I’m sitting here, very quietly, at my desk, head down, trying to be be as inconspicuous as possible.
Today is plumbing day.
We hate plumbing day.
Mon mari hates it because he really truly hates plumbing.
We don’t know if he hates it because it’s always a difficult, problem-filled endeavor or if it’s a difficult, problem-filled endeavor because he hates it so.
Trust me in that this is not an appropriate time to have that, somewhat existential, conversation.
I hate plumbing day because the water is shut off.
I can’t take a shower after I’m through working in the garden and exercising…. and have you ever tried to NOT flush a toilet?
The sinks are working…. one out of four ain’t bad. (I did not say that out loud.)
The lights are up and one mirror. I wanted two simple mirrors. How I manged to buy one with a beveled edge and one with a plain edge, I don’t know. Next trip to Bordeaux I’ll need to get one more of each…. We’ll use 2 in the other bathroom.
The shower is tiled:
And the tub is finally installed, leveled and all that.
It’s the plumbing for the tub that is currently giving him fits.
It wouldn’t be quite so bad if he didn’t have to go all the way down into the cellar to turn it off, then back up to check for leaks.
I offered to help.
I may have picked a bad time to offer…. Or perhaps my voice was a tad too cheerful.
I am now sitting quietly.
But I’ll make one of his favorites for dinner tonight.
Barbecued Ginger-Rosemary Pork
1 small, boneless pork loin roast,
1 tbs paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp dried rosemary
1 tbs fresh ginger, peeled and minced
3 tbs Dijon Mustard
2 tbs Balsamic vinegar
1 tbs Worcestershire
Mix paprika, garlic and rosemary. Rub on pork. Start to cook on barbecue grill, over indirect heat with the cover closed.
Mix remaining ingredients. Baste pork with sauce every 10 minutes, starting 30 minutes after you begin cooking.
Pork is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 160F (70C) Use an instant read or a remote meat thermometer for best results. If you don’t have either, take the roast off and slice into it after 40 – 50 minutes (depending on weight and shape) to test. It should be cooked through, a bit of pale pink right in the center is perfect.
When done, cover with foil and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice and serve.
Maybe I’ll go up and try to take a picture of the leaky connection for my next post…
I’m sure he won’t mind my getting in the way….
Or taking the photo….
The bathroom is moving right along and it looks great! Plumbing is a mystery to me and I sympathize with you! The pork for dinner looks great, tender and juicy!
I haven’t done anything difficult today at all. Can I come and join your for that dinner anyway? It looks great!
Katie – the bathroom is looking fantastic….my DH says plumbing sucks! It would make him cranky too…I think I would go hide somewhere if he were doing our plumbing. The pork looks divine! Ina
This is mon mari’s fave for a good reason…looks fab….noted for the Fall months.
Plumbing day sounds completely unappealing. I always hate it when they turn off the water in my building for repairs…it always happens to be when i want to shower.
This pork loin looks awesome. I need to try that marinade.
Things are really coming along Katie. If pork roast won’t improve the mood nothing will:D
LOL! You hate plumbing day, but I love seeing your plumbing progress… so I love your plumbing day! Your bathroom is really looking great!
I remember the fun of bathroom renovations. I had a broken shower door for weeks before I even hired someone to renovate and my downstairs neighbor kept harassing me about water leakage into his apartment, but he wouldn’t allow the plumber access to his place so that tests could be run.
Okay, that happened a few years ago. Can I still have some pork to help recover from the ordeal? I’m still a little traumatized when I think about it.
How do you find the time to renovate a bathroom AND cook such culinary delights!
Ooooo I have so been there with you sitting quietly in the corner. Only just now am I given my orders for the filters I’m to find at the hardware store.
LOVE the bath room!!!!
Plumbing days … can only just be moved pasted … the sooner the better.
Leeks? You have leeks coming out of your plumbing? That garden really *is* misbehaving (sorry, couldn’t help it).
And I too had to cook something special last week for my sweetheart after he re-plumbed my garden spigot — plumbing is arduous, and at least around here inspires much swearing. Too bad he disparaged my elderly washing machine at the same time, causing it to promptly give up the ghost!
Pam, prok good, plumbing… not so much…
Elizabeth, sure – and after you can help with the wall.
Thanks, Ina. Thankfully, the plumbing will soon be done.
Peter, it will still be good when you get back 😉
Joanne, I don’t get to complain about the water on plumbing days… Gasoline on a fire and all that.
Val, slow but sure…. usually
Lannae, I love seeing the progress, too.
Rachael, you can still have the pork – plumbing is traumatic
Refurb – even (or especially) plumbers have to eat.
Tanna, quiet as a mouse…. no complaints….
Charlotte – I can actually spell quite well… Can’t type worth a damn, though, and hate proofreading. Sometimes what comes out of the fingertips is not the same as what the brain is sending…. Strange, huh!
Well they never learn not to bad-mouth appliances? Mon mari was lashing out at the lawnmower yesterday. Today, when I volunteered to do the mowing, it had a flat tire.
In plumbing you need to love it before working with it, so you won’t get frustrated and you won’t notice the time. Although it was terrible for him, the result would be the opposite. I’m sure, at some point, he felt joy placed the tub. I can see light coming from the window. OH, it must be relaxing to settle in and let the morning sun kiss your face! And oh, that dish made me feel hungry! It’s a great reward for a man who hates plumbing but still does it. =)