I’m a little behind in posting the master bathroom remodel project that we’ve had as I was sidetracked with 1) painting the basement which took me 5 days and 2) problems with Chrome loading my pictures. I finally decided to use Firefox and so far, cross my fingers, things are going smoothly.
So …
It was a little unnerving to have our contractor tell us, at the end of Day 3, that his blood pressure was 180/120 so he would have to take the day off to go to the doctor to figure out what was wrong. My response to him was “What are you doing here?”
Come to find out he’s one of those people who don’t have medical insurance and doesn’t like to go to the doctor.
When he returned after his day off he told us the doctor gave him blood pressure medication and advised him to find a primary care doctor and go for a follow-up in 30 days.
For now, all is well and we continue with the remodel.
On day 3, the Nuheat heating system was installed. Â I’ve also heard this called radiant heat.
Nuheat Cable Floor Heating System
All the old tiles from the floor were removed in preparation to have this heat system added.
The contractor filled any gaps in the floor, i.e. between the tub and the sub floor, next to the heat register, next to the shower, etc. This was so that when he spread cement like liquid it would not leak into the floor below.
Cement over NuheatCement over Nuheat
The cement had to be allowed to dry overnight.
We decided to use a regular thermostat instead of a programmable one for our radiant heated floor since we just leave it on all the time.
I sometimes wonder why it costs so much to remodel a bathroom when it seems like things go quickly and doesn’t appear to take much time.
On day 3 of the remodel, the electrician arrived. We had them put three outlets where the large mirror used to be so that, instead of one large mirror, we could have three sconces and two mirrors. We thought that would look nice.
Preparing the Wall for the Sconces
We also had the socket installed for the radiant heat that we’re putting in under the floor tile.
Radiant Heat Socket (Top)
The electricians were here a little more than a half a day as we also had them prepare for new LED lights on the ceiling.
Next the area was covered where the old soffit was. We originally thought that the soffit that ran along the wall could also be replaced but we found out it’s an actual beam so it had to stay there.
Soffit Replacement
And look what was installed on day 3 ~ the Kohler bubble bathtub. Can’t wait to get in this!
Kohler Bathtub Installed
The previous owner two exhaust fans in this bathroom. One was an exhaust over the toilet and the other was a heat lamp with an exhaust in the middle of the room.
We decided to remove the exhaust over the toilet and have a large quieter one installed in the middle of the room.
Exhaust Removal
So far, everything is stress-less. Well, okay, everything except my husband. (laughing)
The first day of the bathroom remodel went seamlessly. Â One whole day to gut a large bathroom. Â Quite amazing.
By the end of day two we had the rough-in for the tub installed along with the onyx shower pan.
Tub Rough-In
The pipes for the shower have also been set in place although not completely hooked up.
New Shower Pipes
Today we went and looked at mosaic tiles and finally decided on the one below that we found at Home Depot. It’s called Emperador Bamboo Blend and costs $14.97 for a sheet that’s 12×12. It goes pretty well with the shower wall tile that we’ve picked.
The tile on the left is the floor tile and the one above the mosaic is for the shower wall.
When we first moved into our house 4 1/2 years ago, I knew that the master bathroom needed updating. Â And for the last 3 1/2 years, we have had many contractors come to our house to give us estimates but we didn’t feel comfortable with any of them nor with their estimates.
Basically what we wanted done was to have everything taken out and and all new items put in. Â Simple enough, no? The problem we kept having was that the estimates we received ran from $34K to $40K. For that, we could have bought half a house in St. Paul.
Then last year, the jacuzzi tub started leaking into the downstairs family room. Â Not good. After the insurance company came out and assured us the ceiling was dry, we decided to wait until we remodeled the bathroom to have the problem fixed.
And  so our remodel project begins.
The dumpster arrived first thing Monday morning and within an hour our contractor, Tom, showed up.
Dumpster
Here are some “before” pictures of the bathroom ~
“Before” Bathroom Remodel
Originally we received estimates to have the soffit over the tub removed but were told it would cost $5k to do that. So, instead we decided to put in a rectangular tub but at an angle to match the soffit. But in comes our contractor Tom who told us previous contractors’ estimates were way off. Â The large soffit could come down but the long one on the side would have to stay as it’s a beam.
And thus Day One of the bathroom remodel began which mostly consisted of gutting the room.
Gutting the BathroomGutting the Bathroom
The closet door on the right will also be replaced.
Gutting the Bathroom
Vanity, sink, faucets, lights … all gone.
Gutting the Bathroom
Then we came upon two surprises. The first was tucked away underneath the bathtub in a corner. It was a duct that provides heat underneath the tub. A little odd, no? Our contractor decided to leave it there.
Heat Duct Under Tub
Next, I was called upstairs to take a look at a small thin tube that ran from underneath the tub to under the shower to … ??? We’re not quite sure, but the tube looks like one that attaches to our hot water heater in the basement. When we had the water heater replaced, those contractors didn’t know what the tube was for either so they just kept it there.
(Not the best picture … )
Gutting the Bathroom
I was surprised how quickly two men were able to gut a bathroom.
Today was “cleaning out the refrigerator” day and I decided I wanted to use the olives that were left over in a Chicken Salad.
I like to surprise my husband by sending him something unique for his lunch so I try different ingredients. Â The strange thing is, he is never surprised. Â He never says “great job” or “that tasted horrible.” I get absolutely no feedback and, of course, I think everything I make is wonderful. Â (laughing)
For this particular recipe, I used 2 cooked chicken breasts that I had seasoned with salt and white pepper.
It’s another “simple” recipe that I concocted.
Ingredients
2 cooked chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
9 pimento stuffed green olives, sliced
9 black olives, sliced
1 small yellow pepper, chopped
1/2 cup of paleo mayonnaise (more or less ~ gauge it to your taste)
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
Directions
Mix all of the ingredients together.
That’s it folks! Â Easy peasy, no?
Paleo Chicken Salad With Olives
This tastes great by itself or you can also serve it on a bed of lettuce.
These paleo Parmesan Zucchini Slices came out wonderful. Â I was quite surprised at how easy they are to make ~ you just need to make a “station” that includes the ingredients that you’ll be dipping the zucchini slices in.
Thoughts of an east coast autumn vacation filled my mind this year but it was not to be.
Closer to home ~ closer to home, I told myself. Â The beauty of the midwest in autumn is spectacular so I was not overly disappointed. Rest and relaxation were the goals again this year.
A friend of my husband’s recommended a place called Bay Lake in Deerwood, MN as a great getaway.
The reservationist at Bay Lake was accommodating in everything I requested ~ a quiet room away from everyone, an outdoor space. Â And when we arrived our room was exactly what I wanted ~ on a second floor corner with a screened in porch and a large tree outside.
Bay Lake Lodge, Deerwood, MN
Crisp autumn days lent themselves to a state of pensiveness.
Bay Lake Lodge, Deerwood, MN
Walking around the lodge, summer appeared to still be in bloom. The coleus, standing tall, was enjoying the dappled sun that shone on it.
Coleus, MinnesotaColeus, Minnesota
Strolling around the lodge grounds, beautiful views were at every turn.
Flowers, Minnesota
And then the beauty of the lake called. Canoe or kayak? Â That was the question.
Just then an old memory surfaced of the first time I had ever canoed. Â We had taken a trip to northern Canada and rented a rustic cabin ~ we even had to pump and heat our own water.
My husband and I and our oldest boy, who was approximately 6 years old at the time, went out on a canoe on an absolutely gorgeous lake. On TV, I had seen people paddle their canoes with ease and thought to myself “How hard can this be?”
Reaching the middle of the lake, my husband said “Norma, stop paddling.”  And so I did. I must’ve been the weakest canoe-er on earth as the canoe went the same speed with  me paddling as when I stopped.
With this memory in mind, we chose the canoe. I laughed inside and wondered if my now tendinitis inflicted arms would do any better than the first time they tried to paddle.
Canoes, Minnesota
The canoe seemed to teeter as my husband re-adjusted himself several times. Paddling as hard as I could, I felt relief that I wasn’t “too old” to paddle ~ my arms were holding out just fine.
Back on land, we again walked around and breathed in the crisp autumn air that was causing the beautiful changing-of-colors in the leaves.
Autumn, Bay Lake, MinnesotaAutumn, Deerwood, Minnesota
Deciding to take a drive along Lake Mille Lacs, I felt melancholy. Autumn and its accompanying shadows tend to bring a sadness to my heart. I’ve never understood it just simply accepted that this time of year my heart would sway between melancholy and exuberance.
Lake Mille Lacs, Minnesota
Drinking deeply of the changing colors of the leaves, I realize that with this change death will occur. Â Beauty will bring death. Â Pondering this I recall the beauty in the older people I know ~ their wisdom, smiles, encouragements, all signs of long lived beautiful lives. Yet like the leaves, death waits on their doorstep.
Suddenly I’m taken from a state of depression to a state of hope. Â (There’s the change from melancholy to exuberance!) Â I smile recalling the hope of a resurrection. “Oh death where is thy sting?” the old Scripture says.
Minnesota Autumn
With the sun shining on my face, I breathe in deeply. How can such beauty bring a sense of somberness ~ even if only for a few moments?
Lake Mille Lacs, Minnesota
The sea gulls line up near the water with seemingly no worries ~ what are they thinking?Another Scripture comes to mind “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Seagulls, Minnesota
I smile. Yes, I am more valuable than birds.
Back in the car we head to the Kathio Trail Park which is all paved. Â The best enjoyment for me in hiking is when the paths are paved. No loose gravel. Â No hidden animal, uh, deposits. No thorny bushes scraping against my legs and arms.
We come across a Sumac plant ~ how beautiful it looks in autumn.
I’d recommend this paleo Turkey Bacon, Tomato and Spinach Quiche because it is ~ quite simply ~ very very good. Â (One disclaimer though (hehe), my husband didn’t like the crust ~ he’s simply not a fan of any paleo crusts. Â Sigh …)
Since it’s just two of us, we did have leftovers which reheated very well the next day.
Turkey Bacon, Tomato and Spinach Paleo Quiche with petite Lamb Burgers
The paleo pie crust I used which uses almond flour was from Elana’s Pantry. Â So far, this is the best paleo pie crust I have tried.
Ingredients
6 slices turkey bacon
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 large tomatoes, diced
2 cups spinach, chopped
8 eggs, at room temperature
1/4 cup feta cheese (or cheese of your choice)
1/2 cup almond milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350° Farenheit.
Prepare the crust and roll it between two pieces of parchment paper then put it in a round glass pie pan.
Cook the turkey bacon in a skillet until crispy, cut it into small pieces then set it aside.
In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond milk, salt and pepper.
Layer the turkey bacon, tomatoes, cheese and spinach on top of the crust then pour the egg mixture over all.
Bake for approximately 40 minutes or until the eggs are totally cooked. (Insert a toothpick or the edge of a knife in the middle ~ it should come out clean.)
Allow this to cool a little before slicing.
This recipe was the first that I’ve tried from Livin Paleo and very few changes were made to it. Â I’ll have to go back and see what other recipes she has as this one is a definite keeper. Â Based on this, I’d recommend you’d head on over there to see what other pleasant surprises she might have.
Ever since we moved into our house over 4 years ago, we’ve had a large crack at the front sidewalk of the house. And each year it gets bigger as the pavement settles further and further down making for a larger crack.
As you can see, the previous owners used some kind of caulking that they shoved in the crack. Â Unfortunately, that only masked the problem.
Cement Crack
So we hired a company to come out and fix the problem.
They started by using a piece of equipment (whose name I don’t know) to first drill holes in the sidewalk. Â Three holes to be exact.
Cement “Hole Maker”Cement HolesCement Holes
Our worker then made cement in a small movable piece of equipment that had a hose attached to it. Â He then ran a hose from that equipment and put it in the cement hole he made and poured cement into the hole.
Adding Cement to the Sidewalk Hole
The cement is supposed to push the sidewalk up. The more cement that was pushed into the hole, the higher the sidewalk came up. Â Cool, no?
I was surprised how mobile the equipment was and how easy it appeared to be to do this work. Â I even thought to myself “Hey, I can do that!”
Wet Cement in Holes
Here’s a picture of the crack between the step and the sidewalk in front of the house. Â (And see the glob of wet cement that’s oozing out of the hole?)
Crack in Sidewalk
And here is how it amazingly came out ~
Fixed Sidewalk Crack
Not bad, eh? This work costs us $380.00 U.S. dollars. Â It was money well spent.
We were told that it’s possible once winter is over that the cement could separate again although not as big. Â If that should happen, we’re to purchase cement caulking and just put it in there.
So ~ now you know how to fix a crack that’s between a sidewalk and a step.
Are you looking for a simple savory paleo Chicken Salad? Well, then, this salad is for you.
One problem that people make when creating salads is that they don’t use enough mayonnaise. Â Simple as that. Â So, don’t be chintzy with the mayo and you’ll be fine.
Ready to see the recipe?
Ingredients
1 cooked chicken breast, sliced into bite sized pieces
3-4 tablespoons paleo mayonnaise (click here for a great recipe)
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
7 chopped black olives (more or less)
7 chopped pimento stuffed green olives (more or less)
1 small yellow pepper, chopped
Pinch of white pepper
Salt, to taste
Directions
In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients except the salt and pepper.
Next, add a pinch of white pepper and salt a little at a time and taste until you get the right amount for your taste buds.
