It’s been a busy week for us. The extensive home renovation we’ve undertaken is about 80% done, but behind schedule. Still, I’m feeling good that we have more of it behind us than in front of us. ![Kitchen2.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ericvancewalton/23xVXuEH4J1vGK1Ebwn8y8x1GdXWsuPNSxkFmv9d3hSnQJCWCb6KNdsyfWN25Hksiz8DC.jpg) This entire renovation process has proven to be far more daunting than I would have ever imagined. The kitchen tile was installed a few weeks ago and the first phase of the Cambria countertops were installed late last week. The contractor failed to mention the old countertops needed to be removed prior to the Cambria install so we were rushing around at the last minute trying to pry them off of the old kitchen cabinets. ![Kitchen True2.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ericvancewalton/23xek3PG7ujqFGt1EgTWB5wozxq5ko9B3szsx4yiaaBaWTuk3bwuK4etcrzdkgLJzk6V1.jpg) This countertop issue is a prime example of the cause of 99% of the delays and frustrations of this renovation—it boils down to poor communication. ![Kitchen3.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ericvancewalton/23w31oanSN1zamCFAjX6nvBvyKF9a5hujWZ4SdRL9yFtt22pbg5tMQ1ZetFf5VvYYQrEs.jpg) As customers we’ve learned to ask lots of questions of the contractors and try to anticipate problems to proactively avoid them before they occur. Honestly, this aspect has been almost like a fulltime job for us to keep the contractors on track but thank God for Grok and ChatGPT. Sometimes individual contractors’ advice and opinions on certain things have been flat out incorrect and AI has saved our skins on countless occasions. Next week the cabinet refacing will be done and the final phase (island counter and backsplash) of the Cambria installation should happen the first or second week of January. I think we’ll be happy with the end result but—was it worth it? The jury is still out on this. ## Let It Snow ## It happens every year. It’s as though a switch is flipped and I go from "I hate this blasted cold" and "I miss Summer" to "Hmm, this scenery is beautiful and the cold isn’t so bad." For me, coming to terms with the harshness of the Minnesota winter is like going through all the stages of grief and I'm apparently finding myself at the *acceptance stage* now. ![Snow1.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ericvancewalton/EoEoAxW175HPiidRshMCK3ZKbkTfPsNvr9muS6LzTrnVT4scN7DDE9ASNQc23pM8hJp.jpg) After lots of walks in the subzero weather my body is beginning to adjust. Yesterday’s “heat wave”, which was 20 degrees, actually felt warm to me in comparison to the double digits below zero we’d had the many days before. ![SnowyField.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ericvancewalton/23tbpysmfeWSZsWsZaaaQJ4N4HBn3LYmyT7VprChRGki8N3GJ8o61EoBP9ZcRdJiUpKWv.jpg) I’ve been hiking the wooded trail through the wetlands at least once a day, stopping to feed the squirrels along the way. ![Snow2.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ericvancewalton/EppN8FdqskidaPwrQj2WTYhRq7DK8tG8D3e7A9R36ZyLZEoQgSMG3JabuYeyhL4krj2.jpg) The squirrels have become accustomed to my whistle and pop out of their dreys and tree-holes when they hear me. I don’t know how wild animals can survive this harsh weather without better shelter. They certainly are more resilient than we are. ![Squirrel.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ericvancewalton/23x1B2gTvj45PPLKoyKfZF8UTCv9c59DaVqNd21Nf8qmW25dpLsU7kvgDfaquaUfqb1q2.jpg) So, for now at least, let it snow. I'm almost certain I'll have a different opinion after the Holidays are over. ## Other Things ## ![StillGame.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ericvancewalton/23u62xKNNnVHxNRRqap6tm8Fsy3ce2PX4HreQr1mNNejXxWyVGYu3Fdw3Sat7vz2nB4An.jpg) Much to my dismay, Netflix has cancelled my very favorite comedy for their US market, effective December 29th. I simply couldn't imagine life without access to this series (it brings me that much joy) so when I heard the news I immediately bought an all-region DVD player and the entire Still Game boxset from the UK. Take that Netflix! ![Kayo.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ericvancewalton/23tmScCbVK5KTBSG8tEtzsySbDmNq5FsYQ3EecCMGcN1wQo8Zymj7QyCKHzERkmGCENNL.jpg) As you can see from the board above my nephew is crushing it on his 10,000 pull-up challenge for the month of December! By the time most of you read this he'll have met his goal. https://youtube.com/shorts/FVXkjOUphZM?si=cISbwV3a6_ys38mb This is all part of his training for his ultra-marathon in 2026. If you're interested in these kinds of fitness challenges I'd appreciate it if you follow his channel as he prepares for his 100 mile run. I have zero doubt he'll accomplish it. ![Wine.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ericvancewalton/242Nm6UE9XwyJymonbAqmKVm9WQn22p3irxfZqTxm8NfaMqufx5JoYjQaobcN6yWku9WK.jpg) It's not often that I give wine recommendations and I'll preface this by telling you I'm no expert (prior to meeting my wife I drank Francia boxed wine) but I know what I like. This Rioja from Bodegas Olarra is absolutely phenomenal and ticks all the boxes for me. I happened to run across it at Costco for $8.99 a bottle but this wine would be an absolute steal at double the price. If you enjoy a glass of red wine I'd highly recommend you try to find it. All for now. Thanks so much for reading. --- [www.ericvancewalton.net](http://www.ericvancewalton.net) ![](https://i.imgur.com/aieouS5.png)

Prize taking