I love what you've done with the place . . .

We now have exposed beam ceilings and an open floor plan.



We've added this convenient basement entrance. A fireman's pole might be useful.


Views of the harbor from the front door.


When I say we are doing our own demo, some people aren't sure what I mean.

Well, this used to be a house with walls, ceilings, and a fireplace and chimney.

Now, it is this.

And, we did it with pry bars and sledge hammers. THAT'S what I mean.

I'm tired!!!

Location:I love what you've done with the place. . .

Goooooo Dinner!

Not having a kitchen makes you view things differently.

Like English muffins, for example.

I had a toasted English muffin with peanut butter four meals in a row.

And I was grateful to the Browns for sending them, along with their son, because I am not sure what I would have eaten otherwise.

Today, I rallied my motivation and cooked an entire meal.

This is what we had:
*ribs, slow cooked in the crockpot, and finished on the grill
*corn on the cob, soaked in cold water for 30 minutes, then wrapped in foil and cooked on the grill for 30 minutes, followed by 5 minutes unwrapped to give them some color
*potatoes, 'baked' in the microwave

A very respectable dinner for someone with no kitchen. But, here's what sent it into high five territory.

I mixed up a chocolate pudding cake in a foil pan, and baked it on the top rack of the grill. And, it worked!

I felt an intense sense of accomplishment after Tagg, Christy, Dave and I finished eating. Like we needed to have an end of game cheer.

And, we did. Well, I did, and everyone agreed it was totally warranted.

Two, four, six, eight, who do we appreciate? Dinner! Dinner! Dinner!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Nantasket Ave,Hull,United States

Spice up those hot summer days!

I normally make these cookies in the fall and winter, for they are quite fallish.

But, why? It's hot out there, anyway. Why not spice things up?

These are the ultimate molasses spice cookie, complete with the ultimate 'spice'. I have never had anyone guess the secret spice without being told.

If your friends can, they are geniuses worthy of your friendship.

Molasses Spice Cookies

Ingredients:

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 ½ tsp. ginger
¼ tsp. cloves
¼ tsp. allspice
¼ tsp. pepper (yes, this is good old black pepper!, the secret spice)
¼ tsp. salt

1 ½ sticks (12 tablespoons) butter, very soft
1/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg yolk, room temp
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup molasses

1. Stir dry (first 8) ingredients together in bowl, and set aside.

2. Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. You know the drill. 5 minutes is NOT too long. Cream away now, before adding dry ingredients.

3. Add egg, vanilla, and molasses, and beat until combined. It is quite likely to look curdled, which is not a problem, just be sure it is well combined.

4. Stir in flour mixture at low speed until completely combined.

5. At this point I like to refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before shaping, or freeze the shaped dough, and bake from frozen. This creates a cookie that holds it's form. If you like flat cookies, you don't need to worry about this step.

6. Roll cookies in granulated sugar before placing on parchment covered cookie sheet. I also like to sprinkle a course sugar such as turbinado on top if I have it around. It is not necessary, of course. Just extra crunchy sugar.

7. Bake at 375 F for 10-12 minutes, or until golden and set, but not brown.

Now, eat cookies everyone!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Hull, MA