Swimming and grilling between rain drops.

After running to the store to pick up food for the grill, we all head to my mom’s new house for a day by the pool. The remodel is not yet complete, but the pool and barbecue are both fully functional. The house is really looking great and I can tell that my mom is very eager to wrap up the construction process and move in. The decision to knock out the 16 foot long bearing wall and install a steel beam definitely paid off and the resulting open plan will serve my mom and stepdad well given how they like to live and host.

[kitchen remodel progress]

[before]

In standard Upstate NY fashion, the sun eventually ducks behind grey rain clouds and afternoon showers ensue. Oneonta, NY averages about 40 inches of rain and another 78 inches of snow each year. This is dramatically different than the 15 inches of rain we receive in LA each year. The precipitation does wonders for the landscape, but makes plans for being outdoors hit-or-miss. We all have a great time splashing around in the new inground pool and enjoy lunch together.

We head back to my mom’s current house, where she has a functional kitchen, for an evening seafood boil. The meal has become a summer tradition and is always extremely satisfying.