Week 1 of StoneGable's Farmhouse Kitchen Makeover, and things around here are off to a slow start. Which is a good thing! Because my new sink will take 2 weeks to make, my very nice contractor thought it would be best to leave my current sink and dishwasher in place until this coming week.
But my microwave, stove, desk and glass cabinet are gone. In it's place are the "bones" of what is to come! Venting the fan to the outside went much easier than expected with VERY little demolition! Good news!
Bobby and I spent hours yesterday picking out a back splash area for our cooktop. We "build well" together. I LOVE all the wonderful products that can be made into backsplashes!!!! Especially the glass. But because we are getting soapstone counters and we have a farmhouse inspired home, the glass was not a good match. We went with some beautiful natural stone tiles with oil rubbed bronze medalions. I laid them out so you can get an idea of where we are going with this.
Upcoming this week the sink, dishwasher, counters, island and cabinet doors go. The coutertop gets templated and the painters begin.
When it rains, it pours! Because I have dishes EVERYWHERE my husband is now, as I am writing this, making me a new dish closet! So another area of my home is in total disarray... I am thrilled about this... a little crazy... but thrilled! The image below is the reason Bobby is making the dish closet today!
To add to the excitement I am having day surgery on my back tomorrow. Not a huge deal but please pray for me! I am speaking on Tuesday (my great passion) and my children (oh happy day!) are coming home to visit. I just may put them to work around here because for some reason every room in my house looks like a bomb exploded in it!
I have no idea how this weeks menu will go! We have set up a make-shift counter in the eating area of my kitchen. It is sorta like camping... and am NOT a happy camper... I loathe camping (she says while smiling and gritting her teeth)!
I fancy this whole cooking-while-remodeling process like being on a food network challenge show..."in this basket you will find an electric rotisserie, a chicken, some wet-wipes, an onion, a cup of drywall dust and hand sanitizer... you can use anything else in the kitchen you find... oops, that's right, there is nothing else...you have 30 minutes.... GO!
We will see how this week rolls along! My expectations are high, but I just may ditch everything and go out to dinner... or move out for the forseeable future!
Our big discussion now is CROWN MOLDING! In the greater scheme of life crown molding is a breeze! As a matter of fact, all this is!!!!! Just keeping it in perspective and being grateful!
None of my menus this week include cooking with a stove. I am using my slow cooker, small toaster oven, grill, rotisserie, and a smoker. This really is reality TV worthy!!!!!
Monday Slow Cooker Day
Easy Chicken Cacciatore
Spaghetti (not for us, but you make it!)
Ceasar Salad
Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
1 jar good Marinara sauce
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup prepared pesto (click HERE for homemade recipe)
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, pressed
4 skinless chicken breast and 4 drumsticks
4 oz. sliced mushrooms
2 TBS flour
2 TBS water
2 TBS dry red wine
Mix Marinara, cheese and pesto together in a bowl. Put 1/2 the mixture in the bottom of a slow cooker. Top with onions, pepper, garlic, and then the chicken. Sprinkle chicken with sliced mushrooms and the remainder of the Marinara mixture.
Cook on low for 6-7 hours. Remove chicken when it is done. Mix flour, water and wine together. Whisk into the sauce in the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 20 minutes until sauce is thickened. Put chicken back into the sauce and heat through. Serve over spaghetti.
Printable Version
Tuesday: Slow Cooker Day
Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Crusty Bread
Recipe: Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This is delicious, rich and full of broccoli flavor. This soup makes a hearty meal! Click HERE for the recipe.It will become a favorite!
Wednesday: Grill Day
StoneGable Hamburgers
Homemade Coleslaw
StoneGable Baked Beans
Recipe: StoneGable Hamburgers
I could eat these once a week! They are that good! So fire up the grill and click HERE for the YUMMY recipe!
Recipe: Homemade Coleslaw
Fresh and tangy, this coleslaw is perfect company for hamburgers! Click HERE and look for it on Friday's recipe.
Recipe: StoneGable Baked Beans
I'm baking these in my little toaster oven. This should be an adventure! I love a good bowl of baked beans! Sweet and smokey these beans even taste good at room temperature! For this recipe, click Here and look for it on Saturday's menu.
Thursday: Grill Day
Steak
Baked Potatoes
Asparagus On The Grill
Friday
Out To Dinner
Satuday
Rotisserie Chicken
Potato Salad
Roasted Broccoli
Recipe: StoneGable Rotisserie Chicken
1 3-4 lb chicken
1 large onions, peeled left whole
olive oil
garlic salt
onion powder
I have a small rotisserie oven. I bought it at a garage sale for $3.00. It makes fabulous meat!!!!
Salt the cavity of the chicken. Stuff the cavity of chicken with the onion. Put it on the rotisserie skewer . Oil outside of chicken and sprinkle with garlic salt and onion powder. Cook it according to weight. Yummy!! Or you can buy a rotisserie chicken at your market...on second thought...
Printable Recipe
Recipe: StoneGable Potato Salad
I'll be using store bought, since I don't have a stove, but I'm sharing this StoneGable classic!
This is my grandmother's recipe. The secret ingredient is sour pickle juice, preferable with garlic!And please use baking potatoes. Regular new potatoes are too full of water content and get mushy. I don't have amounts and measures, however these are close estimates. I just learned by watching and make this from memory. Start with these amounts and see how they are. You may need to tweak the mayo to potato ratio. It is well worth the try. This seems like a pretty basic recipe, but don't pass it up. This recipe is my most requested picnic food. People love it!
5 lbs russet or BAKING potatoes, boiled whole in jackets, cooled
1 large jar garlic dill pickles (I use Claussen's)
1 large onion, diced finely
3-4 ribs celery, diced finely
1/2 cup shredded carrots
6 hard boiled eggs, diced finely
3 cups mayo
2 TBS mustard
salt and pepper
Remove skins from baking potatoes and dice into large bowl. As you dice the potatoes, splash them with the pickle juice to keep them from browning. Toss the potatoes as you dice. Keep splashing them with pickle juice. Use about 1/4- 1/3 cup.
Put mayo in a bowl ( I use a large wide mouthed ball jar and shake). Add 1/3 cup pickle juice and mustard. This is just a guesstimate. You might need more pickle juice. Mix or shake well. It should be the consistency of thick cream.
Add mayo to potatoes and coat.Don't be stingy with the mayo. If it doesn't coat it and some to spare~ make more. Add onions, celery and eggs and mix. Salt and pepper to taste.
This is better if made the day in advance for all the flavors to marry. When you make this invite me over!
Printable Recipe
Sunday: Smoker Day
Bobby's BBQ Smoked Ribs
Black Bean Salad
Roasted Asparagus On The Grill
Recipe: Black Bean Salad
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can white shoepeg corn (drained)
1 red bell pepper, chopped
Dressing:
3 TBS canola oil
1 TBS balsamic vinegar
3 TBS freshly squeezed orange juice
1 TBS sugar
14 tsp ground cumin
1 clove garlic, pressed
salt and pepper
Put all dressing ingredients into a jar and shake vigorously. Let sit for 1 hour for all flavors to marry.
Put beans, corn and pepper into a bowl. Pour dressing over the ingredients. Mix thoroughly. Best if made ahead and let to sit so flavors can develop.
Printable Recipe
Well, things are certainly hoping over there at Stone Gable, Yvonne! : ) This is the worst part and having been through so many different kinds of remodeling in our house - I can sympathize. I'm sure it is all going to look beautiful once it's done. Your stone is wonderful and I love the layout. Prayers and thoughts for your day surgery tomorrow and make sure you don't over exert yourself afterwards!
ReplyDeleteAtleast your spirits are high! I am sure that it will all look wonderful when you are done. Love the stone you picked out. It's kinda like mine.
ReplyDeleteI will be saying lots of prayers and thinking of you tomorrow! I do hope all goes well. I wish I was closer, I would come and wait on you hand and foot! I can't wait to see how inventive you get as the remodel goes on.
What beautiful selections you have made. (Not that I expected anything but!)
ReplyDeleteYou forgot one thing on your menu when remodeling: take out. :)
Have a wonderful visit with your kiddos and I am keeping you in my prayers and sending get well soon thoughts your way.
Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteThis is so exciting! I will be excited to see the progress. When we did our kitchen remodel a few months ago, we also chose soapstone counters. They are terrific.
I got a lot of use out of my electric skillet. You can make one dish meals, but also cook chicken on one side, skillet potatoes on another corner and then throw in a veggie at the last minute in another corner.
Apparently you can also make cake, I made peanut brittle. That skillet was invaluable!
God bless your procedure and your week!
My menu would probably read "Kitchen Closed", "Out Of Service" and I'd call for reservations. :-) You are a brave lady. I hope your medical procedure goes well and you find relief. Hey, that's another reason NOT to cook! :-) Seriously, take good care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteYour choices look beautiful! I can't wait to see how it all looks when finished.
xo
Pat
I can't wait to see the big reveal on your kitchen. It will be gorgeous! I feel your remodeling pain. We renovated our kitchen last winter and our house looked like a bomb went off for 6 loooooooong weeks. Of course we had to rip out a wall, so that took more time.
ReplyDeleteGood luck tomorrow. Please take care of yourself!
Yvonne, I'm with you on the camping. Not my cup of tea either. Your menu sounds wonderful and much more than what I would do. Can you say peanut butter and jelly sandwich?
ReplyDeleteThe backsplash tiles are beautiful. I know your kitchen is going to be wonderful when finished!
Praying that your surgery goes well,
Tammy
I think you are SUPER WOMAN!! Kitchen remodel..surgery..speaking and kids coming home..
ReplyDeleteSUPER WOMEN! :) Your in my prayers tom.
Hugs Granny Trace
www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com
How exciting as the kitchen takes shape, and that you even get a new dish cupboard! I have had back problems before, so I sympathize, and hope all goes well for you tomorrow. I can't believe you have planned such a fantastic week of meals with the activities, but I hope your kids will cook for you....my thoughts & prayers with you, Yvonne...
ReplyDeleteYvonne,
ReplyDeleteWell I love that you are keeping it real and showing the work in progress pictures! I am planning a kitchen remodel and addition in a couple years and I am always curios to know how families survive all the mess and inablilty to use the kithcen...but if anyone can do it with grace and style it's you!! Can't wait to see it all done..but I really like seeing the process. Thanks for sharing..the menus look wonderful..the chicken slow cooker recipe I'm going to try this week!!
Miss Bloomers
I think your menu should red, EAT OUT EAT OUT EAT OUT!
ReplyDeleteI will pray all goes well for your surgery... Lots of commotion going on there.
Love the back splash, it is going to look wonderful.
I had such a hard time picking the back splash. I waited till the granite went in as I couldn't visualize! I am happy with the subway tiles I picked, easy to keep clean which is good, there's always something flying here!
You are remodeling your kitchen, having surgery and entertaining company......you are amazing....but I vote with Kathleen....EAT OUT! Be kind to yourself! Love the materials you chose for the back splash and can't wait to see your new dish closet!
ReplyDeletepraying for a sucessful day surgery and speaking on Tuesday! Cannot wait to see your finished kitchen!
ReplyDeleteSo much going on for you Yvonne, I pray your surgery will go well!!! YOur kitchen is going to be wonderful! Enjoy your family!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Cindy
Day surgery??? Day BACK surgery!!!???? I will pray for sure! Be sure to let me know if you aren't going to make Tuesday! Your kitchen is going to be out of this world beautiful! I LOOOOVE the tiles you ahve chosen for the backsplash! Gorgeous! I hope I get to see it all when completed!!!!! XO, Pinky
ReplyDeleteHolding you close in thoughts & prayers for a successful outcome of your surgery.
ReplyDeleteI don't envy you the mess & the work involved with your remodel but I sure do envy the results! That backsplash tile is GORGEOUS!
Yes, DO put those kids to work. They'll be happy to assist & you deserve a little help right now.
Hugs,
Rett
ps: your potato salad is EXACTLY like the one my Mom made! I swear, we're related somehow! LOL
Can't wait to see the final pics. Carla
ReplyDeleteI love what you are doing to your kitchen and the new backsplash is really beautiful. I can't wait to see it all finished. We will be doing the same thing, hopefully next month, but a complete gutting of the old kitchen. Should be interesting. Thanks for the menu ideas. I will certainly have to be creative for at least 2 weeks! Have a great week. Blessings, Pamela
ReplyDeleteYvonne, Your kitchen is going to be wonderful. Praying your procedure goes well. Don't overdo when you get home. Sounds like this week would be a good week for take out although your menu looks yummy.
ReplyDeleteYvonne, I can't imagine even thinking about cooking with surgery and kitchen remodeling on my plate! {and kids coming home, and a speaking engagement ...wow}
ReplyDeletePlease know that your many friends and admirers in blogland, me included, are saying prayers for a speedy recovery!
Can't wait to see your new kitchen ~ looking fabulous!!
Sue
Hi, Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteWell, it's interesting - the timing of me starting to follow your blog. I am also in WEEK 4 of our kitchen makeover. No doubt, ours is being done a much tighter budget than yours! :-) Yours will be lovely! Love the tile you showed on your blog. We have just finished the first coat of paint on the walls, but I am still finding holes in the trim that I am trying to fill with a wood filler. Apparently, I missed a lot at 3:00 a.m. on Saturday night when I was working in there. :-)
We hope to get the last of the trim painted tonight. I have drywall dust in every inch of the house. Who knew it could seep into desk drawers in rooms on the other side of the house?!?! Sheesh! We will be so thankful when it's all behind us. Renovating a historical house is quite the challenge. We ran into structural issues that we didn't know existed, which TRIPLED our expense and caused me to have to make some cuts in other areas (i.e. reuse the old cabinets instead of buying new, repurpose the old sink hardware, etc., etc.).
We should exchange reno stories sometime! ;-)
Best wishes,
Paula
www.paulasserendipity.blogspot.com
I just prayed for you. You are one ambitious lady. So much going on. I am loving your blog and the things you write about. Enjoy your children. I know they will enjoy being home with their momma!
ReplyDeleteYvonne,
ReplyDeleteYour post made me think of "when it rains, it pours"! Prayers are coming your way. May God heal your back and allow you to do His will this week with your other activities! You continue to bless my life in so many ways. Thank you for being the amazing woman God intended you to be!
Fondly,
Pat
Love the new tile and your cabinets, it will be beautiful. Enjoy the kids and I will be praying for your back Yvonne, and ask the Lord to give you a special healing touch.
ReplyDeleteTake care!
Mimi
Your kitchen will look amazing when it is finished! It takes a lot of patience and foresight to get through any renovation and I think the kitchen is the worst and the bathroom would be next. Your menu sounds wonderful, I am never so organized that I could have a menu, wish I was, though.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Cindy
Yvonne, your kitchen is looking amazing, I love your choices! Can't wait to see it all finished. What a great hubby to make you a new dish cabinet! And your menu this week...yummy. xxx tami
ReplyDeleteIsn't it awful? You have painters? My husband was our painter...took so much longer! I hope the surgery went well...how can you speak the day after surgery? Are you crazy?
ReplyDeleteThings are looking good (well, not good...but I can see that they will be). The tile is wonderful. I saw something similiar when we were looking at tile Saturday. I found some tumbled marble that I loved for our backsplash and it didn't look good at all once it was next to the countertop. I guess we have enough pattern in the granite that we need something very simple for our backsplash. We have a standard stove...no cooktop, so there will be no fancy design (no room). I can't wait to see things finished. I also suggest going out or bringing in...cooking just isn't worth it!
Here's to a speedy recovery!!!
ReplyDeleteLooking good, Yvonne. Love the tile chosen for the back splash. Hope your surgery went well.
ReplyDeleteOh Yvonne, I know that you will love your new kitchen when it is done. So happy your hubby is building you a new dish cabinet. I wish he would build me one too. I love your dishes.
ReplyDeleteI am sad that I fell off your blog list but that doesn't make me love you less...
Cynthia
Yvonne, it is already looking beautiful! I'm anxious to see your soapstone countertops, I think that is what I would lean towards over granite when we do our kitchen. Hope your surgery went well.
ReplyDeleteJodie
Yvonne, I am certainly hoping your surgery went well. Have breathed prayers for you when I think of you and your lovely blog that has blessed me in the few short weeks I have known about it!
ReplyDeleteI will be anxious to hear how you are.
..."in this basket you will find an electric rotisserie, a chicken, some wet-wipes, an onion, a cup of drywall dust and hand sanitizer... you can use anything else in the kitchen you find... oops, that's right, there is nothing else...you have 30 minutes.... GO!"
ReplyDeleteThat made me laugh so loudly that I scared my dog. Although that doesn't take much...
Thanks so much for all of your kind comments about my garage makeover. Here is an additional piece of advice for you during your kitchen makeover, based on my experience.
Go out to dinner as much as you possibly can. While cleaning out the garage, we went every night. The last thing I wanted to do was clean up the kitchen after cleaning out the garage all day! I must say, we got some funny looks at the restaurants because we looked bad and probably smelled worse!
But interior renovations are the most stressful, especially the kitchen. Be kind to yourself and let someone else wait on you hand and foot (the servers at the restaurant) during this time. Because you deserve it AND you have the perfect excuse...your kitchen is having a facelift!
Yvonne, I hope all the work goes smoothly. I like your choices for the kitchen, and I know you are going to love it when it's finished.
ReplyDeleteXO,
Sheila :-)