Work Continues....

It's been a muddy start to the week but things are still coming together...

Framing continues

Below, my new kitchen window with a great view of the pretty house next door...

Rocking Christmas!

Last week we headed over to Mom and Darren's for Christmas and a little rock band...check out that drummer! Mom is singing and Mallory is playing guitar.

Ryan's gotta bite the lip and concentrate!

Ryan singing, Mallory guitar and my lame attempt at drumming...

Decided I am much better at the guitar!

The roof is coming off!!!

Front Framing going up....

Today the framers worked on the front of the house and finished up the back master bedroom.

Big week for us!

This week is a big week for us, the framer's started on Monday. This picture is of our new master bedroom, big enough for a king bed! Can't wait! The holes are for the windows, ones we are rehabing from the front of the house. We decided to reuse the windows because it is more "green" in two ways (1) less waste going in the dumpster, trying to rebuild greener (2) more greenbacks in our wallet :)

Side/back view of the house. Too bad the garage door isn't shut. We had a new garage door installed complete with an opener. I feel so fancy, never had a garage door opener. It even has an outside keypad!

Inside master bedroom

Old part to the left, new part to the right. It was amazing to see what a crew of 5 guys can do in a day.

Framer's have started!

Pic below is of the new living room and dining area.

Side view of the new living area

Materials. I like to take material shots because it will remind me later on all that went into this house.

Ryan and Mario discussing...

Port-a-potty/crack house

You know it's a true renovation once you got a portapotty...or as the call it in the busi...a portable toilet. Check out the boarded up front windows, beginning to look a little like a crack house, wonder if the neighbors are still loving us?

Retaining Wall

Ryan smiling for the camera!

Sorry for the bad pic, I had to take it myself to prove that I was actually there : )

Chase overseeing all the materials for the retaining wall....

Mallory wins again!

Last week Mallory played Medina Valley and they won!!! They also had a tournament over the weekend and were the Champions!

We passed inspection!

We had the city come out today to inspect before we poured concrete piers and....WE PASSED! Will be pouring tomorrow and the framer starts tomorrow...busy today at the Jones house.

Funny House pics

When the guys first started working on the foundation they dug huge holes for the piers. Ryan hoped into the deepest one. It was funny until I thought about the house falling on him like the Wizard of Oz. Shortly after these pictures he got out...

Chase says, "what are you doing?"

Chase had to try it out too, not a fan...

Pizza Spaghetti Cassarole

I made this for dinner Monday night and had to pass it along. It was really easy and turned out great, especially good in this cold weather we've been having. I couldn't find turkey pepperoni however if you get the pepperoni sliced fresh from the deli it is much less greasy and doesn't taste so salty. Never use the pepperonis from the package, WAY to greasy. Hope you enjoy!


Pizza Spaghetti Casserole (from Southern Living)

We preferred turkey pepperoni, so you don't get a greasy appearance. You can freeze the unbaked casserole up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator; let stand 30 minutes at room temperature, and bake as directed.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes minutes
Other Time: 40 minutes minutes

12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (1-lb.) package mild ground pork sausage
2 ounces turkey pepperoni slices (about 30), cut in half
1 (26-oz.) jar tomato-and-basil pasta sauce
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese1 (8-oz.)
package shredded Italian three-cheese blend

1. Cook spaghetti with 1/2 tsp. salt according to package directions. Drain well, and place in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish.

2. Brown sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain and set aside. Wipe skillet clean. Add pepperoni, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, 4 minutes or until slightly crisp.

3. Top spaghetti in baking dish with sausage; pour pasta sauce over sausage. Arrange half of pepperoni slices evenly over pasta sauce. Sprinkle evenly with cheeses. Arrange remaining half of pepperoni slices evenly over cheese. Cover with nonstick or lightly greased aluminum foil.

4. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes; remove foil, and bake 10 more minutes or until cheese is melted and just begins to brown.

Yield: Makes 6 servings

Hill Country Christmas Parade

This past Saturday Mom and Mallory were in the Hill Country Christmas parade. Mallory was on the float for being a member of the National Junior Honor Society. Mom is the sponsor so she was on there too. Grandessa, Aunt Lois and Eugene were in town and we froze our booties off watching the parade. Every now and then it does get cold in San Antonio...

Foundation

Foundation work has begun on the house. Due to the weather we have been put a little behind schedule but they should be pouring the piers today!

Picture above is the extending living room, Chase is standing in the office area...

To the right is the new dining room...

Ryan...aka Master Renovator!

Mallory Basketball

Basketball season has started for Boerne Champion Chargers. Mallory is number 25 shooting the free throw. Her team has won every game but the season opener against Kerrville. They play every Thursday night, GO CHARGERS! :)

Lighting for Guest Bathroom and Update

Last night we made a trip to the outlets and I picked out the light above for our guest bathroom. That's right...you heard me....guest bath!!! Woo-hoo! Two toliets is going to be GREAT! The light we are using is the one on the left. There will be two on either side of the mirror. Restoration Hardware was running a huge sale...70% off list price plus and additional 20%. While checking out I asked if there could possibly be more of a discount because one had a small scratch. Ryan was laughing so hard on the inside he had to leave. : )
I didn't think anything of it, you never know they could always say Yes...

This week the foundation guys are there leveling the house and getting ready to pour piers for the addition. It is a super exciting week for us! Will post foundation pics later...

This week I also picked up our low-flow, energy efficient toliets. I was able to get ADA toliets that are two inches higher than regular toliets. For all the tall people in the family, your welcome. I wish I would have had a picture of me sitting on the regular toliet and the tall toliet at the plumbing supply. I am sure the guys working there were cracking up but I doubt if I was the first.