Slowly... but surely.

 I am not sure if this is going to be the last post of the year...  But, here goes...

The ceiling tiles in the kitchen are almost all installed... and, I am totally pleased!  We had to purchase special can lights to go with the ceiling panels, and they also look amazing. The kitchen is coming along nicely.

And, the top cupboards we built and installed.  I had a gentleman from work who is a master carpenter build the cabinets for me, and he did an amazing job.  We just need to put the doors on - and they have not been shipped yet. Everything just takes time.... and, I'm not that patient.

I saw this fish on marketplace and couldn't help but buy it for Jim.  I told him it was to go with the "Big Assed Bass" that is in the bedroom.  It was bought as a joke, and Jim actually really likes it and put it up in the bedroom of all places.  So, the bass now has a friend.

My Kia Soul got into a fight with a truck, and kinda lost.  Actually, Jim was parked at a store and wasn't even in the vehicle when it got hit by some kid in a truck.  The kids wasn't particularly friendly, and the kid's insurance company, Progressive, has not been really co-operative.  We got an estimate today, and the repair company couldn't really give us an accurate number, because the hood is stuck.  They said when that happens, that the support for the radiator is broken along with who knows what else, so we have to get the estimate sent to the insurance adjuster... but, it's not looking hopeful.  I really like this car.... $30.00 worth of gas and I drive it for about 2.5 weeks.  It's great.

Jim and I took a quick trip to Arizona to see my oldest brother, and it was an amazing visit.  It was just relaxed and great.  Barron and I revisited different events in our youth and we laughed and cried and joked with one another.  I hadn't thought of some of these stories for I swear, 100 years.  It was such a nice visit.  

While in Arizona, Valerie, my niece, my sister in law and I decided to make butter tarts.  I found a really decent recipe in a Canadian cookbook called... Marty's World Famous Cookbook".  This guy used to have a restaurant in Bracebridge, Ontario... Jim and I would go there when we visited his parents.. and they had the best buttertarts...  So, we tried his recipe...  

We mastered the filling, but we really need to tweek the crust...  It tasted fabulous, but it was a little on the overly flaky side of life, and we had a hard time getting them out of the tart pan.... But, the flavours of the two were incredible.  And, thank goodness there are no calories, no carbs, no fat grams in buttertarts... It's like eating celery... Trust me.. Marty's restaurant in Bracebridge is no longer, but the cookbooks still exist... and, they're wonderful Canadian recipes.  Highly recommended.  

We had so much fun making these little gems... It was just relaxed and so much fun.  Amazing memories.

Barron got up in the morning, and had to have another one.  Jim took a couple home with us, and he had two for breakfast the next morning.  

Jim and I worked the state of Utah election again this year.  This is the third time we've worked it, and it's beginning to be our thing.  Jim and I both agree that it's something a little different, it gets us out of the house, and even though we can't vote, we are contributing to the community... and, it's lots of fun.  It was a little on the cold side, so I brought along a quilt that my sister in law gave me when we were in Arizona.  She does absolutely beautiful work.  And, it's toasty warm.  Thank you, Alicia... You rock!

Here's Jim on election night.  He always get the job of telling people they are too late to cast their ballots...  And, I swear, we hear all kinds of excuses from... I thought the polls closed at 9... to traffic was just too heavy... to, this year we heard..."What if I just throw it in the box and you don't look".  Seriously?

And, the furnace is up and running!  Thank goodness, because it snowed for the last couple of days that Jim was there.  We are having a few programming issues - but, they are going to be sorted out next time Jim goes.

And, I always send cookies with Jim when he goes down to the cabin.  They are a great pick me up, and he really likes them. This time, I sent cookies from Great Harvest Bread, and I also sent a loaf of cinnamon swirl bread.  Jim loves it for toast late at night.  

Unfortunately, he still had cookies left over from the last time he went...  I told him he just doesn't eat cookies fast enough.  He just looks at me with that, "Do you want to kill me" look.  Giggle.

The work on the tongue and groove ceiling has been officially started and it's a lot of work, but looks fabulous.  I am totally excited.  It's going to take quite a bit of time, but it's going to be exceptional when completed.

And, the doors for the corner cabinet and the spice rack came in and was installed.  They haven't been varnished yet, but that's in the near future.  I am wanting them to be more of a honey colour...

And, here's what they look like opened up...

And, the doors for the upper cabinets came in and were installed.  I am absolutely thrilled with all the cupboard space there is... And, the whole thing looks amazing.  Jim does beautiful work.  I miss him terribly when he is gone, but I appreciate all the work he does.  Kinda love that man.

The tongue and groove ceiling wood has been stored down below the cabin, covered in tarp... so, it had to be brought up...

There still lots of work before installation, which includes cutting and planing... which makes tons of sawdust.  Jim bought a vacuum to suck us all the sawdust which made it easier to put into bags and throw away.  But, it's still super messy... Jim says he is glad that I haven't been there because I would be freaking with all the sawdust everywhere....

And, here's a little more progress on the ceiling...  It just looks prettier and prettier all the time.

Here's another shot from the loft.  The others are from the great room.

This is the planks of wood after they have been planed, cut and varnished.  I love the different colours in the wood.  

And, here's another update.  These pictures are taken over several days...  so, you can see the progress.

And, another update...

We had beautiful skies here in Utah last week. We were told we were going to be having a showing of the aurora borealis... But, the only colour we could see is... red.  But, I'll take it.  It was more prominent in Southern Utah than in Provo...

And, yep.... we had snow... snow for a couple of days... I still hate snow... It's evil.  In that respect, it makes me a really crappy Canadian...

It looks pretty, but I don't want to travel in it, or play in it.  I'm good with a roaring fire and a blanket... looking out the window.... and that's even a stretch for me.

And, after that beautiful snow fall.... (And, I'm being really generous with the word "beautiful") this is what we deal with... Like I always say, snow is of the devil....

Kane County doesn't feel it's their responsibility to keep our roads in good shape, so we fight this issue every fall and every spring.  

Jim came home with tons of mud on his boots and his pants...  Sigh...

I had laser surgery on my right eye while Jim was away, and it seems to be coming along nicely.  First of all, I didn't know I had cataracts, and then I had to have a little touch up work done.... still seeing halos and can't drive at night, but it's getting better.

With that, this edition is closed, my sweet husband is home for a bit - thank goodness (really miss him when he's gone) and, the adventure continues.

Take care, Jim and Cheri