Monday, July 10, 2017

A/C, Pavlova, Avon, Internet,

For those of you who are interested, we got the estimates for the air conditioner on Friday. It would cost us $600 odd (plus 13% tax) for replacement parts with no guarantee that the compressor wouldn't conk out soon after. The other option is a new unit which will cost $1,600 including tax. We opted for the replacement. The other one lasted us 16 years so doesn't owe us anything. They are going to have the devil of a job removing it mind you, it was really driven in there 16 years ago. If this unit lasts 16 years too we will be quids in. Always assuming we last 16 years ourselves of course.


This is my second version of my strawberry Pavlova. This one is loaded with macerated strawberries and I think will be much better.

It wasn't until I came to post this picture that I realised I hadn't posted a blog for Saturday. By the time I did, it was basically too late and so it is now Monday's blog.

Today, I met my new Avon lady and she and I came to a similar agreement that I had with a previous representative, so I am back to selling Avon, I hope!!!

Is it Mercury Retrograde or something? Last week the air conditioner and this week my internet. After chatting with the tech support people they decided it must be the modem. I hate to think how many modems I have had. They must be very unreliable. However, I got my new one and plugged it in and am back in business. Funny how many times I thought "I'll look it up on the internet" only to realise I couldn't.

Monday lunch will see the last of my fresh asparagus so now I will be miserable until next year.

I have a feeling I may have posted this recipe before, but it is one that really appeals to me.

Caramelized Pear on Warm Brie

1 green onion
2 tsp (10 mL) butter
1 pear, diced
pinch each salt and cinnamon
1/4 cup (50 mL) pear juice or apple juice
3 Tbs (50 mL) chopped pecans
1 Tbs (15 mL) SPLENDA® Brand Brown Sugar Blend
1 tsp (5 mL) chopped fresh thyme
1 tsp (5 mL) cider vinegar
1 round (200 g) Brie cheese

1. Thinly slice green onion, keeping white and green parts separate.

2. In nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat; fry pear, white part of onion, salt and cinnamon for 5 minutes or until pear is softened.

3. Add pear juice, pecans, SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend, thyme and vinegar; boil, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until no liquid remains.

4. Place Brie on ovenproof serving dish; top with pear mixture. Bake in 350°F (180°C) oven for 10 minutes or until cheese is softened. Let stand for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with green part of onion.

Servings: 8

Source: Splenda

Have a great day

18 comments:

  1. I went through three modems. Frustrating. Now I have one provided by the cable company and it works much better. Wondered what happened to you on Saturday. My next replacement will probably be my water heater. It just went off warranty and I do not want to wait until it breaks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Luckily the modem is part of my ISP package Denise, so I never have to buy one and can replace as and when. I am wondering what else we have which is going to break. The guys for the A/C aren't here yet, we are, of course, ready and waiting. As for your water heater, it may last for years yet.

      Delete
    2. I'll keep monitoring the heater. Don't want it to spring a leak like my first one did. This is my third one in 45 years.

      Delete
    3. I only once remember a water heater of mine giving up the ghost Denise. It is a pain though isn't it? Guess we move too often and now it's no longer our problem although today the water mysteriously stopped running.

      Delete
  2. At least you don't have to replace a house unit air conditioner. Those suckers are around five thousand dollars.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True Alex, we paid for one of those when we bought our place in NC but as that was in 1988 they didn't cost as much as that. Was thinking of you yesterday at the ISP office where they have a humungous TV for people to watch whilst waiting. Too big for most homes I would think. I wondered if it was 3D but didn't ask.

      Delete
  3. I've gone through countless modems. Apparently the insides are all made of cardboard, with how often they break, despite just having one function (make sure the Internet is up).

    Here's hoping your AC AND your Internet stay up and running smoothly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They keep changing mine too Bryan. Pain in the ***. As yet we still have no AC. He phoned and is waiting for delivery.

      Delete
  4. Mercury retrograde is coming up in August I think, but it sure has seemed like it lately! That pavlova looks soooo GOOD!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Feels like like it right now. It was good JoJo.

      Delete
  5. It's amazing how parts and labor make it better to replace than repair. That Pavlova makes my mouth water.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it Susan. The labour is $105 which is a hell of a lot I think.

      I published the way I made it a week ago Saturday.

      Delete
  6. A replacement A/C sounds like a good idea. You get to a point when repairs aren't worth doing, don't you.

    You have been unlucky with your modems. I've had the same one for twelve years now and I keep wondering when it will die. Not that it will matter apart from inconvenience because like yours it comes as part of the ISP package.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sure was going to cost plenty and then the compressor could go Helen.

      As you say, inconvenient, but they replace it easily.

      Delete
  7. I agree with going with the replacement A/C unit. If they couldn't guarantee anything after they fixed the old one, better to upgrade and then be under a warranty for a bit, etc. Hard to believe fresh asparagus season is over for the year!

    betty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bearing in mind it is 16 years old, not surprising they couldn't guarantee anything. Just hard Betty, I definitely believe it!!

      Delete
  8. Hi Jo - hope the A/c gets sorted out. Frustrating re the computer - and yes sometimes the internet is essential especially when it doesn't work. Sad about the asparagus - but I had a good lot this year ... cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It will eventually. Not really their fault and thank goodness it's not that warm. Loss of internet is a pain in the you know what. I had lots of asparagus too, but always sad at the end of the season.

      Delete