Monday January 24 48 degrees in the AM – didn’t get much warmer -- then some rain along the way. I guess I can handle the damp and the chill for a few days when I know 60-70 degree weather is just a couple of days away.
Haven't been reading a lot -- my right eye is giving me 'heart ache' again! But GOOD heartache! It is really trying to "work." I think the film is thinning; it messes with my reading. The right eye sees enough now it is trying to focus and screws up the good eye. I'm not complaining! I have some books on line I am reading -- like reading from a Kindle. I’m still not sure if I want an eReader or not. By the time I read all of my on line newspapers in the AM, I'm just about read out.
Marinated tuna steaks in Italian salad dressing. Would have been nice to toss them on the grill, but I’m a ‘fair weather’ griller. The counter top broiler worked just fine!
Tuesday, Ladies coffee - shopping – nail appointment at noon. Quick stroll on the beach with Li’lBit – how that dog manages to find every dead carcass on the beach to roll in, I’ll never know! Met with Deryl and Elke at Hu Dat’s for supper. They left Wednesday for a trip to Louisiana to the auction. I call Deryl the FEMA Trailer King….truly a King of the Road! He does a really good job renovating them. Hu Dat’s is a Vietnamese restaurant down by the pier. The deep fried oysters were to die for! They came with fried rice and some wonderfully delicious fish sauce. Hu Dat’s is definitely going to be a regular stopping place for lunch!
Picked up a tract phone at WalMart -- said it uses the T-Mobil network. Bought the initial plan to see if it works. If not, will go try another one! I’m really tired of not getting any of my calls or messages until I get into town! My phone seldom picks up a call here in the park.
Night temps have been in the mid-30s. My poinsettias are long wilted and suffering from 'frost bite' so I'm not even going to try to save them. Will clean out the pots and wait for WalMart to get their spring flowers.
Wednesday was lunch with the 'town group' at Jama's - a cheese cake place -- sandwiches, light lunch stuff -- and high-dollar yummy cheese cake! Lunch was good - had a Reuben and ice tea -- enjoyed the visit with everyone. It took all the will power I had to leave the place without a piece of cheesecake.
Managed to get enough of my truck emptied out so Donna and Kathy could ride with me. Amazing just how much stuff I can get into that truck – after all, it is my basement and attic and shed!
AND, in the process, I found another Fareway grocery sack with canned pumpkin! Last summer there was a 'shortage' on pumpkin due to some kind of pumpkin virus that made them all squishy and not suitable for processing. The manufacturers weren't sure they would have another supply to process in time for Thanksgiving. One day at the grocery in Iowa, I saw one box of 24 cans on the shelf. I bought several. Then on one of my trips to meet with Ingrid, Sherri & Judy for lunch, I stopped in a grocery somewhere along the way to get a few things and there were 10 cans of pumpkin so I bought 5 more. Well, in the meantime, the virus was gone, more pumpkin was being processed so there was no need for my "hording'! Now I have plenty of pumpkin!
Can't believe I was up at 5:30 Thursday morning! 46 degrees out - GOOD! Weather man had predicted mid-30s.
Why do I save cardboard boxes? I need to haul them to the trash --gotta stop saving every box I get! It’s not like I have enough stuff to store or anyplace to store it. And I sure don’t mail a lot of stuff anywhere.
With temps in the low 70s and sunny, naturally I had to make some picnic table time for Li'lBit! Love being outside with her. She is so much company. While setting at the picnic table, the screen door came flying open – and there was Holly hanging on the screen! I’m surprised she didn’t fall off, drop to the ground and run off. Will have to figure out how to fix that!
Decided to make Johnnie Williams' cherry pie dessert/salad -- cherry pie filling, chunky pineapple, Eagle brand milk, cool whip and pecans to the Friendship Supper. Can't get much easier than that!
Always eat way too much at pot luck -- tonite must have been a challenge on who could make the best rice, chicken, broccoli casserole! There were several on the table and each a little different. Someone made a really good ham and bean casserole with huge chunks of ham. Of course lots of different pasta dishes. Lots of salads and desserts. Oh, I love Friendship Supper night!
On Friday, Li'l Bit and I didn't crawl out of bed until after 8AM - 46 degrees - going into the upper 60's maybe even 70s today. General ‘housekeeping duties’ on the schedule - clean the kitty litter, propane tank out for refill, stood in the street and talked with the neighbors, did up some dishes -- tossed a soggy green pepper and tomato into the garbage - took the garbage out, took a fillet of Mahi Mahi out of the freezer to bake for supper. That was lots of work for a retired person…think it probably requires some rest!
Weatherman predicted some rain and cooler weather for the weekend and then into next week. Hope it doesn't rain the entire time Sid & Rain are here - last winter was an icky cold winter - even some snow -- they weren't impressed with winter in Rockport!
Exciting afternoon on Saturday. Rocky & Carole made it in - finally! They were part of the "neighborhood" for the last couple of years and I’ve missed seeing them parked down the street. Glad they made it safe and sound.
Kathy left on Friday and Donna left on Sunday. Will miss them. It was nice they could be here about a month. Never know who you will meet on an email list and then it is a pleasure to put a face with the name.
My name showed up on the "bad" list - not using a "sewer donut." It's a round spongy rubber thing that goes in the sewer pipe to give a tighter fit to the connection. I didn't use the 'donut' since my orange connector had a tighter gasket -- but I'm all fixed up now with my orange “thingy’ into the donut ‘thingy’ that’s in the sewer pipe.
Saturday was baked potato/soup supper. One of the most popular events, I think. The activity building was full of soups, dessert and people! I fixed Shrimp Posole (shrimp and veg soup in chicken broth). Brought home just about enough for lunch on Sunday.
By 1PM Sunday, I had finished a run to the store, laundry - 65 degrees - sunny - not too windy -- rained some during the night but cleared off by noon. Li’lBit and I pulled a ‘vegetate at the picnic table’ afternoon. Life is Good! Rain and Sid should be in late today or Monday. Looking forward to seeing them.
Swept the leaves and acorns from my pad and cleaned up some of my plants that are showing wear and tear after our colder nights and the hail storm. Don't have much left but some chives, the shamrock plant that really took a beating during the freeze and the hail, my aloe vera desperately needs to be thinned and transplanted. Finally tossed out all the poinsettias -- just not in the mood to mess with trying to keep them looking decent -- they are so windblown they are now at home in the trash bag!
Li'lBit's been up and down the street meeting the new canine neighbors. She so loves all the other dogs -- except Rick & Diane's hunting dogs -- she doesn't think much of them!
Monday Jan 31 Made a pot of Chicken Salsa Soup in the crock pot. Chicken, rice, salsa, pork & beans -- actually it is quite good.
61 degrees and foggy this AM. It turned out to be a beautiful day. The cold front lingered in north TX -- wish it would stay there! Supposed to be down in the 20s at nite by the middle of the week. AND, the weatherman used that 4-letter SNOW word for Thursday - but I don't think I'll need a snowblower! But I’m ready. Propane tanks full, space heater available and I have the blankets for the windows handy! These slides are really drafty – wish I could figure a way to insulate them. It would be so nice if this 70 degree weather would stick around ‘til I leave in April!
Rain and Sid got in about mid-day. We went to Moon Dogs for seafood Po’boy sandwiches. Deryl and Elke made it back from their auction in Louisiana, so we all went to Jalisco’s for some good food, friend, fun! And how was your diet today??
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
January 17 - 23, 2011
Monday Jan 17, 50 degrees, overcast but not windy. Li'lBit and I went to WalMart to pick up my prescriptions. Should not have gone up in the drizzle and dampness Saturday night for 'build-a-burger' -- even tho it was really good! I'm back to living on mucinex and a handful of other meds and sucking on the oxygen concentrator!
Tuesday I took a pass on going up to coffee in the morning. Air was heavy, damp, and I was already coughing. Need to ‘pick my battles!’ Too much going later in the week I want to do -- potluck on Thursday PM and lady's lunch on Friday
Tinga has learned a new word, "Helping." When I said, "What the devil are you doing" she replied "helping." It was fascinating to watch her (except I have to pick the stuff up!) She tips over the bottles, rolls them one by one to the end of the counter. As they hit the floor she looks down at them and says, "Good Girl, Step Up!" Crazy bird! But at least now I know she is HELPING!
I was surprised with a new flag pole big enough to fly a 3'x5' flag. I’ve seen the flag poles here in the park and asked who made them – guess I asked the right people! Gayle and Cleo built one for me.
Later in the day the sun came out - Li'lBit and I did about an hour at the picnic table. And then took a ride over the causeway up to Lamar to see if we could see the wayward manatee that has a been spotted in the canal and bay, but didn’t see it. It made for a fun day the Li’lBit and a nice ride. Hopefully the manatee has found its way to warmer waters.
I need to get back to Gatesville – hear there is a new restaurant there, Hogg Heaven.
Back to the doc to get some test results. They are still drawing lab. Since Doc is determined to label me “diabetic,” I've changed my eating - try to eat my big meal at noon instead of in the evening and have just been eating soups or cereal or a light sandwich at nite and it seems to be making the difference. There is a good vegetable stand right down the road from me so I can always get a good supply of fresh veggies for soups if I don't want to go to WalMart or HEB.
So, here I am in Rockport and find I'm falling apart! Guess VA is probably glad to have me out of the system! At least I won't be getting my meds and oxygen from them. And, I haven't gone to the VA eye doc since I started going to Wolfe Clinic in Iowa. Just wish this doc would do something about portable oxygen. At least I have the concentrator in the RV and I do have my portable concentrator in the truck -- I bought years ago when I first came out of the hospital on oxygen.
Up to 57 degrees and sunny on Wednesday. Supposed to cloud over later today. Made an early trip to the fish market to get some shrimp for the fried rice for Friendship Supper Thursday evening. Seems I cannot leave the fish market with just what I go in for - came out with $50 bag of fish! They had a nice selection of "just arrived" mahi mahi, tuna, salmon, and of course, I always get a couple pieces of cod when they have it. Saves me a trip to the meat market - don't have room for anything else in the freezer. Took a shoulder roast out of the freezer (to make room for the fish!), popped it in the crock pot with some onion/mushroom soup mix. Add a few vegetables and supper is ready.
The sunny warmer weather always brings out the grilling crowd. Can smell that smoky BBQ up and down the street.
Couldn’t put it off any longer, finally had to do laundry so I didn’t have to go naked. It’s not nearly as nice doing laundry here as it is in Marshalltown. I love the little tables in Marshalltown – so convenient for reading and coffee. But I sure can’t complain about the laundry room here – machines always clean and working!
Thursday the 20TH dense fog alert, woke to 58 degrees - heavy foggy air – made it all the way up to 65 degrees before it crashed back down into the 30’s. Must still be winter! Going to be a chilly walk up to the Friendship supper (Pot Luck). Made way too much shrimp fried rice. Guess what was on MY menu for the next couple of days.
Friday was ladies lunch day at the Beach House, one of my favorite lunch places - good sandwiches and huge salads. Ordered a Reuben and ice tea but with the AM temp at 31 degrees, I probably should have ordered HOT tea! Fortunately the wind died down considerably! Stopped by Deryl & Elke’s for an afternoon visit after leaving the Beach House.
Set my propane tank out before I left for lunch. Last evening after the pot luck, I decided to make some hot tea. Soon after I put the tea kettle on, the flame on the burner kept getting lower and lower -- time to switch propane tanks! Glad I found it out while I was still dressed and hadn't gone to bed. Could have been right chilly in here in AM if it had run out during the nite!
Saturday was an extremely quiet day – so quiet my sister made a trip out in the evening to go to school to email me to see if I was OK. She had tried several times through the day to call me and I wasn’t answering my phone. I do have spotty reception here in the park with my Verizon cell phone – seems to be OK when I’m in town, but the area here in the park is “iffy.”
Probably need to find some other provider, however, I will keep what I have right now since I also have my computer connection with the Verizon air card ….oh, just to make the thing more complicated, it’s really not Verizon. I’m one of those Alltel customers that was sold to Verizon!
Periodically, I look at my phone and see a message that I’m “leaving the service area.” Well, I’m not moving, but the signal just isn’t very good here. Will have to think on this situation for awhile. I don’t like the idea of getting started with another service or another plan. Hate to start paying all those new prices for the plans.
Li’l Bit and I enjoyed some sunny time out and about on Saturday. Sunday is another overcast day with drizzle on and off. Just the kind of day to set inside and watch some football games or read.
RECIPES
Shrimp Fried Rice
1 Cup rice (I use a mix of wild, brown and red)
4 T Butter
1 lb uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 pkg (16 oz) frozen mixed vegetable
4 Eggs, lightly beaten
6 slices of Bacon, cooked and crumbled
Salt and Pepper to taste
Cook Rice according to package directions.
In a large skillet, melt 1 T butter; add eggs. Cook eggs thoroughly. Remove eggs from skillet.
Melt remaining butter in skillet, add rice, vegetables and shrimp. Cook for about 5 minutes stirring occasionally or until shrimp turns pink. Add eggs and season with salt and pepper; top with bacon.
Bacon Noodle Bake
12 slices Bacon
8 ounces Noodles
1 1/2 cups Cottage cheese, small curd
1 1/2 cups Sour cream
1 small Onions, chopped - I use the green onions and include the tops (If I don’t have green onions I will add some chives)
3 tablespoons Parsley, chopped
Fry bacon until crisp; drain on paper towels and crumble.
Cook noodles as directed and drain.
In a 2 quart baking dish, layer 1/4 of the noodles, 1/4 of the cottage cheese, 1/4 of the sour cream and 1/4 of the crumbled bacon. Sprinkle with 1/4 of the onion and parsley. Repeat layers 3 more times. Bake uncovered at 375° for 35-40 minutes.
BAKED COD
You can substitute mahi mahi, grouper, catfish, salmon, or tilapia for cod.
1 cup fine breadcrumbs (I use panko)
2 TBS chopped fresh parsley
2 TSP grated lemon rind
1 TSP minced garlic
6 cod fillets
1 TSP salt
2 TBSP butter, melted
Combine first 4 ingredients in a small bowl.
Place fillets on a lightly greased wire rack in a baking pan; sprinkle evenly with salt. Spoon breadcrumb mixture evenly onto fillets, pressing down gently. Drizzle evenly with 2 Tbsp. melted butter.
Bake at 400° for 17 minutes or until breadcrumbs are golden and fish flakes with a fork.
QUICK QUICHE (This is so good and easy for using up left-over anything)
2 Cups leftover cooked meat, fish or vegetables – or a mixture of them.
1/2 Cup diced onion
1/2 TSP salt, optional
1 Cup shredded Swiss cheese
1 1/2 Cup milk
3/4 Cup biscuit mix
3 eggs
Preheat oven to 400 degrees (375 degrees if using glass plate.) Lightly grease 10 inch pie plate. Sprinkle meat or vegetables, onions, cheese in plate.
Beat salt, milk, biscuit mix and eggs together. Pour mixture into plate until smooth.
Bake until golden brown and knife inserted into center halfway comes out clean (30 to 35 minutes). Let stand 5 minutes before cutting. Refrigerate remaining pie.
Can be baked in individual muffin pans but will look like a popover when done.
Tuesday I took a pass on going up to coffee in the morning. Air was heavy, damp, and I was already coughing. Need to ‘pick my battles!’ Too much going later in the week I want to do -- potluck on Thursday PM and lady's lunch on Friday
Tinga has learned a new word, "Helping." When I said, "What the devil are you doing" she replied "helping." It was fascinating to watch her (except I have to pick the stuff up!) She tips over the bottles, rolls them one by one to the end of the counter. As they hit the floor she looks down at them and says, "Good Girl, Step Up!" Crazy bird! But at least now I know she is HELPING!
I was surprised with a new flag pole big enough to fly a 3'x5' flag. I’ve seen the flag poles here in the park and asked who made them – guess I asked the right people! Gayle and Cleo built one for me.
Later in the day the sun came out - Li'lBit and I did about an hour at the picnic table. And then took a ride over the causeway up to Lamar to see if we could see the wayward manatee that has a been spotted in the canal and bay, but didn’t see it. It made for a fun day the Li’lBit and a nice ride. Hopefully the manatee has found its way to warmer waters.
I need to get back to Gatesville – hear there is a new restaurant there, Hogg Heaven.
Back to the doc to get some test results. They are still drawing lab. Since Doc is determined to label me “diabetic,” I've changed my eating - try to eat my big meal at noon instead of in the evening and have just been eating soups or cereal or a light sandwich at nite and it seems to be making the difference. There is a good vegetable stand right down the road from me so I can always get a good supply of fresh veggies for soups if I don't want to go to WalMart or HEB.
So, here I am in Rockport and find I'm falling apart! Guess VA is probably glad to have me out of the system! At least I won't be getting my meds and oxygen from them. And, I haven't gone to the VA eye doc since I started going to Wolfe Clinic in Iowa. Just wish this doc would do something about portable oxygen. At least I have the concentrator in the RV and I do have my portable concentrator in the truck -- I bought years ago when I first came out of the hospital on oxygen.
Up to 57 degrees and sunny on Wednesday. Supposed to cloud over later today. Made an early trip to the fish market to get some shrimp for the fried rice for Friendship Supper Thursday evening. Seems I cannot leave the fish market with just what I go in for - came out with $50 bag of fish! They had a nice selection of "just arrived" mahi mahi, tuna, salmon, and of course, I always get a couple pieces of cod when they have it. Saves me a trip to the meat market - don't have room for anything else in the freezer. Took a shoulder roast out of the freezer (to make room for the fish!), popped it in the crock pot with some onion/mushroom soup mix. Add a few vegetables and supper is ready.
The sunny warmer weather always brings out the grilling crowd. Can smell that smoky BBQ up and down the street.
Couldn’t put it off any longer, finally had to do laundry so I didn’t have to go naked. It’s not nearly as nice doing laundry here as it is in Marshalltown. I love the little tables in Marshalltown – so convenient for reading and coffee. But I sure can’t complain about the laundry room here – machines always clean and working!
Thursday the 20TH dense fog alert, woke to 58 degrees - heavy foggy air – made it all the way up to 65 degrees before it crashed back down into the 30’s. Must still be winter! Going to be a chilly walk up to the Friendship supper (Pot Luck). Made way too much shrimp fried rice. Guess what was on MY menu for the next couple of days.
Friday was ladies lunch day at the Beach House, one of my favorite lunch places - good sandwiches and huge salads. Ordered a Reuben and ice tea but with the AM temp at 31 degrees, I probably should have ordered HOT tea! Fortunately the wind died down considerably! Stopped by Deryl & Elke’s for an afternoon visit after leaving the Beach House.
Set my propane tank out before I left for lunch. Last evening after the pot luck, I decided to make some hot tea. Soon after I put the tea kettle on, the flame on the burner kept getting lower and lower -- time to switch propane tanks! Glad I found it out while I was still dressed and hadn't gone to bed. Could have been right chilly in here in AM if it had run out during the nite!
Saturday was an extremely quiet day – so quiet my sister made a trip out in the evening to go to school to email me to see if I was OK. She had tried several times through the day to call me and I wasn’t answering my phone. I do have spotty reception here in the park with my Verizon cell phone – seems to be OK when I’m in town, but the area here in the park is “iffy.”
Probably need to find some other provider, however, I will keep what I have right now since I also have my computer connection with the Verizon air card ….oh, just to make the thing more complicated, it’s really not Verizon. I’m one of those Alltel customers that was sold to Verizon!
Periodically, I look at my phone and see a message that I’m “leaving the service area.” Well, I’m not moving, but the signal just isn’t very good here. Will have to think on this situation for awhile. I don’t like the idea of getting started with another service or another plan. Hate to start paying all those new prices for the plans.
Li’l Bit and I enjoyed some sunny time out and about on Saturday. Sunday is another overcast day with drizzle on and off. Just the kind of day to set inside and watch some football games or read.
RECIPES
Shrimp Fried Rice
1 Cup rice (I use a mix of wild, brown and red)
4 T Butter
1 lb uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 pkg (16 oz) frozen mixed vegetable
4 Eggs, lightly beaten
6 slices of Bacon, cooked and crumbled
Salt and Pepper to taste
Cook Rice according to package directions.
In a large skillet, melt 1 T butter; add eggs. Cook eggs thoroughly. Remove eggs from skillet.
Melt remaining butter in skillet, add rice, vegetables and shrimp. Cook for about 5 minutes stirring occasionally or until shrimp turns pink. Add eggs and season with salt and pepper; top with bacon.
Bacon Noodle Bake
12 slices Bacon
8 ounces Noodles
1 1/2 cups Cottage cheese, small curd
1 1/2 cups Sour cream
1 small Onions, chopped - I use the green onions and include the tops (If I don’t have green onions I will add some chives)
3 tablespoons Parsley, chopped
Fry bacon until crisp; drain on paper towels and crumble.
Cook noodles as directed and drain.
In a 2 quart baking dish, layer 1/4 of the noodles, 1/4 of the cottage cheese, 1/4 of the sour cream and 1/4 of the crumbled bacon. Sprinkle with 1/4 of the onion and parsley. Repeat layers 3 more times. Bake uncovered at 375° for 35-40 minutes.
BAKED COD
You can substitute mahi mahi, grouper, catfish, salmon, or tilapia for cod.
1 cup fine breadcrumbs (I use panko)
2 TBS chopped fresh parsley
2 TSP grated lemon rind
1 TSP minced garlic
6 cod fillets
1 TSP salt
2 TBSP butter, melted
Combine first 4 ingredients in a small bowl.
Place fillets on a lightly greased wire rack in a baking pan; sprinkle evenly with salt. Spoon breadcrumb mixture evenly onto fillets, pressing down gently. Drizzle evenly with 2 Tbsp. melted butter.
Bake at 400° for 17 minutes or until breadcrumbs are golden and fish flakes with a fork.
QUICK QUICHE (This is so good and easy for using up left-over anything)
2 Cups leftover cooked meat, fish or vegetables – or a mixture of them.
1/2 Cup diced onion
1/2 TSP salt, optional
1 Cup shredded Swiss cheese
1 1/2 Cup milk
3/4 Cup biscuit mix
3 eggs
Preheat oven to 400 degrees (375 degrees if using glass plate.) Lightly grease 10 inch pie plate. Sprinkle meat or vegetables, onions, cheese in plate.
Beat salt, milk, biscuit mix and eggs together. Pour mixture into plate until smooth.
Bake until golden brown and knife inserted into center halfway comes out clean (30 to 35 minutes). Let stand 5 minutes before cutting. Refrigerate remaining pie.
Can be baked in individual muffin pans but will look like a popover when done.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Gotta Love Livin'!
Monday, Jan 10th, 46 degrees and the REAL cold front moved in later in the day -- nite temps in the 30s. Some RVers are just plain NUTZ! 45 degrees, damp and windy and they haul out the deep fry cookers and the grills. You really have to be into this outdoor cooking stuff to get into it wearing a winter coat and mittens. Personally, I'm such a 'fair weather' kinda gal, I was cooking on the stove and in the oven just to heat up the RV!
Met Deryl, Robert and Diana at Los Comales (my fried avocado Mexican restaurant!) Elke comes back Wednesday so my "date nites" will be cut off!
Keith was around taking pics the day after the storm. He keeps the RV park blog up to date. http://www.rockport-rv35.blogspot.com/ There are a couple of entries with pictures regarding the storm. Still no further damage on my rig found from the hail/wind/rain.
Tuesday Brrrr..38 degrees. Only got into the mid-40s for a high -- supposed to be the same for 2-3 days – then starts warming up by the weekend – something to look forward to! Guess who ran out of propane about 3 AM! Refused to get up and go out at 3AM to switch tanks. Not totally out, just one tank went empty. I don't leave the tanks on auto-switch. I want to know when I have an empty tank. Propane guy comes into the park Tuesday and Friday.
Spent Tuesday running for lab work, then pigged out at the Chinese breakfast buffet, did some grocery shopping, stopped by the quilting store to get some iron on backing and sharper needles for the sweatshirt I'm making in crafts....don't you just love this old folks retirement RV park stuff! I'm such a little seamstress! They didn't have any floss at WallyWorld when I was there the other day. Really upsets me that WalMarts no longer has the sewing/fabric department like they did at one time. Had my hair cut and nails done. I really need to get back to Chevi for my nails. They do OK here, but don't have Chevi's 'flair!' Got a really great razor cut - love it! Put a pork roast in the crock pot before I left.
Elke got back from Germany. Glad she made it home safe and sound!
Tuesday and Wednesday nite we were to get to the freeze mark with windchills in the 20s according to the weather man – don’t think it ever got QUITE that cold.
Wednesday 34 degrees with 16 mph winds. I put on a pot of soup and stayed in for the day! By 11 AM it was all the way up to 35 degrees! Should have found something to put in the oven!
Thursday 13th, 38 degrees with a windchill of 27. Drizzle/rain showers started -- maybe some sun by the weekend! That's gettin' right nippy for down here.
Doc appt that afternoon wasn’t quite what I wanted to hear. Finally got the word – diabetic. I’ve been monitoring blood sugar intermittently since I have a history of diabetes in my family – but was kinda hoping I could avoid the label. Doc has scheduled a variety of medical appointments for me all the way into the first part of April so I'll definitely be staying here into April.
Friday YIPPEE 43 degrees this AM – got all the way up to the 55 before the sun went down! Of course, it's raining. Propane truck came – I’m good to go with propane now; Gary the RV repair guy came to replace my shattered roof vent – that job’s done; bone density exam in Portland TX in the afternoon.
Before I left for Portland, I set my propane tank is at the end of my pad with the check taped to it. Came home and my tank was GONE! Cleo and Bob were standing in the road talking and I asked about my tank. Cleo said the guy took it – DARN! Was there something wrong with it -- then Bob started laughing. They had put it back in the rack for me and hooked it up! I'll never be able to repay these guys around here for all they do for me! It’s because of such kindness and generosity that folks like me can continue to RV.
Earlier in the day I had put a slab of beef ribs in the crock pot. Actually, I only bought the ribs (big ol' cow ribs!) so Li'lBit would have some bones. I'll probably just pick the meat off and make some soup. I suppose, if I skim the fat off, veg soup isn't too bad for the ol' diet! Stopped at the vegetable market on the way home and picked up some cabbage, a few carrots and some zucchini squash for soup. I had plenty of celery and green pepper! Turned out quite good! No recipe – just chop and dump into the pot. Ate from the pot for 2 days.
We made it up to 55 degrees (no sun!) -- weatherman said our low for the nite would be 55 so I guess we hit the high and low at the same time.
Saturday no major plans for the weekend. I really need to get back to working on that spot on my carpeting that was left when the slide pulled in last trip. Build A Burger nite at the activities bldg. Burgers and all the trimmings -- a whole table full of condiments, baked beans and chips, and root beer floats for desert! I'm stuffed and miserable! Ain't Life Grand!
Took a pass on the Sunday nite ice cream social. I probably should have stayed home Saturday night and not gone out in the rain/dampness. I’m paying the coughing cruddy price for that excursion up to build-a-burger! But it was worth it.
Pork Roast and Sauerkraut
This recipe serves 10-12 people; I use a smaller roast and one bag or can of sauerkraut (with juice), 1 apple ¼ cup brown sugar and ½ cup apple juice. If you don’t like a strong flavor of sauerkraut, you can drain and rinse the kraut and increase the amount of apple juice.
3 pound pork roast
3 packages (2 pounds each) sauerkraut
2 apples, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup apple juice
Place meat in large crock pot. Drain and discard juice from 1 package of sauerkraut. Place sauerkraut (including juice from 1 package) on top of meat. Add apples, brown sugar and apple juice. Cover. Cook on high for 4 to 5 hours. Serve with mashed potatoes or spaetzel.
Met Deryl, Robert and Diana at Los Comales (my fried avocado Mexican restaurant!) Elke comes back Wednesday so my "date nites" will be cut off!
Keith was around taking pics the day after the storm. He keeps the RV park blog up to date. http://www.rockport-rv35.blogspot.com/ There are a couple of entries with pictures regarding the storm. Still no further damage on my rig found from the hail/wind/rain.
Tuesday Brrrr..38 degrees. Only got into the mid-40s for a high -- supposed to be the same for 2-3 days – then starts warming up by the weekend – something to look forward to! Guess who ran out of propane about 3 AM! Refused to get up and go out at 3AM to switch tanks. Not totally out, just one tank went empty. I don't leave the tanks on auto-switch. I want to know when I have an empty tank. Propane guy comes into the park Tuesday and Friday.
Spent Tuesday running for lab work, then pigged out at the Chinese breakfast buffet, did some grocery shopping, stopped by the quilting store to get some iron on backing and sharper needles for the sweatshirt I'm making in crafts....don't you just love this old folks retirement RV park stuff! I'm such a little seamstress! They didn't have any floss at WallyWorld when I was there the other day. Really upsets me that WalMarts no longer has the sewing/fabric department like they did at one time. Had my hair cut and nails done. I really need to get back to Chevi for my nails. They do OK here, but don't have Chevi's 'flair!' Got a really great razor cut - love it! Put a pork roast in the crock pot before I left.
Elke got back from Germany. Glad she made it home safe and sound!
Tuesday and Wednesday nite we were to get to the freeze mark with windchills in the 20s according to the weather man – don’t think it ever got QUITE that cold.
Wednesday 34 degrees with 16 mph winds. I put on a pot of soup and stayed in for the day! By 11 AM it was all the way up to 35 degrees! Should have found something to put in the oven!
Thursday 13th, 38 degrees with a windchill of 27. Drizzle/rain showers started -- maybe some sun by the weekend! That's gettin' right nippy for down here.
Doc appt that afternoon wasn’t quite what I wanted to hear. Finally got the word – diabetic. I’ve been monitoring blood sugar intermittently since I have a history of diabetes in my family – but was kinda hoping I could avoid the label. Doc has scheduled a variety of medical appointments for me all the way into the first part of April so I'll definitely be staying here into April.
Friday YIPPEE 43 degrees this AM – got all the way up to the 55 before the sun went down! Of course, it's raining. Propane truck came – I’m good to go with propane now; Gary the RV repair guy came to replace my shattered roof vent – that job’s done; bone density exam in Portland TX in the afternoon.
Before I left for Portland, I set my propane tank is at the end of my pad with the check taped to it. Came home and my tank was GONE! Cleo and Bob were standing in the road talking and I asked about my tank. Cleo said the guy took it – DARN! Was there something wrong with it -- then Bob started laughing. They had put it back in the rack for me and hooked it up! I'll never be able to repay these guys around here for all they do for me! It’s because of such kindness and generosity that folks like me can continue to RV.
Earlier in the day I had put a slab of beef ribs in the crock pot. Actually, I only bought the ribs (big ol' cow ribs!) so Li'lBit would have some bones. I'll probably just pick the meat off and make some soup. I suppose, if I skim the fat off, veg soup isn't too bad for the ol' diet! Stopped at the vegetable market on the way home and picked up some cabbage, a few carrots and some zucchini squash for soup. I had plenty of celery and green pepper! Turned out quite good! No recipe – just chop and dump into the pot. Ate from the pot for 2 days.
We made it up to 55 degrees (no sun!) -- weatherman said our low for the nite would be 55 so I guess we hit the high and low at the same time.
Saturday no major plans for the weekend. I really need to get back to working on that spot on my carpeting that was left when the slide pulled in last trip. Build A Burger nite at the activities bldg. Burgers and all the trimmings -- a whole table full of condiments, baked beans and chips, and root beer floats for desert! I'm stuffed and miserable! Ain't Life Grand!
Took a pass on the Sunday nite ice cream social. I probably should have stayed home Saturday night and not gone out in the rain/dampness. I’m paying the coughing cruddy price for that excursion up to build-a-burger! But it was worth it.
Pork Roast and Sauerkraut
This recipe serves 10-12 people; I use a smaller roast and one bag or can of sauerkraut (with juice), 1 apple ¼ cup brown sugar and ½ cup apple juice. If you don’t like a strong flavor of sauerkraut, you can drain and rinse the kraut and increase the amount of apple juice.
3 pound pork roast
3 packages (2 pounds each) sauerkraut
2 apples, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup apple juice
Place meat in large crock pot. Drain and discard juice from 1 package of sauerkraut. Place sauerkraut (including juice from 1 package) on top of meat. Add apples, brown sugar and apple juice. Cover. Cook on high for 4 to 5 hours. Serve with mashed potatoes or spaetzel.
Monday, January 10, 2011
January in Rockport
Forget about the hail, wind and rain storm that blew through the other nite. This is why I come to Rockport for the winter!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
DUCT TAPE
Duct Tape was invented by Richard Drew of Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company in the 1920's. He was also instrumental in the development of Scotch Brand tape.
During WWII, a research team of the Permacell division of Johnson & Johnson developed a process to combine multiple layers of adhesive onto a polyethylene coated cloth backing improving and marketing the original concept.
During WWII, a research team of the Permacell division of Johnson & Johnson developed a process to combine multiple layers of adhesive onto a polyethylene coated cloth backing improving and marketing the original concept.
JANUARY 3 - 8
56 degrees here Monday AM - air was heavy - no fog, no wind, no sun! Went to town and then had lunch with Kathy at Los Comales. As usual, I had my fried avocado and brought most of it home!
I didn’t even let Elke get to Germany and Deryl and I were going out to eat! She emailed last week and told me that he doesn't like to cook for himself so I’ll go keep him company. Just twist my arm a little! Went to Jalisco's (Mexican food - good). Guess I had enough Mexican food for awhile! I was afraid I was going to wake up speaking Spanish! Of course, for me, I don’t think there is such a thing as ‘too much’ Mexican Dining!
59 degrees on Tuesday - 50% chance of rain. Ladies coffee 9AM. More and more RVers are pulling into the park. I love watching them fiddle with their TV satellite. Watching and listening to a couple try to 'zoom in' their satellite dish reminds me, every time, why I'm not married!
My 'rent' here is paid until end of March. I'm thinking of extending my stay until mid-April. Just found out that one of my favorite 'chic-lit' mystery authors is going to be speaking at the Herb Festival here in town on April 10. Might stick around for that.
Off to a late start on Wednesday. Didn't crawl out of bed until nearly 7:30. Foggy, overcast, 66 degrees....have the dehumidifier going!
Deryl had wanted a steak Monday when we went to eat, but all of the steak places are closed on Monday. So it was Hammerheads for Wednesday supper. Robert joined us. As usual, company was great – food was edible.
This colder weather seems to be hanging on, 46 degrees but sunny and no wind on Thursday. In craft class we are making jackets out of sweat shirts. This will definitely come in handy with this weather. Thursday night was friendship supper (pot luck). Casserole in the oven was smelling really good!
While at WallyWorld, I spent some of my Christmas $$$ on a new hand mixer. Mine has been in the process of dying for some time. The beaters wouldn't stay in and, finally, it totally died! The beaters fell out and wouldn't go back in! Looked like some kinda spring inside broke and I wasn't about to mess with it. Planned on going to Castaways to see if they had a used one for a buck or two, but when I saw this one, just knew I had to have it. Hope it works as good as it looks. Comes in its own carrying case. There will be no excuse for not finding the beaters any longer!
Friday the 7th was I'm Not Going To Take It Anymore Day (according to the book of holidays). Too bad they didn’t celebrate that when I was still working. 49 degrees and sunny. Lunch with the gang from town. Hammerheads is quickly becoming NOT my favorite place to eat. Food was OK today if you like greasy salty mushroom swiss burgers! But if I'm going to pay some decent prices for food (and have the gratuity automatically added), I'm going to go to a 'classier' place! Of course, with these lunch-time get-togethers, I go more for the company than the food anyway. The company is always great!
Survived the wind and hail storm that blew in about 4 AM Sunday. I thought I was in Iowa in the springtime! When I'm there, I'm used to having storms blow thru so I'm prepared, weather radio, my "get out" bag and portable radio by the bed! I knew the front was coming, but sure don't recall the weatherman warning me about the high winds & hail! When the hail hit, it sounded like someone dropped a truck load of gravel on my roof and kept dumping for about 30 minutes! My bathroom vent cover was shattered. Cleo went up on the roof with a roll of duct tape and all is well! And today I offer up a prayer of thanksgiving for the inventor of duct tape!
I saw a huge blob of red/orange on the weather map going right across central TX! Hope everyone in Gatesville is OK.
I didn’t even let Elke get to Germany and Deryl and I were going out to eat! She emailed last week and told me that he doesn't like to cook for himself so I’ll go keep him company. Just twist my arm a little! Went to Jalisco's (Mexican food - good). Guess I had enough Mexican food for awhile! I was afraid I was going to wake up speaking Spanish! Of course, for me, I don’t think there is such a thing as ‘too much’ Mexican Dining!
59 degrees on Tuesday - 50% chance of rain. Ladies coffee 9AM. More and more RVers are pulling into the park. I love watching them fiddle with their TV satellite. Watching and listening to a couple try to 'zoom in' their satellite dish reminds me, every time, why I'm not married!
My 'rent' here is paid until end of March. I'm thinking of extending my stay until mid-April. Just found out that one of my favorite 'chic-lit' mystery authors is going to be speaking at the Herb Festival here in town on April 10. Might stick around for that.
Off to a late start on Wednesday. Didn't crawl out of bed until nearly 7:30. Foggy, overcast, 66 degrees....have the dehumidifier going!
Deryl had wanted a steak Monday when we went to eat, but all of the steak places are closed on Monday. So it was Hammerheads for Wednesday supper. Robert joined us. As usual, company was great – food was edible.
This colder weather seems to be hanging on, 46 degrees but sunny and no wind on Thursday. In craft class we are making jackets out of sweat shirts. This will definitely come in handy with this weather. Thursday night was friendship supper (pot luck). Casserole in the oven was smelling really good!
While at WallyWorld, I spent some of my Christmas $$$ on a new hand mixer. Mine has been in the process of dying for some time. The beaters wouldn't stay in and, finally, it totally died! The beaters fell out and wouldn't go back in! Looked like some kinda spring inside broke and I wasn't about to mess with it. Planned on going to Castaways to see if they had a used one for a buck or two, but when I saw this one, just knew I had to have it. Hope it works as good as it looks. Comes in its own carrying case. There will be no excuse for not finding the beaters any longer!
Friday the 7th was I'm Not Going To Take It Anymore Day (according to the book of holidays). Too bad they didn’t celebrate that when I was still working. 49 degrees and sunny. Lunch with the gang from town. Hammerheads is quickly becoming NOT my favorite place to eat. Food was OK today if you like greasy salty mushroom swiss burgers! But if I'm going to pay some decent prices for food (and have the gratuity automatically added), I'm going to go to a 'classier' place! Of course, with these lunch-time get-togethers, I go more for the company than the food anyway. The company is always great!
Survived the wind and hail storm that blew in about 4 AM Sunday. I thought I was in Iowa in the springtime! When I'm there, I'm used to having storms blow thru so I'm prepared, weather radio, my "get out" bag and portable radio by the bed! I knew the front was coming, but sure don't recall the weatherman warning me about the high winds & hail! When the hail hit, it sounded like someone dropped a truck load of gravel on my roof and kept dumping for about 30 minutes! My bathroom vent cover was shattered. Cleo went up on the roof with a roll of duct tape and all is well! And today I offer up a prayer of thanksgiving for the inventor of duct tape!
I saw a huge blob of red/orange on the weather map going right across central TX! Hope everyone in Gatesville is OK.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011
HAPPY NEW YEAR AND MAY ALL OF THE BLESSINGS 0F 2011 BE YOURS!
I should make a resolution to loose weight and keep the blog up to date! However, making a resolution that I know I will not keep, just makes me feel guilty when I fail – therefore, no resolutions from me!
Although there was a pizza and pop corn party going on at the activities building, I went to bed early New Years Eve. I didn’t go right to sleep; the fireworks across the bay went until well after midnight! And Li’lBit and Holly just can’t handle the bangs and booms – they were like Velcro all evening. New Years morning, breakfast was served at the activities building. Bacon, eggs, biscuits & gravy, grits, sweet breads and muffins, orange juice and coffee – all for $3! Terry and his crew put on quite a spread!
Made my annual pot of jambalaya. I call it my New Years Jambalaya ‘cuz I cut back on the rice and add black eyed peas. Definitely a "south of the Mason-Dixon line" tradition, black eyed peas for New Years. They definitely aren’t my favorite vegetable! I really didn’t like them in anything until I tasted Johnnie’s salad. Then, I tried them in the jambalaya and they worked there also.
Temp near 80 Dec 31 and barely got up to 50 degrees on the First. Just a lazy kick-back-do-nothing day. Thank you Texas Tech and TCU for letting the "big boys" know the "little guys" can play football, too!
January 2nd I woke to 41 degrees. Sure glad I have a nice warm hoodie! My sister sent me a Meskwakie Warriors red hoodie for Christmas! Made it to the mid-50s by afternoon. Sunday evening ice cream social at the activities building. Enjoyed visiting with everyone. Always something to do!
I should make a resolution to loose weight and keep the blog up to date! However, making a resolution that I know I will not keep, just makes me feel guilty when I fail – therefore, no resolutions from me!
Although there was a pizza and pop corn party going on at the activities building, I went to bed early New Years Eve. I didn’t go right to sleep; the fireworks across the bay went until well after midnight! And Li’lBit and Holly just can’t handle the bangs and booms – they were like Velcro all evening. New Years morning, breakfast was served at the activities building. Bacon, eggs, biscuits & gravy, grits, sweet breads and muffins, orange juice and coffee – all for $3! Terry and his crew put on quite a spread!
Made my annual pot of jambalaya. I call it my New Years Jambalaya ‘cuz I cut back on the rice and add black eyed peas. Definitely a "south of the Mason-Dixon line" tradition, black eyed peas for New Years. They definitely aren’t my favorite vegetable! I really didn’t like them in anything until I tasted Johnnie’s salad. Then, I tried them in the jambalaya and they worked there also.
Temp near 80 Dec 31 and barely got up to 50 degrees on the First. Just a lazy kick-back-do-nothing day. Thank you Texas Tech and TCU for letting the "big boys" know the "little guys" can play football, too!
January 2nd I woke to 41 degrees. Sure glad I have a nice warm hoodie! My sister sent me a Meskwakie Warriors red hoodie for Christmas! Made it to the mid-50s by afternoon. Sunday evening ice cream social at the activities building. Enjoyed visiting with everyone. Always something to do!
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