Livin' Large at the Lake (now with Construction Update!)

As far as I'm concerned, there aren't many better ways to spend a summer weekend than hanging out at the lake . . . floating around in the water, eating enriched wheat flour products straight from the box and reading in a quiet lakehouse during naptime.  Josh, a redhead who apparently doesn't have enough sense to come in out of the sun and is currently sporting a pinkish glow because of it, might disagree.  Nonetheless, he joined the crew (Spicklers, Mills and Lareaus) on the trek to Arkansas for a weekend of fun and sun.  More sun for him than the rest of us, unfortunately.

For some reason, I am currently unable to get my vertical pictures to post thusly (or my text to go where I want it to), so you'll have to tilt your head to the left to see Meredith feeding her fishy-Daddy a snack.

And now for a little construction update . . .

Steve the Builder and Mr. Julio (Walt's names for them) beginning work on the bookshelves that will go on the wall with the little window.  This will be the den area.

Standing in the den area looking into the breakfast area.  The open doors on the left are a coat closet and laundry room.  Unlike the rest of our house, we decided to go with more neutral colors in the addition, except for the laundry room . . .

. . . which is orange, of course.  Party in the laundry room!  (We decided it's more of a University of Texas orange than a University of Tennessee orange.)

 

The new screened porch from the inside.

The new screened porch from the outside (trim on bottom not yet finished).  And now for the most recently completed part . . .

Again, not sure why I can't get my vertical photos to post vertically, so you'll just have to tilt your head to the left to see my BEAUTIFUL NEW PANTRY!  It's not yet painted and we've also not yet decided whether to put a door on the cabinet that will hold the beverage fridge, but it is so great I could cry!  A midtown home with an adequately-sized pantry is a truly rare thing.  Tomorrow they'll move the washer and dryer out (not in picture but currently sitting directly across from the cabinets) and I will do a little jig in there.  (No, I will not be posting said jig on YouTube -- you'll just have to use your imagination.)

So, there you have it.  They say we're a couple of weeks away from being done, but then they said that a couple of weeks ago too.  So, we'll see.  But, other than the painting and the constantly dirty floors, it has been a fairly painless process and I am thrilled with the results, thus far.  YAY!