Hospital, Driver, Shopping, Salve, Caesar Salad, Old Age, Driver's License,

So, we left here at 9:15 to go to the hospital to see the anaesthetist. I had told the CSC that we would be an hour. Once we got signed in, etc. etc. I discovered it was a 2 hour appointment. Like, they couldn't have mentioned that before? I phoned the driver to let him know and then we settled down to wait, or I did. Matt is not good at waiting any more. He gets very upset. I explained about him getting panic attacks and I think they pushed him along. We were already half an hour or so overdue anyway. He had all kinds of tests done, ECGs, bloodwork, and so on. Then we had a long talk with the nurse who did all that testing. We then had to wait to see the anaesthetist - but not too long. She chatted to us both although I don't think Matt understood half of it. We discussed whether he should have a spinal or a complete anaesthetic. I said complete, but thinking about it, maybe spinal would be OK. Will talk about it again on Monday. At the termination of the conversation the anaesthetist said I looked tired and, as the prime caregiver, I should look after myself. She also said, not to worry myself about housework, however, I explained that I have a cleaner from CSC which she was pleased to hear. Finally, we were told we could go home and then the driver couldn't come for at least half an hour. Not his fault, he had been told we would be over and done with in an hour. Matt was not too happy with this guy, he had a tendency to drive one handed and on the way home he was waving both hands in the air. Uuuuumm!!!  Whilst waiting I had a coffee and donut. Not Matt. It was compliments of CARP (like AARP) when I renewed my membership, they sent  me a Tim Horton's card. I have a whole 39 cents left. I also discovered the hospital has a Subway there too, might have a sub for lunch next week. We will be there at 9:15 and, as I understand it, will probably not be out of there before 3 at least. I also discovered the hospital have doubled their parking fees. Thank goodness for CSC although not sure if  they can handle our Monday trip - will phone them tomorrow. Wednesday.

Finally got home safely, despite the hand waving, I couldn't wait to get some lunch even though I had eaten a donut.

After lunch I went down to collect some groceries, they couldn't supply a driver for that this afternoon so I will do two small shops this week. Actually, I am not sure I don't prefer it and Matt managed to take the groceries upstairs so that was OK.

Forgot to mention, ladydog had popped in whilst we were out and left me some Cann Salve (Cannabis) which her son had developed (he works in forestry etc.) specifically for her headaches. I think he is on to something. Seemed to help my arthritic hands not to mention my aching neck. My back was bad today, maybe I should have tried it for that. In fact I ended up wearing the support belt we bought for Matt and which he has never used, it actually helped quite a lot. Lovely getting old!!!

Finished our Cauli Cheese for supper and I also made a Caesar Salad. Haven't made one in years for some reason. Matt especially seemed to enjoy it. Have lots of dressing and more Romaine so will have to make more tomorrow.

Got it nagging at the back of my mind that there was something else I was going to talk about, but can't think what it was. Another symptom of getting old. Need to get my ear trumpet out as well LOL. Oh, just went down to the mail and lo and behold, my proper driver's license. I am now all set til my birthday in 2021.

One certainly sees some incredible sights in the hospital. Sitting there waiting for the driver to pick us up, I couldn't believe some of the people we saw. One woman I felt very sorry for, she was wheeling herself around and was so huge she literally overflowed her chair. One of the volunteers tried to help her and she seemed to snap at him.

Made a start on canning some pickled asparagus. Got as far as making the brine. Cleaner will be here in the morning so probably won't achieve a lot.

One of these days I must shell out for some lobster and try this recipe, I have had it for a year or two but lobster isn't regularly on my menu LOL. I just realised it says to cook asparagus about 10 minutes. I never cook mine longer than 4 and it is perfectly done. Never seen fresh chervil either. In fact, not a herb with which I am very familiar. Think I have dried.

Asparagus and Lobster Crêpes with Fines Herbes Hollandaise Sauce

1 lb asparagus, ends trimmed
Cooked meat of 1 large lobster, or 2 lobster tails (about 1 1/2 lbs lobster before cooking)
sprinkling of salt plus 1/2 tsp.

Fines Herbes Hollandaise

2 Tbs white wine vinegar
1/4 cup water
3 large egg yolks
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened and cubed
2 Tbs lemon juice
white pepper to taste
1 Tbs fresh tarragon, finely chopped
1 Tbs fresh chives, finely chopped
1 Tbs fresh chervil, finely chopped.

1. Preheat oven to 300°F.

2. In a large pot, steam or boil asparagus until just tender, about 10 mins, cool under cold water, drain and set aside.

3. Coarsely chop cooked lobster, set aside

4. Prepare crêpes.

5. Divide the asparagus into 8 separate bundles. Place a bundle in each of 8 crêpes, sprinkle with salt and roll to enclose. Place asparagus in a glass baking dish, top with lobster and cover with foil. Just before serving, and no sooner, place in heated oven for 15 mins to warm through.

6. In a small saucepan over medium high heat reduce (boil) vinegar, water and 1/2 tsp salt until approximately 3 tbs remains, remove from heat.

7. Lower heat to medium-low, add yolks to pan and return to heat, whisking constantly until foamy and lightly thickened. Make sure not to scramble eggs; if the eggs begin to cook too quickly pull off the heat and whisk vigorously to cool slightly before continuing.

8. Begin to whisk butter into pan 1 cube at a time. Once all the butter is incorporated, whisk in lemon juice, white pepper and fresh herbs. Use immediately.

9. Place two asparagus crêpes on each plate and top each with some of the warmed lobster. Spoon hollandaise overtop, serve immediately

Servings: 4

Source
Source: Food and Drink Spring 2010

Author Notes
If preparing this for a dinner party, the asparagus, lobster, crêpes and vinegar reduction can all be prepared beforehand so that the only thing left to prepare is the hollandaise. Make sure to use a good quality butter so that the hollandaise has great flavour.

Have a great day
 

Medical, Supper, Reading.

Isn’t this nice, I go to the doc on Thursday and am told I still have a serious infection even though I have had this problem since August. I am about to start my 9th antibiotic although I do have an appointment with a urologist next week. In the morning I had to go for a follow up ultrasound after my angioplasty last November. I was talking to the young woman who did the ultrasound, turns out she is from Syria, has been here 10 years and was a doctor in her homeland but cannot afford the time (she has young kids) to go back to school in Canada in order to certify as a doctor here. Mentioned it to my doctor and she said she was going to offer her a job because she could employ such qualified people as assistants. Wonder if she will take it?

Still on the medical scene, I was given two prescriptions both of which, it turned out, needed some code from my doctor before the government would pay for them. The doctor put one code on, but not the other. When I gave the prescription to the pharmacy they faxed the doctor’s office to get the code. I phoned the doctor’s office twice and was assured they would be faxing the info back. In the end, Matt had to go and get the one pill which we had to pay $31 for – they will refund most of it once they get the fax. I can’t believe this happened – especially after speaking to the doctor’s staff on two occasions.

I finished my book The Art Forger which I mentioned the other day, I really enjoyed it, I now know a lot about art forging too. I had quite decided it would end in such and such a way and it turned out I was wrong. I am now reading Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold. Set in the same world as the Miles Vorkosigan stories. Seems quite good so far. I have always enjoyed the Vorkosigan books although I am sorry Miles is not the hero of this one.

One thing, our doctor being in the same town as the Scottish Bakery, I dropped in there and got some more Cornish Pasties. We had two for supper and I threw together a Caesar salad with a dressing recipe I got from an office colleague years ago and which has since become my most favourite Caesar dressing. Didn’t have any croutons, mainly because I went off them years ago, always used to make my own and then freeze a bunch. So Matt had to go without I’m afraid. Making croutons is very easy if you have never done it, you just toast some bread, cut it into small pieces and then fry it in olive oil. If you want to sprinkle the croutons with seasoning such as garlic salt, you can do so although I never bothered.

Picky was the nickname of the colleague.

Picky's Caesar Salad Dressing

1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup Italian dressing
1 egg yolk
2 tsp lemon juice
6 dashes Tabasco
2 tsp wine vinegar
4 tsp Parmesan
dash pepper and salt
2 crushed garlic cloves
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp anchovy paste

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl - store in fridge if required. Cut up Romaine, add dressing, croutons and bacon bits. Toss and serve.

Have a great day