Road Trip

I woke up at 6:00 AM on Sunday and got a cup of coffee. Then I posted the rather lengthy Blog entry and a ton of photos. I refilled my pill box and did the mundane morning chores. I got another cup of coffee and made breakfast. This time I made two eggs over easy, bacon and toast. I like to dip the toast into the egg yolk and I missed that yesterday with the scrambled eggs.

Then I started taking measurements for the next little project. Here’s some background: When Jake and I first moved in here, his bedroom was what is now the office, next to mine and the office was downstairs. The kitty litter was downstairs, too.

But, when he realized the potential of the downstairs, with its large expanse and the private bathroom with a shower, he decided to make that his bedroom. He put French doors on the closet, wallpapered it, etc. All of which I applauded, but it left me with the question of where to put the kitty litter.

So, I turned his bedroom into the current office and cut a cat door into the hollow closet door. That way I could put the kitty litter in the closet and (hopefully) contain the smell, somewhat.

But once he was gone, I moved the kitty litter back downstairs, leaving me with a hole in the office closet door. See photos.

I always assumed that sooner or later, I would have to just buy a new door. But, when I was remodeling the bathroom, I had to get a weird-sized vent and I realized, it would just fit over the hole in the closet door! I bought another one and some brown spray paint. I painted it when it was still warm out and have been saving it for a lull in the other projects.

So, today, I measured the space between the outer skins of the door. I ripped down a 2x2 and cut it to length for each side. I originally was going to do both sides full length and a top piece as well, but there are glued-in stiffeners in the door that prevented that plan.

Then I glued each side of the 2x2 filler, tapped it in with a hammer and clamped it. I’ll let it dry overnight before screwing on the vent.

Since it was still raining outside (and apparently rained much harder than yesterday or this morning overnight, judging by the puddles), I was forced to stay inside. But, that was okay as its been a while since I cleaned the house. So, that was what I started next.

I finished up cleaning everything by noon and then it was time to get ready. I had been invited to Sunday supper with the Dabain family up in Armada to try Hannah’s Yogurt Chicken. The plan was for me to drive to my Brother Carl’s house and then ride with him up to Hannah’s (his daughter). I left about 1:00 PM for the trip to Mount Clemens.

I got to Carl’s around 2:00 PM, bearing gifts (I took him the rest of the leftover macaroni and cheese). He showed me his new fireplace insert that keeps the cold out of the living room, but still allows him to burn wood (I was sooo freakin’ jealous!) after I used his bathroom. Then we hit the road again in his vehicle.

When we got to Hannah’s house (a very interesting house, BTW, with some absolutely gorgeous wood trim and built-ins with old leaded glass, etc.), her husband, Khal, was on an emergency run to the Richmond Kroger’s to get some green onions and parsley. Her daughter, Brie (Gabriella) was baking some coffee cake for dessert and her son, Tariq, was playing a game on the computer.

Carl and I sampled some chocolate chip cookies Brie had baked earlier (excellent) and had a cup of coffee. Hannah began to brown the chicken (boneless thighs and breasts) while we chatted.

Khal eventually returned, but had mistakenly grabbed cilantro instead of flat leaf parsley (a common mistake and one I’ve made myself – they look identical). Hannah decided to go with that, anyway.

While she was cooking, her son Colin came in. He is helping to renovate a home Mt. Clemens.

A little while later, Hannah’s oldest daughter, Amanda, Amanda’s husband Brandon and their two adorable daughters Aurora and Delilah showed up. So, we had a full house!

Finally it was time to eat. Along with the yogurt chicken on top of white rice, Khal had made a salad with feta cheese, Kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes and a lemon dressing and Hannah had baked dinner rolls (so you could sop up any extra sauce).

The food was excellent! Now, long time readers will remember my feelings about cilantro (I hate it), but there was enough lemon and garlic in the sauce you couldn’t really taste it. Hannah said it was a Greek recipe, BTW. I would like to have it!

After dinner Brie cut into her coffee cake and that was excellent as well (although Carl teased her about not using enough butter in the streusel topping). I want that recipe, too!

I’m guessing from the banter that it’s a regular occurrence after Sunday dinner for the men folk to play Euchre and that Carl and Brandon usually beat the pants off Khal and Colin. This time Khal sat out and I took his place. [Sidebar: I haven’t played Euchre in forever!]

But, Colin and I won the first hand by a point or two. And then the next game we won something like 10 to 3! It was fun and even more fun to see the disgusted look on Carl and Brandon’s faces. Colin and I kicked butt!

Carl asked if I was ready to go and, although I hated to drag him away, I said yes. I used the bathroom one last time and we said our goodbyes. Hannah gave us each some leftovers to take and we headed out.

I didn’t go in at Carl’s house (he had to take his garbage out to the curb, anyway) but just left from there and headed home. I got home a little after 7:30 PM and gave him a quick call, both to let him know I got home alright and to ask for the correct spelling of some of the kid’s names.

I changed clothes, got myself a cup of coffee and got things ready for work in the morning (groan – where did this weekend go, anyway?) I must admit it was nice to have a clean house with no tools laying around for a change.

I tried to watch a movie but I fell asleep long before the end.