2021 Round Up

Even though I'm freshly back to the world of blogging, I'm not freshly back to working on projects. I really look forward to breaking down the work I have done, but I didn't quite realize just how much we did accomplish this year!  

Multiple basement projects were started, and while none are complete, the headway we have made has made a big difference on how we use our house.  We did a lot to set up a little bonus space in our basement -complete with slatwall storage- and establish a basement library for our well-loved and ever-growing collection of books.  

​The Backyard

The first of our two big projects this year was definitely our backyard, which we worked on during the Spring One Room Challenge.  We did a TON of work in about eight weeks; we added rock paths, redid our deck, firepit area, and vegetable garden (which will get an expansion in 2022), and we added a stock tank pool, chicken coop, and playhouse.  It was extremely ambitious, and I do plan to write about each step on here!

The biggest hits are the chickens and the stock tank pool.  Chicken Hour - the girls free-range time in the yard - is a big hit with everyone.  And I love adding another source for us to get food from our own home.  They are a welcome and long-anticipated addition.  The pool was something I hoped to be a 2020 project... but so did many other people.  So, once the big stock tanks were back in stock last January, we scooped one up!  Getting it set up was a big job, but with great filtration and a decent liner, maintenance was simple. 

The Bathroom

The last big project of the year we did with the Autumn One Room Challenge, and it was a huge, huge project.  I was lucky enough to have a ton of support that allowed us to completely renovate our main -and currently only- bathroom.  It turned out amazing!  The only things that didn't get replaced are the walls, plumbing, and technically the toilet -although that was replaced three years ago in a long story.

Many of the decisions were based on what we had changed in the kitchen during its 2019 renovation, and in establishing both visual cohesion through the house and a space that actually works.  I can fit in the room during the little kids bathtime!  When my big kids were little and we bought the house, that was almost impossible.  I seriously love this space.  

It's really incredible how much we were able to get done in this strange year.  I don't think I'll be quite as ambitious with personal projects in 2022, but I doubt I'll slow down anytime soon.
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