Apple House

Two of my very best friends...more like sisters than friends have had a very rough past year.   About a year ago, their dear father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  It is with deep sadness that on 2 May 2012, he succumbed to his disease.   

I arrived in Philadelphia early Sunday 6 May which is where their parents grew up.  Last April they bought the sweetest house (my friend's grandmother's house) where their parents were to retire so they spent a lot of time there this past year as most of their Becky and Melody's aunts and uncles are there.  It was a great support system there for them.  

I have fond memories of this family leading back to our swimming days with Marist swim club.  All through high school I'd go over to their house, their door always open, and 9 times out of 10, the entire family would be hanging on the couch just chillin' out together.  I always admired that about them.  They all make things look effortless, even to this day.  The entire family has such an easy going way about them, and it really is infectious. 

Mel and Beck's dad took great pride in their outdoor landscaping.  He loved to be doing anything outside and it sure showed.  Their lawn was always the most beautiful one I'd ever seen.  

His parents own a store (been open since 1910) that sells produce, fruits and has expanded to sell much more over the years.  Such a sad reason to finally get down to Philly and see where they spent much time over the years but I'm happy to say have been a part of this family and to have known Mr. Wolff. 

I can't tell you how wonderful it was to be with them during this very difficult time.   

This is Melody (below) with her new puppy, Chooch.  

He was definitely a great distracter

This beautiful azelea in the back yard that was nurtured by the family...just gorgeous!

The movers arrive...4 May 2012

We were thrilled to hear our movers were arriving within 3 weeks of moving....actually just 20 days of moving.   I really have never been more excited to see a moving truck...not because I really wanted to be involved in the unpacking of 300+ boxes, but because I really couldn't wait to sleep in our own bed and fill up the house with some life! 

This is what we were working with.  

The movers came Friday morning around 9:30am and by 8:00 pm or so, they called it quits.  Eric and I have actually gotten so good at setting up shop, that we were able to get so much done that day and the next.  I set up the entire kitchen (the toughest room in the house) while Eric worked in the garage.  The movers did a great job!  I am still, as always, shocked by the amount of packaging they use to pack everything, but it all arrived in mostly good condition so not complaining.  For those who are curious,  our things left Houston on a truck, then drove to Tacoma and then from there it was put on a barge and sailed here.  The amount of times our things have gone over water is mind boggling, but like I said, it all arrived in good order and we're very thankful for that!   Same goes for our cars.  Both were shipped the same way and they both arrived in perfect condition, phew! 

This and that..2nd week in Anchorage

Random photos of our 2nd week in Anchorage

The next two are better pictures of the views of the mountains from our bedroom. 

 Ahhh!

This is our first night eating a real meal in our new home thanks to some sweet friends who lent us a card table, chairs and additional pots and pans.  It's empty, but it's home! 

 Our moose friend, Lucy who comes to visit us in our backyard.

 The road leading to our house, surrounded by such beauty!

We decided to do a few projects before the house got filled with all our things.  We epoxied our garage floor complete with "sprinkles" that makes it look like a showroom.

I spent a few days painting our bedroom and front guest room.  More "after" photos to come.  I'd never painted a room before but my dad gave me a quick lesson and told me which tools I needed and I was all set...just don't look too closely :)

Slowly but surely, our house is becoming a home and memories are being made each and every day. Love it!

Random Anchorage tidbit #2

Random Anchorage tidbit #2: 

This is what it looks like at 2200 hrs (yes, 10pm) on 1 May 2012. We are gaining 5 minutes of daylight per day until the summer solstice. More pics of the midnight sun to follow.

View of the mountains from our bedroom.

Random Anchorage tidbit #1

Random Anchorage tidbit #1 (originally posted 26 April 2012):

 Certain companies give "sun days" (that's right, you read correctly, SUN, not snow days) --days where the employees are let out early (or don't have to go to work at all, unless something really important is happening) because it is sunny and over 60 degrees. Today is one of those days for Eric; life is good :)

Our new house in Anchorage

Choosing a house in four days isn't the ideal situation, but it actually worked out so remarkably well,  I am so relieved.  Our development is a part of a larger planned community and is within 4-5 minutes drive of three shopping areas, and has many trails accessible all year round.   We've got a great view of the mountains in the back and the back yard also backs up to a 220 acre greenbelt.  I'm so happy my husband convinced me that this is the house for us.  Since this house was about 90% finished when we were looking, we were able to make a few decisions about the fixtures, flooring, etc.  Even better!  All of these pictures were taken before it was 100% finished, but you get the idea :)

Foyer stairway upstairs

View of the den (right) and great room (left) from the dining room

kitchen

View of the dining room from the entryway

View of the entry way from the dining room

View of the kitchen from great room

Dining room to the left and kitchen to the right from the great room

Dining room from great room

I'm grateful that Eric knows me so well and how much I would not have liked the white paint! 

The paint we choose (glad it worked out!) and the crown moulding we had them install before we moved it, makes such a difference!

Great room from kitchen

View of the den from the breezeway

View of dining room from breezeway

Downstairs half bath

Garage...as you can see, the builder was still very much working

Hallway to the downstairs half bath

View of the downstairs from the stairs

Second floor views into the laundry room (left), guest room and foyer

View of the other guest room

Foyer views

Master bedroom

Front guest room

Jack and Jill bathroom for two guest rooms

Middle guest room and closets

Hallway leading to middle guest room

Master bedroom, again.  We've got a really pretty view of the mountains all along the back of our house, but you can't really see it this day.  

Master bedroom

Master bathroom

We have a lot of work to do, but so excited we were able to find a house and move in just a week after we moved.  Here's to many memories in our new home!