Remodeling continues, but they are making excellent progress and should finish up by the end of the week. Between interactions with the contractors, we talk about food. When we’re not talking about food, we watch cooking shows.
We’ve had full use of our microwave and oven throughout the project. But no cooktop, no sink, no countertops. Our freezer was pre-stocked with leftovers, which we’ve mostly burned through. Lasagna, Chicken Pot Pie, Chicken Divan, Chicken Enchiladas, Lamb Rigatoni, Chicken Curry and Chicken Tetrazzini. Salads. Burgers on the grill.
It’s not like we’ve been starving!
Additionally, there are certain homemade foods we keep around at all times, and they are gone. Pizza, tacos and scones from the freezer and granola in the pantry. We will have fun replenishing the supplies. There’s one piece of coconut cake left, and it has my name on it.
When I retired, I got a few Starbucks gift cards, which I’ve hardly used. I’ve been driving over there in my jammies to get us each a large dark roast. Drive-thru, of course. At about $6 for the two, I’ve mostly drained those cards. The Starbucks employees I’ve encountered are quite cheerful and personable.
I had my first bite of fast food in more than 10 years. One morning I got us each a sausage biscuit from McDonalds. It was OK, but I’m good for another 10 years. We had sandwiches from Jersey Mike’s, which we like a lot. And takeout from a local Asian bistro. It was expensive and not very good.
As of Friday, our countertops and backsplash were in, and the cooktop, sink and dishwasher were functional. The kitchen is still not business as usual because they haven’t finished with the cabinet fronts, but the sink was a game-changer.
Contractors don’t come on Sundays, so it really is a day of rest. I wanted to play golf since I haven’t been able to play during the week, but instead I opted for a relaxing breakfast with Dale. At the beginning of the remodel, we had a couple of big-ass arguments, but we broke each other’s will worked through it and emerged closer than ever.
Maybe this was what we needed to get back to the basics of love. Our own little Luckenbach, Texas. I’m glad we got our issues resolved early in my retirement, as it bodes well for enjoying the rest of our time together. Counseling might have been cheaper but probably more painful.
Breakfast was bacon and toast, and it was bliss.
We are getting excited about Thanksgiving. Dale ordered a fresh Diestel turkey. He stuffs the bird with a seasoned potato, bread and onion mixture he grew up eating in Maine. Mashed potatoes and gravy, some sort of green vegetable. Pinot Noir.
Usually I make cranberry sauce, but we are doing something different this year. At Christmas, I often make a cranberry walnut pie. However, this year Dale has requested plum pudding with hard sauce. But we still want the pie, so I’m making it for Thanksgiving. I thought it would be overkill to have the pie and cranberry sauce.
I’m still going to load up on cranberries for the freezer, as I love them in scones. Or scons, as Paul Hollywood says.
I hope the kitchen stories haven’t been too self-absorbed. But I guess it is what it is. The whole project has been an interesting retirement experience I wanted to share. However, if you are bored senseless, I expect to emerge from The Remodeling Zone later this week and return to our regular programming.
Something fun! We are ready.
Your kitchen remodel looks wonderful so far. Good luck with the rest, Donna!
Deb
Know you will enjoy your new kitchen.
We just returned from Lowe’s, where I purchased a new faucet for our little Florida kitchen. Told hubby that (installed) is what I want for Christmas. Now crossing my fingers that it gets done SOON.
That’s an excellent Christmas gift. My husband and I are on completely different timetables, so I know how it feels to want something SOON.
Thanks! It’s a slog, but I’m sure we’ll be happy when it’s done.
Your remodeling posts have not been remotely boring. Ive loved this mixture of remodeling and eating. And Starbucks in your jammies! I did that once and am still emotionally scared!
Well, jammies sort of. More like loungewear. Flannel bottoms and a sweatshirt.
It’s going to be so wonderful when it’s all finished. We’ve done three kitchen remodels, although one was at a house we hadn’t moved into yet. For the other two, we used the crockpot, toaster oven and microwave and only ate out once. Doing dishes in the tub was the worst part. Have to say, remodeling when you’re not living there is the best way to go.
Had to laugh at going to Starbucks in your jammies reminded me of when my son was little, and we drove my husband to work. I was in my jammies and robe, and my son was in his footed pajamas. Our car broke down on the way home, and we had to ride the bus across town. Talk about embarrassing. After that I’m always fully dressed when driving. At least your early morning outfit looked like what kids wear all day.
I don’t think I could live through three remodels. I have wondered about my car breaking down and me in my jammies. But you’re right, it’s more like what the kids wear. I do think about shoes — preferably something I could run in.
Living without a full kitchen is really challenging. When I had my last kitchen remodel done, it was a very small kitchen so was largely done in a week. Prior to it being done, we had to live with a (very) old kitchen without a cooker or oven (which was standalone and had been taken by the previous owner). Having a working sink to cope with washing up did make it a ton easier, but those months are not something I’d rush to repeat.
Your realisations about how your personalities have played a part in the whole process have made for really engaging reading. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed the narrative about our personalities. A remodel will definitely bring those quirks to the surface. But we’re on the home stretch now. Now we take turns either defending the contractor or complaining about him.