99.9%

Almost done. Really, about 99.9% done. The inspector signed off on it last Thursday.

All that is left is the bathroom threshold, the shower door, a ring to go around the radiator pipe (because basic chrome wouldn't do for the bathroom with the tin ceiling, so we found one to match) and we have to replace one of the shower heads because it leaks. Apparently it's a design flaw, hopefully the replacement doesn't also leak. 

But what that really means is that we're back in the kitchen. And starting to unpack. And definitely baking! Yesterday I started a batch of cinnamon rolls and froze half of them before they were proofed. They can be thawed and proofed when we're ready. The other half of the batch went in the fridge and slowly proofed overnight; this morning I took them out and let them finish proofing on the counter. Then we feasted on cinnamon rolls!

Also yesterday I started a batch of bread which I just baked and, in a little bit, I will be making a cake for my husband's birthday. He has a vision of what he wants and hopefully I can make it happen. I am, as usual, winging it. 

Speaking of wings, I fed the bees today, dug out the flow hive box and put it on the hive, and generally checked on things. They seem to be doing fine.

Yes, I Made a Pie for Pi Day

Two, in fact!

While I have not unpacked much, I have unpacked my rolling pin and silicone mat for rolling out pie crust. I worked all weekend but I couldn't let pi day go by without making a pie. So on Saturday morning before work I made a half-batch of pie crust and let it chill until yesterday morning when I could roll it out. I used my fluted clay pie plate for our pie and, in the absence of anything else the right size, found a metal cheese mold ring that I used to make a more free-form rustic pie which I dropped off at college for the elderchild before I went to work. The filling was the last three jars of apple pie filling in my inventory. 

I'm very rusty with the baking thing. Actually, I'm rusty with all cooking. I find myself trying to remember what I used to cook for dinner all the time. I guess it's time to unpack my cookbooks.

So Many Updates

The renovation is almost done. YAY! It's been such a long time. 

We are starting to move back into the kitchen, and have a little more cleaning to do before I can fully move everything in but I'm getting everything sorted and even made my first batch of bread in the new kitchen. It just came out of the oven about an hour ago. Everything smells so good!

There are things that are yet to arrive but they are not critical to functionality: the shower door, the light for the kitchen sink, more shelf liner, and so on.

In other news, I made some syrup for the bees who seem to have made it through the winter and observed them to be bringing in pollen already. Where they are finding it, I have no idea, but they seem to be doing what they are supposed to. I'll keep feeding them for a bit longer and then once it's consistently warm and there are flowers, I'll stop. I'll also get the flow hive box on top around the same time. I also got to use my new bee helmet and it's such an improvement on my old one, I'm no longer looking through mesh but a clear panel and it feels more secure. 

I Have an Oven, and It Works

For as long as it's been since my last post, one would think we'd have completed our reconstruction by now. HAH.

Regardless, when we left off, they were about to install the toilet and sink in the powder room. That room is now functional, and it even has electricity (we had a lantern in there for a while), and it's almost done. The upstairs bathroom is mostly tiled, not painted, has a functional sink but no toilet and the shower isn't fully installed. Forget about the shower door, they just measured for that last week. At least the radiant flooring works, but we have to get an account set up to control it. 

Most exciting, of course, is the kitchen. The electric wall oven does work, and over the weekend I cooked our first meal in it! Baked chicken, sweet potatoes, and crescent rolls. It was nice to have a meal that wasn't a stew, take-out, or on the grill. Since I don't have a kitchen sink or dishwasher yet I have to be very liberal with the aluminum foil but it meant less washing and that's okay. The tile backsplash is >50% done and the gas stove and the other appliances have yet to be installed. But, the cabinets are basically done, too. Progress!

Best Instant Pot Meal Yet

Last night, I cooked a bunch of mussels in the instant pot, in a broth of ducken stock, shallots, garlic and lemon juice. It is, by far the best meal I've made in the instant pot so far. Served with a ciabatta bread to soak up the liquid, it was a nice change from all the take out. 

Not surprisingly, the youngerchild wasn't interested and got some precooked chicken from Whole Foods instead. 

The painters have started, and the walls on the first floor are primed. Hopefully this week we can at least finish the staining and painting of the powder room which is the last step before the fixtures get installed. It'd be good to have a second toilet in the house. Even better if it works, too. 

Occasionally, There is Good News

All our Covid tests were negative, including the contractors and the tiler. We started work back up 2 days ago. This is good news.

We are waiting on the countertops now, as a lot of other things depend upon them. No word on when those will be available. However, the granite shelves for the shower arrived and have been tiled into place. They look amazing. The tiler is doing a terrific job. 

While were were in quarantine, I used a particle board sheet propped on the kitchen counters to do a puzzle I'd gotten for Christmas. It was a good place for it, out of the way and with reasonable light. And I got to soak in the ambience of the kitchen. I can't wait for it all to be completed, it's going to be amazing!

Two Steps Forward...

Spice rack built into the cabinet over the stove

One step back?

The kitchen has most of its cabinets, but one has to be rebuilt (the fake cabinet that goes around the pipe chase is not the right size). The rest are installed and look terrific. The countertops have been templated. The powder room has most of its trim done but has a little more to go and then the trim can be stained and then the walls painted and then the fixtures can be installed. Those fixtures are in, including the vanity, and hopefully the toilet will fit in the space allotted. We think it will.

Microwave dented on top...

Two days ago, the appliances were delivered. The delivery guys left before inspecting everything and we immediately found the microwave was dented and the range hood had a big scratch. Both seem to have happened before they were even packed into boxes. However, I had to call the company and immediately request they send us new ones; who knows how long that will take. 

The other bummer is that the electrician who came to the house that day to hardwire the wall oven into place tested positive for COVID the next day. So we were exposed, although I think the risk is low because he wore his mask the whole time and so did we, and the kids weren't really around him. We're now quarantined at home, awaiting our COVID tests. The contractor, his assistant, and the tiler all need to quarantine as well, and get tested, and then I'll discuss when they can return to the house. 

Shower tile was moving along, waiting for the shelves for the niche

Construction, therefore, is on hold indefinitely. Merry Christmas!