We are at the last stage of the home renovations. The story started on a cold morning on 13 February, we excitedly yet tentatively approached the starting line as we welcomed the building team into our home. The night before we were still moving belongings upstairs, photos, paintings, books, decorative items, shoes from the hallway and wondering among ourselves how to keep the dog out of the deep foundation being excavated in the back of the house. Our friends Kathy and John gave us their dog’s “child gate”, but we struggled to put it up, and in the end we used an old and battered suitcase which was just the right width to block a walkway, thankfully our dog didn’t once attempt to jump over it. On the first day, after the initial introductions and setting the scene, “Operation ground-zero” commenced.
As one can imagine a standard British winter, we had plenty of cold and wet days at intermittent periods. They came just a few weeks into the project, and we had to take a short break as the foundation materials would not set in the rain. Thankfully those days were few and soon the team was back and once they were on site, they pushed on with their weekly progress and monthly milestones. We have worked with several builders through the years and this local and family run team, having had generations in the trade, is miles better than the rest, they truly blow their peers out of the water. They have been a godsend and I don’t say this lightly. Their craftsmanship, knowledge, positive mindset, professionalism, humour, and willingness to go the extra mile has set them apart. We are thankful to God for his safekeeping and protection for the team. “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain.” Psalm 127:1
As the actual “building work” has been completed, the focus shifts to the rest: the bits that we can see, i.e. above ground. But make no mistake, the foundation below the surface demanded much effort, time and funds, hence I have given it an appropriate name, “the sinking fund”. As of now most of the goods have arrived, the final fittings, finesse and installations will take place over the final two to three weeks, and my role as a painter and decorator has commenced. Growing up in Hong Kong, like most local families, DIYs are not at all common. We always outsource to the professionals. Also, the word extension applies to the lead and not a property. Having lived in flats throughout my childhood, building a new room is a novelty idea although if you have a spacious apartment, you could potentially section an area for a new room.
During the last 4 months of renovations, our house turned “downside up”. We lived among the dust, noise, temporary turning off the power and water supplies, flies (in the recent warmer weeks), and even the dog got onboard with the new normal nevertheless we are thankful for not merely survived it but also embraced the process. I am especially thankful for the use of the existing kitchen (soon to be the scullery). Being able to make homecooked food, and multiple cups of tea have made the days easier to bear. I wouldn’t like to eat endless amounts of sandwiches, takeaways and microwaveable meals day in and day out. On the rare days when I felt grumpy, cold and annoyed with the mess, a homecooked dinner literally saved my sanity. Cooking in a limited space and spartan kitchen meant food has taken on a practical focus. For example, I have not attempted any baking over Easter or at the Coronation weekend or complicated dishes. Despite the limitations, no flavours and textures were compromised. In the colder months, I made soups (lots of them, even the builders had some for their lunches), spicy and fragrant curries, an Irish Stew on St Patrick’s Day, to quick roasts at the weekend, one pan weeknight meals made on the hob, grilled meats to serve with Middle Eastern style salads, and some pasta dishes with an array of chunky or silky sauces. My Japanese inspired quick miso and mushroom sauce has featured a few times, too.
Last week we went without a kitchen sink and a hob, so we washed up using two bowls in the garden and relied on a few shop bought meals, a bit like indoor camping! We have reached the point of disruption, having to wait for the goods to arrive. Yesterday the builders took pity on us and installed temporary worktops for the sink and a hob. Who knew hob cooking would be so sought after? I wasted no time and we had pasta for dinner. The miso and mushroom sauce is really quite simple to make, just saute some mushrooms (preferably fresh shiitake and oyster ones as they don’t ooze dark juices like standard mushrooms) with some sliced garlic and vegetable oil, when softened add a good spoonful of white miso paste mashed with equal amount of butter and a little dash of ground white pepper. Once melted toss through the cooked spaghetti. To loosen the sauce, add a ladle or so of the reserved pasta cooking water. Serve immediately. If you have some crispy nori seaweed, snip over some strips using scissors for an extra hit of flavour.
If all goes to plan, by midweek next week, we will have permanent worktops in the working kitchen and the scullery, then I can transfer things back to the rightful places and begin the painting the lounge! Stay tuned for the next update.
PS Archie the dog loves the team. I was concerned about the comings and goings and potentially how they might upset his routine, in reality I had nothing to worry about, all the boys have got on so well.
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