Thursday, November 19, 2020

MarketPlace Garage Upgrades

 A couple of weeks ago, I lucked upon someone giving away a slew of cabinets.  By the time I was able to get someone to watch my kids (my mom finally came back after one of her "I'm just gonna run a quick errand" trips) most of them were gone.  I was able to snag these two wall cabinets, along with a couple of matching base cabinets, one of which I kept.



A week or two later someone else was giving away more cabinets but the catch was you had to come and uninstall them.  I spent two hours getting as many as I could and filled the minivan up.  I ended up only needing these two that are hung, plus the one base with drawers.  I could have squeezed another smaller wall cabinet but decided instead to list everything I didn't need for $10 per cabinet on Marketplace and I got fast responses. A dude from Indiana came and bought them all up.



I'm really proud of my decision to get rid of those shelves.  The space is now more open and with this free table I found, it really looks like a tradesman's workspace.  There is still a pile of junk on the floor that I need to deal with, but it is still much more open than before.  If we are here for more than one more year, I may invest in an outdoor storage shed for the bikes. Having them outside but secure would free up some valuable wall space.  



Now I just have to figure out what to do with the opposite wall.  I hS an idea but the person selling her IKEA CD shelves not only didn't respond to me, but she removed the post.  It serves me right.  Earlier this week I offered to give a dresser to someone on Portage Park Freebox.  But then people started answering my listing.  I selfishly decided that $30 is better than charity.  I guess I got what I deserved.

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Thursday, November 5, 2020

Helping out with the cooking

 I came across these recipes and decided to give them a try.   This is my second attempt   They are each meant to be a main dish but I felt they complemented one another so I made them for the same meal, but more interestingly, at the same time. 


 My first attempt I tried switching back and forth.   On the second attempt, I realized that it’s easier to focus on searing the chicken first, while the pasta water boils.  If you time it right (I was slightly off) you finish searing the chicken, start the sauce while the pasta boils, and start the penne base.   In theory, you finish the penne base just in time to add the pasta.  And you can add the chicken into its sauce and let it simmer. 



 The interesting thing about cooking, especially Italian dishes is that you can make substitutions.  Which is a nice way to say “damn I forgot to get x, will y work..” Usually, it does.  For instance, no one can ducking tell if you used a shallot instead of an onion. 



 Bon Appétit 


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