Bathroom - finito! Really this time.

Okay, now we're really done. The pebble backsplash got grouted and the frosted glass got put into the cabinet.Now we can buy that toilet paper holder we've always wanted!

Before & After

Final days of the bathroom renovation

Here's the backsplash of pebbles we added, along with the new mirror and lights.

In the mirror reflection, you can see this cabinet that my dad crafted for us.

All we have left to do is ...

• grout the pebbles under the mirror
• put in the frosted glass into the new cabinet

Oh, and get a toilet paper holder, hooks, and some artwork -- but that's the fun part.

A new set of wheels

Matt and I finally bought a car together. Now we finally have "our car" -- as opposed to the Civic which is, and always will be, "my car."

Here it is:No just kidding -- but I look really good in it, so maybe for my 40th birthday?

Here's the new baby ...All shiny, waiting for us to take off into the sunset. We're pretty excited!

More bathroom updates

We're going on 6 months now ...

My dad made this awesome built in cabinet for the bathroom, in place of a closet we had. It has more storage and I think it looks really great - I love built ins. Now all we need to buy are the glass inserts for the doors and attach the knobs.Finally, we had a powwow yesterday about how to do the mirror and we decided to attach the pebbles to the wall like a backsplash and hang the mirror above it. So far here's how it looks.

Saturday night Spring Dinner

We've been really trying to eat more locally, organically, and seasonally, so last night we had our friends over for a spring dinner - where we cooked our meal with all seasonal ingredients. They brought the wine, we made the food, we played 10 Days Across the USA... How did you spend you Saturday night?


Menu:
**Asparagus Soup with chervil, dill, and Chives
**Stuffed artichokes made with my grandfather's homemade sopresotta
**Smoked Salmon, asparagus, & goat cheese tarts with a spring salad.
**Upside down pear cake with almonds.

My high school is closing ...

It even made Yahoo headlines -- and of course my cousin's boyfriend is the one they interviewed.

March

I cannot believe March is over already. This month has flown by!

How have my New Year’s Goals been holding up? Well, you tell me.

1. Run a 5K race (training for race in June)
On the 7th, I broke my toe and have been incapacitated since. It’s been a little over 3 weeks and I haven’t done any exercise, let alone try and run (which I shouldn’t be doing unless it’s running for the train, which I had to do twice and cried after.) My goal of that June race may not come true, so once I can start running again, I’ll have to choose another race or this goal is kaput.

2. Read 30 books
Two books? That’s all? I feel like all I ever do is read. Only 24 more to go! Sign up on GoodReads if you like reading!

3. Viola
Lessons are going great. I feel I’m moving slow, but learning a lot. Not ready for an orchestra yet. I’m on break for 2 weeks and so I’m getting my bow re-haired this week. I need to post a song for you all!

4. Lose 10 lbs
Let’s see, broken toe, no exercise … do you think I’ve gotten on a scale? It’s bad news in this department. My pants all fit -- the goal is for them not to fit.

5. Save $10,000
Did I tell you that for cost-saving measures, my company is no longer matching our 401k? And no annual performance raises either – not even 1%...just an aside. Compared to how my other accounts are going, my 401k doesn't look too bad; I only lost 7.8% this year so far (My IRA is -33%; and our non-retirement investment is -45%. OUCH.). (My calculations don't include Matt's IRA, 401k, or stocks). But this month, nothing lost any money and we socked away a little better so we're in the positive #s.