Carter Jonathon Healy

Everyone who reads my blog is probably aware that my newest nephew was born a week ago. However, I don't think there can ever be enough pictures of this little cutie! I got to see Carter just a few days ago, but miss him already. So I will share a few photos from the weekend.

Carter being held by his big brother Trevor

Amber feeding Carter

Jon and Trevor relaxing at the hospital

Carter with uncle Jack

I hope the blond fuzz on his head becomes permanent, but it seems unlikely!

Carter's "details"

Carter's adorable nursery

Carter and Grandpa

Carter and Grandma

Carter with Grandma and Grandpa

I love how his little hands were folded!

Yes, they did let me hold him!

It's easy to forget how tiny babies are when you don't see them often!

Kitchen Renovation Ideas

I love Craftsman and Prairie style architecture. I have since visiting Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin when I was about 16.

a Craftsman bungalow

When we moved to Minneapolis, I thought we would buy one of the city's abundant 1920s-era homes, but none that we saw fit both our desired size and budget. So we have a home built in 1960 that, despite its long and narrow layout, is really growing on me.

our house

Chris and I moved into this house in December 2007 with top to bottom renovations in mind. We even considered adding a second story, but have since decided against the idea. To date, we have completed exactly one thing: a new electrical panel. However, we are now ready to tackle the renovation that tops our list in terms of desire, expense, and life disruption. The kitchen. Ah, how exciting! If only our contractor of choice could spend a couple of weeks here. Jon has a family, including a new baby due any day, so we will do what we can, welcome his help anytime he's available, and hire out the rest.

We've taken the kitchen renovation process quite slowly, which has given both of us time to find way too many photos of our dream kitchen. While Chris and I are both aware that our kitchen will be fully rooted in reality, allow me to share a few photos of kitchens I love:



What do I love about these kitchens? They are big, bright, and ready for some serious cooking and baking. They also have a timeless, classic look. Kitchens like these fit with the style of a home 100 years ago (minus the high end appliances!) and still look great today. Perhaps I can have my 1920s home after all! Cabinets to the ceiling, lots of storage, commercial appliances, marble countertops that seem to be begging to have a pie crust rolled out on them. They all have large islands, which appear in nearly every kitchen now but that I mostly like for baking. Did I mention that I like to bake?

Our kitchen is 11 feet 6 inches wide, so is not wide enough to accommodate a usable island. We have heard some say that 36 inches is adequate between cabinets, but we tested it and determined that the distance is inadequate for our needs. We have decided to do a peninsula instead, which will provide adequate dough-rolling space as well as seating area.

The images below show the proposed layout for our kitchen. Those who have seen our current kitchen know that the layout is staying mostly the same. We are reversing the location of the refrigerator and the range and opening up the wall between the kitchen and dining room enables us to add the peninsula. The sink is not shown here, but will be located below the window to the right of the dishwasher.


We will use cabinets to give the refrigerator a built in appearance. A microwave will go above the range.


If Chris had a blog (and how I wish he did), he would show you some similar and some very different kitchens. It seems unlikely to me that any couple has the exact same sense of style. Chris and I like (and dislike) some of the same things, but also have differing opinions on others. This can make selecting finishes a challenge at times. Chris would probably say that I get whatever I want, while I would contend that what we select is usually some kind of compromise in my mind as well. I admit that most of the compromising I've done with the kitchen selections (and possibly other things) has been internal. As in, I really want the $8,500 Viking range but I will get the $1,300 KitchenAid instead. Maybe I should call that "common sense" rather than "compromise"?

Chris has done a wonderful job of reminding me that this is not our dream kitchen and also that I can't have everything I want (but why?), while at the same time usually acquiescing when I have my heart set on something. Just mention granite countertops to him. On second thought, don't. Or at least wait until our countertops are installed and it's too late!

While we have not finalized our choices, we are leaning toward the finishes shown below: White cabinets, black countertop, espresso brown wood floors.

The backsplash shown above (the multi-colored mosaic) is probably not what we will use, as we have decided it's busier and more trendy than the timeless look we are going for. See dream kitchens above for the look I would like to emulate (on a budget and with at least some eco-friendly/local/recycled/low maintenance products).

The nice thing about the backsplash is that we can do that at any time after the kitchen is completed. I was in my house in Michigan for a year before my backsplash was completed. That won't happen in this house, though! Here are a few of the backsplash ideas we are considering:

white or marble subway tile with dark grout

hex tiles (typically a floor tile, but could be an interesting backsplash!)


rustic stone (maybe dark gray?)

The cabinets are IKEA Adel White and will have black door pulls. Our decision to use IKEA cabinets was one of the first and certainly easiest in this process. Many people think of IKEA as being cheap (and some of it is), but the cabinets have a good reputation for quality. The boxes are nothing special, but the hardware (hinges, drawer runners) is sturdy. The cabinet doors are frameless, which is a higher end look (although I love inset doors like those shown in the dream kitchens, but those tend to be very pricey). We also like Adel Medium Brown, as shown on the IKEA website, but I think we have settled on white. Chad used a different style and color IKEA cabinets in his kitchen, so if an architect chooses them for his home they must be good cabinets!

Choosing a countertop has been as difficult as selecting cabinets was easy.

Granite is so common in kitchens and the price has really come down. In fact, it was one of the most affordable materials we looked at. Granite's price decline is probably caused either by its ubiquity or because of potential radon off-gassing (or both). The distance granite travels (although there are local quarries) was another negative for me, as was the fact that it is a finite resource. Chris has mixed feelings about it, as he really loved the look of some of the more dramatic patterns that cannot be replicated by other materials. However, we both feel good about selecting a different material!

We looked at several recycled countertop materials, some of which were easy to eliminate: plastic bottles (too plastic-y looking), paper and/or cardboard (too easily scratched), colored glass (outrageously expensive).

More affordable recycled glass options were available, but by more affordable I mean they were still twice the price of a material like granite. Soapstone, limestone, marble, zinc...any of those stone materials would have been lovely, but they are not practical in active kitchens. We also looked at concrete and really like it, but at some point in the process we got tired of considering new materials and schlepping around town looking at countertops!

I think we have decided to go with Cambria in black.


Cambria is made from quartz, similar to Silestone, Caesarstone, Zodiaq, Vitera, the list goes on. Cambria appeals to me because it is a Minnesota company and the product is the only quartz countertop made in the U.S. Quartz is not the most eco-friendly option, but at least it is local. This material also has some excellent features (rated #1 by Consumer Reports) such as that it is highly durable, requires almost no maintenance, and is non-porous. We are still giving this some thought so it is subject to change. It's a good thing we are not on a time schedule!

We will remove the existing wall between the kitchen and dining room and will extend the home's original hardwood floors into the kitchen. The hardwood floors on the main level are half-inch oak with a natural finish. We plan to refinish them with a mahogany or espresso stain, as shown below.

Or perhaps something with a bit more of a cherry finish.


Was this the longest post I've ever written? I had a lot to say! We welcome thoughts and comments on any of our potential choices.

Last week

...was an interesting one.

Starting with a week ago Saturday, when Melissa, Steve, Chris, and attended the Basilica Block Party (a fundraiser to support the preservation of the historic Basilica in downtown Minneapolis). We saw Matt Nathanson and Counting Crows. We filled our bellies with cheese curds and french fries and a little beer. While we all enjoyed the evening, that is probably the last time we will attend that event. Too crowded, too much pushing, and too many silly young drunk people. When I had lunch with my 28-year-old friend Kristin the next day, she said that she and her husband decided they were too old to attend anymore. Touche, my friend!

On Monday I narrowly avoided an employment search agency scam. I'll spare you the details, but it's essentially the same thing that happened to these people. Fortunately, I am only out the money it cost me to park downtown. I still feel silly, as I have heard about these scams before and thought I would never fall for it! Oh well; lesson learned.

As I was driving home from that meeting (knowing, per Chris' Google search, that I had just wasted two hours on a scam), I rear-ended another vehicle at a stop light. Now it may sound like I was at fault, which according to my insurance company I am (as are 99% of those who rear-end). Both cars received minor damage.

Interesting to note, however, that the driver in front of me had been rear-ended four times since moving here a year ago. On the other hand, I have never rear-ended anyone (and I certainly had my share of fender benders back in the Birdmobile days). Clearly, she's doing something wrong. Inexplicably slamming on her brakes would be one thing.

Betsy was in town for a conference and we met for dinner on Monday evening. We had not seen each other for a year and had not sat down to chat for two years. And I can't imagine how many years it had been since just the two of us spent time together -- at least 15, that's for sure! We had a great time chatting about all sorts of things. I hope it won't be so long before we get together again!

I also received my first unemployment check last week. While I'm glad for Minnesota's generosity (more than twice what Florida paid), there is nothing pleasant about being "on the dole." I do take comfort in the fact that at least some portion of this money comes from taxes paid by my former employer. I hope I won't be receiving this money for very long, but it's important that our government provides some assistance, however minimal. Unlike healthcare, which is a topic worthy of its own post and one I plan to address soon.

Alison, a friend of Chris' since junior high, attended grad school at the U and married a guy from St. Paul. They now live in New York, but visit here often. Wednesday was the first time we were able to get together with her on one of her visits and the first time I met her. We met up with her again on Thursday, when we met her husband and daughter, the adorable 18-month-old Violet. We hope to see them again during a future visit!

Yesterday was Melissa's birthday. Chris and I joined her and Steve for lunch at Cafe Twenty Eight in Linden Hills. It has recently become a favorite restaurant of mine, but it was Chris' first visit and he was not overly impressed. We give most places a couple of tries, so we will have to see what he thinks about it next time.

After lunch we all went back to our house for a little birthday pie. Coconut Cream is Melissa's favorite, so that is what I made for her. It was my first attempt, but it was well received (Chris at three pieces, possibly without taking a breath).


Steve had an afternoon and evening of surprises lined up for Melissa. I look forward to hearing the details!



I realized after I saw this photo that I had applied far too much bone-colored eyeshadow. I am out of practice now that I only wear makeup once a week (or less).


Melissa wanted Chris to make a goofy pose for this photo, but he would have none of it! He looks quite handsome in this photo, I must say.


The four of us. Could the background be more boring? We are talking about thinking about starting to do some work on our house. Seriously! Stay tuned for a sneak peek later this week.


And finally, every day for the past week I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Jon and Amber's baby! When is this happening? Let's go, baby! I hoped for today, which would have been Grandpa Irvin's 96th birthday. There could not be a sweeter person with whom to share a birthday. But it sounds like if s/he does not arrive by Tuesday, s/he will no longer have a choice and we will all meet baby by Wednesday!

Her Reign Has Ended

On July 3, Angie ended her reign as Delano Princess. Along with Bonnie and Duane, Grandma Dottie, Mom, and I attended the dinner before the pageant. Cameron joined us for the pageant itself.

Her role as Delano Princess resulted in a busy year for Angie (and that means Bonnie and Duane, too), as was predicted in a post last summer. She did such a wonderful job, but if I were her I would be happy that it's over!

Here are a few photos from the evening.






I hope Angie has some new activities up her sleeve, as she has produced years of entertainment for many people who won't quite know what to do without an "Angie event!"

Trevor's Birthday Party

Here are some great photos from Trevor's birthday party. Amber, I hope you don't mind that I'm posting these before you post yours. I just couldn't wait any longer!

Being eight months pregnant does not stop Amber from putting on a fantastic party! She and Jon decked out the garage in festive decor.

Trevor with his grandparents.

Mister Four Year Old contemplates his cake...

...then blows out the candles!

The weather was beautiful - perfect for playing in the water.

Bouncing in the "bouncy thing" was a huge hit with the kids!

Even Grandma Diney joined in, but for lounging and truck-playing only!

Happy Birthday!

Baby Birds!

Many of you know that I am not particularly skilled when it comes to caring for plants. Specifically outdoor plants, as my indoor plants are not doing too bad. It is more of a lack of skill with the exterior of the home: lawn, gardening, plants, weeding, etc.

However, I'm trying to improve my skills and thus decided to purchase some hanging plants for our front porch. At my mom's suggestion, I bought two hardy pink geraniums (and one more finicky petunia that I had to move to a sunnier spot).

I found a nest-in-progress a few weeks ago in one of the geraniums. Since it didn't contain eggs, I decided to remove the nest and hope the bird would relocate her nursery. She did relocate (at least I assume it was the same bird), but to the other geranium and I didn't notice until the eggs were there. Of course I left them alone, which was great for the birds but not so great for the plant.

The geranium is limping along; I have watered lightly around the nest but generally stayed clear of the plant.

Last week, the eggs hatched and we now have some baby birdies on our porch! They may be difficult to see in these photos (Chris suggested I not use the flash), but you may see their tiny yellow beaks.


I am led to believe by those more well-versed in the ways of nature that the babies will move on within a couple of weeks, leaving me with plenty of summer to salvage my geranium.

While this has been fun (Sophia enjoyed taking a peek at the birds), I may have to find a different location for my plants next year.