Thursday Blackberries

 When I boiled the 7 or 8 chicken breasts, I decided to season them with many seasonings. Tommy was going to bring me the little jars and a bowl for me to make a concoction of spices to dump into the pot. 

I used in varying amounts:

salt, pepper, basil, dry mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, celery seed, parsley, ground sage. I love sage-y chicken or turkey. But, that is a taste for Thanksgiving. 

Wednesday night, I had chicken and more than half a can of green beans and raw purple cauliflower. After I ate some chicken, I took the rest, shredded it and had an onion roll chicken sandwich. I put just a bit MW in it. Tommy had tomato, chicken and something else.

The chicken was not just boiled chicken. All the seasonings made it delicious, but subtle. I can add it to anything I cook. 

By the way, I love purple cauliflower. It lasts longer and stays pretty longer, both a plus. I am turned off by brown cauliflower or even bits of brown that I know is just oxidation. Since it was only $2 for a huge, fresh head, I will be looking for purple cauliflower again. 

Tonight, I am boiling potatoes for potato salad that will not be ready for dinner. Of course, I mix the onion and boiled potatoes while potatoes are hot to infuse the potatoes with onion. I still have Vidalia onions to use. 

Dinner Thursday night: bought meatballs, green beans, raw cauliflower florets. Tommy will have potatoes with onion in them. He likes this simple meal. Of course, it is just the beginning of potato salad. Dinner for me: boiled potatoes, 3 meatballs, more than half a can of green beans that were drained, soaked in fresh water, and then drained again.

Speaking of green beans, Tommy opened a can of French Cut Green Beans. I hate the French Cut. I eat them anyway. I did discover they are best in green bean casserole. Now, I have to eat the rest of these nasty beans!

Tommy picked four blackberries and brought me three. Maybe I need to freeze these until I have a cup or so to make something. Some are very bitter and some are sweet. I am not sure why the difference. They are very black and ripe. We will have five more plants for next year since five of the six cane pieces took when stuck in a pot. They still survive. He may have gotten the sixth one upside down. 

Today, Tommy saw a huge yellow butterfly visiting the flowers, especially the wildflowers and the one hummingbird feeder. Then, a hummingbird visited all the flowers and the feeder. He said he stood very still so as not to disrupt their feeding and so he could enjoy them. I enjoy seeing the bees in the clover.

Do you ever get just a couple of blackberries and save them for a larger portion for jelly, or tiny cobbler? 

Do you have a preference for cut green beans or French cut? Or, does it vary with how you eat them or in a recipe? 

Tuesday in Cullman

Tuesday, we went to Cullman for my appointment with the oral surgeon about TMJ. I don't need surgery which I did not think I did. It seems I cannot eat certain foods if they cause pain. I sort of  knew that. I can get some sort of thing if I grind my teeth, which I don't. I never chew gum, anyway.  The clicking goes away when I don't eat caramels. 

I have had an earache for 11 months and it only went away when I found a sub for pseudoephedrine. The clicking started when the molar was pulled last year. I suppose I will spend my stimulus on the implant. 

I went to my place and looked at it while in the car. We went to the farmer who sells me sweet potatoes, Beauregard, and bought 40 pounds of sweet potatoes, and a container of green tomatoes. I hate fried green tomatoes, but Tommy loves them. So, I will cook fried green tomatoes for him and let some ripen for both of us.  

Then, we went out to the country to the Dutch Oven Bakery and had a sandwich made to order at the meat and cheese counter. I bought two pieces of candy that they have 3/$1, and a bottle of water for Tommy. I had a bottle. These sandwiches are delicious, better than fast food joints. We ate at a picnic table over near  a fence where the farmer keeps cows. Every time we have gone there, a cow comes over to sit by the fence and the table. And, there is always no place to eat. Today, we found an empty table and the cow did not come! Bummer! It was only 50 degrees and in the sun, but the wind was brisk, causing me to want to go. We left before I peed on myself. 

Since it had been so long since we ate and still had to drive home, I suggested DQ chicken fingers. Well, I got chicken fingers and Tommy ordered a Strawberry Sundae. I was so mad but he would eat nothing else. We won't be going to DQ again. I should have remembered the packs of crackers I keep for him. 

So, he was driving crazy all the way home! I was prepared to demand he pull over or call 911 about his driving. 

It was a beautiful day, plenty of sunshine and traffic  was not bad. I did not go to the store where I get bargains. And, I did not go to Publix. 

At one car lot, there was a yellow car, an orange car and a white one. It took me only seconds to figure it out. 

Dinner tonight is a smidgen of leftover meatloaf, leftover meat balls, collards and baked sweet potatoes. I cannot wait! 

Wool

 If you remember, I bought a white, wool blanket from eBay, paying $54, I think. Shipping was about $20 exorbitant, I thought. Well, I love the blanket but not the detergent in which it was washed. So, it needs to be washed since it is machine washable and dryable. The blanket is now on sale new for $149, so the good deal for me is great for my wallet. The blanket looks new. 

When I was a child, I slept under a green wool army blanket. It belonged to my mother when she was a WAC. No one else wanted to sleep under it except me. Now, it was scratchy, but I kept the sheet turned back over it so it would not touch my face. I wish I had one of those. I was only three when I started sleeping under the wool blanket. I loved it. 

At my house I had a wool blanket that was from the Navy, you know the branch of military, and it cost $1 at a yard sale. I resorted to using it next to my body and under the sheet. It was so snuggly and warm and not itchy as you might imagine. I cannot wait to sleep with this next to my this body this winter.

Thursday night, I could not face dinner preps. So, I took out meatballs from the freezer and a jar of spaghetti sauce and had a salad. Tommy was receptive to the idea. Whew! 

Just now, the whole screen turned blue! I was sucking in my breath with shrill "oh, oh, oh" and searching the keyboard because the next keystroke would delete this post. I used Ctrl+z to bring it all back, undo. Whew!

I spent a very small portion of today decluttering. We both are much happier with the state of things. This will continue! Really, it was less than 15 minutes. And, the dishwasher is still waiting on me. 

What is your "go to" meal for dinner? Do you like wool blankets?

Friday Night

 This feeling of malaise is getting me down. The only symptom is an earache. But, I am back to two naps a day. The moment I put my head to the pillow, I am sound asleep.

But. life goes on. Saturday night, we had baked sliced wedges with the Concord seasoning, about 25 cents. Then, green beans and meatballs. I think Tommy put bbq sauce on his meatballs.  It is not original, but we did not go out for food. But, Tommy really liked the potatoes. 

I told Tommy he had to help, so he did and came and got his plate, then my dipping sauce. Other little things that I needed he was willing to do. Then, I desperately needed to load the dishwasher, so he came in and handed dishes over to a dishtowel so I only had to load them. Otherwise, I would have to walk back and forth, all the way to the stove. I got everything, a lot, into the dishwasher except for an aluminum pie pan. Maybe if I rearranged it all, I could. But, I could barely stand because of pain in back. 

This dishwasher is so large and roomy that I could put two large colanders in it along with a pot and lots of other large items. 

Now, he is scouring out the stainless steel sink and all that entails with Barkeeper's Friend. I have told him that what we can do, we don't have to pay someone to do. He is all for that. Scouring the sink is something he can do. He also knows he can scour but not cook...lol.  

Yep, that is our Friday night. And, we don't care! I was too busy all day taking naps. 

Things I forgot to mention: I had bought a cheap set of plastic measuring cups. They are plastic and the measures wore off. Usually, I can tell the measure, but sometimes not. So, I bought a too expensive set of stainless steel. I like them because the handle is a loop and can be hooked onto a spike in the dishwasher and not be knocked over and filled with water.  I have no idea what I did with the utility knife and purchased a new one. I left three behind at my house, so now I have two. 

I have been wanting Tommy to get rid of the mesh poofs in his shower since it has been ten years since he has used one. Also, there is the little spiky thing to sit soap on inside a soap dish so the soap won't drown in water drippings. He was adamant that I not wash it. Oh, and he wanted the poofs. 

On Wednesday, I mentioned once again that I ought to wash the plastic soap rest and two other plastic things in the shower, that the dishwasher would get them clean. He said, "Why not just throw them away?" Sooo, I tossed the two puffs. Two of the plastic things in the shower were actually one broken thing that is a suction cup. I did throw that away. Of course, I forgot to put the soap rest into the dishwasher as I planned. Things get better around here bit by bit. 

Amazingly, he just called me to inspect the sink. It shines so it appears to be new.  I told him that in the morning we are going to work on all these lids for the pyrex. He was agreeable and always has been about drying lids. I really hate to put them in the dishwasher. 

He is resting and then going to eat strawberries. I told him to eat the rest of them. There must be two cups left and another two cups of the juice. I thawed a gallon bag to make poke cake, but I have not had the energy. He can be so peaceable!  He ate strawberry yogurt with strawberries and a little of the juice. 

It is Saturday, and the ear is killing me. On and off yesterday the tinnutis ramped up. It went from white noise to crickets in my ear. Really, it sounded just like a cricket or two was in my ear. 

My shamrock hanging on the door frightens me. The first time it blew around, It sounded like someone was trying to get in. Plus, I could see the rounded top and thought it was someone's head. I know what it is now, but it still startles me! 

As soon as Gunsmoke goes off, we are checking to see if a church is having a yard sale.  They should start again since it is so warm and dry right now. And, it going to be in the 70s next week.

I think I will have a can of chicken broth right now. It is after noon, but I have not eaten yet.

Friday Stuff: dinner, eyeglasses, groceries

Dinner Friday night was meatballs that were thawed put into a casserole with spaghetti sauce over the meatballs and mozzarella cheese on top. Everything was cooked previously, so this just needed heating to bubbly goodness. We had a Romaine and tomato salad. Tommy then had a meatball sandwich on a croissant.  

There is about half of the casserole left. I suppose we will have that Saturday night along with another salad. The meatballs were cooked before being frozen, so heating is all we need. Good! 

Maybe I will prepare three more of these and put them in the freezer. There will be nights I appreciate thawing and heating. Even slicing the mozzarella was a chore today. You know there are days like that. And, this was so good, I cannot wait for another.  

At The Pig I bought bananas. I still have not had one today. I will. I also bought bologna, three cans of Starkist tuna, one pineapple Mexican-made carbonated drink, and maybe something else. I cannot locate the receipt. That makes about $11 I have spent this week. I know I did not need the pineapple drink. The tuna and bologna are for stockup. 

I tried to make an appointment for an eye exam, sorely overdue. This was Tuesday. But, NO. I must wait for the "scheduler" to call me. That was annoying. So, she called yesterday and cheerfully told me that insurance, Medicare, will not pay again until 2022 since I just had new glasses in 2019. Or, something like that. 

After I thanked her, she seemed so happy to give me bad news and do her job. While I was waiting outside Tommy's doctor office this morning, I called back. I explained it all to her and how I had not had new frames since 1998, and that I had NEVER had an eye exam at this business. She checked and said I had been there in 2018 and 2019 but both of those were a medical problem. Finally, she got it right. 

So, after three calls on three days and 20 minutes today, I am having an eye exam. Scheduling should not be so complicated. Right?

One eye doctor has already defrauded the government by submitting a bill to Medicare for glasses in 2014 that I never got. I know this call was only 30 minutes out of my life, but these encounters are stressful. 

What is the longest you have used glasses frames? This makes 23 years for me. 

Into the Freezer! Grocery Shopping, THE MOST AMAZING SIGHT

 Once again, I erased a whole post! I finally figured out that when I managed to turn anything blue and then try to type, the whole shebang disappears. I am a fast typist if not entirely accurate. So, the inaccuracy causes me to hit a key (and I don't know which) that causes me to erase it all! 

Saturday, I froze meat for 25 meals in pint bags. Each bag held a meal for two, so 46 portions. 

2 packages one chicken breast.

23 packages of 16 meatballs in each pint.

I had 3 4-lb. bags of Armour Meat Balls that were thawed. So, I heated/cooked them and re-bagged them in meal-size portions. So, 12 lbs of meatballs are resting for me to thaw at mealtime. I am so happy. 

Earlier in the day, I went to Publix for bananas and carrots. Just before I got out of the car, I asked Tommy if he wanted to buy flowers for me. He said, "How about candy?"  

I purchased both. I found a bag of Lindt truffles, dark chocolate. As I looked over the flowers, I found a 11" vase with tulip bulbs not yet blooming. Green leaves are about 6" above the top of the vase. The idea is to watch them blossom. That appealed to me. So, I spent $16 on his card and came home deliriously happy. 

The huge vases of roses were $25. But, those did not suit me. 

It was like Christmas crowds up front. The candy, and flowers were on extra shelves and the bakery section near the candy and flowers was loaded with all sorts of hearts, red, and pink confections. It was all so tempting. 

THE MOST AMAZING SIGHT--In a cold case were clamshells in the shape of a heart with a thick steak cut almost in half and opened to fit in the heart clamshell. It was very impressive. Refrigerated sides were present with this meat presentation. I forgot what kind of steak it was. But, there was something for everyone.

So, I bought the bananas, carrots, Lindt truffles, tulips, and a reduced can of apricot filling. The apricot filling goes into stockup. 

So far, I have spent $105 this month. 

Have you put meat into the freezer?