Waxing nostalgic

When Andy and I were in our lawyer's office hashing out the details of our will, we also discussed kids and schools--all the normal things people chit-chat about.  The lawyer was trying to come up with a number that he should send to his son, a Freshman, every month as an allowance.  He did not know if he should give him $500. or $600. dollars a month. Laughing and hiccupping, both he and Andy became concerned about my reaction even though Andy had an idea why I found those numbers so ludicrous. When I was a Freshman at Otterbein I had no allowance, everything was included in the price my father had to pay; room, food...the usual. How he paid it I have no idea.  Oh, he had a job, he always had a job and so did my mother.  Other people at Otterbein seemed to have money for bits and bobs, but I did not.  So I wrote to my mother and asked if she could possibly send me two dollars a week.  She was so good to me and I now appreciate that amount of money that she sent every single week until I was finished with that part of my life. I also had $11. dollars a month for working in one of the professor's office typing and filing.  We were poor and I never realized it because my parents worked hard and made a living for the four of us...a family of four. I never felt left out and I knew instinctively what the limits were for me as far as asking for money or anything connected with money. Having written that, every Saturday as a child, our outing was to Zanesville for shopping where I was allowed to spend a dime in the Five and Dime store.  One day I wanted an extra item and threw a fit that I still remember and insisted on items costing twenty-five cents. I got my way but I am still sorry about that. I remember worrying about Mother finding her way to the stores, Zanesville seemed so big to me when actually everything was on one main street.  There were two big department stores with walnut cases and sale's ladies in black dresses and pearls. Webers and Binzes (sic). That's not the correct spelling of that store.  But, they were mighty fine, well-run establishments. I am just saying you never know when conversations about money can trigger memories both good and bad.  Mine, luckily, have always been good. I wish I could tell my parents thank you.  I never said it enough and it is now too late.  Think about it.

Busy day

I am moving up my monthly maintenance program today before they close everything down again.  I read that California is closing the businesses that just opened in an effort to stop the spread, so I imagine that we won't be far behind. Columbus always waits to see a program fail and then it sets it in motion here. Bella's vet could not operate on her because her assistant tested positive for the virus.  They tested that same person a few days later and the test was negative...same person, same test, different results, but it set the entire vet hospital in an uproar and dozens of animals paid the price of not getting the operations that they needed.  So, I am going to try to get everything done, safely, today, and then hunker down for another siege.

The family has been eating well I must say.  Every day I look for something special to cook.  Beef is so expensive that I usually opt for another meat, fish, or chicken...or pasta.  They all love pasta and I have so many varieties on hand.  Same for rice.  The pantry is full.  I think today it will be a special touch on mac & cheese.  I usually put pepperoni in. But today (the cooked together)Bob Evans zesty (hot) sausage is the star with, chopped onions, bell pepper, cilantro, drained chili peppers chopped, Jack cheese, cherry tomatoes, sriracha, cumin, and chili powder cooked and added to the prepared mac and cheese. Whew!  Let's see how that turns out. I should probably tell you this after I make it to see if it turns out, but like Columbus, we forge ahead into possible disaster. 

Chili Onion Crunch was the talk at the salon today.  It's from Trader Joe's and I look forward to trying it.

Splash

Andy was in the pool at 7:30 this morning and for good reason.  Another 90 degrees today. I have been hanging out on the seasonal porch reading the fourth book by Kate Fritzroy.  The first two I read one day each.  The third, I did not like and stopped, and the fourth Provence Starlight I like so far.  I read light books for total enjoyment now days.  Never anything heavy for me. Andy, on the other hand, is still into heavy and still taking classes at OSU even now.  He misses the interaction of the students and teachers, however. You would have to beat me with a stick to get me to do what he is doing, I can tell you that!

I wanted to show you the picture of the Brussel sprouts dish that I found this morning and am hoping to try very soon. It's a dip with sprouts and Hidden Valley seasoning mix made into a dip.  Well, the sprouts are roasted and then dipped into the mixture.  I adore Hidden Valley Ranch mix and now Hidden Valley Ranch spicy seasoning mix.  It is a must try. But, they would not allow the picture.

Sweet corn fried rice

I have fried rice and a plethora of sweet corn off the cob, so I combined it all and lucked out with a delicious dish laced with roasted red peppers.  Nate is enjoying it now.

I picked up the Wednesday Dispatch and Cook's Corner has lost its name and what is left is banal, lacking in the feel of the old version of Cook's Corner that many of us have enjoyed on Wednesdays for years. With a cup of coffee and a cozy place to sit, reading that section of the dispatch inspired cooks in Columbus to get into their kitchens to rattle those pots and pans. Many times I would run into a recipe that I had to try on the spot not even finishing the Corner until later in the day or even the next morning.  My mind says move on, but there have been so many losses and changes since the start of a promising new year, that giving up another pleasure is getting damn tiresome! At least no one set it on fire or dragged it to embarrassment, but it is gone nonetheless and we are left with the uninspired.

We had a lusty rain last evening and it whipped the geraniums into oblivion.  I've been deadheading most of the morning. It was hard on the mint, but you can't kill that stuff.

We are well and happy and glad to still be kicking. I am thinking when this is over we might have a blow out party and invite everyone we know.  It keeps me going thinking about the fun of getting strangers together with family. Mixing it up.  Who knows, it could be fun. (We know a lot of people...)

Shrimp burgers

For lunch today I fixed beautiful to look at and delicious to taste shrimp burgers with a slice of tomato and a bouquet of basil leaves with a tad of mayo...all on a brioche bun that was soft as silk. Our herbs are jumping out of the pots this year, I think because we are watering in the morning and evening during this 90 degree heat.  They are happy making us happy.

Andy has been in the pool today and he also found my pool chair float, so it is in the pool waiting for me.  Maybe we will all go in when everyone gets home.  I have not cooked dinner, just don't feel like it tonight. I am eager to find out if the guys working outside had to wear masks outside while working. It will be one difficult task if they had to do this.  They have little contact with anyone, so maybe not.  The rest of us stick to the rules and I am ready to keep staying home and so is Andy.

Bella has a dental operation on Monday.  Since I lost two dogs within four months I am feeling skittish.  Did you know the Yorkie breed is known for dental problems?  Dr. Nicole told me I would be surprised at how many Yorkies are running around with no teeth at all. Bella has had 12 pulled to date and Monday there are some more on the agenda.  My dogs have always liked getting into cars.  It is so crazy because nothing good happens to them as a result of getting into the car...it's the vet or grooming neither of which appealed to our dogs.  I think, however, Bella, the least clever and sweetest has learned her lesson and now resists when the leash comes out.

Note: The operation did not happen.  The virus struck the vet (animal) hospital and all must test negative before opening again. Will it ever end?


Have a lovely weekend and stay safe.

Stepping out

Andy and I are stepping out this morning.  We are going to Carfagna's for supplies for the 4th.  Not a big day, but Matt and his little family are coming over for a swim and cookout. I don't actually like cooking out but I love the results.  Food tastes so much better from outdoors on the grill with briquettes and smoke and sizzle. YUM. I can usually find someone to do the grilling while I enjoy the results with pleasure. I look forward to seeing what Carfagna's have to offer this morning.

I am going to get one of those large Italian loaves of bread to do it up with pizza toppings. Then get the usual grilling meat.  Also, I want to get some ready-made items to make the day really easy for everyone...especially me since I am entertaining deficient now days it seems. I am totally out of practice.

There are items in that small Italian grocery that I can't find anyplace else, so it is a treat out for me today.  We have a couple of other places to go but those are stay in the car errands.

Note: Just returned; it was not as much fun as I thought it would be. crowded, restrictive, rushed

It's a lovely day today and Andy has watered the flowers and vegetables already.  Monica and her crew are coming so I am a happy woman. Having said that a new car lease is in the works.  It is time to select a new car and I loath the process.  I hate tramping around in the hot parking lots listening to the speel of the equally hot and tired salesperson. Now days a person has to be alert so as not to sign something that hurts at the end of the lease. Shoot.  I wish I had not thought of that fresh hell to come.

Hurry sweet corn

I have this intense urge for corn on the cob today.  I have had a time figuring out dinner, well, lunch and dinner. I saw corn in the freezer and cod and shrimp.  So there it is a sweet corn and cod stew with bacon,  onions, and shrimp.  Last night's dinner disappeared at an alarming rate.  Andy went for seconds and the entire dish of pasta with spicy shrimp Alfredo was gone! Well, that's a lesson learned.

I won't be telling you what I am reading at the moment...I was looking on Amazon for recently released, five stars. fiction and started reading this book online and before I knew it turned steamy, to put it mildly.  The characters are interesting, but it is lewd, (Will she finish it?)

I took a garden stroll in my nightgown and robe this morning dead heading the flowers and checking to see how they are doing.  Andy was watering them, so they are happy plants and thriving this season.  I have cautioned July to behave this year.  We've had just about enough shenanigans.  There is a limit. (Though not supposed to, I did take a peek at the internet news this morning. I saw people arming themselves and their homes.) Notice the contrast in this one paragraph?

Peaches

It seems unbelievable that the peach truck has hit Columbus already...and we missed it.  However, we are making a peach run this morning because Weinland Market is selling them by the box or pound.  We will start off with the by -the- pound until we taste them to see if a box is what we'll need. This market also sells liquor and we need a new supply of that...who has been drinking our booze? I can't think that one- a -day each causes the bottles to empty so quickly. Hmmm.

I am in the cooking mood today yet I can't think what to make.  Maybe the market will inspire me although Andy is all about in and out quickly so we don't catch anything. Mike and Beth went to Stubenville yesterday for the baby peek-a-boos' baptism and the church was full, some masks and no distancing. I guess they figure they are safe since they have had no cases to date.

This is going to be a good swim day too.  I will ask Andy to get my chair float out today.  It is time to break it in for the summer. I am plowing through The Stationmaster's Daughter from the same author as the Emerald comb. I am having trouble being interested in the great details of the railroad.  I don't want to know how it runs, only that it gets us where we want to go both literally and story-wise.

If the peaches are good then a cobbler will be on the menu today. What else???
 Note: Nope. Peaches were not what we expected.  But I did find shrimp for spicy shrimp Alfredo for tonight,

I joined a group of fans of Escape to the Chateau and I cannot believe that a subject as harmless as that can inspire mean jabs and sports such jealousy.  I wanted to get away from the world news and yet this is just as mean and hostile as the so-called "news"... which is more like opinions. So back to reading and sanity.

Lazy

Andy and I agree, we are lazy and enjoying this isolation way too much. We read, swim, move to the computer, back to reading, Andy waters the container plants, and reads.  I cook, read, do the computer, cook some more...you get the drift. I am reading The Emerald Comb and I am hooked.  This is the third or fourth book by this author and I have pretty much liked them all.

I stay away from TV during the day and the computer news; it is too upsetting. I still like the evening television, but the line up is awful.

Today we are having stir-fry.  I have cleaned the fridge and everything I see seems to fit into the stir-fry skillet. Beth and Nate like it very much as do I.  Andy is afraid of some of the ingredients, afraid I have slipped in some mushrooms.  I have not, but the artichoke bottoms look like mushrooms and have the same texture, so he will skip this treat, thank you very much. I hear the lid for the last time, so the skillet is now empty.  Too late, Andy.

I hope you are all well and happy and are, perhaps, enjoying this quiet time with your family.

An all vegetable and cheese gratin:

blessed sleep

We entertained hoards yesterday, eight people, and two were babies.  I count them because I am so out of practice when it comes to entertaining.  I went to bed at 7:00 and slept round the clock and now feel I could practice sleeping for another eight hours. We had a beautiful day and they did seem to enjoy the ribs, wings, fried rice, and whatever else we had that I can't recall. I'll have a look in the fridge when I get my strength back to see the left-overs if Andy does not beat me there first. The pool got a good work out yesterday for the first time this season.  It was always too cold for the big babies until now.  We have a pool heater, but we never use it.  I always say the pool is meant to cool you off.  If you want warm, take a shower.

Well, 'they' are prepared to tear down Teddy Roosevelt's statue now.  I am in a fit daily with what is going on in America.  We, (no they) have let loose something wild and now it is all way out of control. What started out as understandable has morphed into the bizarre.
And yet there is more...Eskimo pie must be renamed now. Words fail me.

Now and then I love days like this; the kitchen door opened to the yard with a gentle rain blessing the plants.  Mike got two more window boxes up yesterday and later today we are going for more plants which should be enough until fall.

Have a day as good as it gets.

Father's Day

A gathering of three father's on Sunday will be wonderful. There will be nine or ten of us which is a crowd in this day and age.  I can't believe I am calling this a crowd but I am leaning to anticipation as I start the menu for my Columbus (may I say Columbus?) family. We will start with drinks and a small cheese and fruit board. Andy has found the most delicious margarita mix and I have gone through one whole bottle myself and that is with my one drink a day in the late afternoon with Andy who also has one drink a day. When there are guests, well,...

It is supposed to be a nice day, so we will eat outside. We're having ribs (from Sam's which are delicious,) and wings.  I am using the spicy seasoning dry mix from Hidden Valley on the wings for a day or so as a marinade. We are having a crockpot full of fresh green beans with green onions, potatoes, and corn cooked low and slow. Beth is making a salad and I am making my gratin of potatoes, green onions (from Andy's garden stash,) cauliflower, broccoli, and cheese. I am also making fried rice. I don't know about dessert. People are on diets.  Mike has lost forty pounds and Beth is looking great.

Okay, that's it for now.  Have fun Sunday. 

dinner