This isn't my photo, but this is New Mexico's Camel Rock, with an impressive storm overhead. This formation has eroded quite a bit since I've lived here (25 years).
And now just for fun:
Sign in a brewery/restaurant......lol
Mondays, once on my "I wish you didn't exist" list, is now on my "O, good it's Monday" list. Funny how that works.......
Have a great week! Love, 365
Happy Father's Day to Son #1, with my youngest Grandson. Cuties....
Most of the kiddos, except my eldest Grandson was probably with his Mom (Son #2's ex).
And to all Dad's out there ~ we love you, and thank you for all you do! 💕💖💗 Enjoy!
Love, 365
Hopefully the northern part of our state will get more, and hopefully it will help with the fires. The issue now is flooding from the burn scars.
I am only baking bread when we're out. It is too hot to turn on the oven to 450 degrees. I have been tempted to buy some, and may still entertain that idea. Whole foods has some wonderful breads that are not (in my opinion) overly priced in their bakery. Their focaccia is so good to make panini's. I especially like their rosemary focaccia.
Peg, I have had no problem with easing into retired life. I think you've proven that moving right after you retired is not relaxing, haha.
We don't live on the beach; in fact it would take us 10 hours to get to one. I may have to plan a trip, but since we're going to get a puppy in September, we may have to wait until next spring. I have a feeling we'll be knee deep in house training, and training in general. I do love Padre Island, but I've only been to the California coast a couple of times. Wish I could go right now!
Happy Father's Day to all of you Dad's. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Love, 365
Lol, our dryer ~ which we have determined is around 20 years old. It's one of those things, that when it breaks down, you remember (or go look up) how old it is. I was shocked, as I thought it was at least 5 years newer. 😉 I looked for the instruction booklet, but either we didn't get one or I tossed it out for some reason ~ OR it could be somewhere else. I really need to improve my organizational skills.
The young man from the appliance repair came on time, that's a plus. Once he started taking it apart, I told him he could take his mask off, for which he was grateful. The only place I ever have to wear one is the doctor's office. Anyway, the dryer. He ~ after turning it on and listening to it ~ knew it was the blower that had an issue. Upon the removal of more parts, he announced that we had a mouse in there. Hence my title, the little surprise. I guess he/she hadn't been in there too long (based on the lack of decomp GAG) and when we ran the dryer, it broke a part of the fan. So, lucky us, we will be good to go for about $350. Of course they have to order the part, but he thinks they will have it in short order. Best of all, we can use the dryer until then. He did mention that if we preferred not to, we would not need to repair it right away. I was appreciative of that, although we didn't want to wait and pay another service fee. So, I felt really good about this company, and I understand (so far) that they've earned their 4 1/2 star rating. All good news, and a reasonable cost. Who knows, we may have to call them again to replace the heating element, which is one of the common issues with dryers. At some point, you just have to decide to buy something new, right?
Our trip is right around the corner. Romeo is so excited, he already started packing. Crazy man...I bet he will dig into those clothes for something to wear before we go, which is a week from today. All I've done is pull out and open the suitcase. And I don't plan to pack until Monday, because I'm reasonable and not crazy 😜
Love, 365
After my haircut yesterday, and a failed attempt to buy this game at REI:
Yahtzee is one of the many games my family used to bring out after any family gathering. Others were domino games, assorted card games, Scrabble and the like. I saw it at REI when we were buying a few tee shirts for the trip, but stupid me, I didn't get it then. So I went home and ordered it online where it will be delivered to the store and we'll pick it up. We will bring books of course, but I thought this game would be fun in the evenings. Truthfully, I will be so glad to have a tv break, there's nothing on. Nothing.
Once I came home and had a late lunch, I checked the beef we were marinating for fajitas ~ tonight's dinner. By then, it was really too late to start sewing (I have to set up and take down), and it is way to hot to be out, so the tv came on, and off nearly as quickly.
I suppose I figured that there would be boredom ~ it happens at work too! I'd rather be bored at home where you can take a nap without being fired :D
I have put a small deposit on a Cairn Terrier puppy. I will need to drive (or fly) to pick him/her up the second week of September. By then all my trips will be over, so the idea of having a dog to keep Romeo company did not work out, but I sure tried! Then let the training begin. It's been a very long time since we've had a puppy. Sioux was a year old before Son #2 came home with her. We sure do miss her. She was such a great dog.
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On the dog adoption process, I have hit a bit of a stumbling block. "thank you for considering rescue and Col. Potter. Your application reviewed specifically for Robbie since he is one of our special dogs. The director gave some very specific feedback about what Robbie needs, and does not think he is the best fit for you given his issues. While we want all of our dogs into their forever homes, we also want to make sure it's the best home for the dog where he/she can be successful. The second concern is that we recently implemented a new policy about ages of the dogs compared to ages of the adoptive home. Applicants 65 and older will not be matched with puppies or dogs under the age of 3. We have seen too many dogs end in rescue when their beloved owners are no longer able to care for them or even worse have died."
What was not included in the information I read about Robbie is that he's not good on walks, and has a heart murmur, although he's not currently on medication. So, I can see why they believe he's not a good fit, as walking the dog is one of our fun things to do. So......I can go and purchase a puppy, and no one will say boo to me, but I'm not able to adopt a puppy/young dog? In some ways I get it. But I don't appreciate an assumption that I'm already not able to care for things? They don't ask me if I have a disability, or in a wheelchair, or if I can run marathons, or bend myself into a pretzel in some complicated yoga move.
I guess I thought that pet adoption sites wanted to place dogs into a home where they will be wanted, enjoyed, and given a great life. And why exclude those over 65, who are retired and have all the time to care for and find companionship from dogs under the age of 3? Kind of a weird policy. Not to mention heart breaking, and a tad bit insulting.
As I said I am back to square one. What do you think?
Love, 365
Yesterday we worked on the baklava again. We had a couple more people, so we were able to meet our goal, filling 12 full sheet pans with 10 rolls on each one. It's a popular item during the festival, and last year we sold out on the second day, but my friend who is in charge of this stuff, says we do what we can and that's all we can do. In the pre-covid times we had 17 people that would come and help us make it. So far we've had, at most, 10. Maybe it'll take people a little more time to jump in, who knows?
The funny thing is, when I came home, I told Romeo I was going to change into my comfy clothes....so I changed out of my capris, tee shirt and sandals....to put on shorts, and an old tee shirt. Even I knew it sounded crazy :-)
I am sewing up the rest of the towels ~ remember those? From like almost a year ago? I have got to get those finished, but of course, I won't be able to fluff them up in the dryer until it's fixed. I certainly hope it will be fixable, because dryers are really expensive these days. I looked at one similar to the one I have, and it's around $1000. For a dryer! I'm pretty sure the one I have cost me less than $600. But that was over 10-15 years ago, so.......
Have a great weekend, y'all!
Love, 365
Yesterday was super busy ~ my physical with the primary care, helping with festival baking (we're doing baklava, which is what sells the most because it's a pain to make), then the dermatologist after that. I was home before 3 pm.
My plan was to make Emilie's sourdough with white cheddar and fresh dill. I've never made time to make this recipe when I was working, mostly because it's rather time consuming and the weekends were generally catch-up and chores. However....I should have waited until 5:30 or 6 to start this bread. By the time I was done with everything and it's ready for the bulk rise (sourdough needs a long rise period, usually 6 to 10 hours, which I typically do overnight), it was only 7pm. The suggested bulk rise was 8 to 10 hours. At 70 degrees ~ currently it's about 8-10 degrees warmer than that these days.....we're having a heat wave. I calculated.....9 hours is 4 am. I reluctantly set my alarm for 4. When I got up and blearily went downstairs, I was shocked to see that the dough had risen all the way to the top of the container I use to bulk rise ~ a 6 liter container! Holy crap. I sure hope I didn't over-proof it (which means it won't rise as much when I bake it because the sourdough starter has done all it can do...the trick is to stop the bulk rise when it's doubled in size). So, it's in the fridge for a few hours, which deepens the sour flavor. I hope to bake no later than 10 am. It's supposed to be 96 today. Baking in the afternoon is out of the question. IF it is successful, I'll post a photo. Fingers crossed.
Was I able to go back to bed and fall asleep? Nope. I tried. I think it's going to take me awhile to get the hang of this retirement thing. :D
Luckily I have no appointments today, and the only thing I've planned is to play racquetball this evening during ladies night.
This is an old photo, but the group is pretty much the same.......
I might do a bit of sewing, definitely do some dusting, wash the sheets, etc. Or, maybe not. Or maybe. :-)
I hope you all have a wonderful day!
Love, 365
****The good news ~ the bread is fabulous. The flavor is amazing!
*****The bad news ~ our dryer died. Probably can be repaired, but we'll have to wait almost a week for it. Getting out the clothes drying rack.....
It's Monday. Finally able to sleep until 7 am. That's a win compared to the 5 and 6 am this previous week.
My dermatologist called a month ago to let me know my appointment needs to be moved, as the doc doesn't work on Thursday anymore. I called them 3 times and left a return message before I got a call back. I finally got a call from them this morning, and she offered me tomorrow. I already had plans, but otherwise it's months. I was a bit annoyed, but took the appointment anyway, so will have to cut short the commitment I made to help my friend with baking for the Greek festival.
Blogger ~ really? If I want to comment on your blog, and I don't want to do it anonymously, I have to write in the name of my blog, and give the URL address. As it is, I can't just click on comment, I have to write it on my word processor, then copy and paste. I wish they would get this crap fixed. The confusing part is that there are times when I don't have to do either of those things. *sigh
Best of all, it's a Monday, a Monday that I would usually be at work, but I'm not :D
In fact, I filled out 5 pages worth of application to adopt a dog. I had to provide 4 references. I had to provide the names of the last two vets we took our dogs to. It was really quite extensive. I had to tell them what happened to our previous dogs.....what we like to do with our dogs.....how often we'll be home....I felt like I was trying to adopt a child. They even asked if they could come an view our home. I sure hope we can get the dog, he is super cute. A 3 year old Cairn terrier mix. Maybe I've got my hopes up too high. I tried to buy a Cairn, but the owner had ~ while we were in the middle of discussing the particulars ~ sold the dog I was interested in, then asked if I would like to be contacted when the next group of puppies becomes available. Not sure if I'll do that...maybe I'll say sure, just in case the adoptable doggie doesn't work out. We'll see..the worst part is that we really can't take possession until after June 27th since we'll be out of town. Eh. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't.
Well, I'm going to go to the gym, I've got to talk to them about my membership dues. I already adjusted my return flight from San Antonio, that went well, thankfully. Now we won't have to get up at 5am to get to the airport. I'm sure I'll be ready to come home after being gone for two weeks.
Have an enjoyable week!
Love, 365
Day two: got up at 4:53. I think it'll take awhile to get used to the freedom of sleeping in. Of course, I am a senior. Isn't one of the issues with older folks the inability to sleep? Or at least to sleep in past 6, lol. I have noticed most people around the same age get up early. I remember when I was living in Oregon, I worked with a lady ~ who was probably in her mid 50's ~ who would typically get up at 3 to 3:30 am and clean house. Even vacuuming! Her family was probably plotting her demise. If Romeo got up that early and started to vacuum, I'd take him to the psychiatrist for an exam :-)
Recently discovered that my contact lens prescription expired. Since I only have about 30 days left, I figured I had better get in with Dr Alvarez. I called, they said they could see me today, and I was able to take it!! Another advantage of having free time to take care of things. She's a hoot. We talk about all kinds of things. In fact today, we were so involved with our conversation that as I was paying for her services, she leaned in toward me and said "Everything looks fine, by the way". Lol, I hadn't even asked.
Good night, y'all.
Love, 365
These are a native gourd species......the gourds are about fist size when they are fully grown. Some folks will dry them and decorate. It's a lot of trouble! I tried once, but decided it isn't worth it.
These are in a neighbors yard, yellow bird of paradise. Beautiful...
Day 1. Yes, it's only day 1, and I am already confused about what the hell day it is. Yesterday I drove to the office to pick up my last check and drop off a cake I made ~ which I had promised to bring on my last day, which would have been yesterday! Of course, in reality my last day was last Thursday. Maybe that's why I'm already constantly reminding myself that today is Wednesday, hahahahahahahaha......(yes, I intended that to sound/look demented. :D
I must say, I am really enjoying not having a alarm. Too bad my inner clock is still set to going to work. I have not slept any later than 6 am since turning them off. I figured it would take me a long time to adjust. In the meantime, it's great. But, yeah, it's only day one.
I made buttermilk waffles (with strawberries, pińon nuts and a bit of maple syrup) for breakfast yesterday, after we came back from our walk...a "not to shabby" 3 miles. It's been a really long time since I've made them. The inspiration was I have lots of buttermilk left over from the cake. I still have plenty left over to make biscuits Thursday afternoon. I don't like wasting food, so I'm going to find a way to use it up. I know y'all are very aware of the prices for groceries! Not to mention gas.
Hopefully since I'll get lots of excersize it'll keep me from gaining weight from all this baking, lol.
Love, 365
Paximadia (like Italian biscotti), kourambiedes (delightful cookies similar to wedding cookies), koulourakia (butter cookies), baklava, an...
