Kitchen Improvements

Rob and I have spent the past few weeks working on a drop leaf kitchen counter for our very tiny kitchen. I got the idea when I saw this type of table at IKEA a year or so ago. Our first plan was just to buy that one. But they weren't exactly the right size and the stores near us kept saying none in stock. After an internet search for another counter or table of this sort, I kept getting routed back to IKEA, so we decided to build our own. The first plan was to use butcher block.
But that plan was quickly derailed when I found the price of butcher block. Instead we bought a large sheet of Maple (I think) from Home Depot. They cut the first piece for us in the store. 29 inches long. When we got home, the planning began. Rob spent a couple of days measuring and sawing. The pieces were then stained at Industrial Craft Night, and Polyurethane was applied just before we left town for the weekend.

Upon our return the counter was ready for assembly.

The space before:

Assembly:More assembly and drilling:After the pieces were put together and the holes drilled into the wall we did a test. Unfortunatley the shelf support that we added was not strong enough to support the table! Tob had the idea to take apart an old tripod and use the extendable legs to support the outside of the counter. This began another phase of planning and building that was prolonged when the drill broke and we had to wait for the new piece to come in.

New legs:

The finished product:

Now I have so much more counter space for food prep and baking in a convenient space saving size. Now on to the next project!

Friendship

My friends are an important part of life. They are always there in good times and in bad. Doesn't that sound like something from a wedding vow. But it kind of is; a true friend is a relationship that lasts a lifetime. I've recently reconnected with some old friends. And it doesn't matter that we haven't talked in maybe a year or two, it's like we never parted. And I have made some wonderful new friends, who I think will be in my life for a very long time.

My friends know who I am. I don't have to put on a facade to make my life seem something it isn't. I am thankful to have people in my life who truly care for me and wish the best. I hope I am just as good a friend to them.

At Christmas I bought two mini-desk calenders. One for me and one for Sara. We often buy the cute things for each other we'd like to have ourselves, but can't justify. I thought the calender was a nice idea because we would be reading the same quote every day. Here are some of my favorites:

"A friendship can weather most things and thrive in thin soil - but it needs a little mulch of letters and phone calls and small silly presents everyso often - just to save it from drying out completely." -Pam Brown

"Your dresses should be tight enough to show yo're a woman and loose enough to show your're a lady." - Edith Head

'Never try to make anyone like you; you know, and God knows, that one of you is enough." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Real sisterhood is a bunch of dames in bathrobes throwing back M&Ms and making each other laugh." - Maxine Wilke

You know you live in New York when...

You call to have a $5 appetizer delivered because it's raining out...and they do it! Yes today I did this. I brought a salad for my lunch, a substantial one, but it left me still hungry. And I was craving this potato garlic dip with pita from Uncle Nick's that Natascha got last week. So I called, and they have no minimum delivery charge. I get my bread and dip and I don't have to go out in the rain. Lazy? Maybe. Would you consider it? Probably. Worth it? Definitely.

Easter Monday

Wow, time is still flying by. I can't believe Easter was this weekend. We had our own personal Easter Bunny visit by the name of Theodore Monkey. Thanks Mom for the candy. And we had some pretty eggs that we decorated.

I made cupcakes for church last night. I tried a new recipe from Martha. Thank you Michelle for turning me on to marthastewart.com (http://www.marthastewart.com - search Billy's Vanilly Cupcakes) This particular recipe is from Billy's Bakery. (A very good cupcake maker that Shannon just got us cupcakes from last week.) I was excited to try a semi-famous recipe, and it seemed to work well.

The last two weeks at work have been busy with testing and report writing. The schedule is still changing constantly, but we are starting to get the hang of begin flexible. This morning we went to a preschool for a viewing / training session for our intern and a freelancer. This was an easy morning for me because I got to sit back and watch...and chase the kids who kept trying to escape and leave the room...and stop the kids who were trying to play with the toys...and keep them out of our stuff (purses, equipment, etc...) so on second thought, it's still a lot of work. They sure were cute though. Next time I need to remember that 8 three-year0old boys is never a good idea, even when there are three adults.
I am also in training myself, because when Natascha goes on maternity leave next month I'm going to have to take over drafting the reports and giving research notes on animatics. Exciting and terrifying at the same time.

That's it for now. Some pictures soon. I have been painting and decorating (Rob's apartment) like crazy.

Chapel of Our Lady

Here are a few shots of the chapel we are getting married in.