Have you been with us for a while?  We had a busy 2023 in the fact that we moved into our new home at the end of December, 2022.  So January, 2023, was a new beginning in lots of different ways.  We already had a list of home projects in hand going into the new year and wanted to start marking them off.  I thought it would be fun to show you some of the things we accomplished in 2023 by doing a year end recap.  Here is our 2023 year end review.

Our 2023 Year End Review

Like I said, we moved into our new home, our forever home, at the end of last year.  So we were getting settled the first few months of this year.  All the while making a HUGE list of to-dos for our new space.  We got some of the things marked off of our list and accomplished.  And kept adding to the long list as we went.  

January

We worked on our kitchen island in January.   The crew who trimmed out our entire house made some pull-out drawers for our antique kitchen island.  It was a blank slate since it was previously a store counter.  The pull-out drawers work so perfectly for us.  They are not only a lot more functional but they look so much better.  And then we installed an antique foot railing on the bar to make the antique bar stools a lot more comfortable.

February

We shared how we revamped a laminate headboard that was on a burn pile into an antique looking piece.  We also set up our home decor room which was much needed.  That is one of those things I didn’t know how bad I needed it until I had it.  And, Deb made a shelf for behind the couch which I still love to this day.  It is so easy to decorate as you don’t have to put holes in the wall when you want to switch it out.

March

We put our bathroom together with home decor and added a stained glass window for privacy.  I shared about our kitchen lights above our island and even added some columns on our kitchen counter.  Go check out that post and let me know what you think about them.  I am still undecided as I removed them a few months back.  But, now I see the photos and think they look so cool.

April

I shared our cozy coffee space in the kitchen.  We sit here and drink coffee around noon to give us a little boost.  And, also we added a chandelier to the bedroom that we just got done decorating.  It was one that was found in our storage unit.

May

Progress on the chicken coop happened after starting this project in June/July, 2022.  I was so happy to get moving on this project again so that we could get chickens.  The run was built by Deb and I and during the middle of digging, we hit a field tile.  So, that set us back a bit.  We ended up heading to Alaska in the month of May with an entire crew and came back with Covid…. so it was a short month on content.

June

June was an extremely busy month for us.  We were recovering from Covid and wanted to get outside and work on our garden pretty bad.  It was so late compared to when we normally plant, but that didn’t stop us.  We started with making the plans for our vegetable garden area.  We added a picket fence around it to keep the critters out.  And, we added our raised vegetable garden beds which turned out to be one of the best things we did.  They were perfect… no bending over and they look really pretty, too.  And we added steps in the front and the side of our garden.  I loved these projects.  How about you?

July

Gahhhhh… more work in the garden and coop areas.  I just love working outside and seeing these photos makes me long for the warm months again.  We found the best pillars for the grand entrance to our vegetable garden.  And, we could finally say that the chicken coop area was done.  We added some solar lights to it which really spruced up that space.  

August

We wrapped up a few summer projects in the month of August including our grand entrance to the garden.  It rained so much that it stalled progress, but we did it.  That was A HUGE project that took forever. In fact, I think I called that the project that never ends.   We also had the landscaper finish our firepit which we enjoyed a few times before it got too cold to be outside.

September

I updated everyone on the massive oak cabinet in our dining room in the month of September.  And shared what was left of that project.  I also got something crossed off of the list for the inside of the house this month. And, that was finishing the coat closet door in the entryway. That made a huge difference.  

October

Deb combined a few of our treasures together and made a bigger treasure in my opinion.  I can’t wait for her to get back into her workshop to do things like this.  It’s coming soon.  We added shiplap on the kitchen fireplace which is something we couldn’t wait to do.  And, we also added bead board wallpaper to the kitchen.  And added some lights above our pantries which made such a huge difference.  

November

We added shiplap to the family room wall and I absolutely love it.  We still think we want to add it to the rest of the walls but needed a break.  It is pretty time consuming.  When we do start it again, we will be focusing on each wall and taking a break between them.  I also shared about my massive amount of hair loss I had since having Covid in May.

December

We got a lot of things marked off of the list in December, believe it or not.  We added a picture light above the fireplace mantel in the family room, which I’ve always wanted to do.  The antique doors in the laundry room were completed by adding the glass and then frosting them like I have done all of our doors.  We added texture to the laundry room walls and spruced up our utility closet that holds our vacuums.  And gave our appliance pantry / coffee bar a huge makeover.  

Trust me..we have an ongoing list of home projects for the new year that we will be sharing coming up.  That list includes adding more texture to the walls with more shiplap and wallpaper, adding beams to the family and dining rooms, and runners on the stairways.  I am excited to get started… but first the Christmas decor needs all organized and put away.  That is a job or this coming weekend.

Are you as excited for the new year as I am?