Basement Remodel - Update

The remodel is really coming a long. Loving the look of everything. Only issue right now is the laundry room bifold doors showed up really damaged so we need to wait for replacements. Also waiting on new blinds which are taking way longer than normal to make. They said its because of covid - I guess folks don't want people peering in their windows while sheltering in place!

Quarantine Camper Quilt

Grace is working on a new quilt. Each square will have a different camper. We are having the best time picking out the fabric for each camper. She is thinking about adding some squares with pine trees. Can't wait to see this one all done.

Evacuation

Ash falling

Last Thursday Jim was down in Sonora getting some supplies for the basement remodel.  He saw a bunch of fire trucks with lights on so he asked for me to check to see if there were any local fires.   I didn't see anything on our regular information sources so we figured they were going to help at the other fires in California.   About an hour later, I decided to check the CHP website. Sure enough, there was a fire that started at 12:39 pm at the bottom of the Priest Grade and it was now 12:40 pm.  So just by chance, I found out about a new fire about 6 miles from us.  And that was quite fortuitous since there was so much smoke in the air from existing California fires that this new fire didn't make any changes to air quality.

Leaving and wondering if we would see the cabin again

We monitored the fire and I continued to work....until at about 3:15 Jim came and and said, "I don't like what I just heard".  He was listening to the firefighters scanner and the incident commander was pleading for air resources and said this was "going to go to a major event".  We started talking about what we would pack up and then started putting stuff aside.

Heading down our street - you can see how dark it is from the smoke at 5:15 pm

Then ash started falling.   Then at 4pm the power went out and it changed from calmly packing to throwing stuff in the truck, readying the house and bugging out at about 5:15pm.   At 5:30pm, when we were about 10 miles from the cabin, we got an emergency call from the Sheriff saying that there was an evacuation warning.

Heading thru Coulterville to evacuate

We had to head west to then go south and south west.   The other roads were closed.   That was one of the reasons we decided to leave early - the egress in this area is limited.   We got home to SJ at about 8:30 pm and at 9pm the evacuation order was issued.  At that time, they were telling people they could evacuate through Yosemite!

 

When we left, we put this sign on our front door so that first responders wouldn't waste time trying to evacuate an empty house.   We are safe and sound and are glad we decided to leave early as there were reports of chaos when the order came out.   Plus, the night before we evacuated we decided to gas up my rig "just in case"!

Quarantine Remodel Update

Jim has moved on to the flooring.   After some trouble trying to figure out how best to install the new product, he figured it out and is blowing through it.  I am super happy with the look.  The old floor was in great shape -  It is crazy that it still looks shiny.   Ugly but shiny.  If we would have waiting 10 more years, I bet it would be back in style.

New floor

 Old Floor

8 Months Old

 

Our baby is 8 months old!   She is so tall and gangly.  I hope she stops growing "up" and starts filling out.  She definitely looks like she is in her teenage stage.  And she even sometimes has the teenage attitude which makes us crack up.

Update on Quarantine Remodel

It is amazing what you can get online - EVERYTHING for a remodel.  

Barnwood ✓

Barn lights ✓

Bedding ✓

Flooring ✓

Bi-fold doors ✓

Head boards and foot boards ✓

Wall heaters ✓

Things just keep showing up in the driveway everyday! 

 Jim framed out the windows and I love the look.

Ordered this bedding from Ralph Lauren and hope that it looks good with everything else.  And then, saw the pillows below and HAD to get them!

There is so much detailed work, including trim, to make things look finished.  

 

Love this barn light - there will be one over each bed and the beds are black metal to match the lights!

A new angle on an old favorite....

Over the weekend we went out on a boondoggle down a dirt road way above Cherry.  We had seen lights out in this area while camping at Cherry but did not know how to get there.

We parked the truck at the end of the road and went on a bushwhacking hike halfway down to the river.  Unfortunately it was hot and the dogs were pounding through our water (they don't know how to moderate) so we had to turn back.

We went to a spot with a great view and had a picnic with a bunch of goodies that we had picked up at the Sonora Farmer's Market.

 

"Chicken Dinner"

We got our Chewy Goody Box for winning the "family picture" award from the Dog Lovers Club at work. The dogs immediately knew it was theirs and they were all over it while we were opening the box.

We ended up with one toy, lots of snacks and a scarf.  Hops and Ahi were focused on the snacks - no surprise!  And Astrid wanted the scarf and toy.

It was such a fun event that we ordered monthly boxes for the next 6 months!  We need something to look forward to while on SIP.

Rock Painting 101

During SIP we have had to find new activities to take up time and ease our stress.   Painting rocks has been one of those activities.   We are not very good at it but enjoy finding the right rock, researching ideas and doing our "personal best" in the painting!

I did the tent painting above, and was particularly amused that the rock looks a lot like Half Dome!  It was the basis for my inspiration.

This is G's rock - love the bright colors and the depth that she achieved.  The rocks are placed on the deck right where I do my morning yoga so that I can enjoy them.

EEW

Jim found this petrified alligator lizard in the wall during the basement remodel.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

I entered this photo in a contest at work and WON!  The contest was for the dog lovers club and it was a "family picture".  My caption:  "We like to call this a Labrador Oreo cookie.  Mama Hops in the middle, her baby Oakley on the left and her sister from another mother, Astrid, on the right."

We are currently waiting for our prize - a box from Chewy - full of dog treats and toys!

Quarantine Remodel

Since we are SIP at the cabin, it seemed like a good time to finally do a renovation of the basement.  Time to remove the paneling, the lake wallpaper and florescent lights.   And while we are at it we will do a new floor and the bathroom update.  Stay tuned...

Fluorescent vs can lighting

Strawberry Shortcake Cake Roll

This is a delicious summer recipe!  (Thanks cousin Jess). If you have a jelly roll pan, it's pretty easy and so good with summer strawberries.  It also makes a delightful breakfast.

FOR THE CAKE:

• 3 large eggs
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• Powdered sugar to aid in rolling

FOR THE FILLING AND TOPPING:

• 8 ounces cream cheese softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
• 1 pound fresh strawberries plus more for topping, if desired

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 10x15” or 10.5x15” cake/jelly roll pan with foil and spray with floured nonstick cooking spray.
• Place eggs in a large bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat at medium speed with mixer for 5 minutes until foamy and yellow. Add sugar and mix for 2 more minutes, until the mixture is thickened slightly. Mix in oil, baking powder, salt, and vanilla, then add flour and mix slowly until just combined. Pour into prepared pan, spreading as needed with a spatula. Tap the pan twice on the counter to release air bubbles, then bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the top is browned and the cake springs back when touched lightly. (Mine took 12 minutes, but all ovens differ.)
• While the cake is baking, lay out a clean kitchen towel onto the counter. Spread with about 1/4 cup powdered sugar.
• Remove the hot cake from the oven and carefully flip the cake onto the towel.  Carefully remove the pan and foil and then, using the towel, roll up the cake from the short side. The towel will be rolled into the cake. Let this cool completely before continuing.
• Note: you can wrap the cooled cake in plastic wrap and let it sit overnight before finishing.
• Make the filling: place cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer. Use mixer to beat the cream cheese and sugar until it’s smooth and fluffy, then beat in vanilla. Slowly add the heavy whipping cream, then turn the mixer up to high and beat until stiff peaks form.
• To fill cake: wash and dry the berries very well. Slice about 3/4 of the pound into small pieces, then pat the pieces dry. Carefully unroll the cake. Spread with some of the whipped cream mixture and top with the chopped strawberries. Carefully roll the cake back up as tight as possible, unsticking it from the towel as you go. Wrap the cake roll in plastic wrap and chill until ready to top and serve.
• To serve: frost with remaining whipped cream and remaining berries. 
  
  
  EAT IT UP!  YUM!

Lazy Labs Sewing

G has opened an etsy shop for masks and dog bandanas - you can buy individually or a matching pair!

Hops Mask

We each got these custom masks from Auntie D and Uncle B - that is Hops' mug on it!  

Sugarwish

We did a virtual team building event at work.  Everyone got a gift certificate to order 8 different types of candy or savory snacks.  We placed our orders online and the treats were delivered to their door in a beautifully packaged box.  Then we had a zoom call where we did a "great candy reveal".  It was so fun!  We took turns sharing what we ordered and told stories of our methodology for choosing what we did and memories from childhood regarding the candy.  I would highly recommend!