Esme also wants to know when she can open this present.

As I’ve mentioned, we started redecorating our front room, this wasn’t a small task and as well as it taking up all of our time, it swallowed all of our money too! It’s at a stopping point right now, we’ll pick it up again when we can. but it’s looking good.

Last time I dropped in everything was covered in plastic awaiting ceiling work. Thankfully scraping the ceiling wasn’t too bad, the work of a couple of hours for the two of us (if you weren’t previously aware, spray the ceiling with water first to moisten the drywall then it’ll scrape off in big ribbons). The following evening we re-textured the ceiling, spraying it with a drywall compound and then knocking it down. The following couple of evenings painting it white. It looks good, it’s much less obnoxious and we can’t wait to get the rest of the house done up the same way.

Then the plastic came off the walls and we got to painting. We chose provence cream (aka pale yellow!) for the hallway and coral gold for the front room. On the bare walls the coral gold looked very… bright, the high wattage halogen work lights we were using didn’t help either. But with our usual lights and natural light coming in the window it seems much softer, and it’s a nice warm welcome into the house.

We steam cleaned the carpets while the floor was clear which of course summoned the much needed rain… so our nice clean carpets became covered in muddy paw prints.. I think it became a game for Es to run outside and see how far inside she could get before we got to her feet with the towel!

Then the bookcases went up, I cannot tell you how happy this made me! Furniture was moved in (putting out my back in the process – it’s sore but much better now) and the books went up on the shelves along with some knick-knacks to fill the gaps until we buy more books *grins* Yes, I am wearing a brace while I sorted the books, you’re correct, I probably shouldn’t have done that with a bad back. But I did it anyway, I was in my element sorting them all out and getting them “just-so” I would have stopped if it hurt too bad… promise!

So all that is left is ceiling molding, skirting boards and molding around the doors. We intend to do a stained wood. And we’re also going to make a media cabinet to store the computer and wii etc, and sit the tv on top, right now we’re using the coffee table, the table it was sat on has become an end table for the sofa.

Es did admirably throughout all of this and thoroughly enjoyed it when she had no obstacles in her way when racing round the living room. She’s doing well now,  she’ll be 10 months next weekend – almost a year!

This is her classic pose, we liken it to a child stretched out with a colouring book!

So we’re finally working on Halloween now, there’ll be no backdrop this year, and I have no idea what my costume will be. But we’re getting there!

Anyone who knows me will know that I love me some books, it saddens me that a number of my books are still over in England. The rest that are here, are stuck in boxes still. Yes, I’ve been here 3 years now and my books are still packed away.

Because once we agreed on bookshelves it spiraled out of control a little.. to quote Dmentd

Of course, I don’t want to put them in until I paint the living room.  Of course, I don’t want to paint the walls until I scrape all the obnoxious popcorn texture off the ceiling, patch a few cracks, re-texture with something pleasant, and paint that.  Of course, once all that’s done, I’d love to replace all the painted baseboard and door molding with new, natural wood molding… oh, and add crown molding while I’m at it.

The bookshelves are finished (there are 6 of them) and are sat in the dining room taunting me with their completion.

The front room went from full to empty… The dining room is now very full!

All the moulding got sent to the kerb for bulk pick up.

And in preparation for scraping the ceiling the place is now covered in plastic. The eerie glow is the doorway to our bedroom.

I hope no-one wants to use the front door!

The pup was a little freaked out at first but has settled down now… apparently extension cords make a comfy bed.

I’ll let you know when it’s looking more hospitable!

I have a few random points of interest for today. A couple months ago we built Es a dog door so she can come and go as she pleases.

She’s 8 months old and close enough to her adult size now, about 40lbs.

I came home from work today and found a praying mantis on the recycling bin.

Finally, we recently discovered a salvage place in town, Backyard Salvage and Garden. We went there looking for wood for a beat up picture frame we’re making, but I had fun just wandering about.

Combine everything except the nutmeg in a skillet over a medium/high heat.
Cook moving constantly until you smell the cumin.
Move to a plate and spread out to cool.
Add the spices and the nutmeg into a grinder.
Process to a powder.

Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

Yields 4 portions

Melt the butter, add the carrots and cook.
Add the whiskey and allow to evaporate.
Reduce the heat and sprinkle in the brown sugar. Stir together.
Cover and cook until carrots are done and the glaze is thick. Add seasonings.

4tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds

Yields 4 servings

Combine the first 9 ingredients (down to chicken).
Slice the chicken and coat in the batter.
Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
Bring the broth, sugar, vinegar, soy, sesame oil, chile and garlic to the boil.
Dissolve the cornstarch in the water and stir in.
Simmer until the sauce thickens and turns clear.
Reduce to low and keep warm.
Heat oil to 375F.
Drop in the chicken a few pieces at a time. Drain.
Mix together and serve with a sprinkling of seeds (or mix them in).

Heat the cream.
Add the butter and whisk to melt.
Sprinkle in the cheese and stir.
Add seasonings.
Toss in the pasta and serve.