You know how much I love replacing light fixtures in my house. Actually, I don't mind replacing light fixtures. I dislike replacing electrical boxes. Though it's not so much replacing as it is adding, since I'm not sure the pre-existing cast iron thing can really be considered a box...

The former light fixture

Wiring protruding from the previous 'box'

This time didn't seem quite as bad, perhaps because I knew what I was in for. A constant shower of vermiculite insulation as I saw through the piece of steel that's holding this thing in place. Further chiseling and sawing to get the new box to fit in the hole. Miscellaneous wires in the box that simply connect together for reasons unknown. Two neutral wires and one hot. etc. etc.

In the end it was worth it though. We got the new fixture up and it looks amazing. We still want to buy a couple more lights for it but already really transforms the space.

The new lighting

More photos

I just made a post over on men that cook about making Scotch Eggs. If you're unaware, a Scotch Egg is a hard boiled egg that's wrapped in sausage, coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried. They're a pain to make but they taste awesome. Go take a look.

If you're unaware of the Men That Cook site it's because it's a fairly new blog run by Brian where we can share recipes and instructions for things worth cooking, with a slightly manly angle, of course.

In addition to the wine I also tiled the kitchen this weekend. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, though it did take nearly all weekend to complete. Also, Anne painted the trim in our bedroom white (formerly pink) it's like a whole new room!

Things left to do to the kitchen:

• tile edges of the tiled area (after painting)
• grout tile
• paint walls
• paint trim
• install new light fixture
• add second light switch
• kick board with vent
• connect water to fridge for ice maker

Soon.

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of Anne and I getting our house. Since then we've been very very busy and we're nowhere close to done. But all in all it's been a good experience and I'm happy with our choice.

Here's the current to-do list:

• put up cement board and tile kitchen backsplash
• replace kitchen light fixture
• finish installing foot board on kitchen cabinets
• replace switches and add light switch in kitchen
• get or make LED under-cabinet lighting
• paint kitchen
• paint woodwork in our bedroom
• replace light in entryway
• install ceiling fan in living room (pray there is electrical in the ceiling cap)
• get or build new vanity for bathroom
• install new sink in bathroom
• install new in-wall faucet in bathroom
• replace light fixture in bathroom
• finish making light fixture for dining room and install it
• paint back and bedroom hallways
• replace lights in back and bedroom hallways

Whew! That's a lot of crap! Though that should pretty much take care of the first floor renovations and we can take a nap afterwards and start saving up lots and lots for creating the second floor space.

Just an update: I got our faucet and drain hooked up about a week ago. Also over Memorial Day weekend Anne's parents came to visit and my father in law helped me install the microwave over the stove as well as put up the crown molding on top of the cabinets.

Microwave and Faucet

Here's what's left for the kitchen at this point:

• Replace hinges on the island flip out bar
• Install finished kick board below cabinets
• Get water service to fridge for ice maker and water thinger
• Connect dishwasher air-gap
• Tile the wall behind the counters, (we have found the tile we want)
• Paint the walls and trim
• Replace kitchen light switches and add switch on the other side of the room
• Find and install new lighting fixture

And here is a refresher of what we've already done:

• Peel/scrape up old vinyl tile
• Have floor refinished
• Get new appliances (Range, Fridge, Microwave (thank you craig's list))
• Install 220V outlet for electric range
• Remove gas line for former range
• Install Dishwasher
• Remove old cabinets, counters, and sink
• Install new cabinets
• Have new counters and sink installed
• Install new sink faucet and drain
• Install new microwave (plus outlet for it)
• Install crown molding on top of cabinets

Let me know if I forgot anything