Kitchen Remodel, Take Two

Today Brian worked on finishing the kitchen--one more day and we should be finished!  My husband is a genius at designing and working on stuff.  So much so, that while he was at Lowe's, a customer wanted to know if he would do a tile job for him.  Brian said he would be happy to, if he was around longer.  Several people said that if they had known that our circumstances would be like they are now, they would have paid Brian to remodel and we could stay longer.  All that to say, my husband's amazing skills are in high demand--a fact which makes a proud wife very happy!

It began to snow...but only a dusting.  Still cold for the workman, though.  I kept him supplied with hot beverages.  The really big storm is coming on Friday.  Funny thing is, if we had kept with our original plan, we would be here for it.  As it is, we will miss it, or get stuck in an airport somewhere.  Ironic, eh?  Should make this weekend hugely interesting!

 These lovelies are gingerbread cupcakes with cream cheese frosting!  The gingerbread was perfect-molasses-y, dark, fall-apart-in-your-mouth, soft, warm, fluffy deliciousness.  A pinterest recipe.  And not very sweet.  Definitely a keeper--can't have a winter pass by without making gingerbread and rice pudding!

 The tile job Brian designed himself!  All that is left is to grout and finishing painting.  Makes me think of the verse in Genesis where God saw all that He made and it was good!  So much fun to help other people achieve their dreams--whether family or friends in TX, around the world, or here in PA.

I took a video of Greg learning a new skill today--one he taught himself!  Hoping it breeds helpfulness to Mommy around the house soon.  I've tried to upload it four times now, but it isn't working.  I'll try again later.  The little tyke is so indecisive about walking!  He'll stand for ages, put a foot out, bend down as if to crawl, and repeat....before deciding to just crawl.  He's just gonna get up the courage to do it someday.  It is fun to watch this stage.  Watch him grow in confidence.  Watch him test the limits.  He has changed SO much the last month.  He "reads" to himself now.  And rocks and "sings."  I have been attempting to expand his sign language vocabulary, but for some reason, every new word we learn, ends up like the sign for "eat."  He understands the word, but for some reason, I can't get a difference in individual signs.  Ah well.  At least we are communicating!  He will sign for please, thank you, and your welcome (but all the same sign!).

Smiles!

Of Sickness and Jammin'

Last night's events were a new experience for Brian and I.  A sudden circumstance that a parent dreads and hopes to never deal with.  And possibly the longest night of my life.  Worse than even labor.

Just as Brian and I settled down for the night, began to relax and talk, we heard this horrible gurgling sound, looking at each other in bewilderment and horror.  That led to rapidly turning on the lights, running for towels and buckets, and getting bath water warm.  Throughout the course of the night, Greg threw up by turns, and we tried to keep him calm and cleaned up.  We were thankful for the sleep we did get, that he got sick here and not the airplane, and that he was just fine today...except a bit more tired than usual.

The highlight of today was going to St. Thomas Roasters.  It's a local coffee shop where the owner roasts his own beans.  I grew up going there.  Quaint little shop.  Small, cute, old.  Smells like the dark, musky aroma of coffee beans from numerous countries.  The aura wafts over you as you enter the building.  You see coffee everywhere.  Pure love.  Tasty delight.

Tonight there was a local group of elderly gentlemen who entertained us with old songs, some of which they composed.  Guitar, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, dulcimer, auto harp, and singing.  I didn't know a harmonica could do the things the guy did with it.  Not professional, but just good ol' jammin' by a group of musicians having fun with each other.  Old friendships.  It was a great way to end the day.  Relaxation. (We left Greg in bed with Auntie Gayle)

 The shop!

 Our local entertainment.

The coffee roaster!

Family.

Smiles!

The Sauerkraut Experiment, Stage 1

Guess what I did today?  I started......sauerkraut!  I love sauerkraut--and it's sooo good for you!  Eat it plain, on bread, on Reuben sandwiches, with mashed potatoes or turkey or ham, or.... 

We shall see how it goes!

 Greg had a minor accident with his highchair over dinner, so here I'm trying to make him laugh and forget about it.

 Love my boy!

We all enjoy watching the birds and squirrels at our bird feeder.  The cats are determined to find a way to get to it, and their antics are rather amusing.

I'm going to keep this short and sweet because I have new library books waiting to be open, explored, devoured, and loved.

Smiles!

Food!  One of God's best gifts to mankind.  Food is a kind friend around here.  Not only do we like eating delectable treats around, but we love to make them too!

Greg receives a baking lesson on the combination of chocolate, egg whites, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon.

The result?

 These beauties!  Sorry about the picture; the internet seems to be uploading only a portion of the picture.  They are flourless, almost sugarless, and have no fat in them.  They taste like molten chocolate lava.  Liquid brownie.  Gooey goodness.  YUM!

I was a little lost when it came time to make dinner, so I simply started some veggies and noodles...and got a bit carried away.  Great dinners make lots of dishes, eh?  Having just two burners to work with made timing everything a little tricky.

First up, brussel sprouts.  Carmelized in a cast iron pan and seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and smoked paprika.

How much can you put on a counter?

In the middle of dinner prep, I hear this thud and cry.  I turned to find Greg sprawled out.  I have no idea what made him crash, but he seemed a bit helpless when it came to getting up.

Greg chowing down!

Noodles: Carmelized onions, peppers, mushrooms, and garlic.  Salt, pepper, and more garlic.  Cottage cheese, butter, and parmesan cheese to make it creamy, though not as rich as it sounds, since I used very little of any one ingredient.

Ginger and Curry Glazed Carrots:  Steamed carrots finished with fresh ginger, butter, curry powder, wasabi, and honey.  They were perfectly seasoned--just a hint of flavor.

Tilapia: Just oil, salt, and lemon pepper.

I had fun creating a balanced, healthy meal!  Lots of veggies, small on the starch, and heavy on the protein!  Greg loves his fish!

Yummy chocolate!  He attacked the stuff.

And afterward, he received his first lesson in scratching Daddy's back while doing dishes.  He was super cute today, and pointed at everything "Dat?" 

Smiles!