Just Another Ordinary Day

Talking With My Daughter
Someone is feeling sassy. LOL

Having fun while getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner.

Me: So, do you like any other Thanksgiving foods now that you're older or is it still just stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy?
H: I like turkey.
Me: I have a vegan alternative!
H: Turkey is meat. It's the name of a bird.
Me: Turk'y.
H: Get out of my face.
Me: šŸ˜‚
 
The Day After
Leftovers, or the lack thereof.

I love the day after Thanksgiving. I am enjoying a rest from cooking and washing dishes. I usually don't have a lot of leftovers from the big meal and this year was no different. I hid a bowl of mashed potatoes, vegetables, and gravy in the back of the refrigerator before everything disappeared, so I wouldn't have to cook anything today. The day after is always a rest day. No cooking. No washing up.

This afternoon I got a message from my son asking if we'd had a good dinner. He lives in another city and I haven't seen him in a very long time, three or four years, I think. The starter was a creamy broccoli soup. I made it at the last minute and I'm so glad I did because it was super good. We were all disappointed there wasn't more of it. LOL For the main course, we had Gardein turk'y cutlets, stuffing made with homemade herb bread, mashed potatoes, green beans, green peas, gravy, and homemade cranberry sauce. Dessert was apple berry pie with cinnamon streusel and a salted date caramel chocolate pie. He thought it all sounded very good. He told me that he and his dad had steak and he seemed happy with that.

I was a bit worried about the pies. I tried a different recipe for the pastry and had the worst time rolling it out. Finally, I just pressed the pastry into the pie plates. That method worked a lot better than using a rolling pin, but I was sure I worked it too much and it was going to be too thick and tough. Thankfully, it was fine. Whew. My other worry was that the date caramel pie was supposed to be served straight from the freezer. I think this was to preserve the integrity of the pie so that the filling didn't sag into a soft blob upon cutting. I had initially placed it in the freezer, but then I worried about the frozen crust becoming rock solid, so I eventually put the pie in the fridge and crossed my fingers. The pie retained its shape after being cut into wedges and no one broke a tooth on the crust. Two thumbs up!

I ate my mashed potato bowl for lunch and now all that remains is some pie. I am wondering what to do about dinner. Hmm ... a cup of coffee and a slice of pie is a perfectly acceptable post-Thanksgiving meal, right?
 
Books, Books, And More Books
I am a compulsive consumer of cookbooks and should seek treatment.

My houseguests are still here, but I had hoped now that Thanksgiving is over, I could get back to my routines and some semblance of normalcy. Emotionally, the reclusive me is exhausted and longing to have my peaceful house back. I am here by myself for short periods of time, but because I know people will be returning, it's a nice break but not too restful. I am making the best of it.

My plan for today was to do some reading for my courses. The big course has quite a lot of reading, and the first lecture is super long (over two hours). I am about 45 minutes into the lecture and I haven't even started any of the readings yet. I want to take notes while I go through the written material, but I am just too distracted at the moment.

So what did I actually do today? Well, when I sat down at the computer, I got a message from my daughter almost immediately. I started talking to her and browsing a book site. I looked up one book and then a bunch of similar books popped up. Of course, I had to look at those too. And you just know I had to buy them because I have no self-control when it comes to cheap secondhand books. LOL Seven cookbooks and two cups of coffee later, the afternoon had passed me by and my courses sat in the back of my mind feeling ignored and unloved.

Maybe I will do some reading in bed tonight. It will be nice and quiet, with no distractions or interruptions.
 
Kitchen Disaster
The stuff that nightmares are made of.

I had to go out this afternoon and I wasn't looking forward to it because it's grey and rainy outside. It rained yesterday. It rained today. It is supposed to rain right through to next Wednesday, with Tuesday and Wednesday calling for mixed rain and snow. Lovely. Luckily, I managed to avoid heavy rain and only experienced sprinkles while waiting for the bus, so it wasn't too bad. I don't mind the rain at all when I'm inside, just listening to it, but I don't really enjoy going out and getting wet. I think I might have been a cat in a previous life. LOL

A family member has gone out of town on a trip and I am watering her plants and doing some odd jobs around her house while she is away. Her adult son lives with her, but he doesn't want to be bothered with house stuff. Apparently, it's easier for me to ride a bus from one end of the city to the other and take care of things. It is hard to argue with the logic of a young person. I spent the entire time I was there this afternoon scrubbing mouldy dishes in the kitchen and carting rubbish out to the recycling bin. I will spare you the gruesome details. Suffice to say he seems to be enjoying the life of a carefree bachelor quite a lot! And cleaning up after himself does not appear to be a priority.

I'm not sure if it's the gloomy weather or the unexpected bout of cleaning, but I am so tired now. It will be an early bedtime for me, that's for sure!
 
Another Sleepless Night
Mr. Sandman, bring me ... some extra-strength sleeping pills.

I was so tired last night. I was looking forward to going to bed - well, the couch, I should say, because my bedroom is still occupied by my houseguests - so much. I was looking forward to going to sleep so much. And you know what that means? I was awake all night. Because my head, and the Universe, think it's fun to mess with me. As a result, I spent the entire day vacillating between wandering aimlessly around the house not really doing anything, and sitting staring blankly at the walls through bleary eyes not really doing anything. I want to say that I can't wait for bedtime, but that didn't work out too great for me the last time I said it. Maybe I'll fare better tonight. Fingers crossed!
 
TeaBiscuit said:
Apparently, it's easier for me to ride a bus from one end of the city to the other and take care of things. It is hard to argue with the logic of a young person. I spent the entire time I was there this afternoon scrubbing mouldy dishes in the kitchen and carting rubbish out to the recycling bin. I will spare you the gruesome details
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That is the last time Iā€™d be doing this favour for your family member. Theyā€™ll probably come home and think this lazy jerk did a great job keeping the house clean.
 
Tea Biscuit, I could spend months talking with you!
We would enjoy talking and sharing cookbooks. I have a few of Nigella's books and lots of Indian cooking books.
Speaking of Indian cooking, which I do a lot of, one of our favorites is dal (lentils) with onion, ginger, tomatoes and best of all coconut milk. I do much of my Indian cooking in my stove top Kuhn Rikon pressure cooker which saves energy and is easier on my feet. My husband is a good soup person, his favorite is a spicy tomato soup topped with more spices - called rasam. There are so many Indian recipes online now which really help to keep him happy.
Do you garden? Our spaghetti and butternut squash are nearly ripe so they will be steamed in the pressure cooker in about 15 minutes. My husband likes to grow them since they store so well all winter. Our hot peppers are just about ready to be picked also and it is time to think about how to over winter our curry leaf tree (not the same as the house plant). We still have some green tomatoes on the vine but we like green tomato chutney so if they don't ripen in the few weeks we have options.
Today, our weather is warm with blue skies - we forget that others are starting winter already.
I better stop for now before I drive you nuts.
 
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Happy Heart said:
Tea Biscuit, I could spend months talking with you!
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Hi, Happy Heart! We're both new here. Welcome!

I used to garden but it's hard on my back now, especially weeding. I hurt my lower back a few years ago and I am reminded of that whenever I sweep the floor, shovel snow, or have to stand for a long period of time. Every spring, though, I think about maybe planting one or two things. I have rhubarb and several blackberry plants that are low maintenance. Pole beans and bush beans grow really well in my backyard. They aren't much work, either, and they always give me lots of beans for the freezer.
 
Daily Journal
More rainy weather, homemade soup, and movies.

I had a very good sleep last night. It was so nice! I am still a bit tired today and I have an upset stomach but that is due to the hormonal migraine that has stopped by for a visit. Um, yeah. I have enough houseguests and I don't really need or want another one. Feel free to leave anytime soon, migraine. I promise you that my feelings won't be hurt. LOL

The weather continues to be rainy and grey and windy. It is a good day to stay inside and watch scary movies, which is exactly what I am doing: When A Stranger Calls (1979) and When A Stranger Calls Back (1993). I also have a pot of soup simmering on the stove, a navy bean soup with roasted onions and garlic, and potatoes. I might throw a carrot in too, for some colour. I usually blend about half of the soup so that the broth is thick and hearty. I am pretty sure I have eaten my body weight in pie this week, so a healthy bowl of soup will probably help me feel much better.

I doubt I will do much else today. I am happy to just enjoy my soup and movies and take it easy.
 
Sounds like a perfect day to me!

My floor mop is calling me today and I need to make chick pea soup since I cooked a pound of them yesterday. The soup is especially good with just the right amount of coriander powder.

Speaking of uninvited "guests" there is nothing like nurturing the garden only to have it invaded overnight by critters. We don't have a large garden, only a few planter boxes since back pain is as welcome as your migraines.

Your biscuit photo makes me want to go play in some flour but I'll wait for cooler temps - yesterday it was 90 F / 32C
 
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Manifesting Christmas
Yes, I am one of those people. LOL

The weather has been crazy today. We've had rain, sleet, and sunshine. It was nice to see the sun but it didn't stick around for very long. The sky and my house are dark and gloomy again. Sunshine has such a positive effect on my mood and I often don't realize it until I start feeling its absence. The forecast is calling for rain and snow overnight. Snow is beginning to show up frequently in the nightly forecasts despite the temperatures still staying above freezing. We haven't actually had any snow yet and I hope it stays that way for a while longer, at least until the leaves are off the trees! I love winter and I will always be a cold-weather girl at heart, but I'm not quite ready to start shovelling off my front steps.

And now I should probably confess that I've been manifesting Christmas big time over the last few days. Not intentionally, but, yeah. On my latest secondhand cookbook-buying spree, I bought a Christmas cookbook and it came in the mail last week. The very next day, a bunch of Christmas movies dropped on Prime. And then I caught my daughter wandering around the house drinking coffee out of my Tipsy Reindeer Christmas mug (featuring drunken cartoon reindeer cavorting in the snow). And while all of this is occurring, random Christmas memes are appearing in my Facebook news feed. So, if it suddenly starts blizzarding and carolers or drunken reindeer show up at your door, feel free to blame me. šŸ˜‚

I love Christmas and I willingly admit to being filled with the festive spirit from the beginning of November to the end of December. Occasionally, I spill over into January. Don't say you haven't been warned! LOL
 
National Cookbook Month
It's the most wonderful time of the year. šŸŽ¶

Apparently, it's National Cookbook Month. How did I not know that? As you can see, I've been busy celebrating. :love: All of these books are Canadian, and with the exception of the top book, all of them are from Canadian Living. Should I confess that there are still three in the mail? LOL

Canadian Cookbooks 2 005.JPG
 
Daily Journal
Making leftovers into a tasty treat.

Earlier today I made the Quick Coffee Cake in The Canadian Family Cookbook (1975). This is a beast of a book. It is over 800 pages and has around 1300 recipes. I bought it last year and I am trying to use it more, so when I wanted to do something with a small bowl of leftover cranberry sauce, I looked there first for ideas. Along with the cranberry sauce, I added extra cinnamon to the cake and a handful of rolled oats to the topping. It is very good. And healthy enough to eat for breakfast!

Cranberry Coffee Cake 007.JPG
 
TeaBiscuit said:
National Cookbook Month
It's the most wonderful time of the year. šŸŽ¶

Apparently, it's National Cookbook Month. How did I not know that? As you can see, I've been busy celebrating. :love: All of these books are Canadian, and with the exception of the top book, all of them are from Canadian Living. Should I confess that there are still three in the mail? LOL

View attachment 245230
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My husband used to complain about my hundreds of cookbooks until I explained that only a dumb man would do that, a smart man would understand that the cooking starts when the book is opened! I don't use them as often anymore. Today, I made him some curried eggplant which microwaves the eggplant before putting it in the pan of oil. Doing that, collapses the interior cells so when they go into the hot oil they don't absorb as much.
 
TeaBiscuit said:
Daily Journal
Making leftovers into a tasty treat.

Earlier today I made the Quick Coffee Cake in The Canadian Family Cookbook (1975). This is a beast of a book. It is over 800 pages and has around 1300 recipes. I bought it last year and I am trying to use it more, so when I wanted to do something with a small bowl of leftover cranberry sauce, I looked there first for ideas. Along with the cranberry sauce, I added extra cinnamon to the cake and a handful of rolled oats to the topping. It is very good. And healthy enough to eat for breakfast!

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I can feel that attaching to my hips already!
My favorite is Nanaimo bars, best thing I make.
 
Saying Goodbye
My houseguests have gone home!

I woke up this morning to snow on the rooftops and it has been raining and snowing all day. I had planned to go out but quickly decided my errand could wait for nicer weather. Why subject myself to the wet and cold when I can stay inside, warm and dry, enjoying coffee and cake and a new season of Love Is Blind on Netflix? (Don't judge me! LOL)

I actually did go out later, though only briefly. My houseguests' dog escaped from the yard. While we were in the back lane looking for him, he had zipped between the houses to the front and crossed the street. He's not a big dog - cocker spaniel - and he is very lucky he didn't get hit by a car. My houseguests were busy taking their stuff back to their own home and had decided to leave the dog here until later. This is the first time the dog has shown any inclination to leave the yard and I am wondering if he knew his people weren't coming back to stay and went looking for them. I am so glad nothing bad happened to him during his little adventure. Whew.

He is safely back home now and so are my houseguests! I am looking forward to sleeping in my bed tonight. Oh, I am going to have such a good sleep! I am also looking forward to walking my steps while watching Grey's Anatomy. The new season is finally on Canadian Netflix and I haven't seen any of it yet. Yes, I know. I could watch it downstairs anytime, but Grey's Anatomy is one of my nighttime shows and I like to save it for bedtime. I am a stickler for my beloved routines. I am so happy to be getting back to them!
 
A Snowy Night
Old Man Winter comes for a visit.

We had a proper snowfall last night. I loved seeing my trees in their white coats. So beautiful. Because it is still not super cold outside, a lot of the snow melted upon hitting the ground. The first snow never stays for very long. Today it is raining and snowing. The sidewalks and streets are muddy and messy. And I get to experience that particular joy later this afternoon. Lucky me!

Here is a photo of my back steps. I took it around 10:00 PM. You will notice that I have been lax in sweeping away the leaves. I love nature and I am happy to just leave it alone to do as it pleases; much to the consternation of my very tidy neighbours, I am sure! I love opening my back door and seeing the fallen leaves everywhere. It makes me feel like I am living in the country.

One final note: Never underestimate the manifesting abilities of a determined chickadee. LOL

First Snow (Oct. 19, 2022) 007.JPG
 
Daily Journal
A quick post.

Just a short quick post tonight. I actually meant to write a longer entry earlier this afternoon but I kept getting distracted and would then forget. After the third time, I told myself to wait until later, and as I am about to get lost in one of my favourite YouTube channels, Lights Out Podcast, I guess I should write now before I forget again.

It's been a fairly quiet day in which I drank a lot of coffee and enjoyed pottering about in my empty house. I finally finished the lecture I had started and have been listening to on and off for ... um ... a couple of weeks? Sheesh. Has it really been that long? I will definitely have to listen to it a second time. I also discovered there is a book for this course that I need to buy. I guess it's good I found this out early on because it's required reading! Oops. For dinner, I heated up a bag of Asian-style frozen vegetables with a spicy homemade Chinese stir-fry sauce and ate it over brown rice. It was super easy and very tasty. I am looking forward to a peaceful weekend with books and movies. It is going to be so nice. :)
 
Sounds like a great relaxing day after company. We do so enjoy the company but we also enjoy when they go home. It must have great to be able to return to your bed. I am a good host but I will not give up my bed to anyone!! You are the hostess with the mostess!
 
Favourite Quotes
I love a good quote (and a good song lyric)!

I have been binge-watching Inventing Anna on Netflix this week. Unless I am watching a foreign tv show with subtitles, I am usually doing something else and just listening to whatever show I happen to have on. The following caught my attention and I loved it so much that I wrote it down so I won't forget it.

Here's the thing about anger. When you're angry, you're just a character in someone else's story. But when you let your anger go, you reclaim your own story. Become your own protagonist again.
~ Kacy Duke (Inventing Anna)

And while I am on the subject, here are a few more of my favourite quotes.

Always laugh when you can; it is cheap medicine. Merriment is a philosophy not well understood. It is the sunny side of existence.
~ Lord Byron

Character, not circumstance, makes the person.
~ Booker T. Washington

What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd realized it sooner.
~ Sidonie Gabrielle Colette

People can live for a hundred years without really living for a minute.
~ Logan Huntzberger (Gilmore Girls)
 
TeaBiscuit said:
Favourite Quotes
I love a good quote (and a good song lyric)!

I have been binge-watching Inventing Anna on Netflix this week. Unless I am watching a foreign tv show with subtitles, I am usually doing something else and just listening to whatever show I happen to have on. The following caught my attention and I loved it so much that I wrote it down so I won't forget it.

Here's the thing about anger. When you're angry, you're just a character in someone else's story. But when you let your anger go, you reclaim your own story. Become your own protagonist again.
~ Kacy Duke (Inventing Anna)

And while I am on the subject, here are a few more of my favourite quotes.

Always laugh when you can; it is cheap medicine. Merriment is a philosophy not well understood. It is the sunny side of existence.
~ Lord Byron

Character, not circumstance, makes the person.
~ Booker T. Washington

What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd realized it sooner.
~ Sidonie Gabrielle Colette

People can live for a hundred years without really living for a minute.
~ Logan Huntzberger (Gilmore Girls)
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Thanks for sharing your quotes, they are wonderful. Here is one I like:
"Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.ā€ ~ Buddha'
I have looked at the Canadian Living site and wonder whether you also browse our Southern Living site? Similar format but different ideas.
Has anyone had trouble bringing up this platform? It seems to shut down after a second or two so I'm not sure whether it is this site or a corrupt file.
Have a cup of hot chocolate and stay warm.
 
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@Happy Heart ... I have heard of Southern Living but I don't think I've ever looked at the site. I love Taste of Home, which is a good mix of recipes from American and Canadian cooks. I have a few of their cookbooks and just recently started collecting their Annual Recipes books. There are a bunch of those dating back from the late 90s to the present day. I currently have four. LOL I also collect Better Homes and Gardens cookbooks. My father bought me a set when I was a teenager and I have been adding to them over the years. I think I have around 55 or so. Most of them are now considered vintage.
 
TeaBiscuit said:
@Happy Heart ... I have heard of Southern Living but I don't think I've ever looked at the site. I love Taste of Home, which is a good mix of recipes from American and Canadian cooks. I have a few of their cookbooks and just recently started collecting their Annual Recipes books. There are a bunch of those dating back from the late 90s to the present day. I currently have four. LOL I also collect Better Homes and Gardens cookbooks. My father bought me a set when I was a teenager and I have been adding to them over the years. I think I have around 55 or so. Most of them are now considered vintage.
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I love cookbooks. I prefer to buy them at estate sales and garae sales. My favorites are the one used by churches, schools and organizations as fund raisers. All the recipes come from members that share their tried and true used in everyday life.
 
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