Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Another Floor Has Begun

This was the scene in my breakfast room at noon Tuesday.

Within 2 minutes, Thor was hiding behind me.


The room is actually quite roomy without the furniture. I believe, however, that some people will be upset if I leave the room empty; how will they eat without Thor putting his face in their plates?

Then he went to hide in the mud room, despite the fact that it's quite cold out there. All the tile is gone now, and my son is doing whatever he must to the subfloor before he starts the hardwood. We're using unfinished maple, which I will then have to figure out how to finish. Of course, you can bet that I won't be the one on the floor doing the work. I will be the supervisor, a task at which I excel.

The breakfast room table has been stuffed into the kitchen. Functioning is difficult. Dinner was turkey legs and thighs (requiring no attention), stuffing (ditto), salad (ditto). Spice cake with meringue topping did require attention, but I was able to shove people out of my way to let me get to the mixer for that!

Before this project is even finished, the guys are talking about changing out stoves and countertops. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

16 comments:

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

No recipe for the spice cake, you big tease! ;-)

Having your kitchen re-done might be a good thing. Your boys do get the job finished timely and they do good work. This might be a postive. Come visit me while they are working to take you mind off of it!

CraftRage said...

I particularly like the first picture, in which Thor is obviously supervising the work. And I don't blame him for beating a retreat to the mud room - gah! The sound of tiles being ripped up makes ME want to go hide in the mud room!

Bunny said...

My hubby did our downstairs last year, it was so nerve wracking having the whole downstairs empty till it was done. Having furniture stuffed here and there UGH! It's soooo nice having family do it rather than paying an arm and a leg to someone else! You'll LOVE it when it's all done!

SissySees said...

I want new countertops!

Poor Thor. Mugsy didn't care for big changes at home either.

veedogknitter said...

oh my goodness, i love Thor! He just wants to help so badly...until the noises start!

Marjie said...

Katherine, sorry! I'll post the recipe for the spice cake as soon as I get back to the cookbook with paper in hand to write it down! My kitchen is so stuffed with furniture it's scary!

Claire S. said...

You're a lucky one, Marjie - your men do good work !

I have a lovely new sink (still in the box). My countertops need to be replaced. 2 of the smaller sections are rectangle shaped - ok. The main one is shaped like a hockey stick (actually my kitchen is shaped like a hockey stick) - NOT your standard Home Depot stock item ! So, we can either pay someone an exorbitant amount to custom build a new one, OR have DH do it (& he will do an awesome job, I know !). He did volunteer..........back in October ! Right before all my Chrismas baking started - no way was I letting him in there then - LOL :-) Hopefully, it'll get done soon.

Pam said...

Most husbands and children put off chores like this - take advantage!

The cake looks fantastic - as always.

Paula said...

Poor Thor! Wonder what he's thinking? Where are your boys doing their school work during this construction project?

Love that breakfast room, especially those french doors. I bet it's going to look absolutely lovely when the new floor is in. It is a HUGE room!

New countertops sound lovely, too! Do you get a say in what you get? Do you like tile, granite, corian, formica, or any of those new products like soapstone or some such thing? I'm not up to speed on that stuff. That said, I'd love to have new countertops. I want a stainless steel top on my island, and have for years before stainless became popular on appliances. I don't really have a preference about the other counters; hubbyman wants granite. We have just regular formica now with at tile backsplash. I'd love to get a new gas stove (we have electric now). I thought about you when we bought a new dishwasher this weekend. I saw those flat cooktops (can't think of what they are called), and I remember you mentioning you liked your old ones. Looking forward to more breakfast room photos!

Great cake! I've not seen that with meringue topping before. I love spice cake. Of course, I'd love some turkey and stuffing, too!

Unknown said...

I love the wallpaper in your breakfast nook! What type of finish are you thinking? Pickling? That spice cake looks yummy! g

Anette said...

Mmmm! The cake looks magnificent, I like cakes that seem like food if you know what I mean. It looks like Thor was helping with the floorwork!

Jan said...

Can you send them over to sort out my floor when they're done? :-)
Good luck, I'm sure it will be well worth the effort, and the inconvenience.

The Blonde Duck said...

Why are they ripping apart your house? :) It looks gorgeous though!

May I have a turkey leg please? And some stuffing?

And some cake? :)

Anonymous said...

Seriously, SEND THEM OVER! How selfish of you to keep all this renovation to yourself. I have a list of projects begging for attention!

monica said...

you are so lucky to have your very own contractors! And the cutest supervisor of the silent part of the contracting...:o)

Ann Made Studio said...

Thor sounds so much like my Bradley, but Bradley is only 17 lbs :) he runs from loud noises too! but actually really wants to supervise!
I love spice cake and yours looks so good! I've never tried it with meringue...must be really good?