Christmas at the Manor

We were thrilled to celebrate our first Christmas at the new Manor, complete with my first real Christmas tree in 19 years. We had a lovely 8 foot Douglas fir. It was interesting getting it upstairs, but well worth it.




We hosted a lovely cooperative family dinner with my sister and her family- Prime Rib, AuGratin potatoes with Artichokes, String Beans Almondine and Yorkshire Pudding-- followed by our traditional English Christmas Cake. Table settings were a gift from our good friend, Judith H.

Thanksgiving at the Manor

The kitchen passed the test... 5 cooks working in the kitchen without stepping or bumping into each other. We had 13 guests for dinner and all went well... pictures to be posted soon.

Starting to look like a real home

We now have furniture in all the rooms, and have even had our first overnight house guests! We still have lots of interior finish work to do, but we can do that at our leisure. (hopefully not TOO leisurely...)


I love my new kitchen!



and dining area... took the dining table out of storage after 3 years. Still working on the dining chairs. They didn't survive the teenage years...

and purchased new living room furniture-- the first sofa I have bought since 1984 (for real)

Goodbye to the "old" Manor

We are saying goodbye to the "old" Manor today-- RIP.

occupancy permit

We had an inspection today and received our occupancy permit. We are now cleared to move in!!! Let the moving begin!

Almost there

Finishing touches accomplished--calling for inspection to get occupancy this week!!

Fireplace facade and insert placed in and connected.

Washer and dryer platform constructed and both are operational--tested them out this morning!

Getting closer

Worked hard this weekend. The Habers helped to put the fireplace insert in place. It still needs to be connected. Ken worked on building a frame for the box over the future island. I finished oiling the windows and installed most of the interior door knobs. I even hung some curtains in the bedroom on the window that faces the house next door!