Things are heating up around here...

"Heat" may not actually be the most accurate word to use. "Not quite as cold" is probably a better way to put it.

The fact that it's a bit warmer outside helps.

Today, most of the insulation was put in...which is what is helping the heat index around here! You can also see some of the piping going in which will attach to the wood stove.
I asked Ron if it wasn't suppose to be black...he said it will be, but I asked him to double check with Pete anyway.

The other thing put in today were some of the 'can lights'...or that's what Pete calls them. I'm not putting in many, but I was heavily advised that I "wanted them" - even though I didn't know I wanted them. They do sound like a good idea.
Now this photo isn't going to win any awards for "best picture of the year" or anything, but you can see what a 'can light' is. They will be recessed into the ceiling and we'll be able to turn the bulb to shine wherever we want.
Here's another view of the corner where the wood stove will be. I'm in a quandary over how it will look behind the wood stove...and the hearth. I've thought all along I wanted brick...and then I saw some different rock ... then today I went to visit our friends, Brian and Andrea, to look at theirs. It's brick, but I really like the way it's designed. To make you appreciate your clean, tidy, undusty home, I leave you with a snapshot of ours...

Look what's going on here today...

Look what we've been watching out our windows:

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It isn't sticking, or at least not yet. Before the snow started, it was raining...raining hard. Ron heard a 'drip-drip-drip' and here's what he saw in the new room:Ron called Pete...but Pete said 'not to worry...' it has to do with the chase...and it's not totally finished, so Pete's not worried.

Tomorrow we're suppose to have the wiring inspection. Um? wiring...leaking water?

Soups on!

I mentioned on the post about lists, that I had made a lentil soup. I've had several requests for the recipe, so here it is: I'm getting hungry just thinking about writing it down...

Acorn Squash and Lentil Soup

Serves 12 (well, Ron and I ate 2 1/2 meals off this. He ate 3 bowls the first night...and I took a small bowl to school for lunch the next day... and then we had it again for dinner...and then I cleaned the pan. So, 12 servings? Well, maybe, but maybe not!)

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
5 cups chicken broth
2 cups red or green lentils (I used regular brown ones from Safeway)
4 medium acorn squash, halved, seeded, peeled, and cut into 1-inch cubes (I used 2 large ones...next time I'll probably use 3)
1/2 to 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 ounce lean bacon cooked crisp, drained, and crumbled (Shoot, why so little bacon? We used about 5 slices the first night!)

1. In a large stockpot, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery, and saute for 7-8 minutes. The vegetables should be soft but not browned.
2. Add to this, 4 cups of chicken broth and the lentils. Bring to a boil, cover, lower the heat, and simmer for 1 hour.
3. Add the squash and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme and simmer for 30-45 minutes, or until the squash and lentils are thoroughly cooked. Add the remaining cup of broth if the soup seems too thick. (I did...actually I think I added 2 more cups of broth!) Season to taste with additional thyme (I didn't), salt and pepper. (I did)
4. To serve, ladle into warm bowls (my bowls were fresh out of the cabinet!) and garnish (I just threw them on) with the bacon.

(Just in case you wanted to know: 163 calories, 25 g carb, 10 g protein, 4 mg chol and 3 g/15% fat.)

Cornbread would be delicious with this...but I made Oatmeal Knots from Cooking Light...oh my gosh, they are DELICIOUS. Like I said on the post about lists, Ron ate 5 of the rolls - although one was for my mother, so I guess it didn't count.

Panthers beat the Tigers

I just had to blog this.

High school rivals...games against rivals can be so intense...and tonight was one of those nights.

My guy and I just got home...my legs are still shaking...my hands are hurting...my voice is probably a bit scratchy...and my head is aching from so much excitement.

The Panthers beat the Tigers!

I don't really say where we live...so those of you who know, will know the thrill of this win! John had an INCREDIBLE game. They all played well, but John definitely stood heads above the rest.This is an intense John...

What a game!

Killing two birds with one stone...well, actually this is writing about 2 days in one post.

The 'chase' is finished ... basically. It's not painted, and that flat thing is just a cover until the pipe is put in ... but you can see what it looks like.

Good job, Pete, Al, and/or Kyle. I'm not sure which one worked on this...or if it was a group effort. 'Group effort' ... that's probably not a term contractors use. Sorry guys...that's the school-teacher in me coming out, I guess.


Now this picture of this sweet lady will be me when this is all said and done.

Today, they wired. I took a few photos and one in particular shows the mess.


You can see the wires hanging down everywhere...and the siding for the front is in and laying in the bottom right corner of the photo.

I'll have to remember this photo when the house is finished and I think it's a mess. All I'll have to do is pull this picture up, look at it, and then just forget about cleaning! Sounds like a plan to me!

Checking it off my list!

I'm a list maker...

Yep, it's pretty satisfying when I have a long list and everything marked off. Unfortunately, that seldom happens.

My list today:
1. Finish Kite Runner - didn't do it. Actually, I still have 49 pages to go...but I tried.
2. Work out - check!
3. Get ready for school - geez, well, I'd like to say "check!" but I can't. I'm ready for tomorrow, but not the week...rats.
4. Get my hair colored - check!
5. Work on People to People - check!
6. Make new recipe for hot rolls - check! (Mom, I told Ron you wanted him to eat one for you with butter. So he ate 5, 4 for himself and 1 for you. Only he told me to tell you he didn't use butter, he used - well, gee whiz, can't remember what it's called.) **Oh the brain finally kicked in and it's called Smart Balance.
7. Make new recipe for Lentil-Acorn Squash Soup - check!
8. Paint - didn't do it.
9. Vacuum - didn't do it.
10. Clean the computer room - didn't do it.
11. Blog - am in the process as you're reading this...so 'almost check!'
12. Talk to the kids - check! That always makes me SO HAPPY!
13. Tell Lindsey and Donnie "Happy Anniversary" since I only left a message on Saturday-check!
14. Catch up on laundry -just about check! (load in washer and one in dryer as I write!)

I think that was it.

Lindsey use to write "Wake up" on her list! Not sure if she does that anymore. I could add that and then I'd for sure have something else to mark off.

Another window...a bit of trim...and a plug

The 'chase' has been framed. Actually it's not completely finished, but you can't tell from this photo, or at least I don't think you can. It's made to look like the one on the other end of the house.

The trim is also up...

and you may notice the last window is now in the front.

Come on around back and I'll show you the rest of the trim...watch your feet cause it's really muddy...You may notice that there's still no door. That plywood will serve as the cover until everything is finished. Pete said that door will be about the last thing.Let's go back inside...it's so cold outside!Now you can see the newest window. This lamp that's hanging down has just about seen its last day. It will go to lamp-heaven. The double doors over against the wall, well, we may have a use for one or both of them.

Do you see this dark line in the floor? Thank you, Pete!
That line, from what I understand, is nasty work. Pete had to saw the cement to lay in a plug. The room is just too large to not have a plug in the floor...so Pete, aiming to please, sawed the cement. Thank you again, Pete!Tonight I had to decide about ceiling lights...they're wiring so we can put in recessed lighting if we decide. Then, where do you put the switch for each light? I didn't remember all the decisions you have to make...and this is just a small addition!

Opened Up...Plus, this is my 200th Post!

As you can see, the rest of the interior walls came down today. Ron is standing in what use to be our living room...and Pete is standing in what use to be the dining room. You can also see where Pete is taking off the old floor - parquet? I guess that's how you spell it.
This is standing in the old dining room. The corner you're looking at, that's where the wood stove will go. I am SO EXCITED to have a wood stove again! They're so cozy and warm. In that corner, you can see where something is boarded up? That's where another window like the other small one will be put in tomorrow.

This is a picture of what our wood stove looks like. It's a Hampton and it's a brown enamel...I love it!

Pete said it's time to make some decisions...lighting, plugs, cable, hearth...etc. It's been fun to come home and see the changes the last couple of days. Tomorrow...I'm going to look at hearth ideas...

**On a side note... I saw when I signed in to Blogger tonight that this is my 200th post! That's hard for me to believe! When I did my 100th post, I wrote 100 things about me...this is it for the 200th!

Things are looking a little different in the house now

I came strolling in from work, ready to go workout before taking Rema to dinner tonight for her 50th birthday...when I unexpectedly saw this ...

Plastic over the doorway from the kitchen to the dining room. Um? I didn't think that was happening today. I could see light...and it wasn't from a lightbulb.

I grabbed my camera and walked around outside and...Oh yeah, a bit different! The wall between the dining and living room isn't out yet. That's tomorrow. Pete likes to have a little fun while he works so he did this:He told me I could get Ron to stick his head through that hole and I could throw things...actually I think Pete said darts...at him. Oh no way, not to my guy!Here's another shot so you get the effect.


Check back...this post isn't quite finished, but it's time to take Rema to dinner. She's 50 after all, so she might not be as patient...
OK, I'm back...dinner was DELICIOUS! Rema and I went to a fairly new sushi place. But food is not the topic of this post. I did decide to leave the comment above this photo there, just so if you see Rema, you might want to comment on her age...well, you know, how young she looks and all.


Ok, well the photo above, you can see where they put on the trim on the corners. Pete's telling Al how splendid everything looks. Actually, I think what Pete actually said was, "Hey Al, are you ready to start cleaning things up? I need to go home."
As Pete, Al, and Kyle were cleaning up, it dawned on Pete that our house was a bit...well, unsecured. We had a large opening where the door will go, and one spot where a window will go - and neither place had anything covering it. Then, of course, you saw there was a piece of plastic separating this area from the main part of the house. Well, that could be a bit chilly, plus probably not real safe. So they nailed up some plywood...which is what you see in this picture. Almost looks like a brick wall, doesn't it?

I can hardly wait till tomorrow when the other walls are knocked down!

John and Holly go to dinner and the Winter Formal

Last night was our local high school's Winter Formal. When Ron and I went to high school we just had the Senior Prom...that was it. Now there are all kinds of dances/formals/proms. I guess they're a great reason to get dressed up and enjoy a nice night out on the town.

John and Holly, after being coerced by Rema, came over so I could take some pictures.

I had to get Rema in a picture with John and Holly. I told Holly she needed to turn around so I could get a picture of the back of her dress. Isn't it beautiful?

In keeping with my habits, I took more than a few photos...I love them all, so I'm putting them all here on a slideshow. Enjoy!BubbleShare: Share photos - Safe Toys

Gabe's celebration of Hoss...or James...or Jimi

Gabe is thrilled for his buddies, Brandon and Sarah, on the birth of their little guy, James/Jimmy/Jimi/Hoss... I didn't know handing out cigars was still done when you had a baby. Regardless what the rest of the world does, Brandon - one proud papa - is handing them out.

Ron and Gabe were given one.

Ron's is still wrapped in plastic, but Gabe decided to try it out. Emily and I had to shut the door to the garage quickly because... well.... the cigar kind of stunk... Ron ended up just opening the garage door.
You might look at this photo above and think Gabe looks like he knows what he's doing. He probably does, but not from experience... at least I don't think he knows from experience. He's definitely NOT a smoker, but you'd never guess that from these photos.Geez, look at that thing! The smoke, the smell...Oh my gosh, I couldn't believe he wasn't coughing, but he said, "I didn't inhale, Mom." Ok, Gabe.
Good thing he's not inhaling all that smoke. You may notice the garage door was not open yet.

Yep, I think Gabe enjoyed having that cigar in honor of the new little guy!

Meet Hoss...I mean, James

Look at this proud papa...

I asked Brandon what he calls his new baby boy. His name is James Marshall but we knew they might call him Jimmy.

Brandon told me that sometimes he calls him "Son" and sometimes he calls him "Hoss"!

Could be because he weighed 9 lbs. 10 ounces!

He's a DOLL!Look at Little Brandon looking over his mama's shoulder! He's 8 days old...born January 4th, 2008.

Congratulations Brandon and Sarah...he is absolutely precious!

Our dear canine visitors

Friends and family are wonderful! I've always loved it when our family, friends, or our children's friends come over and make themselves at home.
Ozzy makes me smile. He loves to come visit and he is SO EXCITED when he comes in. He likes to run around and check everything out. Look at Ozzy perched on top of the couch. Pete started to holler at him for hopping up there, but we told Pete it was OK. Ozzy makes himself at home.
I don't think Ozzy looks very happy here. I think this is when Pete told him they had to go home. You're always welcome here, Ozzy!

We had another canine visitor today...actually SHE is here right now. Biscuit! I guess she's actually my 'granddog' seeing as she's the dog of Gabe and Emily. Ron and I are actually dogsitting right now while Gabe and Emily are out visiting some of their buddies.Gabe and Emily always tell Biscuit what a beautiful snout she has.

Biscuit wanted us to tell her which was her better side. Not wanting to hurt her feelings, and honestly not being able to tell much of a difference, we told her both of her profiles were just gorgeous.Enough of that nonsense. Biscuit wanted to go outside and play.

Pete's been on the lookout for us a dog. Gabe is convinced we need a dog. We're not convinced yet. Pete found a malti-poo and said it was just the perfect dog for us...except it has a $1200 price tag. No thanks....