Merry Christmas???

[pbp908]

The problem is that the meal I most look forward to cooking is Christmas dinner and having the kids here. That's why I was frantically trying to figure out what I could cook with the oven and the small appliances. My neighbor is at the beach so I'm taking care of his horses this week, so he told me to use the house key (I know where it is) and use his stove. I hated to do that, but it was an option if push came to shove. I just found the entire thing to be funny considering how it all sort of fell out of place instead of in place - a comedy of errors, if you will. BUT, Santa's elves came this morning and worked hard to convert the stove from natural gas to propane and got it all working. I christened it by sauteing onions and celery for the dressing and cooking the turkey broth.

Everything worked out for the best and I'm hot momma (literally) in the kitchen tonight!

Now if it quits working on Jan. 2, I'll use it for an excuse, but I think everyone will revolt because we were all heartily sick of take out and instant food!

Thank you all for sending good thoughts - they worked!

[pamcook]

I’m so happy they got it working!

On a side note - did you know you can fill your crock pot with sliced onions and let them cook (low) for 24 hours for the most amazing caramelized onions. Store them in the freezer.

[pbp908]

Here's the next laugh in the comedy - the microwave died this morning!

[paddlegal]

Here's the next laugh in the comedy - the microwave died this morning!

Smacking my head and I imagine you might be smacking something too! Krikies Pam! I recommend you open a bottle of wine, sit down and just let people bring whatever to dinner. You do soooo much! This too will pass and all will be working right again.

[pbp908]

I have so many leftovers nobody will need to cook here until New Year's Day! It's just going to be a PITA heating them up w/o the trusty old microwave. George said he's going shopping for one tomorrow. For people who never had or used one until a few years ago we've certainly become dependent on the darned thing.

[pbp908]

The new hardware for the cabinets came today. That's the good news.
The bad news is - the new hardware came for the cabinets today. It seems that the idiots who installed the cabinets and the old hardware drilled the holes wrong and bent the old hardware to fit their mistakes.

Here's hoping 2020 is NOT another series of unfortunate events.

BTW, I've completely rethought the bathroom remodel. It can stay the way it is.

[EDelValle]

So.... is the contractor going to replace the
cabinet doors since they messed up

[pbp908]

Those are the original cabinet doors from 25 years ago, so nope, no replacement. I have a carpenter coming by tomorrow to take a look at them. What has to be done is remove the doors, fill the existing holes, and then drill new ones. While I was taking a close look at the dratted things I noticed that several have been hung almost 1/4" higher than others. Funny how you don't notice those things for years and suddenly they glare at you.

The cabinets are in great shape, so I'm thinking they're going to be painted this spring. I hate the color and have been looking at painted cabinets for several years now. So glad I didn't paint them green which was my first inclination then. I'm thinking a nice grey or an off white milk paint and then seal them. But the way my luck is going?? I'm going to have a painter do them for me.

On a positive note, I just printed photos from all of this year for scrapping. There will be some great journaling to go with them!

Just wish I'd had a photo when Bugs decided to jump on the counter to get away from Scooter. Oops! No counter!!!

[EDelValle]

We've been working on our tenant's apartment
for a while, trying to bring it up to the 21st century
My daughter took on the job of painting the cabinets.
We decided on a color close to Martha Stewart's Sharky Grey
and replaced the countertop with a black laminate.
But I was really surprised at how well the cabinets turned out
given what we started with. The cabinets are probably 50 or
more years old.
She cleaned them with denatured alcohol and sanded,
then a primer before the final coat of paint.
I wasn't even considering paint in the beginning but replacing
the cabinets, but she said "let's try paint first then if that doesn't
work, then buy new" Glad I listened

[pbp908]

I love the look of painted cabinets - clean and simple.

Your daughter did a great job!

[paddlegal]

The kitchen looks terrific Elizabeth! Talented mom...talented daughter!

[EDelValle]

Thanks,
I'll post another photo when everything
is done. We still have a few kinks to work
out but we got some of the wallpaper up
yesterday, and I know a lot of folks do not
like wallpaper, but it can last a really long time,
without needing to be painted.