This is the view from my kitchen sink, looking over our island banquette to a pasture of horses and ponies. Please join me for a coffee at my new kitchen table, which was custom made of salvaged lumber from the old Pabst Brewery in Milwaukee (no kidding!). The ceiling beams, too. I love this kitchen and this view. I am a designer and this is one of my final projects before we retire.
But wait. What is that field of mud between my fence and the pasture? What are those stakes in the ground?
Yes, I live in a new neighbourhood – the homebuilder’s curse. By summer there will be houses blocking our view, so I am enjoying the vista while I can.
Occasionally my husband and I speculate on what type of homes are most likely to go up before us – front loading garage, two story, hopefully not too tall so we can still see the mountains from our second floor. Then we stop ourselves, it’s beyond our control. This is our home, our neighbourhood. We will embrace what comes and make our own corner the very best it can be.
We have a plan for this. The wooden fence you see pictured is part of a courtyard that will have a carefully planted canopy of trees arranged on both sides, to offer privacy and to become our own view. While I will soon lose sight of distant horses, I’ll gain an arrangement of branches, leaves and blossoms closer by.
The Serenity Prayer applies to landscaping as much as recovery: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change those I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
So, too, does the old adage to “stay on your own side of the street”.
Hi Jean/UnP I am so happy to be reporting in that I have still not touched a drop of alcohol in over four years. I first wrote on this blog in April 2013. I don’t ever even think about drinking. I hope that those people who haven’t been as steadfast remaining sober have a good try to get sober again. It means that every day I am on my A game no matter what happens. I love being a good granny and a caring person. I try to encourage my friends but to no avail. They are all slowly pickling themselves. I have noticed that they are not on their A game, missing alot of social cues and not knowing when to stop pouring the wine. The problem with being a non drinker is that most drinkers are not comfortable around you. They are like smokers, they want to stick with other drinkers so they can egg each other on. I end up looking after the children or finding the most sober person to sit and chat with.
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Great video
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That kitchen looks so lovely but I love that view out the window! Stunning 🙂
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Hey Jean! Beautiful pic here…..I’m joining you for coffee in your kitchen right now in your beautiful new home. Here’s hoping you are continuing to take care of yourself now during this time.
And here’s a great link to a video someone sent me this morning. Made me think of us all sticking together out here but it also made me think of you and your blog. Thanks for all you do.
Enjoy.
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Beautiful view!
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I am soooo happy for you your blog is wonderful and uplifting thank you for sharing.
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Love the view but love the table more!
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Congratulations on your beautiful kitchen. Look at it his way-maybe the new neighbors will become lifelong friends. Best of luck!
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It’s a beautiful view, both inside and out. And I especially appreciate the beautiful kitchen table of reclaimed wood from the pabst brewery-a powerful statement of transformation and a re-birth of sorts? Serenity prayer very powerful to help support acceptance of future changes in the neighborhood. Enjoy your coffee, and much more. Day3
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Beautiful view and also an amazing story behind the table. Very special!
I hear you re neighbours. Can’t do much about them but we can change our response and attitude to how we address that kinda thing.
Enjoy the coffee.
Love and sober hugs from New Zealand 🌴💙🦋🌏
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Yes! Enjoying now and letting life unfold. Thats the secret to being happy. I love the current view from your kitchen table! And you’re so right — the next view (& the next) can be just as beautiful if you decide it will be!
Have you read A Pattern Language (https://www.amazon.com/Pattern-Language-Buildings-Construction-Environmental/dp/0195019199)? It’s on my list!
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Love this Jean! So true. Now I can imagine having coffee with you in your kitchen!
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What a beautiful view ! I like your idea of a sheltered courtyard,perhaps like the ones in Italy or Mexico that have lots of plants and statuary. A fountain would be nice, but a challenge on the Prairies. Glad to see you back 😊.
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