Happy Monday!  I know this is long overdue but I thought what better way to start the week with a quick house update as to how things are progressing.  Our move in date has been solidified as December 10th.  Kind of exciting for sure… but still a bit of work left to do.  With literally three weeks left to go we have to be sure to have everything ready to go on our side to avoid slow downs.  The big question mark is the kitchen.  It is supposed to arrive late this week which if it happens we are in decent shape.

I have the appliances slated to be delivered on Nov 27th.  We need the cook top on site for the cabinet guys to measure for the counter top.  Here is a rough list of what is on the schedule for this week below.

Upcoming this week

1. Complete Hardwood Flooring Upstairs
2. Start on the baseboard
3. Install Fireplace and propane line for cook top
4. Continue painting trim work
5. Continue work on the lighting
6. Install tub and faucets
7. Wrap pillar in main entry with wood
8. Complete decking out front
9. Kitchen arrival

Still outstanding we have the main floor stairs as well as the stair railing.  I am heading over to see the railing people later this morning to make sure they can build the steel railing with a glass insert.  This is my fault if they can’t as I left this to the last minute.  Hopefully they can pull through for me!

I took a bunch of pictures yesterday for you but I am not sure how great they turned out.  It is kind of hard to visualize what rooms are what without seeing actually stuff in the room.  So I apologize in advance if these look just like a construction site.

Some of the decisions we went with thus far:

1. Solid Hardwood Floor Upstairs ( Cappuccino )
2. Torly’s Laminate Concrete Tile on the Main Floor
3. Ceramic Tile in Mudroom, entry way, laundry and all washrooms
4. Peter Kohler Windows ( grrrrr to that decision so far )
5. Moen Taps for showers/ tubs and sinks

Not the real door knob

A shot of the play room floor on the main level

Dining room.... looking out

A look into zesty's kitchen

A close look at the mudroom tile

The kitchen pantry

A peek into the family room

From the stairs... a look into the family room again

From the stairs... a look into the kitchen again

The upstairs hallway.... how exciting

The free standing tub that cause a little bit of grief but not much

A bedroom shot with dill pickle on the walls

A close look at the thermostat

A bedroom shot with Catepillar Construction Yellow on the walls

A close look at the torly's laminate concrete tiles

A Recap of Zesty’s Live Food Demo

As I mentioned briefly on Friday I was speaking to a group about cooking and Christmas.  My chosen topic was “Not so Traditional Food Ideas”.   I had a lot of fun and the crowd was great.  Around 200 people were there to listen to zesty.  As I was in the kitchen prepping  – I thought to myself…  I hope this turns out OK.  I will share the full recap of the demo tomorrow and share with you a super simple twist on a great holiday treat!

Have an awesome Monday and let me know if you have any questions.

Take care

zesty

Download my Free Recipe Book: Simply Zesty

Another Monday gone and Tuesday begins.  I hope you had a great day yesterday.  It seems like the days are flying by even faster with the time change on the weekend.  It is getting dark so early.

I want to talk about a couple of things… one being about a killer fruit salad with a honey lime dressing and the other topic being the house.  The fruit salad is simple yet so refreshing.  I am always trying to find nice fruit all year around but it gets tougher as the season comes closer to winter.  This recipe will give you a great idea for a  breakfast/lunch addition or just something to have on hand at all times for both kids and adults.

As for the house, it is coming along quite well ( minus the window issue ).  The painters started yesterday and rolling on the primer like there is no tomorrow.  We hope to have the whole house primed and painted one coat by Thursday.

Before the update I have a funny story.  Last night we drove out to the house after work to take some new pictures on the progress thus far.  We were rushing as it was getting late so we ran up to the front door, turned the knob and looked at each other – uh oh it was locked.  We started to laugh as we both knew there was no key for the door knobs as they were just old knobs the builders had hanging around at their house.  We ran to the side door…. locked.  Back door…. locked.  Windows…. locked.  Oh dear the only reason I went to the house was to get pictures for you.  I then realized that the tiny little basement window was left open for the hoses to run outside so I crawled in there and jumped down.  All in all… too funny.

Ingredients

• Any fruit you want  ( cut into cubes)
• 1/4 Cup fresh lime juice
• 1/2 Cup honey
• 1 Tsp. grated lime peel

Method

1. Peel and prepare all the fruit in a large mixing bowl
2. Mix the lime juice and honey and add the lime peel at the end.
3. Toss, let rest and serve
4. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: The acid in the lime juice will prevent the fruit from bruising and becoming brown in color.

House Update

As promised, some interior shots after the drywall, seam filling and now some painting.  The picture quality is not great due lack of lighting.

Upstairs Hallway

Bonus Room

Family Room

Kitchen

Interior Doors (just delivered)

Awaken your Senses Reminder

Here’s how to vote for me:

1. Go to www.youtube.com/quakertalk. Click on the VOTE tab. Click on my video entitled “Autumn Medley.”

2. Click on the BIG GREEN THUMBS UP to cast your vote. Voting closes Friday, November 6th.

3. Please tell your family and friends and pretty much everyone you know to vote too!

Download my Free Recipe Book: Simply Zesty

Did yesterday feel like Monday to anyone else?  I think for me because of the holiday I was in slow motion and dragging my heels the whole day.  But all in all I survived.  I was excited when I got home because my Mom had one of my favorite turkey left over meal – Turkey Pot Pie.  I love it!

As for the house progress, it is coming along quite well.  We had a couple of hiccups yesterday and it looks like the insulation will be one day behind which will impact the drywall.  We had the rough grading done and as you will see from the pictures below – I think it turned out well.  The guys got a start on the front porch after we finally made up our minds on which product to use.

On to the Food

Today’s recipe is part of the fabulous Thanksgiving Saturday at the inlaws.  I will call it Pan Fried Carrots in a Pear Balsamic reduction.  Is your mouth watering yet?  These little sticks of heaven were delicious!  It really is easy to take a plain old carrot and turn it into something so eye catching and delicious.  I was sure to take lots of pictures as the colors were really nice.

As far as the prep goes, it is a little time consuming with the slicing unless you have a trusty Mandoline but outside of that a really straight forward recipe.

Ingredients

• 4 Cups Carrots ( Sliced lengthwise – see picture)
• 1 Fresh Pear ( Diced)
• 2 Tbsp. Butter
• 1/2 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
• 1/2 Chicken Stock
• 1/4 Cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and Pepper

Method

1. Slice carrots according to the picture below.  Soak in cold water until ready to go.



2. Warm Saute pan over medium heat and add butter.  Once beginning to melt, add carrots and let brown. ( about 10 minutes)



3. Once brown add the chicken stock, and let reduce to half.



4. Add balsamic, diced pear, salt and pepper and let reduce again.
5. Once cooked until desired doneness, add chopped parsley and serve





6. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: Ever have too many carrots – blanch them in boiling water and then freeze them.

House Update

Below are the latest shots of the house. Someday I am going to be giving you a final tour of the house …. maybe  some zesty videos from the new kitchen.

Have a great day and be sure to let me know if you have any questions about the recipe, blogging in general or the house.

Take care

zesty

Download my Free Recipe Book: Simply Zesty