Kitchen Project - Backsplash

We have been living without a backsplash in the kitchen for quite a while now. We had the tiles and everything else we needed, but just couldn't get started. We had concerns with how flat the wall was, and concerns about whether we could cut glass tile cleanly. Well, since we were determined to finish it before the New Year, we just went for it. The wall did need to be flattened, but that was relatively easy with a skim coat of adhesive. We learned that you can get blades for wet saws that are specifically for glass. So we started cutting and over the course of a couple of days the backsplash was in and grouted.

Once the tiles were done we put the various cover plates back on the switches and outlets. When we stood back and looked, the bright white cover plates just stood out way too much for our liking. This is when we decided to make our own custom cover plates that would hopefully blend better. I drafted up the CAD drawings necessary and used a laser cutter which we have in the office to cut the new plates from 1/8" plexiglass.

This also gave us the opportunity to add some descriptive logos to the switches that had ambiguous functions.

To blend with the wall we back painted the clear plex. We simply got a paint color match to the tiles. We were pleased with how they turned out. Here you can see the switches for lights, dish washer and the garbage disposal.

Final Electrics

Over Christmas and the New Year we had a big push to get projects done around the house. The big goal was to complete the kitchen project. There were several items that have been on the to do list for a while. I have been avoiding this last electrical task because I knew it would be time consuming. Well it had to get done. The task was to reduce this set of switches from a 5 gang to a 4 gang. The complicated part is that there are 8 circuits entering the box, two of the switches are three way switches, and nothing had been grounded when they were first installed. The old metal junction box also had to be ripped out and replaced with a new plastic box. The entire project took about 5 hours, including patching the wall. I was glad to check that one off the list

Rowan's First Christmas

Rowan was up bright and early on Christmas morning, and was pretty happy with himself. It was snowing outside and he was wearing his cosy pajamas that aunty Kyra had bought for him.

The living room was full of presents, and yes, most of them had Rowan's name on them.

 

First he tried out his new rocking horse from Grandma and Grandpa

 

Amongst many other great presents, Rowan got a brand new swing. We might need to wait until the weather warms up before we can use this.

The quad bike was pretty exciting. He had to wait for daddy to do some quick assembly, but then he was off for a quick spin around the house.

There were a few Star Wars themed presents from uncle Steve and aunty Caitlin. Here, Rowan is learning his Star Wars ABCs. B is for Boba Fett.

Also on the Star Wars theme, here's his tauntaun hobby horse, or hobby tauntaun I suppose.

Rowan has been a lucky boy on his first Christmas. After all the excitement, he took a long nap to build up his energy to cause some more havoc in the evening.

I Hate You, Santa!

Rowan and I were at the mall today when we happened to walk past the "Photos with Santa" area.  There was Father Christmas just sitting in his big old chair looking bored with not a single child waiting for a photo.  I walked Rowan around the enclosure in his buggy so he could see the decorations and such.  I had absolutely no intention at first of getting the wee man's picture taken with Santa.  But as we watched Santa just sitting there I figured it may be the only chance we ever get to just walk up and not have to wait in a crazy line.  I also thought it would be a good photo for the record book - we may end up making it a tradition to get the annual photo with Santa so may as well start now, right?  I can only hope that the Santa photo turns out this well every year. 

Advent Update

Sorry it has taken me so long to update on the Advent presents.  I don't know how any of you have been able to sleep at night not knowing what was in all those little parcels!  I'll spare you the excuses for the delay and get right to it, so that you might be able to finally rest your weary eyes tonight.

Dec 10: Elf bib!  As you can see, Rowan was pretty excited about it.

 Dec 11: Elf shirt for Sophie.  She was decidedly LESS excited about her gift.

 Dec 12: Snow spray.  Of course I had to try this one out right away.

 Dec 13: Hello Kitty mini puzzle.  Because although I am a wee granny with my puzzles, I have a strange obsession with Hello Kitty.

 Dec 14: Pirouline wafers.  These were really tasty.  So tasty, in fact, that I think Rodney ate all but one or two of them.  Indian giver.  ;)

 Dec 15: Fuzzy cell phone pouch.  Because you don't want your cell phone getting cold.

 Dec 16: Christmas themed Rubik's cube.  Haven't had the nerve to jumble it up yet for fear I'll never get it sorted again!

 Dec 17: Chocolates.  Don't worry, I made sure I polished these off before Rodney had a chance!

Dec 18: Cozy socks with traction on the sole because I am clumsy these days.

Dec 19: Wind up penguin

Dec 20: Cinnamon Spice candle. 

 Candle is lit, fire is burning, wee sherry is poured.  'Tis the season, indeed. :)