Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from April, 2022 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:32 pm on April 20, 2022 Permalink  

  Lord, Lordy 

  It is four in the afternoon and we are home!  The bestest news is that Dennis’ angiogram was a success. 

  When the surgeon showed me the x-rays of Dennis’ left leg before the procedure and then those of after, I could not believe the difference.  Dennis now has blood flowing in his left leg and foot.  There had not been a pulse to be found in the foot prior.  Now the whoosh, whoosh of sound of that pulse was just as wonderful as if the Tabernacle choir were standing at the foot-end of his hospital bed.  

  We were up at four this morning.  When we got home this afternoon Dennis told me how rested he felt.  Silly guy!  They are making those air filled hospital bed mattresses way too comfortable. 

  Nurse Ratchet . . . me, is still on duty to change the dressings every other day until such time that the incision of January closes.  With a blood supply, now it should make good progress.

  Back to normal . . . what’s for supper?  It is going to be Progressive soup and warm buttered toast.

   
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  Noreen 2:20 pm on April 12, 2022 Permalink  

  Thunder 

  A bit of thunder today with rain showers.  More rain may be in the works.

  Dennis had used the pull-behind rake on Sunday over the acre.  It had really perked up the yards.  After today’s shower of rain . . . it really looks as if our groundskeeper will be hired for the entire season.

  A package of beef meatballs had been kicked around in the freezer long enough.  I finished a package of medium egg noodles, quartered the meatballs, added a cup of frozen mixed vegetables and rounded it all with a quart of Classico flavored red sauce.  An oven meal ready to pop in later on today.

  I was busy in the studio when I got a phone call.  The sheetrock around the walk in shower was going to get the last coat of mud.  The worker that has been doing the mudding after Mr. Aden had patched in the sheetrock is a young fellow.  Mason was going to do two years of trade school for carpentry. Covid shut down the classes and Mason was given the two year certificate.  How Mason got hooked up with Aden I don’t know.  Mason is learning the trade from the best carpenter in town.  Mason is working at our home independently in our bathroom as well as another install that Watson’s had done.  

  Today when Mason was going to leave, I invited him down into the studio so he could meet me, his client, in her natural habitat.  He said he would be back tomorrow to do the wet sanding and Mr. Aden would be popping in before Mason primed the area of the mudding.  Checks and balances for the young apprentice.  What a great way for a young person to learn the trade.  I really applaud Mr. Aden in helping this young fellow to get a great start.  Mason is very comfortable to be around.  I am hoping we can remain in our forever home long enough to be able to say, “I remember when Mason was just getting his feet on the ground.”

  With supper planned, I am going to head back into the studio to stitch a bit more.  Dennis is busy in the garage making tidy his workbench top.  We both have our special places to then come together for the evening.  Sweet.

   
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  Noreen 1:26 pm on April 6, 2022 Permalink  

  Brr! 

  There was a Korean luncheon we could have gone to but Dennis was in no mood to go out in the cold and wind.

  What we did get done today is to open the box and let the new Samsung Television out.  I played around with it and what do ya know.  We have choices.  Dennis went out to the patio porch as he was going to stay out of the fray.  Dennis has been out in the patio porch this whole time, so this will be a surprise for him.  We have not yet pulled the plug on Mediacom’s cable option as the next big step will be to take the smart Samsung out of the studio and see what we can do taking it out to the patio porch.  That will need to wait until tomorrow.  It will be different from what we have been accustomed to.  Change and learning is not all bad.

  I do have a chicken oven dish for supper.  There were some leftover pre-cooked chicken breasts in the freezer, some cream cheese in the refrig, some mixed veggies in the freezer, a can of Campbell’s cream of chicken . . . and it all came together with some egg noodles, aka: supper.

  Tomorrow morning, Dennis has a VA appointment right away in the morning here in town and then we are off to Mankato for his eye injection.  This month it couldn’t be done here in town.  Point that pickup to the east and it knows the way.

  Gosh it’s windy and cold.  We did have snowflakes off and on today.  Ish!

   
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  Noreen 4:19 pm on February 17, 2022 Permalink  

  A Me Day 

  In the cold temps, I motored to Baker’s Square to meet the stitchers group.  Eight of us whiled away hours.  We are a diverse group in background and age. 

  I did fill our car with gas in Mankato as it was $3.22 per gallon compared to $3.59 in St. James.

  I did mention to Dennis when I got home that the 18 wheelers were crazy with speed today on the highway.

  Just because I was having a “me day” did not let me off the hook from making supper.  We are having eggs, fried Spam and toast.  There ya go . . . a meal fit for anyone eating in a truck stop . . . or Stauffer Avenue.

  The weekend coming up has us with no plans.  Sweet.  Home sweet home.

   
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  Noreen 2:48 pm on November 17, 2021 Permalink  

  Hanging Tight 

  The Northern Red Oak is still hanging tight to about 50% of its leaves.  Again, the winds are a steady 25 mph from the north with gusts into the 40s.

  The chili using bear ground meat and ground beef tastes wonderful.  I added bullion roasted onion.  The concentrated bullion is a paste.  I purchased the concentrate in onion and garlic.  It really works slick to add flavor easily.  I know there are other flavors as I have seen them advertised.  With the meat for the chili I added chili powder, black pepper, one can of tomato sauce, one can of tomato soup, one can of red beans, one can of black beans and four cups of water.  No salt.

  Today we drove down the highway 15 miles to Madelia for the single express purpose of purchasing flat egg noodles for beef stroganoff.  Same store brand in each of the towns, but St. James appears to have a different distribution link.  Not to worry, I purchased plenty. 

  As we drove home on the Hammond highway, there was mile after mile of rail crews adding new ties.  The equipment was varied and the man power was huge running different aspects of the equipment.  I couldn’t help but think . . . dad, Raymond, would have pulled over his little blue Chevy Luv pickup along side of the road and sat there watching the process.  All things mechanical intrigued him.  Dad had a very mechanical mind as his workshop had attested to.  Sweet memories.

  I still have some time before serving chili so hitting the studio it is, starting to square up flannel baby quilt blocks.

   
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  Noreen 2:20 pm on September 17, 2021 Permalink  

  Fall Feeling Friday 

  It might be Friday but neither of us heard the wind during the night that brought this fall feeling day. 

  Dennis came in after his morning coffee and breakfast in the patio porch and went straight to getting his chores clothes on.  I had no clue who lit a fire under him until he explained: we had had a strong wind that took down a lot of tree tips and branches.

  How sweet that Dennis has a sweeper to pull behind his mower to rake up just such a mess as this.  Before having this sweeper, I would have been out there with my six inch wide rake with lots of bending over and Dennis filling up several trash cans.

  I felt if he was going to do yard work, I would do a morning in the kitchen.  We both like to eat and we both like oven meals.  I had everything to pull this morning off.  Egg noodles with a pound of browned hamburger, a can of drained beans and garlic flavored Classico tomato sauce. The batch was huge.  After a photo shoot, I put two pans in the freezer for another fall-feeling day.  There will still be a wonderful amount for supper.  As I worked through the morning and the kitchen was filling with great aroma, I decided to do more.  What helped is that a while back we had stopped at the apple barn on 169 and had proceeded to tuck an apple pie in the freezer.  Today, I knew that I would do a batch of scones and follow that by baking out the pie.  

  By noon, Dennis had completed the acre and I was finishing up the dishes.  We both felt like taking a noon break at the dining room table.  Dennis had equipment to clean up and I had a bed to make.  As the kitchen commotion was going on, I had bedding that I was swapping out in the laundry.   

  It is now mid afternoon and time for some patio sitting with our feet up.  Of course I checked out the acre, and it indeed looks as if it has been raked by a professional.  I know I will get rave reviews for our five o’clock supper we will be enjoying . . . complete with apple pie for later.  One good turn deserves another.

  I see that I need to change the date on my camera.  Hey . . . if I figured out the wireless printer to get it back online . . . I have got this.

   
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  Noreen 3:51 pm on September 4, 2021 Permalink  

  Variety in a Day 

  The day started by a discussion as to what supper would be.  Wow!  I wasn’t even dressed for the day and we need to know what is going to be served for supper!

  Dennis declared he would be making supper and we needed to fill in the blanks as to what would be needed.  I told him I would dice and sauté the onion for him.  Dennis headed for the store as he needed a can of peas and a jar of Alfredo sauce.  The end result is that supper was going to be a tuna, pasta and pea oven dish, complete with the sautéed onions.  We eat onions in most of what is cooked.

  A classmate of Dennis’ was walking by and Dennis invited Janet in for a visit as he was heading to the store.  I enjoyed the visit as Janet and I have been acquaintances.  Our daughters were in school together.

  I don’t get into Dennis’ way when he cooks.  It is because, my advice is the last thing he needs.  I also stay away as he washes up the dishes from his prep.  I had headed out to the patio porch to work my whiles on painting the cement rooster.  I also didn’t need any advice in my project. 

  Dennis and I met up at twelve noon for a bite of lunch.  Each, willing to share how each of our projects had gone.  I know I will be eating good and Dennis knows all he has to do is give the rooster several coats of poly.

  The afternoon air was pleasant for patio sitting.  Neighbor Jan came from the north and the two of us caught up with each other.  Jan works in the school’s library and her vacation days will cease the day after Labor Day.  Dennis joined right in.

  As all three of us were enjoying the afternoon, Dennis noticed quite the group of wasps that were in the process of nesting under the garage roof line.  Black Flag promises a shot up to 20 feet away.  Time will tell how the fast draw of the ole cowboy did to hit the target.

  Our plans for this last holiday of the summer is consistent . . . enjoying our home.  Gotta love it!

   
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  Noreen 1:52 pm on August 23, 2021 Permalink  

  A Monday 

  Today we entertained a first cousin of Dennis’ from the state of Washington.  Those cousins are few and far in between for Dennis.  It was great to have John visit.  There is 20 years between them.  John could vividly remember that when he was in high school, the family lived at Waseca, his parents had taken their family to the rodeo in town as Dennis had entered the rodeo, riding the bucking broncos and being strapped onto the bucking bulls.  Dennis was in his late 30s.  That might be the answer to some of his aches and pains today.  The visit meant a lot to Dennis.

  I am fortunate that many of my first cousins didn’t stray far from their parental homes.  My cousins from my mom’s side get together once a year at Darwin, near Litchfield, the home of the twine ball. My cousins from my dad’s side have a gathering every three years or so at a rural site near Brownton.  Several of us from either side email, phone and text. Sweet. 

  With the blessing of almost an inch of rain last night, the humidity is rearing its head today.  There might even be a tinge of green showing in the lawns,  It sure perked up the plot of catnip. 

  This morning, I had mixed feelings.  Megan’s first day of her Senior year.  Hmm.  Megan spent a lot of time with us until she started school.  Though Nicholas tagged along with her for stays, Megan is the one that taught us so much in her tender years. Those memories are priceless.

  Out came Mom’s church cookbook for tonight’s supper.  Yesterday, I picked up a few groceries at Cubs before we left Mankato.  As we had had a full day, I picked up some “heat and serve” supper.  Nope.  I would rather cook. This dish tonight is one of Mom’s recipes that she had submitted.  Sauerkraut, browned hamburger, sautéed onions, one can of cream of mushroom soup and wide egg noodles uncooked.  One half cup of water in the bottom of the dish with the noodles and remaining items going in.  Dish is to stay covered for an hour at 350 degrees.  I am thinking the water allows for good steam to be generated to cook the noodles.  There was another recipe submitted also using uncooked wide egg noodles.  It must work.

  The rest of the week is uneventful.  I need some time in the studio . . . it is beckoning me.  I become totally relaxed around my threads and fuzz.

   
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  Noreen 2:47 pm on August 6, 2021 Permalink  

  Friday With Saturday’s Chores 

  Tomorrow we are going to a family gathering from my mom’s side of the family.  There were eight siblings.  I have many Riebe cousins.  Many of them stayed in the Litchfield area.  We are getting together in Darwin at the city park, we try to do it once a year.  It has been a year that I am sure has brought many changes to many.

  Tomorrow would have been bedding laundry day.  We had that whipped out today, Friday, by twelve noon.  Chased a few dust bunnies as well.  Nothing worse than coming home from a day of play to feel behind the eight ball of what is waiting to be done.

  A dish to pass was all that was requested for tomorrow.  After kicking that around for several days, I decided on cooked rice done with milk and sugar.  Everyone from this group grew up on it.  When cooled, a sprinkle of cinnamon tops it.  

  I dug out the double boiler kettle.  I didn’t have the whole milk that works the best, so I opened a can of Carnation milk.  I knew I could add 2% to it and have it turn out great.  I had forgotten how long it takes when you use one and a half cups of rice.  The long grain rice takes a long slow time.  We are now coming to the two and a half hours and it has been put into a bowl for cooling.  We are two hours away from the gathering and it will travel well.  This will be a long day for me, but I sure am looking forward to getting out of Dodge.  I will rest up later.

  When I have been really hungry for the rice pudding, I have bought a small container in the grocery store deli department.  Silly me.  It’s watery and an insult to the rice pudding.

  The worst part of preparing this dish is the cleanup of the top portion of the double boiler.  It does help to put some water into the top and allow the bottom to continue boiling.  The steam process does help.

  I couldn’t leave the kitchen for fear I would forget to add milk to the rice.  I boiled some egg noodles, chopped up an onion and browned a pound of ground beef.  I had bought some of the Better Than Bullion in the grocery store.  It comes in a small jar and has a jelly type consistency.  It needs to be refrigerated after opening.  I had either the roasted onion or the roasted garlic.  I used two tablespoons of the garlic and stirred that into the hot meat mixture.  Aroma . . . spot on.  I then called upon Dennis as to how to top it off.  His decision was the white Alfredo sauce.  We are now having a dish reminiscent to Beed Stroganoff.  No veggies this time.  Supper has been planned and only needs oven time.

  I know after supper and I have showered for the day . . . I will be off the clock.  

  In regard to the studio:  my household chores come first in any day.  If I have gotten done what the home requires, that is when I take the steps to the studio.  In time, the first floor items will be accomplished in less time as my stamina improves and then . . . watch out!

   
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  Noreen 2:25 pm on August 1, 2021 Permalink  

  And the Week Begins 

  Nothing spectacular going on today.  I do have a tuna oven meal ready for supper . . . straight from Mom’s church cookbook.  It is a tuna dish with diced celery and onions, chicken and rice soup, cream of mushroom soup and . . . two heaping cups of chow mien noodles.  Nothing ventured . . . nothing gained.  I always use Albacore tuna that is packed in water.  My best customer said it sure smelled good even before hitting the oven.

  I made a trip to our Fleet store.  I purchased what I hope is a good air freshener for our attic.  We had left the window open for several weeks as well as the attic steps covering.  No . . . it had not smelled any different than any other attic.  Roof vents just don’t cut it.  Time will tell.  Grant it, any cloth items coming down for use, get a good airing out on the clothes line or are inline for a laundering.  In my growing up days the first choice would have been mothballs, my purchase today has a more herbal scent supposedly to last for 60 days. 

  Last night we watched the Antique Road Show on PBS.  It had clips from the early 2000s with the worth of the items in the present day.  Dennis agreed . . . sad that most things we would still deem viable where greatly reduced in value.  More testament that we have become a throw away society.  

  Though we live minimally by choice, what we have we take care of as it may not be able to be replaced due to our resources or, more importantly, it is about the emotional attachment.  I admit, I hold quite a bit near and dear.  I am willing to share with Kevin and Carrie if I hear that they may have an eye on something from my holdings.  Why not!