Purple Daylily and Fried Fish

 

Today, I finally took the cardinal wing pattern and one of the wings and delivered them to the guy who will cut them for me. The last place cut them wrong.

When I went to Lowe's for something I could not find, I went to the half-dead plant area and found a pot with daylilies--Purple D' Oro. There are several blossoms ready. Tommy watered it. Tomorrow, I will clean it up, riding it of dead matter.  The strawberry daylily I bought at the plant sale is read to bloom. 

Earlier in the afternoon, we went to see the church that burned here a few days ago. It was sad, appearing to be completely gutted. And Tommy showed me where he lived just before he bought this house. We were actually looking for a certain food truck. We knew where her commissary was, so went there. A cook was gathering the tables and chairs, taking them indoors. He told us where to find the food truck on FB, so we could find her. She lists her locations each day of the week. I asked the guy what kind of food they cook. He pointed to his food truck and said it was all soul food. In his restaurant I suppose it was different food. I asked him what he cooked today--fish and chicken. 

He obviously took a liking to me. I was talking to the older man, a cook, who said he was through cooking for the day. The owner came out with a styrofoam to go box and handed it to me. I was so surprised. He said it was fish. Well, I opened it and started eating with my hands, pinching off bites and devouring the fish. After I thanked him profusely, we drove off. Only then did I realize he had handed me a pack of utensils! I was sort of embarrassed. 

We will go back there to eat one day. I have not had hush puppies in years! Soul Food is notoriously unhealthy, but maybe this place is different.

I told Tommy we were eating purple cauliflower for dinner. He always turns up his nose. I handed him a small piece, about the size of the last joint in my little finger. He ate it without turning up his nose, making a face or spitting it out. We had plenty of protein today, so I am baking vegetables--purple cauliflower, carrots, and potatoes. I put them is a glass casserole with olive oil, garlic powder, and onion powder. They were delicious. He served his own plate. I noticed he had a generous helping of purple cauliflower. So, I suppose he has been converted. 

I have a whole chicken thawing. Tomorrow, I will bake it in the oven or put it in the crockpot. We have potatoes, purple cauliflower, and slaw. So, dinner will be easy. We did not have many carrots to have those leftover. NO! There is no more cauliflower for leftovers. Tommy ate it all! So, he really does like purple cauliflower...lol. 

For the last two or three days, he has been telling me about new flowers that grew from an empty container, asking me what they were. Finally, I stopped on the way to the car. I had bought a six-pack of pink Wave Petunias last summer. When I became ill, they burned up in the heat. Now, two of the tiny pots have a petunia each. I will put those in a hanging pot. 

I had a seed ball and a postcard with paper embedded with seed. Both went into identical pots. Both concepts were wildflowers. One of the pots has a plant with purple flowers. It is about 18 inches tall. I am quite sure these wildflowers would be labeled "weeds," We certainly are enjoying all the flowers even if they are weeds. 

I decided I will no longer buy Nature's Own Keto. It is too thick, hard to gnaw off a sandwich. From now on, I will buy Arnold's. It has three grams per slice, just one more gram than NO, but that is okay. 

The day went well, considering I only slept four hours! It was a good day with no frustrations or arguments with Tommy. No pushbacks, just cooperation. We enjoyed our impromptu ride, the flowers at home, and the birds flying around here. Of course, the fried fish was wonderful. 

Do you like fried fish? Not the Captain D kind. 

Are you surprised when flowers reseed so late? These pots of petunias have been out of the utility room for over two months. 

Has the smoke from Canada affected your skies? 

Harry and David

Tuesday, as Tommy went out the front door, I realized he was trying to pick up a package. He finally got it up and on his walker seat. All this time, I was wondering what I ordered. Puzzled, I was wracking my brain as to what I ordered. When he finally had the package on his walker and opened the door, he said, "And, it has MY name on it." 

"Harry and David! That is expensive!" I knew the name, but he did not. When he opened it, he found: 

All this is Harry and David branded.

H&D Dark Chocolate Truffles I hope the package falls open soon.

H&D Three Seed Crackers

H&D Milano Italiano Dry Salami

H&D Sharp White Cheddar

H&D Pepper and Onion Relish Classic Recipe

H&D Premium Mixed Nuts Almonds, Cashews, Walnuts and Pecans

10 Pears and 2 Apples

Inside the Harry and David cardboard Box was a wooden box. Nice!

What a nice surprise for him. He never gets anything. Really, I am not getting anything either, just boxes of supplies, mostly. But, I was very happy for him. 

He has never heard of Harry & David. Where has he been?

Have you found a surprise package on your doorstep (PO, Mailbox, top of the car)?

Have you found a real surprise or has anyone in your family?

Wednesday, we went to Cullman and gave the cardinal to our friend. It had wet paint. We told them to be careful. Since I was so late in painting it, it got a coat this morning. Since I think I bought the last spray can of the appropriate can of red paint, I let them use it to add more coats so it can last better outdoors. I went to so many stores and on the internet and red paint was as scarce as TP last year. 

I really want to paint one for me, too, and cannot find red paint. Otherwise, I would just have given them the paint. It is not even on Amazon! 

Okay, there is more to tell, but I need a nap before it gets too late to nap. It is 6:30 now. I slept last night from 6 am to 8 pm 

Merry Christmas if I don't see you before Christmas.

 

A Hummingbird, a Cardinal, and Dementia

 Monday, I took a nap at 5:30 pm and had Tommy wake me at 7:30. I felt horrible when I awoke. We were gone all day. Tommy had to get a CT of his liver, yearly one for him. Well, we shopped our way home. Actually, it was mostly driving. He came in after I said I was not cooking after I got up from my nap.

He left for the kitchen and came and showed me what he found. He found the spaghetti pasta, put the last bit of turkey breast on it along with pickled onion, relish, and mustard. He found the leftover cole slaw and had that on the side. I saw bread, too. I told you he could find dinner from leftovers. 

We watched a Christmas-themed Frasier and Christmas at Belmont. I think there was a third Christmas-themed show we watched. 

When we came home about 4 this afternoon, "Linda-neighbor" was not home. So, I told Tommy to let me get her gift and leave it for her. I had wrapped the candy in blue paper and had a blue hummingbird for her. We drove around and the Christmas lights in the neighborhood were not on because it was still light, too early. When we came back past her house on the way home, she was headed around the house to her front door. She saw us and put the gift back. I told her to not leave it there, so she got it and came out to the car and opened it. I did not mean for her to bring it to us, I thought she was going to leave it outside. A dog might have purloined the candy. 

She said she hoped I had not put something else in the box. She seemed really pleased with candy. And, looked like she loved the hummingbird. I was going to attach the hummingbird to the top of the package, but that was impossible because its curvy, sparkly body. So, I attached the alligator clip to the end of the blue foil package where it was folded. I leaned it in a chair, and I looked as though the hummingbird had perched on the box. She has three feeders, so she likes her hummingbirds, too. 

I am little by little, very little, returning all the things the cleaner picked up to their places! 

Sunday, I attached one wing to a cardinal. Monday, I glued the other wing. Tuesday, I will spray paint it red and the beak black. It won't get many coats, but they can spray it more so it can stay outdoors. This is for the couple who are 90. They have two blue birds hanging in the trees, so I know they like this kind of stuff. I want to deliver it Wednesday. 

Other Tuesday plans: chop celery and onions to jazz up the Stove Top, spray the cardinal, make pumpkin pie. (or Jello salad with red jello or green, or maybe something else. See, my plans are so fluid they sometimes slip right away.

While I waited for Tommy's liver test, in the car I made a call to a close relative. She would start a story and ask me what she was going to tell me. This went on and on. Saturday, I called a friend to ask her brother's phone number. He is supposed to mail me a book. His wife now has to take care of bills and everything because of his memory and lack of abilities. Then, my friend kept forgetting what she was saying. So, I have had three friends with dementia setting in, all this in three days. 

Tomorrow, I will tell you of my own personal brush with dementia.

I am waiting in the darkened living room, typing, and waiting for Tommy to wake up. I think he is pooped from yesterday since he is still asleep at 10 am. He may have awakened in the night and watched TV for a few hours. Sometimes, he cannot fall back asleep. Okay, he is looking at me and talking. No, he slept through the night but walked lots when he went to the hospital. 

So, my day starts. However, I have been awake since 6:30 am. I have a list so we will know what lies ahead today. 

I just saw an ad for a Chia Pet. Have you ever had one? I haven't and think I want one now. No, it is not on a bucket list. 

Turkey Breast $.99/lb.

 That is what I saw when I read the ads online. This morning, I could not find the store. I even asked Tommy if I told him about it last night. He said I did, so I know I did not dream it! 

Remember the CHILLS I HAD? Well, today, I realize I have a raging uti. Lovely! Of course, it is chilly inside and very cold outside. But, with a fever, I don't really know.  Last night, I was cold all night and got up for a trip to the bathroom at least once an hour. It was a rough night. But, I made it through October with no congestion in head and chest, so I just need to conquer this problem.

Today, I finally found pretty red spray paint for my cardinals I am making. It is gloss, but it was the last can of red in the store. The last three stores had no red spray paint of any kind. I can put matte on it another day if the boats from China ever unload. 

I have been preparing dinner from the sofa. Tommy washed 4 sweet potatoes, brought them, a knife, a towel, tiny baking sheet, and a tiny bowl with a bit of olive oil. I trimmed the potatoes, oiled them, put foil on the pan, and sent it all to the kitchen where he had turned the oven on 300F. We will have sweet potatoes, kale, beans I froze last year. If I can find any cooked meat, we can have that, too. I think there is some in the freezer. His oven runs too hot, so I cannot use 350F for baking.

For the last four nights, I have been reading a new book from my box of books mailed to me. I could only read about four pages last night. I wondered why, but I was ill. 

Right now, I am wearing Halloween leggings, a nightgown, and a light jacket. I look adorable...lol. 

Have you seen turkey breast this low lately?

Dental Implants and Cardinals and Chow Chow

 I received a letter from my dental insurance and did not open it. I called to see if my insurance was still in effect or to find out what the bad news could be. The letter was at home and I was in the car. So, it appears for an extra $3/month, I have partial coverage for dental implants. Well, I said "yes" to that deal.  I need this. There are other added benefits, too. 

Wednesday night, after coming home from Cullman, Tommy had the extra soup for his dinner. I took a late nap and had the salad and something else. I was just too exhausted to even think about cooking. 

As soon as I publish this post, I will be finding a place to get blood drawn. I need a place that will give me a pain shot or a place with the vein finder or a magician. 

There is a list a mile long of places I need to call, things to return, and things to purchase. I am now making cardinals. Of course, the pattern is mine and I paid someone to cut them out. I glue, attach an eye screw, spray them, and they are ready to hang in a tree. Yes, I "made" them. I just need red paint for these. I plan to sell them.

I have already made 1 blackbird and 10 blue birds and 10 cardinals. That makes 21 birds, so far. Well, they are all cut, but in various stages of assembly. 

So far, this October I have been able to avoid being ill. It will be only the second time in twenty years that I have not had to take multiple rounds of antibiotics and spend days in bed during October. I even failed a class the first year of being ill all October. So, I am pleased, very proud of the state of my health so far this October. 

I put my foot down about unloading the dishwasher soon after they are washed. Since then, the sink is always clean as I put the dishes into the dishwasher immediately, the way I did it forever until the dishwasher broke. There is a "rinse and hold" function which I will use this afternoon and then load dinner dishes and run it tonight or tomorrow morning. I am very pleased with not having dishes in both sides of the sink, on counters, and on stove. 

The Pig had free Wickles Pickles or relish with $10 purchase, which was easy enough to do this last week. I got the relish instead for Tommy. 

I am in the mood for Chow Chow and a pot of blackeyed peas. I may not make them a month or so, but I have the urge. How about you? Do you ever make chow chow? I might try that.