This day, 7/7/2018

We must mark this day as the perfect summer day. A cooling breeze, no humidity, blue skies, and sun. After the 90's heat wave, this is simply delightful.  Beth is in New Orleans, however, and I bet she is frying down there.  This is a glorious summer and one to remember.

Everyone has flown the coop today, so Andy and I are rolling with the wind.  Reading, computers, a bit of cooking (he loved his brunch), and a self-satisfied air of peace and contentment.

Have you had any of the fresh dark cherries this year?  I have been putting them in the fridge and they have the most pleasant crunch with the sweetness getting to all parts of the grateful mouth.  I like the Queen Ann cherries too, but the dark ones ummm.  Writing about Ann, I have found the Netflix Anne (with an e) series very disappointing for some reason.  I started watching the second in the series, new today, and I just don't like it.  Oh well.  That's how it goes.

Next Saturday we go to Cincinnati for Andy's brother, Jim's, 70 birthday party. For the first time this summer we will see the Cincy gang.  We expect to be delighted. lol

You might think it too cool for the pool today, but my floating chair is calling my name like the Sirens of Greek Mythology.

Bush's baked bean recipes

Google the recipes for Bush's Baked Beans and you are in for a surprise of delight.  I happened to see a guy on TV put a can of baked beans in a blender and he added the results to a BQ sauce recipe.  I didn't get it because it went so fast so I started researching and there is a recipe for Bush's Baked Bean bread that I am trying soon.  I'll let you know.  But that blender idea gives me so many ways to use the sauce that blending offers.  So many possibilities.

I have been in the fridge this morning and here are the results; three things to keep me out of the kitchen and floating in the pool today.
WHEW! It is hot in Ohio.

Out Daughtered

Yesterday I got caught up on a new program that was introduced last year called Out Daughtered.  This very young couple had traveled the world and then had a baby girl.  She traveled with them and life was bliss.  They then decided to have one more child and ended up with five baby girls in one go.  That has only happened twice in recorded history.  Five babies of the same sex.  Needless to say, the father is like a deer in headlights, but very hands on.  Stunned though he appears he is a great help to his little powerful wife who seems to be able to face almost anything. (He does have therapy, however.)  Well, it is very interesting and spellbinding to watch and the new season has begun.  Yesterday they started running the show from the beginning to catch up. Glad it was them and not me is all I can say!

It is early on the 4th and we are having a laid back day with no company, the first time in years. We plan to grill, swim, and be slugs for the entire day.  May not even raise our heads to watch fireworks. But we do have pickles to look forward to which is a big relief.  I could not go on without those hot sweet thinly sliced delicious pickles.  

An old friend dropped by

 Yesterday we had a bad 5 minute rain storm and of course, branches fell at Many Branches. We were just finished cleaning up what we could manage when a strange man got out of a car and started talking to Andy.  Andy burst in the kitchen and said Ben Richards was here.  WHAT?  A favorite former student.  Well, we hugged and chatted and then he gave me a very big surprise, his mother and sister (whom I had taught too) were in the car with Marcia's ailing husband.  Well, in they came and our jaws were flapping and tours through the house and apartment were led for after all this was once their home.  We bought this place from Marcia Richards who had been my room mother for several years because I taught three of her four children.  I had said once or twice (lol...more than that) if you ever want to sell let me know.  We want to buy.  She said when I am 58 I'll sell it to you and she did.  Now she is 87 and is living in upstate New York near Ben, her son.  But they are selling again and moving to a retirement center in Westerville, where Andy and I graduated from Otterbein University.  I can't wait until they are settled which will be a couple of months and then they are all coming for dinner.  I want to catch up.

Marcia and I traveled together while antiquing on several trips and I must say she was the perfect travel companion next to Andy.  We had the best time ever.  One time we made the mistake of taking a third woman on this one trip and three women on a trip rarely works out I have found from personal experiences.  The third woman said she wasn't happy and was going home on the bus and I said why not take the plane, it's faster.  I meant it in a good way, but unfortunately, it was taken the other way...and off she went in a huff and that was that was it for the rest of our born days. Sigh.  Relationships are soooo tiring.  Constant maintenance.

We are taking an entertaining break on the 4th.  It is on Wednesday and seems unnatural to have a big to-do in the middle of a work week. But we are doing a Labor Day bash.  I have so many recipes to try out on the guests.  It will be fun.

I'm off to find those sweet hot pickles that disappeared here in a week.  I am trying Carfagna's first because I Googled the company name and it is an Amish organization and Carfagna's, Italian though they are, sell Amish canned goods and pies.
Note:  Carfagna's do not carry the sweet spicy pickles.  We drove to Plain City to the Amish store and there were three jars left, so we took them all.  We bought a lot of things there this morning because there are two round-abouts into Plain City that are a plain pain in the butt.  So we don't go often, but we get good stuff when we make the trip.

Have a lovely day.

In the mood to cook, but ouch

I got so much done so far today that I asked Andy to go to Kroger for a list of interesting items to turn into something delicious.  We are having taco night tonight around the pool so we can jump in at a moments whim.  Beth's Bible group is coming tonight so I want to fix a snack for them. I have done chicken salad already this morning and I want to do another batch of Rice Krispy treats for the Bible girls.

I am trying to ignore the spot where a motorcycle ran into me in Paris, well actually Chartre, I was there for an auction and trying to cross the street when a man on a large motorcycle scraped under my breast with the handlebars and knocked me to the ground.  I lay across four lanes of STOPPED traffic and the French do not usually stop for anything.  Luckily I had a heat wrap with me and used that during the night.  They wanted me to go to the hospital to be checked out, but I was afraid I would miss the auction.  I was sore but on foot.  Yesterday that spot started ticking away at me; not awful, but a reminder that it is time to see the doctor for my yearly checkup.  After all, Andy and I are in our doctor's top ten healthiest seniors list and he is head of Genetics at OSU. That is a broad scope.

I can't wait to see what my personal shopper brings home this morning.  Andy usually does a really good job, but sometimes he goes out on a limb and what to do with 'it' is a real question.

I found a great product but can't recall where I got it.  I think Carfagna's, but today I want to make sure because the jar is empty and we are all whining about that.  Hershbergers Cannery hot sweet thinly sliced pickles.  Man, I am putting it in everything except the Rice Krispy treats...by the way those ten bags of marshmallows are now down to 3 bags left. I thought we could never use ten bags of marshmallows; one of Andy's surprise specials from Kroger.  I don't want ten bags of anything after this run.

Lovely day for a dip, but right now my man is driving up the driveway with some interesting items, so start your stoves and make something good today.

Peach thief

Andy went to the outdoor market Saturday and came home with a big basket of peaches. We didn't think they were quite ripe (they were) so we left them on the big table outside.  This morning every single plump, beautiful peach had bites out of it.  Ruined~  That starts Sunday off as bummer.  Now no produce can be left outside all summer long and the garden is producing like crazy now. 

The Pioneer Woman's pimento cheese recipe is very good.  I started out with that bases and of course, could not leave well enough alone. Every time I make it which is every other day now, I add something else to it.  The latest, slivers of pickles called hot and spicy.  We went through a jar in one week.  Once the pickles were gone I added the juice from the jar to chicken salad, pasta salad, and to slices of cucumber/onions and tomatoes.  But the best thing is this pimento cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich.  It is delicious.  I have cut the sandwich into four triangles and serve it as a side with soup, as a snack, or a party starter.  I am serving these on Labor Day when we have the family and friends party.  Yum.

Another pool day, another 90's day and another enjoy the summer day.

The pool

Oh my gosh.  That pool float is wonderful.  One could just drift away on that on a day like this. Andy and I have one cocktail a day and we had it in the pool today.  I can't wait for Beth and Mike to get home to enjoy a swim and dinner around the pool. I made several things to eat today, all easy and something to please everyone's taste.

Pools are a lot of work, but on days like this, and we will be having plenty of them, it is a lucky thing to have.

We are starting to settle into a calmer summer.  July 14th we go to Cincinnati for Andy's brother Jim's 70th birthday party at Annie and Pat's new house. Other than that, we are going to have a calm swim a day summer.

Enjoy.

Floating

As soon as I get my yellow bikini, I will be doing this.  After all, it is back to the 90-degree mark this week

Today I am experimenting with ribs.  I want a big platter of delicious ribs for Labor Day and I am determined to get it right. Practice is the key, or so they say.

I

Destination wedding

We have never been to a destination wedding but we are looking forward to Beth's daughter's wedding on October 12, 2019, in Florence, Italy.  Since it will be Andy and my 60th wedding anniversary we are planning a river cruise (like Viking) after the wedding for just five days or a week.  Everyone will be eager to get back to work, but what better way to celebrate a wedding and a wedding anniversary all at one block of time in Italy.

Meantime, back on earth, it is a beautiful day here and we are enjoying every moment of our time.  I am contemplating ribs at the moment.  Not for today, but I envision a huge platter of ribs for a big party Labor Day here at Many branches.  I have not perfected ribs, but intend to work it out before company arrives.  We are not doing July 4th--taking a break, but yes to Labor Day. 

Have a glorious day.

Laid back Saturday

This is certainly different from last Saturday which was a circus all day and all week end.  Today I look at the driveway and there are no cars and the dogs and I are alone.  It is cool today and just right for sitting outside with the computer and a good book and a cup of Beth's coffee.  Our coffee maker bit-the-dust yesterday so by way of that I discovered Beth's brew which I need to know more about.  It's at Kroger; I got that part but didn't understand the brand name.  It is delicious.  Now if anyone comes home today (Beth), I'll find out the details.

I like Saturdays. I enjoy the morning of cooking shows that are not judging, racing, yelling, competing or frenzied. Just calm,  instruction with a bit of humor.  While I watch it upstairs I do the dusting in two of the rooms which is really a good polishing of the furniture.  Normally, we don't have the TV on during the day, so it is a little treat with good lessons.

Andy has gone to Cincinnati today to meet his high school friends for a class picture and lunch.  I could have gone, but I have heard those stories so many times I can mouth the words as they are speaking.  It is his class and he does love Greenhills which he thinks had the best school experience anyone could have had.  I don't know about that; I had a really good high school experience.  He will be full of tales when he gets home later today.

I'm off to watch Pioneer Woman.

There's a bird in the dryer

One of our (set) of washers and dryers is upstairs off our bedroom in a kind of woman lair.  One morning I woke up and it sounded like there was an animal in my dryer.  There was.  She was building a nest and was bringing her cargo in through the outside vent's tiny opening. Honestly, it seems everything outside wants to live inside to bring up their offsprings.  Mike fixed the problem, but today, the Appliance Guy who was repairing one of the dishwashers, said he had just left a job where a bird had been in the dryer and the fan blade had cut off the birds head.  There was no end to problems with that happening.  He said a special group had to come in to clean the area before it could be used again.  So watch out; have a flap on your dryer's vent. (Storms sometimes blow off  flaps, so you have to keep checking.)

We had the best pork roast last night.  It was wrapped in bacon and had nice seasoning and today, thinly sliced, it is delicious with mustard on good bread.  I also have a delicious chicken salad on the ready, so today is taken care of. Oh, except I am trying peanut butter in the Rice Krispie treats that I am making for Beth's work friends.

Now that the dishwasher is fixed no other drama is lurking on the horizon.  I am settling down with a good book today.  It is overcast, so it's time to read.

Enjoy your day and check your vents.  lol