Break On Through

Our breakfast nook is taking shape! In two nights, Ryan’s been able to demo almost all of the former office, which apparently was a small addition, based on the clapboards we've found in demo. (I’m helping with debris removal!) We are loving the extra light coming through the window in the kitchen. Cross-ventilation will also be a major improvement.

The plan (for now) is a corner built-in with an L-bench (upholstered by yours truly with leather from a hook-up we have from a former RMc client who has a tannery in Salem, go figure) and table facing onto the kitchen. The bench will run on the wall between the window and front rooms and along the wall between the breakfast nook and the front rooms. We plan to make that wall a half-wall, so that there will be a visual connection between all three spaces – kitchen, nook, front rooms. I’m picturing some chunky piece of dark wood to cap the wall and act as a mantel for select small items (when we first started dating, Ryan accused me of having a rather large collection of “nick-nacks” – that went over like a lead balloon, but since then I’ve tried to keep the visual clutter to a minimum and especially in this wee house, that will be important).

Expect some big changes in the coming weeks. Ryan told me last night that we are “very close” to putting things back together. We were in a holding pattern no so much for lack of ambition, but simply time – pesky things like moving and weekends away had really slowed things down at 84 High Street. We are very excited to have the next three weekends clear for work at the house. In addition, Ryan’s taking a “summer vacation” next week to really get after it (in contrast, co-worker and good friend form our DPC days Dave Case is taking his summer vacation in Colorado… ah, the joys of home ownership).

In other news, while Ryan is demo-ing, I’m having fun with al fresco dining, which at 84 High Street looks something like this:

I’m quite convinced that the grill is seriously Tela’s favorite thing about the new place. One would think perhaps it would be the yard and the ability to freely go in and out, but I think in this pooch’s case, its hands-down the grill.

While we dined al fresco (really our only option…), a hummingbird grazed on the bee balm. Ryan would like me to include on the blog that it is of his opinion that hummingbirds are the prissiest birds in nature.

I’m doing my best to keep the gardens going – that heat wave (and our non-residence at the time) really took a toll on the “grounds.” The tomatoes, though, continue to flourish and are the sweetest, most delicious tomatoes I’ve ever had. (Have I mentioned?)