Monday, August 17, 2020

Cheering Up, Lunch, Respite, Scheherezade,

It's the little things. Around Friday supper time I was feeling a bit down and lonely when I heard a knock on the door and it was Karen, my next door neighbour, with some, what she called, Long Johns. They were a long donut with cream in. I picked one up for dessert. Chatted to her for a bit and off she went. I felt much happier after. Then I got an email from ladydog suggesting we went out for Sunday lunch/brunch which will make a nice change.

Just come back from lunch which turned out to be a treat from ladydog. She is so very good to me/us. We ended up going to Oscars which isn't far from me and where they are very popular for breakfasts and lunches. They are not open in the evening. I might say it is raining quite hard. I ordered a crépe

I phoned the hospital this morning and spoke to Matt's nurse, he is doing fine she said, he had his shower this morning and his breakfast. She says he is eating well and is her best behaved patient. I spoke to the nurse again this afternoon and asked her what she thought about him going into respite when I go into hospital for an operation. She said she thought he would be fine, he is doing well at the moment. It seems that there is an unexpected result from his hospital visit, I have been worrying for months about this situation and it seems I have been worrying unnecessarily.

I was reminded today of Scheherazade which I haven't heard for many a long year. Used to be one of my favourite pieces to listen to. As I sit here typing I am enjoying the Sinfónica de Galicia conducted by Leif Sergestram (who looks like Santa in tails) playing it. I really don't know if we still have a copy, I must check it out. I think my memory is going back some 60 years when the girl who was my flat mate had a copy of it which we played on her very up to date, at that time, radio and stereo system. For those of you who are interested, here it is.




I would like to listen again, but I end up with very swollen feet sitting forever at my PC. Maybe later.

Funny, the spelling of swollen just didn't look right so I had to Google it to be sure. Odd how words can suddenly look wrong.

Blackened Shrimp with Citrus and Roasted Fennel

You don’t need to grill outdoors to get smoky char on this shrimp dish, just a quick spice rub and a hot skillet. The fennel and shallots caramelize and become tender as they roast, and the orange slices

become concentrated and fragrant. The multigrain medley is a fun alternative to brown rice; it includes brown, red, and wild rice, plus quinoa. Can’t find it? Use any precooked brown rice or quick-cooking quinoa

2 small navel oranges
2 medium fennel bulbs with stalks (about 7 oz. each)
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
1 tsp kosher salt, divided
6 small shallots, halved
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp chopped fresh oregano
1/4 tsp ground red pepper
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on
2 (4.4-oz.) pkg. precooked multigrain rice medley (such as Minute)

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.

2. Grate one orange to equal 1 teaspoon rind; reserve. Cut oranges crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick rounds. Remove stalks from fennel; chop fronds to equal 2 tablespoons and reserve (discard stalks). Cut fennel bulbs into 1/2-inch-thick wedges. Combine orange slices, 2 tablespoons oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, shallots, and fennel wedges in a bowl. Arrange fennel mixture in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 425°F for 25 minutes or until fennel is tender and lightly charred.

3. Combine remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, paprika, and next 4 ingredients (through red pepper) in a ziplock bag. Add shrimp, seal, and shake to coat. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add shrimp; cook 3 minutes or until done.

4. Heat rice medleys according to package directions; place in a bowl and stir in reserved 1 teaspoon orange rind. Divide rice mixture, fennel mixture, and shrimp among 4 plates; sprinkle evenly with reserved fennel fronds.

Servings: 4

Source: Cooking Light

Have a great day, stay well, stay safe.
 

16 comments:

  1. Hooray for unexpected treats. Hooray for ladydog. And a big hooray for Matt doing unexpectedly well without you. It does sound as if he will manage respite care better than you feared. Which is wonderful.

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    1. I echo the cheers Sue. Yes, it is something of a relief to know he can be OK without me. I can now go ahead and call the doc about getting my vascular surgery done.

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  2. Hi Jo – the ‘Long John’ sounds delicious – even at breakfast time! That was kind of Karen. Then Ladydog – the crepe also sounds delicious … even if the treat was x 2 – more brunch like … but good to have too. A real treat … so pleased for you .

    Excellent news re Matt … and so good to know he’s settled in so easily – and that the hospital visit has relieved your worries a little.

    Scheherazade is one special piece of music – relaxing to listen to … I know I suddenly wonder how to spell things occasionally … but look after those swollen legs …. The Shrimp with Citrus and Fennel sounds delicious too …

    Take care and hope all goes well this week - Hilary

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    1. It was, made a nice dessert Hilary. The brunch was good too and so nice of ladydog. Yes, it is excellent news about Matt.

      Hopefully if I get my op I won't have swollen legs any more. Thanks.

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  3. I have no idea how one person can eat so much!! Funny you should mention the Sinfónica de Galicia. I have a friend whose son plays in their youth orchestra, which is a very fine ensemble. As for Scheherazade, it is a wonderful piece, which I have enjoyed many times including a live performance when I lived in Québec City.

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    1. Nor have I David. Of course I regret it after. That is a coincidence. Don't recall ever seeing a live performance. I used to go to the Albert Hall regularly when I lived in London, but after so many years, I don't remember what I heard there. Never been to Québec City, spent a few days in Montreal though.

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    2. I have travelled a good deal throughout North America, and in my opinion nothing comes close to Québec City in terms of historical charm. The winters are a little too long, but other than that I would move back there tomorrow, i only left because the company I was working for at the time transferred me to Toronto, which then was a bastion of dullness and mediocrity. My daughter was born in Québec, now lives in Ottawa, and is fluent in both official languages - a true Canadian. We are going to visit her for a couple of days tomorrow.

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    3. Always wanted to go to Québec City but never had the opportunity. Moi, je parle français come une vache espanol. Enjoy your visit with your daughter.

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    4. J'espère que vous avez raison.

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  4. You have good friends.

    That's wonderful news that Matt is doing well. You are familiar and he knows how to buck you, but since the hospital staff are all new to him, he behaves. (Kind of like kids who can be terrors at home but well-behaved in front of strangers.)

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    1. I definitely do.

      You are so very right Diane. I want to call the surgeon's office later today and start the ball rolling to have my op.

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  5. So Matt has discovered that he must behave in the hospital. No one there to 'peel him a grape', lol. Now you need to jump on the bandwagon and take care of your health issues ASAP!

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    1. LOL Denise. Actually, I have, I just phoned the vascular surgeon's office and said I want to go through with the surgery.

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  6. I am glad you are looking into the surgery. You may want to make sure Matt could stay at a place for that time you are gone because, like a kid, he can act up when at home...my mother did but was peaches when away. We have a place here who will take someone who, normally lives at home with a caregiver, can be cared for in a long term care facility but just for the time needed that the caregiver is gone. I would find out if there is something like that near you. I am so happy you have Ladydog with you and the neighbour was there just at the right time. I love that piece and listen to it. I do like Arthur Fiedler so much. Great listen!

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    1. Yes, there is a place like that Birgit, maybe more than one, but they insist on 14 days quarantine so he couldn't see anyone or even wander around. Could be a problem. Yes, ladydog is a godsend. I had forgotten how much I like Scheherazade too.

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