Summer Update--Cabinets, Trim, Landscape

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I know it has been ages since I've posted an update.  We were so blessed to move in right before Christmas, and from January-May worked night and day to finish enough of the house (namely, siding, trim, and cabinets) that the bank would approve closing our loan.  It has been SUCH a full several months (rather a year and a half...), but we were able to pass the bank's inspection and appraisal in early May, and closed on this house a few weeks later.

Now, that the deadlines are passed, we only have to work on house projects when we want to!
(Which, by the way, is still most of the time...)

Now, a quick review of the last few months:

 

We loved seeing Spring arrive in the country! 

 

Starting to install Kitchen drawers.

Always lots of help from the Littles.

The bathroom awaiting doors and drawer fronts.

 

Installing a cased opening between the Dining Room and Library.

We "made" all of our trim--by sanding and staining Maple 1"x3" boards.

Base trim/door and window trim didn't take quite as long as I was anticipating...

The kitchen cabinets ready for face trim and doors.

David and his dad attaching the drawer fronts.

David built all of the cabinets, while I ever-so-cheerfully sanded and stained each component for him!

Instead of Lower Cabinet doors with roll-out shelves, we decided on ALL drawers for the Lower Cabinets.  We are loving having everything in drawers.

Face trim on the Uppers.  Ready for Doors.

We have been treated to many deer sightings.  In the Spring, they would come out into the corn field every night. Just lately, we got to watch several right outside our window!  Even a super-cute fawn.

 

Our stately old house sat on the market for almost a year.  It finally sold in early May, thanks to 1) a new realtor, 2) new paint and flooring everywhere, and 3) St. Joseph. 

 

Our builders came with some of their families for a little cook-out in early summer.  How we have enjoyed working with this local family company (Hefty Construction) throughout the building process.

 

Lots and lots of summer rains made our future yard into a "splash park"!

July 4th weekend: we ordered 60 railroad ties, 20 tons of gravel, and 80 yards of topsoil to start landscaping around the house. 

The front yard before work (actually, it still looks like this, because we haven't gotten to this side yet...)

The main order of business for the weekend was to build retaining walls on the north side.  The work was hard and long, but we accomplished a lot in just a Friday/Saturday.

 

Back to cabinets.  Here, the bathroom is finished excepting the hardware for the last drawer.

 

 

A little more about the kitchen drawers: About 2 years ago, David and I drew the cabinet plan, according to each drawer's function in the kitchen.   (Did I mention that I married an organized engineer?)
So we were able to design each drawer according to what it would hold.  Here, the one with pots and pans.

And flour/sugar canisters.

Baking pans, cookie sheets.

 

This one is so large; it is the perfect size to hold all of the small appliances--toaster, blender, popcorn maker.

Front door trim.

Living Room window trim.

Door and baseboard trim.

The Laundry Room has pocket doors.