A Week of Training

Choo Choo Cha Cha was the first song on my Spotify Discover Weekly playlist Monday morning. At first I thought I only know one song with choo choo in the title, so I decided to give myself a little grace and just think of songs with train in the title. That was easy enough, but then I thought of a few more which just mention trains in the body of the lyrics, so I added them at the end to amuse myself for your listening pleasure.

Monday: This day was just what I needed. Other than needing to run to the bank, I was able to stay home all day. It was glorious!

The day was hot and muggy but that was even fine with me, because the bank has a drive through and I did not have to change out of shorts, flip flops and a tee shirt. I call that a win!

What I learned: More about the MLB trades than I needed or wanted to know. I am currently outnumbered at the house and discussions tend to be sports related.

Listened to: Chattanooga Choo Choo

Dinner: Though I had intended to grill, the weather had other plans. I am just thankful I recently bought a cast iron grill pan for indoor grilling.
White bbq chicken, potato salad, green beans, sliced tomatoes

Tuesday: This was a second day in a row I had no activities planned. I was able to change the sheets and do a bit of work in the laundry room. My laundry room was originally for laundry, sewing, and was supposed to have studio space for art projects (never happened). Over the years it became a dumping ground for anything that did not have a dedicated space. 

The room is overflowing and the time has come to either find places for things or get rid of them.

While I was in the laundry room my ferret brain told me instead of finishing cleaning, I needed to restyle a couple of things I had put on the sewing machine cabinet. I like them but they are dated. Now, with a few snips and a little tweaking they have been given another life.

What I learned: I have fabric scissors of my own, but I also inherited Mom's. I had never really used them until Tuesday. What a difference really nice scissors make!

Listened to: Freight Train

Dinner: TheHub wanted something that I do not cook__ever.*  He ran to our local meat and three and grabbed it for us to eat at home.

Catfish, squash, okra, hushpuppies

Wednesday:

Listened to Midnight Train to Georgia

Dinner: Hot dogs and fixings

Thursday: Son3's work plans changed and he would be finished a day earlier than planned. Nothing much during the day. DIL3 got into town right as I was leaving to go meet several cousins for either a really late lunch or a really early dinner. I asked her is she would like to come with us but she declined, saying she had some work things she would do while waiting for Son3 to finish.

My Beloved Sister drove this time and we were caught in possibly the worst rainstorm I have been in. I am not a sissy about lightning and thunder but when it is raining so hard your windshield wipers can't keep up with the rain, I don't like it. Luckily there was a traffic snarl which normally irritates me. Instead this time every single car was barely moving, and after about 10 miles we ran out of the storm. The congestion remained the same, but at least MBS could see the gozillion cars on the road ahead of us.

Once we finally got to the restaurant, the rain had cleared.

What I learned: There is always one idiot driver who thinks he/she is going to be able to drive fast and weave in and out of traffic in a downpour. It does not work! 

Listened to: Love Train

Dinner: Met 5 cousins or their spouses at TheHalf Shell Oyster House. We were there for almost 3 hours and normally I would have felt bad occupying a table that long. We were there by 4:15 which is not a traditional dinner time, but I also imagine the weather killed the plans for a lot of diners. By the time we left there were only about 10 tables filled in a very large restaurant.

Shrimp and grits, asparagus

Friday: Woke and had coffee and talked with DIL3 and Son3.

Son2 and DIL2 came over for lunch and to visit with Son3 and DIL3 before they left to head back to Nashville. They decided since his job was done sooner than they thought, they would to drive back to Nashville Friday rather than Saturday morning as they had originally planned. They were going to leave Birmingham very early Saturday to be back in Nashville for the Tomato Festival, and it made a lot more sense to head out, have a leisurely drive back and enjoy Saturday's festivities.

What I learned: I learned what the Tomato Festival is, and what goings on happen during it.

Listened to: Crazy Train

Dinner: I had planned on having a salad, but TheHub had a salad for lunch and did not want another for dinner. So our dinner plans just changed forms.

BLT sandwich

Saturday: I was extremely tired Saturday and did very little until it was time to dress to go to an anniversary party for my dearest and closest cousin and her husband. It was a lovely party held at her son's house. The only downside to being married in August is having a celebration then is hot. I mean really hot!

My Beloved Sister and I went together, talking and laughing, and silently hoping the almost daily afternoon thundershower would hold off. It did, mostly.

And in spite of the heat, I was so thankful to be able to celebrate their success building a life and family together. I love them all.

What I learned: I met the newest addition to our extended family. I learned in spite of a serious medical issue when he was born, he is now thriving and gaining weight. Like Kim always says at the end of her blog posts "God is good".

Listened to: Peace Train

Dinner: I knew I would be getting home from the anniversary party right about dinner time and wanted something that would be an easy to make meal. Again I am so glad I bought a cast iron grill pan recently.

Steak, baked potato, tossed salad

Sunday: We woke, went to the early communion service, 8:30 church followed by Sunday School. 

On our way home we decided to go out for lunch. I seem to remember saying we needed to quit eating out as much as we do. Hollow words!

 Once we finished eating we headed to Aldi and Publix for a little cherry picking. I keep a running list of whatever is a really good deal (there have been very few lately) and go ahead and snag them. Once home, and after putting the groceries away, I did a few mundane chores, visited with a neighbor an bit then did some serious reading. (Only serious in the amount of time I read, not the reading material)

Later Sunday night we began watching a new series, Furious. It looks like it is something we will enjoy watching.

What I learned: Our senior minister at our church is going to leave to pursue a different sort of ministry. He will become a minister or consultant to ministers who face the struggles that come with their positions.

Listened to: This Train

 

Dinner: Now that it is just the two of us for dinner again, our meals will be even simpler.

Lady peas, coleslaw, mac and cheese

Bonus songs that just mention a train.

You Never Even Call Me By My Name

You have to wait for the last verse for this one, but it is worth it.

500 Miles

City of New Orleans

Read this week:  Glitz, Glamour and a Damn Good Time**

Have a great week.

May all your weeds be wildflowers.

Anne

* I will cook fish any way but frying it. I can't stand the way the house smells after that.

** If any of you have watched The Golden Age on HBO you might like this book about Mamie Fish.

Could I Possibly Care Less?

This was the meal plan for the past week. Some meals worked out and others were either restaurant or take out meals. So much for curbing our recent bad habits. But who really cares? I am in surrender mode!

1. Spaghetti, meat sauce, tossed salad

2. Grilled fish, rice, grilled veggies

3. Steak, baked potato, tossed salad

4. White bbq chicken, potato salad, coleslaw

5. Lemon garlic chicken thighs, brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes

6. Veggie dinner TBD

7. Hot dogs with all the fixings, dilled green beans, baked beans, chips

I will be moving some of the uneaten meals to the Wednesday-Tuesday meal plan, but the lemon chicken is most likely going to wait a bit because I just don't feel like making it. 

Even when I say we need to curb eating out, I already had one dinner out planned for Thursday night and I am going. In all honesty, I imagine there will be at least one additional restaurant or takeout meal.

Possibilities but not probabilities:

1. Hot dog and fixings, chips

2. Veggie dinner TBD based on produce available

3. Out to eat

4. Grilled steak, baked potato, tossed salad

5. Chicken casserole, coleslaw, some green vegetable

6. BLT salad

7. Veggie dinner TBD

This is not an exciting meal plan and I do not care. It has been hot, I don't feel like cooking, and will take advantage of leftovers from the first veggie meal.

Oh no, a little under 5 months till Christmas

I made no real progress in July toward Christmas, though I did revisit some Christmas magazines and listed a few things I intend to have done before Dec 1.

I tentatively planned a Christmas party with my childhood neighbors for December 1. It will be a weekday event, in the early afternoon (possibly an early lunch) since a few are older now and don't like to drive the interstates after dark. It will also be early enough in the holiday season to avoid the chaos of Christmas. 

I found a new home for my music box collection. For years Mom gave me one beautiful bisque porcelain Christmas music box right after Thanksgiving. I love them and have put them out every year, but I am now scaling down how I decorate for the holidays. When I asked Son3 if he wanted them, he said yes. Both he and DIL3 are musicians so it kind of makes sense. I had 15 but I am keeping a couple of them for sentimental sake. The rest will live in Tennessee for now. 

The Christmas card list needed cleaning up, so I both added, deleted and changed addresses for those who have moved in the last year. 

I know some of you have seen my praises of the Libby app. Due to the magic of modern technology, I was able to look through about 20 Christmas magazines from the comfort of my couch and make a list of things I would like to try for Christmas, both foods and decorating ideas. 

And, if it counts, I watched The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

August needs to see me get busy.

Ho Ho Holy Smokes, This Year Is Flying!

Dang, Oh It’s Django

Decades ago my beloved sister and I were at an art exhibit at the Birmingham Museum of Art. It was one of those where you get a recording explaining all the different works of art. I don't remember the actual exhibit (we used to go to a lot of them) but when we passed a particular piece of art we were gobsmacked by the music that was playing while we were viewing it.

And because we have no shame we had to find out who the performer was. Once we found out it was Django Reinhart, I had to go to the  music store (remember when you had to buy cassette tapes or CDs?) to find this artist.

I have been listening to him off and on ever since, and have developed an affinity for gypsy jazz.

Monday my Spotify Discover Weekly playlist had the song Danjologie first up. Turns out this was recorded by Django's son, Babik, which meant this weeks listening had to be devoted to the sounds of Django Reinhart. This was not hard for me.

Monday: I had a lazy and delightful morning of coffee and reading. It was wonderful.

I managed to clean out the armoire where I keep all of my clothes that are not hung in the closet. Each time I straighten it I make sure everything in there fits my needs and is something I actually wear. If not, it lands in my donations bag which is now overflowing. I need to itemize everything and move it on, out of the house.

TheHub and I had to run a few errands including going to Costco, which is my least favorite place to go. At least it was not as crowded as it is on the weekends! After we left there we ran by a couple of grocery stores to do a bit of cherry picking.

What I learned: I need to go through every single thing in my bedroom (not just clothes) and get rid of everything I don't use anymore.

Listened to: Sweet Georgia Brown

Dinner: TheHub wanted veggies so we went to our local meat and three

Stuffed bell pepper, turnip greens, okra

Tuesday: Son3 was going to be working in Birmingham for a week and a half. They only have 1 car and DIL3 needed to stay in Nashville so we met them halfway, had lunch, and drove Son3 the rest of the way here. 

He has access to TheHub's car and the two of us just coordinated our calendars to share my car for the time being.

On the way home we stopped at the Dutch Oven Bakery in Faulkville. It is a Mennonite run bakery filled with deliciousness. I stocked up on their cheesecakes. I keep them in the freezer as a grab and go to have on hand to share with anyone who might need a little something.

Listened to: The Sheik of Araby

 

Dinner: We had to use a club minimum by the 30th. We ordered take out rather than eating there.

Cobb Salad

Wednesday: This was a home based day for the most part, but we did run by the grocery store before going 2 places to look at chairs. We are updating our patio and pool deck furnishings. TheHub wants a specific type of Adirondack chair which we found at a couple of places. Now he has to make a decision about which type he wants, one with lumbar support or the straight back. 

What I learned: Polywood is definitely the way we want to go for furniture that will be in the elements year round.

Listened to: Dark Eyes

Dinner: Grilled grouper, saffron rice, grilled vegetables

Thursday: I woke and read a bit before getting my appreciation baskets ready to be delivered to the church employees I was assigned for June and July. We were out of town much of June and kept missing the person I was assigned to when I was around. The same happened through July, but June's recipient was available Thursday as was the guy who was my July person. I am glad I could kill two birds with one stone!

As soon as I delivered them, I picked up my sister and we drove to CVS to be a shuttle service. We were headed to a get together of people who lived in our childhood neighborhood and the parking at the house was limited. 

Well obviously we are no longer the kids who all played together, but we all share the same memories. Some of those who were there I had not seen since I was 13 years old, and it was great catching up with everyone.

Listened to:  All of Me

Dinner: The gathering began at 2:30 and we all finally left a little before 6. I had no idea that much time had passed and I had nothing started for dinner. Take out___again

Chicken Salad Chick plate

Friday:  We are changing our very outdated wills and had an appointment with the estate lawyer. Son2 went with us to outline what he is to do after we are gone. The meeting lasted about an hour and a half, which is a long time in typical attorney 15 minute billing cycles. 

Once done, we ran by the house and grabbed Son3, then met DIL2 at The Dip for lunch and conversation.

Back at the house we mainly hung out doing laundry and regular household chores. 

What I learned: If I am paying for legal advice, take it without question. They know more about it than I do.

Listened to: I'll See You in My Dreams

Dinner: I was trying to cut the carbs from one of TheHub's favorite meals. (It worked)

Spaghetti sauce over palmini "noodles", tossed salad 

Saturday: I spent the morning tidying the house and doing laundry. Then reading (can't forget to mention the reading)

TheHub and Son3 ran into overly crowded Costco to pick up a few items we needed for dinner. Several months ago I had made a proclamation that I would not go to Costco on a Friday evening, Saturday, or Sunday ever again, and I didn't go.

Anyway it was kind of them to pick up the steaks, and since they were going to be there anyway, I added a couple of things to the list .

What I learned: While doing laundry, I found a removable strap that had come off one of my summer tops about a week ago, but did not attach it the minute I found it. After misplacing it again, I learned to take care of small details immediately rather than thinking "I'll do it in just a sec" because a million things might happen between right then and later.

Listened to: Honeysuckle Rose

Dinner: We celebrated Son2's birthday with a dinner. My Beloved Sister also joined us and there was a lot of laughter.

Grilled steaks*, baked potato, tossed salad, croissants, cake

Sunday: Because Son3 was here we did not do our normal Sunday morning church activities. Instead we stayed home with him, had coffee and conversations. 

Afterward I was able to stream the traditional service. Essentially, I attended without actually going.

This was a laundry and reading kind of day. The skies were gray with low hanging clouds that threatened to rain all day and I was glad to stay either inside or on the screened porch. (Have I ever mentioned how nice porch reading sans mosquitos and under a ceiling fan is?)

What I learned: I learned that the three sons of Herrod the Great were given separate territories to govern. I knew about two of them but had no idea about the third.

Listened to: Brazil

Dinner: We had a late lunch and no one was very hungry.

Grilled cheese sandwich

Read this week: Everyone is Lying to You (quick read)

                            Dungeon Crawler Carl (this is like intergalactic 

                            Hunger Games, meets A Hitchhiker's Guide to the                                  Galaxy)

Have a great week!

May all your weeds be wildflowers.

Anne

*You can find Prime steaks at Costco. These were so good I am going next week and getting a few more to stick in the freezer. They were  thick enough that TheHub and I each ate only 1/3 of our shared steak. 4 steaks fed 6 of us with enough left over for another meal for 2. Since Son2 was the birthday boy we insisted he take the leftovers home.

possibilities

This was a pretty simple week for meals, especially since I planned 2 nights out to eat. The only planned meal we did not have was the steak dinner, which will carry over to this week's possiblities.

Out to eat (planned final dinner with Son1, Pip. Son2 and DIL2) 

Out to eat  

Soup and tomato sandwich

BBQ meal leftovers

Tacos and fixings

Steak, baked potato, tossed salad

BLT salad, toast

Am I a master of going out to eat or what???

Son3 is working in Birmingham for about 12 days and staying at our house. He may or may not be eating with us for dinner, but I am planning meals that will be easy for him to grab on the fly. 

I made this week's suggestions with the hope of having all meals at home, but with the understanding most likely we will go out to eat or take out one night.

This week's possibilities

1. Spaghetti, meat sauce, tossed salad

2. Grilled fish, rice, grilled veggies

3. Steak, baked potato, tossed salad

4. White bbq chicken, potato salad, coleslaw

5. Lemon garlic chicken thighs, brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes

6. Veggie dinner TBD

7. Hot dogs with all the fixings, dilled green beans, baked beans, chips

Last Week Was Heavenly

Once again I was relying on the first song on my Spotify playlist to determine what I would be listening to for the week. Monday morning bright and early I opened Spotify, clicked on Discover Weekly and the first song I heard was this version of Pennies From Heaven. Since the only penny song I could think of off the top of my head was Penny Lane, I chose Heaven instead. Yes, I choose the easiest path.

Monday: Pip wanted to go thrifting again and we went to Vapor. It is a humming store that is crowded all of the time. Son1 went with us and even he got in on the thrift trend. Pip found 2 shirts and a pair of sunglasses there. I found a couple of silver necklaces to layer with some I already have, and Son1 found a couple of pairs of shorts.

We came home had a quick lunch and she decided she NEEDED to go to the Galleria. I begged out of going, but gave her some money to buy 2 things at Hollister, if she saw anything she liked. (Of course I knew she would find "likes")

Once home My Beloved Sister came over and they had a swim fest. Pip will stay in the water for hours by herself but loves it when others join her.

What I learned: Vapor really is a cool place for teens to find a lot of nice and reasonably priced clothes. Our total for everything was under 30 dollars.

Listened to: Stairway to Heaven

Dinner: Son2 and DIL2 joined us for dinner. It was a combo take out/ home made dinner.

BBQ pork butt, potato salad, mac and cheese, collards, baked beans, banana pudding, cheesecake

Tuesday: Sleeping Beauty AKA Pip woke in time to get ready and go with My Beloved Sister and me to my happy place. Pip told her dad on the flight into Nashville that she hoped she would get to go to Independence Place. She went with me last summer just for a visit, but Tuesday was my scheduled volunteer cooking day. We did an experimental mango poke cake which they loved, and especially loved having Pip with with them while they all ate the cake. 

One of the participants is non verbal and asked her (through his IPad) specifically to sit by him. 

After the cake they were a little hyped up (they actually were a high energy group before we got there) and we moved into a larger room for an impromptu dance party, including learning the haka. Now we are all ready to join in the next time we see a New Zealand soccer game.

What I learned: Pip told me she wants to work with Neurodiverse adults when she grows up.

Listened to: Thank Heaven for little girls

I remember seeing Gigi when I was a kid and how much I liked it, plus having Pip around reminds me of how much I needed to see that particular girl.

Dinner: The four of us went to Trivia night at The Electric and had a lot of fun. We were a pretty decent team and only missed 2 answers.

Reuben sandwiches, coleslaw or pepperoni flatbread

Wednesday: Pip and Son1 went to Son2's house to see the 3"puppies" who weigh anywhere from 87 pounds to the runt who is just barely 62 pounds.

While they were gone I attacked the mountains of laundry that had accumulated since we left to go to the Helen Keller play. 

What I learned: This is a lesson I have to learn again and again. Keep up with the blooming laundry!

Listened to: Heaven Must Have Sent You From Above

Who doesn't love a little Marvin Gaye and Tammie Terrell

Dinner: We met Son2 and DIL2 at Seasons 52. Everyone got something different but we all decided Pip won the best dish of the night with her choice of gnocchi. My watermelon tomato salad and the char grilled artichokes were close runners up.

Thursday: Son1 and Pip had to be in Nashville for their 4:30 flight. We left Birmingham at 9:30 and got through Nashville by about 12:45. Son3 and DIL3 met us at an extremely cool sandwich shop for lunch. We ate and visited until a little after two, dropped them off at the airport then started the trip home. 

By the time we were out of the airport and on the interstate, the traffic had picked up considerably. Ugh!!! It took us quite a while to get through Nashville, but once we were past the last suburbs we made decent time and got to Birmingham just in time to be in the drive time traffic. Another Ugh!!!

We did finally make it home and thankfully we had nothing to unload. 

What I learned: We are getting a little long in the tooth for an 8 hour driving day.

Listened to: Tears in Heaven

                                             What a lovely tribute to his son

Dinner:  We got in the house and I raided the refrigerator for a zap and eat dinner from the bbq leftovers.

Pulled pork, mac and cheese, potato salad, tomato slices ( And yes I understand we had no vegetables. Deal with it.)

Friday: This is what I am calling a perfect day.   I stayed home all day, got the sheets from the upstairs bedrooms washed and folded (did not go back up to make the bed) and had what I am calling a "fix it" day.

I did a good bit of mending, cut several inches from a dress to be hemmed to tunic length (did not start hemming) and repaired several pieces of jewelry. I had 2 necklaces that had lost the lobster claw clasp, a few bracelets that needed new jump rings, another bracelet that needed to be restrung, a couple of other necklaces that needed some quick renovations to be a little more current, and earrings that were too long for me to wear now (they just looked a little too young for my old face) but could be easily shortened.

Years ago I bought a set of jewelry tools, that sat unused until Friday. I was very glad I had them because it made the repairs very easy to do. I am also glad at the same time I bought them I bought packages of jump rings, earring backs, ear wires, lobster claw catches, and etc. Having what I needed on hand made all the difference in the world.

What I learned: If you have the proper tools repairs are so much easier.

Listened to: Knocking on Heaven's Door

Just in case you are wondering Bob Dylan is co-founder of Heaven's Door Whiskey

Dinner: Our tomatoes are going hog wild now and they need to be used at every meal.

BLT salad, crackers

Saturday: It was a beautiful morning, and because we have had so much rain lately, was a huge treat. Most mornings lately I have been greeted by overcast gray skies, so this was wonderful.

Mid-day TheHub and I went to play bingo at the Parkinson's of Alabama Jr. Board fundraiser. It was a fun event and one I think they can easily build on next year. Neither of us won, other than making a contribution, which we both think is a win since Parkinson's affects so many.

And right as we were leaving a gully washer hit complete with lightning and thunder. So much for the beautiful day!

What I learned: The Jr. Board has a brilliant game plan. A registration fee provided you with 2 bingo cards and some refreshments. However they were playing 3 games, which meant you needed to buy an additional card if you wanted to play the third game. 

Listened to: Heaven is a Place on Earth

Belinda Carlisle after her Go-Go's days and " We've Got the Beat"

Dinner: We had a few taco shells left over from last week that needed to be used, along with some ground chuck that was thawed

Tacos and all the fixings

Sunday: We were back in our usual Sunday routine of waking early to go to the communion service before going into the sanctuary for our traditional morning service. Our Sunday school class does not meet in July and will start back the first Sunday in August.

So, as church was over at 9:30, we headed home to make a big breakfast. I am not normally a breakfast eater, but I had been awake for several hours and was getting hungry.

We hung around the house for the rest of the day and both of us were tired. Not sure why but we were. 

TheHub took a nap while I worked straightening 2 shelves in the freezer

What I learned: I learned that the biblical measure for flour, 1 ephah is roughly 5.8 gallons of flour

Listened to: Heaven Knows

I have no idea how I thought of this song. I had to do a google search based on the few lyrics I knew to come up with the song title and band.

Dinner: I found a large pack of vegetable soup in the freezer, so our dinner planned itself. I also found a can of fruit cocktail in the pantry that needed to be used.

Vegetable soup, fruit cocktail cobbler*

Book read: Once There Were Wolves

Have a great week.

May all your weeds be wildflowers

Anne

*This was an experiment using canned juice packed fruit cocktail and pancake mix. I was surprised how well it worked out.

Wednesday through Tuesday Maybes

 The past Wednesday - Tuesday meal plan

Out to eat

Out to eat

Out to eat (I know we will go out at least once, but possibly thrice)*

Burgers and all the fixings

Tacos and all the fixings

Grilled steak, baked potato, tossed salad

Chicken alfredo, tossed salad

Just in case meal ___White bbq chicken, coleslaw, corn on the cob

Yikes! We went out to eat 3 nights and brought in take out bbq another.

I guess this is just what happens when Pip is in the house!

Moving the steak and taco dinners to this weeks meal plan.

Now the only question is, will I actually stay with the plan*?

A new week is filled with possibilities.

1. Out to eat (planned final dinner with Son1, Pip. Son2 and DIL2)

2. Out to eat  (driving home after drop off at Nashville airport )

3. Soup and tomato sandwich

4. BBQ meal leftovers

5. Tacos and fixings

6. Steak, baked potato, tossed salad

7. BLT salad, toast

*The coming 7 days are fluid and our plans could change at the drop of a hat. Judging by our July so far, they probably will.