Use on Anything Sauce Makes a pint
1 C mayonnaise
1/4 C ketchup
1/4 C chili sauce (DO NOT substitute Thai Chili Sauce)
1 heaping TSP Dijon mustard
1 TSP onion powder
1/2 TSP garlic powder
2 TSP Worcestershire sauce
1 TSP ground black pepper
1/4 TSP Tabasco sauce
1/4 C light olive oil
Juice of one lemon
Mix all ingredients well and store in refrigerator. Let set overnight for flavors to ‘merge.’ Use more or less of the ingredients for your taste. It does work best, however, if you keep the ratio of mayonnaise, ketchup and chili sauce the same.
Buttermilk Chicken (Baked)
Vegetable oil, for baking sheet
Bread crumbs – your preference – I like crushed corn flakes mixed ½ & ½ with Panko.
1 C buttermilk
1 TSP Tabasco sauce
Salt and pepper
3/4 C grated Parmesan cheese (2 1/2 ounces)
1 TSP dried thyme
4 pounds chicken parts, rinsed and patted dry
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Generously rub a baking sheet with oil.
In a large bowl, stir together buttermilk, Tabasco, salt, and pepper.
In a separate bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, thyme, and pepper.
One piece at a time, coat chicken with buttermilk mix, remove chicken and let excess drip back into bowl; dredge in the breadcrumb mix, turning to coat evenly. Place coated chicken pieces on baking sheet. Leave space between the chicken pieces so that they crisp.
Bake until chicken is golden brown, about 35 minutes.
Rice Pudding Crock Pot
3 C instant white rice (uncooked)
3/4 C raisins (Optional – I’ve used dates, dried cranberries, dried blueberries)
1 TSP vanilla
1 can(14 ozs) sweetened condensed milk
1 TBSP sugar
1 can (12 ozs) evaporated milk
1 TSP cinnamon
Spray inside of 3 1/2 Crock pot with pan spray. Mix all ingredients and pour into pot. Cover and cook on low 3 to 4 hours or until liquid is absorbed. Stir every so often; if it gets too thick, turn cooker off and let set in crock pot with lid on until rice is cooked. Refrigerate leftovers.
Corn Chowder Crock Pot
6 slices bacon, diced
2 C. potatoes, peeled and diced
2 10-oz. pkgs. corn kernels, frozen (or 2 cans)
1 can cream-style corn
1 med. onion, chopped
1 rib celery, chopped
1 small red pepper, diced
1 14 oz. can chicken broth
1 to 2 cups milk
Fry the bacon until it is crisp. Remove the bacon from pan, reserve the drippings.
Add onion and potatoes to the drippings and saute for about 5 minutes. Drain well.
Combine all the ingredients in the crock pot. Cover and cook on Low for 4 to 7 hours.
Broccoli and Shrimp Chowder
1 medium uncooked potato, peeled and diced
2 C uncooked broccoli florets
1 medium uncooked shallot, minced
2 C chicken broth
1/4 TSP dried thyme (This is also good with dill instead of thyme)
1/2 pound cooked shrimp, peeled
1/2 C sour cream
1/2 C milk
Salt and pepper to taste
Combine potato, broccoli, shallot, broth and thyme, bring to a boil, partially cover and cook until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer to blender and purée; return soup to pot. (I use my immersion blender.)
Add remaining ingredients to pot; simmer on low until hot, about 3 minutes. (Do not allow to boil.)
Cream of Anything Soup Mix
2 C instant non-fat dry milk
3/4 C cornstarch
1/4 C low-sodium chicken bouillon granules
1 TSP onion powder or 2 TBSP dehydrated onions
1 TSP dried basil, crushed
1 TSP dried thyme, crushed
1/4 to 1/2 TSP black pepper
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in an airtight container.
Yield: 3 cups mix.
To make soup equal to 1 can (10 3/4 ounce) blend 1/3 cup mix and 1 1/4 cups water in a 1 quart saucepan or a microwave safe bowl until smooth. Bring to a boil or microwave 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. Stir occasionally; cool.
Add asparagus, broccoli, celery, mushrooms, cooked chicken, etc. as desired. Microwave the vegetables to soften before adding.
I like to puree it in the blender or use my emersion blender to puree the vegetables in the soup.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
January 15 - 27
January 15th Made it up to 70 degrees but cloudy, humid and dreary. Didn't go to church and didn’t hoof it up the hill for ice cream. Did some odds and ends of no-exertion-needed tasks.
Monday woke to 64 degrees, sunny and no wind! Still coughing but managed to set o outside for awhile. We all think it is the allergy to the dust/gravel/sand - whatever all that stuff is blowing in the air. Had I known it was going to bother me this much, I would have hitched up the trailer and headed to central TX for a few weeks – but they have cedar pollen!
My big air cleaner died; motor finally gave up the ghost. I have had it since I was in the house so I could not complain as I loaded it up to toss in the trash. I did dig out my other (smaller) air cleaner and it is working fine; probably plenty big for the RV so I'm not in the market for another one unless I can find a oldie-but-goodie at Castaways sometime.
Actually cooked and did dishes on Monday. Found my recipe for buttermilk oven fried chicken and fixed chicken breast (with skin on it!) for supper. Sure wish I could leave my door open but I can still hear (and smell) the dump trucks and construction stuff out front.
Went to bed all excited about making it up to the coffee on Tuesday - WRONG! 68 degrees, 98% humidity! Had to run into town for ‘essentials,’ so met Donna for lunch at Hammerheads and then to the grocery. Was hoping Kathy could make it for lunch. She got down here from Iowa about a month ago and have only seen her a time or two….but she is busy making beaded bracelets for some organization and doing crafts at Happy Camper park where she stays.
Love visiting with Donna; we split a Reuben sandwich basket (comes with sweet tator fries) and each had a cup of soup. I had lobster bisque....yummy! I'm sure glad I have to escape to get into town at least once a week for 'essentials' - dog and cat food, kitty litter, eggs, bread, milk! I'm getting a good case of cabin fever and if I don't get over this crap soon, I'm going to go bloomin' MAD!!!
Tuesday afternoon the temp went to 80 humid degrees and I started sneezing - and I didn't care - I had door and windows open and the vent fan going! And I’m glad I did ‘cuz Wednesday AM it was 45 degrees with 40 mph winds blowing thru! Even the dogs didn't want to go out! Normally I like the winds coming in from the gulf, blows in all that nice salt air that I like. Now they just blow in the dust from the construction. And this too shall pass and I’ll have a nice wide road to travel.
At least I got my dishes done, some paperwork sorted out and a pot of broccoli/cauliflower/shrimp chowder made. It was just to be broccoli/shrimp chowder, but I had a bag of frozen mixed broc/caul and I wasn't about to stand around and pick out just the broccoli!
56 degree fog rolling in from the bay on Thursday. Hadn't planned on boiled shrimp for lunch but took them from the fridge and started peeling the ones I had cooked for the chowder the day before (about 1/2 pound left.) Decided to eat one while I was peeling so got some shrimp sauce out; so much for shrimp fried rice. I ate the shrimp like a shrimp cocktail! ALL OF THEM! Got to the point where I didn't have many left and decided I’d finish them for lunch!
Made it up to 78 sunny degrees. Sat outside and read for awhile - you know me and a picnic table, a book, my ice tea! That's about all I need! Guess I wouldn't be setting outside reading with my ice tea if I was still at Shady Oaks! I miss everyone from up there. Too bad their winters are so snowy and cold!
The crock pot was full of potatoes, onions, carrots, celery, parsley, and dill in some chicken broth. Guess who cleaned out the vegetable bin in the fridge? Let it cook on low all nite, then smushed it up in my fancy blender. Sure do like my $2 (or was it $3!) blender! After cooking all night, I added some sour cream and milk and had a pot of cream of everything soup! The following day I added the left over fish! Good thing I'm not cooking for a family - they would have moved out long ago the way I mix everything together!
Friday brought 68 degrees with 94% humidity and very little wind....don't think it will snow today! Off to a late start; stayed up reading for awhile and decided to sleep in. Good thing ol' Caleb has learned about Li'lBit's pee papers! She dribbles all day; he pees gallons twice a day. Good thing I remembered to put down extra papers!
Someone, at one time or another, evidentially tried to train Caleb to newspapers. He doesn’t quite understand the puppy pee pads I get for Li’lBit so I have to put a piece of newspaper on top! Now, Li’lBit doesn’t understand what has happened to “her spot!” Thanks to Carole and Ron here in the park, I’m being well supplied with daily papers.
Have on-line connection problems again with the computer. Park is filling up and the wifi gets really slow! Sometimes I can't get connected at all and my little Verizon thingy sucks down here. Wish I had my old Alltel thingy back but they don't make them anymore! Naturally, something works so let’s stop making it!
Saturday morning,7:30 AM, 69 degrees, 95% humidity, NO breeze and we have a dense fog warning! Off to a good start! At least I don't have to shovel! And I didn’t go to breakfast at the activity building! My blood sugars have been running low -- not LOW - but low for me. Guess I’m burning more energy coughing than I do walking!
Sunday I was running low on some things and made a quick trip into town. I had run out of dish soap and had dishes piling up in the sink and couldn't let them pile up any longer! Of course, it cost me nearly $40 for that dish soap ‘cuz I made the mistake of walking by the fish market! I'll be eating shrimp and salmon this week!
Monday greeted me with 61 humid foggy degrees. Ran into town to get more meds at the drug store. It’s getting quite expensive to keep breathing!
Terrific surprise: Brenda called to say that she will be bringing her daughter down for some of spring break. I’m really excited. They are going to stay in my little travel trailer and use that as their ‘home base.’ Not sure how long they will stay. They will be arriving March 13. It will be nice to have Brenda to visit with for awhile.
My neighbor ended up in the hospital, needing blood transfusions. His wife has been fighting the flu. Fortunately his son and daughter in law are also here to be with him thru this. He came home a few days later. Nice to see him out and about again.
Monday woke to 64 degrees, sunny and no wind! Still coughing but managed to set o outside for awhile. We all think it is the allergy to the dust/gravel/sand - whatever all that stuff is blowing in the air. Had I known it was going to bother me this much, I would have hitched up the trailer and headed to central TX for a few weeks – but they have cedar pollen!
My big air cleaner died; motor finally gave up the ghost. I have had it since I was in the house so I could not complain as I loaded it up to toss in the trash. I did dig out my other (smaller) air cleaner and it is working fine; probably plenty big for the RV so I'm not in the market for another one unless I can find a oldie-but-goodie at Castaways sometime.
Actually cooked and did dishes on Monday. Found my recipe for buttermilk oven fried chicken and fixed chicken breast (with skin on it!) for supper. Sure wish I could leave my door open but I can still hear (and smell) the dump trucks and construction stuff out front.
Went to bed all excited about making it up to the coffee on Tuesday - WRONG! 68 degrees, 98% humidity! Had to run into town for ‘essentials,’ so met Donna for lunch at Hammerheads and then to the grocery. Was hoping Kathy could make it for lunch. She got down here from Iowa about a month ago and have only seen her a time or two….but she is busy making beaded bracelets for some organization and doing crafts at Happy Camper park where she stays.
Love visiting with Donna; we split a Reuben sandwich basket (comes with sweet tator fries) and each had a cup of soup. I had lobster bisque....yummy! I'm sure glad I have to escape to get into town at least once a week for 'essentials' - dog and cat food, kitty litter, eggs, bread, milk! I'm getting a good case of cabin fever and if I don't get over this crap soon, I'm going to go bloomin' MAD!!!
Tuesday afternoon the temp went to 80 humid degrees and I started sneezing - and I didn't care - I had door and windows open and the vent fan going! And I’m glad I did ‘cuz Wednesday AM it was 45 degrees with 40 mph winds blowing thru! Even the dogs didn't want to go out! Normally I like the winds coming in from the gulf, blows in all that nice salt air that I like. Now they just blow in the dust from the construction. And this too shall pass and I’ll have a nice wide road to travel.
At least I got my dishes done, some paperwork sorted out and a pot of broccoli/cauliflower/shrimp chowder made. It was just to be broccoli/shrimp chowder, but I had a bag of frozen mixed broc/caul and I wasn't about to stand around and pick out just the broccoli!
56 degree fog rolling in from the bay on Thursday. Hadn't planned on boiled shrimp for lunch but took them from the fridge and started peeling the ones I had cooked for the chowder the day before (about 1/2 pound left.) Decided to eat one while I was peeling so got some shrimp sauce out; so much for shrimp fried rice. I ate the shrimp like a shrimp cocktail! ALL OF THEM! Got to the point where I didn't have many left and decided I’d finish them for lunch!
Made it up to 78 sunny degrees. Sat outside and read for awhile - you know me and a picnic table, a book, my ice tea! That's about all I need! Guess I wouldn't be setting outside reading with my ice tea if I was still at Shady Oaks! I miss everyone from up there. Too bad their winters are so snowy and cold!
The crock pot was full of potatoes, onions, carrots, celery, parsley, and dill in some chicken broth. Guess who cleaned out the vegetable bin in the fridge? Let it cook on low all nite, then smushed it up in my fancy blender. Sure do like my $2 (or was it $3!) blender! After cooking all night, I added some sour cream and milk and had a pot of cream of everything soup! The following day I added the left over fish! Good thing I'm not cooking for a family - they would have moved out long ago the way I mix everything together!
Friday brought 68 degrees with 94% humidity and very little wind....don't think it will snow today! Off to a late start; stayed up reading for awhile and decided to sleep in. Good thing ol' Caleb has learned about Li'lBit's pee papers! She dribbles all day; he pees gallons twice a day. Good thing I remembered to put down extra papers!
Someone, at one time or another, evidentially tried to train Caleb to newspapers. He doesn’t quite understand the puppy pee pads I get for Li’lBit so I have to put a piece of newspaper on top! Now, Li’lBit doesn’t understand what has happened to “her spot!” Thanks to Carole and Ron here in the park, I’m being well supplied with daily papers.
Have on-line connection problems again with the computer. Park is filling up and the wifi gets really slow! Sometimes I can't get connected at all and my little Verizon thingy sucks down here. Wish I had my old Alltel thingy back but they don't make them anymore! Naturally, something works so let’s stop making it!
Saturday morning,7:30 AM, 69 degrees, 95% humidity, NO breeze and we have a dense fog warning! Off to a good start! At least I don't have to shovel! And I didn’t go to breakfast at the activity building! My blood sugars have been running low -- not LOW - but low for me. Guess I’m burning more energy coughing than I do walking!
Sunday I was running low on some things and made a quick trip into town. I had run out of dish soap and had dishes piling up in the sink and couldn't let them pile up any longer! Of course, it cost me nearly $40 for that dish soap ‘cuz I made the mistake of walking by the fish market! I'll be eating shrimp and salmon this week!
Monday greeted me with 61 humid foggy degrees. Ran into town to get more meds at the drug store. It’s getting quite expensive to keep breathing!
Terrific surprise: Brenda called to say that she will be bringing her daughter down for some of spring break. I’m really excited. They are going to stay in my little travel trailer and use that as their ‘home base.’ Not sure how long they will stay. They will be arriving March 13. It will be nice to have Brenda to visit with for awhile.
My neighbor ended up in the hospital, needing blood transfusions. His wife has been fighting the flu. Fortunately his son and daughter in law are also here to be with him thru this. He came home a few days later. Nice to see him out and about again.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
JAN 9-15
Guess I can’t complain about spending $13 for the roast. Monday I was still eating off of it. Monday brought some much needed rain. My lungs aren't nearly has happy as the rest of me about it, but they so desperately need the rain down here! Been up since about 4 AM listening to the bands of rain come across. Wonder how much SNOW they got in north TX!
Living in the ol' folks RV park, I have come to a definite conclusion. Some ol' ladies can get by with wearing jeans; others should just forget it! They need to stay with their cute little seersucker pedal pusher sets!
Met Deryl & Elke at Jaliscos for supper. Love my combo loco platter, always enough for 2-3 meals, depending on how many chips I eat first!
Temps started dropping FAST and the winds really picked up. Was over 70 degrees at 4:30, at 7:30, it was 55 degrees! Definitely going to be soup weather.
Bought one of those roasted chickens from WalMart awhile back. Ate some of it, froze the rest. I pulled the breasts off to save for sandwiches and put all the bony left over parts in the crock pot with some chicken bullion, carrots and celery. Didn’t have any potatoes - I survived! I made some dumplin’s!
Woke up Tuesday AM to 43 degrees - 18-20mph winds - wind chill 34. Why do I always run out of propane in the middle of the nite! Out in all that wind in my jammies flipping tanks! Sure am glad I just have to open and close the knobs and flip the little lever and run back into bed!
I didn’t even try to walk up to Ladies coffee in the AM – not in that wind.
I do so enjoy my lunches in town with Donna when she comes in during the week. Tuesday HuDat's, 11:30 and Kathy met us. She pulled in from Iowa just about a month ago. Not staying in this park this winter so I don’t see her often. Glad I like the food at HuDat's! Brought home enough shrimp, veggies and fried rice for supper. Still had stuff from Jalisco's the night before. Ended up putting the soup from the crock pot back in the freezer. Can’t say I’m not stocked up with soups for the winter!
Propane guy comes to the park on Tuesday and Friday so I was right there waiting for him with my empty tank...and right behind the propane truck was Cleo on his bicycle -- as soon as my tank was full, Cleo put it in the compartment and hooked it up for me! YIPPEE! Bring on the cold!
WEDNESDAY 11TH Ah- F*#&!!!! Woke up coughing and hacking. Sorry folks but this is getting damn depressing. Thought I was on my way to recovery! 45 sunny, not too windy degrees. No plans for today. Really need to start making a list...can't seem to keep up enough energy to get my little jobs done around here. That's kinda funny - always have enough energy to go out and EAT!
Lots of sirens headed north on the highway when I had the dogs out in the AM - figured it must be a fire, private vehicles with 'whoopy' lights like the volunteers have. Just a parade of vehicles but with the fencing, can't always see what the vehicles are. Heard on the news it was a major accident, 2 trucks head on, 3 died, burned beyond recognition. I did learn one thing - loud-mouth Caleb, the dog that barks incessantly at other dogs and people on bicycles, doesn't howl or bark or whine at sirens! That's a point in his favor!
Made it up to 78 degrees but another cold front was on it’s way. Weather alert for 30 mph winds from the north gusting to 40. Moved my plants under the RV.
By Thursday, I was extremely glad I had plenty of propane! With the winds constantly blowing from the north, the furnace was going non-stop! The extra room I get with the 3 slides is really nice - unless it is cold and windy! No way to stop the wind from blowing in around those slides!
45 degrees, winds sustained at 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. At least the sun was out but it didn’t get above 50. What kills me is the darn wind. It was all I could do to catch my breath outside with the dogs - not so much congested as the wind just sucks the air out of me. Another good day to stay in and on my list of stuff to do was find my tax stuff and get it all in one place.
Guess who had to go out and empty the sewer in this wind and cold! While I was out there the wind chill went right down to the bones so I decided not to even try to make it to the Friendship supper. And to think, I was raised in the midwest and used to live in Chicago! I've turned into a real WHIMP!
Happy Friday the 13th! 32 sunny degrees but very little wind. Definitely had to get up and get moving and get some laundry done! Too cold to go naked! Left here in the AM with the furnace going and came home a couple hours later and opened the vent and the front door.
Took the last of my Christmas money and ordered a Kindle e-Reader. I have looked at ‘em (and the Nook and the i-equipment) but just can’t get used to reading books on the computer (I have an e-reader program on my laptop.)
BUT… I've heard from another 'recipe collector' there is a way to transfer word doc and PDF file recipes to the Kindle. Sure is cheaper and more versatile than that MyDemy thing I was thinking about. Cooking in an RV can be “cramped” experience! I think that is a nice way to put it! There isn’t even enough counter space for a cookbook! So, I’ve been printing off recipes as I need them, but what a waste – I just toss the paper when I’m finished – not enough storage space to keep them all, so I end up reprinting the next time I need it. Can't wait to get it and see if it is going to be as good as I hope for saving recipes!
Living in the ol' folks RV park, I have come to a definite conclusion. Some ol' ladies can get by with wearing jeans; others should just forget it! They need to stay with their cute little seersucker pedal pusher sets!
Met Deryl & Elke at Jaliscos for supper. Love my combo loco platter, always enough for 2-3 meals, depending on how many chips I eat first!
Temps started dropping FAST and the winds really picked up. Was over 70 degrees at 4:30, at 7:30, it was 55 degrees! Definitely going to be soup weather.
Bought one of those roasted chickens from WalMart awhile back. Ate some of it, froze the rest. I pulled the breasts off to save for sandwiches and put all the bony left over parts in the crock pot with some chicken bullion, carrots and celery. Didn’t have any potatoes - I survived! I made some dumplin’s!
Woke up Tuesday AM to 43 degrees - 18-20mph winds - wind chill 34. Why do I always run out of propane in the middle of the nite! Out in all that wind in my jammies flipping tanks! Sure am glad I just have to open and close the knobs and flip the little lever and run back into bed!
I didn’t even try to walk up to Ladies coffee in the AM – not in that wind.
I do so enjoy my lunches in town with Donna when she comes in during the week. Tuesday HuDat's, 11:30 and Kathy met us. She pulled in from Iowa just about a month ago. Not staying in this park this winter so I don’t see her often. Glad I like the food at HuDat's! Brought home enough shrimp, veggies and fried rice for supper. Still had stuff from Jalisco's the night before. Ended up putting the soup from the crock pot back in the freezer. Can’t say I’m not stocked up with soups for the winter!
Propane guy comes to the park on Tuesday and Friday so I was right there waiting for him with my empty tank...and right behind the propane truck was Cleo on his bicycle -- as soon as my tank was full, Cleo put it in the compartment and hooked it up for me! YIPPEE! Bring on the cold!
WEDNESDAY 11TH Ah- F*#&!!!! Woke up coughing and hacking. Sorry folks but this is getting damn depressing. Thought I was on my way to recovery! 45 sunny, not too windy degrees. No plans for today. Really need to start making a list...can't seem to keep up enough energy to get my little jobs done around here. That's kinda funny - always have enough energy to go out and EAT!
Lots of sirens headed north on the highway when I had the dogs out in the AM - figured it must be a fire, private vehicles with 'whoopy' lights like the volunteers have. Just a parade of vehicles but with the fencing, can't always see what the vehicles are. Heard on the news it was a major accident, 2 trucks head on, 3 died, burned beyond recognition. I did learn one thing - loud-mouth Caleb, the dog that barks incessantly at other dogs and people on bicycles, doesn't howl or bark or whine at sirens! That's a point in his favor!
Made it up to 78 degrees but another cold front was on it’s way. Weather alert for 30 mph winds from the north gusting to 40. Moved my plants under the RV.
By Thursday, I was extremely glad I had plenty of propane! With the winds constantly blowing from the north, the furnace was going non-stop! The extra room I get with the 3 slides is really nice - unless it is cold and windy! No way to stop the wind from blowing in around those slides!
45 degrees, winds sustained at 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. At least the sun was out but it didn’t get above 50. What kills me is the darn wind. It was all I could do to catch my breath outside with the dogs - not so much congested as the wind just sucks the air out of me. Another good day to stay in and on my list of stuff to do was find my tax stuff and get it all in one place.
Guess who had to go out and empty the sewer in this wind and cold! While I was out there the wind chill went right down to the bones so I decided not to even try to make it to the Friendship supper. And to think, I was raised in the midwest and used to live in Chicago! I've turned into a real WHIMP!
Happy Friday the 13th! 32 sunny degrees but very little wind. Definitely had to get up and get moving and get some laundry done! Too cold to go naked! Left here in the AM with the furnace going and came home a couple hours later and opened the vent and the front door.
Took the last of my Christmas money and ordered a Kindle e-Reader. I have looked at ‘em (and the Nook and the i-equipment) but just can’t get used to reading books on the computer (I have an e-reader program on my laptop.)
BUT… I've heard from another 'recipe collector' there is a way to transfer word doc and PDF file recipes to the Kindle. Sure is cheaper and more versatile than that MyDemy thing I was thinking about. Cooking in an RV can be “cramped” experience! I think that is a nice way to put it! There isn’t even enough counter space for a cookbook! So, I’ve been printing off recipes as I need them, but what a waste – I just toss the paper when I’m finished – not enough storage space to keep them all, so I end up reprinting the next time I need it. Can't wait to get it and see if it is going to be as good as I hope for saving recipes!
January Recipes
SWEET POTATO PEAR SOUP (Adapted from Recipe Lion)
1 TBSP margarine
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 C chopped carrot
1/4 C chopped celery
3 medium-sized sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
2 pears, peeled and diced
1/2 TSP dried thyme
1 TSP paprika
5 C vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
1/3 C coconut milk
2 TSP maple syrup, or to taste
2 TSP lime juice, or to taste
salt and pepper to taste
In a pot, heat margarine on medium heat. Add onion, carrot and celery and sauté for 1minute. Add sweet potatoes, pears and thyme and sauté for about 2 minutes. Add paprika and broth. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes or until sweet potato is soft.
Puree in a blender or food processor until smooth. Return to pot. Add coconut milk, maple syrup and lime juice. Simmer for 5 minutes. If soup is too thick add a little extra broth.
Season with salt and pepper, adding more syrup or lime juice as needed.
MOZZARELLA EGG ROLL STICKS
12 Wonton or Egg-Roll Wraps, at room temperature
12 Mozzarella String Cheese
Marinara Sauce for Dipping
Small bowl with water, optional
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Take one wrap (less likely to break and ooze cheese all over if room-temp and slightly wet) and lay on flat surface like a diamond. Put cheese stick in middle, corner to corner (or slightly below).
Take the bottom corner and fold it up over the cheese stick and stick to other side of wrap tightly. You can add a few drops of the water to make the wrap stick better.
Carefully fold over the right and left corners of the wrap onto the cheese stick to completely cover the cheese. (the wrap will tear if not at room temp) Roll up the wrap.
Bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes, turning once, until golden brown.
Fried Directions:
Wrap cheese as described above.
Heat 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat.
Add in half of the cheese sticks. Roll/stir sticks around for about 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown, and remove from heat. Repeat with remainder of wraps.
NOTE: I find they do not brown too well in the oven (watch closely) and often the cheese will start to "leak out." But the taste is still good! I will probably try an "egg wash" (egg white with a little water) brushed on the rolls the next time to see if that improves the 'browning." Any left overs can be warmed in a pan with a little non-stick pan spray and be just as good!
INSTANT MARGARITAS (Makes 8)
1 lime, cut into 8 wedges
1/4 C sugar
2 pints lime sorbet
1/2 C tequila
Rub the lime wedges around the rims of 8 stemmed glasses.
Place the sugar on a small plate. Turn each glass upside down and dip the rims in the sugar to coat.
Place 2 scoops of sorbet in each glass and pour 1 TBSP tequila over the top of each.
Serve with a spoon
1 TBSP margarine
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 C chopped carrot
1/4 C chopped celery
3 medium-sized sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
2 pears, peeled and diced
1/2 TSP dried thyme
1 TSP paprika
5 C vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
1/3 C coconut milk
2 TSP maple syrup, or to taste
2 TSP lime juice, or to taste
salt and pepper to taste
In a pot, heat margarine on medium heat. Add onion, carrot and celery and sauté for 1minute. Add sweet potatoes, pears and thyme and sauté for about 2 minutes. Add paprika and broth. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes or until sweet potato is soft.
Puree in a blender or food processor until smooth. Return to pot. Add coconut milk, maple syrup and lime juice. Simmer for 5 minutes. If soup is too thick add a little extra broth.
Season with salt and pepper, adding more syrup or lime juice as needed.
MOZZARELLA EGG ROLL STICKS
12 Wonton or Egg-Roll Wraps, at room temperature
12 Mozzarella String Cheese
Marinara Sauce for Dipping
Small bowl with water, optional
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Take one wrap (less likely to break and ooze cheese all over if room-temp and slightly wet) and lay on flat surface like a diamond. Put cheese stick in middle, corner to corner (or slightly below).
Take the bottom corner and fold it up over the cheese stick and stick to other side of wrap tightly. You can add a few drops of the water to make the wrap stick better.
Carefully fold over the right and left corners of the wrap onto the cheese stick to completely cover the cheese. (the wrap will tear if not at room temp) Roll up the wrap.
Bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes, turning once, until golden brown.
Fried Directions:
Wrap cheese as described above.
Heat 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat.
Add in half of the cheese sticks. Roll/stir sticks around for about 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown, and remove from heat. Repeat with remainder of wraps.
NOTE: I find they do not brown too well in the oven (watch closely) and often the cheese will start to "leak out." But the taste is still good! I will probably try an "egg wash" (egg white with a little water) brushed on the rolls the next time to see if that improves the 'browning." Any left overs can be warmed in a pan with a little non-stick pan spray and be just as good!
INSTANT MARGARITAS (Makes 8)
1 lime, cut into 8 wedges
1/4 C sugar
2 pints lime sorbet
1/2 C tequila
Rub the lime wedges around the rims of 8 stemmed glasses.
Place the sugar on a small plate. Turn each glass upside down and dip the rims in the sugar to coat.
Place 2 scoops of sorbet in each glass and pour 1 TBSP tequila over the top of each.
Serve with a spoon
JAN 1-8 -- HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012
January 1, 2012 – Happy New Year!
Spent Monday in bed hoping to kick this lung stuff and really getting sick and tired of being sick and tired. Down in the 30-40s at nite, sunny but not much above upper 50s during the day – windy. Fortunately I have lots of soup made up and in the freezer & fridge - sure do like my new fridge! Kids and I nap a lot and seem to go to bed earlier and earlier every evening. It's so much easier to breathe when I am doing nothing but sucking oxygen going thru a face mask! Watched some parades and bowl games, fixed some creamed fish to pour over my left over biscuits.
Still having hard time breathing if I do anything more energetic than set and do nothing! Just wish I had some energy. I get up to do one thing and I’m outta air - oh, well, it will come back eventually - it always does....just seems like it is taking longer -- but we are in another 'cold snap.'
Headed into town on Tuesday to pick up meds and some essentials. 47 sunny, not too windy, degrees but chilly enough to keep me from walking up for ladies coffee. Met Donna for lunch at Whataburger, then went to visit Deryl & Elke; hadn’t seen them since they got out of the hospital on Christmas.
Wednesday I woke up to 62 sunny and not-too windy degrees and coughing again - just when I thought I had it under control. I think this is aggravated by allergies. Will definitely be glad when the road construction is over out front. They have all of the graders and sand/gravel trucks working in front of the park and it doesn’t take much wind to blow it in my direction. Would have been nice to have the windows & door open. I finally just decided to kick on the oxygen, put on the c-pap and go to bed!
I’d love to find some chicken breasts with SKIN on them. I hate buying a whole chicken and cutting it up myself. That’s what I like about shopping Fareway in Iowa, can buy just the breast fresh with all the skin!
Thursday was 60 not-too-sunny degrees, but not too much wind. The graders seem to start earlier and earlier, running up and down the road, on the nice days. I just stay in and stay closed up! Turned foggy later in the day so I avoided huffing and puffing up to the activity building for the pot luck. Had made a chicken casserole to take but divided into 3 portions and froze it!
Friday was another 60 degree day and I WANT BEEF! Going into town while I've still got energy! I need BEEF! Even tho I don't think much of Texas beef, I need BEEF! Also need to take my garbage out and stop and pick up mail. Ended up costing me $13 for a small roast! Oh, well...I'll just have to stretch it out!
Stopped at the little Euro Pizza wagon on the way home and got a slice of their Tuscan Veggie pizza - YUMMY! Nice size slice with lots of chunky veggies and feta cheese. Ate it while setting in the traffic line up waiting for the "pilot truck" to take us on down the road! So much for lunch!
I've been craving pickled beets/onions/hard boiled eggs for a couple of weeks! No, I’m not pregnant! I think it is ‘cuz I’m loosing all sense of taste between meds, respiratory treatments, etc., and I need some thing with strong tastes. I could give up all other foods for those things! I hadn't made them in years. I found they taste nearly as good if I just buy a jar of pickled beets and add the eggs and onions; saves me all that standing at the stove, cooking and stirring!
When I was working home health, I could never understand how the 'little old folks' could eat the same thing over and over, day after day - I know now! I'm one of them!
Oh, Saturday was definitely NOT a good day at my place. Couldn’t get the ball games! Local NBC affiliate is fighting with Time Warner and we can't get NBC on cable. I even brought the TV from the trailer back to the RV so I could hook it up to my antenna (TV in RV needs digital converter box.) No luck; not sure if it is the antenna or the connection, but I caught the games the old fashioned way – on the radio! And what a treat that was – got to use my imagination – and I could do it in bed with the oxygen going!
Saturday I was starting to feel human. Even sat outside for awhile with the dogs; nice weather - 65 sunny degrees, no wind. Sunday I walked up the hill to church without my walker! It's probably about 1/2 block and the hill isn't much - but enough that I notice it! Even managed to huff and puff up the hill for the ice cream social Sunday evening. Maybe I should have avoided the ice cream – by Monday, I was back in bed!
Spent Monday in bed hoping to kick this lung stuff and really getting sick and tired of being sick and tired. Down in the 30-40s at nite, sunny but not much above upper 50s during the day – windy. Fortunately I have lots of soup made up and in the freezer & fridge - sure do like my new fridge! Kids and I nap a lot and seem to go to bed earlier and earlier every evening. It's so much easier to breathe when I am doing nothing but sucking oxygen going thru a face mask! Watched some parades and bowl games, fixed some creamed fish to pour over my left over biscuits.
Still having hard time breathing if I do anything more energetic than set and do nothing! Just wish I had some energy. I get up to do one thing and I’m outta air - oh, well, it will come back eventually - it always does....just seems like it is taking longer -- but we are in another 'cold snap.'
Headed into town on Tuesday to pick up meds and some essentials. 47 sunny, not too windy, degrees but chilly enough to keep me from walking up for ladies coffee. Met Donna for lunch at Whataburger, then went to visit Deryl & Elke; hadn’t seen them since they got out of the hospital on Christmas.
Wednesday I woke up to 62 sunny and not-too windy degrees and coughing again - just when I thought I had it under control. I think this is aggravated by allergies. Will definitely be glad when the road construction is over out front. They have all of the graders and sand/gravel trucks working in front of the park and it doesn’t take much wind to blow it in my direction. Would have been nice to have the windows & door open. I finally just decided to kick on the oxygen, put on the c-pap and go to bed!
I’d love to find some chicken breasts with SKIN on them. I hate buying a whole chicken and cutting it up myself. That’s what I like about shopping Fareway in Iowa, can buy just the breast fresh with all the skin!
Thursday was 60 not-too-sunny degrees, but not too much wind. The graders seem to start earlier and earlier, running up and down the road, on the nice days. I just stay in and stay closed up! Turned foggy later in the day so I avoided huffing and puffing up to the activity building for the pot luck. Had made a chicken casserole to take but divided into 3 portions and froze it!
Friday was another 60 degree day and I WANT BEEF! Going into town while I've still got energy! I need BEEF! Even tho I don't think much of Texas beef, I need BEEF! Also need to take my garbage out and stop and pick up mail. Ended up costing me $13 for a small roast! Oh, well...I'll just have to stretch it out!
Stopped at the little Euro Pizza wagon on the way home and got a slice of their Tuscan Veggie pizza - YUMMY! Nice size slice with lots of chunky veggies and feta cheese. Ate it while setting in the traffic line up waiting for the "pilot truck" to take us on down the road! So much for lunch!
I've been craving pickled beets/onions/hard boiled eggs for a couple of weeks! No, I’m not pregnant! I think it is ‘cuz I’m loosing all sense of taste between meds, respiratory treatments, etc., and I need some thing with strong tastes. I could give up all other foods for those things! I hadn't made them in years. I found they taste nearly as good if I just buy a jar of pickled beets and add the eggs and onions; saves me all that standing at the stove, cooking and stirring!
When I was working home health, I could never understand how the 'little old folks' could eat the same thing over and over, day after day - I know now! I'm one of them!
Oh, Saturday was definitely NOT a good day at my place. Couldn’t get the ball games! Local NBC affiliate is fighting with Time Warner and we can't get NBC on cable. I even brought the TV from the trailer back to the RV so I could hook it up to my antenna (TV in RV needs digital converter box.) No luck; not sure if it is the antenna or the connection, but I caught the games the old fashioned way – on the radio! And what a treat that was – got to use my imagination – and I could do it in bed with the oxygen going!
Saturday I was starting to feel human. Even sat outside for awhile with the dogs; nice weather - 65 sunny degrees, no wind. Sunday I walked up the hill to church without my walker! It's probably about 1/2 block and the hill isn't much - but enough that I notice it! Even managed to huff and puff up the hill for the ice cream social Sunday evening. Maybe I should have avoided the ice cream – by Monday, I was back in bed!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Dec 16 - 31 Cough, Sneeze, Sniffle
Friday the 16th was 56 windy degrees in the AM. Time to dig out the box of oatmeal!
Blood sugar 134 - not bad for the morning after potluck! BUT, I took plain steamed veggies and a couple of the guys brought baked fish. Must have been some good fishin' that week! Of course Tony brought his wonderful chicken & dumplin' soup and Carole brought her wild rice and mushroom soup. Even avoiding the standard pasta and noodle casseroles, I still had plenty of carbs! AND, Pat brought her 'to die for' bread pudding with lemon sauce for dessert. So much for my diet last nite! But I did enjoy the fish and the soups.
Lady's lunch was at the I-HOP down in Portland. I bummed a ride with Connie, just didn’t feel like driving the truck to Portland – was supposed to rain and didn’t want to drive home in the rain! I'm getting to be a real Whimp when it comes to driving unless I have to - especially now with all the road construction!
What an experience. We waited until they could get tables together - like they didn't know we were coming! Took forever to get our food - people being seated long after we were there were fed and gone before our food came. I had the Senior Sampler breakfast platter. It was good - can't complain about the food or the price - but the service sucked. Would recommend it for groups of 4 or less! I'll go to IHOP again IF I'm down that way shopping - just won't go with a group - they don't handle groups well!
Propane guy didn't have his truck so couldn't fill bottles, only motor homes.
Al delivered the Christmas box from my sister. I had checked my mail before we went to lunch - guess UPS didn't get here until late. I didn't even have my tree up and I had presents! I opened the “kids” gifts. Li'lBit loved the treats and Caleb loved the balls. He took one over to Li'lBit and dropped it in her bed. She picked it up and dropped it back out! Guess she didn't want to play!
Tinga was asleep so she didn’t know she had presents until later! Holly just wanted the treats!
Why the hell does everyone take the skin off of chicken breasts? I want chicken breasts WITH THE SKIN! That's why I like Fareway in Marshalltown IA! Here I usually end up getting a whole chicken and cutting it up myself! Hate that - all I want is the breasts. I’ll peel the skins of myself AFTER I’ve cooked them! Oh, Well!
59 sunny degrees on Sunday. Hard to get in the Christmas spirit! Just can’t seem to catch enough “good air’ to walk up the hill to church and for the ice cream social.
I stayed close to bed all day Sunday and didn't finish the cookies so Monday was cookie baking time! I promised 2-3 dozen cookies for the cocoa and cookies after caroling Monday nite. No, I don't go caroling!
Made some really good cheddar salmon chowder for lunch.
I was so proud of Caleb; he didn’t even carry on like a barking mad dog when the carolers came by Monday nite!
Tuesday I finally decided to crawl out of bed and go to lady’s coffee even though something blew thru during the night when the rains came. Allison brought the best nut rolls and poppy seed rolls to the coffee. They are absolutely to die for!
Definitely NOT a good air day! 68 dreary damp humid degrees. At least it wasn't the 50 mph winds and foot of snow they had predicted for the panhandle. Propane truck is back and I got propane! Bring on the cold! I’m ready!
Cold front came roaring in with wind chill in the lower 50s - gettin' kinda windy out - still dreary and damp. I stayed in with a cup of tea and a piece of saffron cake (Thanks to my brother! Sure glad he keeps that tradition!) My place smells like Christmas and all is well with the world! I certainly didn't expect THREE loaves! I feel like Aunt Louise (my mother’s aunt) - wrap it tight in aluminum foil, put it in the refrigerator, and take a little piece out at a time! She could make one loaf last all year long! I don't think I have the will power to stretch it out over a year!
Wednesday Dec 21 Happy Solstice to all and to all a Long Night! 58 degrees but we did have sun and not too much wind. Weatherman says it is to continue getting colder until after Christmas. Glad I have propane, sweaters and plenty of blankets!
I'm going to have to find some heavier flower pots so my poinsettias don't all blow over every day!
That crazy Caleb likes to eat the acorns that fall on the ground. He will even dig up the ones the squirrels bury! Guess he has been a scavenger for so long, he still thinks he has to eat that way! I'm surprised he is as good as he is when I'm feeding in the AM. He doesn't get too piggy. He'll let Holly & Li'lBit eat, but he sometimes is a little short on patience and must think they eat too slow!
Thursday the 22nd, 52 degrees, wind chill 47. At least we didn’t get the snow that fell in the pan handle! Gonna be a damp, humid, dreary kinda day today. Good day for me to stay in. My lungs just aren’t ‘rebounding’ like they usually do. Put some lentil/barley soup in the crock pot for Hanukkah. Ready in time for supper, I fixed some potato pancakes and apple sauce.
Friday I took the left over steamed veggies and added them to a creamed soup base. I found a small pack of shrimp, cooked them up and put them in my cream of veg soup. I'm set for the cold weather now!
Dec 24th my friend in town ended up in the hospital awaiting surgery to ream out his carotid arteries. To make matters worse, his wife was limping around on an infected foot. Definitely not a Merry Christmas at their place!
My oyster stew was in the crock pot and ready for when I got home from the gift exchange and candle light service at the activity building.
Amy's little girl, Maddie, 8 yrs old, is home from the hospital for Christmas but had to return to have her spleen removed on Tuesday. Not a cheery What I Did On My Christmas Vacation!
Christmas Day, still dreary and chilly. Headed up to the activity building for Christmas Dinner, didn’t go up for church. Really took a chill being out in the dampness/rain Christmas Eve so stayed in bed Christmas morning. Probably should have stayed home Christmas Day, too. By Christmas nite I was really ‘down and out!” Came home, went to bed, slept until 6PM, got up, drank some tea, and went back to bed! It sure is rough getting OLD!
Monday 26th, definitely should NOT have gone to dinner Christmas day since it was still damp and chilly, but you know me - never pass up a meal!
I didn't go up to coffee on the 27th. In the 40s and I just didn’t want to go OUT. A week of 40-50 degree weather and rain/drizzle/fog burns up the propane! I just switched tanks Christmas afternoon.
Tuesday was propane day - left my tank with a check on it at the front of my RV. I just didn't feel like staying outside and waiting for him so crawled back in my bed planning on checking it later and putting the tank away. All of a sudden I heard clunking sounds and my storage door opening and closing! Cleo had come down to make sure I got my tank in. I had trouble connecting my last tank and he had helped me, cap just wouldn't screw on straight! So when he saw my tank setting out, he just came by and put it in, connected it - I'm ready to go...just how spoiled is THAT!
Wednesday was a nice 60 degrees and sunny day. Needed to get out and get some fresh air – as my mother used to say – get out and get the stink blown off! Went to lunch with Kathy, Dan, Bobbie and her friend, Bobbie's daughter, Jim, Ed, Donna, and Vickie. Quite the bunch - but we certainly increase the cash intake for lunch! We met at the Lunch Box. I love their Reuben sandwich. I had a cup of their tomato basil soup (excellent!)
Stopped at WallyWorld and picked up dog & cat food (and kitty litter!) - Essentials! Went by Castaways and found a $3 blender, a nice Cabin Creek grey/tan tweed looking linen jacket and two pan lids to go with 2 pans I don't have lids for, but I do now! Got out of there for less money than lunch.
Stopped by the office and picked up my mail. I keep forgetting I've sent change of address in on some things and now I need to remember to check my mail box at least a couple times a week.
YIPPEE! Keith and Pat got in just before Christmas. Marv & Bev showed up about 6:30! They are down the end of my street and Marv has to back all the way down there. Most folks that have to back down the street do it ever so slowly and have a person walking down ahead of them. Not Marv, he backs it up in one swift shot! So good to see them.
Thursday I was back to staying close to the oxygen and my bed. I'm beginning to wonder if all the road construction in front of the park has something to do with it. Just had to head off to the laundry – it was either that or go naked! Then back home to suck up on oxygen and hit the bed. I even drove to the laundry room, just hard to catch a decent breath when I’m walking. Didn’t even wander up to Friendship Supper.
Friday 60 degrees and dense fog. Feeling better today but the cough is back! The fog makes it a little rougher trying to suck in heavy air!
December 31st 64 foggy, foggy, foggy degrees! Feeling better - even with the fog - except I just can't keep going too long! I've really gotta talk to the doc about getting my portable oxygen back. I’ve tried it without, but it is just too much effort, and too painful for the lungs, to exert myself to do anything on ‘bad air days.’
It’s New Years Eve but no celebrating here at my place! They are having a pizza party and game night at the activity building, but I'm still fighting the lung crud. I'm feeling lots better, but it is humid and foggy (and not supposed to get any better tonite!) so I'm staying in and WARM!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Blood sugar 134 - not bad for the morning after potluck! BUT, I took plain steamed veggies and a couple of the guys brought baked fish. Must have been some good fishin' that week! Of course Tony brought his wonderful chicken & dumplin' soup and Carole brought her wild rice and mushroom soup. Even avoiding the standard pasta and noodle casseroles, I still had plenty of carbs! AND, Pat brought her 'to die for' bread pudding with lemon sauce for dessert. So much for my diet last nite! But I did enjoy the fish and the soups.
Lady's lunch was at the I-HOP down in Portland. I bummed a ride with Connie, just didn’t feel like driving the truck to Portland – was supposed to rain and didn’t want to drive home in the rain! I'm getting to be a real Whimp when it comes to driving unless I have to - especially now with all the road construction!
What an experience. We waited until they could get tables together - like they didn't know we were coming! Took forever to get our food - people being seated long after we were there were fed and gone before our food came. I had the Senior Sampler breakfast platter. It was good - can't complain about the food or the price - but the service sucked. Would recommend it for groups of 4 or less! I'll go to IHOP again IF I'm down that way shopping - just won't go with a group - they don't handle groups well!
Propane guy didn't have his truck so couldn't fill bottles, only motor homes.
Al delivered the Christmas box from my sister. I had checked my mail before we went to lunch - guess UPS didn't get here until late. I didn't even have my tree up and I had presents! I opened the “kids” gifts. Li'lBit loved the treats and Caleb loved the balls. He took one over to Li'lBit and dropped it in her bed. She picked it up and dropped it back out! Guess she didn't want to play!
Tinga was asleep so she didn’t know she had presents until later! Holly just wanted the treats!
Why the hell does everyone take the skin off of chicken breasts? I want chicken breasts WITH THE SKIN! That's why I like Fareway in Marshalltown IA! Here I usually end up getting a whole chicken and cutting it up myself! Hate that - all I want is the breasts. I’ll peel the skins of myself AFTER I’ve cooked them! Oh, Well!
59 sunny degrees on Sunday. Hard to get in the Christmas spirit! Just can’t seem to catch enough “good air’ to walk up the hill to church and for the ice cream social.
I stayed close to bed all day Sunday and didn't finish the cookies so Monday was cookie baking time! I promised 2-3 dozen cookies for the cocoa and cookies after caroling Monday nite. No, I don't go caroling!
Made some really good cheddar salmon chowder for lunch.
I was so proud of Caleb; he didn’t even carry on like a barking mad dog when the carolers came by Monday nite!
Tuesday I finally decided to crawl out of bed and go to lady’s coffee even though something blew thru during the night when the rains came. Allison brought the best nut rolls and poppy seed rolls to the coffee. They are absolutely to die for!
Definitely NOT a good air day! 68 dreary damp humid degrees. At least it wasn't the 50 mph winds and foot of snow they had predicted for the panhandle. Propane truck is back and I got propane! Bring on the cold! I’m ready!
Cold front came roaring in with wind chill in the lower 50s - gettin' kinda windy out - still dreary and damp. I stayed in with a cup of tea and a piece of saffron cake (Thanks to my brother! Sure glad he keeps that tradition!) My place smells like Christmas and all is well with the world! I certainly didn't expect THREE loaves! I feel like Aunt Louise (my mother’s aunt) - wrap it tight in aluminum foil, put it in the refrigerator, and take a little piece out at a time! She could make one loaf last all year long! I don't think I have the will power to stretch it out over a year!
Wednesday Dec 21 Happy Solstice to all and to all a Long Night! 58 degrees but we did have sun and not too much wind. Weatherman says it is to continue getting colder until after Christmas. Glad I have propane, sweaters and plenty of blankets!
I'm going to have to find some heavier flower pots so my poinsettias don't all blow over every day!
That crazy Caleb likes to eat the acorns that fall on the ground. He will even dig up the ones the squirrels bury! Guess he has been a scavenger for so long, he still thinks he has to eat that way! I'm surprised he is as good as he is when I'm feeding in the AM. He doesn't get too piggy. He'll let Holly & Li'lBit eat, but he sometimes is a little short on patience and must think they eat too slow!
Thursday the 22nd, 52 degrees, wind chill 47. At least we didn’t get the snow that fell in the pan handle! Gonna be a damp, humid, dreary kinda day today. Good day for me to stay in. My lungs just aren’t ‘rebounding’ like they usually do. Put some lentil/barley soup in the crock pot for Hanukkah. Ready in time for supper, I fixed some potato pancakes and apple sauce.
Friday I took the left over steamed veggies and added them to a creamed soup base. I found a small pack of shrimp, cooked them up and put them in my cream of veg soup. I'm set for the cold weather now!
Dec 24th my friend in town ended up in the hospital awaiting surgery to ream out his carotid arteries. To make matters worse, his wife was limping around on an infected foot. Definitely not a Merry Christmas at their place!
My oyster stew was in the crock pot and ready for when I got home from the gift exchange and candle light service at the activity building.
Amy's little girl, Maddie, 8 yrs old, is home from the hospital for Christmas but had to return to have her spleen removed on Tuesday. Not a cheery What I Did On My Christmas Vacation!
Christmas Day, still dreary and chilly. Headed up to the activity building for Christmas Dinner, didn’t go up for church. Really took a chill being out in the dampness/rain Christmas Eve so stayed in bed Christmas morning. Probably should have stayed home Christmas Day, too. By Christmas nite I was really ‘down and out!” Came home, went to bed, slept until 6PM, got up, drank some tea, and went back to bed! It sure is rough getting OLD!
Monday 26th, definitely should NOT have gone to dinner Christmas day since it was still damp and chilly, but you know me - never pass up a meal!
I didn't go up to coffee on the 27th. In the 40s and I just didn’t want to go OUT. A week of 40-50 degree weather and rain/drizzle/fog burns up the propane! I just switched tanks Christmas afternoon.
Tuesday was propane day - left my tank with a check on it at the front of my RV. I just didn't feel like staying outside and waiting for him so crawled back in my bed planning on checking it later and putting the tank away. All of a sudden I heard clunking sounds and my storage door opening and closing! Cleo had come down to make sure I got my tank in. I had trouble connecting my last tank and he had helped me, cap just wouldn't screw on straight! So when he saw my tank setting out, he just came by and put it in, connected it - I'm ready to go...just how spoiled is THAT!
Wednesday was a nice 60 degrees and sunny day. Needed to get out and get some fresh air – as my mother used to say – get out and get the stink blown off! Went to lunch with Kathy, Dan, Bobbie and her friend, Bobbie's daughter, Jim, Ed, Donna, and Vickie. Quite the bunch - but we certainly increase the cash intake for lunch! We met at the Lunch Box. I love their Reuben sandwich. I had a cup of their tomato basil soup (excellent!)
Stopped at WallyWorld and picked up dog & cat food (and kitty litter!) - Essentials! Went by Castaways and found a $3 blender, a nice Cabin Creek grey/tan tweed looking linen jacket and two pan lids to go with 2 pans I don't have lids for, but I do now! Got out of there for less money than lunch.
Stopped by the office and picked up my mail. I keep forgetting I've sent change of address in on some things and now I need to remember to check my mail box at least a couple times a week.
YIPPEE! Keith and Pat got in just before Christmas. Marv & Bev showed up about 6:30! They are down the end of my street and Marv has to back all the way down there. Most folks that have to back down the street do it ever so slowly and have a person walking down ahead of them. Not Marv, he backs it up in one swift shot! So good to see them.
Thursday I was back to staying close to the oxygen and my bed. I'm beginning to wonder if all the road construction in front of the park has something to do with it. Just had to head off to the laundry – it was either that or go naked! Then back home to suck up on oxygen and hit the bed. I even drove to the laundry room, just hard to catch a decent breath when I’m walking. Didn’t even wander up to Friendship Supper.
Friday 60 degrees and dense fog. Feeling better today but the cough is back! The fog makes it a little rougher trying to suck in heavy air!
December 31st 64 foggy, foggy, foggy degrees! Feeling better - even with the fog - except I just can't keep going too long! I've really gotta talk to the doc about getting my portable oxygen back. I’ve tried it without, but it is just too much effort, and too painful for the lungs, to exert myself to do anything on ‘bad air days.’
It’s New Years Eve but no celebrating here at my place! They are having a pizza party and game night at the activity building, but I'm still fighting the lung crud. I'm feeling lots better, but it is humid and foggy (and not supposed to get any better tonite!) so I'm staying in and WARM!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Here Comes Christmas; Dec 1-15, 2011
Dec 1st I was in no hurry to get going. Off to the northwest, it looked like a 'blue Norther' was comin' in..of course it was 69 humid degrees so I didn’t think it would bring much snow! We reached our high for the day at about 7 AM – it was all down hill from there! December was off to a ‘nippy’ start and I was still fighting a horrible head cold or sinus/allergy thing, but I do each time I move so I guess I just need to stock up on meds ahead of time!
I did scalloped taters and ham for the Thursday nite Friendship supper. Over half were gone so I turned the left-overs into ham, potato, cheese soup. Aren’t crock pots wonderful!
The flock continues to flock. The tables at the pot luck suppers are getting full. The coconut cream pie lady is back and the Caesar salad lady is back! AND the carrot cake lady is back. I had to decide between coconut cream pie and carrot cake; settled on carrot cake!
Friday the park served breakfast for the Good Samaritan volunteers (a group in Rockport that does things for the needy.) Allison treats them to a breakfast just as a "thank you" for what they do. I volunteered for the fruit bowl bunch, so I took kiwi and bananas. The men do the biscuits, gravy, pancakes, scrambled egg part.
Rainy Friday but we are still about 12 inches behind in rainfall for the year and the prospect for next year doesn't look much better. The weatherman said, "if it ain't dead by now it will be by next summer." Thought that was a cheery thought for the holiday season! Know anyone that wants horses? They are practically giving them away at the livestock auctions; people just can't afford to feed them.
Blood sugar 135 in the AM after the pot luck; a little too much potato casserole, rice casserole, pasta casseroles! And Carrot cake!!
By Saturday, I still hadn’t decided if I was going to do decorations inside or outside. Bob and Gelene got here a couple of days ago. They always have a wonderful outside Christmas display. Many in the park do. It is really pretty in the evening when the lights come on.
Saturday breakfast in the club house is always a fun thing. Just nice to be served, not have to cook and do dishes! And there is always time for another cup of coffee and some good time with friends. I was still coughing and sneezing but this, too, shall pass (I hope!)
Caleb is doing is own thing! I just can't seem to get him house broken, but he is doing better and occasionally remembers to use Li'lBit's pee papers. He is doing better in the crate. Still whimpers and whines a little, but settles down. I was gone for over 2 hours the other day and my neighbor said she didn't hear him! And, about the only time he barks is when he sees Holly, the crazy cat! They still don't get along! Of course, Holly isn't willing to be friends, either! Oh, and he still carries on like I’m skinning him alive when we are outside and he sees another dog. There has got to be more puppy in this character than the vet thought!
Monday the winds picked up about 4 AM, cold front was a comin! Didn’t get out of the 50s all day. A couple warm dry days would definitely help this coughin’ & sneezin’!
Hadn’t seen a lot of Deryl & Elke. They were busy making ‘trailer runs’ back and forth from Louisiana. They do a really nice job renovating those FEMA trailers. But they were back in town for a day or so before heading out again so we met at Moon Dogs down on the beach. Had a good hamburger and sweet tator fries. Brought my fries home; I had pigged out on chips and dip before they brought the food!
My High School class is having our 50th reunion in June. I will be in Iowa for the summer so I’m thinking I might take the trailer over since it is a 3 day thing. Haven’t found any local pull-thru's and Horseshoe Pond only has electric hook ups. Still mulling it about in my brain! They have a shower house so they must have a water faucet somewhere! I can carry enough water for showers and flushing and just take a jug or two for coffee, etc. I'll decide when they get the plans more finalized for the reunion. I just don't want to drop $80+ a nite to stay in a motel! And, what to do with all the critters for 3 days.
42 degrees at wake up on Tuesday; didn’t get into the 30's (as predicted) over night. One more 'cold front' nite to go. Furnace is working and I still have propane.
Guess who was outside at 5AM Wednesday switching propane tanks! YUP! Woke up at 4:30 and it was COLD! Got up, kicked up the furnace. The blower come on; no heat! Tossed on some clothes and hit an outside windchill of 27 degrees! Came in and started the furnace, the coffee and put some crock pot candy (peanuts and almond bark.) Talk about a dumb move - I had to be at doc's office for fasting lab at 7:30…dumb! Dumb! dumb! Making candy before fasting lab! How Stupid!
3 dozen gingerbread and 2 dozen sugar cookies frosted and ready to go for the cookie tasting. We all make a cookies and instead of exchanging them (like most Christmas Cookie get-togethers) we set around and drink coffee and visit and taste a few. Then they are put in the refrig to have a selection for other events going on at the club house. Then, we resupply/supplement whatever is left and finish them off with cocoa the evening of caroling in the park. Rough life!
It made it all the way up to 43 degrees with a wind chill of 39! Guess I'm not far enough south! By the time it made it up to 49 sunny degrees, the wind had died down and I opened my front door. My house still smells like chocolate candy and cookies! I'll be on a sugar and caffeine high until sometime tomorrow, I'm sure.
Chilly nites – tea weather! Found a new fun tea at the grocery – Eggnog Tea by Biglow. It is spiced like egg nog but doesn't taste like egg or milk. It's whiskey! Takes me back to my drinkin' days, the warm feeling you could get in your nose/sinus from straight whiskey! Well, that 'warmth' in the nose/sinus - that's what it is with this tea!
Up and moving at 7 AM Thursday morning. Coffee's made, kids all fed and watered! But Tinga can’t come out until AFTER I've taken my meds. I set them in a little dish on my desk and she thinks they are hers! WRONG!
Only went down to 46, again the predicted freeze didn't come, but I was ready! I had filled a couple of jugs with water - just in case!
Got a call of Bobbie; she is in town from NM, going to spend a couple months here.
Lunch with Bobbie and Dan at Panjos. Had a great lunch - love to visit and eat! Didn't bring any of the pizza home, either - we sat there for so long drinking ice tea and visiting, all the time munching, the pizza just disappeared!
Stopped at WalMart and picked up some $5 poinsettias to decorate the front of the 5th wheel; it was time to take down the pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn!
Pot luck at 6PM. Plenty of desserts; just what I didn't need, but Jeanetta brought her home made cheese cake and I had to have some of that! YUMMY!
Nice morning Friday 56 degrees! Amazing how chilly 56 degrees can feel after a stretch of 70 degree weather and how 'balmy' it feels after 40 degree weather!
Yesterday’s pizza for lunch and potluck (with 2 desserts) left me with a 154 blood sugar. I can see it is time to make a trip to the fish market!
Need to catch the propane guy today. Hope he has his truck with the nozzle for filling the smaller tanks. His truck has been down for repairs and the one he has been driving only has the nozzle for the motor homes. Not a problem for me YET – still have a relatively full tank and I can haul my empty down to the station if I really get desperate!
Sunday and I miss the Sunday table at Johnnies! There are some things in my life that just cannot be replaced and her Sunday table is one of them!
Caleb and Holly are still feuding! But he is doing better about house breaking and I walked to the office building without putting him in his crate; still had a house to come home to, that is definitely an improvement. He wants to play with Li'lBit but she just doesn't play anymore. So now I have squeeky toys all over the place -- anything to keep him occupied! Li’lBit had her toys hidden all over the place and I think he has found everyone of them and piled them in the middle of the floor.
This is a strange December here in the park. I used to come down the Monday after Thanksgiving and the park was nearly full. There are still empty spaces; it seems so strange. I guess people aren't traveling with the price of fuel....of course, several aren't coming due to health problems (happens at this age, you know!) and some will be down after Christmas.
All summer long I copied casserole recipes so I'll have something different to make to take to the suppers. Everything is always potatoes, rice, noodles, pasta -- and my blood sugar is sky high the next day. So...thought I'd find something different. I've been taking steamed mixed vegetables (using different seasonings or a light sauce or just plain olive oil on them) and they are really going over. So, I'll just continue taking that.
Didn't crawl out of bed until nearly 8AM on the 12th! By the time I had the critters taken care of, it was time for meds and coffee - I still hadn’t gotten out of my jammies! Didn’t have anywhere to go so stayed in them most of the day! Felt GOOD! Finally got started on Christmas cards and a few decorations up.
Met Deryl & Elke at Jaliscos Monday evening. I love the combo plate! Can make about 3 meals out of it!
Time to get the Christmas grocery list ready – definitely have to get oysters (for stew) and fresh and dried mushrooms for cream of mushroom soup.
67 humid degrees Tuesday. Not a good air day. I did a quick breathing treatment and then went up to the coffee. Good thing I went - forgot I had told them I'd bake cookies for the caroling and hot chocolate nite! I'd better start gettin' it together and make a list – even forgot to sign up for Lady’s lunch on Friday!
Caleb is really a nuisance! He wants out all of the time. When I'm home it is in and out and in and out - of course, Li'lBit thinks that is wonderful. Li'lBit brought him the rest of her squeaky toys (the ones he hadn’t already found!) He’s not happy about it but he lets her eat first in the AM - it's just Holly that still has her feline nose in the air
8AM the 14th had my appointment with the doc about my labs. I was ready for my butt-chewin’! After a summer in Iowa and Thanksgiving at Johnnies – and I haven’t been hangin’ out at the fish market like usual, I was sure I’d be getting one! Lab was good, cholesterol was good, didn't loose any weight but didn't gain any either. That's it, see her again in 3 months! There is a big sign outside her clinic "accepting new patients." Wonder if that means her patients are dying off, I don’t consider that a good sign!
After the doc appointment, went into town to the UPS store and it wasn’t there. The space in the mall was EMPTY! Drove on down to The Mail Box to see who they used – ahhhh…UPS!
Back home by 9:45, 68 degrees, sunny. Worked some more on Christmas cards -- kinda hard to get in the mood with 70 degree sunny weather!
Pan fried chicken - didn't bread it, just browned and steamed in the fry pan. Put the meat and juices in the crock pot – added noodles later – good soup! Then it was nap time! Still fighting the stuffy nose/sinus – definitely allergies and the allergy meds zonk me! Caleb isn't much into this "nap" thing. Thinks he has to bring all of Li'lBit's squeeky toys up on the bed and then play with them…WRONG!
68 degrees, humid and dreary on Thursday the 15th. They keep predicting rain and all we get is dreary drizzle. Friendship supper night. Still taking steamed vegetables. As long as they go over, that’s what I’ll be taking.
I did scalloped taters and ham for the Thursday nite Friendship supper. Over half were gone so I turned the left-overs into ham, potato, cheese soup. Aren’t crock pots wonderful!
The flock continues to flock. The tables at the pot luck suppers are getting full. The coconut cream pie lady is back and the Caesar salad lady is back! AND the carrot cake lady is back. I had to decide between coconut cream pie and carrot cake; settled on carrot cake!
Friday the park served breakfast for the Good Samaritan volunteers (a group in Rockport that does things for the needy.) Allison treats them to a breakfast just as a "thank you" for what they do. I volunteered for the fruit bowl bunch, so I took kiwi and bananas. The men do the biscuits, gravy, pancakes, scrambled egg part.
Rainy Friday but we are still about 12 inches behind in rainfall for the year and the prospect for next year doesn't look much better. The weatherman said, "if it ain't dead by now it will be by next summer." Thought that was a cheery thought for the holiday season! Know anyone that wants horses? They are practically giving them away at the livestock auctions; people just can't afford to feed them.
Blood sugar 135 in the AM after the pot luck; a little too much potato casserole, rice casserole, pasta casseroles! And Carrot cake!!
By Saturday, I still hadn’t decided if I was going to do decorations inside or outside. Bob and Gelene got here a couple of days ago. They always have a wonderful outside Christmas display. Many in the park do. It is really pretty in the evening when the lights come on.
Saturday breakfast in the club house is always a fun thing. Just nice to be served, not have to cook and do dishes! And there is always time for another cup of coffee and some good time with friends. I was still coughing and sneezing but this, too, shall pass (I hope!)
Caleb is doing is own thing! I just can't seem to get him house broken, but he is doing better and occasionally remembers to use Li'lBit's pee papers. He is doing better in the crate. Still whimpers and whines a little, but settles down. I was gone for over 2 hours the other day and my neighbor said she didn't hear him! And, about the only time he barks is when he sees Holly, the crazy cat! They still don't get along! Of course, Holly isn't willing to be friends, either! Oh, and he still carries on like I’m skinning him alive when we are outside and he sees another dog. There has got to be more puppy in this character than the vet thought!
Monday the winds picked up about 4 AM, cold front was a comin! Didn’t get out of the 50s all day. A couple warm dry days would definitely help this coughin’ & sneezin’!
Hadn’t seen a lot of Deryl & Elke. They were busy making ‘trailer runs’ back and forth from Louisiana. They do a really nice job renovating those FEMA trailers. But they were back in town for a day or so before heading out again so we met at Moon Dogs down on the beach. Had a good hamburger and sweet tator fries. Brought my fries home; I had pigged out on chips and dip before they brought the food!
My High School class is having our 50th reunion in June. I will be in Iowa for the summer so I’m thinking I might take the trailer over since it is a 3 day thing. Haven’t found any local pull-thru's and Horseshoe Pond only has electric hook ups. Still mulling it about in my brain! They have a shower house so they must have a water faucet somewhere! I can carry enough water for showers and flushing and just take a jug or two for coffee, etc. I'll decide when they get the plans more finalized for the reunion. I just don't want to drop $80+ a nite to stay in a motel! And, what to do with all the critters for 3 days.
42 degrees at wake up on Tuesday; didn’t get into the 30's (as predicted) over night. One more 'cold front' nite to go. Furnace is working and I still have propane.
Guess who was outside at 5AM Wednesday switching propane tanks! YUP! Woke up at 4:30 and it was COLD! Got up, kicked up the furnace. The blower come on; no heat! Tossed on some clothes and hit an outside windchill of 27 degrees! Came in and started the furnace, the coffee and put some crock pot candy (peanuts and almond bark.) Talk about a dumb move - I had to be at doc's office for fasting lab at 7:30…dumb! Dumb! dumb! Making candy before fasting lab! How Stupid!
3 dozen gingerbread and 2 dozen sugar cookies frosted and ready to go for the cookie tasting. We all make a cookies and instead of exchanging them (like most Christmas Cookie get-togethers) we set around and drink coffee and visit and taste a few. Then they are put in the refrig to have a selection for other events going on at the club house. Then, we resupply/supplement whatever is left and finish them off with cocoa the evening of caroling in the park. Rough life!
It made it all the way up to 43 degrees with a wind chill of 39! Guess I'm not far enough south! By the time it made it up to 49 sunny degrees, the wind had died down and I opened my front door. My house still smells like chocolate candy and cookies! I'll be on a sugar and caffeine high until sometime tomorrow, I'm sure.
Chilly nites – tea weather! Found a new fun tea at the grocery – Eggnog Tea by Biglow. It is spiced like egg nog but doesn't taste like egg or milk. It's whiskey! Takes me back to my drinkin' days, the warm feeling you could get in your nose/sinus from straight whiskey! Well, that 'warmth' in the nose/sinus - that's what it is with this tea!
Up and moving at 7 AM Thursday morning. Coffee's made, kids all fed and watered! But Tinga can’t come out until AFTER I've taken my meds. I set them in a little dish on my desk and she thinks they are hers! WRONG!
Only went down to 46, again the predicted freeze didn't come, but I was ready! I had filled a couple of jugs with water - just in case!
Got a call of Bobbie; she is in town from NM, going to spend a couple months here.
Lunch with Bobbie and Dan at Panjos. Had a great lunch - love to visit and eat! Didn't bring any of the pizza home, either - we sat there for so long drinking ice tea and visiting, all the time munching, the pizza just disappeared!
Stopped at WalMart and picked up some $5 poinsettias to decorate the front of the 5th wheel; it was time to take down the pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn!
Pot luck at 6PM. Plenty of desserts; just what I didn't need, but Jeanetta brought her home made cheese cake and I had to have some of that! YUMMY!
Nice morning Friday 56 degrees! Amazing how chilly 56 degrees can feel after a stretch of 70 degree weather and how 'balmy' it feels after 40 degree weather!
Yesterday’s pizza for lunch and potluck (with 2 desserts) left me with a 154 blood sugar. I can see it is time to make a trip to the fish market!
Need to catch the propane guy today. Hope he has his truck with the nozzle for filling the smaller tanks. His truck has been down for repairs and the one he has been driving only has the nozzle for the motor homes. Not a problem for me YET – still have a relatively full tank and I can haul my empty down to the station if I really get desperate!
Sunday and I miss the Sunday table at Johnnies! There are some things in my life that just cannot be replaced and her Sunday table is one of them!
Caleb and Holly are still feuding! But he is doing better about house breaking and I walked to the office building without putting him in his crate; still had a house to come home to, that is definitely an improvement. He wants to play with Li'lBit but she just doesn't play anymore. So now I have squeeky toys all over the place -- anything to keep him occupied! Li’lBit had her toys hidden all over the place and I think he has found everyone of them and piled them in the middle of the floor.
This is a strange December here in the park. I used to come down the Monday after Thanksgiving and the park was nearly full. There are still empty spaces; it seems so strange. I guess people aren't traveling with the price of fuel....of course, several aren't coming due to health problems (happens at this age, you know!) and some will be down after Christmas.
All summer long I copied casserole recipes so I'll have something different to make to take to the suppers. Everything is always potatoes, rice, noodles, pasta -- and my blood sugar is sky high the next day. So...thought I'd find something different. I've been taking steamed mixed vegetables (using different seasonings or a light sauce or just plain olive oil on them) and they are really going over. So, I'll just continue taking that.
Didn't crawl out of bed until nearly 8AM on the 12th! By the time I had the critters taken care of, it was time for meds and coffee - I still hadn’t gotten out of my jammies! Didn’t have anywhere to go so stayed in them most of the day! Felt GOOD! Finally got started on Christmas cards and a few decorations up.
Met Deryl & Elke at Jaliscos Monday evening. I love the combo plate! Can make about 3 meals out of it!
Time to get the Christmas grocery list ready – definitely have to get oysters (for stew) and fresh and dried mushrooms for cream of mushroom soup.
67 humid degrees Tuesday. Not a good air day. I did a quick breathing treatment and then went up to the coffee. Good thing I went - forgot I had told them I'd bake cookies for the caroling and hot chocolate nite! I'd better start gettin' it together and make a list – even forgot to sign up for Lady’s lunch on Friday!
Caleb is really a nuisance! He wants out all of the time. When I'm home it is in and out and in and out - of course, Li'lBit thinks that is wonderful. Li'lBit brought him the rest of her squeaky toys (the ones he hadn’t already found!) He’s not happy about it but he lets her eat first in the AM - it's just Holly that still has her feline nose in the air
8AM the 14th had my appointment with the doc about my labs. I was ready for my butt-chewin’! After a summer in Iowa and Thanksgiving at Johnnies – and I haven’t been hangin’ out at the fish market like usual, I was sure I’d be getting one! Lab was good, cholesterol was good, didn't loose any weight but didn't gain any either. That's it, see her again in 3 months! There is a big sign outside her clinic "accepting new patients." Wonder if that means her patients are dying off, I don’t consider that a good sign!
After the doc appointment, went into town to the UPS store and it wasn’t there. The space in the mall was EMPTY! Drove on down to The Mail Box to see who they used – ahhhh…UPS!
Back home by 9:45, 68 degrees, sunny. Worked some more on Christmas cards -- kinda hard to get in the mood with 70 degree sunny weather!
Pan fried chicken - didn't bread it, just browned and steamed in the fry pan. Put the meat and juices in the crock pot – added noodles later – good soup! Then it was nap time! Still fighting the stuffy nose/sinus – definitely allergies and the allergy meds zonk me! Caleb isn't much into this "nap" thing. Thinks he has to bring all of Li'lBit's squeeky toys up on the bed and then play with them…WRONG!
68 degrees, humid and dreary on Thursday the 15th. They keep predicting rain and all we get is dreary drizzle. Friendship supper night. Still taking steamed vegetables. As long as they go over, that’s what I’ll be taking.
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