2011 Project Retrospective

2011 was another productive year.  Fall always seems like the right time to sum it all up and "close the books" for the year.  The garden is largely done producing, and we are slowly transitioning to new or different projects.  The following blog entry is a retrospective of another year of progress.

Kitchen

It was another big year in the kitchen.  We've been working on this project for a number of years in our spare time, and each year it gets closer and closer to being done.  When we started the year, we had just finished the installation of dry-wall.  Since then, we've painted, built and installed cabinets, built and installed countertops, installed ventilation, gone through the arduous process of getting a gas line installed for the cooktop and more.  Here are some more photos of our progress:

Before Pictures:

After Pictures:

Potager

This project has been in the works for years, and this is the first year we've been able to harvest the fruits of our labor, literally.  We spent a lot of time putting together plans for the garden this year, and as the year progressed the plans changed as they normally do.  Next year will be an even more spectacular year for the garden, that is if the weather cooperates.

Before Pictures:

After Pictures:

Landscape

It was another big year for the outdoor landscape.  We had some lofty goals, and we managed to accomplish quite a bit.  We completed our outdoor kitchen and dining area.  We completed the first phase of the landscape on the North side of our house.  We planted approximately 130 new plants include 5 new trees.

Before Pictures: 

After Pictures:

Vacation

Occasionally we treat ourselves to a nice vacation, and that was certainly the case this year.  7 days in Spain and 7 days in Paris.  One of the most amazing vacations I've ever had.  Here are some photo highlights from the trip.

Spain:

Paris:

Misc. Other Home Projects

Here are some misc. other projects we completed this year.

Above: newly remodeled utility room.  New floor, new wall paint, new shelving and new water heater.

Above: Kitchen pantry cabinet we installed in the utility room for extra food storage.

Above: Newly installed EPA certified wood burning stove to help keep the chill off.

Above: We started the process of painting each and every rafter tail to match our house trim color.