More Errands..

I started out this morning at the chiropractor's and then to Target, Krogers, The library, Big lots, Krogers for gas, Subway and home.  Lunch is over and R. is going to the dentist.  It was rainy this morning, but just cloudy and humid now.  Nothing much to report except for great news that the Pirates swept the Cards in a double header and now are in first place.  It couldn't happen to a better team except for the Reds and if they can't be in first I'm happy it's the pirates!!later.....

Errands

We have some errands to run this morning and will leave soon.  We need some things at Walmart and I need to get air in one of my tires.  Met Jim and Tommie at Richard's house last night and got his car started and brought it over here.  Also got the Christmas trees out of the attic and will get them to Anne..hopefully soon as I need to go north and see my grandkids and kids.  Tommie is going to Hawaii tomorrow with her daughter and some others for 6 days two of which will be spent travelling.  I'm happy she gets to go, but that is way too far to go for 4 days.  When she gets back the closing of Richard's house will likely happen.  Loved the video of Eva in the pool.  This morning it played fine..sound and all.  Have no idea what happened yesterday...later...

Absolutely Beautiful Morning

can I say other than I love this weather.  It was actually chilly when I got up this morning.  The laundry is finished and put away, I'm dressed and showered and ready to do a bit of reading.  Just started a book about Queen Victoria and the ladies who served her.  Since it's nonfiction I'll probably start another book and rotate between them.  The work around the house is finished so we'll be heading to the gym after lunch.  Nothing else going on.....

Work is Complete

All of the work is complete.  They were finishing the back while it was pouring down.  I told them they could come up under the awning, but they said it felt good and they had brought extra clothes because they figured they would be all sweaty so changed after they finished.  It really looks good and so does the kitchen floor.  I'll try to take a picture of the back and will post if it turns out you can see the results.  Brunch is over.  I made a dish that I saw on the Chew and was skeptical but really liked it.  The rain is over and it is pleasant.  Tomorrow morning it's supposed to be in the 50s,  This is the most unusual summer we've had in quite some time....later...

Work at the House

The back isn't finished yet but good progress was made yesterday.  They should be here soon to finish up.  They need to get here soon because more rain is due after lunch.  Yesterday they would have worked a bit longer but the rains changed that.  It's looking very nice.  They'll do the kitchen floor when they finish outside.  That's about all we have going on today....later..

Back from Errands

Left this morning to hit Kroger's, the library, and Food Lion.  Before I got to Food Lion R. called meand asked me to get cash so David could pay his guys so I stopped at the bank.  I hit pay dirt at the library!  It seems it's either feast or famine when I go.  Sometimes I can't find anything that really grabs me but today there were lots and I got 5 books..a few authors I have never read and look promising.  I had to go to 2 Krogers to get pancetta.  The one quit getting it because no one every got it so I went to the other and the lady there obviously didn't know what it was because when she showed it to me she said that it looked like it should be cooked.  I told her it did because it was just unsmoked bacon.  She had no clue.  David will be here soon to start on the yard.  It was one year ago yesterday that we found Richard on his floor with no responses.  Thus started the year of stuggles to restore his health and which ended sadly on March 26th with his suicide.  It's been very hard to swallow for everyone, but mainly for his father and brothers who know him as a sweet, loving and innocent child.  The only consolation is that he is at peace at last....later...

Busy Day Here

'They just delivered the gravel that David is going to spread along our back and intersperse stepping stones through that.  He'll come tomorrow and Saturday to do that.  Yesterday we went back to Sam to get new flooring for the kitchen and they didn't have the color I wanted..at least not enough.  We may delay that if we don't find anything at Lowe's today.  R. has a dentist appointment in a bit and when we get home we're going to look about that and if we find something we like, David will do that as well.  We also need to get the stepping stones that we want.  It's a beautiful day here with no humidity to speak of and tomorrow should be the same.  Update on Baxter.  It looks like we are co-parenting this dog.  I had a nice talk with the owner and he told us that they have been letting him out more because he doesn't go anywhere dangerous and they aren't home that much.  The daughter is about to go to college and the son has just started to drive.  Both adults work.  He is fine with Baxter spending time with us as he is getting older and doesn't like to be alone.  Baxter is 10.  He also offered to pay us for food or anything.  I'm happy with this arrangement and any time we go anywhere we'll let them know and I told them if they go anywhere to let us know.  He was fine with all of that.  Nothing else going on....later.....

He's Here

Royal baby boy has arrived.  Now I'm waiting to hear the name.  R and I are going to Knoxville this mo rning.  We both need to renew our passports and also go to Sam's and we'll have lunch.  I had better get some pictures from my youngest daughter!!  I know she has been there since yesterday morning and I still have nothing!  Nothing else to report and we'll be off shortly.....

Brunch and Shopping Yesterday

 Went to brunch at the Downtown Grill and Brewery.  I had quiche and R. had an omelet with 2 sides.  We each ordered a Bloody Mary and when I took one sip I about lost it!  I never had tasted anything so spicy!!  I knew R. would also hate it because while I like things a little spicy..he doesn't.  We told the waiter we couldn't drink them and he took them back and came back with others which were still spicy not drinkable.  Shopped at Publix after than for a few things and...they have a gelato bar which I look at every time I'm in there but have passed it by..not yesterday.  I got a small peach gelato and planned to share with R. but he got his own..Raspberry.  We both got a small which was in a pretty small cup, but was piled high.  Neither of us could finish it so brought it home and had it later.  I, along with millions of other, am on Royal baby watch..can't wait.  Laundry is finished and I'm about to change the bed linen...rainy.  Baxter hasn't gone home yet.  I think I'll call today and tell them that he doesn't know they are home and maybe they should come down and get him....later....

Brunch

We're headed downtown soon for brunch.  The Downtown Grill and Brewery has a Jazz Brunch on Sunday and we're going in a bit.  The mystery of why Baxter has been here all week has been solved.  His people called yesterday afternoon.  They have been away all week and they paid someone to feed him and when the guy came the first time he got out and he never saw him after that.  They were happy he was here and wanted to know if they owed us anything.  I thought he would go home this morning when I let him out, but he came back here.  I'm going to put him out when we leave for downtown and hope he'll go home.  Nothing else going on....later....

Refrigerator Cleaning Time

I'm not finished yet, but took everything off the shelves, got rid of a few things and rearranged some things..also washed all shelves.  I still have the meat and cheese drawer teo do but the light went out on me because I had it opened for too long.  Those kind of jobs are things I tend to put off, but when It's finished feel really good about.  Now it's time for me to clean me.  Watched a bit of the British Open when I got up.  As usual hot and humid.  To the gym later.  I think Richard's house is sold.  We still need to deal with his car and get a few things out of his attic...lat

Sad Story

We watched the story of Elsa last night and it was sad.  She only lived 4 years, but it was interesting what George and Joy did after Elsa and they also showed about the movie Born Free and what that entailed.  All in all it was sad because since Elsa was alive lions have become seriously endangered along with many other animals.  Following that we watched interviews and such from Muirfield in Scotland.  I put Baxter out last night around sevenish and told him to go home.  I closed the gate and closed the doors.  I didn't see him when we went to bed and hoped he had gone home.  He was here this morning and I'm thinking he may have spent the night under the deck.  We had a pretty good rain later and he wasn't wet.  I'm going to put him out every night about that time and hope that eventually he'll get the message and go home.  I don't know what else to do.  Nothing going on here..it's going to be another hot day....later....

Hot Again...

Not much going on so far. R. had a Drs. app and just left. I'm going to make ham and cheese sandwiches and freeze so I'll have some lunch options when Tom and Karen come next week.  We'll be heading to the gym after lunch.  I have no idea what to have for dinner.  we'll probably stop somewhere and bring something home.  Sometimes I just run out of ideas or the initiative to do something.  Watched the second half of Lewis and Clark last night on PBS.  It was really good.  Tonight Elsa's Story is on as well as The British Open interviews...later....

Delicious Salmon Cakes...

I know this sounds funny coming from me because I don't like salmon, but this was delicious. The recipe was on America's Test Kitchen and I'll write it as shown, but I cut down on the ingredients. The recipe as shown make 8 generous cakes. Mine made 4......3 T. plus 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs 2 T. minced fresh parsley 2 T. mayo 4 t. lemon 1 scallion, sliced thin 1 shallot, minced 1 t Dijon mustard 3/4 t salt 1/4 t pepper process above and put in a bowl. Cut salmon in medium sized strips and pulse 2 at a time..just 2 pulses. Continue till all is pulsed and add to first mixture. For this first step you only use 3 T of panko. Take a 1/4 cup measuring cup and make patties..dredge in remaining 3/4 cup panko. Saute 2 minutes per side in vegetable oil or until nicely browned. We loved them! That's all I have for today...

New Book

I just heard about a book that I think Muir and Maggie also Anne and Madison would like. It's young adult fiction and it is Divergent with Insurgent also out. It's along the lines of The Hunger Games. Divergent is currently being made into a movie. I'll likely read it as well. Not much going on..it's hot. My laundry is done but I have to fold and put away as soon as I'm off the computer. Nothing much else to say..salmon cakes for dinner. As you know I'm not a fan of salmon, but R. loves it. This recipe was on America's Test Kitchen on Saturday and it looks good and I have all of the ingredients. I also have peaches which are ripe so will make a peach crisp either this afternoon or tomorrow....later...

Hot!

Brunch is over and the puzzle is in R's hands. We did most of it together and I handed it to him as I have other things to do. Not much going on today. I think R. is going to town to Big Lots for something and to Walgreens and K Mart. A guy is coming around 5 to talk about what we want to do in the back. Baxter spend the night again. I'll try to send him home this evening. This week is going to be a hot one. ....later...

Baxter's Bath

We gave Baxter a bath just a bit ago. He was perfect..just stood there the whole time and then went away from us to shake off and then came to let me dry him. Later when he is all dry R. will brush him. Such a good boy. He spent the night. Other than that I sent to Kroger's early this morning and got a bunch of stuff and got gas as well. It was up 24 cents from the last time..today 3.26. Pizza for dinner tonight. That's all I have. Reading Crow Lake by Mary Lawson. I love her and as far as I know she has only written 2 books. I also loved the other one....later...

Errands Yesterday

R. had several errands to take care of yesterday. We had to go to Knoxville to Merril Lynch to close out Richard's account and transfer what was left to Tim and Joel. On the way back we stopped at a stone place to decide on stones for our gack. Next we have to line up the guy who will do the work. Today just a few things around the house..I need to clean the kitchen and I'm in the process of making an orange/cranberry sorbet. We'll hit the gym this afternoon. I'm thinking I'll go to the farmer's market tomorrow and stop at Kroger's on the way back. It should be a rain free weekend...later...

No Rain...Yet

Showers maybe this afternoon and then a few days of nice weather with sunshine and no rain..I'm posting late because I couldn't get on the computer earlier as we had no connection. Not much planned for the day but will likely go to the pool this afternoon. Liked the new windows, Muir. I'm looking forward to visiting during cold weather without having to dress like I'm outside in Alaska. That house was so cold in the winter! Steak and baked potato for dinner tonight. Last night we had Subway which I get every now and then. R. always gets a BMT and I always get Tuna...later...

Hot and Muggy with Afternoon Showers

I keep trying to feed my flowers, but as soon as things dry out it rains again and then it is too wet to water and feed. We had a popup shower last evening and rain in the night. More of the same is expected today with lots of rain expected tomorrow and Friday. Jack came yesterday to cut the grass and he said his garden vegetables are all rotting on the vine. I haven't been to the farmer's market lately. I should try to go on Saturday. This morning I have 2 a[ointments and then home for lunch and then to the gym. Nothing else going on....later....

Hot and Muggy

Very humid already. I've just been rearranging some things in the utility room and kitchen. Not much going on but Jack will likely be here to cut the grass and we'll go to the pool this afternoon. Cincinnati Chili for dinner and we haven't had that in a long while. We've finally decided what to do with our back area that is too shady to grow grass. We're going to get pea gravel and stepping stones. We figured that would be the cheapest solution and still look okay. We won't do this but we have someone who will...nothing else going on...later...

Cleaning Up

...Shortly after I blogged yesterday the electricity went off. After two hours we decided to take a ride and get out of the house. It happened at the start of the third set and Murray was one game behind. We were gone for over an hour and when got back it still wasn't on so we took off in another direction and were gone about another hour. Still no power when we got back but we did go in. It was still raining and even harder than before. I called Alcoa Elec. and found out that lightning had struck a main sub station. R. was convinced we would have no power but I thought it would come on soon. We were discussing going out for something to eat when it popped back on. Almost 5 hrs. It's amazing how boring it can be with no power This morning I have been weeding, doing laundry, filling the humming bird feeder and emptying the saucers from container plants. Two of them I can't lift so R can attend to that. It's supposed to be sunny for the next 3 days before we get heavy rains on Thurs and Fri. We are now 20 inches over normal rainfall for the year and I'm about ready to move to the desert. That's my saga for today...

Guess What?? It's Raining

I really can't believe this..more rain!! It's been raining all morning. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny. We had rain yesterday, but we dodged most of it as it just sprinkled on and off while we were in Knoxville, but started when we got home. I got another bathing suit at TJ Maxx but think I'll take it back. I also got a chef's skillet at Bed Bath and Beyond. It's like le crueset and had been wanting one. It was $50. Now I have the large Dutch oven, the small Dutch oven and the skillet so I'm all set. We had lunch at this upscale Mexican place and both of us loved our meal! Brunch is over and we've been working on the puzzle and watching tennis. So far Murray is winning and I need to get back to it. Not too much going on this week. I do have a dentist app. on Wednesday. We're almost through the second season of Homeland. We have 3 more to watch. It is really good!! Right up my alley....later....

Off to Knoxville...

Forecast is the same as it has been for several days...rain, but so far there was just a slight drizzle when I got up. Now the sun is trying to peep out. We are headed to Knoxville soon to do some food shopping, have lunch and not sure what else. I need to load up on pizza dough and we need to go to Trader Joe's for sure. Nothing worth seeing at the movies that I could see. R. wanted to see Tonto, but it got a rotten review and it does look stupid. It seems like it's either feast or famine at the movies. Last year everything came out all at once and most of it was good. Bev is home from the hospital. They released her yesterday and she was a bit reluctant to go home to a new house, still very shaky, etc. Vic was away for the day and night so it was perfect for Linda to spend the night with her. Nothing else of note going on....later....

A Little Bit of Nothing...

I got called on the carpet yesterday for not posting..well I know I write such interesting and inspiring blogs so here's a little bit of nothing... Yesterday it rained on and off all day. We had thought we may go to Jim and Tommie's lake house since they were going to be there all weekend. However, we decided that since their kids and grandkids were going to be there we would wait until Friday to go down. I called Jim and he told me they didn't go because of the rain and he was going to work today and for us to come down on the weekend. We sat at home all day and watched it rain. I read, R. napped. I made burgers for dinner and had some of the pasta salad I had made to take to the lake. Nothing worth watching on tv so we caught up on Homeland. We watch episode 4 and 5 of season 2. After that R. watched some golf and I went to bed. This morning I cut vegetables for our evening snack and put a container of the salad in a smaller container which I will take to Linda shortly. After lunch we'll go to the gym and we'll watch it rain on and off. I hope this satisfies everyone or two people who can't stand it when I don't post!!!

Inspirations...

Yesterday Muir was talking about doing pulled pork in her crock pot and I decided to find the recipe I have for chuck roast in the crock pot for 12 hrs. and with a vinegar/spice sauce to then be pulled for sandwiches. I got a chuck roast and did that while I slept last night. Just like Muir's it didn't take 12 hr. I got up at 5:30 and it was done. I had put it in at 9. So I did the laundry this morning and then showered and got ready to go and get a haircut. When I got there it was a new girl I had never had before so I left. I really like 2 girls and neither were there. I'll try again tomorrow. I'm home now so will clean out my upstairs freezer before R. gets home with groceries....later....

Defrosting

My downstairs freezer is mostly defrosted except for the top shelf. That should be done in about an hour and then I just dry everything off and put the food back in. I ran to the store a bit ago to get Rxs and gas. We're going to the gym this afternoon..the first time in a long while. It isn't going to be easy, but we'll ease into it. Nothing else going on...later...Muir..do the pork at home and take the smaller crock pot with you.....