December 7, 2007

• Happy Holidays

  Wow, less than 3 weeks till Christmas! It doesn't feel like it can be so close already! As usual, we are busy here. Thanksgiving was on the quiet side, but nice. I only did a turkey breast, rather than a full turkey, since there was only four of us. Following Cook's Illustrated, I brined the turkey this time and put butter between the skin of the breast and the meat. The combo made for a fantastic turkey. The brining makes it SO much moister and the butter gives the most delicious and crispy skin!

  The girls made turkey cupcakes that really turned out cute. We stole the design idea from a cookie ad I saw in a magazine.

  

  The week after Thanksgiving, Joe and I went up to Julian for a weekend to do a belated birthday celebration. We stayed at a wonderful Bed and Breakfast, perched on a hill, over looking the town. Our cottage was cozy with a lovely fireplace at the foot of the bed. The bathroom also had a lovely whirlpool tub. We lazed the weekend, window shopping, sleeping in, taking walks and enjoying some lovely meals. The B&B did a dinner on Sunday night that couldn't have been better! Here are some pictures I took:

  

  At our B&B, I think it is an old water tank

  

  The walls and ceiling of the dinner room were painted with amazing murals. The is the moon and stars on the ceiling.

  

  A cute grey stray cat getting a drink from the bird bath outside out cottage.

  

  Beautiful sunsets!

  

  The porch of the lodge

  

  Joe decided to wear his kilt the first day. It was very amusing watching him trying to get back out of this hammock!

  

  The last of the wild winter apples

  Meanwhile, the old house is coming along, I think there is a light at the end of the tunnel (and it isn't a train!).  The interiors walls have been painted, the baseboards are all up, the vanities and sinks have been installed in the bathrooms. Monday we are going to start finishing work, such as putting in light fixtures, putting on cabinet hardware, door stops, hanging bathroom cabinets and mirrors, etc.

  We do still need to put in floors, repair termite damage and paint the outside of the house. We also need the kitchen cabinets and walls painted. Otherwise, I think everything is done. We had to drop the asking price almost $90K due to dropping home values, that part really sucked. We have hope to have an open house right after the new year. I will post some pictures once rooms get finished and put them side-by-side with "before" pics.

  Hope everyone is well and having a nice holiday season. Merry Christmas!

  • 1:45 pm
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