Nuts and Slush

Jan 18

Steps 10,350

I keep nuts in the freezer and a little container of thawed ones on the table beside me. No matter how healthy a nut is, I am totally devoted to pecans. When I was seven years old, we lived on 10 acres and half a dozen pecan trees. Pecans were work, entertainment, food.

We went as a family to the pecan trees. Days before the pecans were ready, Daddy mowed and picked up all fallen limbs. My brother, at least, went with him.  Then, one day, after picking up pecans every day, Daddy would hoist my brother up in the tree where he shook the limbs. He was young and light, so more brawn was needed. Daddy took a two by four and put one end under the limb and pushed hard enough to dislodge gallons of pecans. We were all present for this event, armed with empty paint buckets and five gallon buckets. It was always a happy day for us. Yes, it was entertaining. (I forgot to say that Daddy took heavy tarps he had used when he was a painter and spread them on the ground. He had about three. The pecans were easier to pick up. Some bounced off the tarps. We could easily look beyond the tarps for those.)

We loved shelling pecans and eating the meat. Daddy would sell many five gallon  buckets of pecans. But, we saved enough for snacks. Mama made old-fashioned fudge and pressed half a pecan in each piece of fudge. I have never used any other nut in baking. I substitute pecans for any nut in a recipe. 

 Click HERE>>  Nuts to Eat. Nuts not to Eat.

Tommy prefers peanuts over any other nut. Of course, peanuts are not really nuts. ( Tommy came in and said pecans are the least distasteful nut if he has to choose something beside peanuts.) I have always loved cashew nuts, but learned early on of the calories, so I limited my consumption. Pistachios have long been a favorite nut, a preference developed before we had pecan trees. Now, I find they are too hard and often hurt my gums. Then, I discovered that I am allergic to cashews! So, no more of those no matter how much I like them. 

Today, I have done little. Tommy planted daffodils and a dark pink tulip in the same two pots, washed a lot of dishes in the sink. I did my steps, napped, and ate poorly. 

It is supposed to rain and snow tomorrow. So, the forecast is slush? We will see how that works out. We have nowhere to go and no desire to go anywhere so we can watch the snow/rain. I do have calls to make and fires to put out. I will be busy. Will the ice be on top or bottom? 

What is your favorite nut? 

What is your weather forecast?

It's About Time and Freezing Eggs

 Feb. 17

steps 12,000

Danish Pastries...lol

The hit and run occurred on December 19, 2024. Finally, on February 17, 2025, the insurance company is working. A guy called, wanting to come by between 1:30 and 2:30 to see the damage on the car and write up an estimate. 

He actually showed up. He does agree with me that the car should not be making the noise it is making. That lasted about 45 minutes with me sitting on my walker with hair still dripping from being washed. It was about 40 something and a breeze. At least my hair dried quickly. Tommy said my head felt warm...lol. 

An hour later Tommy got a call from a guy wanting to come out and see if the first guy had done the estimate correctly. Tommy said he is happy with the first guy's estimate. I want to have the first guy's work approved. So, I have that to deal with.

Tommy uncovered all my bulbs he planted. They are no longer ghostly white. They are a healthy green and putting out more sprouts. These were the free bulbs.

We have done absolutely nothing today. We went to grocery store and got two half gallons of my milk white it was still cheap--$9 for two half gallons and a few other items. I always need bananas! We ate leftovers, so no prep and no cooking. Tomorrow, Tommy will find my bought bags of bulbs and plant them. He does not know it yet.

Tommy and I talked it over, and I think I will freeze a few eggs even though I have found no shortage and eggs are a bit over $5/dozen. At this point, the bird flu is not waning. I have a package of Ova Eggs that I need to locate and try. I wish I still had hens! I have frozen eggs many times, so no experimenting or learning. I freeze in Ball jars of all sizes. Are you freezing eggs?

Monday, Another Week

 

Jan 10

steps 19,998

This is interesting article about how the temperature of the room can affect cognition in the elderly.

I complain about the temperature of the room, so maybe I am helping my cognition unwittingly.

temperature of the room for sleep

I think it was Thursday or Friday that I sneezed about 30+ times. They were the kind of sneeze that leaves one breathless and hurting from the force. Immediately afterwards. It felt like my whole head was swollen with congestion, sinus congestion. I was so exhausted and never got over it for several days. I suppose my spring allergies are in full force. Allergy reactions in the spring and summer are a bummer. 

Since December I have been asking, begging Tommy to plant my bulbs I got free at the ag center in October. There has been a huge plastic bag in the refrigerator all this time. So, finally he got them all out. There is a table in the yard, so he got pots of old dirt and got busy. I pointed out which end was up. That was not necessary since they had all sprouted. I am not sure if the ghost-white sprouts will ever live.  I did not tell him that I had two purchased bags of tulip bulbs. I will mention that another day...lol. 

The Christmas wreath has been down since right after NYD, but it was in a corner behind the door. I got the wreath holder out and that is gone from the living room. Tomorrow, I will have him get the Santa and two reindeer from where I cannot move, blocked by his junk. I can get those in their boxes and into the bedroom. 

Finally, I resumed the lymphedema therapy. My ankle was hurting me because of an injury suffered Tuesday at cardio by personnel there. So, I have been living with a sprained ankle and hurt feelings. 

Monday night, we opened two cans of salmon. I wore myself slap out breaking it all up with a fork, added a chopped onion, four eggs, almost two cups of oats, and pepper. It was so salty, I did not use salt like I usually do. The salmon croquettes were delicious. I had cabbage and green beans with the croquettes. These were the cans of salmon that were so cheap and my favorite brand. I think they were bogo at Publix. 

When I saw my Tupperware lady, she talked me into buying a chopper. Then, I think she just gave it to me. The onions I was chopping were hurting my eyes so that I got that out. When I could not figure out how to use it, I gave it to Tommy to figure it out. He did and chopped the onion with a few pulls on a rope like a lawnmower. This thing does not chop, it goes way beyond a chop. I like it. No tears!

Usually, I cook all the mixture. This time, I had Tommy store it for cooking tomorrow. One time, I tried baking them. They were awful, and I don't know why.  

Monday night, I did an extraordinary number of steps. I just felt like doing that many. I stepped until the machine stopped twice, so 2x 9,999 steps.

Once Sunday rolls around, I feel like it is time to start all over. I need to check ads online and then get ads in my hands. So, Monday shows up and it is a new week. I only have one appointment that I will have to cancel. Then, there were things we planned to do that will be cancelled, too. 

This week is rainy and cooler than last week, still very acceptable. 

Saturday, a Better Day

Jan 8

steps 12,356

 It has been a beautiful day and very warm. It is 8 pm and still 71F. For the last few days, I have not slept well or eaten well. I did not use the pedals for several days. My left leg has swollen more and has spasms. 

Today, we got my repaired necklace from Jared's. There is still something wrong with it. Then, I got a refund from Barnes and Nobles, overdue and denied me for three years. I got my Victoza prescription straightened out. The pharmacist had recorded wrongly what I got when we drove 65 miles to pick it up. I did not ruin the necklace while they had it in their possession. I did not record my prescription wrongly. And, I was not responsible for receiving and paying for a book, Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, that had no title on spine or front of the book. But, I did get all three straightened out today and money returned after everyone tried to blame all these problems on me.

I left home without breakfast because I was miserable feeling. We stopped and got Arby's cheese and beef and senior coke. There were no sandwich specials, but they gave us special prices, making both sandwiches and drinks $7. 

We sat in pharmacy drive-through for 45 minutes straightening out my Victoza. The nicest tech and pharmacist were on duty.

We went to Publix to pick up supplements that I finally found. 

It was a short day for us. I sat in the car the whole time. 

At home I made slaw and prepared a cabbage and put it in pot. We can eat that tomorrow and for a few more days. The slaw will work for about three days, too. 

For dinner we both had baked chicken and slaw. Tommy had little rolls, so he made little chicken sandwiches. I ate about 1.5 cups of slaw! Delicious. 

It is 8:30 pm and 71F. It has been a fantastic day weather-wise. Lots was accomplished, mostly old business. It feels good. Tomorrow, Sunday, it will rain, cool off. Rats! But, the weather is moving toward blazing hot summer weather. Great!

Do you have long-term things that need to be resolved or ones you finally resolved? 

How was the weather today where you are? 

Tomorrow Tommy will plant my bulbs!!!

Forgot to say--eggs Grade A Large are $4.59 at Publix.

Tommy's Bulging Wallet

 Today was a good day, not rough, just extremely tiring. We went to Cullman. The car drove beautifully. Skies were clear. I wore a light sweater since it was 44F when we left about 9 am. He refused to get a light jacket. I worry for him, but we have a throw in the car. 

We were going to pick up a lunch and then go to lunch and learn at the Ag Center. When we got our lunch, we picked up two for friends in their nineties. This is the guy who kept trying to touch me, to 'boop my nose" when I refused to let him hurt my injured shoulder. He was a pain once again. Next time, he will have to go to Tommy's window. 

We left their lunch and extricated ourselves and headed to the Lunch and Learn to hear about bulbs. I learned a lot even though I have been planting bulbs for years. I am always successful. 

We sat in the car and ate. We only ate one lunch. Tommy had the soup while I ate the salad. The soup was like chili with vegetables. I had the salad. We called to see what was on the menu. I brought chopped chicken to add to mine. It was a great salad after the chicken was added. 

I learned lots about bulbs and participated in the question-and-answer session. 

We were given bulbs just dug--lots of kinds of narcissus, spider lily, and some bulbs she did not know the kind. So, with our newfound knowledge, we have many free bulbs, about $30 dollars worth if we bought them from Lowe's.

Afterwards, we went to have the other fob made for Tommy's car. It was ordered but never came in, so that is for another trip. We then went to get my lens changed. I did not have my debit card, so Tommy used his cc. I insisted on repaying him. So, I went to bank and got over $200. He was thrilled to have 'real money' in his wallet. 

While waiting on my glasses, we went to DQ and got a horrible milk shake. I keep forgetting I hate their milkshakes. Plus, two milkshakes cost $10. 

As were on the way home, cleaner called me to say she wanted to come get the Rogue. When we got home, I called her. She and her friend came. I had just set down in my chair and pushed it all the way back. I thought I was awake when she came, but I could not talk and make sense or type out a bill of sale. I mailed it to her daughter and received a reply with her electronic signature. 

This bill of sale is an acknowledgement of the lack of title right now and an acknowledgement of money paid and received. She said she will not drive it. She just wants to get it before mower tries to buy it out from under her. Mower and cleaner are friends. 

She paid Tommy $500 cash. He was so happy to have money. He was showing me how stuffed his wallet was now. He is enjoying having money. Later, he said, "I suppose I should put most of this money into the credit union." So, he has had his ecstasy of having cash on his person, and he has come to his senses. He has $707 in tens and twenties plus one five and two ones. 

So, we have bulbs, maybe three dozen. 

We had to pay $10 each for the lunch and learn. I ate one triangle of baklava and Tommy had one bit of naan bread. I suppose free bulbs make up for lack of lunch I could eat and that he did not want. Okay, he had the rest of my lunch (Mediterranean salad and roasted potatoes) for dinner with another bowl of soup. 

The outdoor temperature was 61F when we came home today. Amazingly, it was only 56F in the house. We grabbed throws. 

I went to bed for two hours and got up still groggy. 

Now that I am up and have watched Nova, I will have Tommy's salad with more chopped chicken on it. 

There are still two more meals for other days. No, there are three salads and one soup left or something. I don't get the food math, but that is what he said. I may have to cook one day soon. sigh

The  Ag has a broom-making class next week. I want to go, but it starts at 6 pm. Besides, we have to pack and rest to go out of town. Maybe they will have it another time. 

I think I will sleep well tonight! 

Has anyone ever taken a broom-making class?

Do you plant bulbs? What kind?

Bulbs, Pansies, Cooking, DST

 

The new turkey decoration made of resin and about 10 inches tall. It sits atop a bunch of fall leaves. 

Today is very warm, so Tommy took the lemon and lime tree outdoors after they had been indoors during the cold snap. He said that a bee was settling on a flower as soon as he put it down. Good job, bees. While reading about citrus trees, the article said to just take a finger and wiggle it on the center of the flower, that was enough to pollinate a flower as they do not need to be cross-pollinate with another flower. Good to know. 

Oh, the lime tree has a blossom. I read about how fragrant lemon blossoms are, but we cannot smell them. He brought the trees in, it went past me, stayed in a room where I went, and came back past me--no fragrance. Well, I left by the front door and wondered what the heavenly, soft fragrance could be. I stepped over to the lemon tree, pulled a branch toward me and was pleasantly surprised at the frangrant blossom I had to my nose. This is such a lovely surprise!

The black-eyed peas are done. I will put a few in the freezer for NYE in case I am overwhelmed when we need them. Otherwise, they are ready to eat. So, that makes sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, turkey breast, broth, black-eyed peas for Thanksgiving and NYE in the freezer. 

Right now, I have eggs in to boil so I can make tuna salad. 

We left for Lowe's about 3:30, needing to return something to DG. Well, by 5 pm, just after coming out of Lowe's, it was too dark to be out, so we came home. The early dusk are actually worse than the cold where I need more clothes. I have Purple Prince tulips and daffodils to plant together, interspersing them in in a planter. They are beautiful in the spring. My concrete bunny needed pansies, so I bought bright yellow. 

I miss Daylight Saving Time. Do you?

As I came up the ramp a few days ago, I noticed a hanging planter that was smashed. I asked Tommy how that happened. He said he had to squeeze the heavy plastic pot to get the dirt out. When I asked him to explain, he said the dirt was so hard he could not get it out, so he squeezed the pot to break it up. Now, there is a pot on the porch with two tools for dirt--a little rake and a trowel. AND, he knows where they are and has used them. Plus, I pointed out that water loosens dirt. That made me so angry. I am not sure if the hanger part with the hook can be put onto another pot or not. I will try. Maybe the pot is crushed but not completely apart and will still hold dirt. I don't know why he does these things. 

At Lowe's I was going to buy brown spray paint to paint a base to elevate the turkey because it is too low. But, I was not going to pay $7 for brown paint, the cheapest they had, something I cannot imagine ever using again. I do believe I have brown construction paper from a pack bought for red paper. I will cut that and tape around books to achieve the look I want. I do have black paint, so I can use that. But, I had my heart set on a brown base. Really, I wanted a piece of a tree limb or trunk about 6" high. 

Now, I have to cook pork chops and the nine bscb I planned to cook yesterday. Okay, I put the five pork chops in a pan with trimmed Brussels sprouts. We have leftover vegetables--carrots, potatoes, and cole slaw to eat with this.

I always fried pork chops in a cast iron skillet and they were delicious. But, in the oven the did not brown, so there was not that delicious taste gotten with browing in cast iron. 

It is wonderful outdoors, 75F at 3:30. Okay, now it is cooler out at dusk. I could be happy with these temps all year. It will be warmer later this week or next, forgot which. 

Do you miss DST?

What flower besides pansies can be grown this winter in my concrete bunny? Some are too tall. Pansies are just right because the flowers cannot be too tall.

How do you cook pork chops?  

Little Things Here and Rhizomes

*It was silver with a blob that had remnants of hands and feet. I found a painted rock on a shelf in a store as I was browsing the shelf. I almost moved the rock to see what was behind it. Finally, I focused and realized I had found a Halloween rock. I believe it was a ghost. Cute. This is my fourth rock. It really makes he happy to find one of these painted rocks.

*Finally, someone helped move things so I could turn on the heat. It has not been so cold in here as it has been damp to the bone. I hung up a pair of pants in a doorway, and four days later the pants were still damp. Now, it is comfortable in here. The heat is as low as it will go.

*On Thursday, I saw a tree that had turned. It was the most brilliant yellow. Since then, a few more around town have turned. Mine are still greenish.

*When Tommy was here on Tuesday, he asked me about my having caramel corn and where I got it. Since I don't have any caramel corn, I got up to see what he was talking about. It was a bag of onions to plant. We had a good laugh. I had started out the back door to plant them and went to bathroom and did not go outdoors to plant them.

*Stupid little chipmunks! They eat anything. I will have to leave all pots of flowers and Hosta on a table to keep them from have lunch on my plants. Maybe I will have to plant things in a combination of dirt and gravel. 

*My reduced mums were doing fine and blooming. Then, I fell behind on the deadheading. If I did not deadhead, I would not have more flowers. I just grabbed my kitchen scissors and gave the whole thing a haircut, cutting about four inches from the whole plant. Then, I watered it. Maybe this will work. What do you think?

*I spotted a "free" box and looked into it. I had to ask what was in the box. It was just a lot of dirty looking stuff. It turned out they were iris rhizomes. The guy told me it was flowers. I got two and he told me to take more, take all I wanted. I grabbed a handful and it turned out I had six rhizomes. They are now planted and greening up on top. I just pushed them down sideways and pushed a little soil over them. It worked. I really do know iris rhizomes, but these had the tops cut off, the roots still attached, and just a bunch of trash from the yard. I did not lean over or touch the rhizomes before I asked.

*Have you ever wondered what was the difference between bulbs, roots, rhizome, and corms? I know I have, but this article will help.

The Rest of My Half Done Day is Done

six bulbs

Last fall, I bought six bulbs, delayed planting them, and finally could long longer locate them. The bulbs had started to grow when I finally got them out about three weeks ago. The green tops were about two inches long. When I finally got them planted, the tops became purplish, the color the tulips (I think) will be. The one on the front left looks as though it is unfolding. Is that the foliage/leaves, or will the flower be right on the top of the soil? I am clueless.

 

 

Can you see how the right front is unfolding? Somehow, I got five pots of one size and the sixth is shorter. I will fix that since I have plenty of pots.

 





To the back of these daffodils, you can see more that have not bloomed. The daffodils in the first picture at the top are nearer the house and my rock pile/garden. The ones in the back ground of this picture are farther from the rocks and closer to the fence that shades them for much of the afternoon. So, the ones in the background bloom later than the others. It is just another micro climate I have found. A fence makes all the difference along with a greater distance from the rock basement wall and the rock pile/garden.

Oh, here was my half done day post. I had the bulbs, pots, dirt, and coffee filters from the Dollar Tree all set out to go. Plus, I use an old kitchen spoon, a cooking spoon, instead of a trowel. I got the spoon for a pittance, dime or quarter, and a trowel would cost more.

It did not take me this long to plant the bulbs. I just got around to taking pictures and posting.

Your turn
What is happening to the bulbs? Are they going to flower? Remember, these were supposed to have been planted in the fall. They did stay in freezing temps in my house, if that makes any difference.