I Read the Label

 I saw a Breyer's low-carb ice cream on sale and thought "this is for me." However, I hesitated, wondering what the magic ingredients could be. So, I searched and found the answer. I won't be buying this. Read for yourself.

Do I want to eat THIS? The ingredients almost turn me off icecream!

Today, we were going to two events in Cullman. The first was a box lunch to pick up at a church. The second was a lesson on cooking squash. Well, it was rainy and I was not well on Tuesday, so we skipped it. 

Tuesday night, I frantically searched for a bag because I was about to throw up. Well, I didn't, but kept retching for the next two hours. Ten minutes after the initial scare, I realized the other end was letting loose, too. I managed to get to the bathroom, retching all the way. Thankfully, the dry heaves never amounted to anything. Then, I had reflux for hours that involved retching more. Finally, at about 8 am, I could lie down and relax, sleeping until noon. That's still not much sleep. 

At 4 pm, we decided to go to the market here and get the Wednesday ads. Plus, The Pig gives 5% discount to seniors on Wednesday. That takes a bit of the sting out of the 10% plus cost at The Pig. Well, Tommy forgot to remind them he was over 60. 

At the market we got a small basket of blueberries, a basket of plums, 2 ears of corn, and five tomatoes and a peach lemonade drink. The total was $22.50. The tomatoes were huge and only $1 each! 

I sort of wanted some of their small squash, but I have two squash here along with the bag of squash and onions. We also have potatoes, but I wanted theirs, too. A gallon of blueberries was an eye-watering $35. lol...maybe not...definitely not buying. 

I may get out a pound of bacon and fry/bake it for blt. Yum, makes my mouth water. At any rate, I have six huge tomatoes to eat as Tommy eats very little tomato. 

Although if was in the 80s today, the humidity made it oppressive to be outdoors. Of course, I walked to the car and back only, I still felt it when I had to roll down the car window. Hot and dry is better. 

Tomorrow, the furniture repair guys are scheduled to repair my chair. I do hope this goes off well. You do know we have a four-hour window in which they may arrive. It will be just our luck to have to wait until someone comes at the bottom of the window. Hope not. We have no place to be or go, but when I cannot leave the house because I am waiting on a repairman, I always "need" to go somewhere. At least it is not like the 8-hour window that repair people gave us. Remember that time? My experience is even a definite time may or may not happen or happen even near the time. There are always their emergencies that take precedence. 

For dinner: Tommy had two pulled pork sandwiches with bbq sauce and a huge helping of slaw and salad. I had one pulled pork sandwich with bbq sauce and slaw on it and another helping of slaw, salad of Romaine and tomatoes.

Fruit--Today I had apple, banana, blueberries, and peach lemonade.

Do you get antsy when waiting on repairmen with a huge window instead of a set appointment?

Where are you getting fresh fruits and vegetables--farmer's market, CSA, your own yard? 

Did the ice cream label make you feel ill?  

Junk Food

 On Tuesday I felt I was recovering. Today, I felt even worse! This is one of those instances in which I have no idea what malady has me in its grip. My ears don't hurt or feel stopped up. Throat is not sore. Sinuses feel fine. I just feel weak and feverish. My eating habits seem to be the only things affected.

I had Special K, milk and banana for breakfast about 11 am, then was so hungry I had another bowl thirty minutes later.

Then, I decided I should lie down for an hour before we went out. Well, I slept a total of three hours and told Tommy to at least go to Publix and get our milk. I had mentioned earlier in the day what we needed and things on bogo. He brought those home even though I did not expect it. 

He gave me the receipt which looked weeks old with a thousand wrinkles. ??? He brought home--his milk, two of my a2milk, ice cream bogo, 4 Kraft Medium chunks--bogo, cherries $4.99/lb on sale, 3 bananas, keto bread, 2 huge bags of potato chips, 5 lb. red potatoes, 1 Corn Chex bogo. Then, he said, "I brought you a surprise." It was a bag of Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip Cookies. OMG

I did ask for the ice cream and will only eat less than a half cup each day. The potato chips are his thing. I decided I would make pimiento and cheese. Well, there was no pimiento and the cheese was grated. Tommy volunteered to go back and get it for me. They don't carry Dromedary, so he bought Lindsay instead. I now have an opened jar, 7 ounces. Grating the cheese exhausted me. 

The keto bread was $6.99. But, worth it I thought. However the keto bread, Nature's Own has 10 grams of carbs while the Nature's Own Honey Wheat has 13 grams of carbs. I wonder if it even worth buying this keto bread. Besides, the keto bread is so chewy! 

Tommy went to the kitchen and found food for himself--slaw I made yesterday, leftover chicken, corn he decided to open. I did not want anything! There are two packages of chicken that need to be cooked--thighs and split breasts. Somehow, I with Tommy's help will get those cooked. I have had an incredible amount of junk food today, especially tonight. But, I will have chicken, slaw, and green beans tonight. 

We are watching "The Game Show Show." It is great because we get to see old favorites like The Gong Show, Truth or Consequences and more. This is the third session. I am not sure how many more installments there will be. Have you seen this show on ABC? 

Hopefully, all this junk food will cure me. What do you think? jk I know this is not right.

Tommy's Birthday/I am Determined

 I was awake from 4:30 to 7:30. Tommy got up to go to the bathroom as I was going to bed. We pass in the night! I had told him to wake me at 10 am since I was told that the $1.49 turkey breast would be out by then. Well, I got dressed when I woke at 10:30 a bit miffed he did not wake me. I dressed as fast as I could and combed my hair in the car. On the way to Publix I did sing Happy Birthday in a creaky voice. He thanks me and liked the song. 

At 11 am, there was no turkey breast no matter how many people dug in that case of turkeys. Finally, it seemed that the truck was delayed so I could check back tomorrow. UGH! I did get vanilla ice cream like Tommy requested for his birthday. 

Since I had nothing to eat, I told him I was buying his lunch. We went to Arby's and had a roast beef sandwich with cheese and no red sauce. Other places nicer were too far away. We were on a tight schedule. Of course, I had to squirt Horsey Sauce on each bite. I love horseradish. One time I got the burn up my nostrils and loved it. Usually, we would eat in the park. He suggested I eat while we drove to Big Box and he would eat in the car. He had had breakfast. 

I did some quick shopping and no browsing. We left finally and got to next chore. We witnessed and almost head-on collision. That was frightening. 

It took a while to recover and we watched some of the news. Then, Tommy started peeling potatoes and carrots. We both worked. While I was trimming everything, he washed the squash and zucchini which I then cut into three inch pieces. 

Carrots, potatoes, onion went into the bag with the pork loin on top. I tied up the bag, poked holes, and put it into the oven. Maybe he put it in. I turned around to wash my hands as he stood near me, using his walker. He asked, "What are you going to do with the squash and zucchini? Oh, my gosh. I left them out of the bag. So, I cut the tie, dumped them in and he put them back into the oven. At least the pan was not hot at all. 

I said it was birthday present time. He was eager. He opened the shredder and was happy. Now, for three years he has opposed a shredder being purchased. He opened the book I got him--A Dog's Purpose. He seems like he might finally read it. I gave the old one with pages curled to Lynda. 

Life is short; eat dessert first!

Then, since dinner was still not near done, I asked him if he wanted carrot cake--"Of course!" So, we had carrot cake. I am so glad a whole cake was too expensive--$19--and we only had a slice each. He did not want ice cream on it. He hates ice cream or whipped cream on desserts, even when I whip real cream. Oh, I bought him a pack of Juicy Fruit since he likes gum and never has any unless I buy it. He is an aggressive chewer and saves it until morning, stuck onto something, so I don't encourage him. But, it is his birthday. 

Dinner smells so delicious--Applewood Pork Loin, potatoes, carrots, onion, zucchini, squash, all in a cooking bag. There is enough for another meal even if we both eat lots tonight. Plus, there will be enough for sandwiches. I bought slaw mix to go with any of the above meal if there is enough for more meals.

Determined? I will get two more turkey breasts! It is getting hard, but I will persevere. Next time, I will be at the store early on the day ad starts instead of noon the next day. But, things happened on Wednesday. No more excuses for sales. Tommy exclaimed, "Where are we going to put two breasts?"

I am determined to get two more in the stuffed freezer! I can thaw and cook one, if push comes to shove. One time about 8 years ago, I put three turkey breasts in one turkey bag and sent Tommy's home with him. It can be done. 

I ordered a Christmas cd for when Lynda comes to visit. Later tonight, I will listen to it and see if it is good. This will be a "party" done right. We might have dancing! jk

At 8:30, I called Publix. The meat truck has not come in yet. So, someone must stay until it gets there. At least, at this point there will be turkey breasts in the morning. We would not have gone in tonight, anyway. 

I asked Tommy if he wanted any ice cream. "At about 10:30." So, he is enjoying his birthday. Cake, ice cream, shredder, gum, a good dinner, Auburn t-shirt, and a book made him happy. The flashlight and head lamp can wait until Christmas. 

Are specials and sales becoming hard to find because of low stock? 

Do you ever become determined to get the deal?

RAIN

Well, we are still working on the list from a few days ago! The rain is part of the problem. In places in Birmingham, TEN inches of rain fell. And, October is traditionally our driest month of the year. Well, that did not happen so far. Okay, that ten inches is the official rainfall, but some places received more rain. 

Tommy hung my black bird in the tree IN THE BACK of the tree! I suppose I will have to redo that, but not until the grass is dry. I hope the bird has been painted enough. I only got one coat on before rain and high humidity put an end to painting. I had him hang the black bird from the shepherd's hook instead of the tree. It looks great. 

A few weeks ago, I had the most wonderful ice cream, Mayfield's Snow Cream. And, yes, it does taste just like it was made with milk, sugar, and vanilla flavoring with bowls of snow stirred in. Try it, you will like it, or maybe you have. 

My youngest daughter who just turned 46 went out to gather snow when she was five years old. I told her about bird poop and not scraping too closely. She was so cute doing this, so focused and careful. 

Last night, I finished The Bear. It was wonderful. I felt I was in a land I could never know or imagine. For a post-apocalyptic story, it was pleasant, but poignant. This is the story of the last person on earth! I was mesmerized. If anyone wants it, I can send it media mail to you. 

When I get the stuck-on egg from the egg beaters, I will cook scrambled eggs for the next three days. Six broken eggs wait in a bowl. I am so hungry, so this will be lunch. I suppose he can help me empty and refill the dishwasher when Jeopardy is on TV.  He does so many things. He went to the kitchen and washed dishes when I had wanted him to only get off the stuck on cheese on two glass dishes. But, he washed most of the glass dishes. He is not lazy. 

For Tommy, I ordered a large hot water bottle. It hold 90 ounces of water and is skinny and long. His hips and knees hurt him because he has osteoarthritis. Hopefully, by getting this long bottle, he can apply heat to both hips or both knees at one time. He has a heating pad that is too old. Plus, I don't trust him not to turn it off or remove it from his body. 

A couple of days ago, I got into the car where Tommy was set to drive. I tried to put something into my pocket, and my pocket had mysteriously disappeared. After a bit, I realized my pants were backwards! Ugh! Tommy asked me if I wanted to go back and change. I was hurting so that I said no and just wore the pants backwards. These pants were new. I had worn them and washed them before this day. I thought to myself that they fit better and washing and hanging to dry. I would have been too embarrassed to admit I put them on backward and then wore them after I realized my mistake. But, I am over that now. I do check twice now to make sure they are on correctly. 

Just now, we put the pumpkin and the pot it sits in on the other side of the porch in order to balance the decorations. It's not much of a Halloween display, but it works for me. I have only spent $10 on Halloween. When things are on sale, I will be buying a fake pumpkin for next year, hoping it won't fade. But, I suppose I can spray it if it fades. I do have orange spray paint. 

We got our sun today by going to Publix to return brown lettuce that is two days from expiration date. Then, we zipped around the corner to The Pig and got Dasani water. I had earned money on a card, so it cost me nothing. We sat in the park for about 20 minutes, made a tour of the park and came home. it works for us. 

So far, that is our day. 

Have you ever worn your pants backward on purpose or accidentally? How did they feel? Have you had Mayfield Snow Cream? How did you like it? Did you think it tasted exactly like snow ice cream when it snowed?

Burned Eggs

Continuing from Monday...

Monday, I had a coupon for a free Mayfield Product.  I chose Extreme Moosetracks at $6.29. If you don't know, this is ice cream with chunks of gooey chocolate throughout. In order to make it a more healthy treat, I sliced a banana over it in the bowl.  I try!

Tommy hasn't cleaned the sink in last two weeks or so. I tried to get him to clean it last week, but he had excuses...lol. You know how it should and could gleam. Well, he did not wash off the Barkeeper's Friend and the faucet and handle looked gross. I showed him so he can do it right next time. Plus, he denies he did whatever. 

Tuesday, as soon as I posted, Tommy went in and did a magnificent job scouring the stainless steel sink. The faucet and handle are mirrors. He went in and showed me how he lifted up the coffeepot and another thing and cleaned under them. He explained that he used a dishcloth to get the powder off the sink and faucet. Great! He is so funny like this. 

He also took my a load to the washing machine. That means I have things to hang and things to fold. ugh!

After we went on Tuesday to pick up his meds at the pharmacy window, I got the ice cream and wanted to look for wood. I found some where a guy is adding a room or porch to his house. I only got four very short pieces, enough to make three birds since it is 2x6 instead of 2x4. I will go back another day since it is only about 4 blocks from here. 

I have four heads of cabbage that were a good price. I really need to use them up. I think I might make cabbage soup. That means I need to get the carrots in the crockpot since they take the longest to cook. I may take a nap and put the potatoes in later, then the chopped cabbage.  But, I took a nap.

When I awoke four hours later, I smelled something. I had left six eggs in a pot to boil. Well, those are in the trash. Tommy did not notice eggs boiling for four whole hours! I have more eggs, but I sure hate to lose food!

Wednesday

Today, I am going to show him how to polish silver...lol. His parents used silverplate for everyday. I found a silverchest he didn't know was there. The silverplate needs polishing. lolol

Okay, it is Wednesday, and I have five more eggs boiling. Januuary 6, I bought four dozen jumbo eggs for fifty cents each dozen. I five in a pot boiling and another three in the carton. I wish I had bought more. These stand up in a bowl of water, so they need to be eaten. After breakfast of two eggs, I will use the other two eggs for egg salad or just to eat. 

So, I ate 5.5 dozen eggs in eleven weeks.  I think I dropped some, burned those on Tuesday and lost a boiled one for so long I threw it out.  That probably makes 4.5 dozen in eleven weeks. 

Since I sent back the elliptical machine and the pedal machine, I have no way of getting exercise. Walking the hall and kitchen is good, but I can only last three minutes. Today, I decided to try something new. My friend was prescribed and exercise before her knee surgery. I decided to try it. It is a killer. I sit on Tommy's walker and "march." I didn't last long and my thighs were burning. But, I will try to do a bit more each day. 

It is not yet 10 am and I am exhausted and want a freshly boiled egg. For the last four days, I have lost one pound each day. The main thing I have done is not to eat much after dinner. Okay, that egg was delicious with a smidgen of butter melting on top.

Finally, just now, I got an appointment for Tommy and I to get a covid vaccine. I think. Then, I had to cancel eye doctor. I have an appointment to check eyes and another at the same time for a medical eye exam because of something on edge of eye. This is the thing the doctor said was a sty, but who knows? It just became very hard. So, I will solve this mystery.

It is another beautiful day and warm...70F. 

One time, I put eggs on to boil in a Corningware pot. I lay down to watch TV and woke about 2 am. I went to bed and awoke the next morning to eggs on the ceiling and all over the walls! When I replace the vent hood years later, there were still bits of eggs in it even though I cleaned it. 

Have you ever boiled eggs so long they exploded? 

Brownies and Ice Cream, Death, and a Decision

 Friday, we went to one of the food pickups and came home with an enormous amount of food. They told us we could have as many boxes as we wanted. We said two, and the woman said you can have more, take more. So, we took four and she offered more. There is so much I need to work up. 

We got: six more butternut squashes, apples, plums, baby carrots like lunch size bags, red onions, baking potatoes, zucchini, cucumbers.

Also on Friday I purchased a blood pressure cuff, a touchless thermometer, and a 72" set of shelves--3 ft. wide.  I need the shelves for food in the kitchen. Food is all over floor, chairs, and table! I did not want to put it together last night, so we will do that today, Saturday. We both learned how to use the thermometer and practiced last night. He was pleased with his purchases...lol.

Last week, I saw red light out the door window one night. There was an ambulance across the street and a fire truck. I assumed the guy across the street who had developed lung cancer was going to hospital unless he had already died. 

Thursday night, there were several extra and never-before-seen cars there. I told Tommy he must have died. He poo-pooed that idea as I insisted. Well, Friday, Tommy talked to a woman from across the street and he did die! I thought the woman was the wife. No, she was the sister moved in to care for the guy. His wife died two years ago. Tommy was shocked as he had not heard about it. 

That is how disconnected he is from a man he has known for 25 years, a man who has faithfully mowed his yard or paid someone to mow his yard, a man who gave him his ramp and paid his men to install it for Tommy. I wonder how hurt the guy was that Tommy never acknowledged his wife died. I have a sympathy card for Tommy to give to them.

This guy has mown Tommy's yard for ten or more years, or had his employees mow Tommy's yard. 

At Dollar Tree a few weeks ago, I had bought 2/$1 8x8 inch disposable brownie pans, so I took one of the $0.98 Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie and made brownies. Tommy took them over. The guy's three daughters and their small children were there, plus other people from distant states. So, it was not much, but I am sure the brownies will be eaten! 

After baking brownies for them, I had still to bake brownies for my birthday. I decided Pillsbury Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix and a pint of ice cream were just what I needed. I ate waaaaay too much. We had to run to a Shell station to get the ice cream. 

After breakfast every day or many days, I get so tired and lethargic that I go to bed and sleep several hours. I have decided this is my blood sugar dropping and not good for me. Soooo, a decision. From now on, after I eat I will take a walk. Today, I was going to walk in the street with my walker and Tommy watching me in case I have a spill or someone runs me down. Then, I changed my mind. He set his stopwatch for me to walk in the house. 

I planned to walk for five minutes but made it to 3:30. I was just too winded to go farther. I was walking quickly down the hall and back around to the kitchen and to the stove. That is 25 steps. I will try for another 5 minutes in a bit, maybe only the 1:30 that I did not get done this time. Okay, I walked another 1:30 and was exhausted. I had to lie down because back and foot hurt so. But, I did not just fade away as before. 

One of the relatives of the man who died came and mowed Tommy's yard this afternoon. I think I will bake another pan of brownies for them. I am going to take two packages of brownie mix, put it in the other 8x8 pan and make brownies to take across the street. I think I will send some of this produce, too.  I hate to expect grieving people to cook their own food, but I cannot. They can haul it off to their own home if they don't want to cook now. 

It is 4:30 and 90F. Summer likes to linger here in the South. 

Oh, This Ice Cream is Seriously Delicious!

Of course, I did not follow the directions or amounts. I used the whole quart of strawberries, cut into small pieces, then used the pastry blender on them for about 4 licks, and put them into a measuring cup. There was a tad over 1 1/2 cups, so I used them all. 

After I crushed the strawberries a bit, I put 1/8 cup sugar in them to further macerate and liquify the sugar. Then, I refrigerated them for about an hour. The recipe called for 2/3 cup sugar. I used 1/3 cup Swerve. Thanks, Anne!

The recipe was for whole milk and heavy cream for a total of 2 1/2 cups of milk. I only used 2 cups of my 2% a2milk. Since there were a bit more strawberries, I did not want to use too much total in the freezer. 

I could not find any vanilla in the kitchen, so decided to use vanilla beans. They were hard and dried out, so scraping beans was not possible. I cut one bean in 1" lengths and put those in the milk and strawberries. They did not soak, just went in about 5 minutes after being cut. 

The directions were not hard, just not the way one would put ingredients in the freezer. You put in dasher thing and the lid, TURN ON MACHINE,  and THEN  pour the ingredients through the lid after the motor is going. 

When all this was done, I rushed back to see the time and figure when it should turn off. After a few minutes, I heard a strange whine, so I rushed back in to see if it was okay. The machine was still running and the ice cream was rising. 

It was okay, and after 8 minutes, I had ice cream. 

I am not sure why, but the ice cream was coming out of the top. So, it was messy taking it apart to move the bowl and dish it up. 

Before the next time, I will soak these vanilla beans in something. Then, I will get vodka to make  some vanilla extract. 

Next time, I will put strawberries in a blender to make them less solid. It will be better since the strawberry pieces were frozen. And, I will use less strawberries. The Swerve was good, no aftertaste. I can also use even less sugar, using half the amount of Swerve that I used. 

I could have ice cream every day. However, I usually have a glass of milk later in the day with cereal, as chocolate milk, just to drink. From now on, starting tonight, I will not have milk at night if I have ice cream. 

Oh, this is still Friday night, the 3rd. Tomorrow, I may make banana. Tommy hates banana but is okay with me having banana ice cream. However, I will not eat as much as I ate tonight. 

Friday, we had baked chicken from the freezer, sweet potato I baked yesterday, and coleslaw.  We are eating well after a few nights of iffy meals...lol. 

Who has bought one of these Cuisinart ice cream makers this week? Who has one of the old-fashioned crank kind? If I could crank one, I would have one instead of this electric one. 

Maybe I will make blueberry ice cream next after the peach I have in mind. 

After ice cream, I taped the flag that comes in the Times to the inside of the front storm door. So, the place is decorated. 

4th of July

We had hotdogs, baked beans, coleslaw. I did not make ice cream again. Friday night I had a rough night. Not sure why. But, I took a two-hour nap. Now, we are watching Boston Pops. 

I Could Easily Make This a Habit

Today, as Tommy and I left the house, I was shocked at the size of the package outside the door on the porch. It took a struggle to get the huge package inside. Tommy helped me by yanking on the package and making me fall on my face as I was pushing it across the carpet with feet outside.

Right on the package I could see it was the Cuisinart ice cream maker. Cuisinart told me over the phone it would be here July 2. So, today was a great surprise...a nice surprise.

Now, if packages would just arrive every day. I like this. I could get into the habit of opening boxes.

We finally got the package in and situated. I had to cool off from gardening. The bowls for freezing are shockingly heavy. The Cuisinart box like you would find on a store shelf was 26 pounds. Now, I know that I cannot lift 26 pounds or carry that much. I had to "walk" the inner box to me.

Oh, the packaged box only filled less than half of the corrugated shipping box! I could have ordered two and both would have fit in that box.

I am going to wash it in a few minutes. Since the inner bowl, the freezing bowl must be frozen from 16-24 hours, no ice cream for us until tomorrow. I have no idea what I will make first.

The bowls are huge and very heavy. One is much heavier than the base! Since they are so large, they will need almost a whole shelf in the freezer for them if I make two bowls at a time.

This Cuisinart ice cream maker is half-price now. For a stay-at-home treat and to save money for a person with several children, this would be a bargain.

I am looking forward to no gums and oils and other additions in my ice cream.

At 2:45 today, we went out to plant some of my vegetables. My goodness it was hot! I wore a short dress and sandals and should have been more covered up because of the sun. I had to water all four of the reservoirs the boxes, pull out produce from the other three boxes. Tommy helped with pulling up old food plants.

I planted two half-dead tomato plants--Better Boy. I left the two well-watered zucchini and another plant for another day, left them on top of the box. I carried out the snake and left it on a box. These are grow boxes full of soil mix. I had to come in because sweat was in my eyes, and I felt woozy. I got so sweaty. It was 91F.

Tommy worked with me the whole time, so it would have taken me 1.5 hours if I had been alone. I do the plant stuff and he turns on and off water and drags the hose to me. He sits on his walker and I drag a wicker chair about and sit to plant and work fertilizer into the soil and water.

I cannot wait for squash and zucchini and tomatoes to be ready to eat.