Food all the Way

 My friend died Sunday morning. I did not want to bother her daughter who is right there in her home. However, I could not bear knowing. I called and may have awakened her daughter. Our exchange was brief--29 seconds. I did not want to go into my grief, so I said, "I am so sorry." She said, "Thank you." She may have been asleep.  She may have been hoarse from crying. We hung up. That means the celebration of life is Sunday. I had mailed her a note on Monday, written on Sunday after she died...sigh.

I wonder if there will be food at the Celebration. This is the South and it will be in a church.

I told Tommy I would call the police next time he hit me. I know for a fact it was low blood sugar. But, it hurts my body, hurts my feelings and makes me feel like I am nothing. He was an a$$ when I said that hurt since he acted like I did not exist, would not speak. I know you wonder why we don't check his blood sugar. That would be too easy. He would also lose his autonomy. But, when he has tried to hurt me and men in uniform show up, he is meek as a lamb. He has allowed them to measure his blood sugar on several occasions when he was yelling at me. I don't think he is afraid of them, just will cooperate with uniforms better than with me. 

Somehow, I lost Sunday. That night, I just assumed it was Saturday because I had not seen Meet the Press or America's Funniest Videos. Well, on Monday, Tommy pointed out I was asleep during those hours. I slept about four hours and missed both, one in the morning and one in the evening. Of course, I barely slept every night of the weekend. My laptop has the date, time, and temperature displayed. However, the pertinent information I needed on Sunday, the day of the week, is not displayed. 

Janet, I received Pillars of the Earth on Monday. It was so heavy I could barely take it from Tommy and not drop it. I will have to support it for sure. This read should be interesting. I will get a tray that sits across my lap and rests on the arms of the chair. Thank you.

I ordered a book from Mayo Clinic--Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies, Second Edition. Hopefully, it will prove helpful. 

Decluttering was miniscule, but I did it.

Free food: 6 black plums, 7 peaches, 4 lbs of nectarines, five lbs. chicken thighs. 

We still have chicken tenderloins in the refrigerator to eat, and two frozen packages of cooked tenderloins. Last night, I wanted Tommy to go get chicken for me. Yes, I know there was plenty in the refrigerator already baked. I opened a can of the Hormel Roast Beef and Gravy, mixed package of Idahoan, and opened green beans. It was not the healthiest, but it was eaten. The can of Hormel was 11 months beyond the best by date, but it was fine as I knew it would be. 

I really want potato salad and squash casserole, so after the news goes off, we will go to Publix.  Tommy went alone and bought: milk for both of us, two packages of squash, five pounds red potatoes, two pounds of carrots, Arnold's Keto Bread,  a package of carrot shreds, 4 12-packs of Pepsi b2g2, a case of Dasani. He forgot to put my phone number in at the register. We would have gotten $2 off on a $10 purchase. I will fix it. 

We went out in the car earlier, and the ac is wonderful! I know that Heaven will be airconditioned. 

On the news today, we heard that doctors increase the intake of fruits and vegetables by 1/3 by actually prescribing fruits and vegetables. Interesting. I am not sure what the recommendations are, but I get at least three fruits, and at least three or four vegetables. I know I am short on the vegetables. Well, maybe not since I rarely count onions and celery in my vegetable list for a day. I read another site that has 4 of each as the minimum. 

Tommy went to Publix. I specifically told him to choose small squash. Not one of the packages has a small squash! They are all hefty clubs. I cut off the smaller ends for the casserole and left the larger pieces to cook with the thighs or for him to put in a salad. I need to remember to slice them, otherwise, he won't eat them in a salad. Plus, there is a package of three not so small clubs left for another day. I may slice those to cook with onions. 

Tonight, I will boil eggs for the potato salad I will make Wednesday or probably Thursday. Ooops, I forgot to have him buy celery.

Dinner: I am having baked chicken tender, squash casserole, green beans. Tommy is having a leg and thigh, squash casserole, sweet potatoes. The green beans and sweet potatoes are leftovers, so a helping each is left. Until dinner is done, I am eating a peach. It is Freestone! I have not had one of those yet this year. Okay, it is hard and not very tasty, but tomorrow they will be better.

There was a rock in the green beans, and I broke a tooth!

Do you aim for a certain number of vegetables and fruits each day?

What are you currently reading? 

Easy Fruit Dessert

 

Back when I entertained once a month, one single guy brought the same thing in the summer. Or, maybe he brought it during other months. He would buy a bag of frozen peaches, a bag of frozen strawberries, and a bag of frozen blueberries. He usually had it out of the freezer for an hour or so before he came. At my house, it was almost ready. I had to take it out of the bags and slide each into one large bowl. By the time were through with dinner, we dipped up this frosty dessert. Mostly, it was thawed. It was delicious and easy for him.

You may want to mix fresh fruit.

Before dinner, I sliced all the squash I bought at the market and a huge Vidalia onion. My intentions were to fry the squash and onion but without dousing it in meal. I decided I had too much squash for a meal and put half the squash and half the onions in a bag for another day. Maybe I will make a small squash casserole. 

After an hour of Tommy tending squash and onions, I went in to see what was happening. Well, he had a 12 inch skillet on a 6-inch eye. NO WONDER! I put the skillet on the larger eye over his vociferous protestations. Well, it did cook a bit faster. I went in and it was on high and boiling. Finally, I called it done, not a bit of browning, not even on the onions. I drained mine on a paper towel because he used too much oil. Oh, that was the first paper towel I have used in three weeks. 

The bachelor buttons are blooming. I have a red one and a blue one. so far. Blackberries are turning red. 

It was sooo hot today. However, I was pleased. It beats cold weather any day. But, I would have been ill if I had had to be out in the heat very long. I took more recycling into Publix and bought blueberries, strawberries, keto for me, milk for Tommy and a beefsteak tomato. They for 4 for $5, a real bargain as they were huge. 

Tuesday dinner: Tommy had pork, a sweet potato, squash and onion. I had a huge salad before dinner, then chicken breast, squash and onion. We both forgot we had slaw in the refrigerator. 

The day was a very good day, even though I slept little the night before. 

Do you ever mix frozen fruit almost thawed like my friend did? What is your favorite combination of fruits for this? 

Long, Stressful Day

Today, I almost overdid it. I am trying to rest for a real challenge next Monday. We left early to go to Cullman to meet someone at my lot. I got my business done with guy we met. First, we had a burger and went to PO. Afterwards, we went to the festehalle and I bought beautiful small yellow crookneck squash from my sweet potato man. Then, we came back for something this afternoon, something that was cancelled when we got there. Bummer.

I called and left a message cancelling the missionaries because I was tired and knew I would be exhausted for three days if they came by to help in the kitchen. But, they did not get the message. They showed up, and I did not get out of my recliner. I told them I was too tired and we had left a message cancelling. However, I told them I had something that really needed doing--take all dead limbs at back of the lot to the road. 

When the guy next door paid for someone to mow Tommy's lawn, the mower carried all limbs to the back of Tommy's yard. It is not like we live backed up to a forest. The guys thought we meant the huge limb that fell on neighbor's fence. They got it off the fence but could not get it through the small gate. So, they just carried all the limbs at the back and left the newly fallen limb which was okay.  

They left without telling us. I am sure they were hot and figured that lady would have more work! Of course, I would not...lol. They had on black pants, white shirt and tie. But, they did not mind working outdoors that way. These guys are really nice young men, personable. 

I cooked, mashed and sweetened the blackberries with Swerve. It was fine until I tried drinking milk. Then, my mouth seemed to be lined with sugar. I could not get the sweet taste off my tongue or lips. It was weird and way too sweet once I drank milk. I only put 1/4 cup swerve in a quart of blackberries. 

Then, later I decided to eat oats and put only a tsp of Swerve in the bowl of oats. Well, my tongue was coated with a sickening sweetness once I started drinking milk. I tried wiping it off with a dishcloth but it would not go away. I am not sure what is happening. 

I won't give up. I need to cut back on sugar, of course. And, I need to make Kool Aid! I should buy pure Stevia. 

My plan for the squash is somewhat off-beat. I will slice them, put a tiny bit of oil over them in a bowl and stir in cornmeal Then, I will put on a pan for the oven. I have done this before in place of frying the squash. I cannot stand or tend to them for a long time. Plus, if you don't use an iron skillet, fried squash is nothing special and does not turn out right. It is better in the oven. 

Tuesday night, I folded kitchen linens, folded my bathroom stuff, struggled with Tommy to open a huge box that we could barely get inside, had meatloaf and vegetables for dinner. Tommy heated his own leftover meatloaf and vegetables and went out and watered the flowers. 

The flowers are surviving the heat from the brick house. Of course, Tommy's watering them is working miracles. Tomorrow, it will be 100F here, so we will stick close to home. 

Monday night and Tuesday afternoon, I talked for a total of four hours to an abused woman whose husband and his attorney agreed to give her $1000/month as long as she does not marry or cohabitate  with anyone. She thinks living with her brother out of necessity or staying with our mutual friend to do his 2020 taxes is cohabiting! (Friend lives far away and her work laptops were stolen, so she uses friend's computer.) He gets $7000/month from his pension from former high level govt job. He told her that it was not money she could get like social security from him since they were divorcing. 

He and his family stole her medicines, computers with clients social security numbers and all their financial records. The items he stole include pre-colombian articles that a dead husband gave her. I know that sounds fishy and will not criticize her or listen to criticism. He abused her in ways I cannot imagine and have never heard before. 

His daughter took her walker away so she was helpless, pulled it across the room. He stole her son's computer and camera, and phone! She did not recognize elder abuse, and obviously her son does not recognize theft! 

She talked to an attorney who wanted $5000 up front. So, she has given up, suffering, I believe, from learned helplessness. I promised I would help her. I will. So, I have a chore set out for me. 

It all makes me so sad and wears me down emotionally which affects me physically! 

Maybe a Little Crude

 Monday night, I slept an hour or two and had fitful sleep until 8 am when I got up. I have not felt at all perky all day. I slept from 11:30 until 1:30 and did not feel one bit better for having slept. 

We had chicken in the refrigerator, I sliced squash in large chunks and chunked an onion. I put it in the cooking bag with a Tbsp oil and 1/4 cup water. It was delicious. Tommy also had cabbage with his meal. 

I did not season this bag of food. Tommy put salt and pepper on his. I had less than a pat of butter on mine and most of it was melted and left on the plate. 

This guy has eaten cabbage every day for two weeks! He has not complained once. He likes the Savoy cabbage. He commented that if he ate anymore cabbage, he was going to sh** cole slaw. He is never crude! So, this was funny. I laughed so hard. 

Tomorrow, I must put on shelves all these cans of food I have bought in the last two weeks. I sit in my chair and date tops and fronts of cans. I have little hope I will feel like it. I will just do it. 

We had horrendous rain and storms last night and we are in for a stormy day tomorrow. We finished Tuesday sunny and dry. Are you having storms with this system? 

Saturday So Busy and "Marching" Record

 We went to Cullman Saturday. I got the mail and went to the Farmer's Market where I bought:

A mess of green beans $2

dozen eggs $4

peaches--seven for $6

zucchini $4 with yellow squash added to make it $6,

2 yellow squash 

I used coupons for free produce, and they are in $6 denominations, so I get something to make up the extra cost, hence the 2 squash. 

The green beans came from the guy selling eggs. I asked him if I could just get $2 of green beans. The other guy at the booth started bagging up a whole mess of green beans and I reminded him I was only buying $2 worth. He said, "Well, this looks like $2 worth of beans to me." So, he was being generous because I am a regular customer and love to talk chickens. Good deal! 

I went to a store and bought tomatoes and Vidalia onions. The market only had green tomatoes, and I am not a fan of green tomatoes. I should have bought a couple to fry for Tommy. 

Saturday night, we had meatballs and green beans cooked in foil in the oven and sliced tomatoes. It was delicious. The tomatoes should have been added to meatballs and beans. Tommy like the whole green beans--"different way to cook (whole) and different taste (olive oil and garlic), good." The meatballs were cooked and frozen, so just needed heating.

On Friday, I "marched" for 10 minutes, a new record for me. Tonight, I will do the same. Okay, it is getting late and I am about to drop, so tomorrow. 

Saturday morning, I cooked breakfast to avoid buying Hardee's sausage and biscuit. Tommy ate bread and two sausages. I had three scrambled eggs and two sausage patties. Next time, I will only have one sausage patty. The Johnsonville Sausage patties were on sale this week, so I have three packages of premade sausages. 

After sleeping an hour and a half on Friday night, I took a two and a half hour nap, getting up much sooner than I really desired. Hopefully, I can work my way back to a semi-normal sleep pattern. 

Saturday was a really good day.

My First Harvest! Shopping

Tuesday, after planting the two tomatoes, we came back to water the plants on the porch. I have two squash plants in large pots. One fell off the porch a while ago, and the other was heading the same way as none of the plant was in the pot, just hanging straight down in front of the porch. Well, the roots were hanging on. 

Tommy came around and held the plant up while I pulled the pot back. So, the squash plant rests on bricks. Since I don't think the hot bricks will be good for the plant or squash on the plant, I have a new plan.

Before I forget, Tommy said the first squash was sort of ready but still small. I had him break it off. He was going to pull it. The squash was 5 1/4 inches long. I cooked it for our dinner and we halved it along with a chicken breast. Tommy had mixed vegetables with his squash and chicken. I have to say that was one of the best squash I have ever had. So, that one little squash was my first harvest. I dislike large squash, so only another inch of growth would have been tolerated.

The new plan--I got two shelves from a plastic shelf unit from the side of the road where I got three pots and the nice table. I am going to put those under the squash plant part that is sitting on brick. That way it will be less hot. The little squash and the rest of the plant will not sit in water on the porch. I knew I could use that shelf for something!

Wednesday, today, I decided it was time to shop for this week as everyone got their ss check and the 4th is Saturday. Publix was crowded. The Pig was not. 

Choc chip cookies in tiny cup $1.25

Coleslaw $1.99

Cool Whip $2.11

Frozen Broccoli $1.95

Weber Garlic/Herb Seasoning $2.39

Swerve $6.99

Natrol Melatonin $4.10

Stevia Extract $9.49 

Bananas $0.81

Strawberries qt $3.33

2 Wheat Thins 2 for $5.00

something for $6.99

2 a2milk @ $4.49

Little cookies were for the car. Cool Chip is for the eventual poke cake. I still need a pan. Frozen broccoli is for a recipe that calls for broccoli. The Weber seasoning will be a good change for Tommy. I can cut the melatonin in half, so instead of saving half price, this will be a quarter of the price. I DID NOT MEAN TO BUY THE STEVIA EXTRACT! The guy took it out of the basket where I put it to compare it and I did not see I bought it. These strawberries are for ice cream. I just love Wheat Thins, but only when they are on sale. 

I bought the Swerve after reading Anne in the Kitchen talking about using it. 

At the Pig:

coleslaw $0.97

Kool Aid $0.16

3-pack corn $4 exorbitant!

Zeigler original hot dogs $2.50

Hershey's Triple Chocolate Cake $0.99

Stage Plank $0.24

I got Kool Aid to use Swerve in it. I love Kool Aid. I like the old Zeigler's hot dogs with the poisonous red coloring, so had to get those. I found something new and just had to try it, just not today--Hershey's Triple Chocolate Cakes. It appears to be a cupcake with filling and icing. 

The same coleslaw at both places at different prices. I decided to get another at the Pig. I will go back and get another couple of packages and cook it for use later in soups and beans. 

For the 4th of July, we will have hotdogs on buns, coleslaw, corn on the cob, and baked beans and peach ice cream. There may be other stuff, but I don't know what. I have five dying peaches that I am going to salvage tonight and cut up really small for peach ice cream.

Tonight, I will make ice cream. Since no add-in can be larger than a chocolate chip, Tommy is in charge of slicing and dicing strawberries as soon as I wash and cap them. 

Have you found good bargains before the Fourth? Is your menu set? Who else has bought a Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker?

Monday and Squash

After another sleepless night (2 hours), I called the company that handles medical items and told them to come get this Darth Vade machine and bring me a quieter one. They said they could do that over a week ago. Now, I am beyond ready. The machine was to improve my health, and I cannot imagine getting an average of three hours sleep per night is improving my health.

Okay, it is almost 5 pm and a replacement machine just came. It is much lighter and a new model, not so bulky either. Maybe tonight will be better. 

Tommy is in charge of his breakfast and lunch as am I for mine. When I wake near noon, I do not eat my usual banana. I eat the pb, MW, and banana sandwich, so I am not eating anything he wants, and I do not offer it. Just now, at 1:30, he had a plate with a big pile of cherries, about 2 cups of Romaine, and a piece of bread with cheese. Great! He can feed himself! If I am going in to get food, I ask if he wants anything. If I am making a grilled cheese sandwich, I offer to make one for him. 

When the guy called and said he was bringing the new machine, we went outside. I got the fire ant bait and spread it around a huge mound at the base of his dogwood tree. Then, I opened a pink bag with wet ads and looked at those and threw them all away. Another awaits.

He turned the water on for me and I watered the plants on the porch. We make a good team...lol. There is only one squash I can see--about 2 inches long. There are a dozen or so blossoms fading, so there should be little squashes there, too. I did water too early because the sun was hurting my skin. 

Now, I have to wash dishes and cook bacon in the microwave. And wash my hair. 

Tomorrow, we are going to Cullman to eat lunch with friends, al fresco, of course. We have not seen them for a long time. 

Are your squash in blossom or growing? 

Hot, Bright Day and Lots of Things Accomplished

I could count this as a failure at day one. I did not water the plants even once. I did not take a walk. AND, I did not sleep a wink last night. The baby squash are growing. So, this was a win since I did not die and got sooo much accomplished.

We went to the food giveaway and got lots of vegetables and fruits and two gallons of milk. Plus, we got a box for the people next door. The day was brilliant with a few small clouds against a blue, blue sky.

I spent about $100 on stocking up and used 7 coupons that gave me $20 off my total--3 $6 coupons and 2 $2 coupons. And, I used a card with $37 on it...all free to me. In the end, I spent oop about $35. I picked up a print-out of my meds for the last 18 months at WG. Bought my favorite bread for $.99 at bread store.

At Publix, I bought two half gallons of milk, 2@$4.49, and cheese, 2@$3.

We took a sandwich with us, so we had that and spent no money eating out. Water was good.

Tommy paid a bill in person, and I mailed coupons to a friend.

As for the "failures." I probably walked my 400 ft. but not in one go. I may water some of the plants about 10pm.

Then, I lost two cards, credit card and another. I am very upset about this. Edit: I found both cards stuck in some papers.

At 5:30 I told Tommy where the chicken and carrots were in the refrigerator. He chopped a tomato for his Romaine salad. Well, I was in bed and asleep before he ate or even went to the kitchen. I awoke at 9 pm and it's about 10 pm and my bedtime.

We saw the remains of a wreck on the interstate. All three vehicles were still there. One car had impressions on the top, front to back. Scary! A flatbed had obviously mounted it. The other car was ripped up from hitting the concrete median.

I heard a bird I do not recognize. The song was in like four parts. So, now I need to study bird calls...lol.

New Things Around Here

First of all, I am going to exercise more. Don't get excited. I walked down the driveway, two driveways to the right and then to property line on other side of Tommy's yard. All this was while using my walker. I suppose I walked 400 ft. That is probably a record for me. Using the walker made it possible. There are days I have trouble walking to the mail box. Some days holding onto the ramp is all that gets me to his car.

I have tiny squash on my squash plants. I wondered if the blossoms were being pollinated. I do have two different flowers on the front porch for their blossoms and to attract pollinators.

Plus, I have moved watering to twice a day instead of once a day. I want fat little squash and tomatoes.

Today, I had the urge for a doughnut. We went to the donut shop at a little before 7 pm. They close at 2 pm! And, YES! I was only going to buy 2 doughnuts, one for each of us.

On the way home, we decided to go to Sonic for some ice cream, something small and cheap. We sat and sat and sat. Finally, we saw a man who did not look like a server and Tommy asked him how long it would take and would drive-thru be faster. The guy was nice. He explained that there was only one cook, and the rest of them were making the ice cream and drinks. Some people were ordering $50 and $75 worth of food. The drive thru was back up because they were working on a $75 order.

Tommy told him we only wanted a hot fudge chocolate sundae. They guy said he would get them. When Tommy tried to hand him his card, the guy refused it. Afterwards, I felt glutted with sugar. THAT is why I came home and decided today was the day I took a walk every day from now on.

I have been trying to encourage Tommy to take a walk with me, but he refuses even a bit of a walk. So, I am going forward without him. I know that one day he will join me.

Walking/exercising, baby squash, and an extra watering each day is all that is new. But, it is a start. I don't want to overwhelm me...lol.

Dinner--baked chicken and carrots, salad, water, fruit.

What is new in your life?

Recipe: Grilled Squash Fans

Remember these? Here is the recipe.

I used Roma tomatoes the right size to insert in the squash and be even with the edges of the squash. They are prettier that way. Plus, one day I decided to use a salad dressing that was vinegar and oil based, Russian, I think. Maybe not. It was just as delicious.

And, mine do not get to be grilled. I put them in the oven for a bit.

Okay.

• 6 yellow squash
• 3 plum tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, pressed
• Garnish: fresh basil sprigs

How to Make It

Step 1

Cut each squash lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices, cutting to within 1 inch of stem end. Cut tomatoes into 1/4-inch slices.

Step 2

Combine chopped basil and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring until blended. Add squash and tomato, tossing gently to coat; let stand 1 hour.

Step 3

Remove vegetables from marinade, reserving marinade; insert tomato slices between squash slices, and secure with wooden skewers.

Step 4

Grill, covered with grill lid, over medium-high heat (350° to 400°) 8 minutes on each side or until crisp-tender, basting often with reserved marinade. Garnish, if desired.

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Grilled Squash Fans--Recipe

Remember this?

I am not sure if this link directly below will get you to my blog post.
https://practical-parsimony.blogspot.com/search/label/squash
or, copy and paste

Don't worry! Here is the recipe:+ I know how to post a link, but this is not working. On the next three links, just click and get nothing but a white page with the link among an error message. Sorry.

https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/grilled-squash-fans

http://grilled squash fans/

https://www.thedailymeal.com/recipes/grilled-squash-fans-1-recipe



I shop carefully for the right size and shape squash. I also make sure the tomatoes are Roma and the right size. And, I have sometimes put these in the oven rather than on the grill. if you are picking vegetables from your garden, use the sizes and shapes you grow. These are prettier and better if the squash are smaller. Be careful not to cut the squash too far into the neck or the squash will split.

Adding two things--The color of the picture copied from my blog is not as vivid as on my old blog. And, if you try this recipe, will you respond here or email me at pparsimony@yahoo.com and tell me how it turned out, if you like it, and how it was received by others. Thanks.

Squash Casseole

On Wednesday, dinner was planned. However, company spoiled my plans. This was going to be a dinner of several courses: cheese and crackers and Coke, followed by a salad, then there were strawberries for later. I came back in to a hot Coke, soft crackers, and very hard cheese.  The salad was eaten about 11 pm and the strawberries after midnight.

That screwed up my plans to sort the box of things from the car. I did get to look at the grocery ads for the coming week.

His visit was welcome, so that is not the problem. It is just that I had plans that involved food and we stayed outdoors and then he took me to show me a building. Then, we sat in the car and talked. No, this was not a personal relationship and visit.

I have given up on having Hosta in the yard. I now have them all potted and on a round table. Kitty may have eradicated all chipmunks, but I will take no chances for a while. This round table, a dining table, now holds all my plants. Why couldn't the chipmunks have an appetite for weeds or thorns?

Since I plan to make a squash casserole, I have to figure out the recipe in my recipe book or online.  As I remember, there is squash, buttered bread chunks, and cheese--all layered twice. But, I decided to look on the internet.

This is where it all went sideways. I know mine did not have soup, eggs or any of the other dozen items I found on the internet. I first made squash casserole in the late 70s and obviously it has evolved. So, I am going with cheese, squash, bread and butter.  Did I mss something?

After a stormy 11 minutes last night, the day has been a beautiful June day. The sun is shining. But, I think we are going to have another session tonight and tomorrow. The storm was worse in other places and people lost power and trees. Hopefully, the predictions are wrong.

So, Thursday was a beautiful day, contrary to the prediction. How was your day?