Gee but it’s good to have the kitchen almost back to normal!  It was even better coming home and not having to take something apart or put something together.  (I still have to remove under-counter lights for the backsplash install, but that can wait until Wednesday.)

I know so many people who would have milked this just to eat out every night.  I wanted it done so I could stay home and cook.

Somewhere along the line, I lost my desire to eat out.  And I don’t quite get it because I love food, love different foods, love having someone cook for me, love not doing the dishes… but on some level, I just dislike restaurants.  (I’m sure it has nothing to do with all of the years I worked in them.)

But then again,  it really only applies to restaurants at home.  If I’m traveling, I lovelovelove eating out.  Next week we’re heading home to San Francisco for a few days, we’re staying at the Wharf, and I’m really looking forward to the restaurants.  Walking distance to North Beach…  It’s gonna be great.

But given the choice of my own kitchen or something local?  My own kitchen will win every time.

So it’s get the kitchen back together as quickly as possible so I don’t have to go out and eat.  I don’t have to deal with “Hi!  My name is Jason and I’ll be your server tonight!”

So tonight’s non-restaurant meal was grilled tri-tip steaks rubbed with smoked paprika, garlic, salt, and pepper.  Buttered broccoli, and roasted mini potatoes.

Cooling in the kitchen is a pear pie with a triple-ginger and walnut crust.

More about that, later…