New Range, Drywall Repair and Kitchen Update

After much thought, I finally decided against repairing the Kitchenaid range and purchased this new GE unit. I think it will workout much better for me since I do a lot of canning and the Kitchenaid was a glass top and I couldn't do long periods of cooking on that type of unit.  This seems to be a nice stove but the coils take a  little longer to heat up, they sort of sound like a creaking ship, and the surface is not flat so I can't set things on it for added counter space. I did use the oven on Sunday and roasted a big batch of brussel sprouts.  The oven seems to work pretty well, about the same as the Kitchenaid which always did a great job. This oven, like my old one is also a Convection Oven.  I  also like that this model has the controls at the back of the stove instead of the front, this means not having to clean that area while cooking.

I also will be changing out the two black handles on the drawers and put on knobs. The handles are too large for these two drawers.  That means filling holes, sanding and painting again but the handles just don't work here.

I don't think I will be adding a decorative back-splash behind the stove like I was going to do.  You can see in the photo above that there really isn't much space behind it to add a tile design so that will save some money.

I am still thinking of adding some sort of an open cabinet cubicle on the right of the range hood. That will balance out the cabinets on both sides.  

I was able to find a drywall repair person that did the repairs for me on Friday morning to the electrical area and he also repaired the areas around the window and backsplash that had the 8 inch tiles.  When I removed those, they left a ridge that he scraped and then filled and texture sprayed. He did a great job and only charged me $120.00 to repair 5 holes plus the backsplash.

 This shows the repairs to the drywall for the electrical work.

This week I may be painting the walls, that way if I make a mess on the floor it won't matter!  The floor tile will be installed the second week of January (hopefully).  Then we move on to the countertop. We are still deciding on the color of the granite.  We decided against the brown tones and have looked at several slabs of  "Verde Tunas".  This granite has a lot of black in it and just a little green. I will go with one that has more black than green.  I am getting excited as the month goes on, knowing that soon all will be finished and I can start using my kitchen again.  

I have a very small garden this winter, with the kitchen mess I didn't want to have too much to care for, but here are a few photos.

Swiss Chard

Arugula

Red Leaf, Oak Leaf from "Farmer's Market Blend" Botanical Interests Seed

Beets and Cilantro

Radishes

Easter Egg and French Breakfast Radishes from Botanical Interest Seeds

Parsley planted from seed in September

Arugula Blend

Potato Plants 

 Fresh Picked this morning!

Raised beds resting for the winter.

Seed Catalog Order!!

I just love this time of year when all the seed catalogs arrive.  I spent last weekend visiting nurseries and browsing my seed catalogs.  I placed two orders, one from Botanical Interests and one from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. 

I ordered Southern Night, Chocolate Stripes, Gold Medal, Big White Pink Stripes, Henderson's Pink Ponderosa and Hillbilly tomatoes from Baker Creek, also a State Fair Mix Zinnia, Parisienne round Carrot and Orangeglo Watermelon.

From Botanical Interests I ordered, Organic Dill Heirloom seed, Round Black Spanish Heirloom Radish, French Breakfast Organic Heirloom Radish.  For tomatoes I ordered Black Krim Organic Heirloom, Cherokee Purple Organic Heirloom, and Green Zebra Organic.  I also ordered a Charentais Heirloom Melon, and Love in a Mist, Verbascum, Mexican Torch Sunflower flower seeds.

 I am still pondering on what to order or whether to order from Seeds from Italy. They are a bit more expensive. We'll see...

Carnival Bell Peppers, New Mexico Pepper, and Sweet Pepper Pimento and Tarragon cutting

 I spent yesterday potting up some seeds that I had and also some that I saved from last year. The Tarragon is from my plants.  I took a few cutting just in case I have problems in the next few months. I picked a bunch yesterday and have plans to make Tarragon Pesto today.

Back row: Jalapeno, yellow Crookneck Squash, Dr. Wyche's yellow tomato, San Marzano Tomato. Middle row: Patty Pan Squash, Cocozelle Squash, Cherokee Purple tomato, German Queen Tomato (rare).  Front row: Scallop White Bush squash, Rainbow Blend Cherry Tomato, Cherokee Purple Tomato, and Green Zebra Tomato.

I planted about 5 dozen spring onion sets and have all these that I will plant to replace those I pull.

Now we wait.....patiently.....

"Little January
Tapped at my door today.
And said, "Put on your winter wraps,
And come outdoors to play."
Little January
Is always full of fun;
Until the set of sun.
Little January
Will stay a month with me
And we will have such jolly times -
Just come along and see."
-  Winifred C. Marshall, January