It feels like I haven’t been on the Internet in weeks, largely because I have not. Send up the balloons, we are moved! Truly I thought it was never going to happen. Characteristic of my choices in life, I picked the hottest day of the year to relocate. The outside thermometer read 108 degrees at 5:00 in the afternoon and inside the garage where we were working you could have whipped up grilled cheese sandwiches on the cement. At 8:00 a.m. we picked up the truck and we made our last trip around 3:00 a.m. the following morning still needing to be unloaded.
One truly life saving plan I put in place was a reservation for the first two nights at a motel about ten minutes from the new house. Blessedly they had a meal delivery service with catering available to the rooms from four local restaurants otherwise we might have been found the next day blubbering in the corner fighting over a crumb or a dead insect. It was a “Susie Motel”, as Rick is prone to refer to them. Somehow I have developed a sixth sense for choosing a place with character to stay for the night. Each seems guaranteed to offer up something blog worthy to report about. This, was no exception. Knowing beforehand we were going to be prostrate from the heat, I checked the website for indications there was a pool on the premises. Finding a picture of a lovely poolside scene, I thought at least we could look forward to a cool dip after a long day.
Boo, the Queen of Cats, not the least bit pleased at being uprooted from her favorite chair and deposited into a cat carrier voiced her objections at least once every mile of the trip. Once the movers were well, moving, at the house we quickly drove the few miles to check into our room and let Boo out for a drink and a bowl of kibble before heading back to supervise the goings on. The air conditioner in the room, though it could compete with the roar of a jet engine when switched to high, threw out cold air with abandon so Boo, at least, was languishing on the bed in comfort cautiously eying her new surroundings.
We worked with the movers long into the night and hit the bed in droopy sweaty piles in the wee hours. After a refreshing three hours sleep we got our wake up call. A coffee pot and filters had been provided for our use so rather than get dressed and go to the lobby, I threw a pre-measured filter in the appropriate place and added water to the well. If possible, the coffee pot was even louder than the air conditioning unit, making me want to say “all systems are go for liftoff”. The plan was to get the majority of the work done at the house before the heat once again made it impossible. Unfortunately, the heat hadn’t gotten the memo regarding our agenda and hadn’t really gone home the night before so outside had that just stepped into the oven feel even before breakfast. I inquired at the office as to the location of the pool. A helpful sort pointed to a well-forested glen behind the parking lot with what appeared to be a suspension bridge leading down into the brush. This was to give it that “tropical ambience”, I was informed. I told him I was looking forward to grabbing a machete and looking for it when I returned only to be told a sink hole of some sort had opened up nearby and the pool was temporarily closed until they determined it to be safe to use. Now that was reassuring news. Immediately I had a mental picture of our entire strip of rooms disappearing overnight, never to be seen again.
It took three or four more trips to the old house to gather the last of our belongings after the initial “big move”. Once everything was actually here rather than there I slung ropes from the ceiling fans so we could repel from one room to the other. Up and down the stairs I went carrying empty boxes up and full ones down. Ten years of belongings were strewn wherever there was a vacant spot and I had serious doubts that any of it was every going to find a home in the available storage space.
Storage space continued to elude me, particularly with no pantry. Not one to run from a challenge I searched the newspaper for a handyman. It never ceases to amaze me that contractors, etc. will pay for expensive newspaper ads looking for work but when you actually answer the ad they either never call you back or make an appointment and never arrive to give you an estimate. My solution for finding space for a pantry, as I always have too much food to store, was to turn the coat closet into a storage area by adding shelving and putting Rubbermaid storage units on the inside of the doors. After considerable searching we found a contractor who tendered a reasonable bid and set up an appointment for the first of the following week to begin work. Meanwhile our canned goods and cooking supplies resided in the living room on a huge fold out table we kept from our restaurant catering days. It made a nice conversation piece when people stopped by. Two hours before he was to arrive to begin work on our list of repairs, he called saying his mother needed him on the coast and he wasn’t going to come. Assuring me he’d call when he returned, we left it at that. Fortunately, this was not my first rodeo when it came to matters of this sort. Had I waited to hear from him we’d still be entertaining with our canned corn stacked by the fireplace.
This is our new dining room and the view from same. It’s like eating in a tree house.
At last we found a wonderful helper in a local contractor. He installed strong workable shelves and our groceries found a home. So, we begin a new chapter in our wonderful house in the trees. I should have taken before and after pictures but who knew where the camera was? At any rate, I’ll share some of the afters with you once I get settled and begin cooking in earnest once again.
Hope all is well with you. Have missed “chatting” with you all and hope you’re still out there in my world.
Let’s start out with something easy for the upcoming holiday. Too hot to get elaborate today. These were just good. Let me know what you think if you try them.
Hot Dogs with Baked Malt Vinegar Potato Chips, Peppers, and Onions
6 hot dogs
6 hot dog buns
Dill pickle slices
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 large russet potatoes, skin on sliced thin
1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced thin
1/2 yellow bell pepper, seed and sliced thin
1/2 yellow onion, slice thick
1 1/2 Tbsp. hot paprika
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste (I like a lot!)
Cooking Spray
Malt Vinegar
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Place sliced vegetables in large bowl. Toss well with olive oil, paprika, salt and pepper.
Line a baking sheet with tin foil and spray generously with cooking spray. Place in oven while preheating.
Remove baking sheet and place vegetables in single layer on sheet. The sheet should be hot enough that the vegetables will sizzle when placed on foil. Bake for 30 mins. or until crispy, turning once. Sprinkle as desired with malt vinegar and salt. Serve on top of boiled hot dogs in buns with pickles and your choice of condiments. Delish.
First off, welcome back. Moving is such fun.
I know I had supper four hours ago, so why am I salivating? Looks good, that’s why.
Tess, yes I am most glad to put it behind me and begin the process of settling in. Have a great day!
Mah-velous!
Thanks!
Oh, glad you’re moved, and got a funny story (at least!) out of all the troubles along the way. I’m glad you’re back!
Thank you. Nice to be back!
I know you are glad to have the move behind you. All the best in your new home. Your hot dogs would be perfect for the 4th of July.
Karen, thank you. It is like breathing new air. Very nice. Thanks.
Oh, the joys of moving! I was afraid you would say you went back to the hotel room to find the AC not functioning and Boo being none-too-happy about it!
I hope you’re soon settled in and, having once again found all the important belongings, will be able to post more regularly. 🙂
JM, no thank heavens their air was working beautifully. Boo would have packed a small bag and been on her way I believe if otherwise.
Nice to be back. Catching up here. Want to see what you all have been up to. 🙂
Of course it was 108˚ on moving day. There could have just as easily been an earthquake, tornado, or locusts. It’s moving day and no one gets off easy. Remember Moses? The good thing is that it’s behind you and, box by unpacked box, your new house is becoming your home. And if Boo is at all like what my cats were, you should be back on his good side in 2 or 3 months. 🙂
Missed you and am glad to read that you’ve survived with your sense of humor intact.
John, yes it could have been worse ….. marginally 🙂 It is indeed becoming home. I like it here very much in all the beautiful trees.
Boo is adjusting beautifully. Once she smelled and explored every inch she settled in right away which surprised even me.
Missed you as well. Will have to check out what’s cooking on your end. 🙂
Hello Aunt Susan, It is nice to see that your computer is up and running and that the computer person you got was able to set it up for you again now that you are in your new place. (my goodness what a long sentence, without a breath. LOL) I enjoyed reading about your move. Your recipe sounds great. However, I have just discovered from my new doctor that I have Celiac Disease (it would have been nice if my old doctor would have told me, because it is quite serious which means “No Gluten” for me. (NO WHEAT, BARLEY OR RYE or anything that suggests it, for instance nothing with MALT, Etc.) It is even a bit more complicated than that but too much so to go into it anymore than I have. Anyway, I love the photo of your “NEW TREEHOUSE DINNING ROOM”. It really is neat to see all of the trees through the windows. I can hardly wait to see it in person. I am looking forward to seeing how the rest of your New Home comes along. Love ya loads, Aunt Pea
Aunt Pea, Carol has the same problem. It seems it is epidemic these days. What a pain. I’ll have to come up with something for people suffering from such an ailment. Will send you some pics of the rest of the house. Hope we can get you down to visit before long. lu me
So nice to see you back! You’ve got an interesting way of “baptizing” your homes..sort of “trial by fire”? If you feel like disclosing,where did you move? I’m in Sacramento.Even if you don’t feel like saying,that’s certainly okay..I like the idea of you being “nearby”!! but of course,that’s as near as my computer.Happy settling in! Love that farfalle/feta salad-yumm..
Jen, yes, don’t try this at home. We are very nearby, actually. We’re in the foothills off 49 near Grass Valley. Last weekend we were floating around Sacramento looking for IKEA. Interesting store, never been to one before. If you’re in Sacramento, you’re suffering in this heat as well. If it wasn’t the week of the Fourth I believe I’d pack up the cat and the other half and head for the coast.
It is nice to be back! Oh, and the salad is so easy to put together and you could substitute feta for bleu cheese with equally exciting results.
Sorry, for not being around was I should had. I wouldn’t mind sitting around that table … what a fantastic surrounding you have. It’s like being in a tree house.
I would enjoy your hot dog … and just sitting there … chatting with you.
So glad you have found a great contractor – they don’t grow on tree. I hope that there will more views from your new home … no rush, take your time to get ready first. *laughter
Viveka, I am glad to see you. I have been so busy settling in I have been neglecting my blog. Too much going on these days to stop but I am making the most decadent bread tonight for company coming tomorrow with fresh zucchini from the farmers market so will post it soon. Yum.
It would be lovely to have you in my tree room. Very peaceful. I will share the pics as it comes together. You must stop by and have a chat if you’re in my neck of the woods – hah. 🙂