۞ Sweet Interruptions ۞159

If I took a pix of my mom right now she would brain me. She's at her computer, playing a garden game, her legs propped up on the desk, barefooted and yakking on the phone!!!

I went shopping, came and found her sound asleep in her recliner, sawing logs, LOL.

Jaye..how many siblings did you have??

Great news on Andy for sure. I think we can all use that right now.

I know it's a bad time Cindy, but at least you aren't alone to deal with it. I know having to share your same space with your Mom is hard, but at least you have a nice place to live and a place to garden and have your plants. Beats the heck out of the horrible, roach infested third floor apt. I had when I was between husbands. Not trying to sound condescending, I'm just trying to help myself remember how good life really is. :0)

Alas it is still 100 degrees here. I felt for a while like I was in Florida. It was raining out the front window, but not out the back. And the sun was shining.

Great dinner tonight. Fish with some Indian seasoning, fresh green beans, tomatoes and punjabi chole an Indian chick pea dish. Lots of flavors going on here! Wish you could all come for dinner.

Have a safe and restful evening. I think I may head to the basement to watch CSI NY reruns or something.

Juanita

Cindy, I’m so sorry… you will get through this; we’re here if you need us, I know it’s hard to deal with when it drops all at once.

LK, I’m so glad Andy is ok!

Susan and Jaye, thank you for the thought, if only it was as easy as simply turning it over to god. But, it’s like the Joke…

There was a preacher from a poor parish. He tried to help all those he could, but he just didn’t have the money to help even half the people who came to him.

One night it completely overwhelmed him and he prayed to God “Please lord, these people all deserve help. They’re good people; we just don’t have the money we need. Please lord; help me to win the lottery.”

The lottery drawing came around and he looked in the paper, but he hadn’t won.

That night he prayed again, pointing out all the reasons that the people needed the money and the things they had done to deserve help.

The lottery drawing came around and he looked in the paper, but he hadn’t won.

So, he knelt down to pray again, but as soon as he’d said “Lord, please help me to win the lottery…” I voice came from above “I’m doing my best, but you have to meet me half way; buy a lottery ticket.”

I do still have faith that there is the right thing for me out there; I’m just looking for the right ticket to buy.

Crissy, I’m sorry Dave has a cold, summer colds suck. I’ve got one myself right now. I swear it happens every time I get really stressed out. I figure it’s a broken coping mechanism; you know when you’re in school and get stressed out, you get sick and whatever is stressing you out goes away, or at least you get some extra time to deal with it. If it only worked that way now… getting sick as an adult just causes more stress.

Mom, I’d say very little that I wouldn’t say while you were on here. I can’t imagine living very far away from you, but I’m also glad I don’t live with you; next door would be fine though.

(((((((((((((Laura)))))))))))))))))
I was hoping while I was saying what I did, that I wasn't sounding pompous or something.
I just wanted to let you know that I'd been there. At one point I moved to Calgary cuz all I could get in Winnipeg were Temp Reception positions, and was still paying off my Business College loan.
I would never ask you to undervalue yourself, so you have to find the right job. At 54 I thought I'd never find it cuz I was too OLD to start over yet again, but it happened. Calgary was only hiring 20 yr olds and I got let go because of my age. I chose not to fight for the job when the company allowed this to happen. It wasn't worth it. I was down as rock bottom as I've ever been - crying through my entire day - waking up tired and feeling alone in a new city.
Literally within 4 weeks of passing everything to God I got offered 3 excellent jobs. I was absolutely blown away - so much so that I didn't believe it at first. Thought I was fooling myself and that I wasn't worth as much as I was being told........
I'm really happy I took the job I did - my boss is a christian and I feel truly blessed to work with him. We're quite sympatico.
I had a lot of people praying for me, in the church. I firmly believe that even if you don't know someone's praying for you, prayer works.
Know this - you have a lot of people praying for you, me included, and I have faith it will happen for you!
You're right - stress causes sickness, which causes more stress, which causes more sickness.........ad nauseum! (how appropriate, eh?)
Now, to step off my soapbox LOL
You are loved, Laura!!!!!!!!!!! ((((((((((Laura)))))))))))

~Susan~

Cindy, that's funny how you described your mum sawing logs!!! At least your mum's 'online' smart!

Juanita, my mum had 8 kids. She gave away second and third sister to my dad's parents. Then she had 3 more when kid # 5 was 10.
But, my maternal grandparents were living with us. You all heard of Asian family values right? So, the little apartment was truly cramped.
Kids would sleep on futon mattresses on the floor in the living room.
I was lucky enough to have my own little floor space in my grandparents' room.
Thank God we are tiny folks :D

Thank you for your testimony Susan. Yes we all love Laura!!

Laura, we truly don't know what will be the right ticket.
That's when we hang on to faith and trust Him to do the best for us.
I am sure many here have been where you're at, including moi.
Realized now that when I thought it's the end of my world.. God was taking His time to make sure that the help He'd give me was the best for me. So while I was worrying, fretting and questioning (not doubting)... He was 'rearranging' things for me.

He does answer prayers, but His work is slow but sure.

We laugh at this: "God grant me patience. Let it be now"
Ain't that the truth!!! That's most of us in a nutshell.

Susan, I didn't take it wrong. Just trying to figure out what I need to and can do.

Jaye, I'm sure that's what's going on in my life too, but could the "rearranging" be a little less painful? :o)

I am so glad that I have all of you, it amazes me a new every time how great a community we have made here.

When you stop feeling.. that's when you have stopped living.
Guess you know that you're one lucky woman to have some strong matriachs in your family. Listen and learn from them Laura. Yes, experience is the best teacher ;)

When we want to be in control of everything, that's when God shows that we're in control of nothing.

I got my new-ish (new to me, anyway!) self-cleaning stove, with thermal AND convection. It's sooooo kewl!
I've never had so new a stove before. No chips, all 4 elements work, and it has 4 racks in the oven LOL
Now, if I can only figure out my recipes with convection timing......... I understand it cooks faster, but HOW Much faster is the question of the day........

Old stove

New stove.........

I'm broiling hamburgers lol How prosaic...but I'm not sure how to do the Convection Oven thingie.........

Congrats Susan!!!

Your convection oven temp. should always be 25* lower than regular oven temp.
Maybe about 5 to 10 minutes sooner. Con. oven also is more efficient. You can bake stuffs on two racks since the heat blows across wheras in a regular oven, one row will block the other.

Sorry with this hurried writing.. watching Project Runway!!


This message was edited Aug 20, 2009 10:23 PM

aha - and another thing I learned. You don't just press "Broil", you also have to press "Start/Enter" LOL
20 min later, and my hamburgers are still frozen roflmfbo!

Errr.. Mr. Bob-san.. maybe tonight you suggest take-out?

Congratulations Susan!

Geez Louise!!! All this talk about daughters and Moms living together--don't know if I should keep my mouth shut, laugh or cry!!! LOL Well, ladies my daughter and I live together and from the mother's point of view--you daughters can cramp our lives styles also. Not that I have any particular life style to cramp but honestly I will admit it take give and take on both sides. It is not easy and some days we just don't even want to see each other but in the long run we are making it work and enjoying it inspite of our agreement to disagree on certain things. Long story how our happened but it did--over all for the better.

I am so relieved to hear Linda Kay's son is doing better--such a shock to come home and read last night. Cindy, I know things are rough but the sun will shine again as you very well know. Take that time to your self and regroup. I did that when Kim was in Costa Rica the 2 weeks before I joined here there.

The rice and chicken recipe sounds fantastic. We like to boil chicken with onions, celery and garlic and add the rice. Add a salad and your done!! Susan you will love the rice--it is nothing short of great.

Laura, good to see you posting and we are all here for you. Day at a time is all it takes!!

Well, this body is tired, been a long day so I will bid everyone beddy bye until tomorrow.

Speaking of food...Cristina posted a new chicken recipe that is fantastic and also a fish recipe that sounds good!!! http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1021357/#new

Cody called. She and Alex are fine and misses being here.

Sleep well Maid M.

Thanks Trisha. That Cristina is a great 'dietetian'. All her recipes 'smell' good!

Just want to share my own simple Chicken Rice concoction. It calls for ginger and fried garlic plus rice cooker is a must.
First boil a whole chicken with some sliced ginger pieces. (If you like it gingery, use at least a 2 inch knob) and salt. Once chicken is cooked, remove it from broth. Reserve broth.
Shred chicken and set aside.
Cook rice in rice cooker and for liquids, use the strained broth.
While rice is cooking, fry about 2 tbsp. of chopped garlic till brown.
Once the rice is cooked, add the shredded chicken and browned garlic.
Now remember, I am on a low sodium diet. So, if the rice is not salty enough, dribble some low sodium soy sauce over rice once served.

For variations, sometimes I top it with fried shallots or finely sliced green onion tops and even chopped cilantro.


See you all in the morning.

PS: Boil the chicken hrs. in advance as the broth needed to be cooled before adding to the dry rice.



This message was edited Aug 21, 2009 1:12 AM

Glad Cody is doing well.

Jaye that sounds really good....have to put this recipe in my "to Make" file!!

Have a good night, sleep well.

Hehehehe.. still here Trisha. One of those nights where sleep doesn't come easy.

Think I'll just 'surf'....

Chicken and saffron rice is really good. Maybe next time I'll have to double the recipe so I will have left overs.

Wasn't that an easy one to do Pegi? Kel loves it. Yeah, he didn't have enough he said!

Found this online. Seems simple.

Fusili with bacon and asparagus.

4 ounces sliced bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 pounds asparagus, trimmed and cut on a long diagonal into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1 pound fusilli (short corkscrew pasta)
1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano plus additional for serving

2. Cooking Directions
Cook bacon in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 6 minutes. Transfer bacon with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat from skillet, then add oil and onion to skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is golden, about 4 minutes.
Add asparagus and saute, stirring, until crisp-tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
While onion is cooking, cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water and drain pasta in a colander.
Return pasta to pot along with asparagus mixture, 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, and cheese. Add remaining 1/2 cup cooking water to skillet and deglaze by boiling, stirring and scraping up brown bits, 1 minute. Add to pasta and toss over moderately low heat until combined well, about 30 seconds.
Serve pasta sprinkled with bacon and with additional cheese on the side.
Yield: 4 servings

Off to bed now...

Morning everyone!!!
It's a brand new day.
Coffee's on. Bagels and cream cheese this morning, though I'm tempted to open that jar of delicious Nutella. :D

Have a wonderful day!

Oh thanks for the coffee and bagels!! I can't remember when I had a bagel last. If you don't mind I will put my herb and garlic cream cheese on mine with a slice of vine ripe tomato--thanks to my DIL. Her vines are loaded and inspite of the oldest GD eating them like candy there are still a bunch left. Note to future boyfriends of that girl: bring her a carton or bag of tomatoes.


Hope all is going well with Linda Kay''s son and my prayers to Cindy also.

Need to run into town for a few items at the grocery store. Bummer, Kim is expecting me to cook tonight.

How did the new stove perform, Susan? Bet you stared at it the whole evening huh? Now, you're already a good cook, just that stove will make cooking more enjoyable.

Maid M., I took a page from your book. We're eating chicken wraps right now!
I thank the grocery stores for baking the chickens for us ;)
Fully riped avocado, shredded cabbage and cilantro in the wrap.
Tonight, we will use the rest of the chicken in rice porridge, Chinese style.

Oh Jaye the wraps sounds really good. Pass the avocado please!! Love those things!!! I am using left over fajatas to make a salad tonight. I do have a couple of the Haas avocados so hopefully Kim will prepare them when she gets home. Seems odd today not going to my son's house but I will/can adjust.

That Pasta with bacon and asparagus is really good!!! The wraps sound good too! Guess I need to start thinking about what is for supper tonight!

Going to break down and help mom finish getting ready for the garage sale....grrrr....will sure be glad when tomorrow is over with. Right now she has two of our friends from Church over...unfortunately these two stay and stay and stay....and they are both non stop talkers!!I May have to go see if I can rescue her soon................

Got a spot of rain during the night...gray and cloudy this morning....should burn off by afternoon.....I hope it isn't going to be like this tomorrow....I hate working early morning garage sales when it is cold and gloomy out :( Need hot weather for garage sales!

I'm hoping for no more rain for you, Trisha! You don't want it TOO hot for the GS, or everyone will stay home. Sunny & very warm is nice tho!

I'm planning on what to bring for our church sale the beginning of Oct!
Skis and ski boots, Windsurfer, and miscellaneous stuff......(3 rice cookers? I mean Really........!!!)

That's when I can clean out the house! I have to make room for quilting after all ^_^

~Susan~

Hello everyone! I am home, and Andy is being released to go home as well! So far, no damage other than bruises to his kidney. Dr. said he is fine to go home, they just need to keep an eye out for blood clots, but he is on blood thinners for a few days to help that! He is really sore, but after being run over by a pick up, I would be too!
Andy was at a batchelor party tuesday night. Most of the guys were drinking, so the batchelor assigned two guys to be the sober safe drivers, to get everyone home. About 2:00am, they all started leaving, and Andy got a ride with his sober friend. They accidently pulled into the neighbors yard, and Andy said this is close enough. I need to get out of the truck, cause he was going to get sick to his stomach. So he got out of the truck, stumbled and fell, and hit his head on a mailbox. The sober guy, then proceeded to back up, and caught Andy's feet, and pulled him under his truck, and ran over his feet, then up his legs, and lower back, then pulled him 40 feet, before he came to a stop! Not only did it drag, him, it rolled him many times. So he has lots of road rash, and a few stitches, but nothing is broken or damaged, other than deep tissue!
I want to thank each and everyone one of you for the thoughts and prayers! This could have been so much worse, and yes, I was worried sick! Todd took off work, to go with me to San Antonio, and we took turns going to the hospital. Now I am going to take a nap, then get a decent meal ready for dinner!
Love to all of you!
LK

LK ((((HUGS)))) so happy to hear that all is well and Andy is home! That is a lot of stress for everyone.....get some much needed rest !!!! Talk to you later!

Thanks trisha!

Indeed great news there LK. PTL, the damages could have been more serious. Andy is soooo lucky!!! That was hard to believe even his legs are not broken... Good Lord must be watching over him.

Love you LK!

Great News LK!! Get some rest now girl!

Enjoy your days at home while you can, Maid M. Pretty soon you'll be whisked away again.
I'm not a great avocado fan. Kel is. But why not include it in wraps, if he'd be persuaded to eat them!

Poor Trisha!! Got a friend that loves to put out GS but she made her kids do the selling!
Hope no rain your way tomorrow.....and not too hot either. Those asphalt roads can put out some heat!
Tomorrow we'll try asparagus with the pasta. Already got some of those microwaveable bacon.

Skis and ski boots? Not your usual garage sale stuffs here Susan.
But rice cookers.. that will sell well.
I've never held a garage sale, Susan. Pretty sure I got plenty to clear to make room for more UFOs!!!

Oh Linda Kay, prayers answered for sure. So glad to hear your good news!

((((LK))))

Indeed Andy is one lucky person and I am glad it was nothing more serious. Rest and join us when you can.

Yep, what a freak accident!
Considering the partyers did the right thing, making sure there were designated sober drivers...
Some would say it's a matter of just a few minutes into looking into the side and rear view mirrors before pulling off.. but then if he's on the ground, Andy won't be visible. Truly a freaky accident.

Thank God!! LK, what's Andy's birthdate? Let's play his b'day numbers!!! Surely a very lucky young man!

Noise maker is home. I did cook porridge with some ginger and the rest of the chicken.

I'm just amazed that the driver was one of the Sober drivers!!
(((((((LK)))))))) so pleased with your good news!

So Glad to hear that Andy has been released to go home.. Turly a strange accident and Im so glad he is ok.. (((LK)))

Susan LOL We just took a truck load of misc stuff to teh auction house.. I did a yard sale when we moved and it didnt go every well so Ifigure I can take it to them and get just as much with less work..

We picked a few fresh babies from the garden yesterday befor ethe storms set in. I had fresh blackberries and Max ate a bell pepper along with a few cherry tomatoes.. Riht out in the back yard.. Now thats what I call fresh!

Worked today and now I must get to reading my mail.. Kids are bouncing ready for school to start and Im ready too. Will be nice to have a day off with Max to myself for a change..

Huggs to all
Donna