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The electricians installed new circuits/outlets to power the refrigerator and range plus transplanting several outlets due to wall removal. As in all other areas where electrical work was done, this involved cutting holes in the walls and ceiling. (Another joy of a flat roofed slab house: no basement/attic/crawlspace for threading wires.) They also added a ground wire to the water service for safety. Rich the plumber capped off the hot and cold which had connected to the washer and dryer and, when we got the sink, connected that up. The nice old enameled cast iron sink was not a drop in so there was no quick/easy way to re-use it. After agonizing over limited options at IKEA (and doing dishes in the bathroom for a week), we settled on a freestanding double stainless. It fits well, serves the purpose and was relatively cheap so if/when we want to upgrade we’re more likely to allow ourselves. Luckily the gas line was “stubbed off” at the street and miraculously the gas co. does not charge to bring it up to the house. That was done a couple weeks ago, as soon as the ground thawed enough. Desiring a 48” six burner Wolf range on a $20 hot plate budget, we looked high and low for a gas range we could feel good about. The 30” 5 burner DCS was more than we wanted to pay, but far less than any comparable professional grade option, and we are aching to use it (it’s amazing what you can create with a hot plate, toaster oven, and portable grill!) Jeph has 75% of the trench dug and plans to finish today. Then the plumber lays the pipe in the trench and connects it, the inspector checks it out and signs off on it, and the gas co returns to add the meter and turn it on. For now storage/work space is all about working with what we have: small bakers rack, two metal shelving units, cart of drawers on wheels, cart of shelves on wheels, wooden buffet and glass front cabinet on top. Since cooking is a favorite activity and the kitchen space is the heart of our home, every step towards unpacking and setting it up has given us great joy.

The gas was turned on April 27th and we now have a working range! I boiled water for tea and that was pretty exciting. Pizza, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and granola are on the weekend agenda. The inspector passed us on the condition that, per the range installation specs, we put up a back splash and exhaust hood. Until that is done the range must remain 12” from the wood wall. We were planning to do both but his lecture on safety (and the high BTU output of this unit) reminded me that these need to be done in the short term. Last weekend we got the walls scrubbed, primed, and painted. This weekend we hope to do the touch up and trim.