Off the Clock

It's my birthday this week and I've got some really cool gifts! DD got me this jalapeno pepper spoon rest; does it get any cooler than that?! It looks so good in my kitchen you'd almost think I picked it out myself! Well, ok, I did drop a hint or two. Ok, I told her that I saw it and I loved it and it's at Home Outfitters so please buy it for me. Then DH got me the breadmaker I've been wanting. That's because I swear I'm not like everybody else with a breadmaker who never uses it anymore. I'll be different; I know I will! Just like the sandwich maker. And the waffle maker. Oh wait, I haven't used them in a very long time, have I? But I did test drive the bread machine already. First I made a recipe from the book that came with it. It's a garlic and herb loaf with sunflower seeds. So there I was counting out the cups of flour; one cup, two cups, what's that Honey? Really? Two cups, three cups, ... Next thing you know the dough

I've been just a little distracted with the kitchen job and all to take care of the outside stuff. Yes, that's snow falling into my still-open pool. While most people have their pools closed by Labour Day or shortly after in my neck of the woods mine got closed the day after this pic. Mind you we don't usually see snow in the middle of October. DH is all excited though, he was at the snowmobile show yesterday and spent a whack of money; he's a happy camper today! Never mind that there won't likely be "rideable" amounts of snow until after New Year's... And speaking of the new kitchen I came home the other day to wonderful smells, DD had a banana bread baking in the oven! Do you think the fact that I had bought all the ingredients and left the cookbook open on the counter to the right page had anything to do with it? lol

And now, folks, the moment I know you've all been waiting for; the new kitchen! It's not 100% done yet but I just have to get some pics up. If you click on the pics you'll get a size you can actually see. ;) They were taken over a week ago but it's taken me this long to clear a path to the computer as I slowly try to get the house back in order. Did I mention I'm remodeling my bathroom at the same time? My sanity has already been brought into question, you're not the first! Just ignore that big hole in the base; the new dishwasher is being installed this morning. That's not "new dishwasher" as in I wanted to buy new appliances, that's "new dishwasher" as in the 2 year old portable one I have is 1/2" too tall to convert to a built-in and we didn't find that out until zero hour. All I can say is it's a good thing my bank gives me more credit than I can afford! I've got lights under the cabinets and inside the