FIGS!!

 Figs, Figs,  everywhere! 
Can't believe this is the same tree that I was worried about just 6 months ago! I am going to have to start looking for Fig recipes soon. 
Let me know if you're a fan, I am happy to share! 

Here are a few shots of the yard. 

I have been here there and everywhere this Summer, so John has been keeping up with the yard for me. 
It is really coming along!

The backyard is great. Definitely enough room for a party, a tent, a stickball game ...whatever!  

I need to put a couple of chairs out on the patio before we list next week, and get the mail slot installed. 

I am not sure if I ever mentioned in previous posts but, the little house is at the end of the street. 
These days (at least here in RVA) we call this is called a Cul de Sac. In NY, we would have called it a dead end!

Whatever the name- it makes for a very quiet spot.
 The only people coming down past the little house are going very slow, and turning around.

Here's a look @ the view from the front door. 

                                                                                                    

John also picked up and assembled the kitchen Island 

 while I was away. 

( Does he know how to spoil me or what!?!)

The transition between the Living Room ( oak) and the Kitchen (pine) is barely visible now that it is stained. 

I know that kitchen  floor was a lot of extra effort - but I am 100% sure it was the right choice for this house!

I was heading over to do some very specific things at the house tonight. It was such a nice evening that I thought that I should take advantage of it and get some work done.

On that "TO DO " list was hanging the shelves in the kitchen. 

At,least I got one done! I spent way too much time measuring, so I made a template to avoid having to do the measuring 3x  for each shelf (3 shelves... so 9x)

Over the last 22+ years, John has sold me on the "Measure twice ( or in my case 3x) cut once" Plan.

After my happy experience with the cabinet knobs- I think I'm going to change that to ...

Measure 3x - then make a good template , so you never have to measure again! :) 

I think templates are brilliant and completely under appreciated! 

(  I admit to leaving the level in the photo on purpose. I love when something is perfectly level! This will be a stack of three shelves, so don't worry. It will look great! ) 

The trouble was - once I had my great template, I knew that I did not have to stay focused on the shelves , I could just get back to that tomorrow and move on to what I really wanted to work on ...

Lights! 

Here is a picture of the kitchen with all of the lights on. The microwave is not plugged in yet, but that will have lights underneath too.

Here it is withouht the Pendant on.

Ahhh - 

My favorite way to leave the kitchen.

At the end of the evening, dishes done , dinner put away - time to relax!

The open concept ( living room / kitchen) is great- but if the kitchen only has bright task lighting , it can be difficult for everything other than cooking!

Back to the yard ...

This desperate Hydrangea was crying to be cut! 
I cut off a few blooms to allow it some room to breathe.

I will work on getting better photos tomorrow or the next day. 

Have a great night! 

B

P.S. I was feeling terrible about not updating , so I stayed up to get some quick notes down.

Please excuse any glaring typos!!

( and - Kristin feel free to chime in with corrections :). I've counted on you to be my eagle eye editor since college, so have at it!)