Thursday Morning, Windows, Android, Mounties

What a lovely morning, we were told late Wednesday afternoon that they would be coming to fix our bedroom windows in the apartment, after 38 years the frames were beginning to rot out as I mentioned previously. Not only that, but after all that time the glass was etched from the screen and nothing would clean it off.  Not the balcony windows you can see in the picture, but the smaller windows ether side.  We are tucked right in the corner behind the tree. So, around 8:30 a.m. they arrived (I was still dressing) so Matt sent them into the computer room to start. I threw my clothes on and dashed in there to cover all the electronics. One older guy was relatively quiet but his two young assistants could NOT close door quietly and they were in and out, in and out, it was driving me crazy. I said before we had had a device attached to our front door to make it close and that was slamming too (the older guy was the one who installed it so he adjusted it so no slamming there) but leaving a door open when the glass was not in made the door slam too. Jeez. My noives, my noives. That’s without the banging and drilling of course although that hasn’t been too, too bad. My biggest complaint was having to get up and get dressed early. That’s three times this week, I don’t do early, well not dressed etc. early anyway.

Hey it’s quiet, all done, lovely new windows and we can see out of them. Only trouble is, we can’t open them because they have no screens. Those are on backorder apparently. I do hope they won’t take too long. I am not sure how you clean them either, I suppose one can take them out although that looks like a difficult job and not one I think we can cope with.

At the moment I am waiting with bated breath until my new Android arrives, which it should do any day – Worldstart said 5 days but that may not have taken into account that it was being shipped into Canada. Just my luck it will arrive tomorrow when I am out getting my CPAP machine. Of course I don’t have a clue how to use it but I expect I will enjoy finding out. I don't know but assume it will be an Apple system which I have never used.

I didn't know, until I saw the Google Doodle that May 23, 2013 is the 140th anniversary of the founding of the North West Mounted Police. strains of Rose Marie in the background.

Asparagus in Bed

1 lb Ontario asparagus, trimmed
8 eggs
1 Tbs vinegar
2 Tbs unsalted butter, melted
2 Tbs fresh lemon juice
8 slices prosciutto
freshly grated pepper
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 450º F (230º C). Steam or simmer asparagus just until tender-crisp, 3 to 5 minutes; drain well. Fill large skillet with water. Add vinegar and bring to simmer over medium heat. Slip eggs, one at a time, into simmering water; cook until whites are firm and yolks are just set. Remove eggs with slotted spoon and carefully blot dry with paper towel. (Eggs may be poached several hours in advance; transfer to bowl and cover with cold water. Drain well before proceeding.) Divide butter among 4 gratin dishes. Divide asparagus among dishes; drizzle with lemon juice. Drape proscuitto over top. Arrange 2 eggs on top of each prosciutto. Season with pepper to taste. Sprinkle cheese over top. Bake for 3 to 4 minutes or just until cheese melts. Serve immediately.

Servings: 4
Source: Asparagus Growers' Marketing Board

Have a great day

Summer League, Lids, Android Computer.

Well our first day of summer bowling went really well, my only problem was we were whipping through so fast, I didn’t seem to get a chance to sit down with the result that I was knackered at the end. Nevertheless everyone seemed to have fun although I did have to complain to the management because the had obviously been sticking bubble gum on the corner pins (they just wouldn’t go down). It was nice to bowl on well kept lanes, our old place really didn’t spend any money on anything if they could help it.

Talk about what we call ‘sod’s law’ in England and Murphy’s in Canada, we had medications to collect on the way home. I had recently received a couple of refills with kid proof lids – you know, the push down and turn kind – I need a kid to open them. There used to be instruction on the drug store computer not to give me kid proof lids, anyway, knowing we were going in, I took my two refills in to change the lids. Once there, discovered I had picked up only one with a problem lid, the other being fine. Never thought to check and when I got home, found the new one I had just picked up had the same lid on it, grrr. Don’t know why I didn’t think to check. The pharmacist made the notation on their PC again, don’t know why it wasn’t still there. I still want to get the other lids changed though, they are a nuisance.

Having posted the story of Ben and his horrific medical bills, I bought the book by his dad – David Farland – called Nightingale. It's good and I am enjoying it. I`m actually reading two books simultaneously as one is on my laptop, the other on my Kindle so I read the Kindle with my lunch. Talking of which I just told my husband he was buying me a birthday present, (September in case you ask) an android computer, but I had to buy it now whilst available. $129 from Worldstart and in case you wonder, I have bought a lot of stuff from them over the years. I've wanted an iPad for a long time, why I don`t really know, just did, but could never justify it, still can`t, but at that price, I couldn`t pass it up.

This recipe came from Food & Recipes and I thought it looked good. One could always serve asparagus on the side.

Coconut Fried Rice

WebMD Recipe

You can boost the yellow color of the brown rice by cooking the rice in low-sodium chicken broth instead of water. If you want to add some heat, add a tablespoon (or to taste) of chopped red chilies along with the tomato.

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs (use higher omega-3 fatty acid eggs if available)
• 1/4 cup egg substitute
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1  sweet or yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 to 3 teaspoons minced garlic (depending on your preference)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons catsup
• 1 cup finely diced tomato
• 1/4 cup low-fat milk (or substitute whole milk or fat-free half-and-half)
• one or two pinches saffron (available in small jars in the spice section of your market)
• one or two pinches curry powder
• 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract
• 4 cups cooked brown rice (use a rice cooker, or cook on the stove)
• 8 ounces or more shrimp (frozen, cooked, shelled and de-veined , thawed) or diced tofu; or cooked and shredded or diced chicken, beef, or pork)
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• canola cooking spray
  

Instructions

1. Add eggs and egg substitute to medium bowl and beat with fork until well blended. Coat a large, nonstick wok or frying pan with canola cooking spray and start heating over medium-high heat. Pour in the egg mixture and either scramble or cook like an omelet (your choice). Set cooked eggs aside. If you made an omelet, cut into shreds before setting aside.
2. To the same wok or frying pan, add canola oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and stir-fry until golden (a few minutes). Add salt (if desired), pepper, catsup, and diced tomato, and continue to stir-fry for a minute or two. Meanwhile, add the milk, saffron, curry and coconut extract to a 1-cup measure and stir to blend.
3. Add the brown rice, shrimp and coconut milk mixture to the wok with the onion mixture and continue to stir-fry for a couple more minutes. Stir in the cooked egg pieces or strips.
4. Arrange each serving of rice in a bowl and garnish with green onions and cilantro.

Have a great day