The finished product.....finally!

I've been conceptualizing this pool house for so long I almost can't believe it's finally finished and real!  Since we moved into the house eight years ago, it's always been our intention to build some sort of structure at the pool.....to in some way make it more a part of our home.

Never in all of those conversations over all of those bottles of wine did we ever dream it would end up this perfect.  It's everything we wanted.....and more!  We've actually been enjoying it for a couple of weeks, but just this past week did all of the little details come together.

And since my mother has been asking for pictures.........

Before.....

After.....

Before......

This is one of the changes that I'm most happy with.  This is the pergola coming out my back door.  It was covered in a heavy wisteria vine that constantly dropped leaves and just made the area a mess and eventually would have ruined the structure of the pergola.

After.....

I love it.  It's now a much cleaner, brighter area and lets a ton more light into my back room.  Plus I think it's a beautiful transition to the pool house.

Before......

After.......

Before.....

After.....

Disregard those two.....they're always trying to get into a picture somehow!!

Another one of my favorite features.....my herb garden.  Rosemary, basil, thyme, cilantro, parsley, mint, etc. five steps from the kitchen!!

The rest of the house was built just so I could have this.  I had to convince the architect to put it in.  He knew nothing about them but it's now his favorite part!  And mine.

We've already made a ton of pizza's in it and I've been experimenting with other things.  I'm no expert yet, but I'm committed to becoming one!

This was the very first pie.

And it was amazing!

There it is.  As I said, we couldn't be happier with it.  And I can't wait to share all of my wood-fired cooking successes....and disasters with you!  So.....what do you think?