The gap in the kitchen just needed something

One corner of the kitchen just seemed to be missing something ... I was thinking of what decals I might use ... some flowers? something pretty? ... found a better solution ...

Isn't it just the perfect gap filler?!?!? And it is also useful ;-) ... first recipe I tried it out, no point starting off easy, fresh strawberry puree marshmallows!!! (and in the photo above you can just get your first look at the new kitchen draw fronts and handles ... just a coat of paint on the corbels and then I'll take the final AFTER photos of the kitchen!!!).


I've tried making mashmallows before and they always end up a bit rubbery, as the little hand held beater starts to smoke (oops!) after only about 5 minutes and the recipe wants 8-10 minutes of beating. Stick the mix in the kitchenaid, put it on high for 10 minutes ... beautiful fluffy gorgeous marshmallows! I'd love to make a cake next but not sure about timings tomorrow (might be picking up a new horse!) ... though the carpenter will be back and the electricians are around.

Talking of electricians ... below is an electricians idea of a joke ...
Yup, anyone over 7ft can not enter my house, or they'll risk losing their head!!! Silly shop told me I had to buy an extended pole for the fan so it wouldn't be too high because of my ceilings ... the electrician installed it as a bit of a joke ... they knew I wouldn't want it at that height, but just wanted to make sure ;-) ... sure ... course I want to lose my fingers if I put them up in the air :-)

It will be getting raised tomorrow!!

I've spoken with the builder ... he wants to do the final inspection next week ... of course there will still be faults after that ... but sooooooooooooo exciting it is so nearly over!!!

Christmas recovery

I've been holding off on more photos because everything is just sooooo nearly complete ... the differences wont be really obvious in photos, but I'd rather hold off on most of them until the bits that are missing are done.

The dining room is the closest to completion ... the only thing missing now is the curtain on the french doors (I have the curtain, just not the appropriate plasterboard screws to put it up!).

A photo with my brother's special wide angle lensDining room details (added because I hated looking at other people's photos and having no idea how to copy things from them!!):
Paint colours - emerald city (green); vivid white
Curtains: Warwick Grandeur Gold (to come for french doors are Pavia Ecru cream)
Window seat main cushion: Warwick Port Norris Gold
Cushions: Warwick Global Soft Chalk (cream); Warwick Global Suede Navy (blue); Grove Beach Houndstooth Gold (my favourite one!); plain gold was purchased as is from Make Your House A Home.
Mirror: from Moreland Auctions in Kilmore
Dining table: Cousin Clyde's!

Christmas day and the table is set ...

The yummy fruit terrine I made for Christmas dessert:It has the most delightful basil syrup for the jelly - making it so refreshing and not heavy.

The builders have taken the week off ... the electrician wont be back until the 11th (damn! wanted that aircon connected up - or even the fan!). Who knows when the kitchen guy will be back ... I'd really love some handles!!! The kitchen so far ...
My brother helped put up the prints near the window seat yesterday ... he's now disappeared back home ... muttering something about holidays shouldn't be hard work!! ooops!! Sorry!

The painter should be back soon ... then the outside will be done and I can put up the final photos. Some of the external doors aren't quite finished.

Someone asked me if it felt strange being in the extension ... it doesn't! It feels like it has always been this way ... it feels like HOME!

Who could believe at the start ....

... that the builders would still be going on Christmas eve! I thought I set my "in my head" deadline so far out even I couldn't be surprised at delays ... but I was wrong! It wont be finished for Christmas ... enough will be done that christmas lunch will go ahead ... but the tradies will be back next year!!

They will be working Christmas eve ... when all I want is a couple of days to clean up, recover and become human again.

Builder got his payment ... I was generous for Christmas even though there are bits missing from the agreed list to complete, some they will finish today.

Pretty scaring looking at the kitchen and thinking I've got to miraculously turn it into a beautiful space in the next 24 hours.