Busy Morning Shopping, Doctor's, More Shopping, Computer Work Coffee etc.

Seem to have been on the go all day. Up early to get us both cleaned up before our cleaner arrived, then I scooted off to the store to pick up my shopping. Popped into the local bakery where I buy my favourite 7 seed buns. I buy them frozen for half price. Gradually put that away, takes a bit of time as if I do much at once, something starts to hurt, legs, back, whatever. I also had to do my accounting and get some lunch early and ensure Matt does so too.

We then shot off to Cambridge, next town, to the doctor. In reception they have small forms you have to complete by going to the pharmacy and getting a BP test, I have made my own and did it at home before we came. Impressed the girls there. Wonder of wonders we didn't have to wait long, it was planned because himself gets agitated otherwise. We went in to see a doctor who turned out to have been born in Pakistan but who had been here since he was 15. Really nice man and he seemed to take a real interest in both of us. With me he said my blood tests were pretty good, and I was pre-diabetic but certainly not diabetic. He wanted me to take some B12 for 60 days and then I would be hunky dory. With Matt he decided all the pains he was suffering must be muscular and he has prescribed some muscle relaxant/pain killer pills for as and when needed. Hope if works.

Earlier I had called the Scottish bakery and asked them to save a couple of individual lemon meringue tarts so called in there and also bought some individual steak and kidney pies and a couple of rum balls (ate them for supper, glad the bakery isn't close to us, I would be eating a lot more of them).

I actually had a few steps counted on my watch, didn't think that would happen much as I don't do a lot of walking any more. Up to 2,500 today. Incredible. Forgot to mention about my watch, I am terrified I will forget to take it off when I shower. I have worn a waterproof watch for years.

Once we were home I had lots more to do on the computer, I had got the doctor to sign an application for a parking permit for Matt so I had to scan that too. Will have to go up to Service Ontario with it, just round the corner. Seemed to have a stack of things to do and still haven't done my taxes. Not that that is difficult, but takes a bit of time nevertheless.

I also had to make myself some coffee in the Instant Pot and later to put some Butter Chicken on and then some rice. I still have no notification the damned coffee pot has been delivered to the store. I will never do that again, it could have been delivered here by now. Grr.

Tomorrow morning I have to get cracking as I have an appointment for a vascular ultrasound at 9 and it is supposed to be snowing. Been snowing off an on all day today, but the roads weren't too bad. Could be a problem tomorrow though. Maybe I can relax after lunch, oh, must remember to drop off the application at Service Ontario too.                   

Sorry, I'm so tired I can hardly see what I am writing and just remembered I have some things to do - had a phone call just before we went out from a friend in NC to say her daughter had died. Promised her to call back, did so, but no reply.  Have to send a card and also send her address to another friend  here. So, no recipe tonight. My apologies.

Have a great day

Wednesday

Hm, running late, fell asleep watching Nova. Previously watched a great Nature programme on elephants called The Soul of Elephants. Only thing that spoilt it was they said in the time we had watched the programme (less than an hour) 5 elephants had been poached. An amazing husband and wife team who get really close to elephants, incredible pictures and insight into their lives.

ladydog turned up at lunchtime today and suggested Subs. Great idea. She and I went down the road to get them and we came back and enjoyed lunch together. Matt said he had really enjoyed it.

I then went to make stuffed peppers in the Instant Pot. I had done them last week, it was a resounding success. I did them this week and it was a resounding disaster. They fell apart on me and didn't work well at all. We did eat a couple of them for supper, but... I had a pack of 6 peppers, went to get the last one out and it was almost completely liquid. Never seen a pepper do that.before, the rest were fine. I complained and as I had to go get some shopping I went and got another pepper.  I also got some more ground beef and I still haven't split it up to freeze.

Gotta get up early to get my tooth pulled, looking forward to that. It rained today, hope it doesn't tomorrow or I will be a tad damp walking to the dentist.

I am getting a new power supply for my computer, I had the option of a new one or a used one and opted for the new. Probably silly but... Supposed to get it back tomorrow.

All for now.

Have a great day
 

Shopping, Computer,

So, there am I sitting in the lobby waiting to be picked up, when along comes a big bus - could have carried half a dozen passengers at least - just for me? The driver checked where we were going, and when he realised it was the underground parking, he said the vehicle was too tall. The height of the entry is 7 ft. so you know how big this was. I had to ask the PC Express people to come to us outside, not too difficult really. However, the driver is going to make sure that vehicle is not used to pick me up for shopping again. They always give you a granola bar and some bottled water. I never take the water (basically don't approve of bottled water, the bottles are plastic and take 450 years to decompose) so I just take granola. Got one for the driver too. No, they are not allowed to take tips apparently. Tried.

My computer guy came this evening, thinks the problem is the power source so has taken the unit away. Unfortunately he is moving and says I may not get my PC for a week. He is moving to Paris, Ontario that is, a delightful town from what I know of it. Unfortunately it is a long drive away. He says he is hoping to keep old customers like me (no he didn't mean my age). So I don't think I will be posting much on this laptop. Certainly no recipes I don't think. Too difficult with the floating cursor on this machine. Pity because the machine itself works fine except for that.

Wednesday is our cleaner's day and I have a cardiologist appointment in the afternoon. May have to go get some of that green stuff too. Getting low.

So, that's it for today. Will try and use recipes when I have more time to wait for the cursor to go where I want it to

Have a great day
 

Computer Problems, Shopping. Stuffed Peppers,

Main computer kaput. This laptop OK but mouse won't behave so this won't be long. Phoned my computer guy, completely forgot it was a holiday on Monday, duuh. He won't be here til Tuesday evening.

Going to pick up groceries with Community Support person this morning. Will be interesting to see how it goes. Hopefully I can get someone every week from now on.

I am not sorry the holiday is over, I have lots to do which can't be done when everyone is away. Yes, I know, people have to have holidays and if I were working I would change my tune. Have to book for Matt to see the aneasthetist and then arrange rides. Probably already said this.

So, for the stalkers, I may not be writing blogs as often  as I usually do unless the main computer is fixed quickly. Got a feeling it may be an expensive problem. OK Monday morning, dead Monday afternoon. He asked me to check power cables, can't be that, no-one been there, but I did anyway.

I had been planning to do stuffed peppers in the Instant Pot.  I found a recipe but altered it slightly. I was pleased to find I could get 4 peppers in the pot at once although one was a bit squished. I can't post the recipe right now because of my PC problems, but I was thrilled to bits. There is no pre-cooking anything, you just mix up the filling, stuff the raw peppers and then shove them in the IP. They came out beautifully and we have two for Tuesday night. I am so very pleased. I always hated having to cook the peppers first. This was easy peasy.

A simple little recipe.

Sautéed Asparagus and Peas

Asparagus and peas prove the old adage: what grows together, goes together. This is the perfect side

dish for spring!

2 Tbs unsalted butter
1/4 cup minced shallots
1 bunch thin asparagus spears, ends trimmed, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces on a diagonal
1 cup thawed frozen peas
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp honey

1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, 4-5 minutes.

2. Add the asparagus, ¼ teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Continue cooking over medium-low heat, stirring frequently so the shallots don't burn, for about 5 minutes or until tender-crisp. Add the peas and honey and cook about one minute more until the peas are warmed through. Add more salt and pepper to taste (I usually add about 1/8 teaspoon more salt and a few twists of pepper) and serve.

Author: Jennifer Segal
Source: Once Upon a Chef

Have a great day
 

Bruised Toe, Medical, Assistance,

Just to add to my miseries, I stubbed my middle toe quite badly. In the bowling alley, when it's raining or snowing, you have to be sure to remove your wet shoes before you come into the alley proper. Dangerous to have wetness on the alleys themselves. So there was I walking around shoeless and walked into my cane, it really hurt. Not sure if my toe is just bruised or broken. I can't wear shoes at the moment, they were agony on the way home yesterday. It even hurt getting into bed last night and the toe was throbbing quite a bit.  Walking is painful too. Luckily I don't have to go anywhere for a day or two.

Didn't realise that Matt has an appointment at St. Mary's hospital on Tuesday and I have one on Thursday. I tried to get them on the same day but couldn't do so. How annoying. Mine is for noon too, when do they think you eat lunch? My friend suggested I get rides so we don't have to do any walking. Even more important now, with my toe. It is a longish walk, for us anyway, from the parking lot into the hospital lobby.

I had a visit from Community Access Services (think that's right) turned out it was a girl I knew well as she had run the exercise classes for a while. Anyway, we have arranged for me to get assistance with collecting the groceries as well as rides to the hospital or any other medical appointment. It will cost me 54 cents a kilometer, i.e. $4 to collect the groceries and about $7 to go to St. Mary's. I have to go to Grand River Hospital some time too, think that's a bit further. However, the driver can drop us off right by the door which will save a lot of trouble and discomfort for both of us. As for the, shopping we have a huge shopping trolley down stairs, but by the time I have pushed it upstairs my legs are killing me once more. Think I mentioned that before.

This evening (Thursday) the computer guy comes, not sure how long it will take him to fix it. Fingers crossed it won't be long, I have so much stuff to enter. I need to get things organised better and get this laptop fixed so that the important stuff is up to date on both machines. Talking of organisation, I had to prove our financial status. Found my tax stuff all disorganised. Guess that was when they had to prove Matt's income for Meals on Wheels. Need to sort it all out. I still don't have a lot of energy for such things unfortunately.

Computer is fixed - something pretty simple actually which I could have done for myself had I known.

Have a great day
 

Movie, PC Repair.

Last night we watched The Insider a movie about blowing the gaff on cigarettes which starred Al Pacino, Russell Crowe and Christopher Plummer. I think we had seen it before but we both enjoyed it again. It was the story of Dr. Geoffrey Wigand and the “60 Minute” team. Dr. Wigand had been a top scientist working for a tobacco company and was well aware that the CEOs were all lying about the addiction factor on cigarettes. After much heart searching he agreed to talk to the media and because of it, lost his family to divorce, they were being threatened with death. His job he had already lost prior to talking to the news. A very brave man and one we should be more aware of.

Very short blog today, gotta go cook. Absolutely nothing in the whole menu could be prepared in advance, what bad planning on my part. Oh well.

I nearly forgot, I got my computer back last night, I was impressed with the speed. Not only did he fix my fax and get rid of the Malware but he fixed iTunes for me as well. A very simple adjustment apparently, I should have found out details, he said Apple should tell people, but unless you actually own an Apple product, they don’t care if iTunes works properly for you or not. Very short sighted as I have said before, if iTunes doesn’t work, you cannot buy or rent anything from them.

Still no asparagus.

Last night I tried out a quick recipe from my Best Ever Three and Four Ingredient Cookbook. It wasn’t bad, however, they don’t say anything about skinning the chicken (I used breasts not thighs) and I think next time I would definitely do so.

Honey Mustard Chicken

Serves 4

8 chicken thighs

4 tbs wholegrain mustard (I used Dijon)

4 Tbs clear honey

salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Put the chicken thighs in a single layer in a roasting pan.

Mix the mustard and honey, season with salt and ground black pepper to taste and brush the mixture over the chicken.

Cook for 25-30 minutes brushing the chicken with the pan juices occasionally until cooked through. (To check the chicken is cooked through, skewer it with a sharp knife, the juice should run clear)

Chicken thighs have a rich flavour but if you want to cut down on fat, use four chicken breast portions instead and cook for 20-25 minutes. Serve with a chunky tomato and red onion salad.

Have a great weekend