Home and Life on Paris: Tradition and Change...all in the same sentence...2013 here we come!

Well, another wild Lauden Christmas happened...with lutefisk filling the air (yum!) and a night of family traditions -it was a fun night had by all (BTW my amazing mother handled 54 people in her house this year...she goes above and beyond and I know most know the work that goes into making this special night happen, so kudos mom! I will be including some pictures of the special lutefisk that I "slurped" down with pure utter love..melted butter followed of course. Like one of my cousins said..."now that would be a great Top Chef challenge...give them a lutefisk and see what they can do with it!".

Anyway, this post is full of thanks and gratitude: for lutefisk (of course), that tradition continues, that my brother continues on the road to recovery with full amazing health (love you bro) and his loving family stays strong, that my amazing mother and father stay healthy (and maybe next year if our house is finished I can lighten the load a bit, and have the second christmas at our new pad), that I love my hubby more than ever (even though we can fight like no other, but in the end know that our core values are stronger than ever and he's my BFF (yes, I used that in one sentence), that I love my kitties, that I'm filled with amazing gratitude for my residency last year (and hoping for one this year) and the capacity to make art. I believe 2013 will be an AMAZING and transformative year.

We are putting our house on the market in February and hope to sell in 4-5 months (or sooner). I'm without a studio, so all my creative energy is being put into makimg this a place that somebody will fall in love with, as we did 12 years ago when it was a complete mess. So, here's to our home that we love with all our heart and that it finds a family that will love it as much as we do.

So, here's to 2013 that will offer us a home that is a better "methaphorical" fit. A fit that will allow Paul to be in a studio that isn't a bunker, but with real natural light, an art studio for me that will be another natural extension to my life (not that it isn't now)..but some day I will come home drop my "baggage" from the day and walk into my studio on the same level (no deadly stairs to climb, and no more.." I'll work on the weekends") - but a part of may every day life. So,while scared, excited, and sad to leave -t's time. I remember my Graduate professor Gail Kendall saying to me..."the real test is to see if you are still making art after graduate school..well, I made the cut, still making art, but now I will have a space that make it happen more often.

Fear doesn't work anymore, and what I've learned more than ever is really life is too short. So wish us well and if you know anybody who is looking for a cute charmer of house that has been lovingly been taken care for let us know (more pictures to come).

Happy NEW year to you and yours.

Love Paul and Karla

Oak Floors throughout the first floor!

Studio is gone (let's have moment of silence) and in it's place a new modern bedroom.

Still in the works...but the second downstairs room will be an office with day bed..this is a chalk board painting..

Bedroom scene above and the AMAZING lutefisk below...having some tomorrow...thanks Mom.

Night time pic of our living room....all wood floors and lots of windows.

view of couch to eating area...yes, open concept, but it works!

Our kitchen...gutted by our own hands. Hardwood floors, Corian countertops, and comes with all of our appliances!

Original back wall to the 1877 house this was exposed in demolition. It's brick with layers of paint, but cool conversation piece! Kitchen was added in 1910.

We went crazy on counter tops...all Corian!

Another view of the kitchen...open..and airy.

View of our Danish modern set in our living area...again open and airy...all wood floors. Jill Birschbach where would I be without you? All ceramic art is by my amazing friend, Jill