Essential Services. Glasses, Shopping, Car, Walker, Supper.

For some reason, in the morning, I phoned our garage and checked if they were "essential services" I was assured they were although not working as many hours. The guy who runs the Meineke is great and we have a very good relationship. He also told me I should drive the car for a short trip at least twice a week during this incarceration. I then got a call from a local optometrist who said bring down my glasses that afternoon. Whoopee.

Shortly after  lunch, off we headed for the optometrist. Matt came for the ride. Turns out the optometrist in the local mall had moved into a premises previously occupied by a jewellers. He was telling me that all of the stores are moving around. Zehrs our grocery store is in the same place, as is the bank, but a large area is being taken over by Shopper's Drug Mart. The post office used to be in a tobacconist's. Not sure but I know the Post Office has moved, assume the tobacconist has too.

However, he fixed my glasses and suggested that I should have new lenses put into the frames I was wearing. May just do that, a good idea.

I then went to the liquor store and stood in a line up right round the corner, in the cold. Thank God it isn't winter any more. However there is always a gale blowing past the front of the LCBO. There were 6 ft markers all the way round the corner and we moved along like good little children. I eventually went in to the store and discovered Matt's favourite gin, Bombay Sapphire was not available, I discovered it had been recalled, don't know why. Anyway, I was pushing Matt's walker and loaded everything into the basket. His walker has the advantage of being much easier to fold and put into the trunk. The booze weighed a ton.

I then thought I would stop at the baker's and get some more of my favourite buns as I was nearly out. All well and good, intended to go on to Victoria St. Market to get a decent lettuce, the one I got from the grocery this week was appalling, no middle at all. Got back to the car and Matt said there was steam coming up. I thought he was imagining it and then I saw it. Horrors. I went straight to the garage. Lucky I phoned this morning. They were busy, busy, busy. They didn't have time to even take a look although Bob figured it must be the cooling system. In the end, they sent us home, booze and all, by cab. The driver was trying to keep away from us but not really possible. I had a can of disinfectant spray with me, so I was spraying everything around.

Now I had a problem, I have mentioned that our parking lot underground is at the most extreme distance from the door. I was wondering how the hell I was going to get my walker. When we went to enter the building, the assistant super opened the door. I immediately begged him to get my walker for me. He said he would. Two hours later I phoned him and he had forgotten. Eventually, he did get it for me. So - I am not a happy camper. They won't even look at the car til Monday and it was considered unwise to drive it home again. Even if I did, what would have been the point, I couldn't drive it anyway.

So, what a shit of a day. I was exhausted after all this. So I decided to cook something which took some effort instead of something easy. I really am a dumbcluck. I actually made Shrimp Creole in the Instant Pot which was delicious. Of course I didn't order onions this week, so I used a leek instead. Worked fine. But I never did get my damned lettuce today. But, at least I can have my Sunday champagne.

So, even if I had to get on with chopping and dicing stuff, it was worth it in the end.

Shrimp Creole in an Instant Pot®

1 bell pepper, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp olive oil
1 Tbs tomato paste
1/2 cup sherry
1 tsp sugar
1 28 oz  can crushed tomatoes
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)
1 tsp thyme
1 bay leaf
1 lb frozen jumbo shrimp (peeled and deveined)

1. Set the Instant Pot pressure cooker to sauté and heat olive oil.  Add the vegetables and sauté for 3 minutes, or until they start to soften. Add tomato paste, stirring for about another minute.

2. Add crushed tomatoes, seasonings.  Stir to combine. Cover with lid, making sure the valve is in the sealing position.  Set the pot to manual - high pressure for 5 minutes.  When finished, do a quick pressure release by moving the valve to venting.   Add the shrimp into the hot sauce and cook it that way. If necessary turn on the sauté function to bring the sauce to temperature again..  Serve over rice.

Servings: 4

Source: Instantly Delicious

Have a great weekend, stay safe, stay well, stay home.