The "New" Kitchen!!

Well.....I have waited a long time to reveal my new kitchen.  The reason is mostly that with football season and Homecoming activities and planning, I really haven't had too much time to use it! I have to say, that I am LOVING it!  When you take a step back, you realize that there really wasn't too much work done...however, the new space, paint, and connivence of it all makes it a wonderful place to be.

We had a wonderful contractor: Ariel Wannemacher of 10:31 Builders.  If you are in the DownEast area and need something built, fixed, painted, or created, these guys are who to call.  They did wonderful work, cleaned up every night after themselves, they were accommodating, and super friendly.  I also felt they were reasonably priced for the job.  They come highly recommended from me!!  I have to admit, I am probably not the easiest person to work for and living for a week without a kitchen turned out to be a bit of a big deal.  But, the 10:31 Builders put up with me, so they must be good!! It was great that we could get some stuff back into the kitchen even though they guys were still working.  Cooking my first meal on my new stove was heavenly!!

Not done...but getting closer!

So, without further ado...here are some shots of the new digs...

We really didn't have a whole lot of space to work with.  The kitchen counters and appliances were like U shaped...thus making it difficult to make the space for the new oven/stove.  Coach was hoping that everything would be an easy fix - take the old counter top stove out and put the new one in.  Not so much, turns out we had to move the dishwasher and plumbing over to the other side of the sink.  Then, we (and by we I mean the carpenters that knew what they were doing!) had to make the old dishwasher space big enough for new oven/stove! Ariel got rid of some cabinets and even made me a brand new cookie sheet cabinet!!  After the figuring of what goes where came deciding on paint.  I had the paint color picked out in August...truthfully, I've had the paint colors picked out since last August!  The dark woodwork would now be a very soft yellow called: Sugar Bowl...it's more white then yellow, but you can definitely see the yellow.  Gone is the wonderfully tacky red and green apple wall paper complete with trim.  In would come an awesome bright yellow named Cornmeal.  The final touch was to decide on a color for the cabinets.  I wanted something that popped and would literally brighten up my day...I came up with Strawberry.  It is bright and cheery and makes me happy each time I see it!  Both Coach and Ariel were not sure of my color choice...but, I had a vision...and once the paint dried, they both understood!!

My screen door cabinets!

You will notice in the picture to the right - the messy countertops, but also that we did something a little different with the cabinets.  I really think this is something that I dreamed up.  I haven't been to any other kitchens that have done this...but I am sure it is not a truly original design!  When I told Ariel want I wanted, he too thought it was a neat idea and definitely something he hadn't seen before.  The rectangular cut outs are covered with screen.  That's right, good old porch screen door screen.  The guys cut the shape out, stapled in the screen, and painted.  I think they look wonderful!  The upside is that I now have to keep my shelves neat, since everyone can see inside them now!  I love the look of it!

My favorite spot!

This is probably my favorite space in the whole kitchen!  This is where my old counter top stove and ancient wall oven were located.  Out came the countertop and the cabinet beneath it where all my pots and pans were.  In went the new dish washer, and an AWESOME butcher block cutting board.  When the stove came down, Ariel made a shelf.  I had originally thought I was going to put my microwave up there, but then voted against it.  On the upper shelf I am now using to display my Pyrex mixing bowls.  The lower shelf is where i am put my new dish sets, which I purchased at Walmart for $25.00.  I got a red and yellow set...unconsciously, my kitchen's theme is Griffindor House at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  Behind that cutting board, are my spice rack (totally awesome old milk glass spice bottles!), knives, flour, sugar, and popcorn kernels (obviously!).  I love working in this space...close to the sink and accessible to the stove!

Speaking of the stove....here it is!!  This beautiful baby is a GE traditional and convectional oven!  It is a flat top with 5 burners.  I've never had a flat top, I am getting used to it.  Since we've lived in our beautiful house, we have not been used to using appliances that actually work as they are supposed to!  The burners get HOT and the oven doesn't burn everything...heavenly!!  I was a bit concerned that I wasn't going to get my tallest pots on the stove without having an issue withe the cabinets to the right of the stove.  However, I tried out all my pots...turns out, everything is just right!

We removed a small table we had in the kitchen and replaced it with a dry sink.  What's a drink sink, you ask?  Well, honestly, I think it looks like a baby changing table.  Traditionally a dry sink was used in the days before indoor plumbing for people to preform simply hygiene duties like shaving or washing your face.  You might have found them in a kitchen, a bedroom, or a washroom.  Today, they are mostly decorative and used to storage.  In the case of our house, it is holding my pots and pans.  It has made morse lots of extra space and it's nice to look at...I must remember to post a photo.  So, that's it!  I wish I had the ability to post a panoramic picture so you can take it all in...maybe one day!  I am still working on the finishing touches here and there...slowly making it my space.

The first meal I cooked in it was burritos you can find that recipe here.  The second meal I cooked was Chicken Parmesan.  This is one of Coach's favorite meals...I think it was one of the first meals I cooked him when we moved in together many moons ago.  This is super easy and so yummy

Chicken Parmesan

What you will need:

Chicken Tenders (I buy the Hannaford brand Inspirations tenders when they are on Manager's Special)
Italian Panko* (you can easily find this in the bread crumb/shake and bake aisle of your Hannafords!)
Gravy (Yes, I said it, GRAVY.  This is what us Italians are referring to when you are talking about Pasta sauce.  In this case, I used some of my home made.  You can certainly use a can/jar of your family's favorite!)
1 egg
Grated Parmesan
Shredded Mozzarella
1 pound penne or any type of pasta your prefer

The breaded tenders

What you do:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees
First, take the chicken out of its tray and rinse off.  In a small bowl crack your egg and whisk it.  Get out your deep baking dish....I typically use my small Pyrex one, it is prefect for this type of meal.  Put a little gravy in the bottom of your baking dish.  On a plate, dump your Italian Panko (* If you don't want to buy the "Italian Seasoned Panko" it is easy enough to enhance your plain panko.  Just add basil, oregano, garlic salt, and pepper.) Dip your chicken tender in the egg and coat in Panko.  Place the chicken tender into your greased baking dish.  Continue to dunk and bread your chicken until they are all covered.  Once the chicken is in the baking dish, sprinkle some grated Parmesan over it.  Next, pour some gravy/sauce over and cover the chicken.  The final layer should be your shredded Mozzarella.  Coach likes the Parm cheesy...so I walk the Mozzarella right to it!

Let the Chicken Parmesan cook for about 35-40 minutes.  If you want the cheese to be crispy, then leave it in for the full 40 minutes.  In our house, I really like the crunchy bits, so the more time in the oven the better for me.  While the chicken is cooking, I boil up some water and cook my pasta.  One pound of pasta is a lot of 3 people, but we will use both the left over chicken parm and pasta for lunches throughout the week.  I also like to serve this is a loaf of that super easy, already made, just pop in the oven garlic bread that Hannafords has in the bakery section.  You just put it in the oven for the last 20 minutes that the Chicken Parm is cooking and you will be all set!


I don't have a picture of the final product, but I can assure it that it was DELISH!!  It wonderful to finally use the oven and move around the new kitchen and have fun!  My old kitchen wasn't all that bad...but now, I really like being in a more accessible space that is appealing to me!

Well...thanks for checking in and checking me out....

The High Light of Homecoming...

Boy, I am seriously a blog slacker!  I didn't realize how much time my life takes and how little time I can designate to my blog.  But, for the three of you loyal fans out there (kate, vanna, and lea!)  I am going to keep on posting...when football is over - I will have a lot more time!

I told you last time that we celebrated Homecoming at our school a couple weeks ago.  I was so busy running around and doing things for Homecoming, it was hard to breath.  I was lining up the parade on Friday night, when from the corner of my eye I saw a girl I knew...but, not a DownEast girl!  It was my girl Kate!!  What a sweet surprise!  Since I literally live at the end of the earth - we don't get many visitors.  So, when someone does pop up, it is a big deal.  She came down with her mom - Mary, professional announcer, and stayed for the game and came over for a little while after.  It was so wonderful to see her...

While Kate was in town, she was able to take some great pics from the game!  The game was clearly NOT a highlight of the weekend, but having Kate there was a highlight for me.  I have to admit, it is a hard sell trying to get a grownup to enjoy high school sports as much as I do.  Going to a game with me is not about sitting in the stands and being a spectator.  The Babes and I are typically on the sideline and  roll up and down following the ball.  It's hard for me to go to the game with someone because I want to be apart of the action (...yes, I realize how pathetic this statement is.)  Anyway, Kate stuck with me and I hope she had fun!!  Since it was Homecoming, the King and Queen got to ride in the front of the parade in an awesome Mustang.  After the football game the Queen came down and turned over her crown so that we can use it next year.  Kate was appalled that she had to relinquish her crown...however, Kate had no problems walking around for the rest of the night re-living her youth!!  She had crowned her self Homecoming Queen...and proceeded to take pictures of herself in her regalia.

Queen for the night!

After the game was over, Mary and Kate came over to my house to check out the new kitchen and hangout for a bit.  It was great to have them over, even though the visit was brief.  Kate won't be able to make it to the Babes baptism which is this coming weekend, that is why she decided to pop in for the surprise visit.  I was really excited to have them over...sometimes living at the end of the world is a lonely place.  It's nice to be reminded of how good friends can just make your day!

I'm sorry that Kate won't be able to make it to the Baptism...however I am looking forward to having a crowd of people down this weekend to celebrate.  Will be doing lots of cooking and baking...first have to scrub the house, have a team dinner on Thursday, game on Friday, Thanksgiving Dinner on Saturday, and the Baptism with luncheon on Sunday....it never ends here at the end of the world!!

I wanted to add one more picture that Kate took at the game last week.   It's me and the Babes.  The end of the game was getting near and I was crouched down near the sidelines watching the time tick away.  She walked over to me and crouched down next to me...same pose...too cute. When Kate sent it to me, she entitled the photo, "Sassy Butts."

Sassy Butts

Well...thanks for checking in and checking me out!  Next up is a couple a great recipes...

Busy Busy Week...

Hey folks....it was a very busy week in this household!  Monday brought the start of Spirit Week and Homecoming celebrations.  I work with the Alumni Association for my school and helped to coordinate the Spirit Week festivities.  It was a lot of work, but it was so worth it!!  Each day had a different theme and the students who participated earned one point for their class...at the end of the week, the class with the most points win Homecoming!

Tuesday was Twin day.  Coach and I rocked it out!  We were definitely matching physical education teachers.  I thought it would be so amazing to wear wind pants to school for the whole day.  It was only ok...those suckers get hot!! However, it was cute to be twinning with my hubs!

Probably the best day of the week was Wednesday, which was  Superhero day.  The kids went all out!  They did a great job....I wish I had some pictures to show you, but I didn't get any :(  The week culminated in a pep rally - I was the MC.  It went well.  The kids were loud and really showed their school spirit.  We have to work on some things.  I don't know what it is, but these kids are lacking some spirit skills!

Unfortunately, Homecoming came to an end on Friday night in a really big loss for our football team.  We played Dexter, who we beat last year at their Homecoming.  They have a new coach and a new attitude!  They beat us...and I mean beat us 49-0.  So sad.  I feel the most bad for Coach...he is feeling pretty defeated.  I just remind him that he gives the kids the tools that they need and that he can't get out there and battle with them.  They have to put in the work and dedication.  They also need to keep fighting!  Sometimes, it is easier to give up...football is a game of finishing though.  You need to finish each tackle, finish each pass route, finish each play...you can't give up!!  Hopefully, this coming week games will prove successful for us!

Homecoming King and Queen!

Fan Tunnel

The highlight of Homecoming week for me was the students enthusiasm.  On Friday after school, I stayed and helped the classes put their floats together for the parade.  The Homecoming King and Queen got to ride in the front of the parade in and awesome Mustang convertible.  I am pretty sure they enjoyed the experience of leading he parade in a totally BOSS ride!  We had a really large parade this year.  All the classes had their own floats and then a bunch of the schools clubs joined in on the fun!  The football team joined the end of the parade and were escorted to the field by a police car.  All of the people who walked, created a fan tunnel for the team to run through.  Call me a geek, but I love the click-clack of cleats on the pavement...gives me chills!

The cheerleaders went wild with the decorations around the field for the Friday night game.  They had all sorts of balloons and even decorated the fence with Coach's motto: Be the Hammer.  Even though the game did not work out for us, I truly do feel like we came together as a school to support one another during Spirit/Homecoming Week.  It was a lot of work organizing and coordinating, but it was well worth it!

Be the Hammer!

I have a lot to catch you up on!  Now that I feel like I have a moment to breath, I can do that!  My next post will feature the "new" kitchen and a yummy recipe that is a family favorite!

Thanks for checking in and checking out my blog!

2-3...Let the Good Times Roll!!!

Oh it is nice to win!  It is nice to be in my house when the W is on your side of the field....and for the second week in a row - it was!  We beat the Eagles 35-0!!  

It was lovely to get back to a game...having taken last week off, I missed the atmosphere and all the hoopla that comes with it.  The Babes and I were lucky enough to have someone come with us to the game - a fellow teacher.  It's nice to have a co-pilot to drive home with on those late nights.  This time was especially nice because it RAINED THE ENTIRE NIGHT!  The game was in Ellsworth - which is about an hour and 15 minutes away.  It started raining on our way there and never stopped until Monday...beleive it or not!

The game was awesome!  We scored on the first kick off and it was all up hill from there.  The kids had a blast and it was fun to see Coach and his assistant coaches having fun on the side lines.  The down side was the constant rain...I was worried that the Babes would be freezing and get sick.  She had a blast.  She was well covered by her stroller and an umbrella.  She followed that ball up and down the field...she cheers and claps and does the breakdown when the team does it!  In the beginning of the game during warm ups she insists on going on the field to give Coach a kiss and hug.  She also goes out at half time now to play catch and get some mid game squeezes from Coach.  Too cute!

For me, the game was made even better when Coach got home.  He told me that a couple of the Eagles had approached him after the game and told him that his players were some of the most respectful players that they had played all season.  This may not seem like a big deal...but...the Eagles have been losing to teams by many, many points - as a result other teams get cocky.  I think it is a real testament to Coach and his staff that our kids were respectable.  Last year we did win the Sportsmanship Banner for our conference...kind of a big deal!

I do have pictures, but I can't upload them right now...I will add them later.  These past 2 weeks have been more busy then I thought they would be.  I am coordinating the Spirit Week portion of Homecoming for my school and it's been a lot of work and planning....Monday, Spirit Week started and tomorrow marks half the week over!!  It's been a lot of fun so far!  We have a pep rally, parade, and football game on Friday night.  Really looking forward to the game.  We are playing the Tigers.  They will be a tough opponent...

I am going to try my best tonight to get a post going about my new and improved kitchen!  I am in love with it...hopefully I can get to that!  Also, cooking up some super easy Chicken Parm that I want to share with you all!

Anyway...thank you for checking in and checking out my blog!!

1-3...Holy Cow!!

Oh my word!  It has been too long since I've actually been able to sit down and do this.  Last week was a lot more trying then I thought it would be.  Home renovations are no fun at all....but the outcome can be wonderful.  Living for a week in a construction zone was enough to almost set me over the edge.  It actually forced me to do something that I've never done before...miss a football game!  Wouldn't you know it, the game that I miss is not only their first victory, but a totally exciting barn burner!

Because of the work being done to the kitchen and not really being able to get into the kitchen until 4:30 or 5pm most days, cooking meals didn't really go as planned.  We spent a lot of time and money going out to eat 4 nights out of 5...BOO!!  When Friday rolled around and the guys were still in and out of the house, I didn't think it would be right to not be there.  So, the team left school at 130pm that afternoon and the Babes, Poocher, and I stayed home and frantically awaited text messages from both of my Mothers-in-law.

We played MCI.  They are located south of Bangor.  For us, it was about a 3 hour ride.  The Babes was asking all day about football...it would have been too much for us to go and really late coming home.  Not to mention that she would have slept through half the game and I would be driving home by myself.  So, instead the Babes, Bob, and I went for dinner and had a nice evening at home after.  We, the Babes and I, cuddled on the couch and watched Annie.  Cuddling on the couch and watching movies is usually reserved for just her and Coach, she usually won't let me on the couch when they are!

I probably received over 100 text messages that night.  The game was THAT exciting.  I couldn't give you all the highlights now.  But I could tell you this: the game came down the the last seconds and we were losing.  We kicked a 46 yard field goal for the win by 1 point...as time expired!  It really doesn't get any more thrilling then that!  The kids were so excited and the sidelines were electric.  I know this because they were the lead off story for most of Maine's 11 o'clock sports news coverage!  When I finally got ahold of Coach, he was so excited you could hear it through the phone!  The kids were going nuts in the background. I could not have been happier...except of course if I had been there!  Some of the faithful parents who made the trip told Coach that I can't go to any more games!!  I couldn't imagine missing another one!

They finally got home at 130am...a really long day but thank goodness it had a happy ending!  Next Friday is our last away game of the regular season...we take on the Eagles.  I am really looking forward to wheeling the baby up and down the side lines - where I belong!

Coming soon...kitchen updates and a few recipes!  Wait until you see the final product of my new beautiful kitchen...I really think it is a thing of beauty!

Thank you for checking in and checking out my blog!

HOLY HANNAFORD...

No, this isn't an episode of Hoarders...this is my dinning room.  Yep, it really is.  Fortunately, it doesn't look like this all the time.  We are having some work done to the kitchen.  I have dreams of an endlessly big beautiful kitchen that I can bake in and cook delicious meals.  However, my dreams come with a hefty price tag, that I can't afford.  So, we are doing a couple upgrades.

This is a picture of piece of my kitchen on Sunday night, after we had emptied everything out of it and got it all ready for the upgrades.  As you can see, my stove is a counter top stove.  Only 3 of the 4 burners work...well 3 and 1/2.  One of them is temperamental.  Above my stove, you will notice my oven.  Yes, that is my oven, not a microwave.  Everyone thinks I have the biggest microwave they have ever seen.  Truth is, it's the smallest oven they have ever seen!  I can't fit my Thanksgiving turkey in that thing.  The handle fell off about a month after we moved in.  This dinosaur burns everything and undercooks it at the same time...hmmmm, interesting!  Since I love to bake and cook, I almost felt like  I was being tortured. This maybe a little over dramatic, but if you don't have the right tools to do what you love, it really stinks!

We talked to a couple of contractors and found a great guy to do the work.  Basically, they are taking out the stove and oven and making a shelf for my microwave and putting the dishwasher where the stove was.  Next, they are going to make a new spot for the oven, where the dishwasher was.  The dishwasher is to the right of the sink.

Sunday was a rough day.  I was feeling sick and had to drive back from Bangor.  Also, go grocery shopping, and do laundry.  The coaches were coming over for a coached meeting at 2 and the Pats were on at 1.  The biggest task was to empty the kitchen out...that's hard work with a 2 year old running around and a house full of coaches.  I had to do something really easy for dinner.  I went with homemade turkey meatballs in the crock pot.  We had meatball subs!  They actually were lovely.

Homemade Turkey Meatballs

Here's what you need:

2 pounds of ground turkey meat
2 eggs
grated Parmesan cheese
Italian flavored bread crumbs
dried basil, oregano, and other assorted Italian seasoning
salt and peper to taste

Here's what you do:

In a big bowl, put the turkey meat and all the ingredients listed above.  Once you have everything in the pool...get in there with your hands and mush it all up.  I highly recommend taking your rings off before you do this task!  When it is ready to roll..literally, start taking chunks of your meat mixture out of the bowl and roll between your hands.  I like to make a nice medium meatball.

Now, if you are a true Italian, you take your meatballs and put them in olive oil and try them up in a pan.  My grandfather would kill me if he knew, but I don't fry them.  I typically put them on a pan and throw them in the oven.  This time, I put them in the crock pot with a couple of cans...grandpa rolling in his grave right now...of sauce.  I set the crock to 2 and a half house and let those babies cook.

For the meatball subs, I bought a couple of bags of rolls and some shredded cheese.  The coaches and their others really enjoyed it!  The Babes LOVES meatballs...so, this meal goes over well in our house!

I didn't take any pictures this weekend...next weekend I promise!!

Well, I hope this week and the construction goes by fast...I'm not sure how long I can live like this.  I will keep you updated with photos and we decided to try to eat at home all week in the construction zone...so I will be posting some recipes for you to check out!

Thank you for checking in and checking me out!  Feel free to leave a commnet!!

0-3...heartbroken...

I need to apologize to anyone out there actually keeping up with my blog.  I have not been able to get to writing in a while.  Life has gotten a little bit crazier then usual...more on that to come.

Last Saturday night, we played a very good game against a very good team - The Crusaders of John Bapst.  The game was played at their field which they share with Bangor High School.  The stadium is beautiful.  It has a huge bleacher section that towers over the field.  They also have a really nice track that goes encircles the field.  This was JBMHS's Homecoming.  Of course it was, every school likes to play us on Homecoming because they think it will be an easy win.  Well, this one did not come easy - even though the score would tell you other wise.

Because the game was a Saturday night and in the big city of Bangor, I decided to go up Saturday afternoon and spend the night at Coach's grandparents house.  They are the nicest, most loving, and caring people you could ever meet.  They are overly generous and just love to spend time with their great-grand daughter.  I swear being around the Babes takes years off of those too.  Before we headed for the big city Coach, Babes,  Poocher and I did the Down East AIDS Network AIDS Awareness walk through town.  It was lovely.  There was a good group of people, other babies in strollers, and even one or two crazier dogs then our Poocher.  It was a wonderful event and we are happy that we participated!  After the walk...the Babes and I headed to Bangor.  We left Coach to dwell in his own pre-game madness.  

Of course we had to stop at Target before we made it out to Gram and Gramp's house.  Oh how I love Target.  I wanted to get the Babes a pair of jeans and I wanted to get myself a couple things for my new Kitchen...more on this later!

Gram and Gramp made us hamburgers and then we hightailed it to the field.  The atmosphere of the stadium was electric.  The Babes was so happy to be at a football game!  She just loves the whole thing...the kids, the noises, the excitement!  She also loves that her doctor is also the team doctor.  They play together before the game starts...this week they played some catch.

She really enjoys football.  I know that I am somewhat bias being her mom and all...but, she really enjoys and follows the games.  All day long she say, "football!"  If a highlight reel comes on, she screams and giggles in delight!  I think it is mostly because she associates football with her dad...which is great!  I almost feel sorry for her because Coach is gone so much during the season.  It really does stink.  We spend all summer together and then preseason starts and we don't see Coach for about 10 hours of the day.  Even with school starting and the Babes being at day care...Coach doesn't get home until about 6pm every day and that's only about an house and a half of time they spend together.  I do make him give her her bath very night...so that is their time!  They enjoy it...they are always laughing and playing around. Lately, her big thing in the tub is bubbles...she has a blast with them!

Anyway....back to the game.  The first half of the game was unreal.  We did everything right and executed all the plays perfectly.  Our team was playing both great offense and unreal defense.  This is something that hasn't happened in recent games....the kids looked real good.  JBMHS has had a football program for many years...they are well seasoned.  They have won a few state championships.  We held them to 7 points in the first half.  That is pretty amazing!  

After half time...they came back, with force.  We ended up losing the game 40-0.  Such a sad night.  I really felt heart broken...It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't know how much behind the scenes work goes into each game.  It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't know how hard the kids push themselves.  It really makes my heart hurt.  However, the upside of this sitich is that the kids know that they played a really good first half...we just need to learn how to finish!

Next Friday night, we take on the Huskies of MCI on the road.  I'm not sure I am going to make the trip...which would be a bummer.  It's a long drive and I will have a kitchen that I need to put back together.  

Thanks for checking in and checking me out!