SEAFOOD SPREAD
Use as a dip or as a sandwich spread
1 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
3 hard cooked eggs, mashed
1 (8 oz) crab meat, flaked*
1 (8 oz) shrimp, drained, and chopped*
1/4 onion, very finely chopped
1 stalk celery, very finely chopped
1 tsp. Creole Seasoning
Several dashes Tabasco
* Preferably fresh seafood but can used canned.
Combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and boiled eggs in mixer bowl. Beat until fairly smooth. Add crabmeat, shrimp, onion, celery, Creole seasoning and Tabasco. Mix well.
A LITTLE TASTE OF MARDI GRAS
2 lb shrimp, peeled & deveined
2 lb bay scallops
4 oz butter
1 C diced red peppers
1 C diced tomatoes
1/4 C chopped parsley
1/2 C fine cut green onions
1 TBSP chopped garlic
1 Tsp dry basil
1 C white vermouth or white wine or apple or grape juice (unsweetened)
Salt, pepper & lemon juice to taste
1/2 tsp. flour & 1/2 tsp. butter mixed together into paste
Sauté shrimp and scallops in butter for 3 minutes.
Add peppers, tomatoes, green onions, chopped garlic, basil, salt, pepper, lemon juice and vermouth. Cook for 3-4 minutes on high heat.
Add flour/butter paste and stir it in the mix with a whisk. Turn heat to low and cook 2 minutes.
Add parsley. Serve with rice.
For variety, you can use spices, herbs of your choice. Can also add okra (I’m not into okra!), and/or a Louisiana sausage.
BBQ PULLED PORK IN THE CROCK POT
Pork shoulder roast, about 4 pounds
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups water
1 bottle (16 ounces) barbecue sauce, or 2 cups homemade sauce
1 cup chopped onion
Place half of the thinly sliced onions in bottom of crock pot; add pork and water, along with remaining onion slices.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8 - 10 hrs or 4 - 5 hrs on HIGH.
Drain liquid from crock pot; discard excess fat and coarsely chop meat or shred.
Put meat back in the crock pot. Add barbecue sauce and chopped onion. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hrs longer, stirring occasionally.
Can use this same recipe for beef - even ground beef. Just adjust cooking times.
Monday, February 28, 2011
And February Comes to an End!
Monday Feb 21 66 degrees and sunny in the AM with a high in the upper 70s. Our predicted 'cold' front gave us a low of 58 degrees! Sure glad I have my hoodies for temps that cold!
Finished one book yesterday - one of the Amish books I enjoy reading 'just for fun!' - and started another one. Lots of reading time with weather like this.
Put a meat loaf in the crock pot. One of those really difficult recipes - drop a frozen block of meat in the crock pot, add a dry onion soup mix and a can of mushroom soup and one envelope of brown gravy mix - and let'er cook. Oh, I'm such a gourmet!
This summer may be a little screwed up since I'm still looking for a trailer. I've been watching Craig's List and haven't found anything. When I find one, I’ll head north. Sure hope Mary has a spot for me at Shady Oaks when I find something! I did drop her a note and told her I was still looking for a trailer and looking forward to getting up there sometime this summer - just not sure when.
Tuesday Feb 22 Ladies coffee 9AM; woke to 65 degrees, going to mid-70s, not too breezy - my kinda weather! Guess my life is getting kinda boring!
After so many years with the military, you would think I would have learned, somewhere along the way, to keep my mouth shut and not volunteer. WRONG! At coffee we decided to do a pancake supper March 3, the usual Friendship supper nite. I made the mistake of opening my mouth and asking Pam (from England) if she participated in the Shrove Tuesday pancake races. We started talking about them and Allison thought it was a GREAT IDEA! So guess who is in charge of the race festivities: Pam and Helen! Doubt I'll be running -- can't handle a walker and a fry pan at the same time! Of course, it might make some great pictures for Keith to post to the Park's Blog! Allison suggested we let the men race, too. Gradually it has become a pancake ‘relay’ race.
Three RVs lined up to pull out this AM. Kinda gives me 'hitch itch' but I sure don't want to pull this one anymore. Seems every day another RV or two pulls out and heads back north. Lots of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa license plates in this park.
Vegetable soup in the crock pot on Tuesday. That's another reason I have to get back to Iowa. Make a trip to Stringtown grocery over by Kalona to stock up on my dried supplies, herbs and spices!
Wednesday - Busy day! Met the "in town" bunch for breakfast 9AM at JJs. Nice breakfast except there wasn't any place to park in the parking lot so had to park across the street and WALK! At least I had a chance to walk off breakfast going back to the truck!
Then to Castaway to look for (and found) Mardi Gras beads to award the racers. Next stop Action RV - Deryl emailed and said he saw some new additions to their 'consignment' list. Nothing promising for me but will check periodically. Quick run into WallyWorld - cat/dog supplies/feed. Found a couple nice geraniums for the front of the RV. Stopped by to visit with Deryl & Elke for a few minutes. Came back to the park and met with Pam about the pancake fiasco I got myself into! Then it was outside time for me and Li’lBit. They actually used the word HEAT INDEX in the weather report!
Thursday, Friendship supper night. My offering for the evening was a relish tray. Had plenty of pickles and olives in the pantry and I forgot to pick up groceries to make something while I was in town.
Cloudy, humid, 68 degree morning, no breeze – promised afternoon rains never really got here – just a little mist. Headed back into town – couldn’t find any oysters yesterday so back to the fish market. Lucked out this time. Came home with some Dover Sole and a nice piece of salmon, too. Also found a ‘faux King Cake” recipe made out of crescent rolls – think I’ll try it.
No rain but heavy air, 78 degrees, cloudy but with the breeze it is tolerable - Li'lBit and I were back outside. Often, while setting outside at the picnic table with Li'lBit, I think of Mary at Shady Oaks, in Iowa, with her camera. I don't think Mary makes a walk thru the park without her camera and she has given me some wonderful pictures of my rig and Li'lBit.
Woke up about 5 AM Friday hearing rain -- jumped up to close the roof vent in the bathroom - no rain - FOG - so thick it was dripping off of everything and sounded like rain. So much for sleep! Stayed in bed for awhile but finally decided to get up. Took Li'lBit out, watered my outside plants while she watered the sand burs! Critters fed, coffee made, all before 7AM! Too Early! Heard a lot of truck activity in the park. There's no denying the start up of a diesel! It's too late to be going out fishin' so I imagine there are a few more hooking up today.
Made it up to 65 degrees – winds died down some – definitely a picnic table and a book, my coffee and Li'l Bit kinda day.
When we go outside, Li'lBit is chained to the picnic table. She can lay under the table, be on it, lay under the RV or under the truck --whatever! I heard her whinning and there she was setting on the steps by the door, whinning then started yipping! Crazy dog wanted to come in! She's gotta get used to being outside now that it is warming up!
We have to brush immediately when we get outside. It is quite the ritual! I open the door, say "Go to the table," she jumps up on the table. I get the brush and get busy - then she gets down - well I have to put her down - she'd stay up there all day! Then I can open my book.
Saturday was an absolutely lovely day. A little overcast and misty in the AM, but that burned off the minute the sun broke through. It was one of those days that should last forever! Pam came by and we discussed the pancake races for next Thursday. Should be quite interesting!
They had a luau here in the park Saturday evening. Decided I’d set this one out. It sure smelled good outside, however, with the pork cooking!
Sunday 69 degrees and morning 'heavy' air, sun was out so will burn off before long.
I decided to try the old angel food cake pan I found at Castaways. It is shorter than the new ones and doesn’t have the “legs” on it. It fits in my oven and I managed to make a REAL (out of the box!) angel food cake. The cake just barely clears the top of the oven. Could be that this oven is a tad bigger than my old one, too. Anyway, it makes me a happy camper!
Made some really good chicken salad for sandwiches, not a fancy recipe, just mayo, canned chicken, pickle relish, a little onion. Guess it was really more like tuna salad with chicken. Oh, I did add a little dill. But it sure tasted good at the picnic table when Li’lBit and I had our picnic.
Monday I woke up just before 6AM with some severe shake rattle and roll! DAMN! Thought I was in Iowa and my weather radio didn't go off. Cold front blew thru -- dropped us down to 64 degrees. Brrrrr! Glad I have my hoodies! At least the shake rattle and roll only lasted until the front edge of the thing passed. Made it up to mid-80s before the day was done. With a 16 mph breeze out of the north the windchill (guess it's a windchill - the cold front blew thru this AM!) was 76 degrees. Actually quite pleasant if you aren't setting in the sun. Guess that's why I enjoy the weather down here on the coast.
Finally found the dead stinky shrimp I dropped the other day. It was behind the stove. I thought they were dead when I cooked them; guess it managed to WALK back there! Couldn’t have anything to do with a cat or a dog or maybe even a parrot beak helping it along its way.
A perfect end to the month of February!
Finished one book yesterday - one of the Amish books I enjoy reading 'just for fun!' - and started another one. Lots of reading time with weather like this.
Put a meat loaf in the crock pot. One of those really difficult recipes - drop a frozen block of meat in the crock pot, add a dry onion soup mix and a can of mushroom soup and one envelope of brown gravy mix - and let'er cook. Oh, I'm such a gourmet!
This summer may be a little screwed up since I'm still looking for a trailer. I've been watching Craig's List and haven't found anything. When I find one, I’ll head north. Sure hope Mary has a spot for me at Shady Oaks when I find something! I did drop her a note and told her I was still looking for a trailer and looking forward to getting up there sometime this summer - just not sure when.
Tuesday Feb 22 Ladies coffee 9AM; woke to 65 degrees, going to mid-70s, not too breezy - my kinda weather! Guess my life is getting kinda boring!
After so many years with the military, you would think I would have learned, somewhere along the way, to keep my mouth shut and not volunteer. WRONG! At coffee we decided to do a pancake supper March 3, the usual Friendship supper nite. I made the mistake of opening my mouth and asking Pam (from England) if she participated in the Shrove Tuesday pancake races. We started talking about them and Allison thought it was a GREAT IDEA! So guess who is in charge of the race festivities: Pam and Helen! Doubt I'll be running -- can't handle a walker and a fry pan at the same time! Of course, it might make some great pictures for Keith to post to the Park's Blog! Allison suggested we let the men race, too. Gradually it has become a pancake ‘relay’ race.
Three RVs lined up to pull out this AM. Kinda gives me 'hitch itch' but I sure don't want to pull this one anymore. Seems every day another RV or two pulls out and heads back north. Lots of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa license plates in this park.
Vegetable soup in the crock pot on Tuesday. That's another reason I have to get back to Iowa. Make a trip to Stringtown grocery over by Kalona to stock up on my dried supplies, herbs and spices!
Wednesday - Busy day! Met the "in town" bunch for breakfast 9AM at JJs. Nice breakfast except there wasn't any place to park in the parking lot so had to park across the street and WALK! At least I had a chance to walk off breakfast going back to the truck!
Then to Castaway to look for (and found) Mardi Gras beads to award the racers. Next stop Action RV - Deryl emailed and said he saw some new additions to their 'consignment' list. Nothing promising for me but will check periodically. Quick run into WallyWorld - cat/dog supplies/feed. Found a couple nice geraniums for the front of the RV. Stopped by to visit with Deryl & Elke for a few minutes. Came back to the park and met with Pam about the pancake fiasco I got myself into! Then it was outside time for me and Li’lBit. They actually used the word HEAT INDEX in the weather report!
Thursday, Friendship supper night. My offering for the evening was a relish tray. Had plenty of pickles and olives in the pantry and I forgot to pick up groceries to make something while I was in town.
Cloudy, humid, 68 degree morning, no breeze – promised afternoon rains never really got here – just a little mist. Headed back into town – couldn’t find any oysters yesterday so back to the fish market. Lucked out this time. Came home with some Dover Sole and a nice piece of salmon, too. Also found a ‘faux King Cake” recipe made out of crescent rolls – think I’ll try it.
No rain but heavy air, 78 degrees, cloudy but with the breeze it is tolerable - Li'lBit and I were back outside. Often, while setting outside at the picnic table with Li'lBit, I think of Mary at Shady Oaks, in Iowa, with her camera. I don't think Mary makes a walk thru the park without her camera and she has given me some wonderful pictures of my rig and Li'lBit.
Woke up about 5 AM Friday hearing rain -- jumped up to close the roof vent in the bathroom - no rain - FOG - so thick it was dripping off of everything and sounded like rain. So much for sleep! Stayed in bed for awhile but finally decided to get up. Took Li'lBit out, watered my outside plants while she watered the sand burs! Critters fed, coffee made, all before 7AM! Too Early! Heard a lot of truck activity in the park. There's no denying the start up of a diesel! It's too late to be going out fishin' so I imagine there are a few more hooking up today.
Made it up to 65 degrees – winds died down some – definitely a picnic table and a book, my coffee and Li'l Bit kinda day.
When we go outside, Li'lBit is chained to the picnic table. She can lay under the table, be on it, lay under the RV or under the truck --whatever! I heard her whinning and there she was setting on the steps by the door, whinning then started yipping! Crazy dog wanted to come in! She's gotta get used to being outside now that it is warming up!
We have to brush immediately when we get outside. It is quite the ritual! I open the door, say "Go to the table," she jumps up on the table. I get the brush and get busy - then she gets down - well I have to put her down - she'd stay up there all day! Then I can open my book.
Saturday was an absolutely lovely day. A little overcast and misty in the AM, but that burned off the minute the sun broke through. It was one of those days that should last forever! Pam came by and we discussed the pancake races for next Thursday. Should be quite interesting!
They had a luau here in the park Saturday evening. Decided I’d set this one out. It sure smelled good outside, however, with the pork cooking!
Sunday 69 degrees and morning 'heavy' air, sun was out so will burn off before long.
I decided to try the old angel food cake pan I found at Castaways. It is shorter than the new ones and doesn’t have the “legs” on it. It fits in my oven and I managed to make a REAL (out of the box!) angel food cake. The cake just barely clears the top of the oven. Could be that this oven is a tad bigger than my old one, too. Anyway, it makes me a happy camper!
Made some really good chicken salad for sandwiches, not a fancy recipe, just mayo, canned chicken, pickle relish, a little onion. Guess it was really more like tuna salad with chicken. Oh, I did add a little dill. But it sure tasted good at the picnic table when Li’lBit and I had our picnic.
Monday I woke up just before 6AM with some severe shake rattle and roll! DAMN! Thought I was in Iowa and my weather radio didn't go off. Cold front blew thru -- dropped us down to 64 degrees. Brrrrr! Glad I have my hoodies! At least the shake rattle and roll only lasted until the front edge of the thing passed. Made it up to mid-80s before the day was done. With a 16 mph breeze out of the north the windchill (guess it's a windchill - the cold front blew thru this AM!) was 76 degrees. Actually quite pleasant if you aren't setting in the sun. Guess that's why I enjoy the weather down here on the coast.
Finally found the dead stinky shrimp I dropped the other day. It was behind the stove. I thought they were dead when I cooked them; guess it managed to WALK back there! Couldn’t have anything to do with a cat or a dog or maybe even a parrot beak helping it along its way.
A perfect end to the month of February!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
February 14 - 20 A Trip Back to Gatesville
Monday February 14 Sun was out, hardly any wind and 57 degrees! YIPPEE! It’s pack up and load up day, gas up the truck, check the tires – but not the RV this time – just a suitcase and the truck. Headed to Gatesville for a short visit.
In the process of packing up - guess who doesn't have a suit case! I sold them all at the yard sale when I moved into the RV! So, I traveled with a matched set of canvas shopping bags! I'm truly a BAG LADY! Li'lBit is packed in an elegant yellow Dollar Store bag!
Sun was shining and it was warm. Li'lBit and I hit the beach for a few minutes on Monday.
Tuesday 63 degrees at 5:30AM The predicted fog didn’t seem to appear. On the road by 8AM. I figured, without the RV the trip should only be about 5½ hours. And without the RV, it was so easy to just pull off at all those yummy BBQ places and the Czech Bakery in Le Grange.
Amazing how much fun driving can be when I’m not hauling the RV! I could use my rearview mirror and actually see the road out my rear window, I could pull off anytime Li’lBit decided it was potty time or anytime I decided the BBQ joints and bakeries looked like places to stop! I could use my cruise control, travel the speed limit – all those wonderful things I’d missed when towing. And best of all, it only takes about half the fuel.I made it on less than ½ tank of diesel!
I arrived in Gatesville mid-afternoon, checked into the Regency Motel and immediately headed out to Johnnie’s for coffee!
Wednesday AM, Li’lBit and I went to her vet in town to get a refill on her skin meds, then off to lunch with Brenda and her sister, Ellen. Cindy popped in to pick up an order to go so had a chance to visit with her for awhile. The pasta place in town still gives too much food so had plenty left for supper.
Wednesday afternoon it was back out to Johnnie’s for more coffee – talk about a caffeine high!
Thursday it was breakfast with Johnnie. She fixed scrambled eggs, toast, bacon and of course coffee! Put the left over scrambled eggs in a baggie for Li’lBit and she certainly enjoyed them when we stopped for our picnic lunch on the way back to Rockport. Johnnie also gave me some starters from her aloe vera since mine got all mushy during our below freezing weather. Guess I didn’t have them protected enough.
I pulled into Rockport about 4PM, Nice trip without an RV behind the truck! Just another reason for me to feel comfortable about my decision to leave the 5th wheel here.
Everything was fine when I got back. EXCEPT, the little elves didn't come in and clean! I had left a key with the neighbor. Found out when I got back, the ambulance had been here to pick up Dick (my neighbor). Fortunately, he was home the next day.
Holly & Tinga were left here with their magic three day feeders and water. The minute I opened the door, Tinga was shouting to ‘come out.’ Holly was evidentially a little upset with me. She opened one eye to look at me from her corner of the bed, immediately hopped off the bed and retreated to her hiding place in the closet until Li'lBit went after her! Li'lBit was so glad to see Holly!
Went out to get some groceries on Friday -- stopped to chat with Deryl & Elke.
Went out Saturday nite with Dery & Elke for some BBQ. Went to the one BBQ place and they were out of most everything -- so came back into town to another place. If there is one thing we have plenty of in Texas, it’s BBQ joints! Had a nice BBQ Po'Boy sandwich. I do enjoy going out with them. They are fun to visit with.
Sunday Feb 20 71 degrees at noon. Li'l Bit and I spent much of the time outside -- so many folks just out walking and stopping to chat, didn't get much reading done. Came in for a bite to eat and when I went to go back out, Li'lBit didn’t go - she had fallen asleep and was snoring so loudly, I just left her alone!
Put a small pork roast in the crock pot early in the AM, sure smells good. No seasoning, nothing but pork. I cut some of it up and put it back in the freezer, put BBQ sauce on some and ate some ‘just plain pork!”
Gotta start getting serious about finding a small travel trailer.
In the process of packing up - guess who doesn't have a suit case! I sold them all at the yard sale when I moved into the RV! So, I traveled with a matched set of canvas shopping bags! I'm truly a BAG LADY! Li'lBit is packed in an elegant yellow Dollar Store bag!
Sun was shining and it was warm. Li'lBit and I hit the beach for a few minutes on Monday.
Tuesday 63 degrees at 5:30AM The predicted fog didn’t seem to appear. On the road by 8AM. I figured, without the RV the trip should only be about 5½ hours. And without the RV, it was so easy to just pull off at all those yummy BBQ places and the Czech Bakery in Le Grange.
Amazing how much fun driving can be when I’m not hauling the RV! I could use my rearview mirror and actually see the road out my rear window, I could pull off anytime Li’lBit decided it was potty time or anytime I decided the BBQ joints and bakeries looked like places to stop! I could use my cruise control, travel the speed limit – all those wonderful things I’d missed when towing. And best of all, it only takes about half the fuel.I made it on less than ½ tank of diesel!
I arrived in Gatesville mid-afternoon, checked into the Regency Motel and immediately headed out to Johnnie’s for coffee!
Wednesday AM, Li’lBit and I went to her vet in town to get a refill on her skin meds, then off to lunch with Brenda and her sister, Ellen. Cindy popped in to pick up an order to go so had a chance to visit with her for awhile. The pasta place in town still gives too much food so had plenty left for supper.
Wednesday afternoon it was back out to Johnnie’s for more coffee – talk about a caffeine high!
Thursday it was breakfast with Johnnie. She fixed scrambled eggs, toast, bacon and of course coffee! Put the left over scrambled eggs in a baggie for Li’lBit and she certainly enjoyed them when we stopped for our picnic lunch on the way back to Rockport. Johnnie also gave me some starters from her aloe vera since mine got all mushy during our below freezing weather. Guess I didn’t have them protected enough.
I pulled into Rockport about 4PM, Nice trip without an RV behind the truck! Just another reason for me to feel comfortable about my decision to leave the 5th wheel here.
Everything was fine when I got back. EXCEPT, the little elves didn't come in and clean! I had left a key with the neighbor. Found out when I got back, the ambulance had been here to pick up Dick (my neighbor). Fortunately, he was home the next day.
Holly & Tinga were left here with their magic three day feeders and water. The minute I opened the door, Tinga was shouting to ‘come out.’ Holly was evidentially a little upset with me. She opened one eye to look at me from her corner of the bed, immediately hopped off the bed and retreated to her hiding place in the closet until Li'lBit went after her! Li'lBit was so glad to see Holly!
Went out to get some groceries on Friday -- stopped to chat with Deryl & Elke.
Went out Saturday nite with Dery & Elke for some BBQ. Went to the one BBQ place and they were out of most everything -- so came back into town to another place. If there is one thing we have plenty of in Texas, it’s BBQ joints! Had a nice BBQ Po'Boy sandwich. I do enjoy going out with them. They are fun to visit with.
Sunday Feb 20 71 degrees at noon. Li'l Bit and I spent much of the time outside -- so many folks just out walking and stopping to chat, didn't get much reading done. Came in for a bite to eat and when I went to go back out, Li'lBit didn’t go - she had fallen asleep and was snoring so loudly, I just left her alone!
Put a small pork roast in the crock pot early in the AM, sure smells good. No seasoning, nothing but pork. I cut some of it up and put it back in the freezer, put BBQ sauce on some and ate some ‘just plain pork!”
Gotta start getting serious about finding a small travel trailer.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Crock Pot Meat Loaf
2 lbs FROZEN ground beef (form to fit your crock pot prior to freezing)
1 envelope brown gravy mix
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 can beefy mushroom soup
Place the frozen ground beef in a crock pot. Pour remaining ingredients on top. Turn crock pot on low and cook all day.
NOTE: Make sure the block of frozen meat will fit in your crock pot. Next time I make it, I will form the ground beef to fit the crock pot prior to freezing. Will also try making it with mixed ground beef and pork, mix in some onion & green pepper.
Cake Mix Muffins
1 box cake mix
2 tablespoons flour
3 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon baking powder
Mix all ingredients together. Spoon into prepared muffin cups. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until tops are lightly browned.
Almond Poppy seed Muffins: Use a white cake mix, add 2 teaspoons poppy seed and 1 teaspoon almond extract.
Chocolate Muffins: Use a chocolate cake mix and stir in 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips.
French Raspberry Muffins: Use a French vanilla cake mix and fresh raspberries.
Lemon Poppy seed Muffins: Use a lemon cake mix and poppy seed.
Spice Muffins: Use a spice cake mix with cinnamon/sugar topping.
2 lbs FROZEN ground beef (form to fit your crock pot prior to freezing)
1 envelope brown gravy mix
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 can beefy mushroom soup
Place the frozen ground beef in a crock pot. Pour remaining ingredients on top. Turn crock pot on low and cook all day.
NOTE: Make sure the block of frozen meat will fit in your crock pot. Next time I make it, I will form the ground beef to fit the crock pot prior to freezing. Will also try making it with mixed ground beef and pork, mix in some onion & green pepper.
Cake Mix Muffins
1 box cake mix
2 tablespoons flour
3 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon baking powder
Mix all ingredients together. Spoon into prepared muffin cups. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until tops are lightly browned.
Almond Poppy seed Muffins: Use a white cake mix, add 2 teaspoons poppy seed and 1 teaspoon almond extract.
Chocolate Muffins: Use a chocolate cake mix and stir in 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips.
French Raspberry Muffins: Use a French vanilla cake mix and fresh raspberries.
Lemon Poppy seed Muffins: Use a lemon cake mix and poppy seed.
Spice Muffins: Use a spice cake mix with cinnamon/sugar topping.
FEB 7 - 13 The Decision Has Been Made
Monday February 7th, 44 degrees – went into the upper 60s, sunny and very little - made it to the 70s on Sunday and Li'lBit and I were happy campers! Mexican dinner Monday night. I signed up to bring dessert. Took a cheese-cake sopapilla kinda thing that Diana had made for Christmas. It is absolutely ‘sinful!’ Love Mexican food but sometimes it bites me back about the middle of the night!
Tuesday morning I was wide awake at 5 AM and couldn't go back to sleep! My gut must be acclimating to Mexican foods! Went to bed about 9:30; I knew I'd be up by midnight! NOPE! Didn't wake up for NUTHIN’ until 5AM! 48 degrees and warming up bit then another cold front by the end of the week. Sid and Rain made it to Florida, still waiting to hear from Deryl & Elke.
I went on line to order my eye drops for pick up at the local WalMart but they had dropped off the computer. Took the boxes and bottle in with the script on it and they did some computer 'magic' and found the orders. Had to make another trip on Wednesday to pick them up.
Tuesday morning coffee and I volunteered to make muffins for Sunday! Wouldn’t you think, after so many years in the military, I’d have learned NOT to volunteer. Sure glad I'm figuring out how to use the oven in this thing!
Nails done - Rx picked up – Li’lBit and I spent the afternoon at the picnic table.
Deryl and Elke make it back before the winds picked up. I feel so much better when my friends are off the road and safely parked somewhere!
Wednesday was a dreary heavy air day - 62 degrees but weather alert for winds and frost warning. The AM temp was as warm as the day would get and probably as warm as it would get until the weekend. More hard freeze warnings, but no talk of ‘wintery mix!’ That turned out to be another ‘weather man’s lie!” Dropped to 33 degrees with winds (30-40mph) and blowing rain. Good day to use the oven again. Put a small canned ham in the oven with a sweet potato and the left over barley, mushroom, onion mix. Don't know how I'd get along without those little Dollar Store canned hams!
I've been looking at smaller RVs - thinking of buying an older travel trailer to take to Iowa (I've got Bea looking for a place for me to winter it over so I don't have to haul it back and forth.) The eye and the lungs aren't getting any better and I don't want to NOT go to Iowa for the summer, but not sure how many more trips (if any) I can make with my 5th wheel. I'm just not comfortable towing my 5er -- it's easier to tow than my old one, but I've lost my “comfort zone" or “nerve” I guess -- it does bother me with the eye and not being able to see.
The mess up in Guthrie last year coming back -- dent in the side of the RV - ripped the roof on a tree branch -- just can't do it alone. Might be different if I had someone to get out and watch those things for me. I could have really damaged the RV. Fortunately, I didn't and the patch on the roof was simple (and the ding on the side doesn't look too bad!) But I just don't feel comfortable -- afraid I'll start making mistakes. Life is full of big decisions! This is one that has been made in my mind, but not in my heart – YET!
I want to see the eye doc in Iowa one more time and see if he has any recommendations for someone down here...or if I can put a TT up there, I can still see Wolfe clinic every summer. I guess the fact that I'm comfortable with my doc down here and Lincare with my oxygen, it seems like the right time to stay. So, that's where I stand now. This RV will be leaving Rockport but, one way or another, I will be. How and in what will be determined later!
Thought if I got a smaller, older TT, something I could store up there over the winter, the critters and I could just drive back and forth in the truck. Be a lot easier on me and the trip wouldn't take as long. Tony (park owner) gave me the name and number of someone that might be able to help me find a decent deal on a used trailer. Of course, before I get anything, I'll have Deryl go over it! Deryl doesn’t know this yet!
27 degrees wake up on Thursday with a wind chill of 17! But I stay warm in my hoodies! Had left the water hose disconnected for a couple of nights. I reconnected it in the morning - as soon as the temps got above freezing!
Went to Deryl & Elkes for steaks and baked tators. Didn’t stay out too late - -it's too cold! Lost my Iowa blood long time ago!
Off to a late start on Friday. Propane cylinder out and on the edge of my pad. 34 degrees -- one more cold night, then we aren’t supposed to have another 'cold front' for several weeks! YIPPEE.
Finally, the winds died down and I put my flags back out -- where it sets now it really gets whipped by the wind so I bring it in on rainy windy days.
Tuesday morning I was wide awake at 5 AM and couldn't go back to sleep! My gut must be acclimating to Mexican foods! Went to bed about 9:30; I knew I'd be up by midnight! NOPE! Didn't wake up for NUTHIN’ until 5AM! 48 degrees and warming up bit then another cold front by the end of the week. Sid and Rain made it to Florida, still waiting to hear from Deryl & Elke.
I went on line to order my eye drops for pick up at the local WalMart but they had dropped off the computer. Took the boxes and bottle in with the script on it and they did some computer 'magic' and found the orders. Had to make another trip on Wednesday to pick them up.
Tuesday morning coffee and I volunteered to make muffins for Sunday! Wouldn’t you think, after so many years in the military, I’d have learned NOT to volunteer. Sure glad I'm figuring out how to use the oven in this thing!
Nails done - Rx picked up – Li’lBit and I spent the afternoon at the picnic table.
Deryl and Elke make it back before the winds picked up. I feel so much better when my friends are off the road and safely parked somewhere!
Wednesday was a dreary heavy air day - 62 degrees but weather alert for winds and frost warning. The AM temp was as warm as the day would get and probably as warm as it would get until the weekend. More hard freeze warnings, but no talk of ‘wintery mix!’ That turned out to be another ‘weather man’s lie!” Dropped to 33 degrees with winds (30-40mph) and blowing rain. Good day to use the oven again. Put a small canned ham in the oven with a sweet potato and the left over barley, mushroom, onion mix. Don't know how I'd get along without those little Dollar Store canned hams!
I've been looking at smaller RVs - thinking of buying an older travel trailer to take to Iowa (I've got Bea looking for a place for me to winter it over so I don't have to haul it back and forth.) The eye and the lungs aren't getting any better and I don't want to NOT go to Iowa for the summer, but not sure how many more trips (if any) I can make with my 5th wheel. I'm just not comfortable towing my 5er -- it's easier to tow than my old one, but I've lost my “comfort zone" or “nerve” I guess -- it does bother me with the eye and not being able to see.
The mess up in Guthrie last year coming back -- dent in the side of the RV - ripped the roof on a tree branch -- just can't do it alone. Might be different if I had someone to get out and watch those things for me. I could have really damaged the RV. Fortunately, I didn't and the patch on the roof was simple (and the ding on the side doesn't look too bad!) But I just don't feel comfortable -- afraid I'll start making mistakes. Life is full of big decisions! This is one that has been made in my mind, but not in my heart – YET!
I want to see the eye doc in Iowa one more time and see if he has any recommendations for someone down here...or if I can put a TT up there, I can still see Wolfe clinic every summer. I guess the fact that I'm comfortable with my doc down here and Lincare with my oxygen, it seems like the right time to stay. So, that's where I stand now. This RV will be leaving Rockport but, one way or another, I will be. How and in what will be determined later!
Thought if I got a smaller, older TT, something I could store up there over the winter, the critters and I could just drive back and forth in the truck. Be a lot easier on me and the trip wouldn't take as long. Tony (park owner) gave me the name and number of someone that might be able to help me find a decent deal on a used trailer. Of course, before I get anything, I'll have Deryl go over it! Deryl doesn’t know this yet!
27 degrees wake up on Thursday with a wind chill of 17! But I stay warm in my hoodies! Had left the water hose disconnected for a couple of nights. I reconnected it in the morning - as soon as the temps got above freezing!
Went to Deryl & Elkes for steaks and baked tators. Didn’t stay out too late - -it's too cold! Lost my Iowa blood long time ago!
Off to a late start on Friday. Propane cylinder out and on the edge of my pad. 34 degrees -- one more cold night, then we aren’t supposed to have another 'cold front' for several weeks! YIPPEE.
Finally, the winds died down and I put my flags back out -- where it sets now it really gets whipped by the wind so I bring it in on rainy windy days.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
FEBRUARY RECIPES
Barley with Mushrooms and Onions
Unsalted butter or pan spray – enough to coat the bottom of heavy saucepan
1 cup onion, finely chopped
1/2 pound mushrooms, chopped
3 cups vegetable broth, chicken or beef stock
1 cup uncooked barley
Spices and seasonings to taste
Coat a heavy saucepan with cooking spray or melted butter and set over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms; cook, stirring a few times, about 5 minutes.
Add broth, barley and seasonings, herbs, spices; bring to a boil. Partially cover pan and reduce heat to low; simmer until barley is tender, stirring occasionally, about an hour.
Cooked as above, serve as side dish. Add diced meat or fish/seafood and use as main dish.
Bread Spread
1 stick butter, softened
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 tsp white pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp. chives
Mix butter and cream cheese. Add pepper and garlic powder to taste. Continue mixing. Add chives. Chill. Great on bagels and other course, heavier breads.
APPLE BROWN BETTY
2 cups whole wheat bread crumbs – can replace some of the breadcrumbs with wheat germ for a nutty taste
1/4 cup margarine melted
4 cups apple slices tart
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 lemon, juice and peel
1/2 cup apple juice
Grate the rind of 1/2 of the lemon. Juice half the lemon, or all if it is a small lemon.
Mix bread crumbs with melted margarine and blend.
Mix sugar with nutmeg, lemon peel and juice; blend.
Grease a casserole dish with margarine. Put a layer of crumbs on bottom, spread half the apples on top of the crumbs, then half the sugar mixture. Put the rest of the apples, then the sugar and top with remaining crumbs. Add 1/2 cup very hot apple juice or water.
Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 40 minutes or until done.
Cover loosely with foil tent for first 20 minutes to prevent crumbs browning too quickly.
CREAM CHEESE SOPAPILLA BARS
A special thanks to Diana for 'turning me onto' this recipe.
2 tubes crescent rolls
3 - 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cup sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg, separated
1 teaspoon cinnamon – more is better!
Unroll 1 tube of crescent rolls in the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan (leave sections connected). I use a little pan spray before unrolling. Seal the perforations.
Combine cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, egg yolk and vanilla, mixing thoroughly.
Pour cream cheese mixture over unrolled dough.
Layout second tube on a piece of waxed paper. Seal all the perforations.
Carefully put this layer over the cream cheese. Peel off the waxed paper.
Slightly beat egg white and brush on the top.
Combine 1/4 cup sugar with cinnamon and sprinkle on top.
Bake at 350 degrees 30-40 minutes. Cool and store in the refrigerator.
ALTERNATIVES: Mix a little peanut butter in the cream cheese. Do not put cinnamon & sugar on top crust. About 5-10 minutes before it is finished, pour chocolate chips on top, return to the oven. When melted spread to cover the top. Squirt a little caramel ice cream topping on top.
Mix a little strawberry jelly in the cream cheese. Brush top crust with egg white to make it nice and brown – watch it doesn’t burn. When ready to serve, put whipped cream or cool whip on each square, add sliced fresh strawberries. If you don’t have fresh strawberries, it makes a nice “shortcake” for strawberry short cake with frozen sweetened berries.
I’ve also added some coconut and drained crushed pineapple to the cream cheese; baked with a plain top crust. Added whipped cream or cool whip as a topping when served.
Unsalted butter or pan spray – enough to coat the bottom of heavy saucepan
1 cup onion, finely chopped
1/2 pound mushrooms, chopped
3 cups vegetable broth, chicken or beef stock
1 cup uncooked barley
Spices and seasonings to taste
Coat a heavy saucepan with cooking spray or melted butter and set over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms; cook, stirring a few times, about 5 minutes.
Add broth, barley and seasonings, herbs, spices; bring to a boil. Partially cover pan and reduce heat to low; simmer until barley is tender, stirring occasionally, about an hour.
Cooked as above, serve as side dish. Add diced meat or fish/seafood and use as main dish.
Bread Spread
1 stick butter, softened
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 tsp white pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp. chives
Mix butter and cream cheese. Add pepper and garlic powder to taste. Continue mixing. Add chives. Chill. Great on bagels and other course, heavier breads.
APPLE BROWN BETTY
2 cups whole wheat bread crumbs – can replace some of the breadcrumbs with wheat germ for a nutty taste
1/4 cup margarine melted
4 cups apple slices tart
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 lemon, juice and peel
1/2 cup apple juice
Grate the rind of 1/2 of the lemon. Juice half the lemon, or all if it is a small lemon.
Mix bread crumbs with melted margarine and blend.
Mix sugar with nutmeg, lemon peel and juice; blend.
Grease a casserole dish with margarine. Put a layer of crumbs on bottom, spread half the apples on top of the crumbs, then half the sugar mixture. Put the rest of the apples, then the sugar and top with remaining crumbs. Add 1/2 cup very hot apple juice or water.
Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 40 minutes or until done.
Cover loosely with foil tent for first 20 minutes to prevent crumbs browning too quickly.
CREAM CHEESE SOPAPILLA BARS
A special thanks to Diana for 'turning me onto' this recipe.
2 tubes crescent rolls
3 - 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cup sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg, separated
1 teaspoon cinnamon – more is better!
Unroll 1 tube of crescent rolls in the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan (leave sections connected). I use a little pan spray before unrolling. Seal the perforations.
Combine cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, egg yolk and vanilla, mixing thoroughly.
Pour cream cheese mixture over unrolled dough.
Layout second tube on a piece of waxed paper. Seal all the perforations.
Carefully put this layer over the cream cheese. Peel off the waxed paper.
Slightly beat egg white and brush on the top.
Combine 1/4 cup sugar with cinnamon and sprinkle on top.
Bake at 350 degrees 30-40 minutes. Cool and store in the refrigerator.
ALTERNATIVES: Mix a little peanut butter in the cream cheese. Do not put cinnamon & sugar on top crust. About 5-10 minutes before it is finished, pour chocolate chips on top, return to the oven. When melted spread to cover the top. Squirt a little caramel ice cream topping on top.
Mix a little strawberry jelly in the cream cheese. Brush top crust with egg white to make it nice and brown – watch it doesn’t burn. When ready to serve, put whipped cream or cool whip on each square, add sliced fresh strawberries. If you don’t have fresh strawberries, it makes a nice “shortcake” for strawberry short cake with frozen sweetened berries.
I’ve also added some coconut and drained crushed pineapple to the cream cheese; baked with a plain top crust. Added whipped cream or cool whip as a topping when served.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
February 1 - 6 Winter Comes To Rockport
Tuesday woke up about 3AM, my legs were so cramped and killing me! Did more walking yesterday without walker and oxygen than I've done in YEARS, I think! The right one was still a little stiff when I finally crawled out of bed, but that is the one I usually land on when I fall. Woke to 58 degrees, winds picked up some, gusting to 40mph – then the temp dropped to 47 by 9AM. At least the sun was still out and it wasn’t raining!
Sid came by to put a hook on my screen door so I can secure it a little better and a hook under my cabinet so I can hang a rope for Tinga. I so enjoy having Sid and Rain here – even if just for a couple of days.
Watched the weather channel a lot, hoping the storm blowing across the country doesn’t bury my sister in Iowa. I heard they closed the Dallas airport and this is Super Bowl weekend! OOPS! Of course it doesn't take much bad weather to close anything down here! They were already predicting rain, freezing rain or snow for Thursday (they are calling it a 'wintery mix'.)
Sid and Rain gave me quite a chunk of brisket they had grilled before they came here. And of course you know I had to test-taste it -- YUMMY! It made some great BBQ sandwiches on Super Bowl Sunday.
Deryl & Elke left in the AM and made it to Kinder LA. I’m always so anxious to hear from them when they are on the road. They should be back Thurs if the weather is OK.
Sid & Rain and I went to Los Comales Tuesday night for deep fried avocadoes. They would be leaving out in the AM. Hopefully the ‘wintery mix’ predicted will stay away long enough for them and for Deryl & Elke to get where they are going.
Weather predicted to remain below freezing for several days. Forgot to fill my water pitchers when I disconnected the water hose so had to go outside and fill it from the faucet before the water went off. I have bottled water but figured I'd save it in case the water stays off longer than planned. Have plenty in my holding tank for flushing and cleaning but wanted to make sure I had fresh water for tea, coffee and the critters!
Water will be off at the park for a couple of days - down here the pipes aren't much below the surface and if it is going to be below freezing for 6-8 hrs, they are frozen! Doesn't look like we will get much above freezing until Friday. Sure have made some use of the hoodies my sister sent me.
AND, Texas, not used to all this excess electrical use due to people using electric space heaters has been having rolling black outs across the state to conserve electricity. RV 12 volt system and storage batteries really help!
Wednesday Feb 2 Sid & Rain left sometime before 7AM. I had Li'lBit out then and their RV was gone. Sorry I didn't get to say good-bye -- but then, that's one of those things like in the military - never say good-bye, just say “see ya down the road!" Hope they get WAY down the road before the “wintery mix" starts. It’s lonely seeing their spot empty. They are, indeed, special friends.
23 degrees Wednesday AM and never went above 33 all day! At least the snow/slush/ice/rain was put off in the forecast until Thursday. Which may be why Sid left early, they are headed to Mississippi. Of course the wintery weather is too.
My electric bill for January was $81. Not bad since the computer and crock pot go all day; radio goes all day and night for the critters (and for me!) Still use space heater when needed!
Thursday Feb 3 Xin Nián Kuài LèHAPPY NEW YEAR The year of the rabbit Brrrrr....25 degrees, I could use some nice mittens lined in rabbit fur! At least it wasn’t too windy. According to the weatherman, 1/2 inch of ice was on its way. Thursday AM is craft day and they are making recipe books -- wanted to do that -- but didn’t want to go out in the cold. Won't be going to Friendship Supper Thursday, either. But I did have to head to town to run some last minute errands. I needed to get to Walmart to change my Rx -- gave me the wrong glucose strips when I picked up my Rx the other day.
Glad I have lots of pee-papers for Li'lBit 'cuz I'm not going out unless I absolutely have to. You know Texas folk just can’t handle this cold crap! All the way up to 30 degrees by noon but no 'wintery mix.’
What a comedy of errors at WalMart Rx to get the strips changed. I had called about the mix-up; arrived at pharmacy shortly after 9AM when they opened. Definitely the right hand did not know what the left hand was doing. I was shuttled from one line to the next until nearly noon! Granted a whole bunch of folks were in there to stock up on meds prior to the ‘wintery mix’ – but all I needed was for them to correct THEIR mistake and it was like pulling teeth! At least I met some really nice folks setting and waiting and standing in line! When they told me it would be ‘about an hour” (for the second time!) I decided to pick up some groceries and save a trip in later in the week.
Ended up buying a whole chicken and immediately put it in the oven with some vegetables when I got home. Surprising how warm this place stays with the oven going. I still had one full tank of propane, but knew this one was getting really low. Propane truck comes Friday. But we are to start warming up Sat -- maybe up into the 50s - so if I don't need a tank filled tomorrow - I'll still be good until he comes Tuesday....unless the weather man lied to me!
Finally heard from both Deryl & Elke and Sid & Rain. Now my ol’ ticker can settle down. It is like taking a stress test without the treadmill when I have friends on the road in bad weather.
Got down to 19 Thursday night. No snow, just sleety ice all over everything -- at least not t hick enough to make the tree branches hang. Didn't even take Li'lBit out -- This AM Li'lBit hit the top two steps going out and was slipping and sliding and turned around and came back in!! That was enough warning for me! But I did need to unhook the propane tank and set it out – just in case the truck did show up. I guess that is what old towels and small throw rugs are for – covering the steps and providing a path to walk on! The concrete under the 5th wheel overhang was clear and then I could walk and stand on the grass to get the tank out. Worked like a charm! Sure glad my sister sent hoodies! Must be global warming!
Put a pot of chili in the crock pot so I'll handle staying in just fine!
Propane truck came in mid-afternoon Friday, made it about ½ way thru the park and ran out of propane. He said he'd be here Saturday morning and he was. My Knight in Shining Armor! Hooked the water back up, I'm back to normal! Well, ‘normal’ is debatable!
Motor home next door to me left on Saturday. Several have already pulled out. I think some had planned on going last week but the weather changed their plans. Usually don’t see people leaving on the weekend.
My mind has been wandering about the possibility of getting a small travel trailer to take to Iowa and leave. Will depend on how cheaply I can pick one up and what it will cost for me to store it in Iowa. I've emailed my sister to start looking for a storage place and get some rates. Then the critters and I will just drive back and forth to Iowa. I think I can spend more summers up there if I don't have to haul this 5er on every trip. After the experience trying to get this one licensed in Iowa (!!!), I'd really rather buy one down here and tow it up.
Sunday Feb 6 Woke to Sunny Days and 55 degrees! Feels wonderful to have the door and windows open for a change. It’s Super Bowl Sunday – are you ready for some football!? Spent a sunny warm (up to 70 degrees) afternoon outside with Li’lBit – she loafed around and I read!
Deryl & Elke left for Louisiana to pick up another trailer today and planning on being back before the next 'cold front' and rain blows in late Wednesday or Thursday. I miss them when they are gone – even tho we may not get together much – it’s just nice to know they are here.
Sid came by to put a hook on my screen door so I can secure it a little better and a hook under my cabinet so I can hang a rope for Tinga. I so enjoy having Sid and Rain here – even if just for a couple of days.
Watched the weather channel a lot, hoping the storm blowing across the country doesn’t bury my sister in Iowa. I heard they closed the Dallas airport and this is Super Bowl weekend! OOPS! Of course it doesn't take much bad weather to close anything down here! They were already predicting rain, freezing rain or snow for Thursday (they are calling it a 'wintery mix'.)
Sid and Rain gave me quite a chunk of brisket they had grilled before they came here. And of course you know I had to test-taste it -- YUMMY! It made some great BBQ sandwiches on Super Bowl Sunday.
Deryl & Elke left in the AM and made it to Kinder LA. I’m always so anxious to hear from them when they are on the road. They should be back Thurs if the weather is OK.
Sid & Rain and I went to Los Comales Tuesday night for deep fried avocadoes. They would be leaving out in the AM. Hopefully the ‘wintery mix’ predicted will stay away long enough for them and for Deryl & Elke to get where they are going.
Weather predicted to remain below freezing for several days. Forgot to fill my water pitchers when I disconnected the water hose so had to go outside and fill it from the faucet before the water went off. I have bottled water but figured I'd save it in case the water stays off longer than planned. Have plenty in my holding tank for flushing and cleaning but wanted to make sure I had fresh water for tea, coffee and the critters!
Water will be off at the park for a couple of days - down here the pipes aren't much below the surface and if it is going to be below freezing for 6-8 hrs, they are frozen! Doesn't look like we will get much above freezing until Friday. Sure have made some use of the hoodies my sister sent me.
AND, Texas, not used to all this excess electrical use due to people using electric space heaters has been having rolling black outs across the state to conserve electricity. RV 12 volt system and storage batteries really help!
Wednesday Feb 2 Sid & Rain left sometime before 7AM. I had Li'lBit out then and their RV was gone. Sorry I didn't get to say good-bye -- but then, that's one of those things like in the military - never say good-bye, just say “see ya down the road!" Hope they get WAY down the road before the “wintery mix" starts. It’s lonely seeing their spot empty. They are, indeed, special friends.
23 degrees Wednesday AM and never went above 33 all day! At least the snow/slush/ice/rain was put off in the forecast until Thursday. Which may be why Sid left early, they are headed to Mississippi. Of course the wintery weather is too.
My electric bill for January was $81. Not bad since the computer and crock pot go all day; radio goes all day and night for the critters (and for me!) Still use space heater when needed!
Thursday Feb 3 Xin Nián Kuài LèHAPPY NEW YEAR The year of the rabbit Brrrrr....25 degrees, I could use some nice mittens lined in rabbit fur! At least it wasn’t too windy. According to the weatherman, 1/2 inch of ice was on its way. Thursday AM is craft day and they are making recipe books -- wanted to do that -- but didn’t want to go out in the cold. Won't be going to Friendship Supper Thursday, either. But I did have to head to town to run some last minute errands. I needed to get to Walmart to change my Rx -- gave me the wrong glucose strips when I picked up my Rx the other day.
Glad I have lots of pee-papers for Li'lBit 'cuz I'm not going out unless I absolutely have to. You know Texas folk just can’t handle this cold crap! All the way up to 30 degrees by noon but no 'wintery mix.’
What a comedy of errors at WalMart Rx to get the strips changed. I had called about the mix-up; arrived at pharmacy shortly after 9AM when they opened. Definitely the right hand did not know what the left hand was doing. I was shuttled from one line to the next until nearly noon! Granted a whole bunch of folks were in there to stock up on meds prior to the ‘wintery mix’ – but all I needed was for them to correct THEIR mistake and it was like pulling teeth! At least I met some really nice folks setting and waiting and standing in line! When they told me it would be ‘about an hour” (for the second time!) I decided to pick up some groceries and save a trip in later in the week.
Ended up buying a whole chicken and immediately put it in the oven with some vegetables when I got home. Surprising how warm this place stays with the oven going. I still had one full tank of propane, but knew this one was getting really low. Propane truck comes Friday. But we are to start warming up Sat -- maybe up into the 50s - so if I don't need a tank filled tomorrow - I'll still be good until he comes Tuesday....unless the weather man lied to me!
Finally heard from both Deryl & Elke and Sid & Rain. Now my ol’ ticker can settle down. It is like taking a stress test without the treadmill when I have friends on the road in bad weather.
Got down to 19 Thursday night. No snow, just sleety ice all over everything -- at least not t hick enough to make the tree branches hang. Didn't even take Li'lBit out -- This AM Li'lBit hit the top two steps going out and was slipping and sliding and turned around and came back in!! That was enough warning for me! But I did need to unhook the propane tank and set it out – just in case the truck did show up. I guess that is what old towels and small throw rugs are for – covering the steps and providing a path to walk on! The concrete under the 5th wheel overhang was clear and then I could walk and stand on the grass to get the tank out. Worked like a charm! Sure glad my sister sent hoodies! Must be global warming!
Put a pot of chili in the crock pot so I'll handle staying in just fine!
Propane truck came in mid-afternoon Friday, made it about ½ way thru the park and ran out of propane. He said he'd be here Saturday morning and he was. My Knight in Shining Armor! Hooked the water back up, I'm back to normal! Well, ‘normal’ is debatable!
Motor home next door to me left on Saturday. Several have already pulled out. I think some had planned on going last week but the weather changed their plans. Usually don’t see people leaving on the weekend.
My mind has been wandering about the possibility of getting a small travel trailer to take to Iowa and leave. Will depend on how cheaply I can pick one up and what it will cost for me to store it in Iowa. I've emailed my sister to start looking for a storage place and get some rates. Then the critters and I will just drive back and forth to Iowa. I think I can spend more summers up there if I don't have to haul this 5er on every trip. After the experience trying to get this one licensed in Iowa (!!!), I'd really rather buy one down here and tow it up.
Sunday Feb 6 Woke to Sunny Days and 55 degrees! Feels wonderful to have the door and windows open for a change. It’s Super Bowl Sunday – are you ready for some football!? Spent a sunny warm (up to 70 degrees) afternoon outside with Li’lBit – she loafed around and I read!
Deryl & Elke left for Louisiana to pick up another trailer today and planning on being back before the next 'cold front' and rain blows in late Wednesday or Thursday. I miss them when they are gone – even tho we may not get together much – it’s just nice to know they are here.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
January Recipes
Johnnie's Cherry Pie Salad
1 can cherry pie filling
1 can eagle brand sweet condensed milk
1 cane pineapple chunks – drained
1 small cook whip
1 cup pecans
Mix together and refrigerate.
Mahi Mahi over Onions and Mushrooms
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 small onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
5 button mushrooms, sliced
1 1/2 pounds mahi mahi
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup white cooking wine
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
In a large skillet, heat olive oil and cook onions, mushrooms and garlic over medium heat until onions are transparent.
Cut the mahi mahi into 3 inch long filets. Place the Mahi Mahi fillets over the onions, mushrooms and garlic. Salt and Pepper the first side of the filets to taste. Add white cooking wine and lemon juice.
Cover and cook 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the filets over and salt and pepper the second side to taste. Cook 4 to 5 minutes or until fish flakes easily.
Remove only the fish to a heated plate and keep warm until sauce is ready.
In the same skillet with all the onions, mushrooms, garlic and cooking wine, raise heat to medium/high. Bring to a boil. Dissolve cornstarch in the 2 tablespoons of water; stir into skillet. Stir the sauce continuously until sauce thickens to desired consistency.
Pour sauce over mahi mahi filets. Serve immediately.
Salsa Chicken Soup
3 1/2 cups Chicken Broth
1/2 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice
1 can (16 ounces) Pork and Beans
1/2 cup Chunky Salsa
1 cup cubed cooked chicken
Heat the broth in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil. Stir the rice in the saucepan. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 20 minutes or until rice is done.
Stir the beans, salsa and chicken in the saucepan and heat through.
1 can cherry pie filling
1 can eagle brand sweet condensed milk
1 cane pineapple chunks – drained
1 small cook whip
1 cup pecans
Mix together and refrigerate.
Mahi Mahi over Onions and Mushrooms
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 small onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
5 button mushrooms, sliced
1 1/2 pounds mahi mahi
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup white cooking wine
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
In a large skillet, heat olive oil and cook onions, mushrooms and garlic over medium heat until onions are transparent.
Cut the mahi mahi into 3 inch long filets. Place the Mahi Mahi fillets over the onions, mushrooms and garlic. Salt and Pepper the first side of the filets to taste. Add white cooking wine and lemon juice.
Cover and cook 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the filets over and salt and pepper the second side to taste. Cook 4 to 5 minutes or until fish flakes easily.
Remove only the fish to a heated plate and keep warm until sauce is ready.
In the same skillet with all the onions, mushrooms, garlic and cooking wine, raise heat to medium/high. Bring to a boil. Dissolve cornstarch in the 2 tablespoons of water; stir into skillet. Stir the sauce continuously until sauce thickens to desired consistency.
Pour sauce over mahi mahi filets. Serve immediately.
Salsa Chicken Soup
3 1/2 cups Chicken Broth
1/2 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice
1 can (16 ounces) Pork and Beans
1/2 cup Chunky Salsa
1 cup cubed cooked chicken
Heat the broth in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil. Stir the rice in the saucepan. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 20 minutes or until rice is done.
Stir the beans, salsa and chicken in the saucepan and heat through.
January Comes to an End - 24-31
Monday January 24 48 degrees in the AM – didn’t get much warmer -- then some rain along the way. I guess I can handle the damp and the chill for a few days when I know 60-70 degree weather is just a couple of days away.
Haven't been reading a lot -- my right eye is giving me 'heart ache' again! But GOOD heartache! It is really trying to "work." I think the film is thinning; it messes with my reading. The right eye sees enough now it is trying to focus and screws up the good eye. I'm not complaining! I have some books on line I am reading -- like reading from a Kindle. I’m still not sure if I want an eReader or not. By the time I read all of my on line newspapers in the AM, I'm just about read out.
Marinated tuna steaks in Italian salad dressing. Would have been nice to toss them on the grill, but I’m a ‘fair weather’ griller. The counter top broiler worked just fine!
Tuesday, Ladies coffee - shopping – nail appointment at noon. Quick stroll on the beach with Li’lBit – how that dog manages to find every dead carcass on the beach to roll in, I’ll never know! Met with Deryl and Elke at Hu Dat’s for supper. They left Wednesday for a trip to Louisiana to the auction. I call Deryl the FEMA Trailer King….truly a King of the Road! He does a really good job renovating them. Hu Dat’s is a Vietnamese restaurant down by the pier. The deep fried oysters were to die for! They came with fried rice and some wonderfully delicious fish sauce. Hu Dat’s is definitely going to be a regular stopping place for lunch!
Picked up a tract phone at WalMart -- said it uses the T-Mobil network. Bought the initial plan to see if it works. If not, will go try another one! I’m really tired of not getting any of my calls or messages until I get into town! My phone seldom picks up a call here in the park.
Night temps have been in the mid-30s. My poinsettias are long wilted and suffering from 'frost bite' so I'm not even going to try to save them. Will clean out the pots and wait for WalMart to get their spring flowers.
Wednesday was lunch with the 'town group' at Jama's - a cheese cake place -- sandwiches, light lunch stuff -- and high-dollar yummy cheese cake! Lunch was good - had a Reuben and ice tea -- enjoyed the visit with everyone. It took all the will power I had to leave the place without a piece of cheesecake.
Managed to get enough of my truck emptied out so Donna and Kathy could ride with me. Amazing just how much stuff I can get into that truck – after all, it is my basement and attic and shed!
AND, in the process, I found another Fareway grocery sack with canned pumpkin! Last summer there was a 'shortage' on pumpkin due to some kind of pumpkin virus that made them all squishy and not suitable for processing. The manufacturers weren't sure they would have another supply to process in time for Thanksgiving. One day at the grocery in Iowa, I saw one box of 24 cans on the shelf. I bought several. Then on one of my trips to meet with Ingrid, Sherri & Judy for lunch, I stopped in a grocery somewhere along the way to get a few things and there were 10 cans of pumpkin so I bought 5 more. Well, in the meantime, the virus was gone, more pumpkin was being processed so there was no need for my "hording'! Now I have plenty of pumpkin!
Can't believe I was up at 5:30 Thursday morning! 46 degrees out - GOOD! Weather man had predicted mid-30s.
Why do I save cardboard boxes? I need to haul them to the trash --gotta stop saving every box I get! It’s not like I have enough stuff to store or anyplace to store it. And I sure don’t mail a lot of stuff anywhere.
With temps in the low 70s and sunny, naturally I had to make some picnic table time for Li'lBit! Love being outside with her. She is so much company. While setting at the picnic table, the screen door came flying open – and there was Holly hanging on the screen! I’m surprised she didn’t fall off, drop to the ground and run off. Will have to figure out how to fix that!
Decided to make Johnnie Williams' cherry pie dessert/salad -- cherry pie filling, chunky pineapple, Eagle brand milk, cool whip and pecans to the Friendship Supper. Can't get much easier than that!
Always eat way too much at pot luck -- tonite must have been a challenge on who could make the best rice, chicken, broccoli casserole! There were several on the table and each a little different. Someone made a really good ham and bean casserole with huge chunks of ham. Of course lots of different pasta dishes. Lots of salads and desserts. Oh, I love Friendship Supper night!
On Friday, Li'l Bit and I didn't crawl out of bed until after 8AM - 46 degrees - going into the upper 60's maybe even 70s today. General ‘housekeeping duties’ on the schedule - clean the kitty litter, propane tank out for refill, stood in the street and talked with the neighbors, did up some dishes -- tossed a soggy green pepper and tomato into the garbage - took the garbage out, took a fillet of Mahi Mahi out of the freezer to bake for supper. That was lots of work for a retired person…think it probably requires some rest!
Weatherman predicted some rain and cooler weather for the weekend and then into next week. Hope it doesn't rain the entire time Sid & Rain are here - last winter was an icky cold winter - even some snow -- they weren't impressed with winter in Rockport!
Exciting afternoon on Saturday. Rocky & Carole made it in - finally! They were part of the "neighborhood" for the last couple of years and I’ve missed seeing them parked down the street. Glad they made it safe and sound.
Kathy left on Friday and Donna left on Sunday. Will miss them. It was nice they could be here about a month. Never know who you will meet on an email list and then it is a pleasure to put a face with the name.
My name showed up on the "bad" list - not using a "sewer donut." It's a round spongy rubber thing that goes in the sewer pipe to give a tighter fit to the connection. I didn't use the 'donut' since my orange connector had a tighter gasket -- but I'm all fixed up now with my orange “thingy’ into the donut ‘thingy’ that’s in the sewer pipe.
Saturday was baked potato/soup supper. One of the most popular events, I think. The activity building was full of soups, dessert and people! I fixed Shrimp Posole (shrimp and veg soup in chicken broth). Brought home just about enough for lunch on Sunday.
By 1PM Sunday, I had finished a run to the store, laundry - 65 degrees - sunny - not too windy -- rained some during the night but cleared off by noon. Li’lBit and I pulled a ‘vegetate at the picnic table’ afternoon. Life is Good! Rain and Sid should be in late today or Monday. Looking forward to seeing them.
Swept the leaves and acorns from my pad and cleaned up some of my plants that are showing wear and tear after our colder nights and the hail storm. Don't have much left but some chives, the shamrock plant that really took a beating during the freeze and the hail, my aloe vera desperately needs to be thinned and transplanted. Finally tossed out all the poinsettias -- just not in the mood to mess with trying to keep them looking decent -- they are so windblown they are now at home in the trash bag!
Li'lBit's been up and down the street meeting the new canine neighbors. She so loves all the other dogs -- except Rick & Diane's hunting dogs -- she doesn't think much of them!
Monday Jan 31 Made a pot of Chicken Salsa Soup in the crock pot. Chicken, rice, salsa, pork & beans -- actually it is quite good.
61 degrees and foggy this AM. It turned out to be a beautiful day. The cold front lingered in north TX -- wish it would stay there! Supposed to be down in the 20s at nite by the middle of the week. AND, the weatherman used that 4-letter SNOW word for Thursday - but I don't think I'll need a snowblower! But I’m ready. Propane tanks full, space heater available and I have the blankets for the windows handy! These slides are really drafty – wish I could figure a way to insulate them. It would be so nice if this 70 degree weather would stick around ‘til I leave in April!
Rain and Sid got in about mid-day. We went to Moon Dogs for seafood Po’boy sandwiches. Deryl and Elke made it back from their auction in Louisiana, so we all went to Jalisco’s for some good food, friend, fun! And how was your diet today??
Haven't been reading a lot -- my right eye is giving me 'heart ache' again! But GOOD heartache! It is really trying to "work." I think the film is thinning; it messes with my reading. The right eye sees enough now it is trying to focus and screws up the good eye. I'm not complaining! I have some books on line I am reading -- like reading from a Kindle. I’m still not sure if I want an eReader or not. By the time I read all of my on line newspapers in the AM, I'm just about read out.
Marinated tuna steaks in Italian salad dressing. Would have been nice to toss them on the grill, but I’m a ‘fair weather’ griller. The counter top broiler worked just fine!
Tuesday, Ladies coffee - shopping – nail appointment at noon. Quick stroll on the beach with Li’lBit – how that dog manages to find every dead carcass on the beach to roll in, I’ll never know! Met with Deryl and Elke at Hu Dat’s for supper. They left Wednesday for a trip to Louisiana to the auction. I call Deryl the FEMA Trailer King….truly a King of the Road! He does a really good job renovating them. Hu Dat’s is a Vietnamese restaurant down by the pier. The deep fried oysters were to die for! They came with fried rice and some wonderfully delicious fish sauce. Hu Dat’s is definitely going to be a regular stopping place for lunch!
Picked up a tract phone at WalMart -- said it uses the T-Mobil network. Bought the initial plan to see if it works. If not, will go try another one! I’m really tired of not getting any of my calls or messages until I get into town! My phone seldom picks up a call here in the park.
Night temps have been in the mid-30s. My poinsettias are long wilted and suffering from 'frost bite' so I'm not even going to try to save them. Will clean out the pots and wait for WalMart to get their spring flowers.
Wednesday was lunch with the 'town group' at Jama's - a cheese cake place -- sandwiches, light lunch stuff -- and high-dollar yummy cheese cake! Lunch was good - had a Reuben and ice tea -- enjoyed the visit with everyone. It took all the will power I had to leave the place without a piece of cheesecake.
Managed to get enough of my truck emptied out so Donna and Kathy could ride with me. Amazing just how much stuff I can get into that truck – after all, it is my basement and attic and shed!
AND, in the process, I found another Fareway grocery sack with canned pumpkin! Last summer there was a 'shortage' on pumpkin due to some kind of pumpkin virus that made them all squishy and not suitable for processing. The manufacturers weren't sure they would have another supply to process in time for Thanksgiving. One day at the grocery in Iowa, I saw one box of 24 cans on the shelf. I bought several. Then on one of my trips to meet with Ingrid, Sherri & Judy for lunch, I stopped in a grocery somewhere along the way to get a few things and there were 10 cans of pumpkin so I bought 5 more. Well, in the meantime, the virus was gone, more pumpkin was being processed so there was no need for my "hording'! Now I have plenty of pumpkin!
Can't believe I was up at 5:30 Thursday morning! 46 degrees out - GOOD! Weather man had predicted mid-30s.
Why do I save cardboard boxes? I need to haul them to the trash --gotta stop saving every box I get! It’s not like I have enough stuff to store or anyplace to store it. And I sure don’t mail a lot of stuff anywhere.
With temps in the low 70s and sunny, naturally I had to make some picnic table time for Li'lBit! Love being outside with her. She is so much company. While setting at the picnic table, the screen door came flying open – and there was Holly hanging on the screen! I’m surprised she didn’t fall off, drop to the ground and run off. Will have to figure out how to fix that!
Decided to make Johnnie Williams' cherry pie dessert/salad -- cherry pie filling, chunky pineapple, Eagle brand milk, cool whip and pecans to the Friendship Supper. Can't get much easier than that!
Always eat way too much at pot luck -- tonite must have been a challenge on who could make the best rice, chicken, broccoli casserole! There were several on the table and each a little different. Someone made a really good ham and bean casserole with huge chunks of ham. Of course lots of different pasta dishes. Lots of salads and desserts. Oh, I love Friendship Supper night!
On Friday, Li'l Bit and I didn't crawl out of bed until after 8AM - 46 degrees - going into the upper 60's maybe even 70s today. General ‘housekeeping duties’ on the schedule - clean the kitty litter, propane tank out for refill, stood in the street and talked with the neighbors, did up some dishes -- tossed a soggy green pepper and tomato into the garbage - took the garbage out, took a fillet of Mahi Mahi out of the freezer to bake for supper. That was lots of work for a retired person…think it probably requires some rest!
Weatherman predicted some rain and cooler weather for the weekend and then into next week. Hope it doesn't rain the entire time Sid & Rain are here - last winter was an icky cold winter - even some snow -- they weren't impressed with winter in Rockport!
Exciting afternoon on Saturday. Rocky & Carole made it in - finally! They were part of the "neighborhood" for the last couple of years and I’ve missed seeing them parked down the street. Glad they made it safe and sound.
Kathy left on Friday and Donna left on Sunday. Will miss them. It was nice they could be here about a month. Never know who you will meet on an email list and then it is a pleasure to put a face with the name.
My name showed up on the "bad" list - not using a "sewer donut." It's a round spongy rubber thing that goes in the sewer pipe to give a tighter fit to the connection. I didn't use the 'donut' since my orange connector had a tighter gasket -- but I'm all fixed up now with my orange “thingy’ into the donut ‘thingy’ that’s in the sewer pipe.
Saturday was baked potato/soup supper. One of the most popular events, I think. The activity building was full of soups, dessert and people! I fixed Shrimp Posole (shrimp and veg soup in chicken broth). Brought home just about enough for lunch on Sunday.
By 1PM Sunday, I had finished a run to the store, laundry - 65 degrees - sunny - not too windy -- rained some during the night but cleared off by noon. Li’lBit and I pulled a ‘vegetate at the picnic table’ afternoon. Life is Good! Rain and Sid should be in late today or Monday. Looking forward to seeing them.
Swept the leaves and acorns from my pad and cleaned up some of my plants that are showing wear and tear after our colder nights and the hail storm. Don't have much left but some chives, the shamrock plant that really took a beating during the freeze and the hail, my aloe vera desperately needs to be thinned and transplanted. Finally tossed out all the poinsettias -- just not in the mood to mess with trying to keep them looking decent -- they are so windblown they are now at home in the trash bag!
Li'lBit's been up and down the street meeting the new canine neighbors. She so loves all the other dogs -- except Rick & Diane's hunting dogs -- she doesn't think much of them!
Monday Jan 31 Made a pot of Chicken Salsa Soup in the crock pot. Chicken, rice, salsa, pork & beans -- actually it is quite good.
61 degrees and foggy this AM. It turned out to be a beautiful day. The cold front lingered in north TX -- wish it would stay there! Supposed to be down in the 20s at nite by the middle of the week. AND, the weatherman used that 4-letter SNOW word for Thursday - but I don't think I'll need a snowblower! But I’m ready. Propane tanks full, space heater available and I have the blankets for the windows handy! These slides are really drafty – wish I could figure a way to insulate them. It would be so nice if this 70 degree weather would stick around ‘til I leave in April!
Rain and Sid got in about mid-day. We went to Moon Dogs for seafood Po’boy sandwiches. Deryl and Elke made it back from their auction in Louisiana, so we all went to Jalisco’s for some good food, friend, fun! And how was your diet today??
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