sit so steadfast for hours in a central location to us, just watching. It is a beautiful landscape though and even better
with him on board.

Inside...or out, he has our backs.

God bless Dr. Hostetter and the Hopewell Valley Vets for superior knowledge, dedication and care whenever you need it most! Anders being transfused New Year's Eve.

Anders & his good life.

Merry Christmas

All in the family will be here for Christmas and I have had time to decorate our tree with Leif's help and old family ornaments. Our Christmas cards included a wedding and baby on the way.

Selling A Wood Stove

Facing the coldest Christmas here since 1958, we quickly listed and sold Leif's cavernous Jotul F600 Model 12 Wood Stove, which has been discontinued. Although it had a catalytic converter, it's ensuing model without, was considered the largest cast iron wood burning stove in the world. Ours went to a large home to heat a vaulted family room and sold for the cost of a newer Jotul F500 replacement. The sale was nearly immediate and move took four men, a truck, trailer and dolly. The F500 is side/front loading, and heats equally with a cleaner burn than the F600 M12, which is top/front loading while needing the catalyst replaced every 3 yrs. Both beautiful wood stoves!