Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 1:17 pm on July 15, 2021 Permalink  

  Mild Temps 

  What’s not to love when the temps are mild right into the late afternoon.  

  We had errands to run.  Dennis does the driving and I do the in and outing of places.  It is actually good exercise for me, as me and the cane have one speed . . . slow.

  The grocery store was in line after the post office.  When we had some pork steak as an oven meal, there were leftovers.  Leftovers make good repurposed meals.  I needed some egg noodles, and sour cream.  I have had some of the refrigerated “Better than Bullion” in the sautéed onion and garlic flavor on hand.  It is in a jellied form in a small jar.  When the noodles were still hot, I whipped in a large tablespoon of the sautéed onion bullion, a bit of olive oil and a cup of sour cream.  The diced pork was the last be be folded in.  I topped it off with fresh ground pepper.  It looks very appealing to be popped in the oven latter on.

  The last stop had been the Lewis Drug.  If I could do a happy dance and remain upright I would have as there was no co-pay due on Dennis’ three month supply of Warfarin.  We feel so blessed that our insurance premiums each month, that amount to a few cents over $15.00 for each of us, serves us well.

  I do have supper ready and the kitchen prep has been cleaned up.  I am ready for some chair time.

  As a thought:  a kind friend brought me donuts for my Wednesday and Thursday breakfast.  How could I not accept them and then go on to enjoy them these last two mornings.  They did taste oh so good as I have not had anything from the pastry counter in months and months.  I told Dennis “not again.”  The sugar high wore off both mornings and I could feel a downward spiral.  I will be sticking to my plain yogurt, flax meal topped with blueberries or apple sauce.  Every once in awhile falling off the wagon does teach a valuable lesson, much like not having carbonated soda beverages which are hard on the kidneys loaded with . . . nothing good, in the house.

   
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  Noreen 2:51 pm on July 9, 2021 Permalink  

  There Are Times 

  There are times when the stomach may growl.  What to put in it . . . hmm.  Nothing appeals.  Even thinking of all the contents and aisles in a store . . . nada.  Dennis and I were determined we would get this figured out.  I made sure I had on good shoes and I headed down Stauffer Avenue thinking I needed a fairly good walk to clear my head and work up an appetite.

  I walked east far enough to knock on Chuck and Bonnie’s door to bid them a hello.  I knew that they were leery of coming to see me in the event I didn’t feel up to a visit.  We did indeed have a good visit while I sat on their patio bench and caught my breath before making the return trip home.  Yup . . . pushing myself a bit felt wonderful.

  When I got home Dennis had cauliflower chunked, two cans of water-packed chicken, Alfredo sauce, pasta measured and a can of green beans for color ready to open.  It was a plan.  I pitched in and we will be eating a great supper . . . and perhaps a helping for two to pop in the freezer for another time.  Meals on Wheels eat your heart out.

  Naps during the day are getting slim.  I still hit the rocking chair but the eyes now don’t immediately fall shut.  I am in bed by nine each evening and do sleep well.

  Life is sweet.  I can assure you the dust bunnies are not getting the upper hand.

   
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  Noreen 1:43 pm on May 29, 2021 Permalink  

  A Kitchen Day 

  A bit too chilly for coffee on the patio right off the bat.  The bright sun does promise a bit warmer later on.

  There is always a load of laundry to set the day in motion.  By pushing a few buttons, it freed me up to start an oven meal for tonight.  Classico tomato sauce with browned hamburger, pasta, caramelized onions and chopped up canned green beans.  Chopping canned green beans was easy.  I opted to put the hunks of onion in the blender with some water.  It doesn’t take that long to blot the the minced onions dry and finish them in a fry pan.

  Dennis was on board to help with the dishes and the freezer scored a portion of the oven meal in a small loaf pan with instructions taped to the top for the day that will come . . . “What’s for supper.” Later this afternoon the kitchen will be picking up the aroma of a hearty supper. 

  I did sit for a break to see what the junk mail held . . . nothing.  It was enough of a break to decide to make a Dump Cake.  Easy as one, two, three.  A huge can of sliced peaches, juice and all, into a 8×10 or so cake pan . . . no pan prep.  Sprinkle one box of dry cake mix on top.  I used yellow cake mix.  Cutting up one and a half sticks of butter into the half marks on the wax paper and placing the butter patties throughout on top of the dry cake mix.  Next, bake at 350 degrees for an hour or so.  The top will have taken on a wonderful color, perhaps with peach juice bubbling through.  

  It felt good to spend some time in the kitchen, knowing that this will be the beginning of feeding the freezer for a time when Dennis is home alone while I am in the hospital, or, an easy meal for the two of us when I am again home.  Not to worry.  I can promise you it will not be in the freezer long enough to catch freezer burn.

  Have yourself a great Saturday evening.  I think I need to check out what has kept Dennis busy in the garage after he escaped KP duty.

   
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  Noreen 2:35 pm on April 26, 2021 Permalink  

  Robo Calls 

  The increase of robo calls have been over the hill in the last weeks for auto insurance or auto warranty.  How annoying.  They had cooled down until lately.

  Dennis ran errands this morning, in part, getting ready for a “job jar party” on Mother’s Day.  Gotta love his enthusiasm.  We actually do the job jar quite well on our own.  Some things we keep hands off of as they are beyond our pay grade . . . retired with the wrong tools.

  We had stocked up on some groceries right before I had the stroke.  A lot of the groceries had not been put away in our pantry . . . the cistern closet in the basement.  Once I was in the basement I stayed put.  Multiple items of one type in a cardboard box needed to be unpacked to make it easier when we want to fetch one item off of the shelf rather than fight a heavy cardboard packing box.  It also refreshed me as to what we have on hand.  We won’t be going hungry anytime soon.  It was a good stint of energy and time.

  Shore Land has some great prepackaged soup mixes.  Not all grocery stores carry it.  Hy-Vee is where we found it.  Chicken Noodle is what we are having for supper.  We first had it at JoAnn’s when we had delivered the Koi to her farm last fall.  A bag of the soup mix and a can of canned chicken makes a great soup with the flat noodles, peas and carrots. 

  The day is cool with gray clouds threatening showers.  Spring is in the wings . . . any day now.

  Tomorrow I resume PT.  I now know, after a week on my own, where more PT is needed.  No guessing required.

   
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  Noreen 5:02 pm on December 17, 2020 Permalink  

  Forgotten 

  I had forgotten how sticky things can get when one is making candy with sugar and syrup.  I was determined to step out of my comfort zone with treats this Christmas.  All I had to loose was perhaps 5 lbs of sugar and a lot of stirring over boiling goodies.

  The cocoa fudge did turn out and it tastes just like what my Grandma Laura would make.  It is a grainy surgery finish.  Back then, cocoa was the thing to bake and cook with.  I don’t think chocolate chips were abundantly available, more so the bar of bitter sweet chocolate to shave off what was needed.  Indeed a flavor from times back.

  I had some evaporated milk left from the 12 oz can, so today I tried my hand at milk chocolate chips and marshmallow cream out of a jar.  It’s too soon to tell.  Getting my sticky dishes cleaned up is always a good thing to do.  Hot sudsy water does soak its way through the worst of it, you just can’t rush it.  

  It’s always sad to learn when an old friend and neighbor passes away.  Martin Duesterhoff was such a good person.  He lived just a bit up the gravel road to the southeast.  He and his wife Fern never had children.  The entire community had him as a fellow that could be counted on.  Martin passed away at age 96.  

  I went down into the basement today and the fact that it got a good cleaning yesterday, gave me the best feeling.  It’s all tidy!  The sewing machine is taking a vacation until after Christmas.  I have no doubt I will keep busy as well.  Tomorrow, after a quick visit to the VA clinic here in town, we will be heading to New Ulm to pick up the little red pickup from the spa treatment.  Exciting to say the least.  

  Hmm.  It’s supper time.  I did pull out a pan of refrigerator rolls from the oven.  They should go well with some chicken tenders, fried potatoes and green peas.  A supper fit for this candy-making queen . .  oh I am sure Dennis will enjoy it as well.

   
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  Noreen 5:03 pm on December 6, 2020 Permalink  

  A Busy Day 

  Today I spent some hours in the sewing studio.  Out of 25 blocks to piece, I have five remaining.  When the back started feeling tight, all was shut down for the day.  Too much of a good thing will have payback later on.

  JoAnn cued us in on some soup mix, Shore Lunch.  Today I mixed up a batch of Chicken Noodle.  I had leftover chicken from the other night also with some corn and added it to the noodle, carrot and peas that were freeze dried.  8 cups of  boiling water and it was soup on its way.  It smells wonderful and supper is underway.

  We have had the Christmas tree up since Thanksgiving and it had been out in the west porch.  I decided to make room for it in the living room and today it was decked out with decorations.  A pencil thin, seven foot tree is not the easiest to decorate and the branches are not very long.  I think it turned out great.  Many of my decorations will have to wait for next year when they get to take a turn.  I am short of flat spots for my Nativity sets.  

  It is five and it is dark out.  After supper I will be doing a stint in my chair and the heating pad on my back.  Priceless.

  A new week awaits and so does more wonderful weather.  Enjoy and know that no matter what our day brings, we do not walk alone.  An extra hand that can be felt on our shoulder brings support and peace.

   
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  Noreen 5:37 pm on October 30, 2020 Permalink  

  Sweet Day 

  My fellow stitchers said “all aboard,” and I answered the call.  After meeting up in Mankato, two vehicles with lots of chit chat fueling the trip headed for Rochester to the Pines and Needles Quilt Shop.  I had never visited said shop.  

  I had a bit of a list and came home with . . . not so much.  Each shop has its specialty and unique line of fabrics.  Between you and me and the fence post The Old Alley Quilt Shop in Sherburn had this one beat.  But . . . it doesn’t hurt to expand the horizons.

  We spent two and a half hours visiting in Panera Eatery.  That was the best part of the day.  Sharing, encouraging and listening . . . sweet day.

  Home is always sweet, and due to the lateness of my return we had smorgasbord for supper.  Dennis peeled the boiled potatoes that were on hand, threw in the corn left from last night, cracked two eggs in the pan and sprinkled with Asiago shredded cheese.  It tasted great and we were  content.   

  That brings to mind what contentment means to me.  Contentment for me is knowing that my world is enough for me.   

  We are on a streak of great weather.  Have at it everyone before someone else gets their hands on it.

   
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  Noreen 2:37 pm on May 2, 2020 Permalink  

  Saturday Brings Old Habits 

  Lena had us girls making tracks on a Saturday.  Elvera and I stripped all the family beds.  After that ensued . . . dusting.  The dusting was of the well worn linoleum floors with a wool dust mop that had just a bit of Watkins furniture oil on it to make sure the dust bunnies would be grabbed.  Surprisingly there was enough bedding in the linen closet to replace all that was needed on the five beds in the house.  Lena never washed clothes on a Saturday.  That was Monday’s job.  I don’t have a linen closet.  When the bedding comes off of our beds, they are immediately washed and put right back on.  Automatic washing machines and dryers are a blessing.  

  Keeping the check list going for all that I had planned for today was never far away.  Bedding washed and bedding put back on.  Dennis comments that there is nothing better on a Saturday night than having showered and then getting into the fresh bedding.  Come to think of it . . . it is a calming feeling.  Kind of like all is well in the world.

  Tonight will be pasta night.  Onions that have been browned in the dutch oven kettle followed by browning of ground beef.  I wanted to leave rather large chunks of the ground beef.   I used the medium sized flat egg noodles today.  As soon as the noodles were done and drained, I added a brick of cream cheese and covered the kettle to allow for the cream cheese to melt while the pasta was hot.  I don’t know when or why I have used cream cheese in addition to the sauce.  It seems to coat the pasta in a good way adding flavor without any carbs. I always leave a bit of sauce in the jar and add cream, again no carbs and then shake it up to get all the goodness out of the jar.  In went the browned beef and onions and . . . we have supper.  In fact there are two freezer bags of the pasta dish ready for the freezer.  I had used two pounds of beef and a fairly good amount of the pasta.  What’s not better than to have a quick meal to take out of the freezer to the oven now that spring is requiring more time outside.

  Dennis loves his ice cream.  Dennis does not like to snack on nuts for protein or fiber.  The last item on today’s check list was to use the blender and chop whole pecans.  A bit of the chopped pecans on ice cream does the trick.  The container is popped into the refrigerator as pecans are oily and I surely don’t want rancid ice cream toppings.

  There were a few weeds that could have been removed from the flowers on the east side of the house.  That might find its way on tomorrow’s list.  It was enjoyable to take my walk today knowing that as long as there are check lists in my life, I have a balanced life and a satisfying life and a reason to get up and show up for the day.

   
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  Noreen 3:48 pm on March 20, 2020 Permalink  

  A Little Joy 

  Nothing brings about a bit of joy to the ole cowboy more than having a friend call and have Dennis help him with some guns.  It seems that the good Lord knows when to pull the nap app.  Dennis’ friend helped him with his Cub-Lo-Boy in the past and this is a good deed to help back.  When people decide to move out of their home and into an apartment it calls for desperate measures.

  I am so thankful that I don’t have to contemplate that and hopefully not for a long time to come.  When I have visited some friends in their apartments, I do size them up.  What they have sacrificed their homesteads for . . . we have in place right here on Stauffer Avenue.  Thank the Lord.  There would be no need to use our basement, aka: sewing studio.  But . . . for right now it is my sanctuary.

  I made a trip to the grocery story this afternoon.  I thought I had picked a time that the store would not be very busy.  Not!  I would say the majority of shoppers were my age give or take a few years.  We needed bread and milk.  The options for bread were considerably less than usual.  Dennis and I enjoy a dish of ice cream from time to time.  Just plain old vanilla.  We do like some of Blue Bunny’s wonderful flavors but purchasing them in small containers that are available in our store is not very cost effective.  What’s not to like about a five quart pail!  That area had a lot of empty shelves within the freezer.

  When I awoke this morning and realized we still had a roof over our heads, I knew it would be a great day.  The north winds howled to no end through the night.  Seventeen above this morning was quite the shock . . . but missing out on the snow that had been talked about was sweet.

  Love leftovers.  The hotdish with the sliced brussel sprouts was a hit.  I think a can of cranberries as a side dish tonight sounds appealing.  

  My prayer is that everyone stay strong within themselves and use the weekend to peek around and see just how wonderful life is.  Having to pull in from some outside activities may be just what had happened with Julia Childs when she realized she could cook.  Martha Stewart, regardless how her food turned out, always commented “It’s a good thing.”  Yup, you can talk yourself into almost anything.

   
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  Noreen 6:48 pm on January 28, 2020 Permalink  

  The Day Flew 

  The ole adage, “Time flies when you are having fun” is still viable.  The day in the sewing studio was very productive.  The applique blocks for the wall hanging that I am working on are time intensive.  

  I had to shut the lights off at four thirty and get ready for my appointment at the St. James Eagles Club.  As planned Sharon was there at five with my finished long-armed quilt in tow.  I stayed long enough to meet the gals she was having supper with, pay Sharon for her talented work and then take my leave.  In the days ahead I will be working on getting the binding prepared.  First things first. The wall hanging will have to be finished first.

  By the way . . . the Eagles Club was void of people.  It would be hard to justify having the kitchen up and running when there were five people that were ordering food and a lowly two fellows at the bar.

  When us stitchers do get together the topic of UFOs does surface: unfinished objects in the sewing studios.  I do not prescribe to UFOs.  If in the near future, I am not able to be in the sewing studio, it would be horrible for someone else to try and figure out how to go on to finish the project.  I can predict that it would hit the circular file.  Well . . . on second thought nephew Brett most likely could handle it.

  I had gotten a text from Brett that he needed some quilting assist, so that was my next stop.  It seems that he may be short of some fabric and the solution will be for him to drop over tomorrow and check out my stashes.  I am happy to share as those stashes that I have are there as others have shared with me.

  Supper was a bit late for us.  We had been prepared.  Dennis had worked up some potato salad and sliced cucumber with onions.  All that was needed was to heat some precooked pork chops and the meal was complete in less than 10 minutes.

  I had thought it would be warmer today.  We had snowflakes, we had some mist and we had a whole bunch of clouds.

  The neck brace is about to be gotten out as I have called it quits for the remainder of the night.  It is tempting to go back down into the sewing studio after supper but enough is enough. If I overdue it, it may not remain fun.