DAY ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-EIGHT OF COOKING COURSE

 Today I started cooking for my cooking course again.  I took a bit of time off to regain my health after getting my Covid booster shot, the heat and smokey air.  I am feeling better now and the weather is better so I am back to baking.  I started the first part of some French pastries to be unveiled tomorrow.

I had to get out of the house early today because my Covid test arrived this morning.  Oh, did I forget to mention that I ordered a Covid test online? After going to the dentist and having the very short fever I thought it was prudent.  I know it is a long shot that I have Covid but for peace of mind I took the test.  I spit in a bottle for about 20 minutes and then sent it back via Fed Ex.  Now I just wait for the results.  I should have them on Friday or Saturday.  

Until tomorrow...

TOASTED MARSHMALLOW DAY CREATION

 Today was another fun cooking day.  It was Toasted Marshmallow Day.  I took vegan marshmallows and used my butane torch to toast them.  Then I took vegan coconut caramel and dipped the marshmallows.  I then rolled the caramel coated marshmallows in shaved chocolate, pretzels and peanuts.  Yum!

I had a very busy day with a consulting interview in the morning, then a foster meeting in the afternoon and a doctor's appointment late afternoon.  

I started walking again with a 2 mile DVD walk.  

Lucky went with the dog walker and did great.  She was so happy with a bunch of tail wags.

That was my day.

Until tomorrow...

LEMONADE

 I made fresh lemonade straight from my lemon tree in the backyard.  I even used mint from my herb garden.  It is some refreshing and delicious.  

Lucky is feeling better.  I stopped the pain meds because they were making her crazy and in turn making me crazy.  She was waking up at 2am and 4 am.  She whined all the time.  They say this medicine makes dogs confused and dizzy.  Well, does it say it makes owners tired and grumpy??  She seems okay now anyway so I am going to send her with the dog walker tomorrow with strict instructions: no climbing and he has to not let her jump into the car.  Other than that she should be fine. He is so perplexed because they were walking on a flat surface when she started limping.  

I just relaxed today again.  The smoke dissipated for a short time and Lucky and I were able to go out back and read a book in the sunshine.  It was nice to be outside.  We also cleaned up a bit.

That was our day.  

Until tomorrow...

VEGAN CAJUN PASTA BAKE

 I think I know why I had a fever, at least I hope so.  I was told by the dentist that there was some infection around a tooth on an x-ray.  It wasn't much so she was not concerned.  Today my tooth and gum is hurting.  I think the infection has gotten worse.  I think I wrote about this tooth before.  This tooth has a problem but not one bad enough to take it out or do a root canal.  I have been grinding on it so much that it has caused the nerves to get irritated.  So irritated that the dentist can see it on an x-ray.  We were hoping that by getting the new night guard it would calm down the irritation.  It is too soon to see.

I took it easy today.  It was also horrible air in the dark orange and red zone.  That is bad for me to breathe so I had the house closed up.  It was also a hot day in the 80's.  We were all not too happy so we spent most of the day downstairs where it is cooler.  

I did make a very tasty dinner.  I took something my neighbor gave me and make a bake.  It was a Cajun vegan tofu burger.  I broke it up and added some things, spices and mixed it with pasta.  I put it in a baking dish and added vegan "cheese" sauce and then vegan cheese on top.  I popped it in the oven and cooked it for a while.  It came out so incredible and tasty.  I ate way too much.

It reminded me of the old hamburger helper but elevated and without the hamburger!

That is about all we did all day except watch TV and try to keep Lucky from running around.

Until tomorrow...

RELAPSE IN RECOVERY AND ROASTED RED CABBAGE

 Another fun day!  This morning at around 2 am I woke and I was burning up.  I thought it was just really hot in the room and the dog was next to me.  Then I realized the dog was not next to me and the room was not really hot, I was really hot.  I grabbed the thermometer that I had downstairs since I got the booster shot and it read 100 degrees.  I rarely ever get a 100 degrees reading since I am on steroids for my rheumatoid arthritis and steroids suppress your temperature.  I waited a fair bit and sort of watched TV and drifted in and out of sleep and took it again later and it was 99.6 degrees.  Then I did the same thing and some time later it was 99.1 degrees.  Then I fell asleep until the morning and my temp was normal.  I am not sure what happened but I blame myself for doing so much yesterday.  I probably over did it and my body reacted.  I did Google "menopause hot flashes" but I found out hot flashes do not raise your core body temperature.  Interesting fact I didn't know.  Plus I haven't gotten a hot flash yet that I noticed.

Of course, I had that moment where I thought oh, god did I get Covid but I was okay today with no fever or anything.  I obsessively took my temp and my pulse ox.  I am fine.  I took it very easy sitting on the couch.  Now I have gone to bed at 8pm.  

It was a horrible air day today so we had to keep the windows and doors closed. Everyone is talking with a rasp here from breathing in all the smoke in the air.  

Lucky is not limping anymore but is favoring that leg so she is staying home too.  I am giving her pain killers to keep her immobile.  She is not happy about the bad air since all she wants to do is lay outside.

I made a fast and easy dish today.  Roasted Red Cabbage.  It turned out really good.  

It is yellowish because I put spices on it: turmeric, onion powder, garlic powder, and cumin. Yum!

That is about all for today.  It was a busy day doing nothing.

Until tomorrow...

DAY OF DOCTORS

 What a day!  Or what another day!  I had a doctor's appointment first thing.  Well, that's not true.  I called the veterinarians office first thing to see if they had a cancellation.  They did!  Then I had a video appointment with my primary doc.  He agreed with me that I need to change RA doctors.  My current guy is not aggressive enough: telling me I only need to see him once a year, telling me that it would be hard to change medications because there weren't meds I could take, telling me to go outside maskless during the Delta surge and not understanding that I need someone who will not just wait for things to happen. So I now need to find a new doctor in the middle of Covid.  

Then we discussed how my Orencia is not working.  He explained that the medication may have been working fine until I went off for the Covid shot.  The Orencia suppresses my immune system.  Then I got the two Covid shots which basically stimulate my immune system but since I am not taking anything to suppress it, my body goes haywire.  Then eight weeks later I go back on the Orencia and the Orencia is no longer able to suppress my immune system.  It is no longer working.  I have given it since 4/24 to work and it hasn't so I think it is time to chuck it in and figure out another plan.  That plan is not long term steroids.  I just refuse.  I will take the pain rather than go back on high doses of steroids for long term.  Okay, I say that now.  I may change my mind if things get really bad but I am not there yet.  

I don't think I will go back on the Orencia next week as planned.  I only have one shot left so this would be a good time to change to another drug.  It will take 1-2 months to get on another drug because The-Insurance-Company-Who-Will-Not-Be-Named is a pain in my behind.  There has to be prescriptions and authorizations and appeals and appeals of the appeals.  You would think I was trying to take Heroin on the health plan.  They will want me to go back on Enbrel or Humira.  I have to explain that one bout of Meningitis is enough in a lifetime.  All this to say it is a long process and the doctor has to be up to the fight.  Last time I had to get on the phone and advocate for myself with the insurance company.

The Primary doc and I discussed other things including my issue with my neck and arm from my fall back in 12/2019 pre-Covid.  But that will have to wait until things get better with Covid for me to deal with.  I just wanted to make sure I was not doing permanent damage since I am getting tingling down my arm.  He said not to worry.

Then I took Lucky to the vet to get her checked out.  She has soft tissue damage to her leg/foot.  They aren't sure because as soon as we walked up she ceased to limp and acted perfectly fine.  Then the minute she got home began limping again.  Maybe it is a cry for attention, I don't know.  They gave me drugs to keep her immobile and said to keep her home tomorrow.  I am to see how she is over the weekend and I have an appointment I already scheduled for Monday.  If she is fine I will cancel and if not I will bring her back.  She is sound asleep now but was limping earlier.  It is like my car when I bring it to the shop, it never makes that noise in the shop.

Then I went to the dentist to get my temp crown replaced.  It ended up being more complicated.  I have had a lot of pain in my mouth for the last few weeks.  She did x-rays (do you know x-rays do not show cracks in your teeth?) and poked around.  Here is the latest diagnosis: Stop gritting and grinding my teeth.  Well, that's not going to happen.  She put the permanent crown on.  She tested the crown she put on last time and adjusted it since it was causing me pain.  She thinks it was taking a lot of the weight since the temporary didn't take any and it was not adjusted right.  She checked my other crown that I thought was feeling funny, it is not loose.  I have a tooth that is sensitive and will most likely need a root canal down the road since I keep grinding on it.  It has a bit of infection.  All the teeth that I spoke of have inflammation and she wonders if it is because of my RA and that is why my teeth are hurting me.  Interesting theory.  I am going to ask my doctor.  I am to contact her in a week to give an update.  Then in a few weeks we are going to adjust my bite.  With all these crowns and grinding my bite has gotten screwed up which also is hard on my teeth.  

There you go.  My day of doctors.  

Until tomorrow...

WASHER, LUCKY, VEGAN BAKE

 What a day!!!  Yesterday the washer stopped working during a load with a blanket in it.  I washed this blanket many times so I was surprised that the washer stopped.  I dried the blanket and decided to leave it until today.  

I went down today and there was a little bit of water in the bottom of the washer.  I used a towel to sop it up and then turned the drum of the washer and the water went away.  I turned on the washer and it turned on.  I took the two towels that I used to sop up the water and put them in the washer.  It turned on and started washing.  I waited a few minutes and it was going fine.  I listened and it seemed to go fine.  Then it stopped around 30-40 minutes.  I went down and it stopped with an error again and this time there was 2" of water.  Ugh!  I left it to drain a bit and went to call for service.  

The service guy was so nice and he had a date for this Friday.  I was so happy.  I got off the phone and the text date came through and it was for 9/3.  Not this Friday.  I called back and they explained it was an error but the Friday date was gone.  Ugh!  So the Friday of Memorial Day weekend between 1-5pm.  Wonderful.  

I go back down and have to deal with the 2" of water that can't sit until 9/3.  I bail it out with a small bucket and put the super wet towels in the dryer.  Luckily I had finished all my laundry before it broke.  

I made a Vegan Kale and Leek Bake for dinner.  It is really good.  It is a bit cheesy and creamy.

Lucky came back from the park limping.  The dog walker said he turned around and she was suddenly limping.  He doesn't know what happened.  I gave her some stuff to make her sleep but it is hard to keep a Chihuahua from moving around.  I am not sure if it is her paw or her leg.  I called the vet and they said give it a day and see if she is feeling better with rest.  I have an appointment on Monday but I am on standby.  It is the opposite paw as Happi. Seeing her walk on three legs brings back memories.

I am feeling better today but I probably overdid it again.

Until tomorrow...

A LITTLE RECOVERY SET BACK

 I thought I was getting better but I had a rough day today.  I had a terrible headache, was foggy and so tired I had to take a nap.  I hope tomorrow will be a better day.

I was worried I did too much today.  I ran the dishwasher and did two loads of laundry.  The second load of laundry had a problem.  The washer stopped part way through and the load was soaking wet.  It was a heavy blanket that I have washed before.  I had to take the stuff from the washer and hang some outside to dry and put the rest in the dryer and run it for two hours to dry the stuff.  Tomorrow I will try to figure out what happened and call for service if I have to.  

I made Sheet Pan Oven-Roasted Potatoes, Green Beans and Carrots.  So good!  I just love oven-roasted veggies.  I have a ton to eat for days.

That was pretty much the whole day!

Until tomorrow...

I FINALLY ATE REAL FOOD TODAY

 It is National Cuban Sandwich Day today.  Since I was feeling better, I decided to make a Vegan Cuban sandwich today.  It was easier than I thought.  I cut a few corners but it ended up tasting really good.  First I soaked the Tofurky in a mustard and dill pickle juice mixture.  Then I put vegan mayo and mustard on two slices of bread.  I put vegan cheese on both slices of bread.  I placed dill pickles on the slices in specific places.  Then I took the Tofurky and put it on a frying pan to heat it.  I put the heated Tofurky on the cheese slices.  Then I put the two slices of bread together (so the pickles are opposite) and put butter on the outside of the slices.  I put the butter side in the frying pan and put my heavy pot top on top of it to weigh it down over a low temp.  Once it is toasted, turn.  Then toast the other side.  The cheese melts and the bread toasts.  It tastes amazing.  The mustard and pickles gives the Tofurky a bit of spice.  Delicious!!  

I am feeling good enough to actually take a shower and put on real clothes.  I am still really tired and my arm hurts but I am feeling well enough to eat a little and get out of bed.  I even changed my sheets because I could not stand another night on those sheets that I have been on for four days.  I plan to wash them tomorrow.  I was too tired changing the bed.

Until tomorrow...

SLOW RECOVERY TODAY

I still had a slow day recovering from my covid vaccination booster.  I woke up and thought I would feel much better. I ate some breakfast and felt better. I fed the animals and then I started to feel tired. I got into bed and fell back to sleep. I stayed in bed all day. I watched Reminiscence on HBO but fell asleep in the middle. I ate again at 5 pm. I haven't slept this much since my last covid shot. 

Before I got the vaccine I made vegan beans and rice my way with kidney beans, tomatoes, sriracha sauce and brown rice. It is great comfort food. 

Until tomorrow...

FEELING SO MUCH BETTER

It was another hard night. I had a temperature after I sent my blog last night. I also had a hard time sleeping because I was hot and cold and I had to pee but then I fell asleep hard sometime in the early hours and slept until 9:30 am. I guess I was exhausted. I ate some breakfast and took a shower a bit later. Well the shower was too much. I got light headed and almost sick.  Twice I had to get out of the shower but I had shampoo in my hair and had to rinse it out.  Maybe the shower was not a good idea. 

I stayed in bed the rest of the day and ate again at 8pm. I'm just not hungry. Someone told me this is a common symptom of a third vaccine. I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow. 

I watched Coming to America and Coming 2 America. Both were a good watch but interesting to see how the world has changed in 33 years. That is almost the same amount of time as I have been on the west coast. 

I made vegan mango passion fruit ice cream before I had my vaccine. It is really good. 

I put chocolate syrup on it because yum!

Until tomorrow...

I FEEL HORRIBLE

I barely slept last night. I had to pee a bunch of times from all the water I drank. I was hot, I had chills, I had a massive headache. I was miserable. 

I woke up and had a horrible headache. I felt nauseous. I ate breakfast and I thought that would make me feel better, it didn't.  I watched TV and slept all day between chills, hot flashes and nausea. 

I made these baked chickpeas before my booster. 

they are cinnamon and sugar and sweet sesame. They are a great snack. 

Until tomorrow...

GOT MY BOOSTER TODAY

 At 8:45 am the pharmacy called to ask me if I was the person coming in to get the booster shot.  This did not instill much confidence since I just spoke to the pharmacy yesterday.  I explained that I was and that I was supposed to call at 9 am to remind them to mix the solution so it would be ready at 9:30 am when I got there.  We hung up.  He called back to say don't remember my covid card.  Yes, I told him I have my ID, covid card and the form all ready filled out from their website.  At this point I was loosing confidence that this was going to happen.  

At 9 am I was ready to go and got myself all together and of course Lucky would not go in her cage.  Since it has been 18 months since she has had to go in her cage, she is reluctant to do it.  I am going to have to retrain her when this pandemic is over.  I finally got her in the cage with lots of cookie bribes and finally by getting angry, and I was out the door.  I had my double masks and some mail.  I stopped at the post office to drop it in the slot and check my mailbox.  Then I walked the block to the pharmacy.  I was too early.  It is a small store (an annex they call it) and I didn't want to be in there longer than I had to so I walked around a little bit.  At exactly 9:30 I was in the pharmacy.  The woman at the counter knew exactly why I had come and didn't ask for ID but just my covid card and the form I filled out.  I had to sign a declaration that I was allowed to take the booster with one of the legal reasons.  Then I sat down.

I had to wait longer than I wanted.  It turns out it was a new employees first day and the manager was training him.  So he was very busy and he couldn't remember if he even started mixing the medicine.  He must have because I didn't wait 1/2 hour.  While I waited various delivery people came and went and some people came in for their prescriptions.  I only went outside when a man insisted on coming close to talk to me.  I didn't talk back but he kept talking to me.  I finally waited outside.  Then it was my turn to get my booster shot.  I asked for a sharps container (I am running out of room in my sharps container at home) and I was off and walking home. I couldn't find a taxi so I decided to walk home.  It isn't that far and I walked slowly.  

Once home I let Lucky out of her cage, I drank some water and got into bed.  I fell asleep after a bit and was woken by the telephone.  So far I feel sleepy and achy around my arm where I got the shot and my neck and back.  The same as last time.  I ate a little lunch and have been drinking a fair bit of water.  I am planning on taking it easy tomorrow.

I made these cookies the other day.  Chocolate chip pecan cookies.  They are great. I had three today.

Until tomorrow...

AM I OVER PREPARED?

 I spent the day doing a little work and then getting myself ready for my covid vaccine booster shot and if I have a hard reaction again.  I paid my bills, sent a birthday card, decided to vote since I had the time, did the rest of my laundry, cleaned the bird cage, had a food delivery, washed all the dishes, emptied the dishwasher and made ice cream. 

It was a busy day.  Then I walked 2 miles with a walking DVD.  Lucky is so patient when I walk inside. 

She wants to walk outside but she just came back from walking for two hours and she doesn't understand that she then can not walk for 1-2 miles again anymore.  Plus the air is not great for me to be outside walking long distances.  So we have to stay inside.

My booster is tomorrow at 9 am so I hope I have over prepared and it all goes swimmingly.  

Until tomorrow...

GETTING READY FOR MY BOOSTER SHOT

 Feeling better today.  I called the covid vaccination site today and it was weird.  Turns out the online vaccination reservation system doesn't work so I am glad I called.  They are giving me the same date and time to get my vaccination and they have my vaccination.  I just have to call 1/2 hour ahead of time so they remember to mix it so it is ready for my appointment since it is the first appointment of the day.  That is not a problem.  I can just call before I leave the house.  

I spent the day getting ready for if I am down for many days.  I made more food.  I made rice which is my go to if I don't feel well.  I made chocolate chip cookies and baked chickpeas which are my comfort foods.  I ordered more food so I won't run out of some important things like muffins or chocolate syrup for the ice cream I am planning on making tomorrow.

I did laundry and tomorrow I am finishing laundry, mailing bills, and making ice cream.  I am getting food delivery in the afternoon.  

So I think I am ready.  Lucky is going to the beach on Friday so she will be out of my hair.  She is having a bout of IBS right now and is not a happy doggie.  

Lucky and I took a one mile walk today.  Then while she slept and played I did a two mile DVD walk.  6,000 steps!!  I hit my goal for the day for the first time since lockdown.

I made a great dinner of Tofu, Red Cabbage, Carrots and Zucchini.  It is so good.  I ate it over rice.  

I will show the photos of the other food I made another day.  

I emailed my client about getting the booster and they were so nice. I explained that like the last two vaccines I don't know how I will react so I may be down for a few days.  They were so nice and told me to not worry and to let them know if I needed anything.  Isn't that nice??

Until tomorrow...

HARD DAY TODAY

 Today is a hard day for me.  I tried really hard to get off the couch but it just wasn't going to happen.  I was so fatigued I could not do anything.  It is part of a flare that is really hard. 

I talked to my GP doctor this afternoon.  I haven't spoken to him in a year.  I have tried not to bother him since I know he is drowning in patients.  On Friday I called to talk about my flares and left a message.  I already spoke to my RA doctor but I wanted my GP to know what was going on.  My GP feels that by going off the Orencia (which I had no choice to take the vaccine) I did not bounced back when I went back on the Orencia.  I may have become resistant to the drug partly because of the vaccine.  I have nothing to do until after I get the booster, then we need to have a discussion about getting off Orencia and move on to another drug.  He agrees that increasing the steroids for anything more than a short time is nothing but a cover up of the inability of Orencia working.  

He did say that his fully vaccinated RA patients who have caught covid have faired well. Then he said “But it is you, so chances are you will end up in the hospital. So don’t get it, stay inside and away from people.”  Definitely get the booster. 

So, I am sitting tight now since my appointment for the covid booster is Thursday.  I need to feel better by Thursday and get my house in order in case I don't feel well for a few days.  

No walking today.  No cooking today.  But it is National Tell a Joke Day: What is Beethoven's Favorite Fruit?   Ba-na-na-na.   😂

Until tomorrow...

COOKING FOR THE WEEK

 I cooked two different types of tofu today: Huli Huli tofu and baked tofu.  I have enough tofu baked to last most of the week.  I also made homemade Spanish rice.  I will make other food tomorrow.  My new thing is to make enough food for the week on Saturday and Sunday and that way I don't have to cook for dinner or lunch all week.  I won't have to stare at the inside of the refrigerator and think what will I eat today.  

 That took up most of the day but Lucky and I took a walk (the air was an AQI of green) for one mile.  Later in the day I did an inside walk with the two mile DVD.  I walked over 5,000 steps today.

That was my day besides talking to a friend.

Until tomorrow...

DAY ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN OF COOKING COURSE

 I finally finished the Apple Tart.  It is in the shape of a rose.  It is really pretty.  It would have been prettier if I had red apples but the recipe ingredients didn't mention that I needed to buy red apples. The apple tart is gluten-free and has almond cream, apple compote and an apple rose garnish.  

I didn't have time to walk before the AQI turned dark yellow.  I had planned to take a walk with Lucky but that didn't work out.  

Pretty much all I did all day was bake this tart.  

I watched the recent episodes of Grace and Frankie and spoke to a few friends. 

I made my appointment for my booster vaccine for Covid.  I had to schedule it after I skipped my Orencia shot next week.  I also wanted to plan it for the weekend so I can recover in bed if I have another reaction.  Fingers crossed I have a small reaction.

Until tomorrow...

DAY ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF COOKING COURSE

 I am just going to say it: I will not miss the French Pastry chapter.  The recipes take too long and are too confusing since there are mistakes.  Not my mistakes but mistakes in the directions.  Today I found out that the recipe called for 2 lbs of Granny Smith apples.  I bought 2 lbs of Granny Smith apples.  The recipe says to take the Granny Smith apples and make compote.  Then further in the recipe it says take the Pink Lady apples and slice them.  The what??  No where in the ingredients does it say to buy Pink Lady apples.  I have already made the tart crust and the almond custard to go in it so I can't go back now.  I will have to use some of those Granny Smith apples instead of the Pink Lady apples.  There will be less compote because I will have to hold back some apples but guess what?  It doesn't say how many apples I will need so I will have to guess.  See my frustration??  This is the second recipe that is messed up.

 I had a video meeting with my doctor today.  I had wanted to not change a medication until after the pandemic was over but she is adamant that I have waited too long already and I need to change it soon.  It is menopause medication.  I have been resistant to going into menopause while in lock down.  I stayed on my current medication but now she is putting me on estrogen patch and progesterone pill.  I hope it doesn't make me have effects.  So far I haven't had any.  She thinks I may have already missed most of it.  

They just hot off fireworks after the baseball game. I so hate it when random people shoot off fireworks. We have been having a lot of that during the pandemic.  I think three times a year is enough: Labor day, 4th of July and Memorial Day.  The rest of the year they should be banned except for special occasions like special baseball games, the Superbowl, and wars ending.  It is so annoying to have them go off on a random night.  

No walking today.  The air quality started as a yellow of all types and then went green but I was already not in the mood to walk by that time.  It was a rough day.

Until tomorrow...

DAY ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE OF COOKING COURSE

 Today the smoke Air Quality (AQI) from the far away fires is now in the dark yellow.  The colors go green, yellow, dark yellow, light orange, orange, light red, red, and onward up to dark burgundy or black I can't tell.  Last week the AQI was green.  Earlier this week it was yellow and now it is light orange (between 51-100).  That is acceptable air quality for most people but people with asthma should be careful when the AQI is 51-100.  It is dangerous for people with asthma when the AQI is 101 or higher (color orange).  Today the AQI was between 49-63 at my home.  There are sensors around my house but not at my house.  People have put sensors all around my area and I can log in and find out what the air quality is at any time.  I am careful to wear my N95 mask when I go outside even for a minute to let the dog outside. 

Last time there was a lot of smoke I ended up with a cough and an eye infection so I want to be super careful this time.  

 I was able to get the dough made for my next baking project.  It is a long project so I wanted to get part of it done today and the rest of it done tomorrow when I have more time.  The dough needed to chill for a bit so I left it overnight.

I walked 2 miles with an inside DVD.  I tried a new DVD 30 minute - 2 miles.  Lucky is cute when I do the inside walking.  She just lays on her bed with her head on her toy staring at me until she falls asleep.

 I had to work again today.

Until tomorrow...

FIRST ELECTRIC BILL SINCE SOLAR

 I did not cook today because I worked again.  I know good news I am working more but I really want to get this next pastry done before the fruit goes bad.  

I got my first full electric bill since my solar panels.  It is so nice to see my entire gas and electric bill cut in half.  I am still paying a bit for gas even though it is the summer because it is so cold right now.  It is dropping down to the low 50's at night.  My electric part of the bill is usually now what I am paying for my whole bill.  That is so cool.  When I can get out of this house, it will drop even more since no one will be here to run the power!  

I did a one-mile DVD walk today.  I was not in the mood to do anything so I pushed myself to walk 2,000 steps.  

That is basically my whole day.  

Until tomorrow...

NATIONAL SPOIL YOUR DOG DAY

 There is actually a day to spoil your dog.  My dog is spoiled with love every day!  Spoiled with discipline and training.  She gets to cuddle all she wants at night in bed.  

She is asleep with her Bubba.  She named her toy.  She loves this toy.  She throws it up in the air and runs to catch it.  Her dog walker gave it to her and she loves him.  I already bought her a replacement for when it dies because I know she will be so unhappy.  Her old favorite toy (toy #2) is a pink monkey that my friend in KY gave her has gone through three iterations.  She just loves her favorite toys.  

When I first got Lucky she could not have toys because she would resource guard them (attack anyone/thing who came near her when she had them) so all toys had to be taken away.  As she got more comfortable, older, more domesticated I was able to take a few toys out and she was able to share them with Happi.  Mostly because Happi didn't play with toys.  Happi had three legs so toys weren't as fun for her.  Happi could chase and bring back toys but she couldn't trap toys that rolled or moved easily.  Now Lucky has tons of toys and I am constantly stepping on them in the dark.

I mostly worked today.  My client called with an emergency that took a while to fix.  Seems that someone went into the database and made a change that made it so no one could see or approve time sheets.  I had to have a talk about not touching the database because people don't know what they are doing and their 5 minute thing took me 1 hour to fix.  Don't touch things you don't understand.

Lucky and I got to take a one mile walk.  

Until tomorrow...

NOODLE, VEGGIE AND TOFU WITH PEANUT SAUCE

 I reset most of the clocks and things around the house this morning.  I have a few left to do from the power outage yesterday.  I recharged my handy backup charger. I have to be ready for the next power outage! 

I made a very nice Noodle, Veggie and Tofu with Peanut Sauce dish.  I used Udon noodles and baked tofu with red cabbage, broccoli, kale, and shiitake mushrooms.  It is so good.  I now have three dishes to eat this week.  I had the Vegan Broccoli Chickpea Soup for lunch and the Sweet and Spicy Lo Mien with Sesame Broccoli and Mushrooms for dinner.  It is like being in my own restaurant in my house with all this good food.

I walked three miles on the walking DVD tonight.  When I bought the walking DVD set it had a one-mile, two-mile and three-mile.  I thought I would never get to do the three-mile when I could barely get through the one-mile at the beginning.  Today I killed the three-mile DVD and it didn't even bother me.  It was more than 5,000 steps.  I may have to look into a 4 and 5-mile DVD. 

The air quality was "good" again today.  I keep waiting for this bad air they keep saying is coming.  It can stay away if you ask me.

Until tomorrow...

SMOKE AND NO ELECTRICITY

 The day started out with me waking up to air that smelled of smoke.  Although the Air Quality Management said the air quality was "good", I could smell the smoke and that means I will cough.  So, all windows and doors had to stay closed, much to Lucky's annoyance.  She loves to sunbathe at about 11am when the sun comes out on the deck.  It was not very sunny at that time because it was foggy or smoggy or smokey.  I am not sure what it was.  So no outside walking today.

So we stayed inside and watched TV and I cooked.  I made Sweet and Spicy Lo Mein with Sesame Broccoli and Mushrooms.  It is really good.  I swapped out the lo mien noodles for spaghetti and I used shiitake mushrooms instead of baby bellas but it tastes delicious.   

 Then at 5:04pm I got a text message saying the electricity was turned off.  But my electricity was not turned off so I didn't take it seriously.  My mistake.  About 50 minutes later click, the electricity turned off.  I waited because it said the electricity would come back on at 7:15pm.  Okay, not too bad.  Then I got a text saying the electricity was going to be off until 11:30pm.  Then I started to go into go mode.  I went to get my camping lamp (from the 1980s) and all my flashlights.  That was when I realized that my really good flashlights (you know the kind) that were good in an emergency both died recently.  They use those 6V batteries and last forever.  So while I was sitting here I ordered two new big flashlights, two battery operated lamps and a solar operated lamp.  

Then I got my portable charger.  I never really had to use it but I bought it for just this reason.  I keep it charged and thank goodness.  This power outage didn't give me enough time to charge anything (well it did if I took it seriously) so I only had 40% left on my phone.  I had to use my phone to watch TV with no WiFi.  Watching TV will suck your power very fast.  I plugged in my portable charger and it charged my phone while I watched TV.  

Then at 8:25pm Click the power came back on.  Tomorrow I will be spending 30 minutes resetting all the timers and clocks in the house. 

So no inside walking today.  I was planning on walking the 3 mile DVD today.  Just wasn't meant to be.

Until tomorrow...

AIR QUALITY GOOD

 It was supposed to be a smokey day today due to the fires far away.  I checked the air quality and it was "good".  There was no smoke smell at all.  I kept the windows and doors open and it was fine.  Lucky and I walked one mile in the sunshine.

I had a day of laundry and cooking.  I made Vegan Broccoli Chickpea Soup.  It is super good.  I only had a taste but I liked it.  I am making it to eat this week.  It has broccoli, chickpeas, red peppers, carrots, kale, corn, and zucchini.  There is turmeric in the broth.

I watched the movie Gunpowder Milkshake.  It was a good movie but you need to suspend reality.  It was a women empowerment movie.  Then I watched Concrete Cowboys.  It is about the cowboys and horses in West Philly.  It is a fiction movie based on reality.  It stars Idris Elba.  

Until tomorrow...

DAY ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR OF COOKING COURSE

I baked all day today to get the Vegan Gluten-free Flan Patissier completed.  For those of you who only took one year of high school French  (like I did) that means French Custard Cake.  It was a long day making sure it was all correct.  I finally got it in the oven and the directions were bake "20 -50 minutes" depending on your oven.  No other directions.  I never baked a custard type cake before and I didn't know what it was supposed to look or act like when it was done.  I kept baking it.  I finally took it out when it looked sort of done and not as "wiggly".  It turns out it was done, I think.  I am not a flan or custard fan so this will definitely be going to the neighbors and dog walker.  I tried it and it is okay but give me a chocolate cake any day.  

The crust got a little wonky.  I never baked with a gluten-free crust before.  It tastes fine, it is just falling apart. 

I realized that I never gave my review of Jungle Cruise the Disney movie.  Here goes.  I really enjoyed it as a fun movie with no expectations.  I see it as a cross between Pirates of the Caribbean and Romancing the Stone and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.  There was a little bit of suspended belief, a lot of laughs and a very, very small amount of thrill.  I enjoyed it for a Saturday night movie.  It kept me awake (which is the main thing) and I had fun.  

No time for a walk today.  I was busy doing this baking plus the air quality is bad from the fires.  We may not be going outside for walks for a few days.  We may be staying inside with windows and doors closed and air purifiers on.  The best things I bought last year.  Just thankful we have electricity from the sun gods.  

Until tomorrow...

THE CROWN #3 TEMPORARY

 I woke up early today, went to the dentist's office and had my inlay partial crown removed.  This was not an easy task.  Half of the inlay came off very easy. In fact so easy it almost went down my throat when it popped off.  It turns out the inlay had become unglued from my tooth.  The other half of the inlay was most certainly glued to my tooth. In fact it was so glued, I didn't think she was going to get it off.  I was waiting for her to get out the crowbar.  She was pushing and pulling and using all sorts of equipment and then finally it popped off.  She called it a dental miracle because my tooth was cracked underneath the inlay but the inlay was intact.  

Once she had the crown off, she did the drilling she needed to clean it out and get it ready for the temporary crown.  Now I just wait for my new crown.  She is not using gold right now because it is so expensive. She is using a Zirconia crown.  I did not know that my last crown was also a Zirconia crown.  

I took it easy today since I had a tough dental morning and lots of Novocaine.  After lunchtime Lucky and I took a one-mile walk.  We ran into a neighbor and chatted for a few minutes.  We stayed far apart since his little chihuahua is vicious and would attack Lucky.  The funny thing is his dog (who I call El Diablo) absolutely loves me.  He always wants to come to my gate and sniff and lick my hand.  I won't pet him because he doesn't like that and he has bitten people in the neighborhood who try to pet him.  

After I let the cooing school know about the problems I had with the French Pastry chapter, I got a DM today letting me now that they were sending me a free extra month after my one-year subscription was over to sign up for another chapter of my choice.  I was told they were coming out with another French baking chapter in November so I could sign up for that one maybe.

Until tomorrow...

THE CROWN NUMBER 3 (NOT THE CROWN SEASON 3)

 Interesting news.  I went to the dentist today to get a three week checkup after getting my mouth guard.  We set this appointment because my teeth on the left side were bothering me when I got the mouth guard and we weren't sure if it was because I went over seven weeks without a mouth guard grinding and gritting my teeth into oblivion or did I have an actual tooth problem.  The day I got my mouth guard it was impossible to tell because all my teeth hurt.  My jaw hurt.  

First I have to say, when I got to the dental building I waited to get into an elevator by myself and finally gave up and took the stairs.  It was only 5 floors.  Heck, I walk 2 miles a day.  The dentist looked at my teeth and it took a minute for her to find the crack.  Yes, I cracked another tooth.  The current theory is that when I bit down on the walnut shell and I broke my tooth a few months ago, I probably made a tiny crack in this current tooth too.  It was not noticeable enough on the x-ray. According to the dentist I have tiny cracks in many of my teeth. Since it was not painful and not noticeable, it was overlooked.  Then I went over seven weeks with no night guard and ground the heck out of my teeth.  What was a tiny crack now became a bigger crack and painful when I bite down.  It isn't horribly painful.  I could live with it for much longer but I worry that the same thing will happen and my tooth will fall apart.  It is a tooth with a partial crown.  So, the partial crown needs to come off and then a new crown needs to be put on.  For those of you keeping track, since Covid started this is crown number three.  I am keeping my dentist is business.  As I said before, I should just have my pay direct deposited to the dentist's bank account.  

Stress is shown in different ways.  Mine is through my stomach, my RA and how bad my tooth grinding and gritting gets.  I always grind and grit my teeth since I have done it my whole life but it gets worse when I am under enormous stress.  I think the last 18 months would be a perfect example of enormous stress.

I did not walk today.  I was busy and did not want to.  I think I am feeling a little sorry for myself.  

I did not bake today either.  I will not ready to do the next project and I had all these other things happen.

I had a few people reach out to me today.  It was one of those days. I can go days without my phone ringing and then one day I will have four people reach out.  It is like a vibe happens and everyone wants to talk/text with me.  I call it a "popular day". 

Until tomorrow...

WHAT IS GRAPPA?

 I did not bake today. I was supposed to plan my next project but I got distracted.  I did some admin work and some other stuff.  I took a walk with Lucky.  I cleaned up the kitchen and ran the dishwasher.  I logged my miles in my walking log book.  I spoke with my step-sister.  

I made something good for dinner but I haven't posted it yet so I don't have pretty photos yet.  Another day. 

Last night after I posted my blog, my neighbor came by with six bottles of liquor.  He was so nice to go to three stores to get me the liquor I need for the rest of my courses.  He even gave me two bottles of wine from his personal collection to save money.  The most expensive was the grappa.  I probably only need a little bit but I had to buy a whole bottle.  Since I don't drink, I will have to find someone to give it to.  A grappa drinker. Grappa is a type of brandy of Italian heritage that tastes like sour plums dipped in honey.  

Lucky and I took a one-mile walk today. We ran into two sets of strangers who thought Lucky was a cute puppy.  I had to tell them she was a 12 year old dog.  She shocks people all the time because she acts and looks like she is super young.  

Until tomorrow...

DAY ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE OF COOKING COURSE

 I finished my first French Pastry creation.  It was a haul but I did it.  There were so many components that it took three days.  I now see why French Pastries cost so much. They must have 10 people work on them.  It tastes amazing.  I gave a few away and I am sure I will hear if they are as tasty as I think they are.  

The creation is a Baba au Rhum.  There is a few layers: the baba soaked in passion fruit syrup, mango salad, crumble, mango cremeux, vanilla pastry cream.  I plated it two different ways: restaurant quality and cafe style.  

The restaurant style is so fancy and delicious.  The cafe style is like a party in my mouth with each spoonful.  The dessert is so delicious with the mango and passion fruit. 

I decided to stay inside today and finish my dessert and I did the walking DVD for 2 miles.  This allowed me to have the time to finish the dessert, take the photos, wash the MANY dishes and be ready for my doctor appointment.  If I had gone out for an outside walk, I would have left one of these things to do later and been stressed.  

Until tomorrow...

DAY ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO OF COOKING COURSE

 Today was another day of baking for many hours.  I am still working on my French pastry project but there were so many components that I didn't get to finish.  Some of the components needed to chill for 12 hours and others needed to have room temperature butter.  I just wasn't prepared since the instructions are not very good.  For the next recipe I will need to watch the whole video before I cook and check for mistakes in the written directions since I follow the written directions sometimes.  I definitely follow the ingredient list and sometimes that has been incomplete.  

Tomorrow I have one component left to do and then I can put the dessert together.  I want to do it two different ways: fine dining or casual. It should be fun.  

Lucky and I went for another one-mile walk.  It was a nice day and not too windy.  

Until tomorrow...