The "Making" Season

We've started work on Holiday Boxes (greens, berries, pinecones on sticks plus a red bow) at work, had the Saturday wreath making class (I was not there).  Now the real work of Christmas begins.  State of Maine wreaths.  Custom work.  More Holiday Boxes than we think possible.  I'll be going home with pine needles in my shoes, socks and if things go as usual--in my underwear.  How they get in there is a puzzlement to all who work with me.

I like making wreaths from scratch.  Like above.  Just a wire ring.  A pile of clipped greens (anything can be used--just go out and cut----but stay on your own property)  Berries.  Holly doesn't do well with freezing.  Winterberry.  But my favorite is artificial.  I have always been a fan of the mix of real and fake.  Fool the Eye.  I need to look up the French word.

I have the pile of summer linen camp shirts ready to move up into attic storage.  I was reminded of summer days in the garden as I folded them.  How is it possible those days are over and gone?  I am not as romantically involved with corduroy pants and thermal long sleeved tees.

Today I am actually making onion soup.  We had things going on and I never had the "kitchen time" to do the slow cooking of the onions.  Carmelization.

Reading my way through Louise Penny's Gamache Books.  Seven down and into number 8.  Number 9 is waiting on the book table.  I read until 4 am with Bury Your Dead.  There was no where to stop. I had to just stay with it until the end.  I confess I hated the first in the series- Still Life (and find that is true with other Readers).

I think I average 2 days on each book.  Reminds me of the Winter I made my way through Wallander. I read in the rolling office chair in the kitchen--trying to get the young Riley to take a nap.  It worked.  He saw me in the chair and would collapse on his bed and sleep for a few hours--between Winter cold walks.  I could roll over to the fridge for a snack or over to the electric teapot for a fresh cup of tea. He knew I wasn't going anywhere interesting (to him).  Now, just having a book open in my hands is enough to put the dog to sleep.

I am working on the felt hearts (buttonholing around the pieces and edges), still testing ideas for the Bee ornaments--perhaps needing to buy buttons for the eyes.  Perhaps even making a few more Santa coats and hats--- they would be cute on top of a gift wrapped in brown Kraft paper.  But then, so would the Bee.  2016 seems like the Year Of The Bee.

I am wanting to take a private class with a quilt artist--but would need to be taking daily progress photos.  I stopped using my digital (or any other) camera long ago.  I didn't like or find I could use the newest addition of iPhoto on the computer in order to download the pictures.  In fact I don't even know which of the icons is actually the photo button anymore.  So, I have to weigh the "want" for the class over the "do not want" of the camera and all that it entails.   I am constantly reminded that taking pictures was such a joy.  And then it wasn't.  We'll see.  You'll see.

Post Halloween

My boss said I had never looked better.  My customers tried not to make eye contact--one reporting my face paint was "too disturbing".   So, Halloween was a success.

I had the MOST unusual day.  A customer came in with a mini white orchid to be repotted.  She asked if I was "the joanne".  I said yes (why not?).  Asked if I could repot.  I said yes.

While putting the little orchid in it's new pot (nestled into damp sheet moss and bark chips) I discovered I am an "urban legion".  How's that for a story?

My customer and her friend were bowling when the orchid gifting happened.  And the bowler in the next lane (unknown to them) suggested they stop at my place of work and ask for "Joanne" to do the repot.  "She's fantastic" the guy said.  "knows everything about everything and is magical".
 Huh???

I (obviously) didn't disappoint as, while repotting, this customer called her friend on the phone and said "I'm here at the greenhouse and SHE'S REAL!!!!!!"  I guess I was everything the guy described and better.  Now, I'm wondering who the guy is????

Halloween Eve

Tomorrow.  I work tomorrow and everyone (it never works out to be everyone) is supposed to be dressed in costume at work.  I have the painted black shirt and leggings.  Painted by my daughter but the bones of the skeleton were drawn with chalk by me---long ago.  Too scary for the toddlers. So, daughter had to turn the top and leggings inside out.

Yesterday (or was it the day before?) I purchased a tube of white and a tube of black face paint.  So, If I want, I can have a skeleton face as well.  I searched U-Tube for a tutorial on the simplest design. Just white paint around the forehead, around the cheekbones and then the chin.  Some black circle smudging around the eyes, a bit around nostrils and a black line exaggerating the line where the lips meet.  Some lines up and down to look like teeth.  Hopefully, easy to remove in case of an allergic reaction.  But I am rubbing some on the inside of my wrist today.  Waiting 30 minutes.  I should know if it will be a problem.

But.......Nothing scarier looking than a full blown allergic reaction.

G bought a big bag of candy.  Something he would eat in case no one rings the doorbell tomorrow night.

I nearly worked myself into an asthma attack going back and forth from bedroom to attic storage room changing over from Summer to Winter pants.  I still need to remove summer shirts from hangers and take them upstairs.  I stood in the attic room trying on pants.  I was left wondering.  The size 20 felt very baggy (which is something I don't mind).  The 18's are okay but too long--I don't like rolling the pants legs--hate hemming.  The 16's fit really good but for relaxing on the couch--I might want something looser.  Like pajamas.  Somehow all the storage boxes have gotten jumbled.  And since I am the only one going up there to look in the boxes--it was me that jumbled everything up.

I returned all the 12's and 14's to the "too small" box.  

I sitting here in size 16 sage green cord pants.  Feeling pretty good about myself.  Last year at this time I weighed 22 pounds (at least) more than I do now and I could barely bend over to pull on my socks.  I can see the bones in my ankles.  Feel the bones in my knees (no swelling). And feel and see my hip bones.  No inflammation.  No water retention.  No Soy in my diet. Let's be thankful for that.

At my lowest weight in 2007--I was only wearing a few size 12's and mostly size 14.  I just seem to have a large bone structure.

Reading my way through the Louise Penny series of Chief Inspector Gamache books. (Three Pines). Way, way too much time spent detailing meals.  Artery clogging meals.  Lucky for me--none of the foods described appeal to me.  Scrambled eggs with Brie?  GAG.  Eggs Benedict dripping with hollandaise????  Double gag.  I am enjoying tiny shiny skinned clementines right now.  And the Coconut Chocolate Chip Larabar.  $3.71 for a box of 5 at Target.  I have no idea why this one flavor costs less than all the others.  But I bought a bunch to last until December 24th.  My last day at work.

When It Gets Cold Outside---French Onion Soup

I need to go to the store  tomorrow and get a gigantic bag of onions, bread and good cheese.  And make lots of soup.  G and I adore French Onion.  I always think we'll have enough for two meals--and then we eat all of it in one sitting.  I love the crispy bits stuck to the edges of the bowls.

I read on the internet that the onions can be slow cooked in a crockpot instead of on the stove being monitored for hours.  We'll see.

I spent the entire day at work (today) outside in the blustery cold.  Cutting back perennials.  Happens every year.  No one else will do it. Well, they will but not for longer than 10 to 20 minutes. They all stayed inside in the warmth of the cash registers.  I would rather be anywhere but by the cash registers.  But I cut everything back and now it's ready to be sent back to the "mother ship" to hibernate for the winter.

Winter.  It's coming.  The day it rained, our large blue wheelbarrow filled up with rain water that came off the roof (good spot for a rain barrel) and this morning the water inside was frozen.  Ice chunks.  That's a good signal that I need to get into the garden and clean up my messes.  Plant my garlic and the white daffodils I purchased.  I hauled in another million green peppers.  What was I thinking??????

So, my work for the next four days (off) is set.  If it rains--well, I'll just have to cozy up to the sofa and read--all day.  Here's hoping it rains--at least one whole day out of the four.

Biscuits

I used to make a pan of biscuits--like anytime G or I were hungry for a "snack".  He never gained weight--but I did.  This image of biscuits being cut--well, it brings back so many memories.  Of early marriage, small babies and toddlers.  No money.  Love.

I baked biscuits the 6 years we lived in Georgia.  No biscuits were baked in Florida-- and there was no love there either.  I'm not sure any biscuits were baked in Illinois or Germany.  That's twelve full years of no biscuits.  I think I've made biscuits here in Maine.  Well, I should hope so in 25 years. But few and far between.  I've baked more pizza here.  More apple crisp.  Lots more chicken soup.

Today I have been very busy in the kitchen.  A big pan of meatballs was roasted in the oven.  Followed by a large butternut squash in cubes.  Roasting now.  On the stove top, a pan of onions, red and green peppers (the garden is still producing peppers) plus four hot frying peppers.  Nice and brown and delicious looking.  In the freezer, another pan of green peppers freezing solid for future chili making (for me--no one else likes it).  Once the squash is "golden brown and delicious" the cast iron pot filled with meatballs and marinara (Trader Joe's) will go in and cook for an hour. Later, during the football game--I will be making pizza with a sourdough crust.  Pepperoni with mushrooms  and onions.  Some red peppers on my side.

We had big rain last night.  Five inches.  Not enough to do much about the severe drought.  But it was nice to hear it pounding on the roof and windows.

I have book 2 to read.  I like reading books in order.  I also promised a young co-worker to show her the felt bee I am making.  So I need to start in on it.  So much advance time goes into the deciding what to do--and the pattern making---and then it goes pretty quickly.  The first paper bee was too thin and looked more like a Christmas Wasp.  This one I am working on is chubby.  More like a bee.  We'll see--and you will see when it is done.

The oven alarm went off.  Time to check the butternut cubes and then slide the meatballs into the oven.  I still have to vacuum and dust.

Before Winter

We are enjoying a very warm, often sunny, Fall day here in Maine.  G is across the street mowing the grass and picking up leaves on the neighbor's front lawn.  I have today and tomorrow off.

I've already done some laundry.  Watered some plants.  Taken bags of compostable things to the compost pile (which will be filled up with the collected leaves and grass from across the street), I have another 50 pages to read in my book.  The next one is waiting for me at the library.

I had to go into the sewing room again last night during the debate.  Could not listen to any more.  Where has common decency gone?

I eventually managed to get enough squares together to make a rectangle.  So many parts and pieces of this "would be quilt top" are missing.  I was going to just make placemats out of the newly reconstructed top, but now I am seeing it as more of a Frankenstein Monster.  Which could work as "art" in 2016.  By not watching the debates I have created a monster (or Zombie).  Of sorts.  It helps that I used black thread to zigzag the squares together.

I am also quite close to starting in on the 2016 felt Christmas ornament.  The Bee.  I found some beige felt in the felt container (for wings) which was hidden under 10 or more other containers in the attic.  Now I have quite a bit of bland felt.  I do need more felt with vibrant colors--I was on Pinterest.
So many really cute ideas to test drive.  Winter projects.

I am going to be at work on Halloween.  Employees are planning to wear costumes.  I don't have a costume.  Never have had one.  No idea of how to create one.  Any ideas?

I ate Rice Krispie treats (too many) yesterday at work and came home with the skin around my eyes burning and itching.  So much for "dust" being the instigator.  I washed my face and then applied Cortizone 10 for Eczema and it calmed down.  In my hunger and boredom crazed mind-- Rice was a safe food and therefore Rice Krispie Treats were also safe.  Well, there is soy.

Also turns out Zyrtec for allergies = weight gain.  An unpleasant side effect of not sneezing and itching.  Note to self:  Pack an extra big lunch.

Bread--Essential and Singular--Food

I LOVE bread.  I have been having toasted New York Rye (When Pigs Fly) every other morning for breakfast.  Some days my eyebrows itch, somedays they don't.  My asthma doctor says I don't have a food allergy.  That the days my eyebrows itch is a day when I have breathed in dust.

As much as I would LOVE to believe him--- I really don't want to test his theory by eating bread everyday.  That rash is really awful.  I don't like walking around looking like I got a really bad sunburn all around my eyes.  Like red swollen googles.  And it itches.

But.

If I had to give up pasta to have bread in my life---I would.  Right now I have neither.  Just steamed white Jasmine rice.  Rice pasta was very weird.  Rice flour is like eating sand.  So, just rice.

Politics and Football are making me a real nervous wreck these days.  I had to get up at halftime and make G something to eat (pulled pork and shredded cheddar on a flour tortilla--fried in a frying pan till crispy)  and I pulled out some felt hearts I had kitted up for a class years ago and have already completed three.  I have even added the backing and stuffed them.  Hearts with three leaves in the center then topped with two stacked circles.  All the pieces buttonhole stitched in red or gold.  Now that I have found a good green--the next three will have some green buttonholing.  The completed heart is about 6 inches wide and 6 inches tall.  I have a burgundy and cream one but no felt with which to make the backing.

I had three library books.  But I had read two already (long ago) and the third was only a 7 day loan.  Then I had no books.  Today, G went and picked up one book.  And it's one I haven't read.  Hoorah!!!

Still trying to find an allergy doctor.  Most of them are 60 to 90 minutes away on high speed highways like I95.  And most appointments (I can get) are with a Nurse Practitioner.   My experience with NP's is that they like to try and do everything to you.  Whether you need it or not.  They just want to. And they aren't doctors.  I don't mind seeing them for follow up visits--- when a real doctor has seen me and started a treatment plan.  I have one potential doctor.  But I need my primary to make a referral.  So, I'll be on the phone tomorrow.  My Primary may not like this doctor.  We'll see.

The Thread Is Calling Me

I have skeins of beautiful colored threads on the "work" side of the dining room table.  It's getting colder each day and I am ready to settle down to do some stitching.  I have an idea for another Christmas ornament.  A Bee.  Since Bees have become rather important of late.  A Gardener's Tree should have a Bee or two on it.  But that means a trip upstairs to the jumble that is my fabric collection to see if black felt, greenish gold wool and some beige wool exist already--before going shopping.  And I was thinking about making more Santa coats and hats.  To add to Christmas gift packages.  I still have a supply of red and white felt.  And black for the belts.  Perhaps enough black for a few Bees.

I read several blogs where the author/artist is making repetitious lines of patterned thread on a daily basis as a sort of journal.  I have tried this in past years to see what it was like.  It doesn't work for me.  I have to actually be "making" something--otherwise it speaks only of wasting time and materials and I can only do that for a short while before becoming disenchanted.  Never mind that they install these items in shows. I often wonder what the early stitchers (in Time) would think of this?

The things early stitchers made were almost always made for utility.  Now we make things that have no useful life.  Perhaps this trend began with Samplers.  They had no "use" other than to show the skill of the Maker.  And then, of course there were the embroidered collars, cuffs etc of the Kings and Queens.  So, perhaps, the making of things that have no practical use other than to show the skill of the maker is actually part of the history of Stitch.  But long, long strips of the same repeated stitch???
What do you think?

I have an unfinished Charity Quilt that was started with donated blocks during my term as President of my Quilt Chapter.  I was given the blocks (to sew with borders) into a top.  I did that.  then a few volunteers basted the quilt sandwich and even started hand quilting.  Then all work stopped.  And the project was folded into a bag and stored.  I was going to quilt it.  But the donated batting is puffy so not suited to machine quilting.  Then I thought  I would "big stitch" quilt it by hand.  Going along fine until G noticed the four rail fence blocks that looked like swastikas.  I added appliqué to hide the symbol in three but the fourth resolutely stays visible.  No group would be happy to get the quilt for an auction.  So now what do I do with it?  Basted.  One third tightly handquilted.  Sigh.

The Possibility Of Eating Eggs

I need PROTEIN.  My diet is now 95% vegetables, fruits and the smallest amount of wheat and dairy.
I am starting to feel cold all the time (like G) and not very "vigorous" when it comes to doing heavy lifting at work or at home.  G bought me chicken tenders.  They weren't good.  Ham and cheese "roll ups" are okay but if I have them too often--acid reflux.  Actually, anything too often causes acid reflux.  I am such a delicate thing.  LOL

I'm thinking a nice fried egg on top of whatever else I am eating?  Will it be safe????

I have been using up the red peppers from the garden.  Sauteed with onion, kale and some roasted Delicate squash half moons.  Over rice. White rice--brown = acid reflux.  Lunch has been Romaine lettuce, red cabbage, carrots and EVOO with Balsamic.  No weight loss.  I am holding steady at the exact same number (over three months now).  So--protein for the "not so interested in meat" person I am.  Can have a Noosa yogurt once or twice in the same week with no problems.  Not two days in a row.  I feel like a science experiment gone wrong.

Now that we are drifting faster and faster into cold weather (G wants the furnace on), I am going to give oatmeal a trial.  If the rash or acid reflux comes back--then I am done with Oatmeal and it's more delicious sister Granola.

Oh--I had a doctor's appointment today--my numbers for the dust?  Off the charts.  REALLY allergic to dust.  My Primary Care doctor looked at the numbers and said "pffft...everyone is bothered by dust".  The Pulmonary Doctor looked and said "we have a real problem here".  I mean, I could actually stop breathing.  For good.  And I would miss writing to all of you!!!  My chest hurts just thinking about it.

And Finally Season Five Of Longmire

I was afraid they were just going to stop making this series.  But it's SO GOOD.  I grew up watching Westerns on my Grandmother's black and white.  Grandma loved Barbara Stanwick.  She was the grand dame of a Western cowboy family.  When my grandmother departed Europe at 16 and arrived in America, not speaking any English, ---well, we never talked about how difficult that was.  But she dove headfirst into "American Ways".  Soap operas and Westerns, once television was invented.

Longmire is something my grandmother would have enjoyed.  Not so much the modern psycho killers but the long stares and few words.

And it's back.  G and I will have to set aside a snowy Winter weekend to binge watch the new season.

Today we are enjoying "some" rain.  Not much, but everything is wet.  On the surface.

Yesterday I watered my green pepper plants (they were looking wilted) using water from the water barrel in the garden, pulled the green bean plants out of the garden, pulled up the bolted lettuces, snapped off a big bunch of kale leaves to cook, wished there were more beets.  I harvested another 10 to 18 peppers.  I sure did have an amazing "pepper" year.  I also picked another cup or two of raspberries.  I now have a full quart in the freezer.  Need to find a whole milk, non-Greek yogurt--that isn't soupy so I can start having fruit and yogurt again for lunch. Especially when red grapefruit from Texas is back in the stores.

It's been too "chilly" to be making smoothies.  But I have so much fruit in the freezer than I need to be making something out of it.  Yes, I do know people drink smoothies year round.  People at work are eating ice cream bars--and we are wearing three layers of clothing.  Not me--but only because soy is listed in the ingredients on each and every bar.

Riley had a dog friend stay with us yesterday.  A one year old.  Riley is exhausted.  He slept in until 9am (usually up at 5am) and then went right back to sleep.  Aine really wore him out.  G and I ended up overfeeding the pup (accidentally).  So, her owner assures us we will be her favorite dog sitters--forever.

Extreme Drought Conditions In Maine.

We are experiencing something for the very first time.  since moving here to Maine in 1991--there has always been enough ground water--due to heavy snowpack in the Winter months.  Last winter was what we Mainers called an "open winter" meaning the ground was bare most of the time.  No snow pack.  And now no water in the many wells that families use.

We have Town water.  But it too, may, at some point, run dry.

G and I are thinking of getting some rain barrels for next year.  Storing rain water that runs off the roof--if and when it rains.  Any readers have experience with rain barrels?

Today was sunny and 72 here in Maine.  There have been enough frosty nights to turn our trees yellow, orange and red.  When the sun shines--it's really amazing.  Everything glowing.  Pumpkins are everywhere as are the Pumpkin Lattes.  The only pumpkin thing I like is pumpkin pie.

My cold is just about gone.  Still coughing and a bit tired but I have the weekend to rest up before next week at work.  I spent time on the couch.  Reading two entire mysteries.  Watching Storage Wars in a sort of "binge".  Watching Project Runway.  Watching Worst Cooks in America.  Love it when their frying pans catch fire.  This week they had to clean and cut up chicken livers to make a ragu sauce.  UGH.  I will NEVER do that.  And I also slept--waking only when the dog pushed his nose into my arm--to wake me up.  Remind me that he hadn't been served his luncheon.

We haven't had a "real" meal in about two weeks.  Since the stuffed cabbage.  G heats up something or makes a sandwich.  I cook rice and eat it with zucchini butter or chopped tomatoes (still have tomatoes) or I have yogurt.  We are both eating Noosa yogurt.  It's not Greek processed so not as acidic.  I just wish it came in a 4 cup container--plain.  There are always new flavors.  Some good--some weird-Peach habanero.

I haven't made any homemade Larabars.  Still trying to figure out which one is my favorite.  The coconut cream pie was very nice as was the chocolate coconut chew--but I think that one may have set off the eczema on my eye brows.  Apple pie is good.  Carrot cake was yummy but today--it just didn't do it for me.  I still haven't tried the Chocolate Brownie.  I may try the Samoa.  That's my favorite Girl Scout cookie.  And it has to be "my favorite" if I make a batch--of 10 or 12.

I Have A Cold

This happens.  When I am away from the public for any extended time and then "re-enter", I pick up all sorts of germs.  There is a "cold" going around where I work (teenagers and college students).  Now I have it.  Stuffy nose, cough, stuffed up head, chills.  If it's the flu--more fool am I.  I refused the flu shot.  But the timing was such--I would be sick anyway.

The Oil Company plumber is downstairs working on the piping to the hall radiator.  We are hoping a change of "venue" for the pipes will result in a warmer hallway.  It's pretty noisy.  So no napping until he is done-- especially when the soldering of the pipes sets off the fire alarm.  That was exciting.

G is going to work.  Riley has had his walk.  I am here with a book to read and Netflix to watch. My rhubarb pie turned out to be very "tart".  Delicious but needing a bit more sugar.  I may just sprinkle the pie with the additional sugar.  And the pie was delightfully ruby red.  So often, rhubarb is green. Turns out the stuff I am growing (finally) is going to be very red.

Well, it's time for more DayQuil.  Every four hours.  And it makes me sleepy.  G promises to remember to buy green NightQuil so I can sleep tonight.

Thinking About Making A Rhubarb Custard Pie

Nice and old fashioned.  And I do enjoy making and rolling out a good pie crust.  I have quite a bit of sliced rhubarb in the porch freezer.  I'm going to get up and take 4 cups of frozen rhubarb out of the freezer--right now--and then come back and tell you about my day yesterday.

Okey dokey.  I had forgotten how good the rhubarb was this year.  Nice and red.  Going to be a wonderful pie.

Yesterday at work, I taught Bulb Planting twice.  I only expected to teach in the morning.  But a bunch of people showed up for the 2 pm "class".  I tried very hard to stay within the one hour timeframe.  But they kept asking questions.  So, we went over in both classes.

Midpoint a woman who had stopped by at the 10by10 Art Sale on Friday to say she was "coming to see me tomorrow at work" stopped in.  Last year I had pruned and sprayed and tried with all my might to save a sickly Hibiscus that was a favorite of her recently deceased husband.  Customers come to me with more than just plants.  Sometimes it weighs heavily on me.  Emotionally.

Well, she did come to the store and asked me to come out to the car to "see" the plant.  Trepidation.  My goodness--I was nervous.  And then we opened the car door and this gloriously leafed out, healthy, Hibiscus greeted me.  I was so happy I teared up.  So did she.  We hugged.  It was just about the nicest thing to happen to me in a long time.  There have been so many "nice" things happening since I came back to work.  I am truly grateful.

My two entries into that 10by10 sale on Friday?  They both sold.  I was gobsmacked with surprise and joy.  All at the same time.  Truly grateful.

Life is good right now.  I wish my eyes would stop watering--but that's small beans as a co-worker often says.  Now--on to the pie crust and the pie.  And the Patriots game at 1 pm.

Last Day Of September 2016

This picture was taken years ago, when Riley was young, slim and very shiny.  Today, I am wearing the same socks and rolled up jeans.  Today's jeans are only rolled up to the top of my shoes.  I often wonder why my jeans are always too long.  I am 5 foot 6 inches.  Short waisted which I think is the term used if you are more leg than torso. I have never liked having my pant hems drag along the sidewalk.

And, I was 5 foot 6 inches in high school and I am still 5 foot 6 inches at 70. Quite a thrill for bone density.

Yesterday's acid reflux is now gone.  None of the excess weight that came with it has disappeared.  I am going to make a smoothie for lunch even though I don't think I will enjoy it now that the weather here in Maine has "gone cold".  It even feels like time to turn on the furnace.  Drinking something cold seems.......unpleasant.

The covered green bean plants were still producing.  I picked the few eggplant still on the plants--small but eating baby vegetables is a treat.  I cubed and roasted a large pan of eggplant.  I also pureed every ripe tomato I had ripening on the kitchen floor (on brown paper bags) into 3 pints of marinara.  G had some with meatballs. There are more waiting for their chance to get cooked.  Pepper plants were good--only none of the peppers had achieved any color---I may have to freeze the rest as green pepper strips.  Today is sunny (but not warm) and they might start to color.  Once they start I can bring them into the house to finish turning red.

I pulled up and dragged (too large to carry) the huge pattypan squash vines to the compost bin.  Took three trips.  They are sitting on top of the bin with yellow flowers still upright.  Don't want to give up.
It's like science fiction!  The Zombies of the Garden.  And they are shaped like little flying saucers.

I don't feel like doing much of anything today.  Tonight is the 10x10 sale of artwork.  Benefits the Arts Are Elementary program.  Brings working artists into the schools to work on projects with the students.  I don't understand why the artists can't do this for free.  But they expect to be paid so we have the art auction to raise money to pay them to work in the schools for a few weeks. I have two pieces in this year's auction.  I have sold one out of the five things I have entered so far.  Another fiber artist makes only seashore landscapes.  Sells all of them.  And they all look the same.  Shoreline, pine trees, sunset pinks on the blue water.  Dyed strips of cloth.  Well, as she said to me--if it works, why not?  Perhaps I should just do appliqued carrots year after year. That's the one that sold.

This year I have a very nice patchwork of silks (golds) and velvets called Blackberry Hedgerow.  And another made of commercial batik and my own painted fabric.  Soothing greens. I like them both very much.  I really liked the carrots.  Perhaps that is a good sign they will sell?

Making More Marinara

I use an old-fashion hand crank food mill to crush the tomatoes.  I cut them in half and remove all the seeds (bitter) and then, skins still on, run them through the food mill.  Nice, thick puree.  Makes a very good sauce.  Takes an hour or more--possibly two hours--to get to the consistency I like.  Then into freezer containers.  I never have gotten comfortable with canning tomatoes.

Up next will be a tour of the garden.  Picking more peppers.  Freezing them as well.  I gave a very generous bagful of peppers to the gal who cuts my hair.  She has the same name as my sister.  And she gives me tomato seeds and even seedlings if I forget to start the seeds she gives me.

Picking more green beans. I hope.  We have had some cold nights.  I'm hoping the row covers I pulled over the beds in the garden saved the peppers and beans from frost damage.

A young guy at work promised me more tomatoes from his very large garden and even some freshly dug potatoes.  Yippee.

I am still eating stuffed cabbage.  It was having a very low calorie effect on my weight until yesterday.

I have had the rash and weeping, burning eyes for about a week.  Today, still dry skin but no wetness from the eyes.  Acid reflux.  We ate Chinese yesterday, and I absent-mindedly dipped my dumpling in the soy sauce bowl.  That was enough, I guess, to get the acid reflux going and gain 3 pounds overnight.

I have an appointment to see the dermatologist--In January of next year.  The Allergist's office has never called and I don't remember the doctor's name.  I think the Allergist is going to be more responsive to a rash than the dermatologist but who knows.  By January it will be gone.  It usually is.

While the sauce cooks, I am going out to the garden.  Then I am going to read a book.  G has gone off to weed at someone's seaside vacation home.  Riley has finally eaten his breakfast and lunch and is now full of food and taking a nap.  I am wondering what to have for lunch that would be soothing to acid reflux.  We have NO gummy candies to treat my reflux.  And that cute fireman hasn't shown up with a bottle.

How One Red Pepper Became Too Many Red Peppers

The garden is producing (presenting) 8 to 10 peppers a day right now.  I have a tray filled with a dozen and the freezer contains large bags of frozen pepper strips for future Winter meals.  I have taken some to work to give away. Sigh.

Perhaps I did grow too many?  I am reminded of the Elimination Diet and my JOY at adding red pepper to my limited vegetable list.  Those red peppers were purchased.  Long before the garden even was thinking of making any.  I think lunch will be a French dish of red peppers, onion, a bit of chili peppers and some tomato.  Piperade.  Saw it on Cook's Country last weekend.

G decided he didn't actually like stuffed cabbage.  And I have so much packed in containers.  Yesterday, at work, I had one serving for my lunch at 3pm.  I had a second serving for my supper at 7 pm.  Then a very hot shower.  Pajamas.  The Debate.

After 30 minutes of the debate, with one person constantly interrupting and the moderator not doing anything to stop the rude interruptions---I got up and wandered off to my sewing room, too irritated to watch anymore.   Somehow in my sewing room, sorting things, stitching things etc.  I returned to a calmer state and 2 hours passed peacefully.

I like Lester Holt.  But now I am disappointed in him.  He faded when he should have been strong. I hope this is not a foretelling of what might happen in November.  Not being strong.

My day at work had gone well until about 4pm.  Then the really difficult customers seemed to be coming back to back.  Customers already angry before even speaking to me.  Customers interrupting when I tried to answer.  It was that kind of day.  That kind of atmosphere.

Today it's cold. No sun.  Wet.  I may need to find a sweater to pull on and some socks.  Perhaps find the down lap throws and a good old fashioned mystery to read.  The water has boiled and the tea is brewing.  The dishwasher is running.  The dog has gone for his walk.  I need to turn on some lights, before 12 noon.  Summer might be over.  I already miss it.

I'm A Little Teapot-Short & Stout

Remember singing that?  I had a lovely electric kettle which I used for over 12 years to boil water for tea and anything else that needed boiling water added to it.  Then it started being fussy about if and when it would work.  I had to buy a replacement.  White plastic from Sunbeam.  Couldn't find something I liked.  Wasn't going to spend "good money" on something I didn't like.

Now---that has changed.  I like this.  I like it's handle and I really like it's spout.

Worked all day today and then home to pick peppers, eggplant and green beans before tucking all those beds under cloth--we are expecting a freeze tonight.   We also dragged the Fig Tree into the house (only sacrificed one green, unripe fig) for safe keeping.  All the front porch plants were moved to the house wall and then covered with cloth.  Our huddled masses.

Spent Friday running errands.  Mailing things.  Goodwill shopping.  Goodwill returning.  Church clothing sale.  Ice cream.  Staples to buy a  desk calendar.  Highway robbery.  But they had 4 large boxes of Kleenex for $3.90.  I got two packages.  Then grocery store.

G asked for stuffed cabbage so that is what I am cooking tomorrow.  Had to buy all the parts.  Huge cabbage for 50 cents a pound. I guess I'll be eating a lot of stir fried cabbage next week.  I like it with onions, red peppers and anything else I can find in the produce drawer.  I haven't made stuffed cabbage in years.  I hope I remember.  There never was a written recipe.  I hope there is some "body memory" to help me remember.  Mixing, rolling and then the tuck (pushing the cabbage ends into the roll).  Then into the oven and hope it all turns out.  What's not to like about cabbage, ground beef, tomato soup and rice???

They had a pile of snacks at work today.  Some for employees and some for customers.  Cookies, donuts, more cookies, ice cream treats in the freezer, carrot cake and finally pretzels.  I had a handful of pretzels.  Period.  Even though the donut was a raspberry jelly filled.  The kind I LOVE.

It was okay saying "no".  I am getting used to it and, unlike 9 years ago, the saying no isn't making me angry.  Saying yes would mean the chance of making the rash come back, having acid reflux etc. so, saying no to tempting foods is the best thing to do.  Not easy, but the smart choice.

Having Just Enough Stress

Making a second batch of Winter Sauce from Anna Thomas's The New Vegetarian Epicure.  I didn't start with the 100 pounds of California sun ripened tomatoes that her recipes is for.  I just don't have or need that much of anything anymore.

I have "just enough" which has been enough for my entire lifetime.

I will try to remember to wear my apron this time.  It seems I am always wearing a freshly washed white linen camp shirt when I make things.  Ending up with "stain removal" tactics.  I even got blueberry stains on a lovely long sleeved white linen shirt--which I "found" in my closet and instantly wanted to be wearing every day.  Right on the front.  All the stains have come out--so far.

Yesterday, the Day of all Days, I had my long awaited annual exam with my doctor.  And, of course, as LIFE would have it no other way, I had regained any weight I had lost in the intervening 3 months and packed on an additional two pounds by the morning of the visit.  I had also gone into a "full allergic" reaction.  Swollen red eyes and face, leaking eyes etc.  I was a MESS!!!!!  G asks if I am allergic to the doctor?

This morning, after suffering with vaguely flu like symptoms (at work) yesterday, swollen eyes etc, I awoke to a loss of three pounds, decreased rash and no eye leakage.

G says I should do and eat exactly the same things today, that I ate yesterday.

Well, yesterday I was pretty miserable.

Which brings us back to the Marinara Sauce.  Which looked so amazing that I "just had to eat it" with PASTA not zucchini noodles.  Now, that didn't cause the rash--I already had that for at least 3 days--but it did cause the rash to sort of "explode" into something truly amazing.  When the entire left side of my face is inflamed as well--I know I am in deep trouble.

 Very red, very dry, very uncomfortable.  Today I am taking Zyrtec.  I am going to alternate Zyrtec and Claritin.  Neither is effective for more than two days.  The Alaway eye drops are working to stop the burning and watering of my eyes.  But now my nose is running.  Yesterday (at work) I had to add Benadryl to the mix.

And yes, there is ragweed growing along the edges of the property at work-- along with acres of grassy weeds just behind us and next to us and across the street from our parking lot.

The Garden Gives Me Green Beans

I worked yesterday and it was very slow.  I got bored.  I also was thinking of all the things I could be doing if I wasn't stuck at work.

Well, today I am doing those things.  I went out to the garden after breakfast.  It was toast day.  New York Rye toast with butter and apricot jam.  Coffee.  I picked peppers that were almost red.  I picked cherry tomatoes.  Regular tomatoes (won't they ever STOP?).  And green beans.  I ate about a third of the harvest of beans right there in the garden.  With dirt.  And I hope no bugs.

Now I am stirring a large pot of tomato puree, waiting for it to be thick enough.  Homemade marinara.  I have olive oil, homegrown garlic and some seasonings in the pot.  I have the remaining green beans (minus the spider) in the hot oven roasting.  They get sort of leathery and chewy.  I like that about roasted green beans.

 My eyes are bothering me again.  My daughter reports the same problems (heredity) and she uses allergy eye drops (over the counter) so on my birthday I went to the grocery and bought some.  My eyes still burn a bit but no water is leaking out and causing my skin to burn and my eyes to itch.  Does make my nose stuffy.  Not really motivated to do laundry and vacuum.  G is out "landscaping" for the day--somewhere near the ocean.  The dog is napping by the front door.

It's sunny outside but dark inside the house.  A nap does sound good.  I am 70.  Old people like me nap all the time........???  Tomorrow morning the doctor and my annual physical.  My annual lecture on my weight and BMI.  Then, all jolly from that, I go to work.

Everything In It's Place: A Virgo Birthday

I often have a good hardy laugh when I read about the Virgo trait of perfection.  I have "perfect" thoughts but my house isn't perfect, tidy, or even clean most of the time.  Like today.  My Birthday.

I am Seventy Years Old Today.

Well, that's something isn't it.  I don't feel old.  Inside I am somewhere in my 40's I think.  Perhaps younger.  I read somewhere that if you want to have fun--wake a sleeping person and yell "how old are  you?" before they are fully awake.  The answer is the true age we hold in ourselves.

No birthday cake.  No chocolate candy.  I am hoping for Nachos.  And perhaps a Margarita. When I returned from a long 9 hour day at work yesterday I asked if there was a pile of birthday cards in the mail?  G said no.  So, I took a much needed shower, sat on the couch trying not to fall asleep and then went with G and the dog to get a medium vanilla cone at Dairy Queen.  No dinner.

This morning my son's call from Vancouver woke me.  We talked for 90 minutes.  I am so thankful that I am the kind of mom that can talk to her grown son about a range of topics for that long.  With both of us having so much to say and share.  And I am shocked that he was awake that early!!!!!

My horoscope mentioned this being a year of significant turning points.

Stay tuned.

Married Forty Eight Years Today

It hasn't been a smooth ride.  Bumps and upheavals along the way.  Twelve houses.  Two children.  Three cats (not at the same time) and one dog. Packing boxes from years ago--still unpacked.  Still finding treasures in the attic.  Still comfortable sitting and saying nothing.  Taking care of each other.

Yesterday back to work.  Spent the day talking.  Seven hours of the day talking.  So many people missed me and, I guess, I missed them. Mostly they talked about how different I look.  One customer said I looked smaller.  Another, that my face looked so thin, smooth and wrinkle free. I have to admit that last comment had me wondering about my June appearance.  When she last saw me.  Another who wished me well that last day in June (at work), told me of her Whole30 diet and how good she felt.  Funny how our paths were linked while I was gone.  Trying to find health and happiness in our diets.  She eats whole fruit and fruit juices.  I eat the whole fruit pulverized in the Vitamix. I think that's okay.  I'm still eating the peel and the fiber.  Whole30 smoothies?  yes or no?

The suggested birthday donuts (Saturday) were given a thumbs down.  Okay if the baker wanted the employees to eat them.  Not me.

I was still unsure about returning while I packed my salad of Romaine, red cabbage and carrots yesterday morning.  Not enough lettuce so I fine cut some kale leaves.  Skipped the red onion.  Not good for customer service. Packed up EVOO and Balsamic, S&P in a small container to shake and pour before eating the salad. I may add diced roasted beets to the next salad.  I also took a jar of smoothie to work.  I drank it at about 5:30.  Seems to be the way to go--moving forward.  I'll be at work all day Saturday.  Big perennials sale.

One of the packed treasures in the attic was two boxes from my dad's house.  Ball glass jars.  The kind with the glass lid and wire "bale".  Even had fresh boxes of the rubber gaskets.  I brought two down, into the dishwasher.  Now sparkling, like new, clean.  What shall I put inside???  Pints and half pints.

I have tomatoes to "handle".  Need to do something with them before they spoil.  More peppers.  The garden to water (promised rain failed to fall).  Everyone had an epic garden this summer.  Everyone has too many tomatoes.  I heard of one Farmer's Market stand selling them for $1 a pound.  Just to get rid of them.  Also need to stop by the Farmer's Market to buy garlic with BIG cloves to plant in October. Seeds for leeks for my Winter Milk Jug garden.

Gardeners.  We garden for this year with memories of last year and the promise of next year.  I already have containers with the seedy pulp from my very tastiest tomatoes breaking down.  When the gel releases the seeds, I'll dry them.  Start them in February or March for the 2017 garden.  It's just like being married in some ways.

How Can I Make Sense of The World We Live In Now

The world is a difficult--different--place than I am used to.  I don't quite know how to deal with it.  I know that any change begins with ONE.  Yourself.  How can I make a difference?

There are days when I feel hopeful.  But more days that I feel like something really horrible is about to happen.  Something we will all regret but have to survive.  Does it have to do with 9/11?  Does remembering that day make us more afraid?

Anyway that is where my mind and my heart is these quiet September days.  Worrying.  What Virgo does better than any other sign.

I am also wondering what to eat.  There is plenty in the fridge but none of it quite "goes together" to make a meal.  I may set some rice to cooking in the rice cooker.  Rice seems to help things go together.  Pasta is another item that helps odd items to come together into something tasty.

My garden.  It's tired and rather sad looking.  I will miss it.

Me.  Had a teeth cleaning appointment with the dentist.  It hurt.  They want me to get a crown.  I worry it will hurt.  Will it?

The peaches I bought for smoothies--well, when I cut them open there was mold growing on the pit. Inside the peach.  I have never seen that before.  So--no peaches in the smoothie and it doesn't taste as good.

I return to work on Wednesday.  Ambivalent.

Eating My Way Through The Summer

This little Bento box lunch is very cute.  I eat all these things but my presentation isn't as nice.

Yesterday, in the oppressive heat and humidity, I pulled up all the zucchini squash vines.  Today I will haul them to the compost boxes.  I also pulled beets.  I tried to pull the big and medium ones and leave the smaller ones (to grow some more) and was only 50% successful.  I pulled carrots the other day.  Most of the large carrots had had the bottoms chewed off by chipmunks.  They have tunnels all through the garden.

Not as hot today, so I will be roasting beets.  I find cold roasted beets to be a very fine lunch.  Cubed in a white bowl with EVOO and Balsamic vinegar. Some salt and freshly ground pepper.

Carrots I like in a salad with Romaine, red cabbage and EVOO and Balsamic.  I also enjoy carrots with a sesame-free hummus I make.  Chickpeas and parsley and lemon juice.  Trouble with this meal--- I eat too much.

The green beans are only flowers at this point or one centimeter long baby beans.  When they are big enough to pick--I like them right out of the garden (still dirty) eaten while I pick.  Otherwise, I roast them in the oven with EVOO and eat them--sort of leathery and chewy.  Delicious.  Now that I have found the Coconut Aminos--I can make a Chinese dish out of them.  Roasted or fried beans, cashews, rice and coconut aminos.  Cashew Greenbeans.

The Claritin seems to be working.  There is a period of time, just after I wake up and before the morning pill takes effect, where things are pretty miserable.  Itchy, burning, leaking eyes.  It's  been a few hours and things are settling down.  Perhaps I will have to set the alarm for 2 hours before I need to be awake--take my pills and go back to sleep.

I am just starting a new book by a favorite author.  Close Your Eyes by Michael Robotham.  His books are dark and pretty violent but I like the way he writes.  I don't like the violent murders but they don't take up more than 20 to 30% of the book.  Which leaves me with enough to enjoy.  I just finished the latest book by the two Danish women who wrote The Boy In The Suitcase.  I sort of wish this series of books could be made into something.  Like HBO's True Detective.  Well, the first of that series.  The rest, not so much.  I waited for the "free" week and watched the first season.  Wonderful. I think the Red Cross nurse- Nina would be very "watchable".  She certainly knows how to to get into trouble.

I am trying to think of a fabric and thread project to do.  One that doesn't involve the sewing machine. I'm not quite in the mood to make Christmas ornaments out of felt yet.  Any ideas?  It could be purely repetitive.  I have circles I could appliqué to squares--a project I got into for quite awhile but then, when I realized I hadn't made any headway in the weeks I had been sewing----lost interest.  I could, of course scale the project down to making--- what?  A four foot by four foot square?  Placemats? Or I could make a center square and then design an appliquéd border to go all the way around.  The fabrics are French inspired.  Reds, blues, golds.  But I don't need a quilt.  Or do I just want something smaller and less "project" oriented.  Busy-work.

There is a woman who just sews.  Doesn't make anything.  I am too Virgo for that.

September Heat & Humidity

And my best friend.  Benadryl.  See the second line on the left?  Itchy, watery eyes.  That's me.

Yesterday I went to the grocery store.  I had been going every day and spending a fortune ( I have the proof as my credit card bill arrived)--so I have been trying NOT to go to the grocery.  Yesterday, well, I needed to see if there were any peaches (for the smoothie I now love) and I needed deli ham and swiss slices for my "roll ups" (just a slice of ham with cheese on top, rolled up into a cigar shape) which I eat instead of a sandwich.  I loved roll ups for lunch when I was doing Atkins.

Anyway, back to what I was saying.  I stood in front to the allergy pills section and decided to try Claritin. For allergy.  I have tried all the rest.  So far, one hour in, my eyes are drier than usual, I am not sniffling and except for the tight dry skin around my eyes, I am feeling pretty good.  Of course, we have the AC on.  I'm thinking that days when I am feeling great, are days when the AC is on.

The library called.  I now have FOUR delightful books to read.

I made G a very nice 9 inch square lasagna the other day.  Using the items in the fridge (which I purchased on my frequent shopping trips).  Ricotta cheese, frozen spinach, fresh pasta sheets, frozen ground turkey (for testing turkey).  I wish I could say I used my own oven roasted tomatoes for the sauce--but G only likes commercial sauce.  I had a salad late in the afternoon and the last of the blueberry peach smoothie in the evening.  I'll be going into the kitchen to make more smoothie when I finish typing this.

My employer should be calling this afternoon to let me know what days I will be working next week. I'm hoping for three short days.

The figs on our potted fig tree are starting to turn color.  Getting ripe.  I think there may be over 50 figs on the tree, perhaps even 100? We finally learned to water, water and then water some more.  The young "bush" fig (not a tree shape) has 4 figs.  A good beginning effort.  This, I believe, is year 4 for the potted tree.  I will be able to make quite a few jars of fig preserves.

The part of Maine where I live is now in a "drought".  We are 5 to 6 inches short of the normal rainfall.  Wells are drying up, farmers haven't enough hay to cut and feed to their animals, a goat farmer hasn't enough grass for the grass fed goats.  The rain goes by us to the north.  Hermine brought us nothing but humidity. My vegetable garden looks like a disaster.  I am going out to water the few things still growing.  Eggplant, beans, carrots and beets.

The Up Side of An Allergy Attack

I have been medicated into submission (sleepy) and been sitting on the couch watching all of Chef's Table on Netflix.  Even the French version with subtitles. Trying not to rub my eyes. But rubbing them feels so good.

Reading is impossible and I have a sweet stack of good books.

The skin on my face has the texture of sandpaper.  None of the creams and salves I own do much. I had thought the homemade calendula salve would be soothing.  At least it doesn't burn when I apply it.  My nose has started to participate.  Alternating between stuffy and running.  A few sneezes.

I'm going to go sit on the couch, close my eyes and drift for the next few hours. Perhaps the lunch fairy will bring me something to eat?

September Garden: Carrots

I think every regular Reader knows how much I love carrots.  I used to love them sliced on the diagonal with a tub of plain hummus.  I would eat until the tub was empty.  I haven't had any chickpeas recently.  I haven't tested sesame seeds.  I have been eating my garden carrots plain.  Just carrots.  Colorful food is beneficial to eye health.

Yesterday I went hunting for a pickled carrot recipe.  One I could "can".  There are plenty of pickled carrot recipes out there but since carrots are a low acid food--tricky to safely can them.  So, in the interest of adding (at best) 30 to 60 days of longevity to my carrots, I am going to try refrigerator pickled carrots.  Of course I can always use the porch fridge for "cold storage" by setting the fridge temp at 40 degrees.

I also like grilled carrots.  Carrots fried in butter until golden brown and carmelized.  Carrots cut into sticks with my regular mixed greens salads.  And Italian Carrot Soup thickened with white beans. I'm not too worried about being able to eat all the carrots.

When I pull up the carrots I will also pull up the beets.  I like the beets roasted, chilled and served with EVOO and Balsamic vinegar.  By the time this happens there should be green beans on my Blue Lake bushes.   Vegetable Stir Fry of beans, carrots, peppers and onions from my garden.

The green peppers on my "many" pepper plants are starting to change color.  To red.  I have a tray full in the freezer (cut into strips) ready to be packed in freezer bags.  For stir fry and chili during the winter.  I enjoy the bounty of the garden, but bringing in the heavy harvest basket--signals the true end of summer.  September.  In the next few weeks the Concord grapes should be ripe and Patty and I will be making grape jelly.  Oh, and my Fig Tree is heavy with figs.  Fig preserves.

Ah, well.  Planning for next year's garden isn't far away.  And I return to work next week.  Yes.  Going back to work.  I promised my employer I would return.  Already scheduled to teach three classes.  Before I know what's happening, I will be decorating wreaths.

Back To Detox--- my eyes are almost swollen shut

I don't know any more about what causes this than I did 2 months ago.   I feel like the whole thing was a total waste of time, energy and the money spent buying all these special foods.

I look like someone used my face as a punching bag.  Disfigured.  Ugly.

And of course the weight I have lost in the past week or two has piled back on.  As I said before, the same five pounds gained and lost--over and over and over.  This post will be short-- in no time at all I won't be able to see to type.  Then, cold compresses and the couch.

Last year, this continued until a day -a morning- in October when I woke, looked in the mirror and it was gone.  I check for allergen counts, pollen counts, mold spore reports.  Trying to find SOMETHING to explain this.  But there is nothing.

I am feeling defeated, depressed and on the verge of tears--which will burn as they run over my swollen face.

I have made the pineapple, strawberry, kale, mint detox smoothie and will be drinking that today.  And hoping it helps even a little bit.  A few days ago, I felt wonderful.

Nachos!!!!

 It's my birthday this month and during all this "detox" stuff the past 60 days or more--I just kept hoping I would not be reactive to any of the ingredients in NACHOS.  Cuz, that's how I want to celebrate my 70th birthday. And that's what I want to eat ALL month.

 Had nachos today (September 2nd) for a late lunch out on the porch of the Seadog.  I should have also had a Margarita but I am under the influence of Benadryl.  Lots and lots of Benadryl.  My eyes are watering, the skin around my eyes is burning and to make the face a party--my nose is either stuffed up or running.  Of course, it goes without saying that the eczema on my eyebrows is red and itchy.

Nuts to my primary care doctor--I am asking to be referred to an allergy specialist when I have my annual checkup on the  21st.  I'll even pay out of pocket for the ALCAT.  This isn't just "dust".

And, I was totally inflamed since yesterday, late afternoon (when I ate chocolate).  The nachos aren't involved in this reaction. This is why the Elimination Diet people want us to eat the new food three days in a row--as often as we can.  So that, by day three, you can explode into an allergic reaction-- if it's going to happen. No question.

I do have four containers of dark chocolate caramels.  I will miss eating them.  But I can give them to people as gifts. Sadly, I didn't eat any of the caramels during the three day test.   And I certainly am not eating any of them now.  My eyes would swell shut.

Finished watching Marcella on Netflix (good but strange).  Have watched Cooked (very good).  Have watched 2 episodes of Chef's Table (rather pretentious).  Am almost caught up on Mr. Robot (very strange).  Have to watch during the afternoon when G is not in the house.  He can't follow any of the story lines and I get annoyed trying to explain everything while watching. In Mr Robot there are "people" who are imaginary and dead.  So I am watching saying; real person, imaginary person, dream, awake etc. Also the action is sometimes current and often backstory.  It's a lot of work to watch this show.

Had my second Larabar.  Carrot Cake.  It was very tasty.  I purchased two rings of dry pineapple so I can make homemade Carrot Cake Bars. I even got dried banana chips in case I like the Banana Cream Pie one.  No dried apple rings or chips so I can't make the Apple Pie bars.

End Of August In The Vegetable Garden

Eggplant.  I don't have as many as I would like to have.  But I am going to enjoy the first one, sliced, salted, roasted with EVOO until browned with a roasted tomato sauce.  I have some brown rice pasta which I may or may not eat with it.   The recipe is from Food52.  Today.  Roasted eggplant on fresh corn polenta.  

Sometimes it's better to not eat something than to eat something inferior.  That's the way I feel about eating "fake" food.  I'm on the fence regarding spiralized zucchini.

There is very little zucchini left in the garden so I will not be able to make ratatouille this summer. I made too much zucchini butter.  Never made any zucchini fritters.  The zucchini brownies made with gluten free-wheat free flour are dry as dust.  And I think made the eye rash return.   Was it the chocolate or the  King Arthur Flour?  Or was it mold spores because today was cool and damp?

I ordered books from the library and when I picked them up--realized I had already read them.  I now have two new books--I can't say I am excited about either of them, but will at least try to read them.

My 10x10 fabric pictures are on the 10x10 website.  The official opening date for the site is September 4th.  My daughter says I should be honored to have them up already.  I guess they liked them both and are using them as a "tease" to get viewers interested.  Who knows?

I forgot to take my JoAnn's coupon with me today.  I was going to see what they had in #8 perle cotton thread.  I need a few new colors and I'll need red if I tack my old quilt.  I am thinking of doing some mindless embroidery.  I am also thinking of tacking the 1930's Grandmother's Flower Garden (1.5 inch hexagons) I purchased years and years ago.  It was tacked in red thread.  With the lumpiest batting and so much dust!!!!.  So, I have the original backing fabric as well.  The top and the backing are washed and ironed.

I don't think professional free motion quilting would do the quilt justice.  And I don't think I have the patience or skill to hand quilt it myself.  I think it is very difficult to quilt a Flower Garden quilt-- I mean, where do you stitch?   I may have to visit some sites to see what works best.  Tacking maybe the best idea if I wanted to do it myself.

We are "pet sitting" a rescued Ecuadorian Street Puppy for the neighbor's daughter today and tomorrow.  Today G took Riley and Pina for the usual walk in the woods.  For half of it, Pina's leash was attached to Riley's collar.  Riley put up with the puppy but G released him when it looked like Riley had reached his limit.  Riley is 9.5 and Pina is 3 months old (and just a little larger than a toaster).  G said she did whatever Riley did.  If he sniffed something.  She sniffed it.  If he walked over something.  She walked over it.  If he stopped to look.  She stopped to look.  G said it was adorable. Then she found a tree branch to carry and the branch kept knocking into Riley's legs.

More Zucchini Toast & Zucchini Brownies

I found a huge zucchini in the garden yesterday--forgot to mention it.  I really don't know how these things happen.  I spent quite a bit of time in the garden the day before (watering) and it wasn't there.
So, I grated it up (plus a buddy or two of smaller size) to fill the large frying pan to make more zucchini butter.  Shredded zucchini, shredded onion, oil or butter.  Fry till it's soft and "buttery" and beginning to brown on the bottom.  I let mine brown more.

And because (joy, joy) I am now testing chocolate--I shredded up another zucchini off the counter and made zucchini brownies.  I have made this recipe in years past.  Sometimes it works beautifully and turns out like a dense fudge brownie.  Other times--it's just a wet mess.  I am hoping it's fudgey.
I thought of the brownie recipe just moments before I was going to dump the shreds into the frying pan.  I haven't had a chocolate treat since Christmas. (it seems).

I used this recipe (from somewhere): ½ cup oil for fudgey OR ½ cup yogurt for cakelike brownies (not both) . 1.5 cups sugar.  I always use half what recipe calls for.  2 cups flour (I used King Arthur Gluten free), ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1.5 teas. Baking soda, .5 teas salt and 2 cups squeezed dry shredded zucchini.  I mix it all together with my hands.  Like kneading bread dough.  9 inch square pan  for 45 minutes at 350. (I now wish I had added some chopped walnuts).

So---I am testing chocolate.  This isn't as big a deal as it would be for most people.  I can go without chocolate.  But what I actually crave is a dessert.  Something sweet and chewy.  The Larabar is a good dessert.  Vanilla Dairy Queen cones are a lovely dessert (I have been having them all along without any problems).  But a brownie is a most excellent dessert.

I am cooking today (tomatoes roasting for sauce for freezer), the zucchini butter, the brownies.  And I am doing laundry.  Washing curtains, gardening clothing (G and I use up a lot of clothing), and slipcovers.  I vacuumed the entire house Sunday.

I found two more nice peaches at the store (only 2) and will be making more peach blueberry smoothies.  They were excellent.  I also bagged up some raw cashews in the bulk food aisle. I have quite a bit of fruit in the freezer right now and feel "pressured" to be making smoothies everyday--if only to free up space for the roasted tomatoes.  But I have to finish off that lame cantaloupe smoothie first.

This would be a good time to work on "use what's in the freezer or cupboards" before going shopping.  But....that's how the cantaloupe smoothie happened.  Duh!  I may add a splash of lime juice to the jar of smoothie I have left.  Perk it up.  Perhaps drink it alongside the organic corn chips with sea salt.  Very sturdy and hardly any salty taste.

Did any of you see and "hear" what our lovely Governor said on a phone message this week?  They think it's a substance abuse problem or "impairment"--my friends from Boston call it "being mental".

Elimination Diet-- Today's Smoothie-Cantaloupe (not good)

Not a success.  The cantaloupe was not ripe.  So I looked on line and found a few clues as to what to mix and match with it to make a smoothie.

I added the melon to the Vitamix.  Then some frozen mango cubes.  Some raw cashews for thickening.  A quarter of the pineapple lingering in the fridge (my usual addition for a green smoothie).  A big spoon of plain yogurt.

It's okay.  Not great.  The tartness of the pineapple saved it from being too sweet.  But it's very bland but I will drink it.

I tossed the remainder of the melon in the compost bucket.  The worms will enjoy it. From now on I will stick with fruit I grow or the frozen stuff that is usually picked ripe.

My eyes are watering and the skin around my eyes is dry, raw and burning.  I feel awful. I just WISH I knew what is causing this to happen from August to October.  For the third year in a row.

Going out to water the garden, then a shower to cool off, then more allergy meds and a nap.

Watched the movie Gravity last night.  Binge watched Marcella on Netflix the day before. Summer days and summer nights.

Elimination Diet- Peach Smoothie

I  purchased three large peaches.  And they are ripe and juicy.  Freestone like the image above.  I had planned to eat them--just like that.  But decided to try a smoothie.

I checked out the recipes on line and found one, with a comment from someone who registered on the site to just be able to comment on the peach smoothie---- he liked it that much.  That was impressive.I won't register on a site, no matter how much I like something.

I have a Vitamix so if you try this with any other blender--your results might be different.

One large peach.  Remove pit but leave on peel.  One frozen banana.  I wrap ripe bananas in foil and stick them in the freezer.  One half cup raw cashews.  (you may need to presoak them- I didn't have to)  One big handful of frozen blueberries for sweetening.  4 ounces of vanilla yogurt.  I think I also added some water.  More than ½ a cup.  Turned on the Vitamix and let her rip.

I usually open the lid up and stir with a spoon and taste.  See if it's too sour, too green--whatever and then try and add something to make it taste okay.  This tasted okay.

I divide the smoothie into Working Jars from Crate & Barrel.  They come with lids.  I wasn't going to actually drink the smoothie until this morning so I poured, capped and put them in the fridge.  Still thick and smooth this morning.  And delicious.  I will be blending up the last peach later today.

And then I might go looking for more peaches.

The Summer of Food Adventures--- On An Elimination Diet

First time to ever have a Larabar.  The Apple Pie one was delicious.  I also found the sites that show me how to "make my own" bars.  I will be looking for dry apple slices at the health food store. I purchased the Carrot Cake bar.  For tomorrow.

The other first was Smoothies.  I'm never sure about making them without a recipe.  And the recipes I've tried--no matter how stupid they look to me---have turned out to be very tasty.  I even said "yum" while tasting one of the recipe smoothies.  I think it was a pineapple, kale, red berry one.

Well, I'm off the look for a peach smoothie recipe.  And for turmeric sauerkraut--- it ferments in a jar and needs to be burped.  Probiotic.

I may even soak some raw cashews and make ........well, I'm not sure what I will make.  A creamy cashew smoothie?  Cashew cheese?  Or the Cashew Cookie Larabar?

Still August: New Chair Picture

I just love finding a new chair picture.  This one looks cozy--like a big yellow hug!  I wish it had a higher back so I could rest my head.  My head must be very heavy--my neck gets tired holding it up!

A sheet pan of tomatoes is roasting in the oven.  Cherry tomatoes.  I think, pretty soon, I will have all 102 tomatoes here in the house waiting for someone to eat them, roast them or ?????  I am trying not to have to compost them.  I am also bringing in the very last of the cucumbers and zucchini.  The plants got tired.  Which is okay with me. My favorite way of eating tomatoes--not possible now--was on white bread with heaps of mayo.  And with pasta.  Not possible unless I try brown rice pasta.

The zucchini butter recipe is the BEST!.  I am enjoying it on non-wheat toast or mixed into reheated white rice. Seems that the white rice is better for me than the brown.  How odd.

The grocery has chicken tenders (fried and breaded and sometimes with BBQ sauce) which I have been eating with no reaction (shocked!!).  I don't like meat as a rule --pot roast I love, sliced deli ham, and ground beef fried to cinders-- but anything "juicy" makes me gag.  Getting enough protein is a real problem.  No eggs or soy due to reactions. Anyway, I load up on the day old boxes of tenders and eat them cold with the rice and zucchini butter or with my "big salad" of romaine, carrots, red onion, red cabbage.  And of course, Smoothies.   I may need to make another 5 pounds of meatballs.  They were non-reactive.

And fruit.  Red plums and peaches right now.  My raspberry bushes are getting ready for the late September berries.  I see lots of little baby berries- still hard and very green.

I long for the old days of bran flakes and soy milk.  Of yogurt and fruit.  But I do not miss the pounds of inflammation.  I can almost always see the bones in my ankles now.

Well, I have things to do.  Wash in the washer.  Clothes in the dryer.  A wet, tired (from his walk in the woods) dog has pushed his way under the desk where I am sitting--so he will be "notified" of any movement on my part while he sleeps.  I will miss this when I return to work.

Visible Results Of Elimination Diet

The scale at home and certainly not the one in the doctor's office don't show the changes the detox and elimination of inflammatory foods have had on my body.

Well, I went into work today and a co-worker was all "OMG, look at you!!!" and I felt much better about the rash and the food diet.

I am now the same weight I was at the beginning of August.  No weight loss.  But I am certainly taking up less space, wearing smaller sized clothing and having less aches, pains and acid reflux. I also found some Lara bars that have all of the things I can eat and none of the things I can't.  I know there are "homemade "lara" bars recipes on the internet.  So, I am going to see what I can find.

Which one to eat first.

More Zoodles & Smoothies

I love the chewy texture of these Zoodles if I allow them to dry for at least 24 hours after cutting and before eating.  The ones I spiral cut today will be eaten tomorrow.

Today I am drinking Smoothies.  The one I just finished was pineapple, strawberry, frozen banana, kale and 4 ounces of Noosa vanilla yogurt (not Greek).  I roasted some beets from the garden and will be tossing a cooked beet into the next Smoothie.  Possibly pineapple, beet, frozen cherries and kale.

I also pulled some carrots.  They are growing long.  Impressive.  As I hadn't thought the soil was loose enough to grow long carrots.  But.....some of the nicest carrots have been nibbled (underground) by chipmunks.   I don't want to start trapping the rodents.  What to do with them after they are in the trap?  We trap them at work.  Then an employee takes them for a ride in the car and lets them out.  We have discussed marking them some way so we can see if they find their way back.  When we had a cat at work----well, the only chipmunks we ever saw were the dead ones.

So, the counters are filled with ripe tomatoes, a few zucchini, quite a few cucumbers (I found a cucumber/blueberry smoothie recipe) and the now ripe avocados are in the fridge where they stay perfect for 5 to 7 days.  I like an avocado in a green smoothie to give it a creamy texture.

Look at me--discussing the merits of Smoothies.  Who is this person????

The eye itch and rash (eczema ?) is still bothering me.  It really bothers me right after I wake up, but before my allergy pills take effect.  Then bothers me again after 9 pm.  I also have a bumpy rash around my neck.  All this reminds me of my youngest brother.  His eczema was so bad that the skin around his neck and in the crease of his arms and back of knees was raw.  Of course my mother let him eat anything he wanted.  How odd that I am just now developing it?

If there is any good news (other than the carrots), it's that overnight I lost 3.5 pounds.  Inflammation and reaction to allergens.  Peaches were new to the diet.  Supposedly safe.

I made another batch of rice flour banana muffins.   This recipe uses coconut oil, coconut sugar, no eggs.  I don't know what I would do without them.  If any readers out there need a recipe for a baked good for someone who can't have eggs, wheat, dairy or cane sugar--- let me know and I will send it to you.

I had started watching Thirteen (BBC) on Xfinity (comcast) and it seems like midway thru my watching Amazon bought the rights.  So......I watched three out of five episodes and now have no idea how the damned thing ends.