We are two and a half weeks into a full-gut kitchen and mud room remodel, and it feels like it’s been two and a half months. The above video was taken just after the demo crew tore out the sheet rock ceiling in one fell swoop, rumbling the entire house with such  force that I thought the second floor was going to collapse. Though the builder and project manager have been incredible, there is no escaping the dust and acoustic hell. I now understand why my ballerina daughter goes completely stir-crazy when she has too much time out of the studio! I miss the smell of garlic and onions sputtering on the stove, the feel of a chef’s knife in my hand, the satisfaction of putting a meal on the table. Yes, we are throwing things on the grill from time to time, but anything that requires rinsing (vegetables and fruit) or washing (dishes) needs to be done in our bathroom sink. So that “This will be fun! Just like camping!” feeling disappeared after three days, then spiraled into total misery. At this point I am (a) worried we may die of scurvy and (b) certain no one in this family will ever have peanut butter toast again. I have no doubt, however, that it will all be worth it. And I cannot wait to share the pictures with you. Read More