Kitchen Demodel—June-September 2022

The large kitchen island served us well for many years since 2005. However, we are no longer a family of eight living here.

Matt and I have mentioned how the island now seems to take up too much space is not very versatile for our needs. We've thrown out different options for the kitchen but in Matt's mind they were hypothetical I think. I, however, hatched a plan. It all came to be when I came across an vintage French workbench at a local shop, Beljar Home. I simply couldn't get it out of my mind. I mentioned it to Matt but again, I think he thought I was just throwing out ideas. Instead, I took Graham with me to the shop to help me load it into the van:) The workbench was soon safely tucked away on the back deck and the boys were given the assignment to rip out the existing island, which they did the following Saturday. 

Though he had a sinking feeling in his gut, Matt obliged, bless his heart. We thought we would be able to sell the cabinets but they did not make it through the demolition. Instead they ended up at the dump but the counter sits in the garage awaiting its new home at the other Bocanegras!

We couldn't remember if the island had been tiled underneath or not. It had not:/

Graham helped reconfigure the pull-out trashcan to another cupboard. A hidden trashcan is a must for me.

He also put together the new barstools I ordered and attached a towel rack to the end of the new island. When I was telling someone about all he does they said, "I need a Graham." 

Since the other stools would no longer work:/ I sold them to some happy saps on KSL.

Matt was also helpful in recruiting his counselor to reconfigure the electricity we had previously running to the island. We placed the new island over the hole in the floor till we could sort it out. Already I loved having more room and brightness. The character that the soul of the new island brings to the room is palpable.

Callie even hosted a class activity where she taught how to make English scones.

In the basement, we have 11 tiles left over. The tile guys used ten! They had to remove all of the ones that were already cut into as well. 

It was a measly four-hour project for them.

This project quickly became an "if you give a mouse a muffin" situation, which I knew it would. The light now hung too low and we decided we wanted a flush mount light so that we have the option of switching up how the island faces. I found a pair of these great chandelier lights on KSL and Matt hired one of his Priests to help hang it. I don't know that they would have been my first choice but the price was right and it made me love them, besides the pair of them make it seem like all just goes! We never even turn on the overhead in the living room but we don't have to, the light reflects off the crystals during the day and it looks so pretty.

 

Though we got rid of cupboards with the old island, due to this baby that I found on KSL, I think I gained space. The family asked that I leave the top off so that we can still have the mirror in the kitchen. Fine fine, I suppose other people can have a say as well;)

 

I was trying to decide which delightful area rug I could add to the kitchen, but also trying to save my pennies since all of them had gone into the new island, when I remembered that I have a delightful rug rolled up in my storage. 

I was disappointed that the white chalky finish seemed to wash away when I wiped the wood, and it showed grease stains easily. I found a white pickling stain at Ace that I went over the top of it with, and I like it better now anyway. I also sanded the top of the buffet and white-washed it. I found this marble slab at Crate and Barrel to be just the right touch of beauty and functionality.

I remember once my mom created her own coffee table out of chimney flues and a discarded wooden crate. It was unique to our home. She soon had it filled with potted plants. As she stared at it in the living room, she kept saying, "It has so much character." And it did! But I even now better understand the heart and soul we mommas put into our homes.

Completely thrilled.

Matt sees my vision now. I don't know how to explain it other than the kitchen was just feeling too "kitchen-y" to me. I wanted it to feel like another versatile room in the house with furniture pieces, while still being functional as a kitchen workspace. Mission accomplished!

A bonus that I didn't know would bring me so much joy is the way the light now comes in across the floor at certain points during the day,

yet it can still be glow-y at night.

Another unexpected bonus is that the island's top makes for a picturesque backdrop for taking photos. 

Yes, Callie and I made this peach pie from scratch:)

The first test to see if it is functional as a dining space came when the girls and I hosted the Sisters for dinner. (The cream of asparagus soup was, meh.)

I don't know how to adequately express how I feel about the change other than to say that when I go into the kitchen now, my heart is so happy.

Bon appétit!

Viva Las Vegas! September 30th- October 3rd, 2022

Matt was disappointed to see the dates of the National Convenience Store Trade Show (NACS) because he would be in Vegas the weekend after Ava came home, which also meant that he would miss most of Mallerie's visit. I got to thinking, and suggested, "What if we come to Vegas with you?" We called Mal and she agreed that would be fun. She had to change her return flight to leave from Vegas instead of SLC. Then I decided that we have to see a show and guess who was playing that weekend, DONNY! I booked show tickets for the just girls because Allegiant only flies on Friday and Matt was flying Delta on Sat. However, when Graham learned he would be flying on a budget airline, he asked to fly with Matt instead. This would work better since he wasn't going to go to Donny. So we got a refund on his plane ticket and Matt used a buddy pass to book Graham a ticket on Delta. Now we had to secure a hotel room for the first night because we wouldn't have Matt's work hotel at Caesar's Palace yet. Then Matt decided to book the second hotel, the Marriott, for the remainder of the stay because we wouldn't all fit at Caesar's Palace anyway. I include all these silly details because it took the entire day to finalize this trip. As went to bed that night at 10 pm, I said to Matt, "Do you realize that it was 10 am when I came into your office with the suggestion, "How about we all come to Vegas?" I messaged Ava to not make any plans for the weekend after she comes home because we were taking her to a concert. That is all I told her. Ava was so excited and asked to know, who? Callie said, "Don't tell her." Ha-ha. The kids aren't big Donny fans necessarily, but that wasn't the point. The weekend getaway was the point! Besides, Mallerie has never been to a concert at all. I have always said that I wanted to take her to her first concert. And Matt said that it meant a lot to him that we would want to come to spend time with him.

The rebuilt Provo Airport is brand new and just as cute as can be. I could hear the girls trying to decide what to wear to the concert. Looks like they decided on Sunday Best. 

We have been to Vegas various times throughout the years, mostly staying in Henderson or Green Valley Ranch with limited visits to the Strip. Not really a family destination, ya know... So it was fun to show the girls the grandeur. 

We took an Uber from the airport to the hotel. After checking in, we decided to go on foot to the Strip. It didn't look very far, however, it was in the 90s. We got only one block before I summoned an Uber. I am still new to the app and every city does it a bit differently. Instead of coming directly to where we were, there are certain pick-up spots. We missed that ride, but a new car came shortly. We'll figure this out! Mal reminded me that when the driver asked us if we like to party I answered, "We are our own party." It is true!

First stop, The Venetian!

It was a good one to start with. The grandeur really does take your breath away and calls for nothing less than Sunday's best. We watched the gondolas glide past, watched street performers, and marveled at the glossy shops $$$$$.

I was happy to know of a great restaurant at the hotel, The Grand Lux Cafe, from past girls' trips. As we walked in, Callie marveled, "Ooh we are eating here?" We shared two entrées of surf and turf and an appetizer of the most delectable sliders we've ever had.

Ava admits that a lot of the trip was a blur to her. Adjusting to post-mission life while in Las Vegas is not ideal. However, the rest of us assured her, "We all had a great time!"

The stores weren't the type to browse through. However, Callie saw a pretty one in Caesar's Palace and asked to go in. It was gorgeous but just a regular-priced place. We learned that Utah will soon be opening a couple of Altar'd States as well. We found jewelry heaven. Callie and Ava left with a ring for every finger and Mal and I found matching chokers. I had also lost one of my beloved earrings on the plane so I found a pair to wear to the concert.

Later that night, Mallerie was on a quest to find the perfect buttercream slice of cake. We went into one shop that was too cute not to. I asked how much a cake pop costs and was told $6! Mallerie said—a little too loudly for our comfort—"We'll go to a different shop then!" Ava couldn't stop teasing her about that. We found the perfect buttercream atop a rainbow cake at Carlo's Bakery.

 

Donny's show is at Harrah's. We had a bit of trouble wandering around trying to find the theatre. We saw a family begin to follow us. On the escalator, we learned that the husband was escorting his wife and daughters to the show as well. He said that when he saw us, he told them, "Follow the Sisters." Gah! His daughter had also recently returned home from a mission.

Outside the theatre are Donny's famous costumes, like the Technicolor Dreamcoat. I got a photo in front of his Dancing With the Stars trophy, and the girls got a photo in front of the peacock costume from the first season of The Masked Singer, which was Donny!

 

This lady with the white hair in the front center of the below picture was clearly a huge fan but had the worst seat! We were in a cozy booth that faced forward, while she was scrunched behind her guy and couldn't even see. I was so happy when she got to move to the next table partway through the show. She was waving her arms around and was so excited. She was fun to watch. The employee who manned the door told us afterward that we were fun to watch. Donny puts on a good show! 

We sipped on our Shirley Temples and boogied.

Donny had one gal stand up in the audience who had flown in from Liverpool to see the show and then was headed right back!

Mallerie marveled that Donny sings and dances and even tap dances. He just released his 65th album, which astonished us all. The kids chuckled at how he mentioned all the people he has performed with and his various accolades, but that is what an Osmond show is. He sounded great. The show is. great.

Mallerie would later gift me his new album for Christmas, "I'll never forget my first concert with you, Mom!"

After the show, we saw the volcano and fountains erupt on our walk back. It was fun seeing Vegas through their eyes for the first time—though they could also see why we had never ventured up and down the strip as a young family;) 

The fastidious day we had spent planning our Vegas adventures hit the fan the next morning when Matt and Graham arrived at the SL Airport to discover that their flight had been canceled! Oh, man. Here Graham had been razzing us about flying budget, "And here I'll be hanging out in the Delta Lounge..." Now? Nope! Matt had to book his ticket on a different airline, but it was too expensive to buy a ticket for Graham on the spot, so they were looking into driving, but then Matt would miss his evening meeting. I stated the obvious, "Graham could just stay home." It wasn't ideal, but even Matt agreed that it was the only feasible option. And Graham was actually fine with it since he was a little stressed about missing school (Note: however, left to his own devices, he spent all the food money on junk food and had such an upset stomach he missed school anyway:/)

The next morning, I worked on some schoolwork and finished my book club book while the gals hit the pool. I thought I was looking at Mallerie in the pool, but it was little C!

Donny and Marie! Brad! Johnny! The Rock! And more!

We headed back to the strip for more fun and games at the Venetian again. Madame Tussaud's is there, and I decided we may as well check. it. out. I am so glad we did! We were there for a couple of hours at least. Callie made a wax ring holder with her own hands for all her new rings. We just had the best time seeing all our favorite celebs up close and personal. There was one of Shakira, who I later realized was Beyoncé. But we got most of the others right;)

 

 

 

 

We had to laugh when they carefully unwrapped Callie's wax hand at airport security and rubbed a suspicious liquid on it.

Finally our luggage, I mean Matt, arrived! We met up at Caesar's Palace and then went out for dinner. He had first stopped at the Marriott to gather my things. He said he felt like a creeper lurking around and taking things.

I had to insist that we see the gardens at Bellagio, which never disappoints. 

 

The smell in there was incredible. It could have been from the flowers or it could have been from a smelling machine. It is true, I just read in my Psychology textbook that Las Vegas Casinos pay up to $35,000 a month for smelling machines. 

We tried olive oil cake from Pronto by Giada but it wasn't as good as mine. Loved the tart though.

All in all, we had some goooooood food in Vegas.

The next day was a pool day in Vegas. One thing is certain, if you are going to spend the day at the pool in Vegas, you will have things in your brain that you can't unsee:/

Caesar's has a great pool. Seven total. Matt met up with us after his meetings.

The destination for dinner was unanimous that night, Giordano's. We have only eaten at the one in Chicago so we crossed our fingers that it was just as good. It was.

I realized at the end of dinner that I only had one earring in again! The girls said, "No way!" and helped me look, even on the floor. We were pleasantly surprised at how clean it was under the table, which is a sign of a good restaurant. I said there was the possibility that I had only put in one earring and then got distracted. While the girls went to look up in the room, Matt and I browsed the Shops at the Forum. We met up at H&M and I was so happy they had my earring that I did a happy dance. Callie bought a pair of shoes. Matt's feet were done walking since he had already put in so many steps at the trade show but the night was young to the rest of us. He went up to the room and we went out for more adventures. One thing I learned about Vegas is that if you really want to score some deals, you need to plan in advance, which I had not done. I couldn't stomach paying $40 for a Ferris wheel ride when I could have paid $8 in advance. Instead, we took the metro to New York New York. (By the time we found the metro entrance we literally would have already been at the other end of the Strip:/)

We were so thirsty by the time we got there! There aren't any drinking fountains and a small water bottle is $5. Never fear, this is not my first rodeo and I knew exactly where to get a drink. On the second floor of New York, New York is the only place that offers refillable fountain drinks that I know of at Nathan's. I got a large and we had our fill of SoBe. One cup for $5, all you can drink!

We were sloshing our way out of there.

 

The last morning, I had an Uber pick me up at Caesar's Palace, and then we went to the Marriott to pick up the girls before heading to the airport. For this reason, I hopped in the front seat without even thinking. The guy was frantically trying to move his junk. He was probably like, "Who is this chatty white woman getting in the front seat?!" Hopefully, it all made sense to him when I told him we were going to pick up my daughters. I didn't realize my faux pas till later, and we all got a kick out of it. 

Best girl's trip e-vah! (We missed Kat). Vegas was good to us. We had some time together at the airport the next day before we tearfully went our separate ways. 

Sprinkles cupcake machine was there, though, to ease our sorrows.