Merry Christmas!

Fireplace Renovations!

We were able to cross an exciting thing of our to do list recently.

We, and by "we" I mostly mean Steve, took up the tile around the fireplace, and removed the screen.

We bought an electric, chimney free, insert.

We got a great deal on some white, marble-like tile and we (Steve) spent some time making the fireplace looks AWESOME.

Here is the before:

and the after:

SO much better right?! Our (many) plans for our house are slowly happening and it's FUN!

Crafts!'

Mom, Ashley, Laura and I are going to be selling some of our crafts at a little store in Pictou, Nova Scotia called Treasures of Distinction. It's a consignment store that sells a lot of interesting things from various local artists, crafters, wood workers, etc.

We will be selling things like:

• Wreaths

• Lolly Bears (teddy bears made by Laura)
• Hand made cards

• Magic bags and magic bag covers
• Framed photography, frames, photo cards/post cards

• Various holiday ornaments

• Jewellery

It's a cute little store and we are excited to start this new adventure.

The store has it's own website at http://treasuresofdistinction.biz/ where you can look through the items and even order online!

We should have a few things in the store by the end of this week.

(photos from Pinterest)

Kitchen Renovations!

Finally some 'after' pictures of the kitchen.

The only things left to do are the counter top and the floor. Neither of which will be finished (or started) anytime soon.

They're both in great shape, I just want to upgrade them when we have the time and money.

For some reminders of what it looked like before and along the way:

http://amyandsteveday.blogspot.com/2011/06/kitchen.html

The renovation included:

- remove wood trim on everything

- paint any wood trim that couldn't/shouldn't be removed

- add door and drawer handles

- take down wallpaper

- paint the walls

- replace old light fixture with new stainless steel fixture

- add photos, etc. to top ledge

- replace flower clock with cool clock

It's a huge difference from what it was when we moved in. I really love the changes and can't wait for the floor and counter top renovations some day :)

Summer Flowers!

There were lots of pretty flowers in my garden this year. I also bought a few flowers for myself from the Farmer's market. I love having flowers in the house.

Gladiolas from the farmers market

Peonies from my garden

Lilies from my garden

Chrysanthemums from the grocery store.

(We had white chrysanthemums at our wedding)

Since it's October, we bought 2 cute little pumpkins that we will decorate soon, but in a non-traditional way. I'll post pictures when they're finished

The Mechams!

Elder Mecham served in Nova Scotia in the early 90's. He was one of my family's favourite missionaries.

He and his family came to visit this summer from Vermont. It was so nice to see him again and meet his awesome family!

L to R: Steve, me, Chad, Ashley, Sophie, Laura, Mom, Dad, Peter, Quinn, Sonja, Torin, Maren, Laurel

I hope they come visit again soon!

Tomatoes!

I grew tomatoes this year in the little garden in our backyard.

It was my first time really growing anything. I loved it!

I also grew lettuce in a container on our deck. It was so nice to be able to go outside and pick some food for supper.

I planted the lettuce on July 1st. These pictures were taken on:

July 5th

July 7th

July 11th

July 17th

August 5th

We are still eating the tomatoes, but we have two favourite tomato recipes that we've had quite a few times this summer. Bruschetta and toasted tomato sandwiches.

Our cutest Niece and favourite Nephew

Within the last year we got our first niece and a our first nephew! And we love them!

Sophie Kinnon Quist was born on September 13th 2010

Finn Anderson Quist was born on September 3rd 2011.

They aren't even a full 365 days apart!

Sophie is so fun to play with. She has the most hilarious expressions!

Finn turned 1 month old yesterday. He was 20 days early and weighed 9lbs 7oz.

Happy Father's Day to Our Fathers

Like a tiny seed

Firmly in the soil

Nurtured with a love i think

So rare

Given room to breathe

Given time to see

It's now so clear to me

You were there

And with each changing season

Though I grow a little stronger

Rising up to touch the open sky

And if I gave you a reason

Not to hold me any longer

You gave me a thousand reasons why

You are my steady oak

Standing tall and strong

Protecting me with everything you have

And I know deep inside

I would not have survived

Without you by my side

I love you Dad

Love Amy & Steve

Our House and Gardens

It's kind of fun buying a house in November. You end up with a surprise garden in the spring. We knew we had a magnolia tree, and we knew about the red maple, but pretty much everything else was a surprise.

We have a magnolia tree right outside the front door:

There are Hostas growing in about 5 different spots:

Chives are growing beside our chimney:

Yellow Lilies make our shed look pretty:

Lilacs were a fun surprise since they are one of my top 5 favourite flowers! I had to cut some and have them inside before they died so I could smell them all the time. We had them in 2 places;

the living room:

and the bedroom:

There is a large Weigela tree in our backyard and a tiny one in our front yard:

There is a big Red Maple tree in the front yard that is very colourful from about April until November. I think it's actually a Royal Red Maple:

We have what I think may be 2 Smoke Bushes in the front yard. If anyone knows for sure what kind of bush this is, I'd love to know: (*update: They're called Concord Japanese Burbury *)

I discovered just this morning that we have 2 large Peonies! One of my favourite flowers. One is in the back yard and one in the side yard:

The side of our house surrounded by big, awesome plants:

Close up of the side garden:

And this is our house at night:

I love our cute little house and yard :)