SUNDAY MARCH 21, I woke up to 38 degrees. Early Sunday AM seems to have become my laundry day. By afternoon it finally made it up to 60 degrees - the sun was out but the winds were horrible. Winds sustained are 15-20 mph with gusts up to 35-40 mph. Getting me ready for spring in Iowa, I guess! Not a travel day for RVs and many are hitching up and hitting the road for points north.
A few weeks ago I found a new recipe for cream of asparagus soup and it was really good. Bought some asparagus at the market the other day. Ate the most tender tops for supper the other night. Today is asparagus soup day with the bottom half of the stalk.
The flowers my sister sent are still pretty and really brighten up the RV.‘Tis Spring! Have a problem keeping Tinga out of them, though!
Finished another book. Just too windy to be doing anything outside so kicked back in the recliner and read.
Li’lBit and I braved “45 degrees and a bit nippy” for our Monday morning stroll. Needless to say, the furnace was going and we didn’t stroll too far! But now that the two RVs between me and Ruth & Walter are gone, Li'lBit has to go down and visit their dog, Molly.
I checked my propane and I'm still good to go with one full tank! WHEW! Haven't bought a tank since March 5th! Oh, after this winter, I’m not complaining, but I do miss visiting with the ‘propane man!’
By afternoon it made it to 78 degrees, sunny, hardly any wind. Li’lBit and I spent the afternoon outside. I'm a happy camper! The only reason I came back inside was the crazy eye, the sun was bothering it again. Didn’t hurt, just watered like an open faucet and drove me crazy. I'm wondering if the fact that I'm getting more light and vision thru that mess is why the sun is starting to bother it again. The light doesn't 'fracture' and sparkle like it did before,just gets so bright I end up trying to keep the eye closed again!
Got an email and later a phone call from Judy. Judy and Steve left a couple of days ago for Indiana. They got as far as Louisiana when Judy got sick and ended up in the hospital. Hope things work out for them. Steve had the flu just before they left. It could be a long trip for them. I wish them well and safe travels. Seems they have had a change of plans due to her medical problems and will be delaying Indiana for awhile.
On Tuesday morning during the “Li’lBit Stroll”, I noticed Cleo and Bonnie were hitching up...headed back to Minnesota today. So we all stand around and watch the process (that's a big thing in an RV park...the women stand around,visit and drink coffee and the men tell each other how to do it and HELP!) Bonnie said they plan on being back next year....Cleo told me to get my crappy lungs taken care of!
The way folks are moving out, I sure hope there is someone around to help me hitch up! I may have to make plans to leave out earlier next year.
Just too windy, the sun was nice, but it doesn't take much wind blowing in my ears to make them ache! So, back inside, a pan of scones in the oven warms the RV in a hurry. This may be my last baking project this trip -- used up all of my flour -- except the rye, soy and barley! The full recipe called for 4 cups of flour and I had to mix the last of the whole wheat and white to get two cups! Also went thru the cupboards and poured in all the little left over packs of dried fruit, raisins, dates and nuts. Surprise! They were great and hit the spot! I think they even tasted better since I was reading one of Andrew Greely's Nuala Anne McGrail series, a novel about Ireland.
I do so love being in this RV park. Everyone seems to take care of everyone. Many of us are ‘up in years’ and have some ‘medical situations,’ but that just makes everyone pull together. Today a ‘love offering’ was taken up for a couple to help with an unexpected medical diagnosis and expenses. I just cannot say enough about the helpfulness and great attitude of the folks that come here. No wonder so many of us keep coming back.
Habits do develop and one is emailing with my sister first thing in the AM. When I do not get a response from her by mid-morning, I start reading the Marshalltown newspaper on line and checking the school district calendar on line to make sure they have school! BUT, not wanting to seem like the nosey sister that I can be, I wait until afternoon before I call the school! Today was just another busy day and unplanned school emergencies – things like that do happen, but I still worry when I don’t hear from her. How did we survive before email and cell phones!
I spent most of Thursday morning on the phone fighting with VA, trying to get a medical appointment at the clinic for when I'm in Gatesville. VA Respiratory in Temple wasn’t a problem....but the medical team is giving me a rash of trash about never being there when they schedule appointments! I tell them when I'll be in the area, and then they schedule it for later; I call and tell them I can’t make the appointment I'm no longer in the area, again remind them WHEN I will be in the area, and the circle continues! Don’t think it is worth it.
I think I'll just stop seeing them and transfer all of my care to the doc in Iowa, if he will take me. Been playing with the calendar and I can get close to 6 months in Iowa. If I work it so I can get there in mid-May and stay until just before Judy and Mary evict me when the park closes the end of October, I'll be able to see him every 6 months (just barely!) but that is how they usually like to space the lab work. Will talk to him when I get up there this summer.
John, from Tech Time called, my laptop is DEAD! He cannot get the start up Windows to load...said it has to be the 'motherboard' and told me to call Staples at Marshalltown -- so I did -- waste of time! Exact words, "We see too many to keep track'! WHOOPPEE. I’ll carry it to the Staples in Waco or Temple and let them have a go at it. I'm afraid if I wait until I get to Marshalltown, the extended warranty might be gone.
So,I'll be back on my little slow as molasses in January ACER when I'm on the road. GEEZ! Maybe I should just get a new one of THOSE!
Li'lBit and I went out to Castaways (the thrift shop). I'm looking for lightweight spice racks, something for the wall behind my stove. Can't find any except on line. Probably just go ahead and order new ones from Amazon.com. Then we drove thru the fried chicken place and picked up a lunch to take to the park. A little too windy to really stick around so we ate and left.
It's Friday andSid and Rain are on the road today – hope all goes well for them. By early evening Rain had dropped me an email saying they were ‘in for the night’!
A 51 degrees and sunny morning. Had to water my plants so did that while Li'lBit was watering the grass! That is a new chore now that the weather is nicer. I have two hanging baskets of periwinkle hanging from the fifth wheel hitch.
When I came out of the grocery today, the lady parked next to me bitched that she had to 'crawl thru' to get into her car, I was parked too close. Politely, I pointed out that I was IN BETWEEN MY LINES. After she went into her rant about "You people come here with your dually trucks...." I pointed to my Texas license plates. The people on the other side of me kinda chuckled, saw the 5th wheel hitch in the bed of my truck, and the guy said, "Maybe you need a motor home like us, they don't know we're 'you people' when we are in the car!"
Left the grocery, and about a block later darn near ran over a momma duck and her babies trying to cross the highway, Pulled over and ran into the street to try to shoo them to the water...I must have looked like a mad woman screaming in the middle of the highway. Then another truck stopped cross-ways across the lanes and helped me. I’m surprised we both didn’t end up in jail for hindering traffic, creating a disturbance or causing an accident!
Came home and found out that the crock pot doesn't heat up if you don't plug it in!
YIPPEE! Deryl & Elke are back! Time to arrange some fine dining at Pepito's!
SATURDAY March 27 Definitely getting the ‘hitch itch’ attitude. Started packing up stuff today and really getting serious about eating up the foods in the fridge and pantry!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
More March Recipes
Irish Soda Bread Scones
Mix together:
4 cups flour
2 TBS corn starch
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp salt
In separate bowl, mix:
4 TBS butter
1 1/4 cups buttermilk or sour milk
Add: 1 cup raisins/dried fruit/nuts
Form into 1” thick round (not a ball, but flat on the top) and cut most of the way through into wedges. Glaze with 1 beaten egg
I bake mine on a sprayed pizza pan – can use parchment paper
Bake 400 25-30 or until golden.
Since I’m trying to use up odds and ends of baking supplies, I mixed ½ white and ½ whole wheat flour. Added currants, raisins, dried mixed berries, chopped dates, chopped apricots and a few chopped nuts. Also – didn’t have enough butter so used 2 TBS butter with 2 TBS sour cream.
You really can’t ruin this recipe, but you can make it a little to ‘heavy’!
Tomatoes and Cheese
2 lbs canned tomatoes, chopped, diced, sliced, stewed – whatever!
40 saltines crackers, broken
10 oz sharp cheese, grated
1 1/2 tsp dry basil
2 TBS sugar
1/8 tsp pepper
Parmesan cheese (for top of casserole)
Mix first 6 ingredients together in a casserole dish. Top with the parmesan cheese.
Bake at 400 degrees for 45 min. I cover the casserole dish for the first 30 minutes.
OPTIONS – Also good with diced pepperoni sausage or cooked crumbled Italian sausage.
Substitute shredded mozzarella cheese for the parmesan.
Mix together:
4 cups flour
2 TBS corn starch
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp salt
In separate bowl, mix:
4 TBS butter
1 1/4 cups buttermilk or sour milk
Add: 1 cup raisins/dried fruit/nuts
Form into 1” thick round (not a ball, but flat on the top) and cut most of the way through into wedges. Glaze with 1 beaten egg
I bake mine on a sprayed pizza pan – can use parchment paper
Bake 400 25-30 or until golden.
Since I’m trying to use up odds and ends of baking supplies, I mixed ½ white and ½ whole wheat flour. Added currants, raisins, dried mixed berries, chopped dates, chopped apricots and a few chopped nuts. Also – didn’t have enough butter so used 2 TBS butter with 2 TBS sour cream.
You really can’t ruin this recipe, but you can make it a little to ‘heavy’!
Tomatoes and Cheese
2 lbs canned tomatoes, chopped, diced, sliced, stewed – whatever!
40 saltines crackers, broken
10 oz sharp cheese, grated
1 1/2 tsp dry basil
2 TBS sugar
1/8 tsp pepper
Parmesan cheese (for top of casserole)
Mix first 6 ingredients together in a casserole dish. Top with the parmesan cheese.
Bake at 400 degrees for 45 min. I cover the casserole dish for the first 30 minutes.
OPTIONS – Also good with diced pepperoni sausage or cooked crumbled Italian sausage.
Substitute shredded mozzarella cheese for the parmesan.
Monday, March 22, 2010
March Recipes #2
BROWN SODA BREAD (1 loaf/may be doubled)
4 cups of whole wheat flour mixed with white flour
I mix & match with whatever flours I have on hand
1 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoons baking soda
1 ½ cups buttermilk
Mix dry ingredients together. Make a well in the center and pour in half the buttermilk.
Carefully mix in the dry ingredients, adding enough buttermilk to make a soft dough. (You may need more or less than 1 1/2 cups)
Gently and quickly combine the bread. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and quickly shape loaf into a circle. Place into a 7-inch greased pie plate, cut a deep cross on the top with a knife. Bake at 450F degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 400 and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the bread is done. The bread should be lightly browned and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Turn out onto a rack when cool.
Variations: Change flavor and texture by varying the flours used. Add currents or raisins. Place a couple slices of bacon across the top of the bread over the cuts on top of the loaf prior to baking.
ASPARAGUS CREAM SOUP Makes around 8 cups
2 packages (10 oz. each) frozen cut-up asparagus (I use fresh and steam it until tender)
1 3/4 cups water
1 cup dairy sour cream
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon chicken boullion (dry)
Salt & pepper to taste
3 cups milk
In 2-quart saucepan place asparagus and water; cover and bring to a steam. Reduce heat; simmer until tender. Purée asparagus with cooking liquid; blend in sour cream; set aside.
In 3-quart saucepan melt butter; blend in flour, salt, chicken stock base and pepper. Remove from heat; gradually add milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Cook 2 additional minutes. Stir in asparagus mixture. Heat to serving temperature.
SHRIMP AND ASPARAGUS PASTA TOSS
6 oz uncooked pasta (original recipe called for Angel Hair pasta – I use anything on hand!)
Sauce:
2 tbsp. margarine or butter
2 tbsp. flour
1 tsp. chicken-flavor instant bouillon
1-1/2 c. milk PLUS 1/4 c. mild white wine
2 oz. (1/2 c.) shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 lb. cooked shrimp
8 oz. (18 spears) fresh cooked asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 oz. fresh mushrooms
Cook pasta according to directions. Drain; rinse, keep warm. Melt margarine in medium saucepan. Blend in flour and bouillon; cook until smooth and bubbly. Gradually add milk & wine; cook until mixture boils and thickens, stirring constantly. Add cheeses; stir until smooth. Stir in shrimp, asparagus and mushrooms; cook until thoroughly heated. Serve over cooked pasta. Serves 4.
SHRIMP WITH GARLIC
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 bay leaf
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Salt to taste
Chopped fresh parsley and sliced lemon for garnish
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add pepper, garlic, and bay leaf; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Increase heat to medium-high. Add shrimp; sauté until shrimp have pink or orange markings and white, opaque flesh (about 4 minutes). Remove from heat. Discard bay leaf. Sprinkle with parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.
4 cups of whole wheat flour mixed with white flour
I mix & match with whatever flours I have on hand
1 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoons baking soda
1 ½ cups buttermilk
Mix dry ingredients together. Make a well in the center and pour in half the buttermilk.
Carefully mix in the dry ingredients, adding enough buttermilk to make a soft dough. (You may need more or less than 1 1/2 cups)
Gently and quickly combine the bread. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and quickly shape loaf into a circle. Place into a 7-inch greased pie plate, cut a deep cross on the top with a knife. Bake at 450F degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 400 and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the bread is done. The bread should be lightly browned and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Turn out onto a rack when cool.
Variations: Change flavor and texture by varying the flours used. Add currents or raisins. Place a couple slices of bacon across the top of the bread over the cuts on top of the loaf prior to baking.
ASPARAGUS CREAM SOUP Makes around 8 cups
2 packages (10 oz. each) frozen cut-up asparagus (I use fresh and steam it until tender)
1 3/4 cups water
1 cup dairy sour cream
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon chicken boullion (dry)
Salt & pepper to taste
3 cups milk
In 2-quart saucepan place asparagus and water; cover and bring to a steam. Reduce heat; simmer until tender. Purée asparagus with cooking liquid; blend in sour cream; set aside.
In 3-quart saucepan melt butter; blend in flour, salt, chicken stock base and pepper. Remove from heat; gradually add milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Cook 2 additional minutes. Stir in asparagus mixture. Heat to serving temperature.
SHRIMP AND ASPARAGUS PASTA TOSS
6 oz uncooked pasta (original recipe called for Angel Hair pasta – I use anything on hand!)
Sauce:
2 tbsp. margarine or butter
2 tbsp. flour
1 tsp. chicken-flavor instant bouillon
1-1/2 c. milk PLUS 1/4 c. mild white wine
2 oz. (1/2 c.) shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 lb. cooked shrimp
8 oz. (18 spears) fresh cooked asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 oz. fresh mushrooms
Cook pasta according to directions. Drain; rinse, keep warm. Melt margarine in medium saucepan. Blend in flour and bouillon; cook until smooth and bubbly. Gradually add milk & wine; cook until mixture boils and thickens, stirring constantly. Add cheeses; stir until smooth. Stir in shrimp, asparagus and mushrooms; cook until thoroughly heated. Serve over cooked pasta. Serves 4.
SHRIMP WITH GARLIC
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 bay leaf
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Salt to taste
Chopped fresh parsley and sliced lemon for garnish
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add pepper, garlic, and bay leaf; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Increase heat to medium-high. Add shrimp; sauté until shrimp have pink or orange markings and white, opaque flesh (about 4 minutes). Remove from heat. Discard bay leaf. Sprinkle with parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.
March 14-20 - Winter just won't go away!
Naturally, on Sunday morning I was up and out of sorts about the time change! It was still dark when I got to the laundry room. Had to find the light switch. At least I had my choice of machines!
66 degrees with 95% humidity is a little 'stuffy' in the lungs, but the sun came out so it was another wonderful day in paradise! Li'lBit and I spend most of our time outside!
Bought a couple pounds of shrimp in the shell (heads are already gone; I can't deal with heads!) while at the market the other day. They just brought some in and they were nice size. Thought I might have ‘shrimp on the barbie’ but decided to cook inside. I have enough shrimp for several meals.
People are hitching up and between now and the end of March, a big chunk of the folks head back to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and other points north. With the winds we have been having, I wish them all safe travels. I asked Allison if there would be anyone left her when I leave Apr 15 to help hitch me up! She guaranteed me there would be someone!
MARCH 15 BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH! 9AM and off to another late start. Blame it on DST!! I’m not the only one with a daylight saving time problem, Tinga is going through her squawky thing!
64 degrees and sunny. Nice to be able to leave the windows open. But, I should have checked my weatherbug before I went outsude. WHEW! Winds 15-20 mph with gusts 25-30mph! Not a day to set outside unless you want an ear ache.
Finally, I found the lace window hangings from Pella. They were in the cabinets over the recliners, stuffed up there with my gift bags and gift wrapping stuff. I needed a gift bag for a ‘shower gift’ and there they were. They had fallen down behind the gift bags. AND,I found a bag with a Halloween kitchen set and treats for the critters! YIPPEE! Just like Christmas all over again!
TUESDAY MARCH 16 was "puppy shower' day. Ladies coffee first, then party! Jeannie lives here in the park with her parents. She is so friendly and helpful to everyone. Her 40th birthday is the first part of April. All she wanted was a puppy. Allison (park owner) is throwing a 'surprise puppy shower'!
And a wonderful time was had by all! Must have been 25 people there. Jeannie knows everybody and everything! She had no idea about the party,her mom got her there saying that Allison had called to see if she would bring a picture of the new puppy over to the ladies coffee, some of us wanted to see it!
Pictures of the puppy shower are on the 35RV Blog -- thanks to Keith for being there with camera in hand! http://www.rockport-rv35.blogspot.com/
Naturally, it is rainy, 54 degrees with 15 mph winds! So much for summer!
MARCH 17 Happy St Patrick’s Day! Corned beef and cabbage in the crock pot and a loaf of Irish soda bread in the oven. Doesn’t get much better than that! I thought I had my St Pat’s day meal all planned out but forgot the beer! Wonder if it is criminal to drink Mexican beer with corned beef, cabbage and Irish soda bread.
51 degrees BRRRRR!!! Taking advantage of the cooler dreary weather, I busied myself sorting files and getting them ready for my 2010 stuff now that I have decided I can handle Turbo-Tax!
THURSDAY MARCH 18 56 degrees and sunny! Lunch Bunch day at Pepitos. Had a good lunch with the gang, only 4 of us this time. I had the veggie quesadilla (squash, spinach, mushrooms, green peppers, onions and of course cheese)
Naturally I had to stop at Castaways on my way back into town to see if they had anything there I just cannot live without!! And of course they did. Found a nice teapot and a steamer pan. Great for my seafood. Stopped at the fish market and picked up some more shrimp. Then stopped at the grocery and picked up some fresh asparagus. Had a pot of asparagus soup on before the day was out.
When I got home, Holly had puked again! At least not on the carpet this time! I have decided it is the soft food I got her the last time. I have to remember that 'cuz I think I had fed her this stuff before when she was sick. Gotta stop clipping all of those coupons from the Sunday paper!
I keep running into names and faces from my past on Facebook! It is so much fun! And keeps me company on some of these cold dreary days!
FRIDAY MARCH 19 Ladies Lunch went to Bellino's -- a little Italian place over on Fulton Beach Road. Nice Lunch! Should have brought 1/2 of it home. Had penna pasta with alfredo sauce with grilled shrimp. Just what I needed – more shrimp.
Saw Keith and his wife leaving today. They are from Cedar Rapids. Hope they miss the snow and the winds!
SATURDAY MARCH 20 was a dreary day. Weatherman said the winds would start coming from the north. Hope they aren't from too far north. Talked to my sister in Iowa and they got six inches of snow!
Park is really emptying out,several hitched up and left yesterday and today three are already lined up to head out. The motorhome next to me left in the AM so I can see all the way down to Ruth and Walter’s spot. 4th St near the laundry room is about 1/2 empty. Looks strange to see it so empty!
Had a wonderful surprise early in the morning. An unexpected knock on my door. Florist delivery! My sister had sent me a Bright Blessing Spring Bouquet for the first day of spring! What a treat!!!
66 degrees with 95% humidity is a little 'stuffy' in the lungs, but the sun came out so it was another wonderful day in paradise! Li'lBit and I spend most of our time outside!
Bought a couple pounds of shrimp in the shell (heads are already gone; I can't deal with heads!) while at the market the other day. They just brought some in and they were nice size. Thought I might have ‘shrimp on the barbie’ but decided to cook inside. I have enough shrimp for several meals.
People are hitching up and between now and the end of March, a big chunk of the folks head back to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and other points north. With the winds we have been having, I wish them all safe travels. I asked Allison if there would be anyone left her when I leave Apr 15 to help hitch me up! She guaranteed me there would be someone!
MARCH 15 BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH! 9AM and off to another late start. Blame it on DST!! I’m not the only one with a daylight saving time problem, Tinga is going through her squawky thing!
64 degrees and sunny. Nice to be able to leave the windows open. But, I should have checked my weatherbug before I went outsude. WHEW! Winds 15-20 mph with gusts 25-30mph! Not a day to set outside unless you want an ear ache.
Finally, I found the lace window hangings from Pella. They were in the cabinets over the recliners, stuffed up there with my gift bags and gift wrapping stuff. I needed a gift bag for a ‘shower gift’ and there they were. They had fallen down behind the gift bags. AND,I found a bag with a Halloween kitchen set and treats for the critters! YIPPEE! Just like Christmas all over again!
TUESDAY MARCH 16 was "puppy shower' day. Ladies coffee first, then party! Jeannie lives here in the park with her parents. She is so friendly and helpful to everyone. Her 40th birthday is the first part of April. All she wanted was a puppy. Allison (park owner) is throwing a 'surprise puppy shower'!
And a wonderful time was had by all! Must have been 25 people there. Jeannie knows everybody and everything! She had no idea about the party,her mom got her there saying that Allison had called to see if she would bring a picture of the new puppy over to the ladies coffee, some of us wanted to see it!
Pictures of the puppy shower are on the 35RV Blog -- thanks to Keith for being there with camera in hand! http://www.rockport-rv35.blogspot.com/
Naturally, it is rainy, 54 degrees with 15 mph winds! So much for summer!
MARCH 17 Happy St Patrick’s Day! Corned beef and cabbage in the crock pot and a loaf of Irish soda bread in the oven. Doesn’t get much better than that! I thought I had my St Pat’s day meal all planned out but forgot the beer! Wonder if it is criminal to drink Mexican beer with corned beef, cabbage and Irish soda bread.
51 degrees BRRRRR!!! Taking advantage of the cooler dreary weather, I busied myself sorting files and getting them ready for my 2010 stuff now that I have decided I can handle Turbo-Tax!
THURSDAY MARCH 18 56 degrees and sunny! Lunch Bunch day at Pepitos. Had a good lunch with the gang, only 4 of us this time. I had the veggie quesadilla (squash, spinach, mushrooms, green peppers, onions and of course cheese)
Naturally I had to stop at Castaways on my way back into town to see if they had anything there I just cannot live without!! And of course they did. Found a nice teapot and a steamer pan. Great for my seafood. Stopped at the fish market and picked up some more shrimp. Then stopped at the grocery and picked up some fresh asparagus. Had a pot of asparagus soup on before the day was out.
When I got home, Holly had puked again! At least not on the carpet this time! I have decided it is the soft food I got her the last time. I have to remember that 'cuz I think I had fed her this stuff before when she was sick. Gotta stop clipping all of those coupons from the Sunday paper!
I keep running into names and faces from my past on Facebook! It is so much fun! And keeps me company on some of these cold dreary days!
FRIDAY MARCH 19 Ladies Lunch went to Bellino's -- a little Italian place over on Fulton Beach Road. Nice Lunch! Should have brought 1/2 of it home. Had penna pasta with alfredo sauce with grilled shrimp. Just what I needed – more shrimp.
Saw Keith and his wife leaving today. They are from Cedar Rapids. Hope they miss the snow and the winds!
SATURDAY MARCH 20 was a dreary day. Weatherman said the winds would start coming from the north. Hope they aren't from too far north. Talked to my sister in Iowa and they got six inches of snow!
Park is really emptying out,several hitched up and left yesterday and today three are already lined up to head out. The motorhome next to me left in the AM so I can see all the way down to Ruth and Walter’s spot. 4th St near the laundry room is about 1/2 empty. Looks strange to see it so empty!
Had a wonderful surprise early in the morning. An unexpected knock on my door. Florist delivery! My sister had sent me a Bright Blessing Spring Bouquet for the first day of spring! What a treat!!!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Recipes for March
CROCK POT COBBLER
1 can pie filling - your choice
1 beaten egg
3 tablespoons light cream (or milk)
3 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - optional
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg - optional
2 cups sifted cake mix from a two-layer cake mix
Spray inside of slow cooker with butter-flavor cooking spray. Place
Pie filling in slow cooker and cook on high for 45 minutes or until
Hot. In a bowl, combing remaining ingredients; mix well and spoon
Over filling. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until tests done.
Serve warm. Makes 8 servings.
KRAUT, BEANS, BRATS & BREW
1 can beer
3 sticks Polish sausage
1 package or large can of kraut
1 can great northern beans
1 potato, diced (optional) -- I don't always use the tator...just gives a little different flavor, texture.
Cook sausage in the beer for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove sausage, but reserve juice. Place sausage in oven proof dish and bake at 325° for 30 to 35 minutes. In the meantime. wash and drain kraut and cut up. Place kraut in reserved juice. Cook over medium heat, covered, for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove sausage from oven and cut into serving pieces. Place sausage in kraut then add beans. Heat until bubbly hot.
LAMB SHANKS
1 – 2 C Vegetable broth
Lamb shanks (I use 2 in my crock pot)
½ tsp dried rosemary
Assorted vegetables – potatoes, carrots, peas .
Roll lamb shanks in flour and braise in frying pan.
Put shanks, rosemary and vegetable broth in crock pot.
Cook on low overnight.
In morning, pull meat from the bone and add vegetables. Cut potatoes and carrots in ‘chunks.’ Cook until vegetables tender. Add frozen peas last. Cook just long enough to ‘thaw’ the peas.
Check occasionally and remove excess fat from top of broth.
Broth can be thickened with flour.
Serve with salad and biscuits.
SHORTBREAD
2 cups butter
1 cup sugar
4 cups flour
2 tbsp sugar (I like to use brown sugar here)
Also add a few drops of flavoring, maple, vanilla, lemon, orange, whatever flavor you want.
Preheat the oven to 375 F. Beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add the cup of sugar. Beat until the mixture is smooth. Add the flour. Beat until the dough forms a ball. Press the dough into a 14 x 10 inch jelly roll pan using floured hands. Bake at 375 F for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
Cut immediately into 2 inch bars. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp of sugar, if desired. Makes 35 bars
I only make 1/2 recipe since my little RV oven won't hold a pan that big! Works out just fine.
JAMBALAYA
1 pound chicken and/or ham , cut into chunks
2 TBS olive oil
½ pound smoked sausage
1 large white onion, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, cut into small chunks
1 small yellow bell pepper, cut into small chunks
1 small green bell pepper , cut into small chunks
2 TBS all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
3 cups chicken broth
1 (16-ounce) can diced tomatoes – can used roasted, Rotel or any seasoned diced tomato
3/4 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined – can also use crawfish or mix a little of both!
Creole seasoning to taste
Thyme leaves to taste
Okra optional – I leave it out.
Sprinkle chicken/ham with Creole seasoning. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat; add sausage and brown 2 minutes. Remove to a plate. Add chicken/ham and sauté until brown, about 4 minutes; remove to plate.
Add onion, peppers, thyme, flour, and cayenne to pot and cook, stirring constantly, until onions are translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in rice, then add broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10 minutes.
Stir chicken and sausage into rice mixture; cover and continue to simmer 6 minutes. Stir in shrimp; cover and simmer 6 minutes, or until cooked through.
1 can pie filling - your choice
1 beaten egg
3 tablespoons light cream (or milk)
3 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - optional
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg - optional
2 cups sifted cake mix from a two-layer cake mix
Spray inside of slow cooker with butter-flavor cooking spray. Place
Pie filling in slow cooker and cook on high for 45 minutes or until
Hot. In a bowl, combing remaining ingredients; mix well and spoon
Over filling. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until tests done.
Serve warm. Makes 8 servings.
KRAUT, BEANS, BRATS & BREW
1 can beer
3 sticks Polish sausage
1 package or large can of kraut
1 can great northern beans
1 potato, diced (optional) -- I don't always use the tator...just gives a little different flavor, texture.
Cook sausage in the beer for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove sausage, but reserve juice. Place sausage in oven proof dish and bake at 325° for 30 to 35 minutes. In the meantime. wash and drain kraut and cut up. Place kraut in reserved juice. Cook over medium heat, covered, for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove sausage from oven and cut into serving pieces. Place sausage in kraut then add beans. Heat until bubbly hot.
LAMB SHANKS
1 – 2 C Vegetable broth
Lamb shanks (I use 2 in my crock pot)
½ tsp dried rosemary
Assorted vegetables – potatoes, carrots, peas .
Roll lamb shanks in flour and braise in frying pan.
Put shanks, rosemary and vegetable broth in crock pot.
Cook on low overnight.
In morning, pull meat from the bone and add vegetables. Cut potatoes and carrots in ‘chunks.’ Cook until vegetables tender. Add frozen peas last. Cook just long enough to ‘thaw’ the peas.
Check occasionally and remove excess fat from top of broth.
Broth can be thickened with flour.
Serve with salad and biscuits.
SHORTBREAD
2 cups butter
1 cup sugar
4 cups flour
2 tbsp sugar (I like to use brown sugar here)
Also add a few drops of flavoring, maple, vanilla, lemon, orange, whatever flavor you want.
Preheat the oven to 375 F. Beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add the cup of sugar. Beat until the mixture is smooth. Add the flour. Beat until the dough forms a ball. Press the dough into a 14 x 10 inch jelly roll pan using floured hands. Bake at 375 F for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
Cut immediately into 2 inch bars. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp of sugar, if desired. Makes 35 bars
I only make 1/2 recipe since my little RV oven won't hold a pan that big! Works out just fine.
JAMBALAYA
1 pound chicken and/or ham , cut into chunks
2 TBS olive oil
½ pound smoked sausage
1 large white onion, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, cut into small chunks
1 small yellow bell pepper, cut into small chunks
1 small green bell pepper , cut into small chunks
2 TBS all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
3 cups chicken broth
1 (16-ounce) can diced tomatoes – can used roasted, Rotel or any seasoned diced tomato
3/4 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined – can also use crawfish or mix a little of both!
Creole seasoning to taste
Thyme leaves to taste
Okra optional – I leave it out.
Sprinkle chicken/ham with Creole seasoning. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat; add sausage and brown 2 minutes. Remove to a plate. Add chicken/ham and sauté until brown, about 4 minutes; remove to plate.
Add onion, peppers, thyme, flour, and cayenne to pot and cook, stirring constantly, until onions are translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in rice, then add broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10 minutes.
Stir chicken and sausage into rice mixture; cover and continue to simmer 6 minutes. Stir in shrimp; cover and simmer 6 minutes, or until cooked through.
Keep Your Hands off of MY Clock! 3/7-13
Sunday, March 7, I woke to 61 degrees - 40% chance of rain, 10 mph winds and cloudy
Had a surprise when I went outside. Some critter had found my trash. Not a big mess - just chewed a hole in the trash bag. I had closed it up and dropped it outside the door last nite since it had some old soggy veggies in it and I didn't want it stinking up the RV. So that was my own stupidity for not taking it to the back of the truck.
Actually, that was my SECOND surprise -- Holly Puked Again! Haven’t had that problem for some time. Will have to watch her for a few days.
Li'lBit and I made a trip to Wally World early. Didn't need much but I like to read the Sunday paper. I have to buy my own every week since my sister isn't here to share that big expense with me! Have to eat breakfast by myself, too! That is one thing I really miss about being in Iowa – Sunday breakfast and paper with my sister.
After leaving WalMart I dropped mail at the post office, let Li'lBit sniff and water the grass at the park, took the trash to the dumpster and then came home ready to be lazy for the rest of the day. This retirement is so damned exciting, not sure just how much of it I can take!
Since it is March and a month for the Irish, I put some lamb shanks in the crock pot over night. Added carrots and potatoes in the morning and tossed in some frozen peas prior to eating.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were in the 60 degree range and really, dreary and foggy in the morning. The sun did come out to save the day. The dehumidifier was going full-speed! Big project for Tuesday was dump kitty litter! How's that for a full-day workload!
Ended up running back into town on Tuesday - forgot to get bread -- remembered the lunch meat! Of course, I could bake a loaf or two but I'd just eat the whole thing with butter while it was warm!
Extended my stay here since the weather is so nice! FINALLY! I'm now paid up until April 14 so I'll head back to Gatesville on the 15th.
Weatherman promised it would get into the 70s all week! AND be nice for the weekend, too. I think the nice weather was waiting for Deryl & Elke to leave town. If I'd known the nice weather was just waiting for them to get out of town, I'd have kicked them out sooner! Actually, I’m glad I’m staying later so I’ll still be here when they return from their vacation.
Met with Steve and Judy at the Red Diner for lunch. I’ve been emailing with them for some time. They are fulltimers and staying at an RV park south of Rockport. We just haven’t managed to get together before this. Judy also has respiratory problems and between the two of us and this crazy weather, we just didn’t ‘get it together’ to get together. It was a fun visit. They leave the 20th of this month, headed to Indiana to visit family, so I’m glad we finally had a chance to meet.
Stopped at the fish market for some shrimp. Fog was really blowing in along the coastline. Couldn’t see any distance out into the gulf. It was really haunting. I had to pull over in the parking lot and just imagine the sea monsters that must be lurking under that water and behind that foggy veil.
Saurkraut, butter beans and brats steaming in beer were waiting iin the crock pot when I got home so the shrimp had to wait.
Thursday was another 65 degrees -- foggy -- no breeze (if we had one it might blow the fog away!) Dense fog warnings until 10AM - should have stayed in bed!!! Dew point is 64 degrees so I guess that just about tells the whole story! On mornings like that I keep the windows closed, the dehumidifier going, grab a good book and make another pot of coffee!
I have to think of some sort of 'tool' I can make or buy for turning the vent fan in the kitchen on and off. I'm too short and the ceiling is too tall -- one of those things I didn't think of when I bought this RV. I have to get out the step ladder so I can get up and turn it on and off. I've read the directions, trying to figure out if there is way I can control it from the thermostat, but haven't figured that out yet. GEEZ! I wish they wrote instructions for technically incompetent people! There has to be a long handled something that I can make/buy. I have one of those 'grabbers' with the long handle, and it works for the toggle switch but not for the knob.
Li’lBit and I spend most of the afternoons out enjoying the sun. I bought 2 hanging baskets of pink periwinkle. They hang from the holes in my 5th wheel hitch… looks kinda 'springy'!
By mid afternoon we Thursday the thermometer hit 82 degrees...no breeze....sun's out! WHEW! Summer got here all at once! Gotta love this weather!
Thursday evening I boiled the shrimp in the shell and steamed crab legs! YUMMY! That was it -- a small salad - ate the salad standing at the stove boiling and steaming! Then pigged out of crab legs and shrimp! Still have some shrimp left – will go great in jambalaya or fried rice later.
What happened to summer? Friday morning it was...BRRR...52 degrees and windy -- felt COLD!! Sun was out so it ended up being a nice day but only made it into the mid-60s. Oh, well, can't be in paradise EVERY day!
Friday I had lunch with Roberta, Jim, and Dan again. The Lunch Bunch met at the Vietnamese restaurant here in town. Normally Thai and Vietnamese food is too spicy for me – but my grilled garlic shrimp was just right.
Love this weather! I guess between now and the end of March, many of the RVers head back north. Many of the Winter Texans here in the park come out of Minnesota and Michigan.
Some folks went by the beaches today -- and came back! They said you couldn't find a vacant spot on the beach between here and south of Corpus. The beaches were PACKED with kids on spring break! Oh, how exciting! Young healthy bodies in bikinis, booze and volleyball!
Daylight saving time this weekend. I wish they would leave my clock alone! Oh, what do I care! I’m not punching a time clock, don’t have to be anywhere and any special time. Come to think of it, I really don’t even care what day of the week it is! Life is good!
Had a surprise when I went outside. Some critter had found my trash. Not a big mess - just chewed a hole in the trash bag. I had closed it up and dropped it outside the door last nite since it had some old soggy veggies in it and I didn't want it stinking up the RV. So that was my own stupidity for not taking it to the back of the truck.
Actually, that was my SECOND surprise -- Holly Puked Again! Haven’t had that problem for some time. Will have to watch her for a few days.
Li'lBit and I made a trip to Wally World early. Didn't need much but I like to read the Sunday paper. I have to buy my own every week since my sister isn't here to share that big expense with me! Have to eat breakfast by myself, too! That is one thing I really miss about being in Iowa – Sunday breakfast and paper with my sister.
After leaving WalMart I dropped mail at the post office, let Li'lBit sniff and water the grass at the park, took the trash to the dumpster and then came home ready to be lazy for the rest of the day. This retirement is so damned exciting, not sure just how much of it I can take!
Since it is March and a month for the Irish, I put some lamb shanks in the crock pot over night. Added carrots and potatoes in the morning and tossed in some frozen peas prior to eating.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were in the 60 degree range and really, dreary and foggy in the morning. The sun did come out to save the day. The dehumidifier was going full-speed! Big project for Tuesday was dump kitty litter! How's that for a full-day workload!
Ended up running back into town on Tuesday - forgot to get bread -- remembered the lunch meat! Of course, I could bake a loaf or two but I'd just eat the whole thing with butter while it was warm!
Extended my stay here since the weather is so nice! FINALLY! I'm now paid up until April 14 so I'll head back to Gatesville on the 15th.
Weatherman promised it would get into the 70s all week! AND be nice for the weekend, too. I think the nice weather was waiting for Deryl & Elke to leave town. If I'd known the nice weather was just waiting for them to get out of town, I'd have kicked them out sooner! Actually, I’m glad I’m staying later so I’ll still be here when they return from their vacation.
Met with Steve and Judy at the Red Diner for lunch. I’ve been emailing with them for some time. They are fulltimers and staying at an RV park south of Rockport. We just haven’t managed to get together before this. Judy also has respiratory problems and between the two of us and this crazy weather, we just didn’t ‘get it together’ to get together. It was a fun visit. They leave the 20th of this month, headed to Indiana to visit family, so I’m glad we finally had a chance to meet.
Stopped at the fish market for some shrimp. Fog was really blowing in along the coastline. Couldn’t see any distance out into the gulf. It was really haunting. I had to pull over in the parking lot and just imagine the sea monsters that must be lurking under that water and behind that foggy veil.
Saurkraut, butter beans and brats steaming in beer were waiting iin the crock pot when I got home so the shrimp had to wait.
Thursday was another 65 degrees -- foggy -- no breeze (if we had one it might blow the fog away!) Dense fog warnings until 10AM - should have stayed in bed!!! Dew point is 64 degrees so I guess that just about tells the whole story! On mornings like that I keep the windows closed, the dehumidifier going, grab a good book and make another pot of coffee!
I have to think of some sort of 'tool' I can make or buy for turning the vent fan in the kitchen on and off. I'm too short and the ceiling is too tall -- one of those things I didn't think of when I bought this RV. I have to get out the step ladder so I can get up and turn it on and off. I've read the directions, trying to figure out if there is way I can control it from the thermostat, but haven't figured that out yet. GEEZ! I wish they wrote instructions for technically incompetent people! There has to be a long handled something that I can make/buy. I have one of those 'grabbers' with the long handle, and it works for the toggle switch but not for the knob.
Li’lBit and I spend most of the afternoons out enjoying the sun. I bought 2 hanging baskets of pink periwinkle. They hang from the holes in my 5th wheel hitch… looks kinda 'springy'!
By mid afternoon we Thursday the thermometer hit 82 degrees...no breeze....sun's out! WHEW! Summer got here all at once! Gotta love this weather!
Thursday evening I boiled the shrimp in the shell and steamed crab legs! YUMMY! That was it -- a small salad - ate the salad standing at the stove boiling and steaming! Then pigged out of crab legs and shrimp! Still have some shrimp left – will go great in jambalaya or fried rice later.
What happened to summer? Friday morning it was...BRRR...52 degrees and windy -- felt COLD!! Sun was out so it ended up being a nice day but only made it into the mid-60s. Oh, well, can't be in paradise EVERY day!
Friday I had lunch with Roberta, Jim, and Dan again. The Lunch Bunch met at the Vietnamese restaurant here in town. Normally Thai and Vietnamese food is too spicy for me – but my grilled garlic shrimp was just right.
Love this weather! I guess between now and the end of March, many of the RVers head back north. Many of the Winter Texans here in the park come out of Minnesota and Michigan.
Some folks went by the beaches today -- and came back! They said you couldn't find a vacant spot on the beach between here and south of Corpus. The beaches were PACKED with kids on spring break! Oh, how exciting! Young healthy bodies in bikinis, booze and volleyball!
Daylight saving time this weekend. I wish they would leave my clock alone! Oh, what do I care! I’m not punching a time clock, don’t have to be anywhere and any special time. Come to think of it, I really don’t even care what day of the week it is! Life is good!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
The March into March - Mar 1-6
Woke up to 55 degrees the first of March. It may get to the lower 70s before the day ends and the rains come. The winds are gusting to 35. I can do without the winds!
Stopped by the office to pay my electric bill. It was $59.92 Sure has been consistent! My package from King Arthur Flour was in. I ordered fiori di sicilia flavoring. I have a recipe that sounds really good, so I had to try the flavoring! Now I hope I can remember where I put the recipe!
Just call me Turbo Tax Timmy Geitner (or whatever his name is!) I finished my taxes. I'm getting money back and my risk for audit is Very Low -- like way down the bottom of the scale! Guess there isn't much that can go wrong when you don't have anything to itemize
Tinga is being an obnoxious bitchy bird! She started the minute I came in from being outside with Li'lBit and she has been bitching me out ever since! GEEZ! Wonder how I can send a bird to the corner for a 'time out'!
Need to make room for another holiday. Holi is the springtime Festival of Colors, that commemorates the triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology. Holi began Feb. 28, and is celebrated for 2 days. Guess I’m going to have to find some good Indian recipes to help me celebrate this day of unity and bringing people together! And what can bring folks together faster than food!
Speaking of food and friends - went to Pepitos with Deryl & Elke. I always leave with my belly is full. I had a combination plate with an enchilada, a taco, beans, rice, tostada and something else! I ate the taco, the beans and rice and brought the rest home in a doggie bag.
MARCH 2 Happy Texas Independence Day! 46 degrees and 10-15 mph winds without any real gusts.
Lunch Bunch, Dan, Jim, Roberta and I had our get-together today. Cute little soup and sandwich shop. I had the grilled Reuben sandwich -- came with a fancy little side of sliced fruit and potato salad. In the process of wandering about the Rockport Heritage area, I found a used book store! OOPS! Can’t get out of a book store without at least one book!
I’ve never been a Dr Seuss enthusiast, but March 2 is his birthday. Never did quite understand what the attraction was. OH, Well! Happy Birthday Doc! My sister had quite a day planned at her school.
Too chilly to set outside even tho the sun is out, 54 degrees and breezy. I'm sure getting spoiled and demanding about my weather! I know what 'perfect' weather is and I’m not-so-patiently waiting for it!
Heard on the weather last night that the record HI for March 3 was 90 degrees! We didn't make it, but it was a nice day -- kinda breezy and only 56 degrees but it feels a little warmer -- enjoyed Li'lBit and my ice tea outside for awhile. The sun felt good but the wind started picking up -- brushed Li'lBit and we took a short walk and back inside -- call me The Hermit!
Sarah and Bill left this AM -- they are a couple out of the Midland TX area that I run into at the Gatesville RV park frequently. They are headed to the valley for about a month. The weather here wasn't really good enough for us to spend much time together.
Emailed Mary at Shady Oaks with tentative dates for summer in Iowa. Looks like my arrival date in Iowa will be Wednesday May 26. I'll leave anytime after Labor Day (preferably after about mid September until mid October).
Did I get a surprise in the mail. Brenda’s (my personal mail-lady!) Mom quilted me a special lap blanket. What a surprise! It’s one of those ‘too nice to use’ items, but I’ll sure enjoy it these chilly nights when I’m in the recliner reading.
While in town, I stopped by Castaways just to see if they had anything I couldn't live without -- and I found the prettiest little china tea cup and saucer. Now I can have my tea in a real tea cup.....watch ....I'll probably break it the first time I move! Oh, well, it only cost me $1.50
Then Li'lBit and I stopped at the park so she could sniff and water the grass. I’m still leary about taking her to the beach because of her itching. We don’t have that under control yet.
Why can't my tanks run out in daylight or in dry weather or when it is warm.....it is always, cold, wet or dark when I have to run out and switch! Good thing I’ve had so much practice I can do it in the dark.
March 4 and almost 60 degrees and it is before 8AM! Sunny – some wind, at least they aren't gusting and blowing everything away. Li’lBit and I enjoyed the outside until the winds did pick up.
Using up the last of my crawfish, I made another pan of crawfish fried rice. I have never been a crawfish person 'cuz I hated to mess with cleaning them. But I can buy the tails already cleaned and ready to go here at the fish market. Also bought some crab legs -- they had a good price on them, so had some REAL crab instead of the imitation crab I normally use. Of course my house will smell like boiled crabs and crawfish for a couple of days.
March 5 brought 60 degrees, cloudy, 86% humidity - heavy air day! Dehumidifier kicked on early.
Propane guy came early on Friday. I had my tank out front but didn't have a check on it; he always comes in the afternoon. I was up in the bedroom doing some hand laundry when I heard the truck. Tinga was out so it was a tricky exit and entrance to get out and back in without her going out the door. I thought I was smart by closing the sliding door between downstairs and upstairs since she was in the bedroom with me. But when I came in, Li'lBit had pushed the door open to get out and there was Tinga! OOPS! Didn’t know I could move so fast to get in and get the door closed!
MARCH 6 SATURDAY
A sunny day in the 60s! YIPPEE -- supposed to have rain tomorrow, then in the 70s for the rest of the week - now THIS is why I come to Rockport for the winter!
Stopped by the office to pay my electric bill. It was $59.92 Sure has been consistent! My package from King Arthur Flour was in. I ordered fiori di sicilia flavoring. I have a recipe that sounds really good, so I had to try the flavoring! Now I hope I can remember where I put the recipe!
Just call me Turbo Tax Timmy Geitner (or whatever his name is!) I finished my taxes. I'm getting money back and my risk for audit is Very Low -- like way down the bottom of the scale! Guess there isn't much that can go wrong when you don't have anything to itemize
Tinga is being an obnoxious bitchy bird! She started the minute I came in from being outside with Li'lBit and she has been bitching me out ever since! GEEZ! Wonder how I can send a bird to the corner for a 'time out'!
Need to make room for another holiday. Holi is the springtime Festival of Colors, that commemorates the triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology. Holi began Feb. 28, and is celebrated for 2 days. Guess I’m going to have to find some good Indian recipes to help me celebrate this day of unity and bringing people together! And what can bring folks together faster than food!
Speaking of food and friends - went to Pepitos with Deryl & Elke. I always leave with my belly is full. I had a combination plate with an enchilada, a taco, beans, rice, tostada and something else! I ate the taco, the beans and rice and brought the rest home in a doggie bag.
MARCH 2 Happy Texas Independence Day! 46 degrees and 10-15 mph winds without any real gusts.
Lunch Bunch, Dan, Jim, Roberta and I had our get-together today. Cute little soup and sandwich shop. I had the grilled Reuben sandwich -- came with a fancy little side of sliced fruit and potato salad. In the process of wandering about the Rockport Heritage area, I found a used book store! OOPS! Can’t get out of a book store without at least one book!
I’ve never been a Dr Seuss enthusiast, but March 2 is his birthday. Never did quite understand what the attraction was. OH, Well! Happy Birthday Doc! My sister had quite a day planned at her school.
Too chilly to set outside even tho the sun is out, 54 degrees and breezy. I'm sure getting spoiled and demanding about my weather! I know what 'perfect' weather is and I’m not-so-patiently waiting for it!
Heard on the weather last night that the record HI for March 3 was 90 degrees! We didn't make it, but it was a nice day -- kinda breezy and only 56 degrees but it feels a little warmer -- enjoyed Li'lBit and my ice tea outside for awhile. The sun felt good but the wind started picking up -- brushed Li'lBit and we took a short walk and back inside -- call me The Hermit!
Sarah and Bill left this AM -- they are a couple out of the Midland TX area that I run into at the Gatesville RV park frequently. They are headed to the valley for about a month. The weather here wasn't really good enough for us to spend much time together.
Emailed Mary at Shady Oaks with tentative dates for summer in Iowa. Looks like my arrival date in Iowa will be Wednesday May 26. I'll leave anytime after Labor Day (preferably after about mid September until mid October).
Did I get a surprise in the mail. Brenda’s (my personal mail-lady!) Mom quilted me a special lap blanket. What a surprise! It’s one of those ‘too nice to use’ items, but I’ll sure enjoy it these chilly nights when I’m in the recliner reading.
While in town, I stopped by Castaways just to see if they had anything I couldn't live without -- and I found the prettiest little china tea cup and saucer. Now I can have my tea in a real tea cup.....watch ....I'll probably break it the first time I move! Oh, well, it only cost me $1.50
Then Li'lBit and I stopped at the park so she could sniff and water the grass. I’m still leary about taking her to the beach because of her itching. We don’t have that under control yet.
Why can't my tanks run out in daylight or in dry weather or when it is warm.....it is always, cold, wet or dark when I have to run out and switch! Good thing I’ve had so much practice I can do it in the dark.
March 4 and almost 60 degrees and it is before 8AM! Sunny – some wind, at least they aren't gusting and blowing everything away. Li’lBit and I enjoyed the outside until the winds did pick up.
Using up the last of my crawfish, I made another pan of crawfish fried rice. I have never been a crawfish person 'cuz I hated to mess with cleaning them. But I can buy the tails already cleaned and ready to go here at the fish market. Also bought some crab legs -- they had a good price on them, so had some REAL crab instead of the imitation crab I normally use. Of course my house will smell like boiled crabs and crawfish for a couple of days.
March 5 brought 60 degrees, cloudy, 86% humidity - heavy air day! Dehumidifier kicked on early.
Propane guy came early on Friday. I had my tank out front but didn't have a check on it; he always comes in the afternoon. I was up in the bedroom doing some hand laundry when I heard the truck. Tinga was out so it was a tricky exit and entrance to get out and back in without her going out the door. I thought I was smart by closing the sliding door between downstairs and upstairs since she was in the bedroom with me. But when I came in, Li'lBit had pushed the door open to get out and there was Tinga! OOPS! Didn’t know I could move so fast to get in and get the door closed!
MARCH 6 SATURDAY
A sunny day in the 60s! YIPPEE -- supposed to have rain tomorrow, then in the 70s for the rest of the week - now THIS is why I come to Rockport for the winter!
Finally, February Comes to an End, Feb 22-28
The cold front blew in about 4AM. Back to 40 degrees with wind chills in the 30s and winds blowing 25-30 mph. I’m still finding it damn depressing that I need to wear a jacket to walk Li’lBit! AND, guess who was out at 11:30PM in the blowing rain and 40 mph winds flipping propane tanks! Oh, the joys of RV living!
I dumped the remainder of the roast beef and gravy into the crock pot, added some beef broth, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, onions, celery. Soup for a few days and I managed to clean out the veggie bin in the fridge!
By Thursday the temps were back into the 50s and the rain was slowing down.
Deryl and Elke stopped by for a visit. They leave March 2 in their motor home, headed west to join a cruise to Mexico. Sounds like a great vacation to me! They should be back before I leave Rockport.
Installed TurboTax. Now I have to really get busy getting things sorted out and filed. It did get me to finally sort through and clean out the files in that rolling file cart I had parked under my table! Now I can dismantle the cart, stash it in the under compartment until I find someone that can use it, move my sewing machine back to its spot under the table! Things are getting accomplished. That is a great feeling!
I think Tinga did a number on one of my day/nite shades. I noticed it ‘drooping’ from the mounting bracket. I have a love/hate relationship with those things. If they work, I love them; when they don’t, I could rip them down and toss them in the trash!
I would also like to meet the interior decorators/designers for RVs. Obviously they only go for looks and don’t have to work with the stuff they install. There is absolutely no way you can get fat fingers with a screwdriver in, over, around the window décor!
FINALLY, the day/nite shade is back up and working, but not after a few skinned knuckles and a few bad words.
Laundry and errands completed and when I got home the outlets in the kitchen area weren’t working. Tried the breakers, etc – all those do-it-yourself things. Still no electricity to the outlets. This is what I love about RV living……asked one of the guys working on an RV down the way if he knew of anyone in the park that did electrical work. He came by to see what the problem was and fixed it! Now I know that the reset button for the KITCHEN outlets is in the BATHROOM. Hello! Who thought up that idea! GEEZ!
Roberta had a yard sale on Saturday. Love garage/yard sales. Just had to get there to see if there was something I couldn’t live without! Had time for a nice visit and we decided it was time for another ‘lunch bunch get together.’
The news from my home in central TX isn’t very good. I heard that a lady I had worked with for awhile had been murdered. How sad, she has a young daughter about 3-4 years old. This is the 2nd murder in the area this month, along with another shooting, a rape, and a plane crash. I’m not sure it is safe to head back that way.
February doesn’t get much better when it comes to good food and good friends. Not only do we have the Mardi Gras celebrations, this year the Jewish holiday of Purim is Feb 27-Mar 1. The story of Purim is in the Book of Esther. For Mardi Gras, I have to have my King Cake, for Purim, lemon-poppy seed cake is a necessity.
And on we go to March.....
I dumped the remainder of the roast beef and gravy into the crock pot, added some beef broth, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, onions, celery. Soup for a few days and I managed to clean out the veggie bin in the fridge!
By Thursday the temps were back into the 50s and the rain was slowing down.
Deryl and Elke stopped by for a visit. They leave March 2 in their motor home, headed west to join a cruise to Mexico. Sounds like a great vacation to me! They should be back before I leave Rockport.
Installed TurboTax. Now I have to really get busy getting things sorted out and filed. It did get me to finally sort through and clean out the files in that rolling file cart I had parked under my table! Now I can dismantle the cart, stash it in the under compartment until I find someone that can use it, move my sewing machine back to its spot under the table! Things are getting accomplished. That is a great feeling!
I think Tinga did a number on one of my day/nite shades. I noticed it ‘drooping’ from the mounting bracket. I have a love/hate relationship with those things. If they work, I love them; when they don’t, I could rip them down and toss them in the trash!
I would also like to meet the interior decorators/designers for RVs. Obviously they only go for looks and don’t have to work with the stuff they install. There is absolutely no way you can get fat fingers with a screwdriver in, over, around the window décor!
FINALLY, the day/nite shade is back up and working, but not after a few skinned knuckles and a few bad words.
Laundry and errands completed and when I got home the outlets in the kitchen area weren’t working. Tried the breakers, etc – all those do-it-yourself things. Still no electricity to the outlets. This is what I love about RV living……asked one of the guys working on an RV down the way if he knew of anyone in the park that did electrical work. He came by to see what the problem was and fixed it! Now I know that the reset button for the KITCHEN outlets is in the BATHROOM. Hello! Who thought up that idea! GEEZ!
Roberta had a yard sale on Saturday. Love garage/yard sales. Just had to get there to see if there was something I couldn’t live without! Had time for a nice visit and we decided it was time for another ‘lunch bunch get together.’
The news from my home in central TX isn’t very good. I heard that a lady I had worked with for awhile had been murdered. How sad, she has a young daughter about 3-4 years old. This is the 2nd murder in the area this month, along with another shooting, a rape, and a plane crash. I’m not sure it is safe to head back that way.
February doesn’t get much better when it comes to good food and good friends. Not only do we have the Mardi Gras celebrations, this year the Jewish holiday of Purim is Feb 27-Mar 1. The story of Purim is in the Book of Esther. For Mardi Gras, I have to have my King Cake, for Purim, lemon-poppy seed cake is a necessity.
And on we go to March.....
More February Catch-Up Feb 15-21
The weather will not break! I'm not the only one getting tired of it. Evidentially, Li'lBit is getting tired of all of this chilly, rainy weather, too. She refuses to go out. She loves to ride along when I run errands, but now wants to be carried to and from the truck. Heaven forbid the princess should get her feet wet!
Still working on getting my tax stuff together and while going through my travel logs, I realized I have used 13 cylinders of propane since I arrived November 30th. That is more propane than I have used my entire first three years full-timing! How many ways can I say I sure appreciate this easy on easy off hook up for the tanks! No More Pipe Wrench!
Along with the propane hookup, the easy acCess to the drains for the holding tanks is a real pleasure in this cold, rainy, damp, chilly, windy, etc etc etc weather! No more crawling partway into the undercompartment to pull the holding tank levers. Oh, Life Is Good with Simple Pleasures!
Tuesday the 16th was Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday). And, keeping with tradition, I treated my self to pancakes - I made a pannekoeken (oven pancake) with peach filling! Oh, yummy!
Completed my civic duty and mailed in the absentee ballot for the primary elections. My voting home central Texas and there is nothing like Texas politics to get the heart pumping and the blood pressure on the rise!
Still not feeling up to par so took a pass on the ladies lunch this month. But by the weekend, the sun was back out and Li'lBit and I enjoyed being outside. Even got some of the undercompartment cleaned and straightened. While I was in there I rummaged thru the book boxes and found some more reading material. Weather like we have had this winter makes me glad I decided to drag all of those books with me and not sell them at the yard sale when I moved out of the house. The extra weight of the many hard bound books is just about a thing of the past. I've been reading the hardbound books first.
Poor Li'lBit is itching again - which may be why she wants to be carried to and from the truck - she doesn't have to walk in the damp sand. Evidentially her blood levels of that good ol' Iowa Roadside Medicine (hemp) have been dropping! She immediately hits her little patch of wild hemp the minute she gets to Iowa and the itching stops.
Not sure if it is going to work, but I found some hulled hemp seed and hemp seed oil on the 'net' and ordered it. I'll try adding it to her food. But I'm not sure just part of the hemp benefits her - all I've seen her eat are the young shoots as the start up through the soil.
Sunday February 21 - Sunny, 62 degrees HALLELUJAH!!!!
Still working on getting my tax stuff together and while going through my travel logs, I realized I have used 13 cylinders of propane since I arrived November 30th. That is more propane than I have used my entire first three years full-timing! How many ways can I say I sure appreciate this easy on easy off hook up for the tanks! No More Pipe Wrench!
Along with the propane hookup, the easy acCess to the drains for the holding tanks is a real pleasure in this cold, rainy, damp, chilly, windy, etc etc etc weather! No more crawling partway into the undercompartment to pull the holding tank levers. Oh, Life Is Good with Simple Pleasures!
Tuesday the 16th was Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday). And, keeping with tradition, I treated my self to pancakes - I made a pannekoeken (oven pancake) with peach filling! Oh, yummy!
Completed my civic duty and mailed in the absentee ballot for the primary elections. My voting home central Texas and there is nothing like Texas politics to get the heart pumping and the blood pressure on the rise!
Still not feeling up to par so took a pass on the ladies lunch this month. But by the weekend, the sun was back out and Li'lBit and I enjoyed being outside. Even got some of the undercompartment cleaned and straightened. While I was in there I rummaged thru the book boxes and found some more reading material. Weather like we have had this winter makes me glad I decided to drag all of those books with me and not sell them at the yard sale when I moved out of the house. The extra weight of the many hard bound books is just about a thing of the past. I've been reading the hardbound books first.
Poor Li'lBit is itching again - which may be why she wants to be carried to and from the truck - she doesn't have to walk in the damp sand. Evidentially her blood levels of that good ol' Iowa Roadside Medicine (hemp) have been dropping! She immediately hits her little patch of wild hemp the minute she gets to Iowa and the itching stops.
Not sure if it is going to work, but I found some hulled hemp seed and hemp seed oil on the 'net' and ordered it. I'll try adding it to her food. But I'm not sure just part of the hemp benefits her - all I've seen her eat are the young shoots as the start up through the soil.
Sunday February 21 - Sunny, 62 degrees HALLELUJAH!!!!
Friday, March 5, 2010
February Recipes Part 2
PANNEKOEKEN
1 c. flour
1 c. milk
4 eggs
Dash of nutmeg
Dash of salt
Heat 2-4 tablespoons butter in 9-inch metal deep dish pie pan (I use a wok or my cast iron fry pan) in 400 degree oven.
Gently mix flour, milk, eggs, nutmeg and salt, leaving lumps. Pour into the hot pie pan. Bake 20 minutes until puffy and brown. It will deflate when cooling.
Serve plain with butter, powdered sugar, syrup or jelly or jam.
OPTIONAL: Spoon 1 can apple or any flavor of pie filling over batter before baking.
Sprinkle ham, cheese, bacon, onions, green peppers, mushrooms or desired topping before baking
ROAST BEEF WITH COKE
1 beef roast, of choice
1 package onion soup mix
1 (12 ounce) can Coke
Put roast in a crock-pot,sprinkle with onion soup mix. I use the Lipton's Onion/Mushroom Soup mix.
Add coke to almost cover the roast.
Cook all day on low (8-10 hours),or on high 5-6 hours.
Liquid makes a great gravy.
MACARONI CON QUESO
2 cups macaroni or other tubular pasta
1 8 oz cream cheese
2 1/2 cups whole milk or half & half
1 tsp mustard powder
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt, black pepper and cayenne to taste
1 can of diced tomatoes, drained (Rotel tomatoes work great)
1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro or basil or 2 tbs dried
1 cup shredded cheddar (divided)
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack (divided)
Place dry macaroni in bottom of greased 10-inch pan.
In a blender, mix together the cream cheese and milk with mustard powder, garlic, salt and peppers.
Pour over macaroni. Stir in tomatoes and cilantro or basil.
Stir in 1/2 cup each of cheddar and Monterey Jack. Cover pan tightly with foil, and bake for 30 minutes in a 350 oven.
After the 30 minutes take the pan out of the oven. Remove the foil and gently stir the macaroni once. Top with remaining shredded cheese and continue to bake uncovered for 30 more minutes. Serve.
LEMON POPPY SEED CAKE
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
4 egg yolks
1 1/4 cups cake flour (see note)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup poppy seeds
1/3 cup milk
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
Confectioners' sugar
Cream butter in mixing bowl. Gradually beat in sugar until light and fluffy. Beat egg yolks in separate bowl until light and lemon colored. Blend yolks thoroughly into butter mixture.
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Add poppy seeds. Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with milk, blending well. Beat in lemon peel, lemon juice, vanilla and lemon extract.
Pour batter into well-buttered, lightly floured 4 1/2-by-8 1/2-inch loaf pan. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven 40 minutes, or until loaf pulls away from sides of pan and tester comes out clean.
Let cool on rack. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar before serving.
KING CAKE
PASTRY:
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
2/3 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
FILLING:
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup melted butter
FROSTING:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon water
Scald milk, remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup of butter. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in the warm water with 1 tablespoon of the white sugar. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
When yeast mixture is bubbling, add the cooled milk mixture. Whisk in the eggs. Stir in the remaining white sugar, salt and nutmeg. Beat the flour into the milk/egg mixture 1 cup at a time. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 2 hours. When risen, punch down and divide dough in half.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F Grease 2 cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
To Make Filling: Combine the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, chopped pecans, 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup raisins. Pour 1/2 cup melted butter over the cinnamon mixture and mix until crumbly.
Roll dough halves out into large rectangles (approximately 10x16 inches or so). Sprinkle the filling evenly over the dough and roll up each half tightly like a jelly roll, beginning at the wide side. Bring the ends of each roll together to form 2 oval shaped rings. Place each ring on a prepared cookie sheet. With scissors make cuts 1/3 of the way through the rings at 1 inch intervals. Let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Push the doll into the bottom of the cake. (I use a Pecan and bake it in the cake) Frost while warm with the confectioners' sugar blended with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water. Sprinkle with colored sugars in traditional colors, gold, purple, green.
1 c. flour
1 c. milk
4 eggs
Dash of nutmeg
Dash of salt
Heat 2-4 tablespoons butter in 9-inch metal deep dish pie pan (I use a wok or my cast iron fry pan) in 400 degree oven.
Gently mix flour, milk, eggs, nutmeg and salt, leaving lumps. Pour into the hot pie pan. Bake 20 minutes until puffy and brown. It will deflate when cooling.
Serve plain with butter, powdered sugar, syrup or jelly or jam.
OPTIONAL: Spoon 1 can apple or any flavor of pie filling over batter before baking.
Sprinkle ham, cheese, bacon, onions, green peppers, mushrooms or desired topping before baking
ROAST BEEF WITH COKE
1 beef roast, of choice
1 package onion soup mix
1 (12 ounce) can Coke
Put roast in a crock-pot,sprinkle with onion soup mix. I use the Lipton's Onion/Mushroom Soup mix.
Add coke to almost cover the roast.
Cook all day on low (8-10 hours),or on high 5-6 hours.
Liquid makes a great gravy.
MACARONI CON QUESO
2 cups macaroni or other tubular pasta
1 8 oz cream cheese
2 1/2 cups whole milk or half & half
1 tsp mustard powder
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt, black pepper and cayenne to taste
1 can of diced tomatoes, drained (Rotel tomatoes work great)
1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro or basil or 2 tbs dried
1 cup shredded cheddar (divided)
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack (divided)
Place dry macaroni in bottom of greased 10-inch pan.
In a blender, mix together the cream cheese and milk with mustard powder, garlic, salt and peppers.
Pour over macaroni. Stir in tomatoes and cilantro or basil.
Stir in 1/2 cup each of cheddar and Monterey Jack. Cover pan tightly with foil, and bake for 30 minutes in a 350 oven.
After the 30 minutes take the pan out of the oven. Remove the foil and gently stir the macaroni once. Top with remaining shredded cheese and continue to bake uncovered for 30 more minutes. Serve.
LEMON POPPY SEED CAKE
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
4 egg yolks
1 1/4 cups cake flour (see note)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup poppy seeds
1/3 cup milk
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
Confectioners' sugar
Cream butter in mixing bowl. Gradually beat in sugar until light and fluffy. Beat egg yolks in separate bowl until light and lemon colored. Blend yolks thoroughly into butter mixture.
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Add poppy seeds. Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with milk, blending well. Beat in lemon peel, lemon juice, vanilla and lemon extract.
Pour batter into well-buttered, lightly floured 4 1/2-by-8 1/2-inch loaf pan. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven 40 minutes, or until loaf pulls away from sides of pan and tester comes out clean.
Let cool on rack. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar before serving.
KING CAKE
PASTRY:
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
2/3 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
FILLING:
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup melted butter
FROSTING:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon water
Scald milk, remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup of butter. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in the warm water with 1 tablespoon of the white sugar. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
When yeast mixture is bubbling, add the cooled milk mixture. Whisk in the eggs. Stir in the remaining white sugar, salt and nutmeg. Beat the flour into the milk/egg mixture 1 cup at a time. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 2 hours. When risen, punch down and divide dough in half.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F Grease 2 cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
To Make Filling: Combine the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, chopped pecans, 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup raisins. Pour 1/2 cup melted butter over the cinnamon mixture and mix until crumbly.
Roll dough halves out into large rectangles (approximately 10x16 inches or so). Sprinkle the filling evenly over the dough and roll up each half tightly like a jelly roll, beginning at the wide side. Bring the ends of each roll together to form 2 oval shaped rings. Place each ring on a prepared cookie sheet. With scissors make cuts 1/3 of the way through the rings at 1 inch intervals. Let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Push the doll into the bottom of the cake. (I use a Pecan and bake it in the cake) Frost while warm with the confectioners' sugar blended with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water. Sprinkle with colored sugars in traditional colors, gold, purple, green.
February 8 - 14
After 2 nice sunny dry days the previous week, we went back to the windy, rainy, chilly. So much for that little bit of Global Warming!
Monday was laundry day. Couldn’t put it off any longer without having to run naked. WHEW! What a horrible visual! Take advantage of a dry day so I can get the laundry home without have to hang it up to dry again. I’m still carrying too many clothes. I don’t need this many. I realized just how much when I cleared the closet to put the clothes rod back up. I think it is time for a closet cleaning and a trip to Good Will or the Salvation Army.
There was some February excitement. On the 10th, my carbon monoxide alert alarm went off at 2AM. Got up and changed the batteries. An hour later it went off again. Up again. This time I left it open since I didn’t have any more batteries the right size. But, since the furnace was still on, I decided to shut that off since I had turned off the carbon monoxide monitor.
About 4AM the same night, I woke up with my bed shaking. Li’lBit was having a seizure. Poor little thing. Might as well stay up. I can’t sleep until she quiets down. She basically becomes a Velcro dog trying desperately to crawl under my skin.
Oh, but the excitement was not over! The following night the smoke detector goes off! Fortunately I had gone into town and picked up a fresh supply of batteries.
I change all of the batteries when we ‘spring ahead’ and ‘fall back’ with this daylight saving time stuff. Obviously I ended up with a pack of bad batteries.
By the end of the week, the sun was back. Temps were still in the 40-50 degree range and the winds were blowing 15-20 mph with gusts up into the 30 mph range. The sun felt good, but the winds made it impossible to set outside and enjoy it.
It must be a sign that the lungs are finally clearing up. On Friday I met Deryl & Elke at Charlotte Plummers – fried oysters and shrimp gumbo! Life is good!
Sunday was another sunny day and off to Pepitos in Aransas Pass with Deryl & Elke for deep fried avocadoes. They also have a hellofa mushroom quesadilla. Love that place.
Monday was laundry day. Couldn’t put it off any longer without having to run naked. WHEW! What a horrible visual! Take advantage of a dry day so I can get the laundry home without have to hang it up to dry again. I’m still carrying too many clothes. I don’t need this many. I realized just how much when I cleared the closet to put the clothes rod back up. I think it is time for a closet cleaning and a trip to Good Will or the Salvation Army.
There was some February excitement. On the 10th, my carbon monoxide alert alarm went off at 2AM. Got up and changed the batteries. An hour later it went off again. Up again. This time I left it open since I didn’t have any more batteries the right size. But, since the furnace was still on, I decided to shut that off since I had turned off the carbon monoxide monitor.
About 4AM the same night, I woke up with my bed shaking. Li’lBit was having a seizure. Poor little thing. Might as well stay up. I can’t sleep until she quiets down. She basically becomes a Velcro dog trying desperately to crawl under my skin.
Oh, but the excitement was not over! The following night the smoke detector goes off! Fortunately I had gone into town and picked up a fresh supply of batteries.
I change all of the batteries when we ‘spring ahead’ and ‘fall back’ with this daylight saving time stuff. Obviously I ended up with a pack of bad batteries.
By the end of the week, the sun was back. Temps were still in the 40-50 degree range and the winds were blowing 15-20 mph with gusts up into the 30 mph range. The sun felt good, but the winds made it impossible to set outside and enjoy it.
It must be a sign that the lungs are finally clearing up. On Friday I met Deryl & Elke at Charlotte Plummers – fried oysters and shrimp gumbo! Life is good!
Sunday was another sunny day and off to Pepitos in Aransas Pass with Deryl & Elke for deep fried avocadoes. They also have a hellofa mushroom quesadilla. Love that place.
February Recipes, just 'cuz you asked!
CROCK POT BREAD PUDDING
8 cups cubed day-old cinnamon or white bread
2 cups milk
4 eggs
1/4 cup sugar, brown or white or a little of both
1/4 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Cinnamon to taste
2 apples cored, peeled & chopped (more or less!)
Optional -- Bananas work really good in this, too!
1 cup raisins - optional
Nuts -- walnuts, pecans, your choice, optional
Place cubed bread in crock pot with apples mixed in. In a mixing bowl, combine the next 7 ingredients; beat until smooth. Stir in raisins. Pour over bread; stir gently. Cover and cook on LOW for 3 hours
RUM SAUCE
For Bread Pudding
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons white or dark rum
Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Mix together the sugar and cornstarch, and stir into the butter. Pour milk in gradually, stirring constantly. Cook stirring frequently until the mixture begins to boil. Continue cooking until thick, stirring constantly. Serve warm over bread pudding.
BANANA BREAD
3 large ripe bananas
2 cups self-rising flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup walnuts or pecans
Dash of vanilla
Mash bananas with a fork. Stir the flour and sugar together and mix with bananas, oil and eggs. Fold in the nuts, if desired. Pour into a greased and floured loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour at 325F, until golden brown and tested done with a straw.
Optional – press some chopped nuts on top of the batter before baking.
SELF RISING FLOUR
Measure the desired amount of flour into a bowl.
For each cup of all-purpose flour,
add 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and
1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Mix to combine.
CRAWFISH FRIED RICE
(can use any seafood or fish in this recipe)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 cups cooked, cold rice
1/4 cup diced carrots
1/4 cup diced onions
1/4 cup diced bell pepper
1 cup sliced green onions
1 cup green peas
2 tablespoons seasoning mix (any Cajun or seafood seasoning)
2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 scrambled eggs, cooked and chopped
2 cups cooked crawfish tails
Precook crawfish tails in microwave for 5 minutes. Pre-heat wok or frying pan on high. Add oil. Add cooked rice, mix well. Stir-fry until hot. Add carrots, onions, and bell pepper, green onions peas, stir fry for several minutes. Blend in seasoning mix and soy sauce. Add scrambled eggs and cooked crawfish tails. Blend well, cover and turn heat setting on wok to low and stir fry for 5 minutes.
CREOLE DIRTY RICE
1 lb. Chicken livers, chopped fine
4 tbs. Vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
1 tsp. Chopped garlic
1/4 cup green onions tops chopped
1/4 cup parsley (optional)
1/2 tsp. Creole Spices
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Black pepper
8 cups cooked rice
Sauté chicken livers, onions, celery, green peppers, and garlic with vegetable oil until lightly browned. Add Creole Spices, salt, and pepper, then combine liver mixture with cooked rice in a bowl. Add green onion tops, toss with a fork. Place rice in casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees until heated
CRAWFISH AND/OR SHRIMP CHOWDER
3 slices diced sautéed ham or cooked crumbled bacon
1 1/2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 small onion, chopped
2 tablespoons bell pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons celery, chopped
2 cups peeled diced raw potatoes
1 1/2 cups fish or shrimp stock (if you don’t have fish stock, use chicken broth or vegetable stock)
2 cups heavy cream, milk or condensed milk
1 pound cooked crawfish tails or 1 -1/2 pounds shelled cooked shrimp (I often use both)
Seasoning – your preference. I use milk Cajun premixed spices. Any fish, shrimp or seafood seasoning works well.
Put butter or margarine to pan, add onions, bell peppers and celery. Saute until wilted. Add stock and potatoes, (if shrimp are used add shrimp), and meat. Cook until potatoes are tender. Add crawfish.
About 10 minutes before serving add cream and seasoning. Cook over a low fire until flavors come together. Do not let cream curdle.
I often don’t use milk at all – just extra stock or broth.
8 cups cubed day-old cinnamon or white bread
2 cups milk
4 eggs
1/4 cup sugar, brown or white or a little of both
1/4 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Cinnamon to taste
2 apples cored, peeled & chopped (more or less!)
Optional -- Bananas work really good in this, too!
1 cup raisins - optional
Nuts -- walnuts, pecans, your choice, optional
Place cubed bread in crock pot with apples mixed in. In a mixing bowl, combine the next 7 ingredients; beat until smooth. Stir in raisins. Pour over bread; stir gently. Cover and cook on LOW for 3 hours
RUM SAUCE
For Bread Pudding
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons white or dark rum
Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Mix together the sugar and cornstarch, and stir into the butter. Pour milk in gradually, stirring constantly. Cook stirring frequently until the mixture begins to boil. Continue cooking until thick, stirring constantly. Serve warm over bread pudding.
BANANA BREAD
3 large ripe bananas
2 cups self-rising flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup walnuts or pecans
Dash of vanilla
Mash bananas with a fork. Stir the flour and sugar together and mix with bananas, oil and eggs. Fold in the nuts, if desired. Pour into a greased and floured loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour at 325F, until golden brown and tested done with a straw.
Optional – press some chopped nuts on top of the batter before baking.
SELF RISING FLOUR
Measure the desired amount of flour into a bowl.
For each cup of all-purpose flour,
add 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and
1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Mix to combine.
CRAWFISH FRIED RICE
(can use any seafood or fish in this recipe)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 cups cooked, cold rice
1/4 cup diced carrots
1/4 cup diced onions
1/4 cup diced bell pepper
1 cup sliced green onions
1 cup green peas
2 tablespoons seasoning mix (any Cajun or seafood seasoning)
2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 scrambled eggs, cooked and chopped
2 cups cooked crawfish tails
Precook crawfish tails in microwave for 5 minutes. Pre-heat wok or frying pan on high. Add oil. Add cooked rice, mix well. Stir-fry until hot. Add carrots, onions, and bell pepper, green onions peas, stir fry for several minutes. Blend in seasoning mix and soy sauce. Add scrambled eggs and cooked crawfish tails. Blend well, cover and turn heat setting on wok to low and stir fry for 5 minutes.
CREOLE DIRTY RICE
1 lb. Chicken livers, chopped fine
4 tbs. Vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
1 tsp. Chopped garlic
1/4 cup green onions tops chopped
1/4 cup parsley (optional)
1/2 tsp. Creole Spices
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Black pepper
8 cups cooked rice
Sauté chicken livers, onions, celery, green peppers, and garlic with vegetable oil until lightly browned. Add Creole Spices, salt, and pepper, then combine liver mixture with cooked rice in a bowl. Add green onion tops, toss with a fork. Place rice in casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees until heated
CRAWFISH AND/OR SHRIMP CHOWDER
3 slices diced sautéed ham or cooked crumbled bacon
1 1/2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 small onion, chopped
2 tablespoons bell pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons celery, chopped
2 cups peeled diced raw potatoes
1 1/2 cups fish or shrimp stock (if you don’t have fish stock, use chicken broth or vegetable stock)
2 cups heavy cream, milk or condensed milk
1 pound cooked crawfish tails or 1 -1/2 pounds shelled cooked shrimp (I often use both)
Seasoning – your preference. I use milk Cajun premixed spices. Any fish, shrimp or seafood seasoning works well.
Put butter or margarine to pan, add onions, bell peppers and celery. Saute until wilted. Add stock and potatoes, (if shrimp are used add shrimp), and meat. Cook until potatoes are tender. Add crawfish.
About 10 minutes before serving add cream and seasoning. Cook over a low fire until flavors come together. Do not let cream curdle.
I often don’t use milk at all – just extra stock or broth.
Starting My February Report -- OK, I'm behind!!!
I’m running out of things to say on the blog – how many ways can I say it is raining, cold, windy, my lungs are crappy, I can’t get any air, I don’t feel like going anywhere or doing anything, I think I’ll take to my bed and breathing machines today, I’m waiting for the propane truck, I have a pot of soup on in the crock pot!!!
This is the first winter down here that has given me so many problems, so I guess 1 out of 3 ain’t bad!
At least I am grateful that I’m not getting the snow, wind, and ice my sister is getting or even the much smaller amount of the same that my friends in central Texas are getting! With all of this winter weather in the Midwest, I have started checking with the Marshalltown IA newspaper each AM when I get on line to see if my sister is going to have school.
When I can’t get any “good air,” I do spend a lot of time setting and doing nothing or taking to my bed with the oxygen tank! Since I’m not good at working the laptop in bed, I have been doing lots of reading and some crocheting. By the 15th of the month, I had finished my 15th book. I hope Johnnie is going to have time for some reading when I get back to Gatesville and dump these books on her counter!
I’ve always loved to read, but the infection in the right eye and then the blurred and eventual lost vision took some of the pleasure out of it. But, I really think that film on my right eye is thinning out some. There are days I can see so much light through it, I can see movement and some things up close. In fact, the gradual thinning has increased the blurring – and causes some difficulty – I try to focus and see out of the right eye and that just doesn’t work. Oh, I am so grateful for the loss of the pain and the improvement!
The first week in February temps were still in the 40s. The furnace and dehumidifier ran much of the time – along with the crock pot! All of this and my electric bills still stay about $59.00 so I won’t complain about that – I’m warm and dry.
The weatherman had predicted 3-5 inches of rain with coastal flooding. Althought we got our share of rain, fortunately the ‘coastal flooding’ part did not come to pass. I have a feeling I will have more than my share of flooding when I get to Iowa in May and experience the results of the snow melt!
When I woke up on the 5th of Feb, there was a strange huge orange ball in the sky – had to ask around about it and was told that was the SUN! YIPPEE! It really didn’t burn out and fall out of the universe! By the end of the week, Li’l Bit and I were enjoying our time outside.
An RV acquaintance, Roberta, bought a home in Rockport….going to put that motor home up for sale, I guess. She had a housewarming get-together. Really nice ‘home on stilts’ with a view of the gulf. My lungs were still full of mold and crud, so going up the steps took some time and I really didn’t have the energy or air to stay long to visit. But I did want to get there to give her a good luck bamboo plant. Every home needs one of those.
The surprise soup of the week was a pot of chili I made using some left-over pork fajita meat rather than hamburger. What a treat! Will have to do that again sometime.
Since Mardi Gras festivities are up and going in Louisiana, I got brave and made my own King Cake. Not sure I’ll try THAT again! Also ate a lot of crawfish. I’m not much of an okra person so many of the recipes from Louisiana have to be altered some to make it into my crock pot.
This is the first winter down here that has given me so many problems, so I guess 1 out of 3 ain’t bad!
At least I am grateful that I’m not getting the snow, wind, and ice my sister is getting or even the much smaller amount of the same that my friends in central Texas are getting! With all of this winter weather in the Midwest, I have started checking with the Marshalltown IA newspaper each AM when I get on line to see if my sister is going to have school.
When I can’t get any “good air,” I do spend a lot of time setting and doing nothing or taking to my bed with the oxygen tank! Since I’m not good at working the laptop in bed, I have been doing lots of reading and some crocheting. By the 15th of the month, I had finished my 15th book. I hope Johnnie is going to have time for some reading when I get back to Gatesville and dump these books on her counter!
I’ve always loved to read, but the infection in the right eye and then the blurred and eventual lost vision took some of the pleasure out of it. But, I really think that film on my right eye is thinning out some. There are days I can see so much light through it, I can see movement and some things up close. In fact, the gradual thinning has increased the blurring – and causes some difficulty – I try to focus and see out of the right eye and that just doesn’t work. Oh, I am so grateful for the loss of the pain and the improvement!
The first week in February temps were still in the 40s. The furnace and dehumidifier ran much of the time – along with the crock pot! All of this and my electric bills still stay about $59.00 so I won’t complain about that – I’m warm and dry.
The weatherman had predicted 3-5 inches of rain with coastal flooding. Althought we got our share of rain, fortunately the ‘coastal flooding’ part did not come to pass. I have a feeling I will have more than my share of flooding when I get to Iowa in May and experience the results of the snow melt!
When I woke up on the 5th of Feb, there was a strange huge orange ball in the sky – had to ask around about it and was told that was the SUN! YIPPEE! It really didn’t burn out and fall out of the universe! By the end of the week, Li’l Bit and I were enjoying our time outside.
An RV acquaintance, Roberta, bought a home in Rockport….going to put that motor home up for sale, I guess. She had a housewarming get-together. Really nice ‘home on stilts’ with a view of the gulf. My lungs were still full of mold and crud, so going up the steps took some time and I really didn’t have the energy or air to stay long to visit. But I did want to get there to give her a good luck bamboo plant. Every home needs one of those.
The surprise soup of the week was a pot of chili I made using some left-over pork fajita meat rather than hamburger. What a treat! Will have to do that again sometime.
Since Mardi Gras festivities are up and going in Louisiana, I got brave and made my own King Cake. Not sure I’ll try THAT again! Also ate a lot of crawfish. I’m not much of an okra person so many of the recipes from Louisiana have to be altered some to make it into my crock pot.
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