New Toy

I saved up my Discover Card Cash Back earnings for a long time (OK, It should have taken longer - I spend too much money on the card), redeemed them for Kohl's gift cards, waited for a good sale, and bought the KitchenAid mixer.

So far I've only made a loaf of bread, which didn't turn out any better than if I had kneaded it myself, but did save me the 25 minutes of hands on time.  I've got a beach vacation coming up so sweets aren't on the menu, but when I get back I'll be making this banana pudding:

2 bananas

2 c milk

1/2 vanilla bean

4 egg yolks 

1/2 c sugar

1/3 c cornstarch

1 t salt

2 T butter 

Combine the bananas with milk and vanilla in saucepan, boil, turn off heat. Cover, set aside for 10 min. In the bowl of an electric mixer combine yolks, sugar, cornstarch and salt whisk until smooth. With the mixer running slowly add the banana mixture. Return everything to the saucepan and whisk constantly until it returns to a simmer and thickens. Return the mixture to the electric mixer, add the butter and whisk on high until cool. Refrigerate.

Low Voltage Wire Organization

This little devise to hold the low voltage wires was unquestionably overpriced, but I cant get over how streamlined it looks.

Leveling Off

With all the rain and bad weather this week, my Dad had time away from the golf course to get started on the basement flooring. Step one: level the slab. After mixing 25lbs of floor patch in small batches, by hand, Dad decided that it was close enough and any remaining unevenness can be resolved with tar paper and the vapor barrier. The cork instructions call for levelness within 1/8 inch over 10 ft, that might be a stretch.

My tasks before any more progress is made are painting the ceiling and deciding which direction the floor should be laid.

Light Bulb Moment

This photo is a good illustration of the streayness on the ceiling that has still not been resolved - I bought the paint, just need to put it to use. What I wanted to show in this photo is something my uncle pointed out when he stopped by to borrow a tool.

 

I incorrectly installed the light bulbs, notice that in the light on the left the bulb sits flush with the ceiling while the bulb on the right is not visible.  It turns out the recessed light fixtures have an adjustment for the height of the bulb, which should sit a few inches inside the fixture to minimize glare.

Amaryllis

It took two years to get this amaryllis to bloom, but it is making a nice showing now.  I just learned that the actual name for this plant is Hippeastrum, it is erroneously called Amaryllis.

Streaky

After a coat of primer and two coats of paint the ceiling is still looking streaky.  I think the problem is that I just cant see, if I turn the lights on it is too blinding and the outside light never seams right either.  Maybe I should try the paint that goes on pink and dries white?

Strange Gift

My parents stopped in Thursday night on their way home from Arizona for the summer.  I am so excited that they are back (with my Dad's help the floor in the basement can finally happen!) 

Behold, the lemon, nearly the size of my head, that they brought back for me. Would this be worth a fortune in Japan? 

Lights

I've been too busy, tending to my sourdough baby, to blog or work in the basement for the past few weeks. The light bulbs and recessed light bezels did go up a few weeks ago, but I still have holes where the door, and switch plates should be.

There are so many choices when it comes to light bulbs I was overwhelmed and picked the least expensive and on sale option. If I start to notice an increase in my electric bill I might regret this, but it was a quick fix for now.