Sunday, March 29, 2009

Robin Returns to Boise



I was not the only one waiting for Robin to return. Buddy found - after many trips to the dumpster - that there was a bed that he could easily get on, under all that "stuff". He even took his pillow with him and one toy.

From Left to Right - Robin, Carlynne and Marnie.
The "Girls" were all hungry, so we heated up some of the Lamb Paella that I made and some good Basque Bread. Robin liked the kitchen after I finished the painting.


So there you have it. Robin and Carlynne made the 1800 mile trip without incident. I was happy and Buddy is happy. He heard Robin's voice before he saw her and he enter his Bedlamistic mode. It's good to have her back.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Lamb Paella

To celebrate National Spanish Paella Day, I just had top make a Lamb Paella. It really turned out good!! And it went very well with the Basque Sheepherder's Bread, recipe in a prior post.


Here is the Lamb Paella. The recipe is printed below.

It was good to have Geno and Debra to try this with me. We will probably see this again, some day!

Authentic Lamb Paella


· Olive Oil (enough to cover the bottom of the paella pan)
· 1 med Yellow onion, diced
· 6 cloves Garlic, chopped
· 2 lbs Lamb, cut into chunks
· 2 Chorizos, diced
· ¼ lbs Green Beans (Spanish-bachoqueta)
· 4 med Roma Tomatoes, ripe and chopped
· 2 Roasted Red Bell pepper, cut into strips – roast your own
· 2 Roasted Yellow Bell pepper, cut into strips – roast your own
· 1 t Saffron
· 2 t of smoky Paprika
· 8 cups Beef stock, heated to 190 degrees F
· 3 c Spanish Rice
· Sea Salt ( to taste)

First, add the olive oil to the paella pan and cook the onion and until it is translucent over med low heat. Add the garlic and stir. Add the lamb and cook until lightly browned. Add the diced chorizos and cook for 4 minutes. Then add the green beans and cook them together with the meat. While they are cooking, make a clearance in the middle of the paella pan and fry the chopped tomatoes and roasted peppers until they look a little pasty, quickly adding the paprika and saffron, stirring quickly and immediately adding the beef stock until it is almost to the top of the paella pans edge.

Cook all the ingredients for about 20 minutes over a high simmer and tasting for salt. After 20 minutes we add the rice, distributing it evenly, making sure the rice is covered with liquid. The heat should be medium high, not interrupting the boil. It takes about 20 minutes for the paella rice to cook. Do not stir the rice once you have added it to the paella pans, just change its position so that the heat gets to all parts equally. All the stock should be absorbed when finished. Take the paella off the heat and let stand for about 10 minutes covering the top with newspaper. If the rice has been cooked correctly, the rice grains should be loose, not clumped together or having a mushy texture.

For a fantastic table presentation, small wedges of lemon can decorate the border and branches of Romero (aromatic herbs) in the middle. Now you are ready to dig into your paella with wooden spoons and eat directly from the paella pans!


There it is. Cooking time is about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Not in the recipe - for the final 10 minutes, add about one-half cup of a red table wine and let the rice absorb it. This recipe will easily serve 10 - 12 people.

Basque Sheepherder's Bread

Today is National Spanish Paella Day! Really it is! I talked to Robin this morning and they are going to try to make Winnemucca, NV tonight and get some paella. But, one can not have paella without Basque Bread. I think I found a recipe. Check out the slides - they follow the recipe, more or less!

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Here is the recipe:

Basque Sheepherders Bread



1 1/2 c 160 degree tap water
5 T Butter, soft and at room temperature
1/4 c Clover honey
1 1/4 t Kosher Salt
1 1/4 T Active Dry Yeast
3 1/2 c All-Purpose Flour
1 1/4 c Whole Wheat Flour
Salad oil

In a large bowl, combine hot water, butter, honey and salt. Stir until butter is melted; let cool to about 110 degrees. Stir in yeast; cover and set in a warm place until bubbly, about 15 minutes. Beat in about 1 1/4 cups Whole Wheat flour to make a thick batter. Stir in about 3 ½ cups of All Purpose flour to make a stiff dough. Scrape dough onto a floured board. Knead until smooth and satiny, 10 to 20 minutes — adding as little flour as possible to prevent sticking. Place dough in a greased bowl; turn over to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled — about 1½ hours.

Punch dough down and knead briefly on a floured board to release air. Shape into a smooth ball. With a circle of foil, cover the inside bottom of a 5-quart cast iron or cast aluminum Dutch oven. Grease foil, inside of Dutch oven, and lid with oil. Place dough in Dutch oven and cover with lid. Let rise in a warm place until dough pushes up lid by about ½ inch, about 1 hour. (Watch closely.) Bake, covered, with a lid in a 375-degree oven for 12 minutes. Remove lid and continue to bake until loaf is golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.

Remove bread from oven and turn onto a rack to cool. You might need a helper. Peel off foil and turn loaf upright. Makes one 2 1/4 pound loaf.


So there's the bread. Now for the Lamb Paella and the wine. Yum-O!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Almost done? Probably.

The painting is done. I just have to do some touch-up here and there. But essentially, the painting is done!





The area by the stove and the long storage drawers are complete. Those long drawers were a pain! Robin made that cork board out of used wine bottle corks. We will use the board as a recipe holder.





The area over the refrigerator is done, too! Just some minor "touch-up" to do now. The iron fixture on the wooden divider by the refrig is to use magnetic things of interest. Robin ordered it.




Overall, I just think that the finish on the bare wood enhances everything. I know, I keep saying that. Well, it does! Diane was here today and she really liked the painting scheme. She likes how the bare wood treatment draws the room together. She also said that the window over the sink may be in tomorrow or early next week. That'll be fun!

Maybe I'll make a Lamb Paella for Spanish Paella Day tomorrow. Got to seriously use the kitchen now that it is mostly complete. I'll make enough so Robin can have some when she gets home. That sounds good. I'm hungry; catch you later. Cheers!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Paint Every Where!

So today, 25 March, "they" said snow! But no snow - just rain. Since noon, the rate has been pretty steady .04 - .07 inches per hour. And, since it is raining, I can't go out and play, so I have to stay inside and play!




I really can't get over how good the maple trim looks. Here is a "before" photo ....




and here is after two coats of acrylic. I think it is awesome.





Here are some cabinets after the acrylic applications. Everything seems to accent every other part.








We usually hang "things" on the refrigerator. But our new one is stainless - non-magnetic. Before Robin left for "playtime", she ordered this steel "thingy". Now we can place magnetic items on it, like "Church Keys" and magnetic business cards. Actually, I like the one she found and it looks good placed here. The green color goes very well with the rest of the decor.













A couple of years ago, I got this for Robin and the Wine Cellar. Can't find room for it in the wine cellar, so it looks good here. Actually, it really is "out of the way" and high on the wall. Maybe you will see it, maybe you won't - you can see how close to the ceiling it is.










Well there you have it for today. About 2 more days, and the trim painting may be done. In the mean time and at 40 degrees, 100% humidity - it's raining - and no snow so far, I have to get ready to go to a birthday party. A BIG one for a friend of ours! I remember when Pop had this birthday - he refused to acknowledge it! I don't know that he ever did acknowledge it - but he made it another 25 years! Cheers!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Still Doing the Trim


You'd think that Spring was here. It's not! Snow tonight - 8" to 12" - at 4000 feet and some here in the Valley! I may be shoveling "some snow" in the morning. Yuk! So, in the mean time, I am doing the trim in the kitchen.

It seems that after taping the doors and tops, doing one under-coat and two coats of Light Loden and 2 coats of the acrylic urethane, there would still be time left in the day. There is not.



The acrylic turns the maple slightly darker, but it also seals it and makes it shine. We are not going to paint the maple - it's too pretty to cover-up.





When the drawers come out, you can see how the maple is somewhat darker. It's really nice.





The maple trim being darker, really frames the Light Loden green.









So there you have what I have been doing for the past two days. But the old 1955 GE dual oven, 4 burner , electric stove finally left. Levco picked up their trailer that they were letting us use to store things in. And maybe our "old" refrigerator will leave soon. (It is under cover and out of the rain and snow). Progress, at this level of the remodel, is slow at best, but it will pay off to take ones time. There you have it! Cheers!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Doing the Kitchen Trim



Yes, there is trim to do - the doors and the cabinets. If you look on the back of these cabinets, you can see the original "clapboard" construction. That construction we did not change, just a fresh coat of paint.




We want to save these door knobs and plates, but we do not want them painted.





So, we stripped them of all paint and the brass is exposed. Much the same as the cabinet door hinges posted earlier in this saga.
















The doors in the kitchen must also be painted. The photo over this door is the Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls. Obviously, we took it from a boat in the Snake River.















Even the back door needed to be painted. And on this first day of Spring and a temperature of 72 degrees, we did get some things done. Robin worked on some of the things still in the backyard. She even worked on "her room". Much has been donated to the Idaho Youth Ranch. And even more has been donated to the landfill. The "Sanitary Engineers" were not happy this morning - again - as they uttered something in their native language when they threw the trash into the truck. The Levco trailer is now empty (I must contact them to let them know) and the storage in the backyard and on the back porch is diminishing. OH! And the dishwasher works fine! So quiet! So there we have it. Hope this weather holds, but it is supposed to rain Saturday and Sunday and the temperature is supposed to drop by 15 - 20 degrees. Not ready for tomatoes yet!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Kitchen Remodel - "The Final Curtain"

Every drama comes to a close at some point. If not, it gets boring. Today - after 22 days or so - the "Final Curtain" descended on the Kitchen Remodel. Robin and I feel very lucky to have 168 photos of the old being blended with the new - a "Re-Birth", if you will. But the past is not lost - it remains in places, is re-emphasized in places, and is documented. It is not lost.
Every drama comes to a close at some point. If not, it gets boring. Today - after 22 days or so - the "Final Curtain" descended on the Kitchen Remodel. Robin and I feel very lucky to have 168 photos of the old being blended with the new - a "Re-Birth", if you will. But the past is not lost - it remains in places, is re-emphasized in places, and is documented. It is not lost.
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We owe a debt of gratitude to Levco Builders - Joe, Diane and Dewy - for their expertise in guiding us through all of this "trauma" and to all of their sub-contractors. At times, the project moved like "greased lightening" and at other times like "molasses in winter". This is one case where the end really does justify the means. We are totally pleased with the outcome and with our new kitchen. Now, we must learn how to use all of the digital appliances - the stove, the microwave and the dishwasher. Yes, all three are digitally controlled. It might be like having 3 VCR's when the power goes out! I can't wait.

We do hope that you have enjoyed following this project with us through the medium of the internet. And of course, you did not have to put up with the dust and the barking dog, the "confusion" of having 4 contractors in the room all at the same time and doing 4 different things and the broken sink. In another couple of weeks, we will have the window replaced. and oh yea!, now we have to pay for all of this. How's the lottery doing? Cheers!We owe a debt of gratitude to Levco Builders - Joe, Diane and Dewy - for their expertise in guiding us through all of this "trauma" and to all of their sub-contractors. At times, the project moved like "greased lightening" and at other times like "molasses in winter". This is one case where the end really does justify the means. We are totally pleased with the outcome and with our new kitchen. Now, we must learn how to use all of the digital appliances - the stove, the microwave and the dishwasher. Yes, all three are digitally controlled. It might be like having 3 VCR's when the power goes out! I can't wait.

We do hope that you have enjoyed following this project with us through the medium of the internet. And of course, you did not have to put up with the dust and the barking dog, the "confusion" of having 4 contractors in the room all at the same time and doing 4 different things and the broken sink. In another couple of weeks, we will have the window replaced. and oh yea!, now we have to pay for all of this. How's the lottery doing? Cheers!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

"Houston. We have water!"

Water finally arrived today. The new sink is awesome and looks so large. But we kept it in the period style - it looks like the old slate sinks. It is, however, a composite of granite and plastic!
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The dishwasher was also plumbed, but won't be "electrified" until tomorrow. Just a little more grout on the tiles and fix the floor, and we will be set to go! It looks good! Check out the hinges that we brought "back to life". Just a little more work on them and they too, will be set and ready to go. Cheers!

landscape remodel


Our backyard used to be all ivy - and I do mean ALL ivy. This is the after shot. I don't have a before shot here at work. This was completed on 2/12. But, due to unexpected snow and cold weather, we have only been able to enjoy it once!


PS - That is Mom's house in the backround. Not the brown shed, the white house in the distance!
PPS - Don't forget to visit my website
www. howetoknit.etsy.com

Kitchen Remodel - Before and After



Looking North before the remodel. That's all the counter space we had. And only one cabinet!


Looking North after the remodel. Do we have counter space? or cabinets?




Looking South before the remodel


Looking South


Such a change! After looking South. Almost the very same camera angle as above.











So there you can see the changes side-by-side. A much better perspective of the work done and the very much improved working space and storage. Such a change!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Kitchen Remodel: Day 20

So, Day 20 is upon us and has past. Happy St Patrick's Day. Just a few things left to do: Install the sink; Install the dish washer; Weld the marmoleum; Repair the scuff mark in the floor.
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Maybe the sink will be installed tomorrow along with the dishwasher - the Boise River is not far from here, but the water is running low and cold! We did make dinner tonight and tried out several things on the stove, including the broiler and the convection system. All worked very well. Plus, the dinner of Corned Beef and Cabbage (Robin made this) and Soda Bread and Lamb Stew (Bob made these) - Robin's was better. We really do love this new kitchen! The photos just don't do it justice! Many, many thanks to Levco Builders for their excellent work and cooperation with us. We'll let you know what is accomplished tomorrow. Cheers!!

Monday, March 16, 2009

Kitchen Remodel: Day 19

Yup! Almost there. Just waiting on the sink to be installed and the dishwasher. Actually, any day now the new sink should be in. Then on Thursday, the floor repair. I painted some of the east wall cabinets and renovated the hinges to bring our the brass and the patina.
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We placed some of the pots on the rack today, after the rack was installed. Now we are bringing things back into the kitchen, going through the items, and creating a box for donations. We did have our first meal in our kitchen and on our new stove and in the microwave this past weekend. It will be nice to eat at the table in the kitchen. Just the right size for the two of us.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Our Kitchen - AlmostFinished!

We can't believe that the remodel is almost completed! Seems like just yesterday ........ Monday or Tuesday we should have our sink in - the first one was cracked - and the dishwasher installed. Need also to add some more tiles where the lighting was installed. Hope you like these photos!
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See you Monday! I have been posting daily updates on Our Retirement In Idaho blog. If you want to see more, please look there. The stove and the microwave are both top-of-line Whirlpool and the refrigerator is a 25 cf Amana. The dishwasher is a Bosch - not pictured yet. Look at our transome window on the previous post on our Retirement blog.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Guy Fieri at the Westside Drive-In, Boise

Ah yes, he really was here! After seeing him win the 2nd season of the Foodnetwork's Newest Star, Guy Fieri was pleasant to meet. I was glad, in my own small way, to have something to do with this production. The program should be aired 3 to 6 months from now.
Now all I hope is that I won't miss the airing of the program.This was shot 1 block away from our house!

Monday, March 2, 2009

Signs of Spring

Maybe these are signs of Spring, but is is chilly and looks like rain or snow - not cold enough for snow. But it is cold enough for "nasty". So, to relieve the blahs, here are some signs that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Enjoy!
This Crocus is in our front yard. It looks good along side of the brown leaves.

The Woodpecker was in a tree at our neighbors house.

The Robin was at the 36th Street Bistro this morning. Maybe, just maybe, Spring is not far away.

Note: Please look at http://retirementinidaho.blogspot.com to follow our kitchen remodel. It is moving right along.