When I as a little girl I loved to sing, and I thought I was amazing. My friends and family told me I was good. I’m pretty sure if American Idol had been around when I was younger I would have been one of those awful people who really thinks they’re good. I would love to have a great singing voice and be able to serenade my husband and children with sweet melodies. Well, I serenade them anyway but not with anything that sounds remotely pleasant.

As much as I wish I had a beautiful singing voice (I still am in denial and think at one time I once did), if I could choose once talent to be great at (and if enjoyment came with the ability) I would choose cooking.

Every once in awhile I get a burst of ambition to learn how to whip up something new in my crockpot, but most of the time I stick to the staple meals which come from my freezer.

I’m getting a new kitchen in three weeks and I’m so hoping it comes with a dash of domestic ambition. I’m envisioning myself cooking delicious meals with my kids by my side, making memories making food together. I guess we’ll see about that.

When we bought the house it came with a “free kitchen upgrade” which at first glance I thought “What? who cares?” But all of the extra fun little features like pennant lights over the island, upgraded granite counters and fancy stained cabinets–It’s got me thinking the kitchen won’t be that bad. Who knows, maybe it’ll light the fire of desire for me to whip up come homemade grub.

My house isn’t quite complete but most all of the “guts” are inside. Almost every day I take the kids down and we check out the progress. About a week ago I took a few pictures of the progress. We just left a birthday party and my daughter’s face was a painted butterfly.

We’re getting all of the light fixtures and covering this week, and aside from the carpet, most everything else is inside–Our paint, trim, tile flooring, counter tops, and my favorite feature–Our jetted tub. We are packing now, and we’ve agreed to hire movers to pack whatever we don’t, and move us entirely.

Every time we visit the house my daughter is excited to look at our backyard, which is currently a pile of dirt, but soon enough will actually be a backyard. I’ve been super dorky lately and excited to test out the lighting in different areas in the house. The sun sets behind us so the family room, backyard, and Big T’s room will have great light. In the morning the playroom will have better light. That’s where this window sill is. I’m planning to sew up a nice little seat cushion for it, and some decorative cushions. That is, once I figure out what colors I’m going with in this room.

It’s designed to be formal living and dining rooms but with two small kids there will be nothing formal about our house for a while. Traditional, however, I’m ok with. But I don’t want that to mean boring. The color teal has been on my mind lately so I’m thinking beige and teal with maybe an orange accent? Or perhaps kelly green instead of teal. I have no idea what I’m talking about right now. All I know is I found the couch I want but it’s like $1200 from Pottery Barn Teen, and I’m thinking I need to find a cheaper imposter to save myself nightmares of my children ruining my overpriced play couch.

So any of you deal shoppers, let me know what you know!

That room is also going to serve as a space for my office nook, so I’d like to make it a space that’s cute for sharing.

Ok I take it back… Forget being good at singing or cooking, I want the skills to style a house. Pinterest help me!

Tags: cooking, decorating, homebuilding, kitchen, photography, play room