Caught Sam during a weak moment yesterday and talked him into clipping the skin tags from my neck. He was a good sport even with my spastic movements when he clipped down on them. So beyond happy those tags are gone!
On a side note, Sam also let me clean his ears, an oddly satisfying habit I pursue every chance the boys let me. Yes, sick freak I am but love me, love my quirks! Gee, perhaps that explains why I'm single!!
Life from a Diva's Point of View
Sunday, November 25, 2018
Mom's Meringue Morsels
Speaking of Mom, one of my childhood friends asked me on Facebook if I had a recipe of hers that she remembered and loved. I had just ran across that recipe this morning as I searched for Mom's cardamom bread recipe. I gladly posted it for her.
So funny she would remember those cookies as it has to be over 40 some years since she had them last.
Here's a better pic for any of you who want to indulge yourself with these treats.
So funny she would remember those cookies as it has to be over 40 some years since she had them last.
Here's a better pic for any of you who want to indulge yourself with these treats.
Soup and Bread
This weekend's theme appeared to be "good food."
Last night I had dinner prepared by bestie. Tender, scrumptious beef stroganoff brimming with mushrooms, green salad, and heavenly toasted cheese bread. The meal ended with a peanut butter, sugar-free chocolate pudding pie prepared by moi. Add in lots of talk and laughs and it was a perfect Saturday night. Well, except for the fog enveloping my car on the drive home. Brights on, brights off, brights on, brights off - it was a freak show trying to maniacally figure out how best to navigate through the fog. Thankfully my drive home was successful.
This morning was dedicated to my mom. She used to prepare holiday cardamom bread, layered with spice and topped with Karo syrup and colored sugar crystals. This morning I followed in her footsteps as I made two loaves of bread with a healthy dose of cardamom. After baking, I brushed on top a homemade sugar glaze (as no Karo in the house) and sprinkled it with red sugar. Bread turned out perfect and filled the house with the Christmas scent of my mom.
One tip I learned on line was an easier way to raise bread dough. Normally I'm scouting out a heated spot in the house and it takes forever for the dough to double. The warmest spots are in the bathroom - but who wants to raise bread dough on a toilet - or on top of the furnace vent, which means Stubbs will take every opportunity to nibble and/or lick a bite of dough.
My new tip was to place a pan of boiling water in the oven on a lower rack then turn the oven to 400 degrees for one minute before turning it off. Place the bowl of dough into the oven and the humid heat will result in a faster, perfect proof. Tried this trick on the first and second rise and it worked! This will definitely be used for future, picture perfect proofing.
While the dough rose, I boiled the Thanksgiving turkey bones to prepare stock, just like mom used to do. It simmered for a couple of hours then filled a crock pot full of veggies, brown rice, turkey, and the stock. Have now got some tasty turkey rice soup to last me for days.
As is commonplace in life, with every good act there is a price to pay. For me this means a sink full of dirty dishes! Anyone want to wash my dishes for a bowl of soup and homemade bread?
Last night I had dinner prepared by bestie. Tender, scrumptious beef stroganoff brimming with mushrooms, green salad, and heavenly toasted cheese bread. The meal ended with a peanut butter, sugar-free chocolate pudding pie prepared by moi. Add in lots of talk and laughs and it was a perfect Saturday night. Well, except for the fog enveloping my car on the drive home. Brights on, brights off, brights on, brights off - it was a freak show trying to maniacally figure out how best to navigate through the fog. Thankfully my drive home was successful.
This morning was dedicated to my mom. She used to prepare holiday cardamom bread, layered with spice and topped with Karo syrup and colored sugar crystals. This morning I followed in her footsteps as I made two loaves of bread with a healthy dose of cardamom. After baking, I brushed on top a homemade sugar glaze (as no Karo in the house) and sprinkled it with red sugar. Bread turned out perfect and filled the house with the Christmas scent of my mom.
One tip I learned on line was an easier way to raise bread dough. Normally I'm scouting out a heated spot in the house and it takes forever for the dough to double. The warmest spots are in the bathroom - but who wants to raise bread dough on a toilet - or on top of the furnace vent, which means Stubbs will take every opportunity to nibble and/or lick a bite of dough.
My new tip was to place a pan of boiling water in the oven on a lower rack then turn the oven to 400 degrees for one minute before turning it off. Place the bowl of dough into the oven and the humid heat will result in a faster, perfect proof. Tried this trick on the first and second rise and it worked! This will definitely be used for future, picture perfect proofing.
While the dough rose, I boiled the Thanksgiving turkey bones to prepare stock, just like mom used to do. It simmered for a couple of hours then filled a crock pot full of veggies, brown rice, turkey, and the stock. Have now got some tasty turkey rice soup to last me for days.
As is commonplace in life, with every good act there is a price to pay. For me this means a sink full of dirty dishes! Anyone want to wash my dishes for a bowl of soup and homemade bread?
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Happy Thanksgiving 2018
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
This year was a small gathering - only Sam and his girlfriend as Jordan and Candy stayed home to cook. I tried out a new recipe for the turkey - brown sugar, Toasted Carmel Black Velvet glaze. Very tasty. Also prepared hash brown potato casserole instead of mashed potatoes, which were a big hit. Both Sam and Kaitlyn had seconds! Jordan sent me a pic of his homemade cherry chip cake they enjoyed.
Sam and Kaitlyn left about 4 to go to her parents. Since then I've been munching on pumpkin pie dessert and loafing on the couch, avoiding cleaning the kitchen. 😆
And here it is after 9pm so my thoughts are heading toward bed. I'm so very thankful for all my blessings, including my sons, my family, my bestie, my friends, my dog, my job, and my ability to stay sane even during times of stress. Here's hoping all of you had a blessed Thanksgiving!
This year was a small gathering - only Sam and his girlfriend as Jordan and Candy stayed home to cook. I tried out a new recipe for the turkey - brown sugar, Toasted Carmel Black Velvet glaze. Very tasty. Also prepared hash brown potato casserole instead of mashed potatoes, which were a big hit. Both Sam and Kaitlyn had seconds! Jordan sent me a pic of his homemade cherry chip cake they enjoyed.
Sam and Kaitlyn left about 4 to go to her parents. Since then I've been munching on pumpkin pie dessert and loafing on the couch, avoiding cleaning the kitchen. 😆
 |
| Me recovering from too much pumpkin dessert! |
And here it is after 9pm so my thoughts are heading toward bed. I'm so very thankful for all my blessings, including my sons, my family, my bestie, my friends, my dog, my job, and my ability to stay sane even during times of stress. Here's hoping all of you had a blessed Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Skin Tags Be Damned!
Lately I've been feeling these little nubs on the back of my neck. Yes, skin tags if you will. Of course I can't stop rubbing them so I've begun to appear as an OCD-infested Uncle Wilbur who is constantly pressing his sweaty palm on his neck below his hair, akin to a nervous tic. It was time to take action!
Now, I've gotten skin tags on the front of my neck before and swiftly, with the aid of nail clippers, snipped them off. Even enlisted son Sam to cut them off, a task he was very reluctant to perform until he got tired of my begging and pleading and caved. However, having a girlfriend Sam is never around so I decided to take matters into my own hands.
The idea popped into my head while I was in the shower, washing my hair and feeling the fleshy nubs of neck hell as I rinsed my hair. Why don't I just shave them off? That's the ticket and a task that can be performed singularily!
Grabbed my razor, rubbed a little Brylcream on the offenders, and began shaving the back of my neck. Hmmmm, perhaps I should have switched out the old razor with a new one. Do I even have any more new ones? Alas, the job had begun so continued appendectomy of the tags with a vengeance.
Shaving just didn't seem to be accomplishing the job as I imagined it. Would pull the razor away to see chunks of hair clotting the blade. And no these were not errant neck hairs but chunks of head hair that were entangled in the path of the skin tags. Yikes!
Hoping I had removed at least some of the skin creatures, I rinsed and got out of the shower. Towel turbaned my hair, I then rubbed the back of my neck hoping to feel the smooth skin of a newborn.
Well no. After all that torture those tags remained on my neck, bold as the mole hair that sprung from third grade teacher Mrs. Morrow's wrinkly face!
It's now been two days since The Epic Shave of 2018. The back of my neck has irritated me like a son of a bitch! Skin tags still there but now included on my neck is rash burn, nicks, and inflamed flesh. Perhaps even missing patches of hair although I've been too reluctant to scope out the remains of my neck with a mirror.
Lesson learned - it's better to have a family member excise skin tags than attempt to remove them yourself using a dull razor.
Excuse me as its time to rub my neck.
Now, I've gotten skin tags on the front of my neck before and swiftly, with the aid of nail clippers, snipped them off. Even enlisted son Sam to cut them off, a task he was very reluctant to perform until he got tired of my begging and pleading and caved. However, having a girlfriend Sam is never around so I decided to take matters into my own hands.
The idea popped into my head while I was in the shower, washing my hair and feeling the fleshy nubs of neck hell as I rinsed my hair. Why don't I just shave them off? That's the ticket and a task that can be performed singularily!
Grabbed my razor, rubbed a little Brylcream on the offenders, and began shaving the back of my neck. Hmmmm, perhaps I should have switched out the old razor with a new one. Do I even have any more new ones? Alas, the job had begun so continued appendectomy of the tags with a vengeance.
Shaving just didn't seem to be accomplishing the job as I imagined it. Would pull the razor away to see chunks of hair clotting the blade. And no these were not errant neck hairs but chunks of head hair that were entangled in the path of the skin tags. Yikes!
Hoping I had removed at least some of the skin creatures, I rinsed and got out of the shower. Towel turbaned my hair, I then rubbed the back of my neck hoping to feel the smooth skin of a newborn.
Well no. After all that torture those tags remained on my neck, bold as the mole hair that sprung from third grade teacher Mrs. Morrow's wrinkly face!
It's now been two days since The Epic Shave of 2018. The back of my neck has irritated me like a son of a bitch! Skin tags still there but now included on my neck is rash burn, nicks, and inflamed flesh. Perhaps even missing patches of hair although I've been too reluctant to scope out the remains of my neck with a mirror.
Lesson learned - it's better to have a family member excise skin tags than attempt to remove them yourself using a dull razor.
Excuse me as its time to rub my neck.
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Battery Blowout
Well it was quite the Monday of all Mondays!
Sunday afternoon I went in to work to finish a project. I left about 5pm and my car wouldn't start. Ugh! Was it battery or something worse? Thankfully Sam came and we were able to jump start it.
Got up Monday morning and it wouldn't start. Bestie Lynn had offered to give me a ride to work but decided instead to take the battery in to be checked. Sam came over and took the battery out then later on Lynn stopped by to give me a ride to battery place. Yep, the battery was dead and gone. Picked up a new battery then back to home
Well dammit couldn't get one of the connectors to fit the right battery stump. Could not figure it out! Twisted and wrenched on the beast but to no avail. Had to wait til Sam was off work to stop by and fix the situation.
After work Sam investigated and we finally realized we had not removed the plastic cap from the stump! Solution sitting in plain sight but didn't see it. Pulled that sucker off, connected it (after squeezing the connector to put it back in original shape), and the car started like a champ!!
Missed a day of work yesterday but will be back at it today. So much for working over the weekend to be caught up this week!!
Big tremendous thanks to Lynn and Sam for helping in my time of need!!! ❤
Sunday afternoon I went in to work to finish a project. I left about 5pm and my car wouldn't start. Ugh! Was it battery or something worse? Thankfully Sam came and we were able to jump start it.
Got up Monday morning and it wouldn't start. Bestie Lynn had offered to give me a ride to work but decided instead to take the battery in to be checked. Sam came over and took the battery out then later on Lynn stopped by to give me a ride to battery place. Yep, the battery was dead and gone. Picked up a new battery then back to home
Well dammit couldn't get one of the connectors to fit the right battery stump. Could not figure it out! Twisted and wrenched on the beast but to no avail. Had to wait til Sam was off work to stop by and fix the situation.
After work Sam investigated and we finally realized we had not removed the plastic cap from the stump! Solution sitting in plain sight but didn't see it. Pulled that sucker off, connected it (after squeezing the connector to put it back in original shape), and the car started like a champ!!
Missed a day of work yesterday but will be back at it today. So much for working over the weekend to be caught up this week!!
Big tremendous thanks to Lynn and Sam for helping in my time of need!!! ❤
Sunday, November 18, 2018
Sundays and Sniffling
There's something about Sundays that always results in me being plugged up!
It seems every Sunday I wake up with a plugged up and/or runny nose, itchy eyes, and sniffles. Ugh! This usually ends up with me popping a Benydryl which puts me down for the count. Haven't taken one yet today but it's calling me!!
It seems every Sunday I wake up with a plugged up and/or runny nose, itchy eyes, and sniffles. Ugh! This usually ends up with me popping a Benydryl which puts me down for the count. Haven't taken one yet today but it's calling me!!
It's How I Roll
Last night was so inspired by my favorite British baking shows decided to churn out some cinnamon rolls.
Followed a Pinterest recipe for "fast and easy" rolls. Even sifted my flour, which meant shaking it through a small colander to the point of carpal tunnel as I own no sifter. But damn that flour was light!
Heated up butter, milk and water to add to the flour. Mixture needed to be 115 degrees. Decided to play it safe and use a thermometer to make sure it wasn't overheated. Turned out to be 143 degrees! Spent 10 minutes stirring and testing the liquid waiting for it to hit the 115 spot.
My Kitchen Aid mixture made the process a piece of cake! Slipped in the dough hook, added liquid, let it run, and voila! Perfect bread dough!
Rolled the dough, covered it with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cherry pie filling, and sliced it into sections. Let the rolls proof for an hour, popped in oven for 25 minutes, and there you have it. Perfectly risen, gooey, sweet rolls of yummy bread goodness! Paul Hollywood would have been so proud!
Up next may be Mom's Cardamom bread for the holidays!
Followed a Pinterest recipe for "fast and easy" rolls. Even sifted my flour, which meant shaking it through a small colander to the point of carpal tunnel as I own no sifter. But damn that flour was light!
Heated up butter, milk and water to add to the flour. Mixture needed to be 115 degrees. Decided to play it safe and use a thermometer to make sure it wasn't overheated. Turned out to be 143 degrees! Spent 10 minutes stirring and testing the liquid waiting for it to hit the 115 spot.
My Kitchen Aid mixture made the process a piece of cake! Slipped in the dough hook, added liquid, let it run, and voila! Perfect bread dough!
Rolled the dough, covered it with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cherry pie filling, and sliced it into sections. Let the rolls proof for an hour, popped in oven for 25 minutes, and there you have it. Perfectly risen, gooey, sweet rolls of yummy bread goodness! Paul Hollywood would have been so proud!
Up next may be Mom's Cardamom bread for the holidays!
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Birthdays, Britain, and Bloody Fingers
Let's catch up on what's been happening this week:
Rammed my finger into the porch stairway railing on Saturday. Lots of pain, bleeding, and ripping of nail. Ended up clipping off the remains of my acrylic nail to see the sad state of my real nail. No bandaid so had to use duct tape to stop the bleeding.
Met bestie for breakfast at local Stuffy's on Sunday. Had the "tiny" stuff - so large it provided me with lunch and dinner on Monday. And lifesaver she is, she brought me bandaids for my finger!
On Monday it was bestie's bday. Happy belated birthday!!!
Tuesday night made from scratch chicken pot pie. Been addicted to the British Best Baker show so not only do I think I can make a mean pastry but my English accent is coming along quite nicely.
Today they offered free flu shots at work so stepped up to get stabbed not once but twice by also getting the pneumonia vaccine. Both arms should be sore in the morning!
Speaking of tomorrow morning, not only is it Friday but it's brother Jay and sister Julie's birthday! Happy birthday to the older set of twins!
Let's make it a memorable weekend!!
Rammed my finger into the porch stairway railing on Saturday. Lots of pain, bleeding, and ripping of nail. Ended up clipping off the remains of my acrylic nail to see the sad state of my real nail. No bandaid so had to use duct tape to stop the bleeding.
Met bestie for breakfast at local Stuffy's on Sunday. Had the "tiny" stuff - so large it provided me with lunch and dinner on Monday. And lifesaver she is, she brought me bandaids for my finger!
On Monday it was bestie's bday. Happy belated birthday!!!
Tuesday night made from scratch chicken pot pie. Been addicted to the British Best Baker show so not only do I think I can make a mean pastry but my English accent is coming along quite nicely.
Today they offered free flu shots at work so stepped up to get stabbed not once but twice by also getting the pneumonia vaccine. Both arms should be sore in the morning!
Speaking of tomorrow morning, not only is it Friday but it's brother Jay and sister Julie's birthday! Happy birthday to the older set of twins!
Let's make it a memorable weekend!!
Sunday, November 4, 2018
Better As A Blonde 👱
Oh hair why do you torture me so?
Actually, I realize that it is me that is torturing my hair! A few weeks ago i added in some medium beige brown streaks hoping to tone down the blonde. Well, nothing like unwrapping the towel and seeing you've become brunette! Those lowlights ended up cascading through my whole head!!
Lived with it for awhile hoping it would fade. Damn Sally's hair color was holding on like a mother though. Stopped back at Sally's yesterday to pick up some bleach to fix the problem.
Spent last night brushing blonde streaks onto my hair. Wrapped it in a Ziplock bag and spent my waiting time playing clips through my memory of all the times I've colored my hair. Orange, purple streaks, platinum blonde, gawd awful ash brown, brassy streaks - the list goes on and on.
New blonde streaks actually turned out acceptable, although a few were a bit on the orangey tone. This morning refreshed a few of the off kilter streaks, let them cook, then took a shower. Better. I think. Or at least that's what I'm telling myself. Definitely the brightness around my face is more flattering than that brunette!
Follow up - okay the new blonde was a bit out there so I added about 5 streaks of dark blonde back into a few spots. Mucho better! Has the streaky effect I like and muted some of those orangey pieces.
I'm now going to step away from the dye bottle!!
Actually, I realize that it is me that is torturing my hair! A few weeks ago i added in some medium beige brown streaks hoping to tone down the blonde. Well, nothing like unwrapping the towel and seeing you've become brunette! Those lowlights ended up cascading through my whole head!!
Lived with it for awhile hoping it would fade. Damn Sally's hair color was holding on like a mother though. Stopped back at Sally's yesterday to pick up some bleach to fix the problem.
Spent last night brushing blonde streaks onto my hair. Wrapped it in a Ziplock bag and spent my waiting time playing clips through my memory of all the times I've colored my hair. Orange, purple streaks, platinum blonde, gawd awful ash brown, brassy streaks - the list goes on and on.
New blonde streaks actually turned out acceptable, although a few were a bit on the orangey tone. This morning refreshed a few of the off kilter streaks, let them cook, then took a shower. Better. I think. Or at least that's what I'm telling myself. Definitely the brightness around my face is more flattering than that brunette!
I'm now going to step away from the dye bottle!!
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