Due to the milder winter weather in the midwest, folks started packing up and moving north earlier than usual, some in early April. By the end of March, the park had taken on it's "summer empty" appearance; all of the "see you next winter" good-byes had been said.
It's almost time for me to head north - better update y'all on my exciting activities for the last couple of months. How many doctor's waiting rooms can you set in within a couple of months -- the answer: LOTS! I'm rapidly getting used to my Kindle e-Reader!
My local doc sent me for some cardiology and respiratory work-ups; we weren't getting anywhere with simple (and not so simple) medication changes. So...it has been off to the specialists. I have a great cardio guy in Corpus Christi (about 40 miles to the south) and a great respiratory guy in Victoria (about 50 miles to the north.) Believe me, I've been burning up the highway and the diesel fuel. But, I'm just about finished (I think.) One more cardio appointment and one more GP appointment before I can set a definite date to head north.
Hopefully by the end of May, before Memorial Day weekend, I'll be setting in Gatesville, drinking coffee with Johnnie and having lunch with Brenda. By the way, Brenda and Samantha came down and spend several days with me. We set up my little trailer for them here in the park and it was really great having them here.
I have to be in Iowa for eye doc appointment June 11. Want to get there about June 6 so I don't have to rush getting settled in. Can't wait to get to Iowa to ride out a few tornadoes and wind storms.
Got a little practice with that here in Rockport yesterday. Previous evening winds picked up, rain was blowing sideways! I had to be in Corpus Christi for a cardio appointment by 11AM that same morning, so off I went like I had good sense! Couldn't see the road, but followed the tail lights of the truck ahead of me. If he had gone over the edge, I'd have been right behind him...he obviously knew where he was going 'cuz I arrived at the clinic safe and sound. On the way back, I realized just what the weatherman means when he says 'coastal flooding." The bay had blown in and with all the rain we had (up to 16") the water was kissing the edges of the roadway. Reportedly 4 tornadoes touched down in the area. No damage from hail or winds at my place...except the WiFi and Cable TV are OUT!
High and dry today!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
RECIPES
Corn and Crab Chowder
1 tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 bay leaf, fresh or dried
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning blend,
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups vegetable or chicken stock or broth
1 quart whole milk
3 cups corn kernels, scraped fresh from the cob or frozen kernels
8 ounces cooked lump crab meat – fresh is available in plastic tubs at many fish
counters
4 small 6-inch bread boules (round loaves), hollowed out, preferably sourdough
(optional)
Toppings:
Oyster crackers
Hot cayenne pepper sauce
Sliced scallions
Heat a deep pot over moderate heat. Add vegetable oil or EVOO, about one turn of the
pan, and butter.
As you chop your veggies, add them to the pot: potatoes, celery, onion and red bell pepper. Then add the bay leaf. Season vegetables with salt and pepper and Old Bay
seasoning.
Sauté veggies five minutes, then sprinkle in flour. Cook with flour for two minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in broth and combine. Stir in milk and combine. Bring soup up to a bubble. Add corn and crab meat and simmer soup, about five minutes.
Adjust the soup seasonings and remove the bay leaf. Ladle soup into bread bowls or soup bowls and top with oyster crackers, hot sauce and sliced scallions.
Nutella Cookies
1 Cup Nutella
½ Cup sugar
1 Cup All-purpose Flour
1 whole egg
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Blend all ingedients together well. (it’s kinda crumbly) Form into 1″ balls and plan on cookie sheet. Press down firmly with the bottom of a glass. Bake 7-8 minutes or until set. Cool. Makes about 24 cookies.
Chicken Cheese Casserole
3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
8 oz sour cream
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 1/2 cups salsa or 1 can Rotel
1 can of corn, drained
2 cups Mexican cheese, shredded
1 bag of nacho cheese Doritos
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Crush the entire bag of Doritos and cover the bottom of the dish. Reserve one cup of cheese. Mix together remaining ingredients in a large bow. Pour chicken mixture over the Doritos. Bake for 20 min. Top casserole with the remaining cheese and bake 5 additional minutes or until melted.
1 tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 bay leaf, fresh or dried
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning blend,
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups vegetable or chicken stock or broth
1 quart whole milk
3 cups corn kernels, scraped fresh from the cob or frozen kernels
8 ounces cooked lump crab meat – fresh is available in plastic tubs at many fish
counters
4 small 6-inch bread boules (round loaves), hollowed out, preferably sourdough
(optional)
Toppings:
Oyster crackers
Hot cayenne pepper sauce
Sliced scallions
Heat a deep pot over moderate heat. Add vegetable oil or EVOO, about one turn of the
pan, and butter.
As you chop your veggies, add them to the pot: potatoes, celery, onion and red bell pepper. Then add the bay leaf. Season vegetables with salt and pepper and Old Bay
seasoning.
Sauté veggies five minutes, then sprinkle in flour. Cook with flour for two minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in broth and combine. Stir in milk and combine. Bring soup up to a bubble. Add corn and crab meat and simmer soup, about five minutes.
Adjust the soup seasonings and remove the bay leaf. Ladle soup into bread bowls or soup bowls and top with oyster crackers, hot sauce and sliced scallions.
Nutella Cookies
1 Cup Nutella
½ Cup sugar
1 Cup All-purpose Flour
1 whole egg
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Blend all ingedients together well. (it’s kinda crumbly) Form into 1″ balls and plan on cookie sheet. Press down firmly with the bottom of a glass. Bake 7-8 minutes or until set. Cool. Makes about 24 cookies.
Chicken Cheese Casserole
3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
8 oz sour cream
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 1/2 cups salsa or 1 can Rotel
1 can of corn, drained
2 cups Mexican cheese, shredded
1 bag of nacho cheese Doritos
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Crush the entire bag of Doritos and cover the bottom of the dish. Reserve one cup of cheese. Mix together remaining ingredients in a large bow. Pour chicken mixture over the Doritos. Bake for 20 min. Top casserole with the remaining cheese and bake 5 additional minutes or until melted.
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