Food

Day Eleven, Goodbye Stairs

~ Bungalow Blogger ~ 5 Comments

The old staircase has gone.  It took a bit of an effort to get it out, it had to be cut into bits.  It was well set into the plaster.  Now there’s a ladder.  Goodbye old stairs, you have served the house well but it’s time to go.

Coat cupboard before with underneath of stairs
Coat cupboard before with underneath of stairs
stair nearly out terrible pic sorry
the brickwork where the stair was
the brickwork where the stair was

The stairs were in a cupboard that backed onto a cupboard at right angles if that makes sense.  Now you can get right through.  This space will be used to put a massive pressurised water tank in which means we can run all 3 showers at once if needs be.  Brilliant. I live in hope that teenboy and his siblings may wash spontaneously in the future.  Its capacity is 250L .  Told you it was massive. We had hoped it would be in today but the delivery was really late.  Right now they are trying to get things so at least the heating is working. Very kind to think of us, snow forecast for tonight.

the new stairs
the new stairs
the mega tank
the mega tank

So, the old plumbing is all out upstairs, or should I say upladders?  Fantastic.  The new floor can get done now and then the dormers.

Other Stuff

We tried Nigella’s crepes last night with raspberries, delicious.  Going to make some for tonight too, not sure if they’ll be American, crepes or Scotch.  The troops can decide.  I’ll leave them all to it though, I’m off out down Leith later for tea at the Rose Leaf.  Canny wait.

Happy pancake making, these are in case you need them:-

http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/eggs-recipes/pancakes-usa-stylie

http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/CREPES-5303

Think i’m going to make this pancake week, enjoy x

Day Eight

~ Bungalow Blogger ~ 3 Comments

Lots of activity today once the crew could actually get in, the contractor had to phone to check I was in because someone had disconnected the bell.  Our bell is the loudest in Edinburgh, as some of you know, so I am not tuned in to gentle knocking on the front door especially when I’m going through the teeth, bag, gym kit routine.  They got in and got on.

from the top of the stairs day 8. new uprights in.
from the top of the stairs today, new uprights in

 

 

 

We no longer have a bathroom. Today the bathroom has gone from this….

bathroom just about before
bathroom just about before
before
before

to this..

just the loo left
just the loo left

 

 

 

This bathroom cabinet is the best ever, you can see the back of your hair and it has the most flattering light.  It’s great for doing your face in too.  It should be going in the skip since it is beginning to fall to bits but I am very tempted to keep it.  I know what my husband will say.

the fantastic schock bathroom cabinet

H’s room is clear now,  it was the perfect little room for a preschooler.  She’s a big schoolgirl now. Time to move on, I’ll miss how cosy it is.

tidiest it's ever been
tidiest it’s ever been

 

 

 

 

This is the newly shared room, I guess I won’t see it as neat as this again.  I wonder how long they will last sharing in harmony. Is that really cynical?  They actually get on pretty well most of the time.  Fingers crossed that they love sharing.

finlay's side
Finlay’s side
hannah's side
Hannah’s side

 

 

 

Other Stuff

So, after another day emptying, moving and sorting what better way to unwind than having  nearly banoffee pancakes for pudding?   We have run out of jam, honey, maple syrup and nutella so this is what we had on our pancakes tonight.  It is a View from the Table kind of ingredient – I wonder if Sarah has ever used it on pancakes.  It is delicious, we sliced banana on top then rolled them up.  Sadly, the banoffee pancakes were eaten before the camera came out so here is the jar instead.  Yum

dulce de leche
dulce de leche

Any other pancake topping ideas greatly received ready for pancake day next Tuesday.

JB is doing well. Thanks for the comments.

Day Four

~ Bungalow Blogger ~ 7 Comments

Today was pretty quiet.

The steels arrived early and by 10.20am the rest of the debris had gone and everything went quiet.

yes, that is the sun shining at last
yes, that is the sun shining at last

day 4.1 008

the last of the debris for now.
the last of the debris for now

There are two hiccups at the moment.  The alarm control panel needs to be moved and we have to use the alarm company’s engineer.  Yes, that will be expensive.  The other one is to do with where one of the supporting steels will go.  The structural engineers are on the case and hopefully we’ll have an answer soon.  Basically it is not possible to put the steel where the drawings show it should go over the bay window.  Another option needs to be decided.  Some pad stones are in for the other steels ready for them to go in on Monday.  I think that’s enough detail for now.

 

Other Stuff

H has been off school today and I decided to do a job that I’ve been meaning to do for a very long time.  I’ve got a thing about house magazines and I have a huge pile of them to look through and cut bits and bobs out of for my scrapbook. I have to get some ideas together for bathrooms and lots more besides.

day 4.1 036

I did make a start but there were a few games of connect 4 going on at the same time.  It’s not an arduous task so I’m looking forward to getting back to it later, after the Scout Burns Supper.  Always a joy that event.

 

Lunch

I had a cracking bowl of soup for lunch today, even though I say so myself, it was delicious. It was sweet potato, lentil and chilli with a wee touch of smoky paprika.  I even took a photo of it for you.

Smoky sweet potato and lentil soup
smoky sweet potato and lentil soup

 

Good Ideas

day 4.1 013

My Mum thought that mealtimes were always a surprise to me.  I guess what she meant was that meal planning was not my strong point.  This magnetic pad to go on the fridge is going to change all that. At least it would if I actually opened it and used it. That is my goal for this weekend, I’m going to make it a family task, get organised and shop for the week on Sunday.  Great idea, let’s see if it works.