The  radio scilence over here is attributed to figuring out this working mom thing. Hope you'll hang in there with  me!  Suffice to say, it's a work in progress... much like our sunroom.  Our sunroom sat neglected for a few years.  But this spring, we decided it was time to spruce it up a bit and create a space that would allow us to enjoy the extra square footage in our home.

My idea was to extend the feel of the adjacent interior rooms to this outdoor space while keeping in mind the functionality of dining for us and play for James Robert.  While it's not quite "done" {I use that term loosely now... because, when is it ever, really?!}, we are thrilled with the additional living area we've created.

Let's start from the beginning.  Here is square one.  Wood paneled walls on three sides and red cedar siding on a third.

Here's what we ended up with.

Progress has been made in our extra bedroom and although it's not "finished", it's a lot closer to feeling like a haven for our guests.

Bonding time with Major

Beautiful fall color in my own backyard

Unexpected visitors

And new hardware in our bathroom {not quite ready for it's before and after}

Hope your Wednesday is filled with joyful "little things" too!

Pigtown Design's gracious blog recently posed a question that got me thinking about the furniture in my home and the furniture to be purchased for my home. What story do the items tell?

This week perhaps the most storied and special piece of furniture was delivered; so special in fact, that I felt it's presence made our house feel like home.

From Chicago to Charlotte, my Grandmother's piano made the trip it has been saved for. And while it was lifted across the threshold, I'm sure the moving men were confused with the tears in my eyes.

You see, this is much more than a piece of furniture to me, it is time capsule of when I sat next to my Grandmother as a child, her warm fingers gently guiding me to push it's keys. With her joy of music, she introduced me to a passion for classical music that is a tradition in my family.

I played the piano for 13 years and since I left my parent's home for college, over 8 years ago, I haven't had the ability to pluck the keys on a regular basis. Albeit out-of-tune, I felt a surge of sentiment upon sitting at the piano again- in my own home!

I'm reminded of the many recitals I "performed" for her growing up and the songs we played at Christmas. I hear my Grandmother in the notes of this piano as if it is resonating grace.

{here she is at her 90th Birthday Party this year!}

Since my new years resolution was to slowdown and enjoy the little things; I'll share with you something new in our home that makes me do just that.

The graphic print table runner that now adorns our hutch was a gift from my sister-in-law for Christmas. Kristen has been globe trotting to and from Africa for close to a year working for an organization called New Perimeter. Most recently, on her trip to Namibia, she brought us back this beautiful handmade runner and it makes me pause every time I see it.

Listening to the stories of the women that Kristen has been exposed to through her job, I'm reminded to be grateful for all that I have. I'm also thankful for having such admirable family members- check out New Perimeters website to learn about their inspiring projects. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!