In other news
We just wrapped up the first ever Celebrate Seattle dance festival here, which was an exciting opportunity to see some companies and choreographers that are otherwise left to others. Most of the festival was quite good, if a bit difficult for an audience used to tutus and tiaras. And even I have to admit, Merce Cunningham may be one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century, but I just don't like the work. I try, but it reminds me of watching dancing brussels sprouts. However, there was excellent fun in having dancers from my mom's company in Oregon performing up here. Hooray for the mother/daughter wardrobe team.

Speaking of Brussels Sprouts (which I have eaten and eaten, but never liked), it is planting time here in the beautiful PNW. I have filled our yard waste bin (4x2x2) six times in as many weeks. It is amazing that two years fallow can erase five years of cultivating. This year I am getting on top of it early, before I get overwhelmed. I usually only grow salads, and this year there are lettuces, carrots, radishes, beets and herbs like normal. I am adding green beans and tomatoes (3 kinds), but also collards and dry beans for minestrone in the fall. There are finally enough strawberry plants to make something from (although who am I kidding, those get pinched while walking past strawberry plants on the way to the bus). If the squashes (zucchini, pattypan and pumpkin) come in, we'll eat very well this year. But my pride and joy are the three (count them!) tiny figs on my fig tree this spring.
I can't wait.

Beauties
Here's one


and here's the other

Progress, albeit slow
I have to move out of the kitchen this evening. Time for the real demolition to begin. rtg tore out the upper cabinets two weeks ago and built and installed the new ones. So far, we have been dancing around each other as I cook and he builds, with only a few conflicts (in the future, all clean dishes should be put away before we start sanding: ick).
Here is a picture for layout:
And one for style:

So far, my job has been to pick stuff out, which compared to rtg's fine craft, seems a little lowly. Having a lot of style really pales in comparison to having some real skill.
Choosing materials and finishes is more complicated than I expected, however, mostly because there are more options than I realized, although most of them are crummy. After many dispiriting trips to the Enormous Hardware Store (both the orange and the blue one) and the Holy Crap Expensive kitchen boutiques, I found a (big!) apron front fireclay sink that we both like and this lovely faucet at a reasonable price. rtg found the only under the counter microwave available these days (what do people in apartments do?) and we decided on a dishwasher which we will not use. Finally, we came to a detente on the counters. Pretty, no? And paint, which I'll have to show you in a month when it is in place.

With all these details of construction rolling into our house, I knew that I'd have to move down to the auxiliary kitchen (which I am starting to call the scullery) sooner or later. rtg has to cut out the sink and rewire the north wall before he can install the cabinetry. So I have been cooking up a storm to try and get it out of my system. This week I bought a bottle of port for the first time and made pate. And it is pretty tasty. Unfortunately, rtg doesn't like liver and is a little squicked by the whole process. And She is in India for spring break. So there is no one but me here to share with; I'll have to eat it all by myself.
Pity.

Hear that?
That low, rumbling buzz that can only be the sound of spring? We've heard it around our neighborhood for weeks. Not bees, not lawnmowers. That is the sound of a router. Specifically, a router given for Christmas in 1996 or 1997, never out of it's box until now.
After the winning success of the new cabinet in our kitchen, rtg has decided what-the-hell-nine-years-is-long-enough, and has started remodeling our kitchen. I am beside myself with glee. Counters raised to modern heights (the old ones were installed in the 1930s and are lower than normal; so low that I can't touch the bottom of the sink when standing upright to wash dishes)! Cabinets with doors that shut! Paint that goes all the way around (and not red, sorry Jane)!
We plan on celebrating the centenary of our house this summer and I was wondering what we would have to show for it (the poor place hasn't been painted in 20 years). While the work we have done previously has stabilized this house for the next 100, it isn't much to look at (now THAT's some ductwork! And is that a new sewer line? Look's good!). Building this kitchen ourselves, in the style of what we are removing, is a great step towards the greater stewardship of this house.
And yes, I'll post pictures.