We are doing a lot of home improvement on this fixer upper of ours. These last few months have been the busiest ever for the Tracy family. I am sure the TLC our home has gotten is well received and she is thanking us.
Sometimes I am hesitant to put too much money into this house, but I know home improvement is not a waste. It actually is a very smart choice.
I was on realtor.com the other day just because, and I noticed homes in my small town have skyrocketed. In just one year, homes have doubled, tripled in price. The market is high right now. We bought our home at the right time.
Our home was built in the 70's. The windows are all the originals. They are not energy efficient and the glass is cracked in some areas.
Our french doors are in the same category. We finally decided to order new doors and new windows. Just 3 for now.
Everyday for the past several months, it seems we are working non-stop on our house. After Rodney gets home, I remind him that priority is to study and do his homework, not spend so much time working on the house.
Sunny comes up to me each evening and says "The sun is going down, the sun is going down" Who taught her about the sun going down???
Our grass is very dry at the moment and our garden is struggling. We have exterior paint stored in the shed that has to be used up or it will get dry, and the pressure is on to keep those weeds under control.
Rodney is working on sprinkler repair, but for now we are hand watering and relying on our thunderbird. It hasn't been enough for poor grass.
Homes take so much work. At the end of the day, we are exhausted. Time for bed.
Oh yes, dinner.
I enjoy watching cooking shows and was watching one the other day. Risotto was introduced to me. I had never heard of it. I found this specific rice in the rice isle and decided to make it right away. It is a great one pot meal and I may have ate way more then the recommended portion. This goes great served alongside steam veggies for a side, or a salad.
Note: I didn't add meat to mine, but thin cut beef strips or even shrimp could be tossed in.
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Mushroom Risotto
0ptional: Parmassan cheese sprinkled on and lemon juice squeezed on top.:
- In a saucepan, warm the broth over low heat.
- Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the mushrooms, and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Remove mushrooms and their liquid, and set aside.
- Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to skillet, and stir in the shallots. Cook 1 minute. Add rice, stirring to coat with oil, about 2 minutes. When the rice has taken on a pale, golden color, pour in wine, stirring constantly until the wine is fully absorbed. Add 1/2 cup broth to the rice, and stir until the broth is absorbed. Continue adding broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring continuously, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is al dente, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat, and stir in mushrooms with their liquid, butter, chives, and parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- recipe source: allrecipes.com
