Foster FAIL!

We have had a new foster dog. Meet Buddy - a 1 year old Chihuahua pup (I also think there is a mix of Rat Terrier in there). He's pretty well behaved so far - lots of energy which we're keeping in check with frequent walking. Luckily his legs are short so our walks don't have to be the miles and miles that Q requires.

Err, an update to this posting, which I started when we got him a month ago, but never managed to finish. We're keeping Buddy. He's a great fit with Q and well, it's just hard to say goodbye. I'm a little embarrassed that we weren't successful in the traditional sense with this one, but I guess everyone wins because he's still in a good home (if I do say so myself). We're considering renaming him, but can't settle on one. Joe likes Sanchez and I think he looks like a Carl. There's nothing similar about those two names, so for now he will remain Buddy.

The kitchen, continued

The new double oven is in. It's beautiful. So much bigger than the other one - I haven't tried it yet, but I think we can actually fit a standard size cookie sheet in there.

There's new electrical next to it too since we took out the Jenn-Air that had the lone plug in for that half of the countertop.

The KitchenAid oven came with this strange looking probe device - 

I'll be reading the manual or someone will probably get hurt with that thing.

On the other wall, the cabinets are down and the remaining countertop is off. We're now entirely without countertops!

Bill from Shamrock was here today to measure for the new cabinets and to take the original glass doors since we're reusing them. Luckily this is the only set of cabinets we need to do. The rest can stay for the next remodel.

And so begins the kitchen renovation...

It's not a major renovation, but more of a face-lift. New countertops (DuPont Zodiaq in Bianco Carrara from Costco via local installers Top Masters), a black sink, copper pull-down faucet, tile backsplash (2"x12" subway set honey onyx medley & Skokie accents), and black appliances.

The biggest change for me will be going from the electric cooktop to gas. I hear gas is great, but I'm not completely sold yet. I'd better get on board though because the electric cooktop is on its way to ReStore and the new gas cooktop is on the living room floor ready for install.

Here are a couple pics of the way it was:

And a few from about an hour later (Rick works fast):

I'll post more pictures on my Picasa Web Album - Kitchen Remodel - as the project proceeds towards eventual completion.

Pretty exciting stuff! And once the kitchen is mostly finished, we can get another foster dog (or two)!

Baxter - We'll miss you!

Baxter was adopted today by a very nice family who were looking for a laid-back older guy. 

Working in my office just won't be the same without you snoring on your bed beside me or laying in the window, Big Guy.

Best of luck in your new home!

Gooey Butter Cake

Joe and I have been busy. Apparently, we've been too busy to blog for about 9 months. In that amount of time you can grow a whole baby (we haven't). I think I'll remedy our extended blogging hiatus with an update and since I don't have a long commute anymore perhaps I'll blog a little more often.
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I went to St. Louis a couple weeks ago for my new job orientation and while there I was able to have my favorite dessert, Gooey Butter Cake, multiple times. According to those fact-wizards at Wikipedia, St. Louis is the city of origination for Gooey Butter Cake. A St. Louis co-worker thoughtfully sent out the recipe to everyone who attended orientation and I thought I'd share. I'll be making this tonight.


Gooey Butter Cake
1 box yellow cake mix
1 stick butter, softened
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 lb. powdered sugar (reserve 1/2 c for garnish after baking)
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 more eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Combine cake mix, butter, and 1 egg; mix thoroughly. Press into a greased 9x13 pan or an 11x17 jelly roll pan. Mix together powdered sugar and cream cheese; add 2 eggs and beat 3-5 minutes. Pour over crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes (insert knife, should come out clean). Remove from oven and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Enjoy!