MY DRIP SYSTEM IS WORKING

 I am so excited!  The drip system for my backyard is finally working!  This project started so long ago.  I think it started pre-covid.  It took two brothers, my step-father, an electrician, a handyman and my gardener to get the drip system working.  Mostly the gardener.  But it is working now!  Of course it is rainy season and I don't need it now but I am ready for the summer when I will need it.  Another item off the to do list.  

This is such a good feeling.  Three really big things done this month: cable gone, Christmas organized, and the drip system completed.  I have a few more big things on my list that I want to get done in the next few months.  

I zoomed with my friends and then watched some TV.  I am binge watching a show with 5 seasons.  Tomorrow I start cooking again.  I needed a day off.  

Until tomorrow...

DAY FORTY-ONE OF COOKING COURSE

 I spent almost my whole afternoon making sushi.  It was a kind of sushi I like so I enjoyed it for a while, then I petered out.  Making sushi is fun but quite physically intensive.  It would be easier with more than one person so one person could just make the rice balls and another person could put the sushi together. I made Nigiri And Gunkan Sushi.  It is small pieces of sushi with each piece being a different "type".  I like it because there is very little seaweed.

The red Nigiri sushi is grilled red pepper. The brown one is a sauted mushroom with sprouts and seaweed. Then avocado and seaweed.  Lastly, is a Gunkan cucumber sushi with tofu mayonnaise and tomato.  I made about 25 and about half are gone.  I could have made more but I was tired.

I got a phone call from a friend out of the blue today.  She was a vendor of a client who became a friend.  I was happy to hear she is doing fine.  We caught up for almost an hour.  

My gardener was supposed to come today but there was a communication mishap and she is coming tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

DAY FORTY OF COOKING COURSE

 SUSHI

 I made sushi today!  I made Maki Sushi in my Cooking Course today. It wasn't as hard as I assumed it was.  I tasted it and I didn't like it so I made dinner bags for my friends (dog walker and S) with sushi, pickled ginger and chocolate chip cookies.  They were so appreciative.  The dog walker sent me a photo of him eating it like a burrito (he called it a Japanese burrito) in his car on the way home.  When he got home he sent two photos: one of him with a formal setting with the sushi and another of his daughter eating it.  He said it was delicious.  I really enjoyed making the sushi. 

I had some leftover miso ramen so I heated it up (after adding some items) for the dog walker for lunch.  He was super happy.  He put it in the drink holder in his car and went to pick up a dog.  While he was away, Lucky took off the top of the cup and started drinking/eating the soup.  That rascal!  I guess she likes miso ramen more than I do.

Until tomorrow...

COOKIES!

 I didn't work on the cooking course today.  Instead I made chocolate chip cookies!  I plan on giving some of them away to my dog walker and my friend S.  Tomorrow they are coming by to pick up their pickled ginger and cookies.  I also have some miso/ramen soup left that I am going to doctor up and give to my dog walker for lunch.

I spent some time planning for the next chapter Thai food.  I have a number of things to get.  

Today my dehydrator showed up.  I need to learn how to use it.  I found an amazing recipe for Tofu Jerky.  

I watched another museum night school tonight.  This time it was about archeology.  Super interesting.

Until tomorrow...

DAY THIRTY-NINE OF COOKING COURSE

Finally the final day of Ramen.  Today I made Miso Soup with dashi stock, tofu, miso, and wakame seaweed.  If you have been following this blog, you know I hated it.  Too fishy/seaweedy for me.  But my dog walker loved it.  It was a horribly rainy day and he was super happy to get a cup of steamy miso soup.  He gave it two thumbs up.  

Then I made Gari - Pickled Ginger. It was a multi-tiered process.  It is another item that I will be giving away.  My friend S and the dog walker are excited for Gari.

Then to round out the day I made Tofu Mayonnaise.  It is a prep item for the sushi I will be making in the next few days. It tastes really good.  It is tofu, rice vinegar and miso paste. I know it doesn't look like much but it will add a lot to the sushi.  

Here is an adorable photo of Lucky coming home from the park.  I love her ears, like satellite dishes. Yes, she sits in a baby seat.

Until tomorrow...

DAY THIRTY-EIGHT OF COOKING COURSE

 It was a rainy day and I was happy that was going to make ramen today.  I made Cold Ramen - Tsukemen.  It is a cold ramen with a hot dipping ramen.  It is usually eaten in the cold weather in Japan.  The dandan ramen soup is in one bowl and the rest of the ingredients are in another bowl.  

It was such a tasty lunch that I ate the whole meal.  I could eat this anytime.  I think I like it as a soup better but I will take it this way also.  I have become a ramen lover! 

I spoke to a friend for an hour today while she drove across Florida.  It was wonderful catching up.  I miss her so much.  Even though she lives in Florida now, I end up seeing her about twice a year.  I haven't seen her since last January.  

We are having a really bad storm here tonight.  Last night I lost electricity for about an hour.  I am prepared this time.  I charged everything up and I am ready just in case.

Until tomorrow...

DAY THIRTY-SEVEN OF COOKING COURSE

 Ramen again!  Today I cooked Miso Ramen.  I will be honest, it is not my favorite.  It was the most seaweed/fishy tasting ramen so far.  Don't get me wrong, I ate the whole bowl but it was not the best.  It was made to perfection and looked great.  It just wasn't my cup of tea. 

My dog walker got into a fender bender on Friday and didn't come get her.  He is fine and no dogs got hurt.  He bent the fender back and showed up today to take Lucky.  

Lucky playing with her toys.

I decided to make a vision board to sort out my future plans.  

Until tomorrow...

DAY THIRTY-SIX OF COOKING COURSE

 It was Ramen Day again today.  Shoyu Ramen today.  

I had fun making this ramen.  It was easy but it had a lot of steps to follow and a lot of utensils, pots and pans to wash.  It included dashi stock, tofu, spinach, water chestnuts, shiraga negi (leeks), and red chili pepper.  It tasted amazing.  Ramen was wonderful to eat on a rainy day.  It left me warm and cuddly inside.  

I am really loving making these soups.  Since it is cold and rainy, these soups are hitting the spot.

Until tomorrow...

DAY THIRTY-FIVE OF COOKING COURSE

 Today was Ramen day. I made ramen noodles by hand. Or should I say by foot. The best way to “mix” the dough is to put the dough in a plastic bag and step on it. So I did. 

Then I made the Dandan ramen stock and put the whole thing together. It had ramen noodles, TVP (textured vegetable protein), shiraga negi (leeks), spinach, mushrooms, and red chili pepper. It tastes amazing. I ate the whole bowl. 

It was fun to make. 

Until tomorrow...

200,000 VIEWS + DAY THIRTY-FOUR OF COOKING COURSE

 200,000

 

Today I hit 200,000 views.  I can't believe it.  200,000 views on my blog. That is so amazing.  When I started this blog I had no idea I would ever hit 200,000 views.  

Thank you to everyone who reads this blog.  It means so much to me to look at the stats and see that 2 people or 250 people read a post.  I hope people get something from my life living with rheumatoid arthritis.  We all try to do the best we can, especially now with Covid, and I am definitely trying to do the best I can while staying safe.  

I know none of us thought this is where we would be in January 2021, I know I sure didn't, but this is what I was dealt.  I have tried to look on the bright side of things and try to stay positive.  I know I won't be in this house forever and someday soon I will be out zipping around.  

So, thank you for helping me make 200,000 views in January 2021!  

I started cooking Japanese- Sushi & Ramen today. I made Gyoza! They are cute little sort of potstickers or dumplings. Inside they had tofu, cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, and quinoa. Then also soy sauce and sesame oil and other stuff. I could not use the gyoza wrappers because the vendor wanted $118 to deliver them. I said What!? So I used a substitute. They still tasted great. The gyoza sauce was just right as a dipping sauce. 

Until tomorrow...

DAY THIRTY-THREE OF COOKING COURSE JAPANESE/RAMEN CHAPTER

 I started the Japanese/Ramen chapter of the Vegan Cooking Course today.  I did two tasks.  They are prep tasks really.  First, I made Dashi Stock.  That required me to put water, kombu kelp and shitake mushrooms in a jar and leave it overnight.   Very low impact.  Then, I made the Gyoza sauce for the  vegan gyoza that I plan to make tomorrow.  I had to prep some other items such as making quinoa and pressing tofu.  I will be ready to make gyoza tomorrow.  

 I tried to get a Fed Ex envelope today.  I think I have found the new "gold".  Another shortage.  I asked the Fed Ex delivery guy and he had no envelopes.  Then I tried to order some envelopes through my account and struck out there too.  I asked my neighbor and he didn't have any.  I asked my friend and she didn't have any.  I am still waiting to hear from another neighbor who is a attorney.  I am hoping he may have access to one.  If I can't get a Fed Ex envelope I will have to figure out another way to send the item I have to send.  

Here is a cute photo of Lucky this morning. She didn't want to wake up because it was overcast and dark. 

Until tomorrow...

NEW PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

 Today was a special day.  We have a new president and vice president.  It happens every four years that a president gets inaugurated.  I woke up early to watch the ceremony.  I had a nutritionist appointment right in the middle of the ceremony so I missed an hour of it.  I think I caught most of the important stuff.

A woman vice president!  So exciting. 

I really liked the Parade of America or whatever it was called.  The virtual show where they showed regular Americans doing regular things.  I liked the dancing part especially.  

I had to call a doctor today about medication.  My prescription ended a few months ago.  At that time the office told me that they would give me three refills and then I would have to come in to see the doctor or she would not refill the prescription.  Today I called again and told them I would be out of my medication in 30 days. The doctor's office told me once again I would have to come in for an appointment.  I told them that was not going to happen, I was not going anywhere near a medical office.  About 40 minutes later I got a call back saying the doctor called in a new prescription.  I assured the office that I would come in as soon as I got the second vaccine shot.  Whenever that will be.  

Until tomorrow...

GETTING READY TO COOK JAPANESE/RAMEN THIS WEEK

 Yes, I did watch Fast & Furious 6 today.  I finished Fast Five last night.  I am almost done with the Fast and Furious franchise.

My main focus today was to get my items ready to start cooking the Japanese/Ramen chapter.  Because some of the items will go bad quickly I will have to move fast or my veggies will go bad and I will have to buy more. I have some veggies coming on Wed night. 

Yes, this includes seaweed, miso, daikon, rice, mirin and shoi koji.  I am ready and made a plan to start on Wednesday or Thursday.  Whenever the ingredients I need get here.  With Japanese food it all builds in each other.  I have to make the Dashi stock to make the ramen soup and the ramen soup is used to make different ramen soups.  Plus the dashi stock is used in the sushi sauce.  So my first thing to do is make the dashi stock and get that going overnight.  I am waiting for one ingredient that will arrive late Wednesday night.  

That was basically my day.  Waiting for deliveries and ordering food.  

Until tomorrow...

MORE FAST AND FURIOUS

 It is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  With everything going on this week and last week, I decided it was a day to relax.  

I continued with my viewing of the Fast and Furious franchise.  I finished Fast & Furious (F4) and started watching Fast Five.  That was my day.

 Until tomorrow...

FAST AND FURIOUS MOVIE FRANCHISE

 I started to watch the Fast and Furious movie franchise. Yesterday I watched The Fast and the Furious and a little of 2 Fast 2 Furious. Today I finished 2 Fast 2 Furious and watched The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift.  I started watching Fast & Furious but just started. There are 9 movies out already and one movie about to be released.  This should keep me busy for awhile.  I forgot how much I liked the first couple movies. I have only seen the first four before.  Five through nine are all new movies to me. 

I watched a reading of a play this afternoon. It was interesting but not something I would got see in a theater. They are reading another play in a few weeks. 

Until tomorrow...

INDOOR HERB GARDEN AND SOUP

 My gardener came today and started installing the drip system for my backyard. This has been a months long process that included buying the timer, installing the timer, buying the parts to the drip system, installing the drip system. Now there weren’t enough couplings or some such thing and the second half of the installation will be in two weeks. 

While she was at the store I had the gardener buy me some herbs and pots to make an indoor herb garden. With this cooking course, I use fresh herbs constantly. Now I will be able to use the herbs from my own herb garden like I have been doing with my basil plant. 

I decided on my day off from the cooking course that I would make soup. I had a Kabocha Squash that was getting old and needed to be used.  So I made Kabocha Squash Soup.  It is silky and sweet. 

I started watching the first movie of the Fast and the Furious series. I think I have only seen the first two or three. I’m going to watch them all.  Things to do during Covid...

Until tomorrow...

DAY THIRTY-TWO OF COOKING COURSE - MOUSSE AU CHOCOLATE WITH PEAR

 What a relaxing day.  All I had to do was take the mousse out of the refrigerator and plate it with the pear and voila!  The desert was complete.  It was so delicious.  The mousse was creamy like a chocolate ganache and the pear was poached perfectly.  The orange zest was just the right addition.

It was so decadent I had to give some of it away before I ate it all.  I gave some to my friend S and my dog walker.  I also gave away all the sauerkraut soup and some of the sausages.  

I put some soup on to cook in the slow cooker so I could get rid of some of the veggies I had laying around.  I made a butternut squash, quinoa and kale stew.  It tastes really good and I was able to put a bunch in the freezer for future use.  I got to use my new Souper Cubes.  They are the best.  I froze the perfect amount for one serving.  

My cooking stuff for Japanese/Ramen is starting to arrive.

Yes, I still have free cable.

Until tomorrow...

DAY THIRTY-ONE OF COOKING COURSE FINAL DAY OF GERMAN FOOD

 It was the final day of cooking German food!  Yay!  It was interesting cooking German food but I realized that German food is really heavy.  Today I cooked Seitan Steaks.  

I cooked the seitan steaks.  I photographed the steaks.  I tasted the steaks.  I threw away the steaks.  I just could not.  I liked the taste but the texture of seitan is not my favorite and I could not lie to myself and save them thinking I would eat them later.  I am not going to eat them later.  I would save them for a few days in the fridge and then throw them away.  I decided to cut to the end and just toss them.

German food is very brown.  Sausages, gravy, schnitzel, fried potatoes, mousse; it is all brown.  I can't wait to cook Japanese where there are vibrant colors.

I have one more German item coming tomorrow. I cooked it today but it has to chill overnight. It will be my favorite German recipe.

I ordered my items for next weeks' Japanese/Ramen cooking.  I can't wait for some soup and ramen.  

I still have free cable.  I wonder when they are shutting it off.

Until tomorrow...

DAY THIRTY COOKING COURSE SAUERKRAUT SOUP WITH GLUTEN-FREE SAUSAGE

 It was a long cooking day.  I decided to cook two things simultaneously.  I started with the Sauerkraut Soup (with tofu).  I am not a fan of sauerkraut so to me it doesn't taste very good.  I gave some to the dog walker and he loved it. His exact text was "Delicious!!!!!"  I offered him a dinner of sauerkraut soup and sausage on Friday.  I also offered the other half to my friend S.  I am glad people will enjoy the food.

Then I made Vegan Gluten-Free Sausages.  It was kind of fun to make them.  They are made out of rice, flax seeds and spices.  Then I rolled them into plastic wrap and put them in boiling water. They look like cigars.

As they boiled the plastic wrap sealed them from the water.  They cooked and then once they were done, I fried them a little bit.  

It makes a pretty dish.  I really liked the sausage with the dairy-free sour cream.  I will gladly give away the soup.  I am happy I bought a huge batch of plastic containers that I can give away. 

Tomorrow could actually be the final day of German food.  I will be happy about it.  German food is too heavy.  I am excited to move onto Japanese/Ramen and lighter food.  I am amazed that I didn't gain weight in Germany.  I have a little bit in the freezer to eat in a pinch in the future.

Oh, I still have free cable.

Until tomorrow...

DAY TWENTY-NINE COOKING COURSE GERMAN SOUS-VIDE

 I cooked today!  I continued with the German chapter of the vegan cooking course.  I made Sous-Vide Portobella with Mashed Potatoes and Beets.  Doesn't that sound wonderful?  It was an exciting recipe to make.

First, I had to sous-vide the mushrooms.  It was a technique I have never done before.  I do not have a sous-vide machine so I had to do it the down-home way.  I vacuum sealed the mushrooms with spices and smoked oil.  Then I put it in a pot of hot water and had to keep the water at 154 degrees for 1.5 hours.  I got to use my fancy Infrared Thermometer to keep the water at the right temperature. 

 Meanwhile I made the mashed potatoes and beets.  I cooked both the potatoes and beets and mashed them together.  It is a bit messy with the beets but it makes the mash very sweet.

It tastes amazing and the mushroom is infused with the flavors from the smokey oil and spices.  I made two more mushrooms to eat tomorrow and I have tons of mash to eat for days.

I still have cable!  I don't know when they are going to turn it off.  Oh, well, I got to watch a show I was going to lose once the cable was cut off.  

I finally received my Orencia at 7:00pm tonight.  I was getting very nervous that it would not arrive today.  I am supposed to take my dose tonight but it arrived and is in the fridge.  

Until tomorrow...

CABLE FOR FREE

 I woke up this morning and turned on the TV and I still had cable TV. What?? Why do I still have cable? It was supposed to be turned off Saturday at midnight.  I had to call the cable company. One of my least favorite things to do. I got the nicest guy to help me. He assured me that the paperwork went through and I was not being charged but the person who had to flick the switch had not processed it yet so I should enjoy my free cable! I’ll believe it when I get my credit in the mail that I am owed. Until then, I’m enjoying the free cable until they turn it off. 

Then I had to call about my Orencia. It never showed up on Friday. No, it was not stolen. Seems they forgot to send it. It got straightened out today and should arrive tomorrow. Their customer service person was not so nice. I win one and lose one. 

I used my walk DVD for the first time since November when I injured my Achilles. I walked a mile.  So far it feels okay. 

Until tomorrow...

CHRISTMAS IS ORGANIZED

 I worked diligently today to organize my Christmas stuff.  This Christmas stuff includes all my decorations, trees, ornaments, lights, and do-dads.  Since December of 2019, they have been siting out in my garage.  I didn't put them away for various reasons: I was traveling, I had a leak in the stairs above the bins, the rodent problem, I had various emergencies in the first three months of 2020 and then Covid hit.  Then it seemed unreasonable to put the stuff back until the leak was fixed in December 2020.  I spent the last two days going through the four bins and pulled out things to donate/throw away.  I did it in January 2019 but I didn't get through all the bins.  Today I got through it all.  Pacing myself is the trick.

I have all the loose stuff in the bins.  There are some boxes on top but they are big things that will not fit in the bins.  I also hung the wreaths to get them off the bins.  I think it looks really good.  

I always forget to take a before photo but just picture in your mind a complete mess.  That is what it looked like.  This has a path I can walk down and all the Christmas stuff is in one place.  This has been my dream for years.  The only Christmas thing that is not here is my Nativity Scene.  I don't have it boxed and I worry about it being out.  Maybe I will try to find a box for it with all my Amazon boxes and move it with the rest of the Christmas stuff.

Today is my last day with Cable.  I keep checking to see if it has been turned off yet.  I went around the house today and collected the remote controls.  I had nine remote controls.  I am very happy to get rid of them.  I am not sure how I ended up collecting nine remote controls since I only use two.  Tomorrow they will all get packed up with my two cable boxes and be sent back to the cable company.  Farewell Cable.

Until tomorrow...

CHRISTMAS IS OVER

 Christmas is officially over.  The decorations are all down and in the garage.  This year I am doing what I swore I would do last year. Then I went to Florida, my mother got sick, my most loved Happi got sick and passed on, then I got sick, then Coronavirus, then the leak where the Christmas boxes go and then the rodent problem right where the Christmas stuff is kept.  Funny during all that I never got around to putting my Christmas decorations in the plastic containers.  The Christmas stuff that I took out last year was still piled up in various places in my garage waiting (sadly) to go back in their bins.  This year it was easy to decorate because everything was still out and about.  

My plan this year is to go through the one last bin and chuck anything that has 1) not been used or 2) holds no significant emotional value.  If it is an ornament that I don't use and I got in a white elephant, it goes in the Good Will box.  I am clearing out.  I have an entire blue (those are the big plastic bins) of ornaments.  I don't even buy a full sized tree to put them on.  It is so daunting to look at that bin and see all those little boxes and realize I have to go through them all and decide "Keep" or "Donate" or "Toss".  I figure that will take a few hours.  But then I also figure the rest of my decorations will fit in that last bin and I will have an organized space once again.  Christmas in a Bin.  Well, Christmas in 4 Bins to be precise.  I have a lot of decorations.  When I put them all out my house looks like CHRISTMAS not just Christmas.  For years I have hired someone to help me decorate and lug the bins upstairs.  She was fabulous.  She loved to decorate and worked in theater production.  Unfortunately she moved to Europe to attend clown school.  

The house is back to it's usual  organization now and it seems right for the new year.  Lucky is happier. She gets discombobulated when it is Christmas time.  I think she gets anxious.  All the lights and noise and deliveries.  She likes it quite so she can sleep. 

I am going to watch Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman  1984 as a double feature.

Until tomorrow...

RUNNING MY CAR FOR 30 MINUTES

 Today Amazon was trying to make up with me. My package arrived at a reasonable time. Plus there was a gift inside! Something I didn’t order. Now Amazon is sending me things; gifts. I got a pair of safety glasses. Amazon is concerned for my safety. It is very kind and thoughtful. Although I wonder who didn’t get their safety glasses. 

I started to take down Christmas decorations. They are almost all down and now they need to be carted downstairs and put away. I swore last year that this year I would organize the MANY decorations before I stored them this year. I have SO many ornaments that I need to cull them. 

I started my car today and I noticed my clock was at 12:00. That could not be good. I called my car guy and he agreed with me that it is the battery. He thinks I can save the battery if I run the car for 30 minutes instead of 5 minutes once a week. So I took my car out in the street and brought my lunch and iPad. I ate and watched a show for 30 min while the car ran.  I guess this is my new task for Friday’s. 

Until tomorrow...

DAY TWENTY-EIGHT COOKING COURSE GERMAN FOOD ALL DAY

 Today was German food all day.  But first I have to tell you about my Amazon fun.

I woke up early and saw that an Amazon package was coming today.  It didn't say what time it was coming so I went back to sleep.  Obviously the package came while I was asleep because I woke up and Amazon said it was delivered.  The man never rang the doorbell.  I went to get it and it was opened.  Wait.  There was also another package there opened.  Wait.  There was three bottles of spa chemicals and a package of blueberries sitting there.  Okay time to check the security camera.  

Right after the delivery guy left, a woman came up my stairs and sat down.  She proceeded to open a box she brought (stolen) with her and took out spa chemicals.  She obviously was not happy about that and put them aside.  Then she opened my box and rummaged through it and only wanted the Popped Quinoa. She did not want the chopping boards or the Souper Cubes.  No, just my specially ordered $12 Popped Quiona for making German Sausage.  At least she had good taste!  She proceeded to leave me the blueberries and spa chemicals (in a trade I imagine) and took off down the street.  

I had to call Amazon and get a refund for the Popped Quinoa.  I also told them about the box she stole from a few blocks away.  Now I have more stuff that I don't want from Amazon.  I am going to set up a business of selling stuff that I accidentally get from Amazon.  Want to buy mint green bath towels?  How about a doormat?  Maybe spa chemicals?  

Then I had a virtual appointment with my RA doctor.  I am staying on the Orencia for another year.  I found out that I need to stop taking Orencia for one week prior to getting both Covid vaccinations.  This should be fun.  He warned me that this may be tricky since I take my shot on Tuesdays and I may get called up on a Friday, I would have to tell them I pass since I didn't skip my Orencia shot.  Oh, well, I am not going anywhere fast.  

So, to the German food.  I spent all afternoon making Schnitzel "Jager Style" with Fried Potatoes.  Basically it is a seitan schnitzel that is fried and then baked. Fried potatoes with tofu that are amazing. Topped with a mushroom sauce that is really flavorful.  I am coming around to the seitan flavor and texture.  

It was a lot to make and I have leftovers for days.

Until tomorrow...

DAY STARTED AT 6:45AM

What a day!  First, I was woken up at 6:45am by my doorbell.  It was Amazon dropping off a box that contained my cheese bowl.  I really think it is time for Amazon can go back to their regular delivery hours now that the holidays are over.  I never received a package before 9am before this year.  This 6:45am thing has got to end. 

Then I was on a phone call with a client when I heard that the United States Capital had been stormed by American citizens.  As soon as I got off the phone call, I was stuck to the TV.  I tried to get other things completed but it was hard to take my eyes off the unfolding drama.  

I got a few things done including planning for my cooking course for the next two weeks.  I plan to finish the German section so I can move onto Japanese cooking.  Then I got my new InfraRed Thermometer to work.  It can be used for cooking chocolate and other things.

I finally got the first of two softboxes for the photography lighting put together.  I slept on the difficulties I had and thought up a new idea on how to get the last wire to fit in the hole.  It worked.  

Now I am watching a webinar about African-American Art.  It is super interesting.  Some beautiful quilts and paintings.

To another calmer day tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

SCHEDULED DELIVERIES

 I received a number of deliveries today.  I got my grocery delivery and I got my online shopping delivery.  I was happy to get my groceries so I can start cooking again tomorrow.

I received so many online shopping items.  I got and put together my new lamp for my office.  The lamp that was in my office had to be 30 years old.  I had it in my old apartment and may even have had it in PA so that was at least 30 years ago.  It was one of those floor lamps with three lights coming out of the pole.  It still worked but the base was starting to disintegrate and it didn't help that one of my dogs peed on it and I had not noticed so the urine ate away at the bottom of it. It was time to get rid of it and get a new lamp.  

I received many of the cooking items I bought.  The sushi kit, baking pans, jars for pickling, squeeze bottles, and a number of the items for making vegan cheese.  I also got some new storage containers so I can toss out my VERY used plastic containers.

I also received my soft box lighting kit.  It is a really good way to take photos of people or items (such as food) and have good lighting.  Unfortunately I was unable to get it together.  I will work on it again tomorrow.

It is supposed to be a rectangle.  I need to get the fourth corner working.  I was not able to get it to hold.

It was a busy day getting everything unpacked, put together, boxes broken down, cleaned, and put away.

Until tomorrow...

UNEXPECTED DELIVERIES

 Today was a day of unexpected deliveries.  I knew the flour, ice bucket, and the groceries were coming today but I was surprised that the tagine and the photography softbox lighting kit showed up.  The tagine was not supposed to come for two more weeks.  I can now make Moroccan food!

The photography softbox lighting kit is going to make my photos of the food much more professional.  I am excited to mix my love of photography and my love of vegan cooking.  

Tomorrow I have a bunch more cooking items arriving; like the sushi making kit.  I am super excited. 

I will also be able to continue cooking once my food delivery arrives.  I needed to get some special ingredients so I can make schnitzel and sauerkraut soup.  Yum!  

I called Xfinity and finally got a customer service person with some knowledge about cancellations.  He assured me that I can cancel my plan and send my equipment back via UPS.  Since I have a ton of boxes and packing, this is a perfect time. He tried to sell me a cheaper plan but I am ready to save some money and cut the cord.  

Until tomorrow...

CANDY CANE ICE CREAM

 I used my new Souper Cubes to freeze the ice cream I made today.  Souper Cubes were a Christmas present I got that allows me to freeze one cup amounts of an item.  I thought this was a great idea. 

I made Candy Cane ice cream and put it in one cup portions to freeze.  When I want to have some ice cream, I just pop out one of the sections and the rest can stay frozen. The ice cream tastes amazing and has little crunchies of candy cane in it.  I used my new mini "food processor" type gadget to grind up the candy canes.  It worked perfectly. The ice cream is DELICIOUS!! Tastes just like the ice cream I used to get from a ice cream place years ago.

I also took the Potato Curry and Lentil, Mushroom and Potato Pie and portioned them out and froze them in one serving sizes.  Now I can take them out hours ahead of time and have a meal. 

Until tomorrow...

STARTING 2021

 I got up this morning and I feel better.  I am still taking it easy.  I think the stress of the holidays and this past week was too much.  

I had a zoom call and I just watched TV all day.  I am watching the latest season of The Crown.  I also made some Potato Curry to freeze.  I have to use up the potatoes that I accidentally bought.  

Until tomorrow...

NEW YEAR'S DAY

 Happy New Year!  It is 2021!🎇🎆

Last night after posting my blog I got on a zoom with some friends and hung out until just after midnight and we put 2020 to bed.  There were times that the zoom was fun and then times that I almost fell asleep.  At midnight we all screamed and yelled and I went outside and rang a bell.  The whole area went crazy.  

Then about 15 minutes later I signed off and went to bed.  It was a long day since I had been up early for the handyman's visit.

The morning of New Year's Day I got up and didn't feel right.  I slept late.  I ate and took a bath.  I tried to watch the newest Trolls movie but all I wanted to do was get back into bed.  So I went back to bed and tried to watch Trolls in bed.  I lasted 20 minutes before I was sound asleep. I slept for 4 hours.  I tried to eat and sleep again.  I just didn't feel right. Maybe I am just tired and stressed?

Until tomorrow...