Windows & Doors

For some reason, a month before the wedding date, I decided that I needed new windows and sliding glass doors. After two and a half years, I did not want to feel a draft at night anymore and this was clearly the right time to do this project!



I had 3 workmen come out and install vinyl double pained Energy Star windows and doors. It was cool to see them bring everything in and cut some of the outer layers to spec.



Upstairs Green Room Windows

The big window, old:



Now empty, for bringing in the bedroom sliding doors!



Now new, and actually closes!



The small window, old:



In Transition:



Now new, and opens and closes!



Bedroom Sliding Doors

This had to be brought in through the front upstairs windows, because the door was so big. Old:



Empty:



New and no more draft:



Downstairs Sliding Doors

I started off with this:



Then some work was done on the open space:



Now new, with an integrated dog door:



Kitchen Little Window

From old,



to new, with a fancy pattern:



It is nice to have everything new and working for the summer...hopefully this will help the heating bill!

Thanksgiving 2009

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with my family (Mom, Frances, Sherry, Jan, Jim, Matt, Alex, Bob, Warren, Ann) and Arne's Parents (Julie and Bob). Bogey and Summer greeted everyone at the door with barks.

Arne and I cooked up Turkey, stuffing, gravy and whipped potatoes. Mom brought some appetizers and cranberry sauce (homemade and from a can). Jim brought wine. Julie made rolls, beans and beets. Jan made roasted vegetables. Sherry brought holiday salad. Frances made a mince pie and Matt made pumpkin and hickory nut pie (so GOOD). Bob made vanilla ice cream. Alex brought coffee. We used my old curtain homemade (someone made for me, because I don't iron or sew straight) napkins and place mats. It was a wonderful meal.

Arne's Dad took an amazing set of pictures of the day: Bob's Pictures and we took a few pictures too: Arne's Pictures

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Bedroom Furniture!

This weekend, the furniture we ordered from Made in Pescadero was delivered. This was our first joint purchase, creating a lovely addition to the home.

The bedroom used to look like this:



So we cleared the bed away:



And had the new one put in, along with a dresser and a great bench:



Arne particularly loved the bench's figured redwood:



The dogs continue to get along, although I think some days are longer then others for them.





Arne has also been trying out a number of the features of his new MacBook Pro and the take a picture from the computer created some fun results.

Donations!

Arne and I finally did our spring cleaning (it was more like mid-summer cleaning) and created an enormous pile of stuff to donate - 12 boxes of books, 8 bags of clothes, 4 boxes of kitchen stuff, 3 bookshelves and a lamp. I really liked seeing the pile all organized.



This also inspired us to finally fill the bookcases we bought in April. Now Arne and my books are all intermingled. Sometime later we will need to organize them.

Enjoying Summer in the Garden

One nice thing about Forest House is the back yard. We have been eating yummy meals outside, to better enjoy it and the fresh tomatoes from our garden!



Arne has also been working hard inside on his computers.

How the Garden Grows

It is now summer - a year and a half after buying Forest House, and oh, my, how the garden has grown. This is what it looked like when I moved in:



Now there are plants growing up everywhere:





And now, of course, there are dogs in the garden!

Arne Moves In!

Arne and Bogey are now living at the Forest House!

It is so wonderful to have a full house, filled with much love and bits and pieces of Arne's family history as well.