Phase 4: Kitchen Renovation

When Sebastien and I moved to TN, we knew that we would sacrifice house for the lot, which we did, but it has been a great experience taking time to renovate this house that has "good bones".  Our house has special meaning, as it was built by a wonderful family whose husband and father taught as a French professor at Carson-Newman.  We still have a letter from the daughters about how special this house is to their family.  

As Sebastien and I moved in, we knew this house would be special for us too.  We have amazing sunsets over the lake as a backdrop each night.  It has been our intention to share this house with those we know and love.  Although serving others can happen in any house, it is especially nice to cook in a beautiful kitchen!  

Our fourth phase of renovations (see Phase 1/ Phase 1, Phase 2/ Phase 2, and Phase 3), has been the biggest undertaking yet because we were truly displaced for a while.  Not only was the renovation a gut of our kitchen, but we moved stairs from behind the kitchen to the middle of the house.  The floors were sanded and restained, and the ceilings were sanded down as well.  Yes, there was lots and lots of dust!  But it is well worth it!  

BEFORE:

 Note the kitchen cabinets that hung down over the stove.  It was impossible to talk to someone on the other side without ducking your head.

 The footprint of the kitchen was a "Z" shape.  The stairs were tucked behind the wall of cabinets and red chair that you see.

DURING:

 Dust, Dust, Dust

 

 We used IKEA cabinets again, which was a bit more challenging since the closest store is 4 hours away.  

TA-DA: Can you believe this is the same house???

 The pocket door opens to the butler's pantry between the kitchen and garage.

 

My pride and joy: The double oven!  This is the one thing in which I would not compromise.  Now, I must plan dinners where I use both ovens to prove to Sebastien that I needed it.

In the old kitchen, we had a lot of cabinets.  So, when we decided to do mainly bottom cabinets, we were a little concerned with storage.  With IKEA's organizers, it has worked out really well.

 

                                BEFORE

                                                                                    AFTER

We are so blessed to be in this incredible space, and it is our hope to use it well in loving and serving others. So, come on over for dinner!

Note: Our architect, who had wonderful ideas, is Lisa Denlinger in Philadelphia.  Our contractor, who we completely love and trust, is Mike Voccola, Jr.  If you are looking for someone in the Morristown area, he is amazing!

*More posts to come showing the stairs, living room, and hallway.

Geneva Trip

Sebastien and I ended our Spring Break trip in Geneva.  It seems like Geneva is a continuous postcard.  Everywhere you look, it is a perfect freeze frame.  We enjoyed taking relaxing strolls through the streets; it is a lovely city.

Geneva's population is about the same as Knoxville.  It is relatively small and compact, and it is EXPENSIVE!  You are paying for the beauty you see around you.

 Famous Jet d'Eau - This is one of the world's tallest fountains that juts out into Lake Geneva.

Look at that handsome guy!

Geneva is rich in Reformation history, which is one of the reasons we wanted to visit.  John Calvin lived in Geneva after having to flee from his home in Paris. We were able to visit the Reformation Museum and learn more about the history of the Reformed Church of which we belong.

   

 This is the building where John Calvin did much of his teaching during the week.

St. Peter's Cathedral where John Calvin preached 

 When visiting the cathedral, make sure to go up to the tower.  It is a hefty climb up the spiral staircases, but it is worth it.

 Reformation Wall - This statue was constructed on the walls of old Geneva from 1909-1917.  The statue represents Guillaume Farel, John Calvin, Theodore Beza, and John Knox.  

Inscribed on the Reformation Wall, behind the statues, is the motto from the Reformation, Post Tenebras Lux - After Darkness, Light.  It is Easter evening as I write this blog post.  What a marvelous way to end the  post and this day:

 After Darkness, Light.  

Praise God for this hope through Faith Alone, by Grace Alone.

Visiting the Gauchons in Lyon

After visiting the Cropseys in Albertville, we headed to Lyon, France, to visit with our friend, Thomas', parents.  Catherine and Pierre were such welcoming, gracious hosts.  They opened up their home to us, treated us to wonderful Lyonnaise food, and Catherine was our tour guide around the city for two days.

 Pierre & Catherine

Lyon is the second largest city in France.  It is located in the central, eastern part of France about an hour and a half from the Swiss border.  It is at the foothills of the Alps.  Although Lyon is not a city that we thought we would visit, we were pleasantly surprised with what all it has to offer.  There are two rivers flowing through Lyon, the Rhone and the Saone.  This makes for many picturesque bridges with a city landscape in the background.  

 View from the Fourviere Basilica

 Roman amphitheatre ruins

It is amazing to truly think of the history where we stood.  Thousands of years ago an empire had stretched to this area, and here before us is an example of their entertainment, which is still in use today.  What will our generation leave behind for others to enjoy?

 Vieux Lyon - This is the old section of Lyon with cobblestone, narrow streets.

 In Vieux Lyon, there are many traboules, which are alleyways connecting parallel streets.  During the day many are open to the public.  This is an architectural trait specific to Lyon.  We walked through ordinary doorways and dimly lit halls that led to unique courtyards like the one above.

 La Fontaine Bartholdi

On the second day in Lyon, we visited a new neighborhood, Confluence.  There are rows of modern, unique apartments and mall.  The architecture definitely catches your attention, and I would be interested to see what this area looks like in 5 years.

We took a boat ride from Confluence to the center of Lyon.  After having a nice lunch, outside in March which is bizarre for Europe, we strolled along the river to Parc de la Tete d'Or.  This is an expansive park with free botanical gardens and a small zoo-type area.

 Yes, this is a stereotypical photograph of French senior citizens playing boules in the park.  I love it!

                                          

Don't worry, I am not forgetting about the food!  One day we had a wonderful lunch at Leon de Lyon Brasserie.  It was wonderful!  If you are in Lyon, I recommend that you check it out.  Although I did not get a picture of it, you should also try a tarte a la praline from a local patisserie.  It is a simple tart made with pink pralines.  It tastes good and looks pretty too!  The picture on the right is of a traditional Lyonnaise dish called quenelle (The pronunciation sounds like the word for cinnamon in French, which had me confused for a bit, but I figured it out).  This dish is difficult to explain, but it is fish (finely chopped or even minced) mixed with an egg mixture.  This makes it cook similar to a souffle.  Then, it is covered in a tomato crawfish sauce.  The texture can take a moment to get used to, but the taste was good.

Sebastien and I are always surprised by how special each region is within France.  Each has its own personality, and we haven't found one we don't like yet!