Scallop Dill Chowder (6 servings)
1 slice bacon, diced
1/2 cup each diced onion and diced celery
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 cups clam juice or fish stock
6 small red potatoes
2 cups reduced fat (2%) milk
2 cups fresh bay scallops
1 tsp. dillweed
Heat bacon in stew/soup pot over low heat. Add onion, celery, thyme and bay leaf; cook until vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Dice potatoes and add to pot with clam juice. Simmer until potatoes are just tender, about 10 minutes. Add milk, scallops and dill; heat thoroughly. Remove thyme and bay leaf. Adjust salt and pepper to taste
Butternut Squash Soup
3 cups butternut squash, cubed
3 potatoes, cubed
1 bell pepper, diced
1 cup corn
1 can black beans, drained
1 can white beans, drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1 onion, diced
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 tsp cilantro
cayenne pepper to taste
½ tsp ginger
¾ tsp cumin
½ tsp ground black pepper
1 jalapeño, diced (optional)
Combine all ingredients in crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Optional: sprinkle with a small amount of fresh cilantro and a fresh shaved parmesan before serving.
NOTE: I use any kind of beans I have on hand -- especially like garbanza beans in this.
Monday, October 31, 2011
October Comes to an End
Sunday, Oct 23 I'll be glad when SUMMER heat finally leaves Texas! We had a couple of days in the 70s and then back up in the upper 80s and 90s! I’m ready for cooler weather.
Lowe's delivered the 9.6 cubic foot fridge/freezer that fits into the space. Can’t believe they delivered on a Sunday morning. Monday would be the day I get a working refrigerator back!
The printer is still working so I guess I got it downloaded OK. Only expense left before I head to Gatesville for Thanksgiving is the truck wheels and brakes. WHEW!
Saturday it was either fall on my butt or step on Li'lBit while going down the steps! After I fell, I went over and did laundry and walked to the office building for my mail, thought I could 'walk it off' – guess it didn't work! I'm OK -- just another one of my fat lady stumbles!
Monday 24th Off to a late start - had one of those nites - wide awake at 2 AM and couldn't get back to sleep – can you say back pain and stiff!
Refrigerator installation day! Stuff out of the refrig and picked up from the floor so they can get one out and the other one in! It's in - it's cooling and I didn't have to loose my shelf above the refrig! Now to get the stuff put away.
Everything in the freezer was thawed - still cold but thawed. None of it smelled sour or spoiled but it is all thawed. I cooked up all of the meat and put it back in the freezer cooked. At least I wouldn't loose it that way and since it's been thawed (for who knows how long!) I don't want to re-freeze it. All I lost was 1/2 pound in shell fresh shrimp; pint of oysters and 2 pork chops (but they weren't Iowa chops so no big loss there!) Not bad, huh!!
Definitely NOT going to like the black fridge!! Already have fingerprints all over it!
Tuesday the frig was still working and the thermometer said it's 40 degrees! The manual said it would take about 24 hours to reach 38-40 degrees so I guess it is doing its job! So glad to have one more 'stumbling block' and bill out of the way! Wonder what I’ll do with my time now that I'm not making and bagging ice all day!
Hair and nail appointment with Sharon, stopped by post office and Wal-Mart.
Feels so good to have a GOOD hair cut and my nails done - still no acrylics -- Sharon is just 'babying' my real nails. I think I like the hand and arm massage most of all - sure does work out the arthritis in the knuckles!
Must have spilled some meat juice somewhere. I can smell a 'rotten meat' smell. Have no idea where it is; isn't in the fridge. Maybe it leaked down from the old fridge and is back under the refrigerator space. Guess I might have to live with it and a can of Lysol spray until it stops smelling. Sure is giving me the sneezes!
Wednesday hip and leg started acting up again and I just decided to stay close to home, bed, and the heating pad. I couldn’t move; too much activity on Tuesday, I guess. Missed lunch with Donna, didn’t get the truck in for the wheels/tires. Oh, well, There’s Always Tomorrow!
I think my freezer freezes cold enough that I can keep a small container of ice cream in there! YIPPEE! The ammonia freezer doesn't freeze solid enough for ice cream.
Managed to get out of bed Thursday, take Li'lBit out and I could still move so took the truck in. Stopped at the gas station and picked up a breakfast taco and coffee to go. I was prepared for a lengthy stay at the tire place – breakfast, coffee and my book! 9:20AM and I was home -- already 80 degrees! WHEW! Thank heavens the cold front is coming thru sometime that evening!
Nothing wrong with my brakes or tires. They rotated the tires and told me to have the brakes checked again in the spring before I head north. There is some sign of wear, but not enough to change them now. $25 and I was outta there! My savings account liked THAT bill!
Stopped at the grocery and got some stuff for salads - hadn't been keeping that kind of stuff without the refrig…and picked up some ice cream. So much for my blood sugar!
Put on a pot of my "let it cook forever in the crock pot" soup -- weather man said a cold front's a-comin'! The soup is just one of those can of tomatoes, can of green beans, can of beef broth, chopped onions, carrots, celery, green peppers - whatever veggies I have in the fridge. Seasoned with a pack of Liptons dry vegetable soup mix (or onion soup mix!) Can cook forever in the crock pot and taste better each time! Sometimes I make it with V-8 juice instead of the beef broth -- or sometimes 1/2 and 1/2 or sometimes chicken broth -- whatever I have handy. And now that my freezer is working, I can freeze some of it in baggies and I won't have to be eating it for a whole week! And, since there isn't any meat in it - I can add a few frozen meat balls or left over chicken or whatever -- good soup!
Halloween came early here! My sister always remembers a card and a gift! You know the kids and I enjoy it!
Friday 28th Brrrr...what a difference a day makes. 90+ degrees by yesterday afternoon and wake up to 57 degrees and 25 mph winds from the north! Heard the winds pick up last nite - closed the windows in the bedroom, but didn't get up to close those down stairs. They are closed now! Li'lBit went down the stairs to go outside, sniffed the air and turned around, came back in and peed and pooped on her papers! DAMN! Have no idea who spoiled that dog! Must have been her Aunt Bea!
I did go out to see if any of my plants had tipped over or blown away, but they are fine and I’m sure my mums will be much happier in this weather than what we have been having!
Saturday was another chilly morning! 52 degrees but not as windy at Friday. Immediately put a pot of squash stew on in the crock pot. Enjoyed the cooler weather AND the soup! I love soup and I love crock pots and the two just go so well together!
Sunday and Church are special here at the RV park. Still fighting the leg/hip pain so didn’t run over and do the laundry. A little hand washing will carry me through. And, besides, that's what showers are for, right - a place to hang your laundry!
Monday the 31st Happy Halloween. Found some good buys on ham hocks, fresh chicken breasts and turkey legs at the grocery – It’s Soup Time!
Lowe's delivered the 9.6 cubic foot fridge/freezer that fits into the space. Can’t believe they delivered on a Sunday morning. Monday would be the day I get a working refrigerator back!
The printer is still working so I guess I got it downloaded OK. Only expense left before I head to Gatesville for Thanksgiving is the truck wheels and brakes. WHEW!
Saturday it was either fall on my butt or step on Li'lBit while going down the steps! After I fell, I went over and did laundry and walked to the office building for my mail, thought I could 'walk it off' – guess it didn't work! I'm OK -- just another one of my fat lady stumbles!
Monday 24th Off to a late start - had one of those nites - wide awake at 2 AM and couldn't get back to sleep – can you say back pain and stiff!
Refrigerator installation day! Stuff out of the refrig and picked up from the floor so they can get one out and the other one in! It's in - it's cooling and I didn't have to loose my shelf above the refrig! Now to get the stuff put away.
Everything in the freezer was thawed - still cold but thawed. None of it smelled sour or spoiled but it is all thawed. I cooked up all of the meat and put it back in the freezer cooked. At least I wouldn't loose it that way and since it's been thawed (for who knows how long!) I don't want to re-freeze it. All I lost was 1/2 pound in shell fresh shrimp; pint of oysters and 2 pork chops (but they weren't Iowa chops so no big loss there!) Not bad, huh!!
Definitely NOT going to like the black fridge!! Already have fingerprints all over it!
Tuesday the frig was still working and the thermometer said it's 40 degrees! The manual said it would take about 24 hours to reach 38-40 degrees so I guess it is doing its job! So glad to have one more 'stumbling block' and bill out of the way! Wonder what I’ll do with my time now that I'm not making and bagging ice all day!
Hair and nail appointment with Sharon, stopped by post office and Wal-Mart.
Feels so good to have a GOOD hair cut and my nails done - still no acrylics -- Sharon is just 'babying' my real nails. I think I like the hand and arm massage most of all - sure does work out the arthritis in the knuckles!
Must have spilled some meat juice somewhere. I can smell a 'rotten meat' smell. Have no idea where it is; isn't in the fridge. Maybe it leaked down from the old fridge and is back under the refrigerator space. Guess I might have to live with it and a can of Lysol spray until it stops smelling. Sure is giving me the sneezes!
Wednesday hip and leg started acting up again and I just decided to stay close to home, bed, and the heating pad. I couldn’t move; too much activity on Tuesday, I guess. Missed lunch with Donna, didn’t get the truck in for the wheels/tires. Oh, well, There’s Always Tomorrow!
I think my freezer freezes cold enough that I can keep a small container of ice cream in there! YIPPEE! The ammonia freezer doesn't freeze solid enough for ice cream.
Managed to get out of bed Thursday, take Li'lBit out and I could still move so took the truck in. Stopped at the gas station and picked up a breakfast taco and coffee to go. I was prepared for a lengthy stay at the tire place – breakfast, coffee and my book! 9:20AM and I was home -- already 80 degrees! WHEW! Thank heavens the cold front is coming thru sometime that evening!
Nothing wrong with my brakes or tires. They rotated the tires and told me to have the brakes checked again in the spring before I head north. There is some sign of wear, but not enough to change them now. $25 and I was outta there! My savings account liked THAT bill!
Stopped at the grocery and got some stuff for salads - hadn't been keeping that kind of stuff without the refrig…and picked up some ice cream. So much for my blood sugar!
Put on a pot of my "let it cook forever in the crock pot" soup -- weather man said a cold front's a-comin'! The soup is just one of those can of tomatoes, can of green beans, can of beef broth, chopped onions, carrots, celery, green peppers - whatever veggies I have in the fridge. Seasoned with a pack of Liptons dry vegetable soup mix (or onion soup mix!) Can cook forever in the crock pot and taste better each time! Sometimes I make it with V-8 juice instead of the beef broth -- or sometimes 1/2 and 1/2 or sometimes chicken broth -- whatever I have handy. And now that my freezer is working, I can freeze some of it in baggies and I won't have to be eating it for a whole week! And, since there isn't any meat in it - I can add a few frozen meat balls or left over chicken or whatever -- good soup!
Halloween came early here! My sister always remembers a card and a gift! You know the kids and I enjoy it!
Friday 28th Brrrr...what a difference a day makes. 90+ degrees by yesterday afternoon and wake up to 57 degrees and 25 mph winds from the north! Heard the winds pick up last nite - closed the windows in the bedroom, but didn't get up to close those down stairs. They are closed now! Li'lBit went down the stairs to go outside, sniffed the air and turned around, came back in and peed and pooped on her papers! DAMN! Have no idea who spoiled that dog! Must have been her Aunt Bea!
I did go out to see if any of my plants had tipped over or blown away, but they are fine and I’m sure my mums will be much happier in this weather than what we have been having!
Saturday was another chilly morning! 52 degrees but not as windy at Friday. Immediately put a pot of squash stew on in the crock pot. Enjoyed the cooler weather AND the soup! I love soup and I love crock pots and the two just go so well together!
Sunday and Church are special here at the RV park. Still fighting the leg/hip pain so didn’t run over and do the laundry. A little hand washing will carry me through. And, besides, that's what showers are for, right - a place to hang your laundry!
Monday the 31st Happy Halloween. Found some good buys on ham hocks, fresh chicken breasts and turkey legs at the grocery – It’s Soup Time!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Oct 16-22: The Black Cloud Continues – or – The Case of the Disappearing Savings Account
Sunday Oct 16 started with 79 degrees and kinda sticky. Li'lBit is driving me nutz with her in and out! I guess she is feeling better. Church and WallyWorld on the typical Sunday schedule. As usual, the social event Sunday evening is the Ice Cream Social even if the crowds are kinda skimpy. I think there were 8 folks there! More “Winter Texans” are arriving nearly every day.
So glad to have Li'lBit's emergency surgery and the repairs on the trailer behind me, Monday I rode into Corpus Christi with Donna in case she needed a “designated driver” after her eye appointment. The trip was fine – but I sure don't like driving her little car! I can’t remember the last time I drove a CAR! Give me my TRUCK! We stopped at Whataburger for lunch!
Came home to find out I was out of propane - totally out. I filled a tank before I left for Iowa. Maybe I didn't get one connected just right and it leaked out or something! No one was here to use propane while I was gone. Normally I don't leave both tanks open, but I did before I left for Iowa in case of power failure since I did leave my refrig on low; didn’t want to come home to a moldy/smelly fridge! So Monday night was microwave nite! No problem!
Went to empty my sewer tank - wouldn't empty - not sure why - hopefully it isn't plugged - it emptied fine about 2 weeks ago. But then, I noticed that my sewer hose had rotted and cracked (probably from the sun) so it was a good thing it didn't empty! Took the hose from the trailer to replace it. I'm going to have to watch my black tank and see if I just didn't get the gate completely closed and it ran free (which often leads to a real mess as the solids pile up into the black pyramid of death!) If it hasn't been draining all along, it won't be a week before I’ll know it; it will start backing up! Oh, the joys of RVing!
Tuesday AM I found my refrig wasn’t cooling! DAMN! I put a couple of plastic cups I use to make ice for my tea in to freeze -- they were still water in the AM! Maybe this will be my last disaster for awhile!
Cold front came in 72 degrees with 27 mph winds from the north. Didn’t get too much warmer through out the day.
I went to sign for 1 month rent for the trailer. That will keep it stored until I head to central TX for Thanksgiving. Then went out to fill the propane tank! Isn’t this just too much excitement!?
Wednesday greeted me with 60 degrees, 15 mph winds gusting to 25 - all coming from the north – didn’t need my A/C! I did open some of the windows, however, the door was left CLOSED! And I did a closet check for my ‘hoodies’ to make sure they were clean and ready to go for the winter....winter? Anything under 60 degrees usually brings out my 'hoodies!'
Met with Dan, Roberta, Jim and whoever else shows up for lunch at the Lunch Box. People that own it used to own Jama's (some GREAT cheese cake!) Basically, a soup, salad, sandwich, chip kinda place. Had a great lunch – good friends and good food – just doesn’t get better than that!
Refrig was working on propane. But that didn’t last long! At least I didn’t loose any food before the repair guy got here. They replaced the 'heating element' -- sounds strange to have a heating element in a refrig! He really wasn’t sure that was going to solve the problem completely, didn’t charge me for the part until he verified it was going to be working.
Well, damn! Can anything more go wrong? My computer installed the latest updates -and now my printer won't work! And, according to the HP website, my printer is not compatible with the new upgrade! What the hell else is going to have to come out of my savings account! I really don’t want to put out money for another copy/scanner/printer – but if I don’t, I know I’ll miss the one I have. Decided I’d pull a Scarlett O’Hara and “think about it tomorrow.’ Annie says, “The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow!”
Thursday - 68 degrees! BRRRRRR....might need my hoodie!! Went into the 80s by afternoon. I guess summer isn’t finished with us yet. MY REFRIG IS STILL WORKING!!
Off to the vet – Li’lBit’s stitches are out - no charge (FINALLY -- something with No Charge!) of course, I think it was covered in the bill for surgery!
MY PRINTER IS WORKING –YIPPEE! Saved some $$ there! My mind set was NOT to put out any $$$ for a new printer so I just kept plugging away with the downloads available on line. Deleted all of my printer program stuff that was downloaded when I first got this computer, then went to one of the "free" websites and downloaded a HP printer program, again, and again, and again until it finally worked! I think I tried every HP free on line download before I finally got one to take.
AND, while I was waiting for the program to download, I fixed the light over my computer (under that cabinet.) It keeps falling loose. Finally stopped trying to put it back with the same screws - got some 'fatter' screws and greased them up with glue! Aren't you glad I'm not doing repairs on YOUR house!
Thursday morning a rare and record-breaking South Texas earthquake struck northwest of Beeville, about 60 miles northwest of Rockport. The 4.8 magnitude quake struck at 7:24 AM. The U.S. Geological Survey said it was the largest earthquake on record for the area. From 1990 to 2006, at least a dozen small quakes have hit this region. (And I was worried about hurricanes!)
Friday October 21. 77 degrees - kinda cloudy. This was the day that 90 yr old preacher Harold Camping said the world was coming to an end - of course he has been wrong a few times.
I think my black tank is OK. I went out this AM to see if anything emptied when I opened the gate - YUP! Not much - only three days worth of stuff, but it flowed OK. WHEW! Now I can't wait to empty it in another week or so! Doesn't take much to keep me happy! Evidentially I just hadn't closed the gate tight enough and it popped open enough to free-drain. Not good in the black tank! Just had to share my joyous news!
Guess what refrigerator wasn’t working again! I thought that heating element might be the deal. RV place opens at 9AM - I was on the phone! They were here shortly after lunch.
Well, since the world didn't come to an end, I'm going to have to suck it up for a new fridge. Ordered the small 9.6 cubic foot size they have at Lowes in Aransas Pass – within an hour, Lowe’s called to say the fridge would be delivered on Sunday. Hopefully the RV repair guy can get out Monday or Tuesday and pull out the old one and put in the new one. In the meantime, I'm eating out of a cooler! That is just about what my refrig is now, a cooler. Keep making ice (in my portable icemaker) to keep stuff as cold as I can.
I'm going to loose my cabinet above the fridge since the RV size electric is actually 1" taller than the space available after they take out the old one! Storage in an RV is at a premium and loosing some will call for some 'creative' rearranging.
Saturday, I woke up to a cloudy 77 degrees - kinda humid…and in pain! I had fallen down the steps of the RV taking Li’lBit out the evening before. Didn’t want to step on her so I took the plunge, head first into my truck (parked at the foot of the steps) and bounced back to land on my butt on the step! Oh, Agony!!! Thank heavens for Tiger Balm! Did manage to get to the laundry room and over to the office to pick up mail before I really got stiff. Continued making ice for the fridge to keep the food cold (or at least cool!) I’ll really be glad when this whole refrigerator mess is over!
So glad to have Li'lBit's emergency surgery and the repairs on the trailer behind me, Monday I rode into Corpus Christi with Donna in case she needed a “designated driver” after her eye appointment. The trip was fine – but I sure don't like driving her little car! I can’t remember the last time I drove a CAR! Give me my TRUCK! We stopped at Whataburger for lunch!
Came home to find out I was out of propane - totally out. I filled a tank before I left for Iowa. Maybe I didn't get one connected just right and it leaked out or something! No one was here to use propane while I was gone. Normally I don't leave both tanks open, but I did before I left for Iowa in case of power failure since I did leave my refrig on low; didn’t want to come home to a moldy/smelly fridge! So Monday night was microwave nite! No problem!
Went to empty my sewer tank - wouldn't empty - not sure why - hopefully it isn't plugged - it emptied fine about 2 weeks ago. But then, I noticed that my sewer hose had rotted and cracked (probably from the sun) so it was a good thing it didn't empty! Took the hose from the trailer to replace it. I'm going to have to watch my black tank and see if I just didn't get the gate completely closed and it ran free (which often leads to a real mess as the solids pile up into the black pyramid of death!) If it hasn't been draining all along, it won't be a week before I’ll know it; it will start backing up! Oh, the joys of RVing!
Tuesday AM I found my refrig wasn’t cooling! DAMN! I put a couple of plastic cups I use to make ice for my tea in to freeze -- they were still water in the AM! Maybe this will be my last disaster for awhile!
Cold front came in 72 degrees with 27 mph winds from the north. Didn’t get too much warmer through out the day.
I went to sign for 1 month rent for the trailer. That will keep it stored until I head to central TX for Thanksgiving. Then went out to fill the propane tank! Isn’t this just too much excitement!?
Wednesday greeted me with 60 degrees, 15 mph winds gusting to 25 - all coming from the north – didn’t need my A/C! I did open some of the windows, however, the door was left CLOSED! And I did a closet check for my ‘hoodies’ to make sure they were clean and ready to go for the winter....winter? Anything under 60 degrees usually brings out my 'hoodies!'
Met with Dan, Roberta, Jim and whoever else shows up for lunch at the Lunch Box. People that own it used to own Jama's (some GREAT cheese cake!) Basically, a soup, salad, sandwich, chip kinda place. Had a great lunch – good friends and good food – just doesn’t get better than that!
Refrig was working on propane. But that didn’t last long! At least I didn’t loose any food before the repair guy got here. They replaced the 'heating element' -- sounds strange to have a heating element in a refrig! He really wasn’t sure that was going to solve the problem completely, didn’t charge me for the part until he verified it was going to be working.
Well, damn! Can anything more go wrong? My computer installed the latest updates -and now my printer won't work! And, according to the HP website, my printer is not compatible with the new upgrade! What the hell else is going to have to come out of my savings account! I really don’t want to put out money for another copy/scanner/printer – but if I don’t, I know I’ll miss the one I have. Decided I’d pull a Scarlett O’Hara and “think about it tomorrow.’ Annie says, “The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow!”
Thursday - 68 degrees! BRRRRRR....might need my hoodie!! Went into the 80s by afternoon. I guess summer isn’t finished with us yet. MY REFRIG IS STILL WORKING!!
Off to the vet – Li’lBit’s stitches are out - no charge (FINALLY -- something with No Charge!) of course, I think it was covered in the bill for surgery!
MY PRINTER IS WORKING –YIPPEE! Saved some $$ there! My mind set was NOT to put out any $$$ for a new printer so I just kept plugging away with the downloads available on line. Deleted all of my printer program stuff that was downloaded when I first got this computer, then went to one of the "free" websites and downloaded a HP printer program, again, and again, and again until it finally worked! I think I tried every HP free on line download before I finally got one to take.
AND, while I was waiting for the program to download, I fixed the light over my computer (under that cabinet.) It keeps falling loose. Finally stopped trying to put it back with the same screws - got some 'fatter' screws and greased them up with glue! Aren't you glad I'm not doing repairs on YOUR house!
Thursday morning a rare and record-breaking South Texas earthquake struck northwest of Beeville, about 60 miles northwest of Rockport. The 4.8 magnitude quake struck at 7:24 AM. The U.S. Geological Survey said it was the largest earthquake on record for the area. From 1990 to 2006, at least a dozen small quakes have hit this region. (And I was worried about hurricanes!)
Friday October 21. 77 degrees - kinda cloudy. This was the day that 90 yr old preacher Harold Camping said the world was coming to an end - of course he has been wrong a few times.
I think my black tank is OK. I went out this AM to see if anything emptied when I opened the gate - YUP! Not much - only three days worth of stuff, but it flowed OK. WHEW! Now I can't wait to empty it in another week or so! Doesn't take much to keep me happy! Evidentially I just hadn't closed the gate tight enough and it popped open enough to free-drain. Not good in the black tank! Just had to share my joyous news!
Guess what refrigerator wasn’t working again! I thought that heating element might be the deal. RV place opens at 9AM - I was on the phone! They were here shortly after lunch.
Well, since the world didn't come to an end, I'm going to have to suck it up for a new fridge. Ordered the small 9.6 cubic foot size they have at Lowes in Aransas Pass – within an hour, Lowe’s called to say the fridge would be delivered on Sunday. Hopefully the RV repair guy can get out Monday or Tuesday and pull out the old one and put in the new one. In the meantime, I'm eating out of a cooler! That is just about what my refrig is now, a cooler. Keep making ice (in my portable icemaker) to keep stuff as cold as I can.
I'm going to loose my cabinet above the fridge since the RV size electric is actually 1" taller than the space available after they take out the old one! Storage in an RV is at a premium and loosing some will call for some 'creative' rearranging.
Saturday, I woke up to a cloudy 77 degrees - kinda humid…and in pain! I had fallen down the steps of the RV taking Li’lBit out the evening before. Didn’t want to step on her so I took the plunge, head first into my truck (parked at the foot of the steps) and bounced back to land on my butt on the step! Oh, Agony!!! Thank heavens for Tiger Balm! Did manage to get to the laundry room and over to the office to pick up mail before I really got stiff. Continued making ice for the fridge to keep the food cold (or at least cool!) I’ll really be glad when this whole refrigerator mess is over!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Just a Couple Recipes
MEATBALLS GRAVY AND NOODLES
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of celery soup
2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed French onion soup
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
6 pounds frozen Italian-style meatballs
2 (16 ounce) packages uncooked egg noodles 1/2 cup butter
Mix together the cream of celery soup, French onion soup, and sour cream in a crock pot. Stir in the meatballs. Cook on high heat for 3-4 hours.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. In a large bowl, toss the pasta with butter. Serve meatballs and sauce over the cooked pasta.
APPLE CIDER SMOOTHIE
2 cups apple cider
2 cups vanilla ice cream
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
food coloring
Combine all ingredients in blender; process until smooth.
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of celery soup
2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed French onion soup
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
6 pounds frozen Italian-style meatballs
2 (16 ounce) packages uncooked egg noodles 1/2 cup butter
Mix together the cream of celery soup, French onion soup, and sour cream in a crock pot. Stir in the meatballs. Cook on high heat for 3-4 hours.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. In a large bowl, toss the pasta with butter. Serve meatballs and sauce over the cooked pasta.
APPLE CIDER SMOOTHIE
2 cups apple cider
2 cups vanilla ice cream
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
food coloring
Combine all ingredients in blender; process until smooth.
Li'lBit Takes Up My Week! Oct 9-15
OCT 9 SUNDAY Li'lBit had been acting sick for a couple of days; really listless, didn't want to go outside. Drinking lots of water, not peeing much considering the amount of water she was taking in, very little poop and then bordering on diarrhea. She was some better on Sunday - at least I got a tail wag! But a trip to the vet was in order for Monday.
7:30 AM 80 degrees with 80% humidity. We had some rain (not much)thru the nite - thunder and lightning - still thundering off over the gulf. Typical Sunday morning – first to church, then to the laundry!
Temp dropped into the 70s when the 15-20 mph winds blew in later in the afternoon. Have the windows and door open and the vent fan going! Pouring rain, thunder, lightning – ended up shutting down the computer!
9 of us showed up for ice cream Sunday evening.
Monday -Li'l Bit went outside, peed, pooped (and it looked normal) -- wagged her tail, moves a little 'quicker' but we headed off to the vet. (Can you tell I’m a nurse – these body functions are really important!)
A little humid, 71 degrees but a nice breeze. Red tide warning -- for you that don't live on the coast -- that can cause respiratory problems!! Cancelled any plans I had to go wading in the gulf!
Off to the vet in the AM, lab tests – Li'lBit had surgery that afternoon -- massive uterine infection with tumors. At least, best they can tell, it is all contained in the uterus. The vet said she was hoping, if all went OK, to send her home. She felt, since she is blind, it would be less stressful for her 'in her own bed!" Then she added, 'and since you are a nurse....." It was the hardest thing I've done in a long time - leave my Li'lBit at the vet, a strange vet, not Dr Clay in Gatesville!
Do I need to say, waiting for that call from the vet was all I could accomplish Monday! At 4PM, the clinic called - they had a 'sweet little girl ready to go home!" Vet said appears everything was within the uterus....no exterior tumors or infection!!!
When she got home she was a little wobbly and disoriented, couldn’t find the water bowl or food dish, but she was HOME! 5 days of antibiotics and stitches out in 10 days.
Tuesday I had a morning appointment with Sharon to get my nails done – not having the acrylics this time – my nails definitely need a rest! She is just going to try to 'toughen' up what I have - they are cracking, peeling - just icky - so I don't want to go back to glue and plastic for awhile!
Donna called and wanted to meet for lunch at the Chinese buffet.....off I went. I had already made plants to have a late lunch with Kathy and the gang! WHEW! Food, Food, Food. They have a really great “all you can eat” senior special on Tuesday at The Big Fisherman so a box to go was in order! $2.50 - all you can eat chicken fried steak, fried chicken livers or gizzards. Add a $1.00 ice tea and it makes a cheap meal! Ate the cole slaw and drank the ice tea while I was there. The rest came home in a box for supper. When the Winter Texans get back there will be a line around the building every Tuesday just to get the special. I do not go then!
Raining Thursday AM - started last nite. 76 degrees. Fixed meatballs in sauce and some noodles for the pot luck (Friendship) supper. I'm just a social butterfly with these ol'folks activities.
Li'lBit is improving each day; she finally pooped! Actually, I was starting to worry that she hadn't and had planned on calling the vet if she didn't go today!
Got a call from the RV Service place - trailer is done. I can store it at the RV place for $40/month....I'll do that until Thanksgiving, then bring it back to here after my trip to Gatesville. Total bill is less than $900. I know that's a lot but with the wheel and all, I was expecting more than that.
Between the trailer and Li’lBit’s surgery, the poor savings account took a hit this week!
Li'lBit was a little better every day. She was even setting at her bowl waiting to be fed when I got up Friday AM! 78 degrees, nice breeze....outside with Li'lBit, my book and ice tea most of the day!
Saturday I went to pay for my trailer and arrange to store it there until I head to Gatesville for Thanksgiving. Can’t wait for the trip back to Gatesville – see if I can get there and get BACK without blowing a wheel or some other significant detail this time!
7:30 AM 80 degrees with 80% humidity. We had some rain (not much)thru the nite - thunder and lightning - still thundering off over the gulf. Typical Sunday morning – first to church, then to the laundry!
Temp dropped into the 70s when the 15-20 mph winds blew in later in the afternoon. Have the windows and door open and the vent fan going! Pouring rain, thunder, lightning – ended up shutting down the computer!
9 of us showed up for ice cream Sunday evening.
Monday -Li'l Bit went outside, peed, pooped (and it looked normal) -- wagged her tail, moves a little 'quicker' but we headed off to the vet. (Can you tell I’m a nurse – these body functions are really important!)
A little humid, 71 degrees but a nice breeze. Red tide warning -- for you that don't live on the coast -- that can cause respiratory problems!! Cancelled any plans I had to go wading in the gulf!
Off to the vet in the AM, lab tests – Li'lBit had surgery that afternoon -- massive uterine infection with tumors. At least, best they can tell, it is all contained in the uterus. The vet said she was hoping, if all went OK, to send her home. She felt, since she is blind, it would be less stressful for her 'in her own bed!" Then she added, 'and since you are a nurse....." It was the hardest thing I've done in a long time - leave my Li'lBit at the vet, a strange vet, not Dr Clay in Gatesville!
Do I need to say, waiting for that call from the vet was all I could accomplish Monday! At 4PM, the clinic called - they had a 'sweet little girl ready to go home!" Vet said appears everything was within the uterus....no exterior tumors or infection!!!
When she got home she was a little wobbly and disoriented, couldn’t find the water bowl or food dish, but she was HOME! 5 days of antibiotics and stitches out in 10 days.
Tuesday I had a morning appointment with Sharon to get my nails done – not having the acrylics this time – my nails definitely need a rest! She is just going to try to 'toughen' up what I have - they are cracking, peeling - just icky - so I don't want to go back to glue and plastic for awhile!
Donna called and wanted to meet for lunch at the Chinese buffet.....off I went. I had already made plants to have a late lunch with Kathy and the gang! WHEW! Food, Food, Food. They have a really great “all you can eat” senior special on Tuesday at The Big Fisherman so a box to go was in order! $2.50 - all you can eat chicken fried steak, fried chicken livers or gizzards. Add a $1.00 ice tea and it makes a cheap meal! Ate the cole slaw and drank the ice tea while I was there. The rest came home in a box for supper. When the Winter Texans get back there will be a line around the building every Tuesday just to get the special. I do not go then!
Raining Thursday AM - started last nite. 76 degrees. Fixed meatballs in sauce and some noodles for the pot luck (Friendship) supper. I'm just a social butterfly with these ol'folks activities.
Li'lBit is improving each day; she finally pooped! Actually, I was starting to worry that she hadn't and had planned on calling the vet if she didn't go today!
Got a call from the RV Service place - trailer is done. I can store it at the RV place for $40/month....I'll do that until Thanksgiving, then bring it back to here after my trip to Gatesville. Total bill is less than $900. I know that's a lot but with the wheel and all, I was expecting more than that.
Between the trailer and Li’lBit’s surgery, the poor savings account took a hit this week!
Li'lBit was a little better every day. She was even setting at her bowl waiting to be fed when I got up Friday AM! 78 degrees, nice breeze....outside with Li'lBit, my book and ice tea most of the day!
Saturday I went to pay for my trailer and arrange to store it there until I head to Gatesville for Thanksgiving. Can’t wait for the trip back to Gatesville – see if I can get there and get BACK without blowing a wheel or some other significant detail this time!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
October is Here - Will Summer Ever End!
October starts with 77 degrees at 7 AM; a really nice breeze without too much humidity. Door and windows open and the A/C OFF (At least for awhile!)
Sunday evening, hitched up the trailer – ready to deliver on Monday. What a gathering we had down at the trailer. After ice cream social, everyone migrated to the trailer. Quite a gathering considering there are so few of us here. Ron and Mackie did most of the work. I managed to back it up all by myself with Ron and Mackie in charge of giving orders and directions. Connie, Jeannie and Chet supervised! With that much help, it sure didn't take long. Chet came over on the golf cart and gave me a ride back to my 5th wheel! No wonder I love this place so!
Had the trailer at the shop Monday AM before they were there to open the gates. John helped me unhitch, gave him the keys and the list of repairs needed and just hope I don't have to file bankruptcy to pay the bill!
Then stopped to pick up important things: milk, eggs, newspaper, garbage bags and dropped of my prescriptions! Spent the rest of the morning outside with Li'l Bit reading the paper and drinking coffee. Sure do lead a rough life!
LinCare came by to drop off a CPAP mask so I'll be getting my CPAP stuff from them now – Medicare Provides! In fact, they put me on an email list to remind me when I'm eligible for new equipment! How's that for being and "entitled senior!"
I broiled my last Iowa rib-eye. Had my last Iowa pork steak the night before. I have one more package of 2 small steaks and then I'm back to eating "Texan!" Of course, I have already stocked up on shrimp and fish!
It only got up to 78 on Tuesday. It’s nice to have the A/C off and fresh air coming in the windows.
Deryl & Elke left Wednesday for a cruise out of Florida so we went to HuDat’s Tuesday evening. Love HuDat’s! After we ate, went back to their place and Deryl loaded my “Vietnamese Chariot” into the back of my truck. He had straightened out the wheel and got it back into riding condition! Now I can learn to maneuver my trike! (The blue trike is what I ‘won” when I hit – fortunately no injuries – a young Vietnamese man headed to the gulf to do some fishing! To avoid a ticket and court appearance, I ‘bought’ the guy a new trike – so I got to keep the damaged one!)
Spent Wednesday outside with Li’lBit messing with my flowers. I babied them all summer in Iowa and had them looking so fresh and full. Then took them to Gatesville where the ‘hot and dry’ nearly sucked the life out of them. Now hoping I can 'baby' them back. I dumped about half of them, cleaned up and repotted the rest hoping for the best. I think the geraniums will recover, some of my herbs and my mint are in the trash! My shamrock plant and the aloe vera survived along with the chives....and those cute little pink flowers that I don't know what they are.
Stopped at the vegetable stand and picked up a small pumpkin, some gourds and Indian corn to set outside in front of the 5th wheel...that's the extent of decorations I do here. Oh, and I picked up a few potted mums.
Been going out after the sun goes down and it cools off a little to ride my chariot. Not too far, just down to the end of the street and back. That’s enough to start! I’m surprised it is so much easier to peddle than my exercycle. I was really surprised my knees weren’t killing me in the AM – did have some leg cramps the first couple of nites, though.
Not much setting outside with the temps still in the upper 80s and 90s, humidity hitting 80% and the sun beating down. As the week ends, I’m wondering if summer ever will! My calendar says it is fall, but that fall weather hasn’t gotten here yet!
Sunday evening, hitched up the trailer – ready to deliver on Monday. What a gathering we had down at the trailer. After ice cream social, everyone migrated to the trailer. Quite a gathering considering there are so few of us here. Ron and Mackie did most of the work. I managed to back it up all by myself with Ron and Mackie in charge of giving orders and directions. Connie, Jeannie and Chet supervised! With that much help, it sure didn't take long. Chet came over on the golf cart and gave me a ride back to my 5th wheel! No wonder I love this place so!
Had the trailer at the shop Monday AM before they were there to open the gates. John helped me unhitch, gave him the keys and the list of repairs needed and just hope I don't have to file bankruptcy to pay the bill!
Then stopped to pick up important things: milk, eggs, newspaper, garbage bags and dropped of my prescriptions! Spent the rest of the morning outside with Li'l Bit reading the paper and drinking coffee. Sure do lead a rough life!
LinCare came by to drop off a CPAP mask so I'll be getting my CPAP stuff from them now – Medicare Provides! In fact, they put me on an email list to remind me when I'm eligible for new equipment! How's that for being and "entitled senior!"
I broiled my last Iowa rib-eye. Had my last Iowa pork steak the night before. I have one more package of 2 small steaks and then I'm back to eating "Texan!" Of course, I have already stocked up on shrimp and fish!
It only got up to 78 on Tuesday. It’s nice to have the A/C off and fresh air coming in the windows.
Deryl & Elke left Wednesday for a cruise out of Florida so we went to HuDat’s Tuesday evening. Love HuDat’s! After we ate, went back to their place and Deryl loaded my “Vietnamese Chariot” into the back of my truck. He had straightened out the wheel and got it back into riding condition! Now I can learn to maneuver my trike! (The blue trike is what I ‘won” when I hit – fortunately no injuries – a young Vietnamese man headed to the gulf to do some fishing! To avoid a ticket and court appearance, I ‘bought’ the guy a new trike – so I got to keep the damaged one!)
Spent Wednesday outside with Li’lBit messing with my flowers. I babied them all summer in Iowa and had them looking so fresh and full. Then took them to Gatesville where the ‘hot and dry’ nearly sucked the life out of them. Now hoping I can 'baby' them back. I dumped about half of them, cleaned up and repotted the rest hoping for the best. I think the geraniums will recover, some of my herbs and my mint are in the trash! My shamrock plant and the aloe vera survived along with the chives....and those cute little pink flowers that I don't know what they are.
Stopped at the vegetable stand and picked up a small pumpkin, some gourds and Indian corn to set outside in front of the 5th wheel...that's the extent of decorations I do here. Oh, and I picked up a few potted mums.
Been going out after the sun goes down and it cools off a little to ride my chariot. Not too far, just down to the end of the street and back. That’s enough to start! I’m surprised it is so much easier to peddle than my exercycle. I was really surprised my knees weren’t killing me in the AM – did have some leg cramps the first couple of nites, though.
Not much setting outside with the temps still in the upper 80s and 90s, humidity hitting 80% and the sun beating down. As the week ends, I’m wondering if summer ever will! My calendar says it is fall, but that fall weather hasn’t gotten here yet!
Friday, October 7, 2011
September Recipes
RICE SALAD
1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
4 TBS sugar
1 pkg strawberry Jello
1 TBS mayonnaise
2 cup cooked rice
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup pineapple, drained
12 maraschino cherries (halved) and patted dry
2 cups miniature marshmallows
8 oz. Cool Whip
1 cup chopped pecans
Combine cream cheese, dry Jello powder, 4 tablespoons sugar and mayonnaise and blend until smooth. Add rice, cherries, oranges, pineapple and marshmallows to cream cheese mixture, mixing well. Fold Cool Whip and pecans into mixture. Chill well.
SAUERKRAUT SALAD
2 cans drained sauerkraut
1 cups chopped celery
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 med. onion, sliced
1 3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup salad oil
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup water
Pimento - optional
Mix sauerkraut, celery, green pepper and onion together. Stir sugar, salad oil, vinegar, water to dissolve sugar then add to vegetables.
Marinate 24 hours. Drain thoroughly before serving. Keeps well in refrigerate.
1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
4 TBS sugar
1 pkg strawberry Jello
1 TBS mayonnaise
2 cup cooked rice
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup pineapple, drained
12 maraschino cherries (halved) and patted dry
2 cups miniature marshmallows
8 oz. Cool Whip
1 cup chopped pecans
Combine cream cheese, dry Jello powder, 4 tablespoons sugar and mayonnaise and blend until smooth. Add rice, cherries, oranges, pineapple and marshmallows to cream cheese mixture, mixing well. Fold Cool Whip and pecans into mixture. Chill well.
SAUERKRAUT SALAD
2 cans drained sauerkraut
1 cups chopped celery
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 med. onion, sliced
1 3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup salad oil
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup water
Pimento - optional
Mix sauerkraut, celery, green pepper and onion together. Stir sugar, salad oil, vinegar, water to dissolve sugar then add to vegetables.
Marinate 24 hours. Drain thoroughly before serving. Keeps well in refrigerate.
September Comes To An End
Sunday, September 25th, after church I went to the laundry room - I was the only one there - sure is different here in the "off season!" Sunday evening was ice cream social. Kathy always finds some interesting new flavor! Just 6 or so of us there – crowds will be picking up soon. The Winter Texans will be coming back before long.
I've just about eaten all of the beef and pork I brought from Iowa! Then I'll be back to seafood/fish and chicken! Oh, Dr Maroney will be sooooo happy!
The trailer is unpacked, but now I'm living with bags of 'stuff' all over the 5th wheel, trying to find places for it! Still waiting for parts for the trailer so it still sets down front in the pull thru space.
Monday I woke to 81 degrees. Li'lBit doesn't spend a lot of time outside in those temps. Too warm! Ended up in triple digits. Summer just doesn’t want to let go!
Holly's back to puking after she eats. I think there are some foods she just likes better than others and really eats too fast.
Spent all of Tuesday morning worried about my afternoon doc appointment. I was sure she would read me the riot act - lab values out of whack and I know I've put on the pounds - good ol' Iowa beef, pork and sweet corn! And probably a few too many meals out with Bea!
Well, it wasn't such a bad summer after all! All lab values that are supposed to be UP are UP; those that are supposed to be DOWN are DOWN! Didn’t gain any pounds but didn’t loose any either. She said once it gets cooler I can start walking again!! But the blood pressure was elevated (not too much.)of course I’d worried about my appointment all morning! And after she heard about my last two weeks, she said "work on getting it down!" See her again in three months!
On my way home, I picked up groceries and stopped at the vegetable stand and of course I had to stop at Castaways. I’m looking for some kind of kitchen stand/cart on wheels. Was hoping there was something at Castaway – will have to keep looking.
The 28th of September and at 6AM the temp was 83 degrees - 89% humidity -- WHEW! Li'lBit and I didn't stay out long! Met Donna for lunch at Whataburger. Found a pack of ground ham from Iowa in the freezer. Made it up like a meatloaf with egg and bread crumbs, some seasonings, and let it cook in the crock pot. About the time it was finished, I poured a can of sweet potatoes on top. It turned out quite yummy. But after pigging out at Whataburger with a sandwich and onion rings, I really wasn’t too hungry!
Thursday night Friendship Supper at the activities building doesn’t have much of a crowd! I fixed a sauerkraut salad and a rice salad – thought the rice salad could be used as a desert if there weren’t any – there are so few of us!
Wind, rain, thunder, lightning! I even shut down the computer for awhile! More thunder, lightning and wind than rain, but will take every drop! Thunderstorms down here are a piece of cake! Can't hold a candle to Iowa storms! Of course the folks in the park tease me about worrying about hurricanes and then I go to Iowa to live through their spring and summer storms!
Still waiting on parts for the wheel! Every day I'm "gladder and gladder" I didn't make the decision to have my trailer towed into Victoria!
Connie and Ron got in today. I had a chance to visit with them while they stayed at Shady Oaks in Marshalltown for about a week this summer.
The last day of September and it is 80 degrees at 7AM and 80% humidity - and tomorrow it's OCTOBER! WHEW!
The wheel is fixed 'good enough' for me to get the trailer to the repair place. It’s scheduled to go into the shop on Monday. Will be glad to have that task finished! September comes to an end!
I've just about eaten all of the beef and pork I brought from Iowa! Then I'll be back to seafood/fish and chicken! Oh, Dr Maroney will be sooooo happy!
The trailer is unpacked, but now I'm living with bags of 'stuff' all over the 5th wheel, trying to find places for it! Still waiting for parts for the trailer so it still sets down front in the pull thru space.
Monday I woke to 81 degrees. Li'lBit doesn't spend a lot of time outside in those temps. Too warm! Ended up in triple digits. Summer just doesn’t want to let go!
Holly's back to puking after she eats. I think there are some foods she just likes better than others and really eats too fast.
Spent all of Tuesday morning worried about my afternoon doc appointment. I was sure she would read me the riot act - lab values out of whack and I know I've put on the pounds - good ol' Iowa beef, pork and sweet corn! And probably a few too many meals out with Bea!
Well, it wasn't such a bad summer after all! All lab values that are supposed to be UP are UP; those that are supposed to be DOWN are DOWN! Didn’t gain any pounds but didn’t loose any either. She said once it gets cooler I can start walking again!! But the blood pressure was elevated (not too much.)of course I’d worried about my appointment all morning! And after she heard about my last two weeks, she said "work on getting it down!" See her again in three months!
On my way home, I picked up groceries and stopped at the vegetable stand and of course I had to stop at Castaways. I’m looking for some kind of kitchen stand/cart on wheels. Was hoping there was something at Castaway – will have to keep looking.
The 28th of September and at 6AM the temp was 83 degrees - 89% humidity -- WHEW! Li'lBit and I didn't stay out long! Met Donna for lunch at Whataburger. Found a pack of ground ham from Iowa in the freezer. Made it up like a meatloaf with egg and bread crumbs, some seasonings, and let it cook in the crock pot. About the time it was finished, I poured a can of sweet potatoes on top. It turned out quite yummy. But after pigging out at Whataburger with a sandwich and onion rings, I really wasn’t too hungry!
Thursday night Friendship Supper at the activities building doesn’t have much of a crowd! I fixed a sauerkraut salad and a rice salad – thought the rice salad could be used as a desert if there weren’t any – there are so few of us!
Wind, rain, thunder, lightning! I even shut down the computer for awhile! More thunder, lightning and wind than rain, but will take every drop! Thunderstorms down here are a piece of cake! Can't hold a candle to Iowa storms! Of course the folks in the park tease me about worrying about hurricanes and then I go to Iowa to live through their spring and summer storms!
Still waiting on parts for the wheel! Every day I'm "gladder and gladder" I didn't make the decision to have my trailer towed into Victoria!
Connie and Ron got in today. I had a chance to visit with them while they stayed at Shady Oaks in Marshalltown for about a week this summer.
The last day of September and it is 80 degrees at 7AM and 80% humidity - and tomorrow it's OCTOBER! WHEW!
The wheel is fixed 'good enough' for me to get the trailer to the repair place. It’s scheduled to go into the shop on Monday. Will be glad to have that task finished! September comes to an end!
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