The bathroom is almost officially done!

Just as a reminder, here is a shot of the old bathroom, complete with tiles, pedestal sink, glue-on wall tile, and toilet with no lid:

Here is shot of the new tile backlash and the mirror. The mirror is actually not new at all. It is an antique glass door with the panes of glass removed and replaced by recycled mirror. Except for one pane, where my sister smashed the mirror that was to be installed a

nd Ian replaced it with the old glass. Can you spot which one it is???

Another shot of the mirror and tile

glass tile:

the whole counter top:

and toshi, who snuck into this photo. There is really not much more to do in this room now, except buy towels and hopefully find an old barn ladder to set up as a towel holder, such as this one:

Some random pictures to go with my new blog philosophy; mish-mashing.

Ian and I drove up to Niagara this weekend for our anniversary (and for wine, let's be serious here) and on our way we saw this intriguing building. It was so, um, 'vivid' that I had to take the picture in Black and White:

(we have dubbed it the penis factory)

Here is a picture of me bonding with my mommy. In a snow bank. On a sidewalk.

Happy Valentimes Day! Cupcakes for my team at work:

Cottage we stayed in on Niagara on the Lake. It really was right on the lake. I highly recommend this if you are planning to visit. It sleeps a bunch of people, has a full kitchen, back deck, and bubble tub!

Bathroom renos continue! We bought tile yesterday for the back-splash. It took about 7 minutes to choose what we wanted causing the employee to tell us we were the most easy-going customers he has ever seen. Hmmm...I guess he hasn't heard the story about choosing our countertop. Anyway! Here is the old light (with a flashback to the flowery wallpaper that is long gone):

Replaced by track lighting and a fan with no birds living in it:

The evolution of the bathroom counter. Ian shoved a 2 by 6 into the wall (screwed into a stud sounds a little inappropriate, but that's the truth) with the plan to cantelever the new countertop, instead of installing cabinets underneath. The counter top material at this point is still a mystery.

Here it is! Maple veneer plywood, stained and water proofed, and built by Mr McCann himself! Those holes are for the sink drain and the water pipes.

Plumbing being installed.
It works! There is water!
Sink and countertop. I will take a better picture of the faucet soon, it's very cool too!
This is as far as we've got so far. Next step, pick up the special order glass tile, install it, find a vintage mirror and a giant piece of Catholic art for the far wall. After that we are on the lookout for free-standing tiny cabinets that will roll under the floating countertop. Easy peasy! Yeah right!
Next project is up for discussion. We have a lot of drywalling left to finish, but I think that might have to wait until it's a bit warmer so we can open the windows. A reminder-black boogers are the result of drywall dust, and no one wants that.

Don't be scared Alyssa friend-it's just Tasha! (When Tasha first came to live with me, my dear friend Alyssa often turned around to find Tasha staring at her with her GIANT owl-like eyes) She is a bit scary, I admit it, but after 6 years I think I am kind of used to her now.
On with posting more picks of our non-reno activities. Here is a recipe I am trying for the first time-Spicy Lentil Chili-to take to a Superbowl party tonight. Go Bluejays! oh wait...is that right? I am really only into it for the food :)

(recipe at the very bottom)
I don't think it's a good sign when your partner wakes you up on Sunday morning and suggests you "play house" by cooking brunch for once. I was under the impression that no one liked my cooking (b/c two weeks ago both Ian and Kerry said "maybe you should not cook for us anymore. Ever.") but I donned one of my many cute (mainly for decorative purposes) vintage aprons and make chocolate zuchinni pancakes (original recipe here-http://www.ivillage.com/zucchini-chocolate-chip-pancakes/3-r-230097). My terrific houseguest and best buddy made these when she visited from the Nation's Capital last weekend, and this morning I veganized it. Lesley, I can send you my alterations so that you can make it at home for your Vegan Love:
I thought I would share these pictures of my kitchen this morning. Evidently we are people who really like kitchen gadgets. I was using them all to be honest, b/c I was simultaneously making pancakes, vegan banana bread and espresso. I was really taking this "playing house" thing seriously today!

Spicy Lentil Chili (Recipe from Crazy Plates, by Janet & Greta Podleski, Granet Publishing, 1999)

1 tsp. olive oil

1 cup each of diced onions, celery, green pepper, and carrots

1 clove garlic

1 tbsp. chili powder

2 tsp ground cumin

1 - 1 ½ tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1 19 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 19 oz can cooked lentils, drained and rinsed

1 cup tomato sauce

½ cup unsweetened pineapple juice

1/4 cup chili sauce

1 tbsp brown sugar

1/4 cup chopped, fresh cilantro

For garnish: low fat sour cream (if your child eats milk products)

Heat olive oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onions, celery, green pepper, carrots, and garlic. Cook and stir for 5 minutes, until vegetables begin to soften.

Add chili powder, cumin, oregano. and cinnamon, Cook and stir for 1 more minute. Add all remaining ingredients except cilantro and sour cream. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring once in a while.

Stir in cilantro. Remove from heat, ladle into serving bowls and top with sour cream, if desired.

Blogging. As our renovations start to wrap up in this Old-Cat-House, we were talking about whether to end the blog or not. I have been reading a lot of blogs this winter about other people's homes and they all have a real mish-mash of content. ie) baking, cooking, renovation, crafting, recipes, environmental cleaning, weather, gardening etc. So for now, I will be trying to blog about some of the other activities happening in the Old-Cat-House that are not specifically about our renovations.

January...Christmas is all over and it feels like a time to cleanse. Ian did this by systematically packing all our holiday stuff away in a highly organized fashion, and I did this by ridding myself of all half finished knitting projects and partial balls of yarn. It felt really good, but of course I couldn't just throw everything out, so I simply packed it up and sent it to Jodie's basement. Awww, cleansing!

As a result, I felt liberated from these old projects and allowed myself a trip to the Yarn Store to buy just enough yarn for one project at a time. I bought one skein of Cascade 220 in a heather green:

It's Ballin' Time:

Inspired by my lovely and talented sis-in-law, I have decided to start sharing pics of some of my knitting projects. Here are my latest NewFoundLand Mittens in Hemp and Noro Kureon. I had the pattern a long time ago, but now I just knit it from memory. There are a tonne of patterns on the Google though if you want to try it.

Infinity Scarf in Noro Silk. I love Noro b/c no matter what I wear there is usually one colour in the blend that matches my clothes, or at least my earrings.