Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Christmas Day

Christmas Eve night, it snowed - Christmas Day it snowed. First white Christmas I remember in quite a while. Only trouble was, we couldn't go to Mandarin for Christmas Dinner. Mind you, Matt had already said he couldn't make it anyway. He is getting around with his air boot and the Fracture Clinic surgeon told him he can take it off at night and not worry about using his foot when he needs to go to the bathroom. He is able to do the odd thing now and again. He has a shower stool, the kind that sticks out of the bath so you can sit on it and swivel into the bath. Also a toilet seat extension. It lifts you up quit a bit which helps one to stand up. Had one every time we had hip replacements. I just googled in order to find a picture of the boot and discovered Amazon.ca sells them for about $50. I haven't yet seen the bill, but I gather the hospital one is going to be charged at $175. What a rip off. Luckily I believe insurance pays for this. But that is why insurance is so damned expensive. OK there again we don't pay the premiums they are paid for as part of his employment package when he was working. But if they weren't being ripped off they could provide even more coverage, like outside Canada coverage which was negotiated away many years ago. The bath stool and toilet extension we get free for 2 weeks and then have to pay rental ourselves if we need it. I think the same applies with the walker he is using. Long term parking at the hospital is $14. However, I suppose we should be happy about that because we are getting the treatment free. I wasn't intending to rant until I saw the price of the boot at Amazon.

Talking of the aircast, it has the ability to be pumped up. The hospital Emergency pumped it, the physiotherapist pumped it, but when we got to the fracture clinic we found someone (not sure but possibly a nurse, how do you tell these days?) who explained properly that as Matt's leg was somewhat swollen it was wrong as well as unnecessary to pump up the boot and it was, in fact, oversqueezing his ankle/foot. He told us that when the swelling has gone down, then we can pump up the boot if necessary.

Our neighbours popped in briefly at lunchtime with a plate of goodies to say Merry Christmas. I had slipped a card under their door. Nice couple. He offered to drive if needed during this crappy weather. Luckily we don't have to drive for at least a day if not two. She was telling me she had asked permission to try and form a coffee club in the building. That should be fun.

I had planned this for Boxing Day but ended up cooking it for Christmas Day, not having a turkey handy. It turned out very well and we both enjoyed it. The recipe doesn't say anything about it, but if and when I make it again I think I will pin the bacon to the pork. Bit of a pain to do, and then one has to hunt for the pins after, but it will ensure the wrapping is more secure.

Apricot Glazed Bacon Wrapped Cajun Pork Tenderloin

A moist and juicy cajun seasoned pork tenderloin wrapped in crispy bacon and glazed in an apricot dijon sauce! Sweet and salty pork perfection!

1 1/2 lb pork tenderloin
1 Tbs cajun seasoning
2 Tbs brown sugar
6 strips bacon
3 Tbs apricot preserves
1 Tbs grainy dijon mustard

1. Rub the pork tenderloin with the mixture of the cajun seasoning and brown sugar and wrap it up in the bacon.

2. Heat an oven safe skillet over medium heat, add the bacon wrapped pork tenderloin and cook until it is browned on all sides, about 10-15 minutes.

3. Transfer the pan to a preheated 400F/200C oven, roast until the pork reaches 140F, about 10-15 minutes, brushing on the mixture of the apricot preserves and mustard near the end before setting aside it to rest, covered, for 5 minutes.

Servings: 4

Author: Kevin Lynch
Source: Closet Kitchen


Have a great day
 

17 comments:

  1. OH, I am thinking my boys would love that tenderloin. We got at least 5 inches of snow on Christmas Eve. And then three accidents closed the freeway and my sister and her family had to detour yesterday to get here. I remember having to pay for the scooter I used when I broke my leg. Boots and walkers were covered by insurance, but I am sure the companies all rip each other off.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We certainly did Denise. Don't think we got that much snow. Haven't seen an official count though. Scooter? For indoors or out?

      Delete
    2. Both. You rested your leg on it and pushed yourself along. Not very stable though.

      Delete
    3. Doesn't sound very stable Denise.

      Delete
  2. We had a rather violent snow squall with high winds yesterday and gave us an impromptu white Christmas too. Glad to hear Matt's getting around better now too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We had a white Christmas for the first time in ages JoJo. Matt's progress varies from day to day I'm afraid.

      Delete
  3. Belated happy Christmas Jo, to you and Matt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Fil. Hope you guys had a good one. Happy New Year.

      Delete
  4. Hi Jo. First time back on Blogger for many months so I'm catching up but am reading backwards from most recent posts - haven't yet discovered how Matt fractured his leg/foot. (will get there eventually). I hope he is on the mend now - what a pain! I love the sound of this recipe and I have tenderloin in the freezer - just wondering if I could substitute leftover cranberry sauce for the apricot ... I guess it would still work. Might have a go tomorrow as it'll save me going food shopping! Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, thought I hadn't seen you around Sue. Were you away?

      It was a delicious meal. Finished it off last night, still good cold.

      Delete
    2. yep, we had 6 weeks on Fuerteventura, 2 weeks UK then another 6 weeks Fuerteventura so no opportunity for art or Blogging really. We've been overseeing the refurbishment of an apartment we bought to rent out long term. Its all finished now and tenant organised so we can relax and look forward to the monthly rent payments :-) Suex

      Delete
    3. How many places do you have there now? Certainly a good way to supplement your income when you settle there permanently.

      Delete
  5. I feel bad for Matt about his foot as I was in that predicament back in 2009 and had to wear a boot for 6 weeks. My hubby had to drive me everywhere and do the groceries and he was not happy. It is always tough on the caregiver so my thoughts are with you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Birgit. Basically Matt is not going anywhere at the moment of course. It's the little things that get one. Shopping not so bad, but all the small jobs which have to be done.

      Delete
  6. Sorry, just seen your question Jo. We've had our own house there for 14 years (we don't rent it out). We also have 3 properties we rent out on long term tenancy agreements (12 months+). All the properties are licensed for short-term/holiday lets which would yield weekly rents 5 times what we get for long-term but of course we'd get void periods and have all the hassle of cleaning before/after each let and more wear & tear generally. Having an income in euros saves us having to worry about exchange rates particularly at the moment with the Brexit negotiations in full flood.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I knew you had your own place, but 3 more is a good investment I think Sue. Especially for long term rentals. Were you pro or anti Brexit? I was surprised some old friends of ours were pro.

      Delete