I am a patient woman.

And it really does take a great dose of this virtue when living in an old farm house.

My sister and I both grew up in one. We both live in one now.

We’ve been in ours for almost 14 years. And when my husband and I walked through the newly purchased house in our young, married, no-kids-yet phase, we dreamed of how it would look when it was complete.

New exterior, some much needed landscaping, paint that paneling, pull up those stained shag carpets, we can do this!

And the kitchen was at the top of that list....fourteen years ago.

Little by little, we saved, as with all our projects. When a bit of money or tax return came our way, I tucked it away and secretly whispered “kitchen!” But then other things came along. Other expenses.

The luxury of being able to have a healthy flush from our toilets came from a new septic field.

Feeling the winter wind through our rotten sills and old windows resulted in new windows.

The kitchen, where I spend the most of my time, was always put on hold.

So, when my husband told me this winter he was ready to do the kitchen, I didn’t really think much. We’d been in this position before. But later when he said: Get going! Figure out what you want to do! I’m ready! I knew it was really going to happen this time.

So I immediately started a pinterest page (that’s normal, isn’t it?) and pinned pictures left and right of things I loved. It helped me get a feel for what really was going to work. That color might get old after a while. That gorgeous farm house sink? Out of budget.

Slowly I pieced together, in my mind, what it would look like. Nothing fancy. Practical. Affordable. Fitting with our old farmhouse.

And so it begins.

The perfect week to begin happened to be the time I was to be away at Outdoor School with my daughter’s class. My husband, along with his trusty four year old helper (who lives in destructo mode 24/7) removed the old cupboards. I can’t really say I will miss their peeling paint, swollen particle board selves.

I won’t miss that drawer that closes, then very slowly, ever so quietly rolls back out when my back is turned so that a quick spin around to stir something on the stove and I get wacked in the hip.

Those faux butcher block countertops, that I have almost intentionally tried to damage with hot pots just to accelerate the process, gone. It will be nice to have something new, with the old. And while new is not something I am used to around here, I think I will adjust. I know it will be a long process, as most of our re-do’s are.

And I look forward to sharing with you our progress on this “little” project.