The granite was installed on Thursday, and it looks grand. Just grand. We also now have a fully functional sink and dishwasher, and a stove with an exhaust hood so real cookery may resume.

The dining room table is still out with the refinisher, so we brought the plastic folding six-foot table up from the basement and we're eating off that (how vulgar). But dinner tonight will not be something pre-fab from the freezer, but roast chicken with our favourite accompaniments, especially a nice sauvingnon blanc drunk out of actual wine glasses.

Life is good in Stratford.