Craigslist Find: Kitchen Table Makeover

When Alex insisted on buying this table and bench set on Craigslist to put in our kitchen, I was not enthused. It looked like something from Hansel and Gretel or a little girls' doll house, not the Provencial look I was trying to create in my ranch-style country kitchen. (I always love to hear the story behind a Craigslist find: This set came from a couple who received it as a wedding gift from the bride's grandmother ten years ago; they are finally switching it out as part of a kitchen renovation.)

While I was reluctant at first, today's project changed my mind about it.

Alex started out with a coat of primerless, high-gloss paint in Swiss Coffee.

Then I added the detail work.

***Update: It probably would have been helpful if we had read this first.***

Ava Walks!

I know, the title of this post is a little misleading. She's not really walking physically quite yet (although I have a feeling she's close). But Ava participated in her very first fundraiser Walk for the Cure today at the Oakland Zoo.

Here she is in her official t-shirt. (She spit up all over her track suit on the way there and I didn't have a spare outfit for her -- How many times does this have to happen before I learn that lesson? -- but luckily there were plenty of free t-shirts.)

I thought it was so awesome that the course took you on a tour right through the zoo. You wouldn't tell from her face in this picture, but she really was excited to see all the animals ("woo-woos" as she calls them, after Nonno's dog).

The Pumpkin Farm

We took Ava on a little excursion to a pumpkin patch in Half Moon Bay on Saturday. She was a little too young to appreciate all the activities they have there for kids, like the petting zoo and the train ride, but at least we took some good pictures of our little farm girl.

Ava with her buddy, Baby James.

 The winery next door, La Neppia, also had a nice velvety cab (2004) that I wouldn't mind coming back for.