Renovation Report Week Seven

Who even am I? A "renovation report" on a Monday?!?!?! Well, a lot happened last week and I won't be blogging towards the end of the week so I wanted to share. It was a big week in reno world.

 They finished installing the roof pieces and started putting the "sheeting" on. This is what the shingles attach to.

I had to capture this view of the sunrise from our bedroom window. No, we can't access it yet. All these photos are taken through Rachel's window, which will eventually become our bedroom door.

Some materials arrived and took up space on our driveway! I thought it was shingles but it turns out it was concrete for the basement. 

We get a daily update from our construction crew. This week's updates included a lot of information about pieces of the work passing inspections (YAY!!!), shingles being done (no photos of that!), and spray foam insulation being sprayed under the addition. So yes, as I said in my last update, lots of exciting things happening but not so many great photos!

Learnings from this week:

It's a good thing we decided to do a reno because our bathtub faucet started leaking persistently this week. Thankfully it will be demolished in the not too distant future and we have an alternate place to shower, although it's not in our house!

Renovations + holiday celebrations + regular life (work/school/dance/soccer) is extra chaotic!!!

There will be some work done off and on throughout the holidays but I won't provide my next update until the first week of January.

Renovation Report Week Six

As much as I try to write blog posts earlier in the week, or even on the weekend, life keeps preventing me. Thus, I drove Rachel to dance last night and sat at Dave's work, waiting for him to finish a meeting. I said to Dave, "Waiting for you will give me time to blog!" Here's what happened in our renovation last week.

The joists are installed to build the second floor -- our new bedroom!

Now the subfloor is down so there's something to build the bedroom on! Hahaha!

The powder room wall got built! So exciting!!!

And they dug more trenches in the basement floor.

Our bedroom has walls...

 

...and the beginnings of a roof!!!

 

Rachel and I went and took some pictures in the addition. Can you see her standing where our sliding doors will be? Also, I took a picture of the side so you can see where the side door will be. They left a space open on the top so they could access the second floor, but we don't have a door coming off our bedroom!

The plumbers opened the shower kit for downstairs so it makes our laundry room a little crowded.

And they started installing plumbing in the basement! 

It was an exciting week with a lot going on!

 

Learnings this week:

 

Just because you are having construction done in your house doesn't mean you can stop cleaning! Hahahahaha! I had a bit of a meltdown on the weekend, we cleaned three rooms, and now we all feel better. Man, does construction dust accumulate!!!

 

Now I'm going to work on the post for this week's renovation update. There's been a lot going on but, spoiler alert, it's a little harder to photograph :)

Monthly Musings: Holidays and Ringing in the New Year

It's the last Monthly Musings of 2025. I'm excited to see what Holly, who blogs at Pink Lady, and Patty, who blogs at Good, Better, Best, come up with for the 2026 Monthly Musings because I really do love this link up. Thanks for hosting such a fun blog party each month Holly and Patty!

1) What holidays do you celebrate?

We celebrate both Channukah and Christmas. It makes for a lot going on this time of year. For instance, this weekend we have Rachel's dance holiday showing, our Christmas celebration with our besties, two Channukah parties, three of us are involved in the Sunday morning church service, and then Rachel and I are cookie baking with Janice and Tessa. So yes, we celebrate ALL THE THINGS!

 

2) Scale of 1-10 -- how into the holidays are you this year. Be honest.

I have to admit, I'm at about a 2. Between the renos, the shooting in Australia during a Channukah event, and the weather, I am just not feeling the holidays this year. I'm sure it will get better but right now I'm tired, a little stressed, and feeling displaced in our house, while also trying to remember that life is a gift.

3) Favourite things to make/bake during the holidays?

My favourite things to make is Holly's Applesauce Jumbles. You can find the recipe here. Seriously you all -- I've made about five batches already this year. Rachel made them as part of a cookie bake she did earlier this week and we'll for sure be baking them on Sunday with Janice and Tessa. I haven't given these to a single person who hasn't loved them!

 

We also make a lot of cranberry tea and I almost always have my Christmas potpourri simmering on the stove. Yes, even this year! Our house smells like cinnamon and sawdust -- hahaha!

And I LOVE when Dave makes latkes, We have a tradition of him frying them outside which won't happen this year, as we don't have an outdoor outlet right now. Dave's latkes are the best!

 

4) Favourite holiday movies?

Hallmark ones. We love The Santa Summit, On the 12th Date of Christmas, and the Channukah ones.

 

5) Most random holiday tradition?

Probably Jólabókaflóð, the Icelandic tradition of reading books on Christmas Eve. We all get a new book on Christmas Eve, put on our pajamas, eat snacks, and read. It's so much fun!

 

6) Are you hosting for the holidays? New Year's Eve or Day?

We're "kind of" hosting in that my parents are arriving on Christmas Eve but will be living at our neighbours' house! So we have to buy all the groceries, and decorate at our neighbours, but then Mom & Dad will be in charge! Hahaha!

7) Favourite way to ring in the New Year?

I used to love a big party but now I like a quiet evening with good food and a good book. New Years just isn't that exciting anymore.

8) Any New Year's Resolutions or Word of the Year?

I never do a "word of the year." My resolution is to blog more consistently (including getting into a better blog reading habit). My blog friends have been so amazing as my blogging, and blog reading habits, have really declined this year. I really want to get into more consistent blogging (both writing and reading and commenting) in 2026. I love this space, and the friendships I've made through blogging, and I don't want to lose any of that. 

9) Favourite holiday songs?

The whole Nana Mouskouri Christmas album. I love the whole thing!

10) Favourite holiday memory?

I can't think of a favourite. I just love spending time with some of my favourite people.

Turkey dinner with our best friends (left) and my cousins and aunt (right).

We love celebrating being together with my parents with prosecco for everyone! I love that tradition!!!

 

Also, see above about Dave frying latkes outdoors. I love that memory too! 

I hope whichever holidays you celebrate, and whatever space you are in this year, you find meaningful ways to mark this time of year with friends, family, and loved ones.

Renovation Report Week Five

Phew. It's been a week! I started this week in Saskatchewan with my parents. My dad had very successful hip replacement surgery last Thursday. He was home the next day and was well on his way to recovery when I left on Monday.

We had a field trip at work for half the school on Tuesday, a bus cancellation day on Wednesday, and now it's Friday. One more week until Winter Break and are we ever ready for it!!! I'm hoping to have some time to blog this weekend but until then, here's what happened during Week 5 (which was last week) of our renos.

On Monday they worked on HVAC (which I found out has to do with fresh air and how the air is circulated  in your house) and they unloaded a whole bunch of supplies.

By the end of Tuesday we had floor joists throughout!!! (And yes, I asked if it was okay if I stood on the joists -- at my own risk of course.) This addition feels a lot bigger when I'm standing on it.

On Wednesday they got the subfloor down. And then I flew to Saskatchewan and Dave had to update me! Hahaha!

 

By the end of Thursday, we had two walls. There is a door for our back entry in one of the walls but you can't see it here.

 

And by Friday we had a back wall (with an opening for two windows and a door to the deck (!!!)), and a beam to install the joists for the second floor (our bedroom!).

Building is so exciting because we come home every day and there are changes!!!

Learnings from this week:

Walls are more exciting to blog about than HVAC!!!

If you really want to see progress on a renovation, leave the province for three days. You won't recognize it when you get back!

And I promise, next week's update will be even more exciting (and hopefully, timely.)! 

Renovations Week Four

Last week was week four of our renovations and, honestly, there isn't much exciting to share. There were a few days of quiet due to extreme rain/lots of snow.

On Wednesday, they started work on the new floor. You can see the light green patch of grass in the bottom right of the picture which had been holding some supplies. It's fun to see the supplies getting used and the piles going down!

A few more dust doors were installed -- one at the top of the basement stairs and one at the door to the laundry room. This should help keep some of the construction mess contained.

The front basement window got some insulation added. You can still see through to the outside in a few places around the frame.

The beam (or a large piece of wood) got installed on the helical piles. And we got a ton of snow!

On Friday one of the workers shovelled the backyard clear. You can see a pile by the fence on the right. Also on Friday someone was here all day doing HVAC work. I think that's heating and cooling systems but I can't really tell what they did, although Dave confirmed it was very noisy.

There are two small holes drilled in the office floor. I think they're for plumbing as they're where the sink and the toilet will be in the powder room.

 

Learnings this week:

Not all work is super interesting to document. However, it is still very important (like heating and cooling work, for instance).

 

I was in the garage getting something and the workers were finishing up. I saw a microwave in the garage so asked what it was for. The workers explained that one guy liked a hot lunch. I laughed and absolutely invited them to use ours! I realize that these workers are employees and won't make themselves at home but I also want our house (their work space) to be welcoming! It's a funny line to walk and hopefully Dave and I are doing it well.

When I update next week, I will have more exciting photos to share because a lot has happened this week!!! Also, I meant to publish this post earlier this week but the week got away from me. Some weeks are like that...

Currently: December 2025

I'm a day late to the "Currently" link up with Jenn at My Joyful Life but I still wanted to join in on the fun. In twelve days I will be working the last day before the schools close for a two week Winter Break and I cannot wait!!! Until then, here's what's happening with us right now.

  [loving]

 This past Monday was the Winter Formal for Sam and Rachel's school. I was "loving" how excited Rachel was to attend her first high school dance and I was "loving" hearing each kid's stories after the dance about how much fun they had!

Since it was a "winter" formal, Rachel added her mittens as accessories for some of the photos! Hahaha!

 

Also, for some reason, Sam's Outdoor Ed class learned to knit so Sam had to hand in a knitting square for a project. I was "loving" seeing Sam sitting in his room, knitting. It just made me smile :)

[hoping]

So, if you're reading this on Thursday morning then I'm on a plane. My dad is heading into surgery for his hip replacement today and I'm flying out to be with him and my mom. I'm "hoping" his surgery goes really well and his recuperation is easy. And we're all thrilled that he got surgery so quickly this time around. (Last time he was waiting for over a year.) 

[doing]

 

I am "doing" everything I can to be festive in the midst of renovations. We're drinking cranberry tea, eating Applesauce Jumbles, watching Hallmark movies, and hanging ornaments on our outside tree...

... Rachel and I did a festive puzzle surrounded by empty boxes...

... and I'm using festive spatulas! I made a batch of Applesauce Jumbles as I wrote this post and I used the "Baking spirits bright" one! What I especially love about these is I can use them in January and February too :) 

[wearing]

 

I'm still wearing my holiday pajamas!

[seeing]

This week we are "seeing" the addition starting to be built on the back of our house. It's very exciting! We're also "seeing" a lot of snow. I feel bad every time I see a renovation update from our contractor and it says, "Shovelled snow out of the back yard." Even though it's not my fault, I know it's added extra work for them.

So that's what's up with us "currently." If you could say some prayers for a successful surgery for my dad today, and a quick recovery, I would really appreciate it.