Catch up on my doings, lately

Though it really didn't do the orange justice, this is some of the smoke we've been living with/moving in. I gotta tell you, breathing in this is kind of a miserable experience. MM and I had to be careful, and plan our time outside wisely. We seem to be getting control of some of our fires near here, and though they predicted more thunder and lightning this weekend (and probably more fires) Knock on wood, we've had none, yet. We don't want any. Rain, though? Yes, please. Most of California has decided that fireworks ARE NOT a good thing this Fourth of July. So we won't be having any. I actually don't mind.
*edit to add* oops. Off on the picture marking. But I am sure all you smart people can figure out what is what in here. Oh well

So. See this stuff here? (or rather, down there?)

That's right. It is a paint additive. And yes, it says "Fresh Air" on it. There was also Vanilla, Island Breeze, and a few others I can't remember. When MM and I were out in the sooty air, getting paint, I stumbled across this. It says, right on the package, that the scent can last "up to 12 months".
The hell you say. That's what I said. I wanted to test it out. MM looked at me like I was crazy. But we bought some Fresh Air. And they mixed it into our paint for me. I eagerly awaited the day of paint. We teased and talked about the fresh air paint. Finally, yesterday evening, after we'd spent a good portion of our day taping off everything in a lovely shade of blue, MM and I cracked open the "allure blue".
I have to tell you, I am shocked and amazed. Does it smell like fresh air? I maintain it does. MM however, insists that it smells like Vaseline Intensive Care Skin Lotion. What it does not smell like, is paint.
Even now, a good 12 hours after we applied the paint, I smell the fresh air. And not paint. So, if any of you are going to paint, I do actually recommend this crazy stuff. As far as how long the fresh scent will last? Will it be up to 12 months? We shall see...

and last. But not least. Here is my finished kitchen. Please don't judge me by the curtains. Those are coming down, and getting changed out, as soon as I possibly can do it. Also, I will be painting a few of the tiles that you can't see in this picture. They have ugly, beige flowers on them. Still trying to decide what color to paint them. I am leaning towards cobalt blue.