The more I worked at the trailer, the more I love what Deryl did with the ‘remodeling’! The bottom shelf is out of the little wardrobe; I can hang my blouses & t-shirts and not have them dragging bottom. And, he cut off 1/2 the top bunk. It really opens up that space. It's like having another room! I can stand up and get to the shelves behind the wardrobe. It's going to make a nice computer/office area! And it will be really nice for the critter's food/water, Tinga's cage and the kitty litter! Kinda sums up my life - critters and computers!
He left 1/2 the bunk, from behind the bathroom wall to the front of the trailer. It holds 5 plastic totes and I can stack 5 more on top (if I have to!) There is plenty of support since it was a bed, so it will hold quite a bit of weight.
Back at the 5th wheel, my toilet 'flap' won't spring back. And that's the thing that keeps out the "out house" smells and holds the water in the bowl. It had been getting 'sluggish' so I sprayed some lubricant around and that helped for awhile, then it really stuck! At least it stuck OPEN and not closed so I could still use the toilet! $67.50 later and it’s working. Repair guy isn't sure how long it will work! Or, on the other hand, he said working it may 'fix' it. If not, I'm looking at about $200 repair when it messes up again.
Met Deryl & Elke down the road at the Mexican place one evening. Yummy supper! Brought 1/2 my combo plate and all of Deryl's guacamole home! I just love it when people don't like guacamole - more for me!
This move is a good chance to clean my pantry in 5th wheel. I just HATE the little pantry closet. It is so narrow and really deep. Even stretching, I cannot reach to the back. If something gets shoved back there, it gets stuck there 'cuz I can’t see it and forget it. All of that stuff has been pulled out and moved to the trailer so I can use it up this summer before I have to throw it out!
Li’l Bit made a return trip to the trailer. The last time she was over there all she did was stand in one spot and shake! Poor thing. Hard being an old blind dog and having to figure out a new home and new smells! If I'd been thinking, I'd have taken something that smelled like her or Holly! This time I took her "outside" rug and water dish. Could be a long summer for her if she doesn't figure it out! She was better the time. However, I'll need some colored tape or reflector strips for the steps and figure some way to contrast the color of the floor with the furniture. The décor is really bland shades of brown color scheme! She can't judge distance getting off the sofa to the floor. Having vision in only one eye, I can understand that distance/contrast thing! I have the same problems!
Instead of the Tuesday night RV park “left-overs’ supper out, we did a late lunch with Connie & Ron at the Big Fisherman. They left Wednesday for points north. I’ll get to see them later since they will be at Shady Oaks the end of June. Normally, I avoid the Big Fisherman like the plague at lunch time. Lots of good food for a reasonable price and the lunch lines go around the parking lot! When we arrived at 2:30, the place was nearly empty! Couldn’t pass up the fried fish/shrimp/French fries combination and a $1 Margarita! (A VERY small margarita but good!)
Went to the Craig’s Tires - aired tires, checked them, filled all my washer fluids, etc - $5 - wasn't sure I could afford it! They have been good to me about airing up my tires in all the years I've been here so I just keep going back!
Towards the end of the week, the humidity was really too high for me to be working in the trailer. I don't have anymore to haul over – just had hoped to put some of it way since by now there is no organization to the bags and boxes I’ve hauled over there! I’m sure I’ve taken stuff over that I’ll never use, but better to have it than have to go buy it if I need it! Guess I don’t need to tell anyone what a pack rat I am!
Friday, just like the rest of the week, 75 degrees, 93% humidity at 7AM – not much done outside at all! And the A/C in the 5th wheel is really getting a workout!
Saturday we had our breakfast in the activity building. Belgian waffles with strawberries, biscuits, gravy, sausage, OJ, coffee – all for $3. YUMMY! Kathy & Carol put it all together and did a great job.
By Sunday I was down to the last few days before the trip north – and yes, I do have a good case of ‘hitch itch!’ Defrosted the freezer in the 5th wheel in the AM and then put the portable ice maker into service getting ice ready for the coolers I’ll need for the move. Not much food left in the fridge or freezer so I shouldn’t have move a lot.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
May Starts off DRY!
May started with Texas still in a drought situation, wild fires in or near every county in the state, two firefighters killed early on in their efforts to contain the fires. The weather was not quite air-conditioner-needed-everyday, but did have to turn it on once in awhile to get some relief from the hot and dry! Weatherman said we have had more wind than in many years – but I think the wind (when not gusting too high)is a saving grace! There are days that it is too hot to be inside without A/C but it is quite pleasant setting outside in the shade with a breeze. Oh, do I love my patio set and my rocking chair!
When that gulf breeze gusts, it feels like it sucks the air right out of me. After my adventure to the Corpus Christi bird mart, I was still having some respiratory difficulty early in the month. As always, eventually it cleared, life goes on and life is good!
In years past, I have found myself occasionally waking up about 1:30 AM, unable to get back to sleep until nearly 4-5 AM. This complicated matters when I was required to be at work in the AM, but being retired it is just another sleep-in day. I call those awake periods my ‘dream time,’ someone from the other side is calling my name. The amazing thing about ‘dream time’ is that it doesn’t seem to bother Holly & Li’lBit. They can snore right on through the nite, so evidentially no critters from the other side are calling their names!
Tony & Allison (park owners) left after church for points north and east to visit family. Will be gone for a month, so I won't see them ‘til I get back from Iowa. I wish them safe and happy travels.
A cold front came through early in the month - woke up to 64 degrees and nice gulf breeze. Was definitely going to be a nice day to drive to Kingsville, about an hour south of Rockport. Wanted to go to the Kleburg Bank. They were kind enough to grant me the loan for the new-to-me trailer and I wanted to make sure I had it set up on auto-withdrawal payments. It’s been so long since I’ve had to make an actual payment by putting a check in the mail, I’m afraid I’d forget and loose my ‘summer home!’
Nice drive to Kingsville. Nice town. Want to go back and check out a couple of the museums I saw signs for along the way. When I got home about 2PM it was still only 68 degrees! NICE!
Sure glad my sister keeps me in hoodies! I had to put one on to take Li’lBit out one morning. We had a couple of nites with lows in the 40s and that does make for a chilly walk in the AM!
Electric rates are going from 15 cents to 18 cents per KW hour. At least with the temps never getting out of the 60's today - didn't need A/C or the fans! Probably easier to accept a raise in rates on a cool day than on a day when the A/C is running full speed ahead!
Li’lBit needed a return trip to the vet for a follow-up. Her salivary gland is still swollen; I've noticed it comes and goes. Vet says "leave it alone." He doesn't think she needs to be subjected to a bunch of testing and surgery at her age and in her physical condition - UNLESS it gets worse or she is in pain. So we will check it again when I get back from Iowa in the fall.
Tuesday PM is dinner with the RV park “left-overs” at Mack's BBQ. Yummy brisket and lots of it! Should have brought 1/2 home; I was miserable! But when I'm setting there talking and eating and everyone else is talking and eating, I just keep shoveling it in! Came with 2 sides - I had carrot salad and cole slaw. Their potato salad looked more like mayonnaise and mashed potatoes. They had lots of different beans and stuff,but I wasn't in the mood for beans and potatoes. Boy! Am I getting fussy or WHAT!?
My project regarding the move to the trailer is to eat up the food I have here and not be buying more. It is a good reason to clean out the pantry and get rid of a bunch of boxes, cans and jars that have been pushed to the back. It is also a good time to make sure I don’t leave anything here over the summer that will attract crawly little critters while I’m gone.
However, it sure is cause for some strange meals It is giving me a good chance to clean out the freezer, fridge and pantry and toss out a bunch of stuff that ened up pushed to the back.
Stopped at the Dollar Store to pick up a can of spaghetti sauce - I would thaw out some hamburger and get that out of the freezer, use up an onion, the rest of the mushrooms, my green pepper and whatever else needs to be cleaned out of the refrig that will go in spaghetti! - guess what I was eating the rest of the week.
I won’t even go into detail on the use of frozen oysters and stove top stuffing! I have certainly created some unique meals!
While at the Dollar Store, I noticed a nice little footstool, can be used as storage - $10. I think it might work as a base for Li'lBit's steps up to the bed. If not, I'll just use it to put my feet on when I'm lounging on the sofa watching TV! I'm probably going to miss my recliner for awhile until I get used to setting on the sofa. I had the sofa taken out of the 5th wheel to make room for Tinga's cage and my recliner!
Another busy day even for a social butterfly. Donna emailed and said she would be in town, did I want to meet for lunch about 11 at the Chinese buffet -- Of course! Finished visting with her in time to run an errand and then to Panjo's Pizza to meet the ladies bunch - just had ice tea there -- didn't order any food!!! Then went to drop some stuff at the trailer. Came home to loaf around with Li’lBit, a good book, an ice tea and a nice quiet afternoon!
We all met at the flagpole here in the park for National Day of Prayer. It was a very pleasant ceremony.
Thursday was a busy day. Headed to Wally World about 10AM, then to lunch with Roberta and the in-town RV gang. Ate too much lunch! Had a patty melt with onion rings and a cup of lobster/shrimp bisque. Oh, my it was good! Brought the patty melt home for supper! Found a new place to eat – The Sugar Shack. It’s been there all along, I just thought it was a bar – well, it is, but they also have some great food and entertainment on the weekends.
Then off to the trailer to dump a small load and try to consolidate some of the multitude of plastic bags full of stuff I’ve just tossed inside! I managed to get a couple of tote boxes cleaned out and get some stuff organized. I'm not going to worry about putting stuff away until I have time to wipe out the cabinets, etc. I'll do that when I'm in Gatesville. Just want to make sure have floor space for Li'lBit's and Holly's beds, Tinga’s cage, critter food & water bowls and the kitty litter! (the important stuff!)
My cell phone is dying. I'm going to need a new one and when I get one, I'm going to loose my "deal" from Alltel that was 'grandfathered' in when Verizon bought Alltel. So, I’ll not only need a new contract for cell phone service but for my USB modem for the computer.
Went to Wally World, the WalMart here doesn't handle Verizon...sent me to Aransas Pass, about 15 miles down the road. After messing around with them for nearly an hour, the lady was new and waiting for Andrea (by the way, she never returned from lunch!) - only to find out they cannot upgrade/change my USB modem - only the phone. Have to go into Corpus to the Verizon store. I don't think so! I've done a little shopping/comparing -- Verizon is probably not my best deal – but I know Verizon will cover Iowa, central TX and Rockport (if not well, it at least gets reception!) Will check and see if there is still a Verizon store in Gatesville - but I think it was closed the last time I was in town. This is turning into a pain in the butt! I know there is still one in Marshalltown, IA. Will probably just wait ‘til I get there.
Spent Mother’s Day with Deryl & Elke and their family. Nice lunch - nice visit! Humidity was up so it was a do-nothing day when I came home.
Received an email saying that my baby sitter had passed away. How sad. Rhoda had been my baby sitter when I was little and had taught me to play canasta. Made it a sad day.
Busy day in retirementville. Nails done at 1PM, meeting Donna for late lunch at Whataburger, then it's RV park 'left overs' out to eat at Macks BBQ again. Can’t say NO to a Whataburger so I ended up only having ice tea with the “left over” gang.
May 10th my computer died (power failure thing - not a computer crash!) When I got turned back on, all of the email I downloaded from GMAIL to my email program disappeared. I have no mail from Feb 10th on! Have no earthly idea what happened. Hope there wasn't something in that batch I was supposed to answer!
Wednesday lunch group went to Miss Steaks, a little dive up north of Copano Bridge. Used to be Caroline's in an old green dive, now it is Miss Steaks and Caroline has moved to an old yellow dive - not in much better shape - just bigger! But the food is still too much and too good and great prices! Didn’t get home ‘til late afternoon - oh, my - we do get to chattering! Had a good hamburger with cheese and mushrooms, bacon and a 'special sauce' (tastes a lot like A-1 steak sauce!) But it was good! Came with lettuce, tomato on the side, pickles and french fries - really FAT french fries. Ate the lettuce, tomato, pickles, french fries and the stuff that slid off the hamburger (mushrooms, some cheese, bacon)and brought the hamburger home for supper. That's another exciting day in retirementville!
So far no rain-- just cloudy and humid -- I needed to water plants. Guess I'll have quite a few to haul with me to Iowa. Wasn't thinking when I started planting my little 'garden' this spring! Of course, when I was doing that, I was still thinking I'd be here all summer!
Finally about 3PM, thunder, lightning (not much) and RAIN -- Lots of rain pounding on my roof!! YIPPEE! Wasn't sure I'd remember what rain was when the weatherman said there was rain predicted for today! He finally got something RIGHT! We got just under 2 inches of rain. Power out down around Corpus and some minor street flooding, the rain came all at once. The high winds and heaviest part of the storm was out on the gulf before bedtime! Guess I wouldn't have needed to water my plants in the AM, huh?!
After working several days in the trailer, I emailed Deryl that I had a project for him. Remove the shelf in the closet so I can hang clothes without them wadding up at the bottom and go ahead and remove the open portion of the bunk, leaving ½ of it to be used as a shelf.
Saturday, May 14, I wasted the entire morning watching the aerial warfare going on outside my window. The park is full of those huge noisy black birds that Tinga likes to mimic. BUT, it is nesting time now and a couple pair of mockingbirds are nesting in the trees out to my back. There is absolutely nothing meaner and more protective than a mockingbird. And it looks like aerial war footage from WWII out there -- the sleek fighter jets (mockingbirds) taking chase to the big lumbering bombers (the black birds)! As soon as the war is over, I'll get up and do something!
Finally, when I did get up and do something, I headed over to the trailer to show Deryl exactly what I wanted removed. Had a nice visit with Deryl and Elke, always do! He didn’t waste anytime attacking the project – got an email a couple hours after I left to say it was completed! Sunday AM I took a few more things over and ‘inspected’ the workmanship. It is wonderful! Just what I needed, it’s almost like having another little room! Will make a great office/computer space – along with pet space and storage area. Can’t wait to move in and start using it!
When that gulf breeze gusts, it feels like it sucks the air right out of me. After my adventure to the Corpus Christi bird mart, I was still having some respiratory difficulty early in the month. As always, eventually it cleared, life goes on and life is good!
In years past, I have found myself occasionally waking up about 1:30 AM, unable to get back to sleep until nearly 4-5 AM. This complicated matters when I was required to be at work in the AM, but being retired it is just another sleep-in day. I call those awake periods my ‘dream time,’ someone from the other side is calling my name. The amazing thing about ‘dream time’ is that it doesn’t seem to bother Holly & Li’lBit. They can snore right on through the nite, so evidentially no critters from the other side are calling their names!
Tony & Allison (park owners) left after church for points north and east to visit family. Will be gone for a month, so I won't see them ‘til I get back from Iowa. I wish them safe and happy travels.
A cold front came through early in the month - woke up to 64 degrees and nice gulf breeze. Was definitely going to be a nice day to drive to Kingsville, about an hour south of Rockport. Wanted to go to the Kleburg Bank. They were kind enough to grant me the loan for the new-to-me trailer and I wanted to make sure I had it set up on auto-withdrawal payments. It’s been so long since I’ve had to make an actual payment by putting a check in the mail, I’m afraid I’d forget and loose my ‘summer home!’
Nice drive to Kingsville. Nice town. Want to go back and check out a couple of the museums I saw signs for along the way. When I got home about 2PM it was still only 68 degrees! NICE!
Sure glad my sister keeps me in hoodies! I had to put one on to take Li’lBit out one morning. We had a couple of nites with lows in the 40s and that does make for a chilly walk in the AM!
Electric rates are going from 15 cents to 18 cents per KW hour. At least with the temps never getting out of the 60's today - didn't need A/C or the fans! Probably easier to accept a raise in rates on a cool day than on a day when the A/C is running full speed ahead!
Li’lBit needed a return trip to the vet for a follow-up. Her salivary gland is still swollen; I've noticed it comes and goes. Vet says "leave it alone." He doesn't think she needs to be subjected to a bunch of testing and surgery at her age and in her physical condition - UNLESS it gets worse or she is in pain. So we will check it again when I get back from Iowa in the fall.
Tuesday PM is dinner with the RV park “left-overs” at Mack's BBQ. Yummy brisket and lots of it! Should have brought 1/2 home; I was miserable! But when I'm setting there talking and eating and everyone else is talking and eating, I just keep shoveling it in! Came with 2 sides - I had carrot salad and cole slaw. Their potato salad looked more like mayonnaise and mashed potatoes. They had lots of different beans and stuff,but I wasn't in the mood for beans and potatoes. Boy! Am I getting fussy or WHAT!?
My project regarding the move to the trailer is to eat up the food I have here and not be buying more. It is a good reason to clean out the pantry and get rid of a bunch of boxes, cans and jars that have been pushed to the back. It is also a good time to make sure I don’t leave anything here over the summer that will attract crawly little critters while I’m gone.
However, it sure is cause for some strange meals It is giving me a good chance to clean out the freezer, fridge and pantry and toss out a bunch of stuff that ened up pushed to the back.
Stopped at the Dollar Store to pick up a can of spaghetti sauce - I would thaw out some hamburger and get that out of the freezer, use up an onion, the rest of the mushrooms, my green pepper and whatever else needs to be cleaned out of the refrig that will go in spaghetti! - guess what I was eating the rest of the week.
I won’t even go into detail on the use of frozen oysters and stove top stuffing! I have certainly created some unique meals!
While at the Dollar Store, I noticed a nice little footstool, can be used as storage - $10. I think it might work as a base for Li'lBit's steps up to the bed. If not, I'll just use it to put my feet on when I'm lounging on the sofa watching TV! I'm probably going to miss my recliner for awhile until I get used to setting on the sofa. I had the sofa taken out of the 5th wheel to make room for Tinga's cage and my recliner!
Another busy day even for a social butterfly. Donna emailed and said she would be in town, did I want to meet for lunch about 11 at the Chinese buffet -- Of course! Finished visting with her in time to run an errand and then to Panjo's Pizza to meet the ladies bunch - just had ice tea there -- didn't order any food!!! Then went to drop some stuff at the trailer. Came home to loaf around with Li’lBit, a good book, an ice tea and a nice quiet afternoon!
We all met at the flagpole here in the park for National Day of Prayer. It was a very pleasant ceremony.
Thursday was a busy day. Headed to Wally World about 10AM, then to lunch with Roberta and the in-town RV gang. Ate too much lunch! Had a patty melt with onion rings and a cup of lobster/shrimp bisque. Oh, my it was good! Brought the patty melt home for supper! Found a new place to eat – The Sugar Shack. It’s been there all along, I just thought it was a bar – well, it is, but they also have some great food and entertainment on the weekends.
Then off to the trailer to dump a small load and try to consolidate some of the multitude of plastic bags full of stuff I’ve just tossed inside! I managed to get a couple of tote boxes cleaned out and get some stuff organized. I'm not going to worry about putting stuff away until I have time to wipe out the cabinets, etc. I'll do that when I'm in Gatesville. Just want to make sure have floor space for Li'lBit's and Holly's beds, Tinga’s cage, critter food & water bowls and the kitty litter! (the important stuff!)
My cell phone is dying. I'm going to need a new one and when I get one, I'm going to loose my "deal" from Alltel that was 'grandfathered' in when Verizon bought Alltel. So, I’ll not only need a new contract for cell phone service but for my USB modem for the computer.
Went to Wally World, the WalMart here doesn't handle Verizon...sent me to Aransas Pass, about 15 miles down the road. After messing around with them for nearly an hour, the lady was new and waiting for Andrea (by the way, she never returned from lunch!) - only to find out they cannot upgrade/change my USB modem - only the phone. Have to go into Corpus to the Verizon store. I don't think so! I've done a little shopping/comparing -- Verizon is probably not my best deal – but I know Verizon will cover Iowa, central TX and Rockport (if not well, it at least gets reception!) Will check and see if there is still a Verizon store in Gatesville - but I think it was closed the last time I was in town. This is turning into a pain in the butt! I know there is still one in Marshalltown, IA. Will probably just wait ‘til I get there.
Spent Mother’s Day with Deryl & Elke and their family. Nice lunch - nice visit! Humidity was up so it was a do-nothing day when I came home.
Received an email saying that my baby sitter had passed away. How sad. Rhoda had been my baby sitter when I was little and had taught me to play canasta. Made it a sad day.
Busy day in retirementville. Nails done at 1PM, meeting Donna for late lunch at Whataburger, then it's RV park 'left overs' out to eat at Macks BBQ again. Can’t say NO to a Whataburger so I ended up only having ice tea with the “left over” gang.
May 10th my computer died (power failure thing - not a computer crash!) When I got turned back on, all of the email I downloaded from GMAIL to my email program disappeared. I have no mail from Feb 10th on! Have no earthly idea what happened. Hope there wasn't something in that batch I was supposed to answer!
Wednesday lunch group went to Miss Steaks, a little dive up north of Copano Bridge. Used to be Caroline's in an old green dive, now it is Miss Steaks and Caroline has moved to an old yellow dive - not in much better shape - just bigger! But the food is still too much and too good and great prices! Didn’t get home ‘til late afternoon - oh, my - we do get to chattering! Had a good hamburger with cheese and mushrooms, bacon and a 'special sauce' (tastes a lot like A-1 steak sauce!) But it was good! Came with lettuce, tomato on the side, pickles and french fries - really FAT french fries. Ate the lettuce, tomato, pickles, french fries and the stuff that slid off the hamburger (mushrooms, some cheese, bacon)and brought the hamburger home for supper. That's another exciting day in retirementville!
So far no rain-- just cloudy and humid -- I needed to water plants. Guess I'll have quite a few to haul with me to Iowa. Wasn't thinking when I started planting my little 'garden' this spring! Of course, when I was doing that, I was still thinking I'd be here all summer!
Finally about 3PM, thunder, lightning (not much) and RAIN -- Lots of rain pounding on my roof!! YIPPEE! Wasn't sure I'd remember what rain was when the weatherman said there was rain predicted for today! He finally got something RIGHT! We got just under 2 inches of rain. Power out down around Corpus and some minor street flooding, the rain came all at once. The high winds and heaviest part of the storm was out on the gulf before bedtime! Guess I wouldn't have needed to water my plants in the AM, huh?!
After working several days in the trailer, I emailed Deryl that I had a project for him. Remove the shelf in the closet so I can hang clothes without them wadding up at the bottom and go ahead and remove the open portion of the bunk, leaving ½ of it to be used as a shelf.
Saturday, May 14, I wasted the entire morning watching the aerial warfare going on outside my window. The park is full of those huge noisy black birds that Tinga likes to mimic. BUT, it is nesting time now and a couple pair of mockingbirds are nesting in the trees out to my back. There is absolutely nothing meaner and more protective than a mockingbird. And it looks like aerial war footage from WWII out there -- the sleek fighter jets (mockingbirds) taking chase to the big lumbering bombers (the black birds)! As soon as the war is over, I'll get up and do something!
Finally, when I did get up and do something, I headed over to the trailer to show Deryl exactly what I wanted removed. Had a nice visit with Deryl and Elke, always do! He didn’t waste anytime attacking the project – got an email a couple hours after I left to say it was completed! Sunday AM I took a few more things over and ‘inspected’ the workmanship. It is wonderful! Just what I needed, it’s almost like having another little room! Will make a great office/computer space – along with pet space and storage area. Can’t wait to move in and start using it!
Friday, May 13, 2011
April Recipes
KATHY'S STUFFED FRENCH TOAST
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup butter
2 tsp corn syrup
8 eggs
1 ¾ cups milk
1 ½ tsp vanilla
8 oz cream cheese softened
1 loaf French bread
Grease 9 x 13 pan
In sauce pan melt ½ cup butter. As it starts to melt, add the corn syrup, then the brown sugar and 1 cup milk. Cook over medium heat until all ingredients are well blended and begins to bubble. DO NOT bring to a boil because the caramel will harden into candy!
Pour mixture into greased cake pan.
Next, slice French bread in ¾ inch thick pieces (or use pre-sliced Vienna bread)
Place one layer of bread on the caramel sauce, side by side without overlapping.
Smear the first layer of bread with softened cream cheese. Expect to use a full 8 oz package for a single recipe.
Top the cream cheese with a second layer of bread, placing each piece directly over each other.
Crack and mix 8 eggs, ¾ cup milk and 1 ½ tsp vanilla. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl with a whisk and pour over the top of the bread. Make sure to coat each piece thoroughly.
Place a cover or saran wrap on the pan and refrigerate overnight.
In the AM, bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.
Serve warm with caramel side on top. Top with whipped cream or fresh berries.
SAUERKRAUT SALAD
1 (1 lb. 11 oz.) can sauerkraut
3/4 Cup sugar
1 Cupdiced celery
1 Cup diced green pepper
1/4 Cup diced onion
3 Tbsp vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 tsp celery seed
This keeps in refrigerator for weeks.
BAKED SCALLOPS
20 buttery round crackers, crushed
black pepper to taste
1 tsp garlic powder
1 pound sea scallops, rinsed and drained
1/2 Cup butter, melted
1/4 Cup dry white wine
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x8 inch baking dish.
Combine crushed crackers, black pepper and garlic powder in a small bowl. Press scallops into mixture so that they are evenly coated, and place them in the greased baking dish.
In a separate bowl, mix together melted butter, wine and lemon juice; drizzle mixture over scallops.
Bake in preheated oven until scallops are lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley.
ORIENTAL CABBAGE SLAW
1 lime, juiced
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons Asian chili oil (I usually leave this out - too spicey for me)
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 tablespoon soy sauce
3 cups finely shredded cabbage
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 orange bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 cup thinly sliced snow peas
3 scallions, thinly sliced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Whisk together the lime juice, vinegar, chili oil, mayonnaise and soy
sauce in a large bowl. Add the cabbage, peppers, snow peas and
scallions and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes prior to serving.
BREAKFAST IN THE CROCK POT
1 32 oz. bagfrozen southern style hashbrown potatoes
1 pound bacon cut into pieces, fried and drained
1 pound sausage, crumbled, browned and drained
1/2 Cup diced onions
1 green bell pepper diced
3/4 pound cheddar cheese diced
12 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
salt & pepper
Layer the frozen potatoes, bacon, onions, green pepper and cheese in the crockpot in two or three layers. Finish up with cheese. Beat the eggs, milk and mustard, salt & pepper together. Pour over the whole mixture. Cook on low for ten to twelve hours.
NOTE: I don't use both meats - and frequently substitute cubed left-over ham.
NOTE: Today's crock pots heat much hotter than the older ones. I usually only make 1/2 this recipe and cook it on LOW FOR ABOUT 4 HOURS.
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup butter
2 tsp corn syrup
8 eggs
1 ¾ cups milk
1 ½ tsp vanilla
8 oz cream cheese softened
1 loaf French bread
Grease 9 x 13 pan
In sauce pan melt ½ cup butter. As it starts to melt, add the corn syrup, then the brown sugar and 1 cup milk. Cook over medium heat until all ingredients are well blended and begins to bubble. DO NOT bring to a boil because the caramel will harden into candy!
Pour mixture into greased cake pan.
Next, slice French bread in ¾ inch thick pieces (or use pre-sliced Vienna bread)
Place one layer of bread on the caramel sauce, side by side without overlapping.
Smear the first layer of bread with softened cream cheese. Expect to use a full 8 oz package for a single recipe.
Top the cream cheese with a second layer of bread, placing each piece directly over each other.
Crack and mix 8 eggs, ¾ cup milk and 1 ½ tsp vanilla. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl with a whisk and pour over the top of the bread. Make sure to coat each piece thoroughly.
Place a cover or saran wrap on the pan and refrigerate overnight.
In the AM, bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.
Serve warm with caramel side on top. Top with whipped cream or fresh berries.
SAUERKRAUT SALAD
1 (1 lb. 11 oz.) can sauerkraut
3/4 Cup sugar
1 Cupdiced celery
1 Cup diced green pepper
1/4 Cup diced onion
3 Tbsp vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 tsp celery seed
This keeps in refrigerator for weeks.
BAKED SCALLOPS
20 buttery round crackers, crushed
black pepper to taste
1 tsp garlic powder
1 pound sea scallops, rinsed and drained
1/2 Cup butter, melted
1/4 Cup dry white wine
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x8 inch baking dish.
Combine crushed crackers, black pepper and garlic powder in a small bowl. Press scallops into mixture so that they are evenly coated, and place them in the greased baking dish.
In a separate bowl, mix together melted butter, wine and lemon juice; drizzle mixture over scallops.
Bake in preheated oven until scallops are lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley.
ORIENTAL CABBAGE SLAW
1 lime, juiced
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons Asian chili oil (I usually leave this out - too spicey for me)
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 tablespoon soy sauce
3 cups finely shredded cabbage
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 orange bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 cup thinly sliced snow peas
3 scallions, thinly sliced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Whisk together the lime juice, vinegar, chili oil, mayonnaise and soy
sauce in a large bowl. Add the cabbage, peppers, snow peas and
scallions and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes prior to serving.
BREAKFAST IN THE CROCK POT
1 32 oz. bagfrozen southern style hashbrown potatoes
1 pound bacon cut into pieces, fried and drained
1 pound sausage, crumbled, browned and drained
1/2 Cup diced onions
1 green bell pepper diced
3/4 pound cheddar cheese diced
12 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
salt & pepper
Layer the frozen potatoes, bacon, onions, green pepper and cheese in the crockpot in two or three layers. Finish up with cheese. Beat the eggs, milk and mustard, salt & pepper together. Pour over the whole mixture. Cook on low for ten to twelve hours.
NOTE: I don't use both meats - and frequently substitute cubed left-over ham.
NOTE: Today's crock pots heat much hotter than the older ones. I usually only make 1/2 this recipe and cook it on LOW FOR ABOUT 4 HOURS.
April Comes to an End and I'm One Year Older!
Saturday breakfast has been cut back to once a month now that the winter Texans are gone and it’s just a few of us “left-overs” still in the trailerhood. It was really good. Tony was at the griddle with eggs to order. Allison was dishing up stuffed French toast -- looked like toasted cheese sandwiches but with a sweetened cheese cake center! Kathy made them and so I had to get the recipe! Orange juice and coffee and sausage. Not bad for $3!!
Finally decided to cash in some of my "reward points" on my credit card. Had enough points for a $100 Shell Oil gift card and a $25 Applebee's. Getting ready for my trip to Iowa! Of course, I’d much rather they lower the interest rate, but I’ll take the gift cards if that's all I can get!
Sunday was ‘work day” at the trailer. Since I plan on raiding my sister’s closet for linens, I made sure to measure the mattress! Too often queen size in an RV is not queen size for other beds! My queen size in the 5th wheel is queen size long and king size wide! In the meantime, until I can get to Iowa and ‘shop’ at My Sister’s Closet, I picked up a couple flat sheets at Castaways.
I've loaded a bunch of paper plates and plastic glasses. I buy enough stuff that comes in disposable plastic bowls with covers that I'll use those. I've packed just a couple cool whip containers to get me thru. What cooking utensils, measuring cups, measuring spoons, spatulas, etc, that I don't have here, I'll pick up at Castaways or wait until I get to Marshalltown and make a Good Will and Salvation Army run. I will be getting a coffee pot, small crock pot and toaster at Castaways or Good Will. Don't need anything but the coffee pot before I leave. I really don’t want to spend a bunch of bucks outfitting it.
I've got plenty of paper and cleaning supplies to take from here. I've even made up a small tool box from the duplicates that I have. I did buy a new Sewer hose and water hose -- wasn't going to use the USED one that was in the RV!
The space for a TV is only 15” wide. While at WalMart, I masured some of the smaller TVs. I went on line to see what was available to fit in my 15" wide space - not much! Probably gonna have to be one of those 12" or less screens. Not a pleasing idea.
Went to WalMart to pick up the part of the RX that wasn't available Friday. Seems there is some sort of 'computer glitch' with Medicare paying for diabetic supplies! hhhmmmm....and my CareMark Rx insurance won't pick it up 'cuz Medicare does! Ain't that grand! The pharmacist said to try again at the end of the week to see if "they have it worked out” (whatever that means!) I guess this is part of the 'cut' in Medicare - save a bit at a time! Do they plan on denying a different med each week or something! Anyway, my finger strips cost $40 for a box of 100 so I got them myself. Love government health care! Can’t wait to see what Medicare denies NEXT month!
Stopped and had the locksmith make two sets of keys for the trailer. Made a killing at Castaways - 3 flat sheets ($2 each) - one heavy enough to use as a light blanket. I can use them to cover the sofa, too (puppy & kitty hair, you know!) A 4 cup Mr Coffee for $2. Miscellaneous kitchen silverware, cooking stuff, and found the cutest sauce pan with lid. I think I'll keep that for here and take my Dollar Store special for the trailer. Picked up a little sewing box for 50 cents so I can make up a little sewing box from my big one and just leave it in the trailer. Came out of there with bags of stuff for under $20. Meant to run them to the trailer, but Donna called and wanted to meet for lunch at Whataburger; just cannot refuse a trip to Whataburger!
During the winter I got used to having the propane guy show up every Tuesday and Friday. That stopped in April. Need a tank, but think I will just wait until I get back from Iowa – certainly not going to use a full tank of propane prior to leaving for the summer.
Tuesday nites anyone in the park that wants to meets in town for supper – sometimes at Panjo's Pizza, sometimes at Mack’s BBQ.
Had a nice 1PM lunch on Wednesday with the Rockport Ladies at Charlotte Plummers. I'm not going to miss a trip to Charlotte Plummers! Ordered the small fried fish. It was a lot like the fish plate I like at Perkins when I'm in Marshalltown except Perkins has better flavored rice! But not nearly as large as the fried fish plate at the Sunrise Café in LeGrand Iowa! I had to park over 1/2 block away from the restaurant and made it in and out without walker and oxygen. Of course, going in was much easier than walking back on a full belly!
Getting frequent “Bad Air” and high humidity days. As long as the sun comes out and dries up the humidity, I can usually tolerate an afternoon outside at the patio table reading. If the sun doesn't come out and burn it off, on goes the A/C and I do my reading inside! Just such a rough time adapting to living in paradise!
Usually don’t spend much time over in the trailer – it does get warm inside that tin can, even with the vents open. Deryl offered to run a cord to hook up electric, but that’s not necessary – I can actually wait to put stuff away until I get to Gatesville or Iowa. Now I just unload it from the truck - push it in the trailer door and call it a day! Then start loading up the truck again for delivery the next day. I'm tellin' ya - when it came to unloading my truck in this heat, I'm glad I thought to toss the dolly in the truck so I could PULL my load instead of tote it! I did take over my battery operated fan – just in case I decide to spend some time inside.
Can't believe that I keep carrying shopping bags of stuff over there and still haven't made a dent in the floor space in the bunk area! And now I'm just about down having clothes, critters and food to cart over -- and I won't do that until the afternoon and morning before I pull out.
80 degrees, 65% humidity and I walked to and from the laundry - sweating like a stuck hog. But that's OK. When I got back I plunked down in front of the fan with the A/C on and a glass of ice tea! All is well with the world!
Went to church here in the park Easter Sunday. After church we had a potluck brunch for "fellowship!" Then went to Deryl & Elke's for lunch – they have such a wonderful family.
Tuesday was hair/nails, then lunch with Donna, and hope I get finished with lunch in time to go to Panjo's for pizza with the RV park group at 5PM! No, I didn’t eat pizza twice – small one for lunch and primavera for supper. Enough food both times to bring ½ home!
Back to Castaways to see if they have anything I need for the trailer. I try to check there at least once a week. I think I've just about raped, pillaged and plundered all I have in the RV. Then went by Deryl & Elke's to pick up some bird toys to deliver to the bird mart in Corpus Christi on Saturday. Deryl & Elke will be in Louisiana buying more FEMA trailers! He's getting quite a little business going with those things.
Slim pickin' at Castaways. Guess the Winter Texans have dropped off all of their overweight stuff and are all gone now. Nothin' much left on the shelves. Elke was saying that her son is having a yard sale the middle of May. Might be able to find my toaster, etc there. If not, I'll hit Goodwill when I get to Marshalltown. I think I have everything I need to make it to Iowa!
Had Holly out on her leash several times. She doesn't do much but mope around and try to get out of the harness. Oh, well, a little bit every now and then - she might get used to it!
April 27 stopped by the RV place - tags for my trailer were in so I needed to pick them up before going to lunch with the Rockport Ladies. They met for lunch at the Beach House - I like their salads and sandwiches. Getting the tags is like a birthday gift a day early! Now I have all I need to hit the road – heading North!
Another episode of “It’s a Small World.” The lady that sat across the table from me, Pat, is from Iowa. She heard me answer when asked when I headed for Iowa - wanted to know where I was from - she told me "I'm from Chariton.” I told her I knew Chariton. Enjoyed visiting there when my sister was a principal in the elementary school. Commented on how much I enjoyed the town square and fondly remember the wonderful candy -- her folks originally owned the grocery and the candy store!
Allison brought the flowers my sister sent to the RV -- sang happy birthday -- said they were too pretty to be hidden away in my RV - should have been left at the office!!!
Had a really good birthday - did absolutely nothing! Fourth Thursday is Friendship supper and game nite at the activity bldg. Like the ice cream social and Saturday AM breakfast, we only do it once a month. Just not many of us left here! Kathy made the best seafood lasagna! Carol brought her cornbread made with creamed corn and broccoli, Allison brought oven-fried chicken (she dips it in coconut milk before she breads it!). Then there was scalloped potatoes, potato salad, Caesar salad. I took the pink stuff with cherry pie filling, pineapple, marshmallows, walnuts, cool whip. Just piggy-piggy-piggy! They sang Happy Birthday to me!
Took Li'lBit with to the trailer; she was NOT pleased! Of course her eye sight is really bad and it is all new and new smells. If I had been thinking, I’d have taken a blanket that smelled like her and Holly – at least she could have recognized the smell.
Was too hot to just set in there with her for any length of time, but I put her on the bed, the sofa, the dining booth, let her sniff around in the bathroom. Gonna really have to get creative about getting some steps for her to get up on the bed. Either that or I'll have to pick her up and down...and that isn't gonna work! She's too old now to be expected to sleep on the FLOOR! Hopefully after a few days,once we all move in, she will get used to it.
Went thru my cupboards and pulled out all the open stuff and pasta - stuff that will get lots of 'Wheat Weevils" while I'm gone. Might as well take it with me as have to toss it out when I get back.
Headed off to Corpus Christi on the 30th. 78 degrees and 78% humidity - not going to be a good air day to be roaming thru a room with birds! Took my walker & portable oxygen concentrator (just in case!) It was nice to see some of the old 'bird folks."
I was really quite amazed - I haven't driven in Corpus since I came down here 6 years ago to look for an RV park! I used to do the Corpus bird mart (they had it at a different location) - but that was just in and out. I can still find my old Motel 6! That's my starting/focal point when I need to go anywhere in Corpus! But since I've been in Rockport, I have ridden with Deryl & Elke, so this was the first time I've driven myself. Managed to get in and out without getting lost -- only got lost after I was out of Corpus and in Aransas Pass (and I go there about once a month!) Go Figure!
April comes to an end and I’m one year older!!
Finally decided to cash in some of my "reward points" on my credit card. Had enough points for a $100 Shell Oil gift card and a $25 Applebee's. Getting ready for my trip to Iowa! Of course, I’d much rather they lower the interest rate, but I’ll take the gift cards if that's all I can get!
Sunday was ‘work day” at the trailer. Since I plan on raiding my sister’s closet for linens, I made sure to measure the mattress! Too often queen size in an RV is not queen size for other beds! My queen size in the 5th wheel is queen size long and king size wide! In the meantime, until I can get to Iowa and ‘shop’ at My Sister’s Closet, I picked up a couple flat sheets at Castaways.
I've loaded a bunch of paper plates and plastic glasses. I buy enough stuff that comes in disposable plastic bowls with covers that I'll use those. I've packed just a couple cool whip containers to get me thru. What cooking utensils, measuring cups, measuring spoons, spatulas, etc, that I don't have here, I'll pick up at Castaways or wait until I get to Marshalltown and make a Good Will and Salvation Army run. I will be getting a coffee pot, small crock pot and toaster at Castaways or Good Will. Don't need anything but the coffee pot before I leave. I really don’t want to spend a bunch of bucks outfitting it.
I've got plenty of paper and cleaning supplies to take from here. I've even made up a small tool box from the duplicates that I have. I did buy a new Sewer hose and water hose -- wasn't going to use the USED one that was in the RV!
The space for a TV is only 15” wide. While at WalMart, I masured some of the smaller TVs. I went on line to see what was available to fit in my 15" wide space - not much! Probably gonna have to be one of those 12" or less screens. Not a pleasing idea.
Went to WalMart to pick up the part of the RX that wasn't available Friday. Seems there is some sort of 'computer glitch' with Medicare paying for diabetic supplies! hhhmmmm....and my CareMark Rx insurance won't pick it up 'cuz Medicare does! Ain't that grand! The pharmacist said to try again at the end of the week to see if "they have it worked out” (whatever that means!) I guess this is part of the 'cut' in Medicare - save a bit at a time! Do they plan on denying a different med each week or something! Anyway, my finger strips cost $40 for a box of 100 so I got them myself. Love government health care! Can’t wait to see what Medicare denies NEXT month!
Stopped and had the locksmith make two sets of keys for the trailer. Made a killing at Castaways - 3 flat sheets ($2 each) - one heavy enough to use as a light blanket. I can use them to cover the sofa, too (puppy & kitty hair, you know!) A 4 cup Mr Coffee for $2. Miscellaneous kitchen silverware, cooking stuff, and found the cutest sauce pan with lid. I think I'll keep that for here and take my Dollar Store special for the trailer. Picked up a little sewing box for 50 cents so I can make up a little sewing box from my big one and just leave it in the trailer. Came out of there with bags of stuff for under $20. Meant to run them to the trailer, but Donna called and wanted to meet for lunch at Whataburger; just cannot refuse a trip to Whataburger!
During the winter I got used to having the propane guy show up every Tuesday and Friday. That stopped in April. Need a tank, but think I will just wait until I get back from Iowa – certainly not going to use a full tank of propane prior to leaving for the summer.
Tuesday nites anyone in the park that wants to meets in town for supper – sometimes at Panjo's Pizza, sometimes at Mack’s BBQ.
Had a nice 1PM lunch on Wednesday with the Rockport Ladies at Charlotte Plummers. I'm not going to miss a trip to Charlotte Plummers! Ordered the small fried fish. It was a lot like the fish plate I like at Perkins when I'm in Marshalltown except Perkins has better flavored rice! But not nearly as large as the fried fish plate at the Sunrise Café in LeGrand Iowa! I had to park over 1/2 block away from the restaurant and made it in and out without walker and oxygen. Of course, going in was much easier than walking back on a full belly!
Getting frequent “Bad Air” and high humidity days. As long as the sun comes out and dries up the humidity, I can usually tolerate an afternoon outside at the patio table reading. If the sun doesn't come out and burn it off, on goes the A/C and I do my reading inside! Just such a rough time adapting to living in paradise!
Usually don’t spend much time over in the trailer – it does get warm inside that tin can, even with the vents open. Deryl offered to run a cord to hook up electric, but that’s not necessary – I can actually wait to put stuff away until I get to Gatesville or Iowa. Now I just unload it from the truck - push it in the trailer door and call it a day! Then start loading up the truck again for delivery the next day. I'm tellin' ya - when it came to unloading my truck in this heat, I'm glad I thought to toss the dolly in the truck so I could PULL my load instead of tote it! I did take over my battery operated fan – just in case I decide to spend some time inside.
Can't believe that I keep carrying shopping bags of stuff over there and still haven't made a dent in the floor space in the bunk area! And now I'm just about down having clothes, critters and food to cart over -- and I won't do that until the afternoon and morning before I pull out.
80 degrees, 65% humidity and I walked to and from the laundry - sweating like a stuck hog. But that's OK. When I got back I plunked down in front of the fan with the A/C on and a glass of ice tea! All is well with the world!
Went to church here in the park Easter Sunday. After church we had a potluck brunch for "fellowship!" Then went to Deryl & Elke's for lunch – they have such a wonderful family.
Tuesday was hair/nails, then lunch with Donna, and hope I get finished with lunch in time to go to Panjo's for pizza with the RV park group at 5PM! No, I didn’t eat pizza twice – small one for lunch and primavera for supper. Enough food both times to bring ½ home!
Back to Castaways to see if they have anything I need for the trailer. I try to check there at least once a week. I think I've just about raped, pillaged and plundered all I have in the RV. Then went by Deryl & Elke's to pick up some bird toys to deliver to the bird mart in Corpus Christi on Saturday. Deryl & Elke will be in Louisiana buying more FEMA trailers! He's getting quite a little business going with those things.
Slim pickin' at Castaways. Guess the Winter Texans have dropped off all of their overweight stuff and are all gone now. Nothin' much left on the shelves. Elke was saying that her son is having a yard sale the middle of May. Might be able to find my toaster, etc there. If not, I'll hit Goodwill when I get to Marshalltown. I think I have everything I need to make it to Iowa!
Had Holly out on her leash several times. She doesn't do much but mope around and try to get out of the harness. Oh, well, a little bit every now and then - she might get used to it!
April 27 stopped by the RV place - tags for my trailer were in so I needed to pick them up before going to lunch with the Rockport Ladies. They met for lunch at the Beach House - I like their salads and sandwiches. Getting the tags is like a birthday gift a day early! Now I have all I need to hit the road – heading North!
Another episode of “It’s a Small World.” The lady that sat across the table from me, Pat, is from Iowa. She heard me answer when asked when I headed for Iowa - wanted to know where I was from - she told me "I'm from Chariton.” I told her I knew Chariton. Enjoyed visiting there when my sister was a principal in the elementary school. Commented on how much I enjoyed the town square and fondly remember the wonderful candy -- her folks originally owned the grocery and the candy store!
Allison brought the flowers my sister sent to the RV -- sang happy birthday -- said they were too pretty to be hidden away in my RV - should have been left at the office!!!
Had a really good birthday - did absolutely nothing! Fourth Thursday is Friendship supper and game nite at the activity bldg. Like the ice cream social and Saturday AM breakfast, we only do it once a month. Just not many of us left here! Kathy made the best seafood lasagna! Carol brought her cornbread made with creamed corn and broccoli, Allison brought oven-fried chicken (she dips it in coconut milk before she breads it!). Then there was scalloped potatoes, potato salad, Caesar salad. I took the pink stuff with cherry pie filling, pineapple, marshmallows, walnuts, cool whip. Just piggy-piggy-piggy! They sang Happy Birthday to me!
Took Li'lBit with to the trailer; she was NOT pleased! Of course her eye sight is really bad and it is all new and new smells. If I had been thinking, I’d have taken a blanket that smelled like her and Holly – at least she could have recognized the smell.
Was too hot to just set in there with her for any length of time, but I put her on the bed, the sofa, the dining booth, let her sniff around in the bathroom. Gonna really have to get creative about getting some steps for her to get up on the bed. Either that or I'll have to pick her up and down...and that isn't gonna work! She's too old now to be expected to sleep on the FLOOR! Hopefully after a few days,once we all move in, she will get used to it.
Went thru my cupboards and pulled out all the open stuff and pasta - stuff that will get lots of 'Wheat Weevils" while I'm gone. Might as well take it with me as have to toss it out when I get back.
Headed off to Corpus Christi on the 30th. 78 degrees and 78% humidity - not going to be a good air day to be roaming thru a room with birds! Took my walker & portable oxygen concentrator (just in case!) It was nice to see some of the old 'bird folks."
I was really quite amazed - I haven't driven in Corpus since I came down here 6 years ago to look for an RV park! I used to do the Corpus bird mart (they had it at a different location) - but that was just in and out. I can still find my old Motel 6! That's my starting/focal point when I need to go anywhere in Corpus! But since I've been in Rockport, I have ridden with Deryl & Elke, so this was the first time I've driven myself. Managed to get in and out without getting lost -- only got lost after I was out of Corpus and in Aransas Pass (and I go there about once a month!) Go Figure!
April comes to an end and I’m one year older!!
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