I really wanted to try the oven out today, and couldn't decide what in the world to cook. Finally I thought of am old favorite from Mastering The Art of French Cook...Julia Child of course.
It is Carbonnades a la Flamande, the famous Belgian beef and onion and beer braise. If delectable smells coming from that over are any guide it will be delicious. I think I will even steam the potatoes in the microwave...why not? I feel like a novice cook again after not cooking for three months, and now with all this new stuff...but it sure feels good.
This photo also shows a bit more of the backsplash...which seems to be disappearing as the counter becomes more populated.
Still having problems photographing toward the windows, but will try as the night creeps in.
The bottom rack in the oven is fantastic...I opened it once to check on the Braise, and it just glides out holding that very heavy pot perfectly.
And now the chimes are at it, signaling that the dish is done and ready for it's vinegar.
I won't actually eat it until after the Vampire show...if I am hungry after that gory affair!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Fall out the Kitchen Window
WEll that title looks funny...so perhaps it should read...."Fall from the Kitchen Window"? Still sounds funny, but I was standing at the sink around 6 tonight and finally saw the random plum had turned, and my maples are beginning.
I also alerted a huge group of turkeys, which was good...they fled to the field instead of roosting in our little stand of oaks.
The kitchen looks fine, but there are little nic and knacks that are annoying, or rather I should say jarring, but since I am pretty adaptable these days, I am sure I will survive them. All in all, I am happy and relieved to have this last major install done. Now to get ready for the big electrical event. I am so happy that I am doing that. Tonight when I tried to toast some bread to go with my lovely salad, I had no power. Sure enough, a circuit had been thrown, and I had to go out and do it all over again. How that happened I don't know but they did have to do work around the outlets. A tiny bit scary.
I also alerted a huge group of turkeys, which was good...they fled to the field instead of roosting in our little stand of oaks.
The kitchen looks fine, but there are little nic and knacks that are annoying, or rather I should say jarring, but since I am pretty adaptable these days, I am sure I will survive them. All in all, I am happy and relieved to have this last major install done. Now to get ready for the big electrical event. I am so happy that I am doing that. Tonight when I tried to toast some bread to go with my lovely salad, I had no power. Sure enough, a circuit had been thrown, and I had to go out and do it all over again. How that happened I don't know but they did have to do work around the outlets. A tiny bit scary.
VentilaTION!!! 3 Months + a day!!!
What a very frustrating day. I clearly didn't understand just how long this back splash business would take and it is taking a very long time. It is also messy, messy, messy. I had been warned by the cabinet maker, but I hadn't realized what all this entailed.
They are having to cut each and every little notch, opening for the electric outlets and any other adjustments HERE! I thought that all those measuring trips were to do all that...I do feel sorry for these two guys, but sorrier for me.
I was shocked when I turned around from my deadheading and spotted the faucet pulled out of the sink...my heart dropped.
I think this was just one installation too many for me...and of course it isn't done yet...they have been here six hours and still have one window area to finish.
Phew...the cat has gotten in twice and the dogs have been in a wild uproar all day.
And the driveway looks like a fresh snowfall has just occurred.
I don't think that the Caesar stone will show up well in a photo...it is pretty subtle, but I will try after they leave...
They are having to cut each and every little notch, opening for the electric outlets and any other adjustments HERE! I thought that all those measuring trips were to do all that...I do feel sorry for these two guys, but sorrier for me.
I was shocked when I turned around from my deadheading and spotted the faucet pulled out of the sink...my heart dropped.
I think this was just one installation too many for me...and of course it isn't done yet...they have been here six hours and still have one window area to finish.
Phew...the cat has gotten in twice and the dogs have been in a wild uproar all day.
And the driveway looks like a fresh snowfall has just occurred.
I don't think that the Caesar stone will show up well in a photo...it is pretty subtle, but I will try after they leave...
Friday, October 17, 2008
Lettuce Harvest
I just had to add this photo to the blog...partly because the whole kitchen thing made me think about really good food a lot, and partly because tonight at the Farmer's Market, I realized that I had a lot of stuff at home to cook, so for the first time, aside from the tacos, I didn't buy anything.
But the music by Blue Moon was great...lots of Gillian Welch songs and they did a great job.
But that isn't just lettuce!
But the music by Blue Moon was great...lots of Gillian Welch songs and they did a great job.
But that isn't just lettuce!
WATER, Three Months minus ONE day.
While I was gallivanting all over the Napa Valley yesterday, buying little special items for the kitchen, Stuart was working on hooking up the plumbing so I would have water in the sink again after three long months. He managed everything as I knew he would. The directions to hook up the water filtration system were a bit weird, but he puzzled it all out. And now I have WATER!
It was a pleasure to do the dishes last night, and to get all the dish washing crap out of the bathroom this morning.
I just spoke with the stone people, and they will arrive between 8-9 in the morning. I will tamp down my excitement by heading off to work at the last Farmer's Market of the season this evening. I am feeling a bit like a farmer myself this afternoon, after harvesting some beautiful lettuces and my first batch of Swiss Chard. When I come home I will have a wonderful little salad to finish off my meal of Cactus Grill Taco's at the FM and watch Bill Maher.
It was a pleasure to do the dishes last night, and to get all the dish washing crap out of the bathroom this morning.
I just spoke with the stone people, and they will arrive between 8-9 in the morning. I will tamp down my excitement by heading off to work at the last Farmer's Market of the season this evening. I am feeling a bit like a farmer myself this afternoon, after harvesting some beautiful lettuces and my first batch of Swiss Chard. When I come home I will have a wonderful little salad to finish off my meal of Cactus Grill Taco's at the FM and watch Bill Maher.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Birthday Present from Luke
Just had to post this latest art work for my collection, and who knows, it might end up in the kitchen too!
Luke also send another of Horner's etchings which I will frame with the one I bought up there last summer. I was just thrilled to receive these great prints today.
Early this morning Gary of MGI came and took the finally measurements for the back splash and announced very casually, that he didn't see any reason why we didn't put in the water!!! Sheeeesh...I could have had water last Thursday!!!. Oh well, Stuart will do that on this Thursday when I go to Vallejo.
Finally the electrician arrived this evening...and it will be a full on job requiring a permit from the City of Clearlake, and involving PG&E...it will be a whole day without power so I will have to plan carefully for the freezer and meds. But finally I will feel a bit better about the darn wiring in parts of the house.
Mike also gave me a quick tour of his iPhone...what a trip! I must have one.
So...by Sunday, I should have water, and the back splash all installed and I will call it good! Although there will be other details, like lights, trim, and probably other stuff that will come up...I will be happy to have the bulk of the work done. Then we can concentrate on the land!!!
Luke also send another of Horner's etchings which I will frame with the one I bought up there last summer. I was just thrilled to receive these great prints today.
Early this morning Gary of MGI came and took the finally measurements for the back splash and announced very casually, that he didn't see any reason why we didn't put in the water!!! Sheeeesh...I could have had water last Thursday!!!. Oh well, Stuart will do that on this Thursday when I go to Vallejo.
Finally the electrician arrived this evening...and it will be a full on job requiring a permit from the City of Clearlake, and involving PG&E...it will be a whole day without power so I will have to plan carefully for the freezer and meds. But finally I will feel a bit better about the darn wiring in parts of the house.
Mike also gave me a quick tour of his iPhone...what a trip! I must have one.
So...by Sunday, I should have water, and the back splash all installed and I will call it good! Although there will be other details, like lights, trim, and probably other stuff that will come up...I will be happy to have the bulk of the work done. Then we can concentrate on the land!!!
Monday, October 13, 2008
We Advance!!!
Oh my...for the first time someone called me back before I call in, and glory be, could come right out today and do the install. In this case, Mike's Cabinet's came out and framed the windows. They are beautifully done too. They were also able to level the rolling cabinet up to the fixed counter.
Next up is the back splash, and while I was promised a visit this evening to do the finally measurements and an installation on Friday or Saturday, no one has arrived yet and it is 6:00pm. It wouldn't bother me much, but a phone call would help if someone can't make it here.
And then there is Gossett Alarm who was also supposed to arrive late this afternoon...and nope, not a peep out of them either. Actually one of them was supposed to call or come over last week to check on the dangerous circuit boards. Hummmmm!
I am still hopeful that the backsplash will go in this weekend...that will be the end of the messy part, and then Stuart can do the water hook up.
Trying to be optimistic...well at least the wind died down.
Next up is the back splash, and while I was promised a visit this evening to do the finally measurements and an installation on Friday or Saturday, no one has arrived yet and it is 6:00pm. It wouldn't bother me much, but a phone call would help if someone can't make it here.
And then there is Gossett Alarm who was also supposed to arrive late this afternoon...and nope, not a peep out of them either. Actually one of them was supposed to call or come over last week to check on the dangerous circuit boards. Hummmmm!
I am still hopeful that the backsplash will go in this weekend...that will be the end of the messy part, and then Stuart can do the water hook up.
Trying to be optimistic...well at least the wind died down.
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