Tuesday, October 15th "What's Cookin'?"

[annrms]

Good morning! It's cold and clear out there at 36°. The heat kicked on in the main room several times. I don't know if I have the thermostat set incorrectly, but we can't feel the heat in the other rooms. I put in a maintenance order to check it out. I suspect it is operator error!!!
We went to the early exercise class yesterday. It was good, and I wish there were more scheduled at the early hour. A lot of folks are voicing their support of this so maybe it will happen.
We spent more hours working on Bill's new phone. Poor guy, he is so inexperienced with the new technology. I'm just a little ahead of him so it is a bit frustrating...the legally blind leading the blind. Sigh...we need you Bet!!!
Last night Bill had the crab cake, fries, and corn. I had the salmon, mashed potatoes, and butternut squash. I love mashed potatoes with baked fish!!
We get haircuts this morning. While in Salem, we will got to Aldi and to the Sketchers outlet. Bill needs new everyday shoes, and I suggested he get the step-ins.
Not sure what we will have for supper...maybe go down for a beef tenderloin dinner.
Good to read everyone's news. Hoping to get back to chat later today. Enjoy the day! Waving!

[wilderness]

4th of July fireworks. That is just a few of the people on the bank above the beach. There are many more boats than what you see in the photo watching from the lake.

Have a great day.

Bet

[tasty]

Good morning.  Just popping in quickly before canning.  Not sure what happened to yesterday but the day disappeared.  Supper at friends last night was lovely.
Ann, when one of your neighbours have grandchildren visiting, maybe ask if they can come and help with the phones.  Hubby bought step-ins in the spring and loves them!
Have a great day friends.

[nybirder]

Good morning. I have been very active the last few days with nothing worth mentioning. Today looks like another one but I thought I'd better check in with you.

Liza, I'm so glad you have found something to live in that looks like it will work. Your insurance people sound like they are good to work with.

Tasty, I hope you had a good Thanksgiving. It does not seem possible that we are this far along in the year already.

Bet, it sounds as though you were wise to avoid the high peaks area yesterday. From the pictures I saw this morning, there was snow on the ground and many of those places. I guess it's not super early for this though, since I remember going on a geological Club field trip to Tahowas mine at the base of Mount Mercy on October 10th back in the seventies when it turns out to have 4 inches of snow on the ground that day!

I plan on a doctor's appointment tomorrow when I find out more about what's going on with my neck. Wish me luck! In the meantime I will toddle around here arranging things in the room. The old cubbies I brought from home are small and I really had to search to find something that would fit in them for drawers. The width is okay although there's a lot of space above each drawer. My niece was going to bring me her mother's cubby setup from her nursing home but it turns out to be too heavy for them to manage getting in the car. So I will have to order some for the rest of the room. They are very handy to use.

Chris, did you get snow?

We are looking at a second solid day of rain today. With a high temperature of 45, that is not comfortable. Having to rearrange my trip for glasses from yesterday to Thursday works out because by then the rain will be over.

Have a good day.

Birdy

[tamaralynn]

Good Morning !

I woke up about 3:15 and went to check on the case of chicken legs that DH brought over from the Care kitchen. Still icy! I was worried they would not thaw so went ahead and put them in the roaster to cook with the cranberry sauce. They are very well done now-falling apart in fact. The green beans are simmering with bacon and onion, and the potatoes are in the oven. My friend Marty made 3 carrot cakes I will pick up on my way to church. I could not find the potato wedges so opted for sweet potato fries. I have no other plans for the day. Maybe a nap, however I did go back to bed and slept until about 7.

I am doing more than just wishing you luck, I am praying about it!

Today will be another warm one, but a cool front is on it's way and at least the night times will cool off quite a bit.

Ann, I hope you find everything you want today while shopping.

Not sure the color changed on me. Oh well...

Lovely photo again Bet.

Tasty, glad to read you enjoyed a nice dinner with friends.

DH told me Bob and Sheran will be staying longer than they originally planned as he will need some medical procedures done. Hopefully they can come over for dinner at least one more time. They love to eat and I love to cook-a perfect match!

I have been thinking about Marlene alot lately. Hope all is ok with her.

Wishing everyone a wonderful day!

[mamma482]

Good morning.
A cool damp morning and we walked to the pet area again. OUch! The tire has held air since it was filled on Sunday, but I don't trust it. So I'm still going to have someone check the tire. Even a slow leak could leave me stranded. There aren't many helpful people in this park.

I've taken the hose to the porch and took the big push broom to get some of the water off. I don't have a squeegee so I use what I have. It's not very efficient but it got quite a bit of the water off. The porch is not level in any areas so it puddles all over. Now for it to dry...and me too. hehehe

No more work for the day. Cleaning the porch was more than enough for this gimp.

[helen]

That's such a pretty picture, Bet. It reminds me of boat trips we'd take on the Gulf to watch fireworks on the 4th. I miss it. Good luck with the doctor's appt., Birdy. I've got my heart set on baked salmon and baked potatoes while I'm at it. Also, deviled eggs if I'm up to it. In the meantime I'm sorting out a corner of my walk-in closet. Just doing a little at a time. Big hugs!

[cooktocook]

Good afternoon, friends!

After a busy morning (OT and then prescription pick up for DH while out: back home for a teleconference doctor appointment for me), I am stopping in to say hello. The sun is shining, and it is currently 81*. While traveling on the roads this morning, it was noticeable that gas stations have gas once again and there was no shortage of cars lined up to confirm that. 

Last night we received a phone call from the school board inviting us to an event called Family Helping Family that is currently being held from 11-1 today at one of our schools. It was an offer to all school employees(family) for a helping hand--- food, cleaning supplies, clothing, gas, limited household furniture, etc. Although DH and I had some property damage, that was it. We told the caller that we were blessed and not in need of any assistance so we would rather see our share going to someone else in real need. That being said, that call was special to receive and meant a lot to both of us. Praying that those in need get some help today.

Ann, both DH and I have those slip-on shoes, and we really find them comfortable. Hope Bill liked them and was able to pick up a pair today after your haircut.

Tasty, glad you had a nice Thanksgiving. What did your canning group make today?

Bet, lovely picture. Enjoy the day! I saw on the news earlier today that they had snow in the Adirondacks---is that anywhere close to you? No snow here, thank goodness, but tomorrow and Thursday a "cold" front is to move in our direction. Our high both days is supposed to only reach 79* and the low is to be around 58*. Yahoo!

Birdy, here's wishing you dry travels tomorrow to your doctor appointment and shopping on Thursday for new eyeglasses. The thought of being out in the rain as a child sounded fun, but now, nope, not so much. Hope you can find the storage cubbies you want/need.

Tammy, what a delicious sounding dinner you made today--I am sure all will enjoy it!

mamma, after an early morning out with Mandy and taking care of your front porch, a relaxing and peaceful afternoon is just what you need!

This has taken me sometime to post---I have had several phone calls. I am going to head to the kitchen shortly to help put dinner together for this evening where the flavors can mix and mingle ---sauerkraut and kielbasa. 

Waving to all,
Lori

[tamaralynn]

We will be having tortellini alla panna for our supper. I sent all the chicken to the church. It did not work very well trying to bake 7 bags of sweet potato fries. The package said 30 minutes total, but I allowed 1 hour, it still was not enough to get them crispy. Since I only have 2 racks in my oven, I had to put quite a few on each sheet pan. They got warmed though but were not crispy. Marty's cake looked very good though, and my green beans turned out well. The chicken was so well done it was falling off the bone, hope she did not have trouble serving it! Live and learn!

[weebill]

This has not been a good day and it's only 11am.

I found out Zoeys (dog we are taking care of) mommy passed away this morning. I have no idea what's going to happen now. She died up in Washington.

Then I went to kidney Dr. And my sodium is low, my iron is really low she suggested it's, my potassium is high. I have already given up lots of dairy, carmel coloring, etc,. I need labs in 2 weeks again.

My sister was heading this way this morning and now their vehicle won't start. They've already had the City shut their water off and they blew their lines and now this.

Tammy that pork dish you made last night with the dry French onion soup and water well, I make the same but add 2 tablespoons soy sauce,bring to boil and then pour over pork and veggies.


Birdy- saying prayers for you.

Ann-bruce has used slip on for years as he can't bend to tie shoes. He uses a sock thing even to put his socks on. I just got my 1st pair of slip on. So easy.

Tasty- glad you had a n8ce Thanksgiving.

Elaine

[cooktocook]

Helen, hope you found some hidden treasures today when you cleaned the corner of the closet!

Tammy, I'm sure that even if you weren't overly pleased with your church meal today, those eating it enjoyed their meal. Have you already given any thought to the meals you'll be making for the rest of this month? I always enjoyed the planning as well as the cooking. I forgot to mention earlier, that there are many times I have thought of Marlene and prayed that she'd drop us a post to let us know all is well with her. Marlene is such a sweetheart and like so many, I loved her posts and all the recipes she willingly shared with us. I miss her!

(((Elaine))), I'm sorry to read that your day has been filled with sad and disappointing news. Are you and Bruce planning to adopt Zoey? Hope your DS got the car started, even if later than they planned, and were able to start their way down to you----how long will she be staying? Enjoy whatever time you get with one another. 

Dinner is smelling pretty good. Since I was in the hospital last month, unfortunately, there are days when nothing tastes good to me. Thinking maybe all the medication I've been taking has something to do with that; hopefully, dinner this evening will be something I enjoy.
Lori

[emr]

A very busy day at the bank after the holiday weekend. I ended up staying about 40 minutes over! On the way home I stopped to pick up some gifts for our manager since tomorrow is Boss's Day. A card for us to sign, a potted mum, gift card, and a Boss's Day balloon for her office. She is really good to us so we wanted to do something for her.

Also stopped at Verizon and ordered a new phone. He said it may be December before it comes in but I am not going to pay extra so will stick to what I can get for free. 

Heard from our insurance that they approved the rental house -- yay! We will meet with realtor to sign the lease in the next few days.  I'm looking forward to getting settled somewhere more comfortable. 

I'm doing laundry so keeping an eye on the clock. When DH gets home I'll fix pasta and salad for our dinner.

[tamaralynn]

Lori, I buy a lot of meat that has markdown tags at the store but lately I guess I have been hitting it at the wrong time since there is nothing much there. I try to plan the church meals based on what meat I have most of, and also try to keep in mind that if I serve beef one week, the next I try for chicken or pork. The only meat that I have plenty of right now is ground beef so am thinking I will do a hamburger stroganoff dish.

Great news Elza!

Elaine I am sorry to hear that your friend passed away. Any chance you could keep Zoey?
The pork dish did not turn out perfect. After 1 hour the potatoes were not done, and there was so much water! I followed the recipe exactly too. I ended up draining the potatoes and cooking them about 8 minutes in the microwave. I would love the soy sauce added!

Time to go fix supper.

[weebill]

Hi. Still haven't heard from Jill's family.
Jill has a sister who lives here in the park. The reason she didn't babysit Zoey was because she has been gone to Texas but she got back last week. She had told her friend Darlene about Jill but no one else I guess.
Hopefully, Lana will take Zoey as she's always babysat her since Jill's had her.

My sister Shar still hasn't left ND. This is the sister who lives here in the winter months. Hopefully, tomorrow the part will come.

I am heating up hotdish for supper.


Elaine

[emr]

I used the Barilla Pasta Ready for our dinner -- I heated frozen meatballs and marinara sauce in the microwave, then microwaved the pasta and added it. Worked great and very easy to do in a mini kitchen like this one. Thanks to Ann for recommending it!