Spring arrived this past week and we were delighted to see it. On Sunday last we sat outside with a firepit and the woods were full of snow. This Saturday we sat out there and all the snow was gone and the ground cover is very green. We moved all the chairs and tables back onto the patio once again. I checked our daffodils and they are coming up very quickly. This is the first spring for us when we planted things in the garden the previous fall. Last year was all a mystery. Such fun to see the fruits of our fall effort beginning to sprout.
Update on Jenny Lane – Part 1 – The Kitchen Floor
The kitchen floor had to come up. It was the last of the old floor upstairs and it had to go before the new cabinets come in. John and then John and Katie together tried to get it up to no avail. It was truly a dreadful job. The tile was glued solidly to the plywood and the plywood was screwed into the vinyl flooring underneath which was stuck on some more plywood. Three big guys with enormous pry bars worked to get that floor up and frankly, I have never heard a negative word out of any of them in a year and a half, but I heard quite a lot this day. Not only did they have to move the stove out of the kitchen but they had to take down the temporary counter and move all the pots and pans and the garbage cans and everything on the counters. Ugh. It all ended up in the living room. By the end of the day we had it all put back and by the end of the week even the last vestiges of the vinyl were gone thanks to John and a putty knife. The guys also put in some more ceiling and covered up the hole where Stephen fell through last week. The visual divide is gone now and I can really visualize what it is going to look like when done. One large cohesive room with a beautiful central fireplace.
Update on Jenny Lane – Part 2 – Libby’s Bathroom
The bathroom overhaul continues. Last week the new floor was put in and the walls were insulated. This week the walls were sheet rocked and the mudding and taping was done. By the weekend, John and I were able to get most of the sanding done which is just another awful job. There is white spackle dust everywhere. We wore masks and glasses but it still got in my teeth. Maybe they will look a little whiter!!! Then Katie and Libby got started on the primer coat of painting. It was a real family affair. No wonder we sat down by the firepit for a glass of wine when we were done. If we can get the final coat of wall paint done we should be able to get the toilet and the vanity installed by the end of the week. What a happy Easter surprise that would be. Of course we need the plumber back again so you just never know. The electrician did all his work before the walls went up so we should be ok there. There is a beautiful tile backsplash that will go in behind the vanity. Not sure if it goes in first or after the vanity guess I’ll find out this week.
And the Final Jenny Lane Update for the Week….
Goes to the folks at Budget Blinds who delivered our beautiful shades for the Bonus Room. What a huge difference it makes. The room feels very cozy when they are down at night and if the sun is too bright on John’s desk he can close the shade until the sun gets higher in the sky. They are a lovely finish to a really great room. I think I can say the room is done, at least until we get the furniture that will replace what is in here now but the room itself is done.
An Adventure Post Vaccine
Our first trip since last September. John and I drove to Manchester, Vermont to meet friends from Saratoga Springs, NY for an overnight. Since all four of us have been fully vaccinated the Inn was allowed to rent us rooms and provide dinner and breakfast. Needless to say we felt like we had been let out of jail. Hardly anyone in Manchester. We went into a bunch of stores as seen by the photo of packages above but there was no one in the stores except sales people (masked of course), lots of hand sanitizer and friendly greetings. We felt we really needed to buy something if we could. We stayed at The Reluctant Panther, an inn we have stayed at a few times before. They have a wonderful dining room and once again we enjoyed a delicious dinner with lobster fondue and other yummy items.
The next morning I got up and went out for a good walk behind the inn. There is a great trail up on Equinox Mountain but I wasn’t sure of the condition of the woods and was a little bit time constrained so I just climbed part way and did a big loop. The fog was lifting and the sun was shining on the mountain. It was just a perfect way to work off some of that fondue.
Exercise Indoors and Out
While we were away and work continued at home, another piece of workout equipment arrived. The indoor cycle is such a big success that Katie thought she would try a treadmill. I’m afraid it is not as successful. The directions were very poor but she got it put together. It is a manual one and provides a good workout but seems to be a little bit temperamental. It prefers that you walk at about 4.5 miles an hour or it might stick. We are working the kinks out but I don’t think that saving a few bucks on a treadmill is a very good idea. It is nice to know you could do a workout without going outside in the bad weather but I still prefer to walk or hike outside and the dogs definitely prefer that I do.
Cooking and Eating Adventures
I had a wonderful Risotto entree at the Inn restaurant and would love to recreate it. It was light and not so rich after the Lobster Fondue. Maybe they will share it with me if I ask. In the meantime, for lunch I had an Arugula, Pear and Blue Cheese salad that was perfect for a warm spring day. Here’s a recipe for one you might like to try.
Arugula, Pear and Blue Cheese from thekitchn.com
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 4 large handfuls arugula (about 12 ounces)
- 1 barely ripe pear, cored and sliced thin
- 3 ounces soft blue cheese
- Whisk together the balsamic vinegar, mustard, and honey in a small saucepan over low heat. Gradually pour in the olive oil, and continue whisking until the dressing has emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.
- Divide the arugula between plates. Top with the sliced pear and blue cheese, then drizzle with warm vinaigrette.
