Chris in Seattle
2 days ago
This last weekend, we made lasagna! Mom's recipe was in one of Terry's cookbooks that he wrote that we packed up to remodel. I saw it and thought "perfect" for a cooking class!
So, first we make her spaghetti sauce that she had received from an Italian from "the old country". It is unusual in that it has cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg!
Once, that was simmering, we proceeded to layer the lasagna ingredients and that's when it got fun!
Now, there is no "right" way to layer, but everyone has their "own" way!
Noodles or sauce first? When does the cheese go in?
Do we put the ricotta first or the mozzarella?
Everyone did a layer in the order they thought best!
Eventually, all the ingredients went in and the pan was full!
Wow! What a mess we made! The clean up crew went right to work!
And before you know it, it was dinner time!Looking good, smells good, too!
Bon appetite!
It's been busy around here!I left you at first stage of Demo. We remembered later what real demo felt like when the crew came and the walls came down and windows disappeared.
Notice here the walls. A few patches to do. Nothing major. Not bad at all!
We set up our indoor temporary kitchen in the living room. Thankfully we already had the undercabinet beverage and wine cooler for use.
Not too bad!
And the outdoor kitchen was working well, too! Terry had his burners, bbq, countertop and sink. The food coming out of here was great! Here, have a glass of Chardenay!
Mornings start at 6:45 with a meeting with the Contractor and which ever sub is working that day. Today, the plumber is here conferring with us. Even Kevin is on payroll for all the little things we meant to finish like locks, stuck doors, painting. . . but just can't get to.Oh, by the way, like our dining room?
And the work begins in earnest, more demo needed for access for plumbing, electrical and windows, so the plaster comes down.
Yeah, that's my hardwood floors under there guys, go easy. No worries, they've covered it with the "magic paper". A sheet of construction paper!
No kidding! They were mixing a wheelbarrow full of cement for the pad (that goes in that hole in the floor) right in the middle of my kitchen! Eeeks!
Our "rough guy", Ted! He's a blast. Check out his worktable! A wheelbarrow! He does rough framing. Here, he's cutting the header for the window.
Here, a little trimming to fit. Again, check out the worktable, his foot!
Perfect fit!
Nice job, Ted!
Some passerbys asked for his business card. He picks up a piece of cut 2x4 and takes a marker and writes his phone number on it. "They won't lose that card!" he says. I love it!
Terry puts in his request for a "tomato ripening ledge" on the window.
Big enough, and made of countertop that won't destroy if the tomato spoils!
Done!
Taylor supervises from outside the window!
Everything lookin' good from here!
More to come. . .
Meet the Demo Man!
Yup, he's gonna tear out this kitchen all by himself! Just a part time job, really, he says. I help out my brother, Chris. (that is the installer)
Chris was named Number One cabinet installer in the Country! For all the Lowe's stores in the nation!
His brother says he's so particular and his attention to detail is amazing!
So, it's 2 hours later and demo continues. . .
Meanwhile, I have found the most difficult part of the remodel so for is trying to comply with CA's Title 24 high efficiency lighting requirements for kitchens!
It takes a calculator!!
Will I get the pendants of my dreams?. . . stay tuned!
The Real Deal!
Yeah, we had our ribs grilling,
the strawberries were washed and the pie shell was in the oven. . .
then, the fireworks began early! The sirens blaring, ladder trucks rolling down the street. Three ladder trucks, paramedics, intense!
Out to the street everyone ran. The trucks rolled all the way down to where they got trapped on the narrow streets!
Finally, the paramedics were able to get their truck backed down the street and we found out it was for a false alarm call on "barbeque smoke"!
Always, a thrill to see our firemen on the job!
Thanks guys! So long, and, see you next year!?!
Demo Date set! Confirmed to start demo of the kitchen on July 15th!
