Kitchen Redesign

So, Adam and I both had this week off. . . . and my parents were gracious enough to watch the kids for part of the time, so we could start shopping for the new kitchen and Naomi's room.  I have been really excited about this project for 14 years. . . . . and I have been waiting and wishing.  On a bonus note, we are moving the door of the main floor bathroom from the kitchen to our living room (which we use as a family room).

We meet Victoria at our first stop Splash. . . . and I have to tell you that Victoria has patience!!!!  First she arranged with each vendor ahead of time, our style and wants, and our budget.  This was amazing.  We were very good with picking out a new bathroom toilet and sink; kitchen faucet and sink.  That part went quickly.

Side Note - Look up NUMI toilet. . . . on google.  We saw one of them at Splash.

Off to Wolfer's Lighting, and this is where I started to think . . . I am in over my head. . . lights and lights and more lights.  Sooo many decisions.  We made some good head way.  Not all decisions have been made.  I learned ALOT about lighting though!

Then off to Moynihan Doors and Windows.  I had no idea how many choices I had for interior and exterior doors.  Luckily we only need one of each . . . . . and new windows. . . for the whole house.  We made decisions about the doors, and left the knobs for later (another amazing array of choices).

On Friday, we started off with cabinets.  I have to say things went well. . . . until Adam said he likes knobs and I said I like pulls. . . . we have a bit of work to do on that front!  Who knew.  I really liked the woman from the cabinet store.  Again, she knew our style and budget, thanks to Victoria.

Then, off for bathroom floor tile.  The decision for bathroom floor was super easy.  We picked out the same tile as our upstairs bathroom.  The backsplash for the kitchen was a bit more daunting. . . . I really like the glass tiles, but the salesperson said it could be too over powering.  We narrowed the backsplash down to two choices.

Then  . . .. APPLIANCES  . . . YALE APPLIANCE, which is an amazing store, with huge amounts of stuff!!!!  Google it!

Of course, our price range narrows down the choices. . . . . dishwasher and fridge - easy.  Double oven . . .well we have it down to two. . . . and now, this is where I start falling apart.

Right now our stove is against the wall, and we have a simple range hood.  Well, in the new kitchen our cooktop is over the "island" and Adam and I are not liking the prices of the island hoods or the idea of the hood in the way.  But neither of us are sold on downdrafts for the ventilation either.  Sooo, we emailed Dave, the architect, and asked what the options are. . . can we move the sink to the island, and the cooktop to the window. . . . and make changes to the window.  I hate changing things, however (1) this is why we hired a team . . . .  and (2) construction hasn't started so it is okay.

Stay tuned! 

And thanks to Cory, Dave and Victoria of New England Design and Construction.

PS - made some blueberry muffins and chocolate chip mondelbret today, just to keep up with the baking!

Some Chanukah Songs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XND3Naa6N5o
Orrin Hatch is pretty good with the song writing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSJCSR4MuhU&noredirect=1
The Maccabeets are good too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzh-TKzXN2k
The Fountainheads

Cookbooks and Parties

This post is really two posts in one.

CHANUKAH PARTY
I have been to my fair share of Hanukah parties.  Last night I attended the BEST one, that I have ever been to, thanks to TEMPLE EMANUEL in Newton, MA.  The latkes were good (my kids even agreed) and plentiful (in years past, not so plentiful).  The set up was roomy for 700+ people.  Then, we got down to the ruach.  The kids choir and the adults choir, and then THE FOUNTAINHEADS all the way from the land of MILK AND HONEY - ISRAEL!

The children, 100+, were dancing.  There was RUACH.  There was lots of RUACH.  We were celebrating being Jewish, and the kids were singing and dancing, and whooping it up.  It was wonderful.  So glad that I was there to witness my kids, and other kids, dancing like they were dancing to THE BEATLES!  It was wonderful.  The FOUNTAINHEADS really enjoyed themselves too!

COOKBOOKS
I have recently added to my collection:

http://www.amazon.com/Cooking-Everyday-English-Great-Flavor/dp/084873484X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324473569&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Food-Life-Ancient-Persian-Ceremonies/dp/193382347X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324473534&sr=1-1

and

soon:

http://www.amazon.com/Roses-Heavenly-Cakes-Rose-Beranbaum/dp/0471781738/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324473555&sr=1-1

Kitchen Redesign

Do you know anyone like this?

http://www.nedesignbuild.com/blog/newton-home-gets-smart-remodel/

DELIVERY

http://www.templeemanuel.com/Sisterhood_Cookbook

So, the cookbook is about to be delivered to Esther's door tomorrow afternoon.  I am so excited.  I have goosebumps.  Esther and I have worked on this project for almost three years.  Once we get them, we are going to SELL SELL SELL.

You can click the above link to order a cookbook.

You can pick up a copy on SUNDAY DEC 11 at Temple Emanuel in NEWTON, MA from 9 AM to 1 PM.

We accept cash and checks (payable to Temple Emanuel Sisterhood).

I can't wait to feel the pages.  Turn the pages.  Watch others discover the wonerful recipes.

The Jews of Uganda

Usually my blog is about the food I cook, or about my family. Today’s blog is about a talk I went to last night about the Abayudaya, the Ugandan Jewish Village. How this village became Jewish is amazing, and the current rabbi of the village, is amazing. Last night we heard the music of the synagogue from the congregants. We saw videos of the villagers. We learned about their history. We learned that most of them are subsistence farmers, and earn $1 a day. There is no running water in the village and no electricity. But, they are dedicated conservative Jews. They observe kashrut. They observe Shabbat. They know Hebrew. They love Israel. They need our help. They need our help to send their children, to college in Uganda. They have educated their own children to become teachers, principals, doctors, lawyers, engineers, tour guides, plumbers, etc. But college in Uganda is $4,800 a year. However, they cannot afford it. However, there is a way for you to help. Please contact Cindy Paisner at 617-630-1011 if you are willing to donate to the Higher Education Fund.


http://www.shalomboston.com/language/he-IL/Calendar/EventCalendar/ModuleID/566/ItemID/4418/mctl/EventDetails.aspx?selecteddate=03/04/2011

Last night’s talk made me think that my current worries, are my own worries, but yet there are bigger worries in the world. I don’t worry where my clean water will come from. I don’t worry that I don’t have the money for my co-payment for my child to see the doctor. I worry about the insurance claim being denied, but I don’t worry about my access to see the doctor. I am glad that I took the time out of my busy day to learn many new things; but also to be aware of more global concerns.

Dinner Spinach Orchiette

So, besides being very busy with Thanksgiving, and then Chanukah and the release of the cookbook, we are starting the process of a small addition.  So in case you think I have been missing .. . .

Just wanted to share with you a recipe:

 

2 bunches (about 12 oz. each) spinach, rinsed well and drained

 

12 ounces dry orecchiette or ruote (wheel-shaped pasta)

 

1/3 cup olive oil

 

6 cloves garlic, minced or pressed

 

1/4 c. sundried tomato

 

Salt

  

Directions

Remove and discard spinach stems; chop leaves coarsely and set aside.
In a 6- to 8-quart pan, cook orecchiette in 4 quarts boiling water just until tender to bite (12 to 15 minutes); or cook according to package directions.  Just before pasta is done, stir in spinach.
Cook, uncovered, stirring to distribute spinach, just until water returns to a full boil.
Drain pasta and spinach.

While pasta is cooking, heat oil in a wide frying pan over medium heat.
Stir in garlic and sun dried tomatoes.  Cook, uncovered, until garlic turns opaque (about 2 minutes).
Add pasta and spinach to pan; mix lightly, using 2 spoons.  Season with salt.