The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. Last month, I applied for the  old people's parking pass to Massachusetts state parks. The pass is for people 60 and over, costs a one time fee of $10, and is good for life! I think they figure us Weebles aren't going to last long.

2. I made giambotta, an Italian vegetable stew, with veggies from the garden.

3. We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary with Chinese food take-out and hanging out in the sunroom.

4. I Skyped  Microsoft Teamed with the Young One

5.  I received some Happy Mail 

How was your week?

Monet and Me

 are sharing a memory about the Young One's birthday

Monday, July 23, 2012

Creating Memories

For The Young One's eighth birthday, the cake request for a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. No problem until the baking went horribly wrong. The cake layers baked uneven. So uneven, it would have taken a tub of frosting to even things out so the layers would stack on top of each other. What to do?

The gap between the layers looked like a mouth. I grabbed items I had hanging around. Desperation is the mother of invention. White chocolate chip bits, glaced fruit, and red licorice laces became the features on a monster cake and fortunately, The Young One loved it. Whew!

Twelve years later, The Young One's cake request was for chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. And then a surprise. I wish I could have a monster cake?"

"Seriously? "

"I loved that cake."

Ok. This time I went out to buy candies to use for decorations. I had to buy white chocolate chip bits because someone had opened up the package to snack on and only left two bits. Hugs, gummy worms, peach rings, M&Ms and red licorice laces jumped into the cart. The hard part was to intentionally bake uneven cake layers. without burning one side or the other not baking through. It worked and The Young One loved the result.

We spend a lot time, effort, and sometimes cash to create memories. Nostalgic memories  from when we were kids, or expose them to opportunities we never had as kids. Sometimes odd what we think what should be a memory, and what actually becomes a memory. Some thirty or forty years from now, The Young One will be saying, "That crazy, old, broad was hell on wheels with a tub of frosting and a bag of gummy worms."

Back to the present. Over the weekend, I sent a message asking if she was still here at home for her birthday, what would her request for a cake be? She said she would like the chocolate cake with the chocolate frosting and orange flavoring.

On Sunday, I was going to bake the Starlight Double Delight Cake with orange flavoring, but it was too humid to bake. Humidity can effect baking. Since today is supposed to be dry, I will bake the cake later on. It won't be as elaborate as the cake Monet is posing with, but it will be delicious.

Monet and Me

 

asked The Young One if she could remove the background from a picture of Monet so Monet could be added to photographs.

I had given it a go, but it was quick and ragged.

The Young One said sure since it was an easy thing to do. Voila! I now can add Monet to photographs. Here he is with The Young One when she was 6 years old and dressed up as our cat, Mitty, for Halloween.

Thanks, Doll Baby. It works like a charm and the check's in the mail 😉

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week

1. The Eldest sent a text from work asking me to keep an eye out for FedEx. The Package being delivered is for me and is perishable.

2. We enjoyed a Netflix movie called Nonnas based on a true story

3. Video call with The Young One, chocolate covered strawberries and wine from The Eldest, and dinner take-out courtesy of Himself. A perfect Mother's day.

4. I had a meatball with roasted, green peppers from Tony's. It had been a long time since we had ordered there. I forgot how good their sandwiches are.

5. Another rainy Thursday at Teague's but at least it was warm enough to hang out in the sunroom.

How was your week?

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. On the way home from his workout, Himself stopped at Harry's. I thought we were getting fish and chips because the Knights of Columbus weren't doing their fund raiser because of Good Friday services at the church. Himself got me a full belly plate (fried clams) as a surprise.

2. Easter Sunday was quiet with just the two of us as the Eldest had to work at the hospital. Good food (roast leg of lamb), Easter egg bread, hot cross buns and we watched another Holy movie.

3. The Young One received her Easter box. They both got a kick out of the plastic "eggs" shaped like game controllers.

4. The order I placed that said it would arrive on Friday, was delivered the day after I put the order in!

5. Teague found a new place for lunch. Mak's in Franklin with awesome roast beef sandwiches. We'll be going back because they serve breakfast all day!

How was your week?

TBT: Reprints from CJ's Whine and Cheeze

  

In 2003, Ma had a stroke. Dad was her full time caregiver until he he had a car accident that totaled the car. So in 2006, I became their chauffeur among other jobs.

At the time, to deal with the stress of running two households and working, I kept a blog entitled CJ's Whine and Cheeze. Egged on by some friends who enjoyed the first read through, you'll see your part when it comes by.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

A One Sided Conversation

You girls won't get a chronic disease by replacing the toilet paper roll when it's empty.

Putting the roll on top of the toilet tank doesn't count as replacing the roll.

You don't know how? C'mon it's not brain surgery.

Don't be a smartass, it's not rocket science either. Release the spindle.

The spindle, the stick that holds the roll in place.

No, you won't prick your finger. You're not a little princess. The spindle has a spring, push it either from the left or the right to take it out of the holder. Take the empty cardboard tube and toss it in the trash or put it in the recycle bin. Place the full roll on the spindle and insert it back into the holder.

Because I won't always be around to replace the toilet paper for you. I'm fine. I just feel a pain forming behind my right eye.

No, changing toilet paper rolls is not an early sign of OPD.

I did not flip the bird at the two of you. I made devil horns.

No, that's a Texas Longhorn.

No, that's the Hawaiian Aloha. Devil's horns. Like this.

Yeah, it is a funny superstition. Grandma did it to me when I was a kid.

Yeah, I laughed until I had you two.

The Friday Five Good Things

 

Five good things that happened this week.

1. We DoorDashed Valentine's Dinner from a new to us Italian restaurant next town over. Dinner was very yummy and abbondanza. We each got 3 meals out of our dinners.

2. I got a Valentine's Day greeting and chat with the Young One.

3. I received a notice that the cat food order would arrive on Saturday instead of Wednesday  of the weather across the country.

4. I was just leaving to go grocery shopping and to pick up some cans of cat food, when UPS brought the package to the door. On Wednesday

5. I hate grocery shopping. Himself usually does that chore, but he's having issues with his knee and can't get around. So I had to go shopping. As I was going around the store I was thinking Look at you! Grocery shopping and sh stuff. You deserve a medal girl!

How was your week?

The Friday Five Good Things

 

Five good things that happened this week.

1. Had a nice time at the annual family gathering watching the new baby enjoy her first Christmas. In February, another new baby will join the family.

2. I won $4 on a scratch ticket.

3. Besides a new stove, I also bought new pans and made scrambled eggs. The eggs didn't stick in the pan!

4. We watched The Doctor Who Christmas Special: Joy to the World and waited for the Eldest to finish her shift at the hospital to begin Christmas festivities.

5. Texted with the Young One to hear about her Christmas

How was your week?

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. The day before she had to leave, the Young One and I took a trip to the mall, lunch at Panera, bubble tea, and Crumbl Cookies to take home

2. After taking the Young One to the airport, we stopped for breakfast at IHOP. Then had a shopping spree at Ocean State Job Lot and the Dollar Store.

3. Took a trip to the cemetery to lay a wreath and then stopping for lunch at J. Anthony's Italian Grill

4. Himself's Yarbo arrived.

5. Cleaning and getting ready to decorate after the new television is delivered.

How was your week?

Monet and Me

 

went into the studio to make a tag for a gift.

When we reached for our favorite kneadable eraser, we found

it had been turned into a pig.

When the girlies were little, they liked to take my kneadable eraser and sculpt it into various things. I've found a cat, whale, mermaid, and a bird. 

While the Young One was visiting she had an online meeting. I told her she could use the studio/office for privacy. It must have been some meeting. When I found the piggy, I laughed. Some things never change.

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. Nostalgic fun we watched some Christmas movies with the Girlies. We watched The Muppets Christmas Carol and Die Hard.

 

2. I bought the pieces parts I needed to make this year's wreath

3. I had lunch with my calligraphy teacher and a classmate. I hadn't seen them in forever so it was fun to catch up.

4. The new oven was delivered 

5. Had a crafternoon session with the Young One.

How was your week?

T Stands for Special Cup

 

We run a 5-Star Bed and 3 Squares so besides a welcome bag of toiletries and chocolate, the Young One found a special mug for her Chai tea and hot chocolate. She had a special mug, the Happy, Little Gingerbread Man mug, but at her request when she first moved a year ago, that was sent to her new home.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Early morning moon

Red sky in the morning

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

out with the Harvest decorations and in with Christmas

The Young One was conscripted to help with the decorations

Lanterns and the Welcome flag

The Welcome sign just in case I don't get a chance to make a wreath

The Hobbit Door is up, though it stays up year round.

New light covers

Happy snowmen though they look creepy when not lit up

Lantern

and whenever I'm outside, the Watcher

How does your garden grow?

The Friday Five Good Things

 

Five good things that happened this week.

1. The Young One arrived for a 10 day visit

2. The Young One needed some new clothes so we went shopping.

3. I cleaned glassware and dishes for the holiday. God bless the little dishwasher.

4. The Eldest had the holiday off from work at the hospital lab so the four of us were together again

5. Himself brother came to spend Thanksgiving with us, too, so we had a good food and a nice visit.

How was your week?

T Stands for Dragon Tea Set

Image from I Love Dragon on Facebook

The Young One is visiting for the Thanksgiving holiday. She loves dragons so in her honor a gorgeous dragon tea set.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

Monet and Me

 

The Young One is here! Monet and I are trying to think of places and things we can go with the Young One.

Maybe to the Mall to get bubble tea and cookies from Crumbl. We could pop into the Paper Store because I need a baby shower card and wrappings for a baby shower gift. Maybe we could take a trip to the New England Botanic Garden to see the Gnomevember exhibit. Or a trip to WAM to see the new Wall. Maybe a trip to Starbucks or Panera for Hot Chai tea. Maybe we'll just hang out, watch movies, and talk.

Happy, Little, Time Wasters

 

COCKPIT VIEW OF LANDING AT BOSTON LOGAN AIRPORT RWY 04R

The Young One will be landing tonight for a 10 day visit.

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. I moved the television from the sunroom to the bedroom

2. I watched the early news in bed while having a cup of tea.

3. I found some fun things at Target for the Young One's upcoming visit.

4. Calli was a lovebug. She sat with me in the rocking chair and wanted a rock and a cuddle. Usually, she only lets us pet her with our eyes.

5. Quill woke me up with a kiss, or maybe it was a taste.

How was your week?

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week.

1. Another warm day. Probably the last evening in the sunroom

2. Ran out of stick butter so I had to substitute vegetable oil in a cornbread recipe. A slight change in texture and taste, but not noticeable by the rest of the family 

3. Deep cleaned the living room in anticipation of The Young One's  visit.

4. Another sunny and warm day.

5. Another warm day. November weather has been unbelievable. Perfect day to spend with Teague as ladies who lunch and then afternoon in her sunroom. Ice cream was involved, too.

How was your week?

The Friday Five Good Things

 

Five good things that happened this week.

1. The Young One finalized dates for her visit. She'll be here for Thanksgiving.

2. I had an exceptionally productive Monday starting with a very fun doodle class

3. Play day at Teague's. She sent me home with some frozen, ready to bake giant chocolate chip cookies from Dream Dinners.

4. Only one student showed up in class. It was more like an art play session than a class.

5. Summer temps for Halloween. No cold, no rain, no blizzard. No complaints. Most likely one of the last evenings in the sunroom for the season

How was your week?