Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands… 1 Thess. 4:11

Thanks for participating in the Teachinggoodthings.com DVD give away.

Laura Hoy is the winner of her choice of the Patchwork, Crochet, or Cake Decorating DVD.  You can still purchase Kathy’s DVD’s by June 16 and save!  Use coupon code:  HOME

Listen to the recorded program with Kathy Brodock – Equipping Families With Practical Skills Now!

Learn to Make A Patchwork Quilt.

Other DVD’s by Kathy:

Learn To Crochet DVD Cake Decorating DVD

You can follow other blog posts from the beginning of the kitchen remodel project and follow the progress:

Old Kitchen- ” before” remodeling pictures,

Pictures of the plans for the new kitchen.

Moving to my “camp kitchen.”

What a Mess, Kitchen Demolition Continues.

Structural changes, stairway remodel, floor leveling, electrical, dry wall, and painting dominated the last six weeks of remodeling work.  I had workmen at my home almost every day.   Sometimes it was like a “three ring circus” juggling everyone.

After the painting and flooring projects were completed a week ago, I began to SEE that what I have been working towards for nearly a year is beginning to take shape and I’m getting excited!

Badly bowed floor had to be shimmed and leveled before plywood subfloor could be installed.

Old Stairway above – you can see the exposed “studs” in the kitchen if you look hard.  New stairway is beautiful and has already received many compliments.

These are the base cabinets looking towards the kitchen from my desk area.  The cabinet doors and drawer fronts will be replaced with knotty  rustic alder as soon as they become available.  That was one unexpected “surprise” last week.  The second picture is looking at the island from the living room area.  We picked black to tie in the black mortar in the brick fireplace.

This picture gives the bigger picture of the new kitchen area and shows off my new hardwood floors.  I already baptized the flooring with a huge gouge the first day they were installed.  The Norwex Dry Superior Mop is absolutely awesome for cleaning up after workman and going over a large flooring area.

A few other surprises last week included moving the “roughed in”  lighting cans in the ceiling which had to be moved so the cabinets wouldn’t cover them. Glad it was all fixable.

My counter tops are being fabricated this week and appliances should be delivered sometime before the upper cabinets go in.

The right corner of the camp kitchen contains an old computer desk that I used for writing ebooks and newsletters when Duane was still living.  Now I have my bible,  laptop, home telephone and answering machine located here.  To the right of the main eating table (outside the picture) is a very old set of file drawers that are doubling as a counter to house my microwave/convection oven combo, an airpot being used as a faucet for cold drinking water, and my beloved Bosch.

Along the left side of my camp kitchen facing the window is my entire family library with a banquet table set up in front for my cutting board, utensil storage, and dish washing station.  The trash can is in front of the banquet table.

I now have my dining room, family library, kitchen, and desk area tucked into about a 10 X 12 foot space.  It’s all very cozy but surprisingly functional.

]]> http://www.marilynmoll.com/2010/04/moving-to-the-camp-kitchen/feed/ 2 http://www.marilynmoll.com/2010/04/bosch-mixer-and-nutrimill-combo-now-on-sale/ http://www.marilynmoll.com/2010/04/bosch-mixer-and-nutrimill-combo-now-on-sale/#comments Mon, 05 Apr 2010 02:02:44 +0000 Marilyn Moll http://www.marilynmoll.com/?p=554 I hope you all had a nice Easter with family and friends. Mary and I  accomplished our Easter dinner without my beloved Bosch and grain mill.  Instead, we invited a family friend to join us for dinner in our downstairs “camp kitchen/cabin”.

Demolition began in my old kitchen on Thursday so we had a simple dinner cooked on a hot plate in stages.  Pictures will follow soon.

Now, through Mother’s Day, May 10, you can invest in a Bosch Universal Plus and Nutrimill and save nearly $200.  The combination price is $549.99.  With the tax deadline fast approaching, I know many readers are awaiting their return so they can invest in a mill and mixer.  Don’t miss this once a year savings event!

The most exciting development in the last week is that a Paonia, Colorado customer has asked if she could have my old cabinets and help with the demolition project.  She came over, made measurements, took pictures, went home and called back a little while later saying she thought everything would work in her kitchen and is very excited and so am I.

I really am old-fashioned at heart, I believe in the old adage of “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.”

So why am I no longer making do with these serviceable cabinets, then?

My kitchen remodeling project has several goals:

1.  Replace/Update 35 year old appliances that are not repairable.

2. Re-do the kitchen layout so the kitchen can accommodate more people and add an island to facilitate traffic flow.

3. Expand the existing small kitchen space into the existing dining space to add a desk and get family paperwork off kitchen counters and move the dining room table into the existing sun room, a large space that is underutilized.

4.) Most importantly, I intend this “new” kitchen to be my future studio for producing instructional DVD’s.

In the last week I have been able to reduce the cabinet costs by choosing to use rustic alder (it’s on sale this month) instead of rustic cherry, making minor cabinet modifications that don’t take away from the original design, and identifying other cost saving options.

My plan is to order the new cabinets next week, and use the week-end to decide whether to keep the window seat cabinets (lots of extra storage and seating) or eliminate these cabinets from the project to cover other costs.  An elder in our church who I consult when facing big decisions has encouraged me to give myself permission to waffle back and forth in the next few days, – yes, I want the window cabinets, no – I can live without them.  So that is what I’m going to do.

The above picture shows a representation of the kitchen without the window seat cabinets.  Whether I do with or without the window seat I will be putting a small bistro table in the space in front of the window for eating.  The funny looking beams at the ceiling line represent beams going up to a cathedral ceiling in the new kitchen area.  The existing kitchen area ceiling will have to stay the traditional 8 feet.

I’d love to hear from you with your thoughts.

Renee has a small family of 3, and Mary and I are a family of two, so together we decided that it is time for both families to put our money where our mouth is, so-to-speak, and take the plunge to eat more organically and in particular, LOCALLY by investing in one 40 week CSA share commitment.

Eating locally, also known as, becoming a locavore, is defined “as collaborative effort to build more locally based, self-reliant food economies – one in which sustainable food production, processing, distribution, and consumption is locally integrated”  is a topic I will take up in more depth another day

It is exciting to me because the family we are buying our produce live in my town and they are not strangers to me.  The Gillespie family mom, Lynn, wrote the book Cinder Block Gardening (now out of print) that inspired Duane to build the raised beds in my back yard.  They are also the same family who has been  producing fresh Mesculan Greens that I have been buying at the local grocery store for several years.

So when Renee discovered  The Living Farm CSA was starting this month, we decided to join because unlike other CSA’s in our area, the deliveries will be for 40 weeks starting next week (March 20) and going through December.

We have been promised fresh tomatoes by June, which in Colorado is just barely past the frost free date, so early season fresh tomatoes and strawberries, that have been locally grown in the Living Farm’s greenhouses was another big reason we decided to take the plunge and make the commitment.

In our first weekly email newsletter,   Lynn writes about their new CSA:

“This is more than just weekly produce. This is a chance for you to get connected with the land and the farm. I want to take you on a journey of fine food, seasons, loss and triumph. A farm is a living breathing entity all on its own. Then we add the cycles of life, death, hot and cold, wet and dry, wind, bugs and disasters. What we are left with is miracles, life force and skill.

You will be able to taste the hard work, the love and the dedication to bring you this fine food.  New varieties of food that you didn’t even know existed will appear on your dinner plate. Old favorites will spring forth with amazing new and delectable tastes.

If you will allow yourself to go beyond “filling the void” and really embrace the local organic food you will be amazed at what you find. My favorite part of the farm is giving people the “ah ha” moment. When they realize the vast difference of the food and how they feel and function after eating the organic local food.”

Our newsletter advised us that our first pick-up will include Bok Choy, a vegetable I have never tried and don’t know anything about and even included a simple recipe for preparing the Bok Choy that sounds delicious!  Here is the recipe:

Stir Fried Bok Choy (taken from Robin Miller-food network)

1 tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tbsp. minced fresh ginger
8 cups chopped bok choy
2 tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute. Add bok choy and soy sauce and cook 3-5 minutes until greens are wilted and stalks are crisp-tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

If  hope you will be inspired to investigate what CSA opportunities exist in your area and consider supporting family friendly farming.

In the next few months I will be writing more about our experiences and hope you will follow our adventure and share your family’s experiences with Community Supported Agriculture.

12 guests arriving. 11 coats a’hanging.  10 dripping boots.  9 plates of cookies.  8 people eating.  7 cups a’sitting.  6 ladies chatting.  5 children screaming.  4 degrees outside.  3 broken ornaments.  2 spilled drinks.  1 Christmas party!

Yesterday was my mom’s Christmas party for her neighbors.  Since my husband and I are visiting from Tennessee, we were lucky enough to be invited along with the neighbors.  And because my husband and I had been visiting friends 70 miles away, we arrived just in time for the party, and were lucky enough to escape the prep work.

My poor mother!  Thankfully, she was lucky enough to have the help of a creative neighbor, who enjoys putting together parties.

My mom is always brilliant when it comes to serving food and put together a lovely mix of appetizers and snacks.  She filled our tummies with pinwheels, brushettas, veggie and fruit platters, and topped it off with apple cider and wine.  Neighbors also contributed with a delicious array of cookies.  There are 11 months to diet from one month of Christmas for a reason!

The special part about her Christmas party was that it was made up of mostly neighbors.  What a blessing to live in a place where you know your neighbors well enough to have a party with them.  I think that we all lament the social isolation in neighborhood communities, but few of us have made an effort to reach out.

Of course, it takes time.  My mom has lived in this community for seven years and this was her second neighborhood Christmas party. (The first one was before my dad passed away in December of 2007.)   I appreciate that she was willing to step out and bring everyone together!

Some of the appetizers recipes follow in the next blog entry below.  I hope that you can enjoy making some of these recipes, and perhaps even enjoy them with your neighbors.  Merry Christmas!

Ed Final Note:  Several neighbors mentioned that since we were having such a good time visiting together, we should do this more often!   The success of the party was not the food, but building relationships with friends and neighbors.  Memories created. Goal achieved.

The BLT Bruschetta recipe below is a simple gourmet delight,  very delicious, you must try it!

BLT Bruschetta

5 Slices Maple flavored Bacon, cooked and crumbled
½ C. finely chopped seeded tomato
½ C. finely chopped leaf lettuce
½ C. prepared pesto, divided
½ C. shredded Mozzerella, optional
2 Tbsp  minced fresh basil
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
1 10 ½ oz loaf French Bread, sliced thin
3 Tbsp Olive oil

Brush French Bread with olive oil and toast by baking at 400° F 9-10 minutes – watch closely- until golden brown.  Mix crumbled bacon with finely chopped tomato.  Spread pesto mixture on each slice.
Sprinkle with a little Mozzerella.  Heat until cheese is melted and garnish with chopped lettuce and basil.

PinWheels
The red and green ingredients make these colorful and tasty for the Christmas holidays.

2 packages of cream cheese (8 oz.) softened,
1 package ranch salad dressing mix (dry mix)
1/2 cup minced sweet red pepper
1/2 cup minced celery
1/4 cup minced green onions
1/4 cup minced black olives (optional)
3-4 flour tortillas (10 inch)

In a mixing bowl beat cream cheese and dressing mix until
smooth.  Add the red peppers, celery, onion, and olives; mix well.
Spread about 3/4 cup on each tortilla.  Roll up tightly; wrap in
plastic wrap.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.  Slice into 1/2 inch
pieces.  Yield: 15-20 servings  (double or triple as needed)  Make
ahead!

My neighborhood Open House will be Sunday, December 20, 2009.   Remember to focus on the guests and relationships.

I hope you have a great time with your holiday get-togethers and a beautiful spread of food with minimal effort.

“Of the eighteen married women who sailed on the Mayflower, only four lived through the first winter to see Fall of 1621.  With the assistance of five surviving girls and one maidservant, the four, thankful to be alive and grieving for those not, prepared a meal of gratitude.”

We have an amazing amount to be thankful for even during difficult times.  I am particularly thankful for the legacy left to my family and I by my late husband Duane, that my daughter and son-in-law will be home for Christmas,  my daughter, Mary for her terrific housekeeping and musical talents, and my son Stephen’s soon-to-be  officer commissioning.  Please post some of the things, large and small  you are thankful for.

I have complimentary copies of either one of my spiral bound books (your choice), A Beginner’s Guide to Baking Bread or  Breakfasts for Busy Moms, for 15 people who post their thankful comments. I am particularly looking for contest particpants willing to share how they have faced very difficult trials this past year and you are still able to see the positive blessings of God’s goodnesss to you and your family.

Gifts for all occasions for just under $10.00 each and the shipping is free! Spiral Bound, Plastic Splash Cover Cookbooks
Coupons codes: Buy Three get One Free – BTGO, Buy Four Get Two Free – BSGT Buy Six Get Three Free – BNGT

I like to get as much of my holiday shopping done in November as I can.  I always need some $10.00 and under gifts for last minute gifts.  My spiral bound cookbooks make perfect gifts for friends and relatives.  These books are filled with tasty, reliable, healthy, practical recipes.

FAST AND HEALTHY MENUS FOR BUSY MOMS by Marilyn Moll

The focus of this book is that, yes, you can cook fast and healthy meals for your family with natural whole ingredients. You must have reliable recipes, a plan, and a willingness to commit to that goal.

A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO BAKING BREAD by Marilyn Moll
If you’re new to bread baking, this is a no-nonsense, easy to use book that teaches whole grain bread baking step-by step.  Over 90 pages and includes the two-stage process.

BREAKFASTS FOR BUSY MOMS by Marilyn Moll
Kick that cold, breakfast cereal habit and learn to cook a wide variety of nutritious breakfasts, including hot, kid-pleasing cereals using the nutrient packed two-stage process and much more.

Choose any combination of my books – 1 of each, 3 of each, 2 of one, 1 of another or any combination of multiples of three or more of my cookbooks and get one cookbook free for every three cookbooks you put in the shopping cart.  Use the above coupon codes to save  $14.95,  $29.90 or $44.85.  If you want more, put a note in the comments section of check out.

What an easy way to encourage your friends and relatives who are looking for a way to get started with a healthier lifestyle!