Another Week Has Flown

Monday morning, my Spotify Discover Weekly list had a song I had never heard before "Clarinet Marmalade" . I listen to Bix Beiderbecke sometimes so I get this is a result of that.

After listening to it, I thought it might be fun to listen to "marmalade" songs this week. Of course without really thinking I can only think of three right off the top of my head. I guess I will see how this works.

Monday: I did leave the house but I only went outside to do a few things. I was just glad to be at home for the majority of the day.

TheHub needed to take his car in to fix what was ailing it, so I drove to the shop to pick him up. Once in the car we did a few errands, gassed up my car, then I sat in the parking lot at Costco while he ran in to grab a couple of things. I would have gone in with him if I had on "go out in public and be seen clothes". Instead I was wearing "stay in the car and maintain a low profile clothes", so I did just that.

We got home and I took my shower for the day and did a little self care. I know some of you have beautiful long manicured nails. Once mine reach a certain length they drive me nuts and I cut them very short. I use my hands a lot and long nails get in my way.

After the shower, applying a face mask, and clipping and filing my nails, it was time to do a little cuticle treatment. Then pamper time was over and was back to the grindstone AKA housework.

That night we watched America vs. Belgium. It was not a pretty game, and I hate the USA team lost, but I knew I would continue watching the rest of the games (or at least halfway watch while reading)

What I learned: When leaving the house make sure I have on decent clothes. If TheHub dawdles too much at Costco, I might have to make an emergency pit stop before I reach home (and you know, the not being seen in public clothes. . . ).

Listened to: The obvious choice "Lady Marmalade"

Dinner: Chicken rice and broccoli casserole

Tuesday: I wanted to stay home the entire day, and I did mostly until TheHub declared he wanted to go to The Electric for their trivia night. 

I enjoy going there but had visions of staying in my shorts, tee shirt, and flip flops with no makeup for the duration of the day. Didn't happen.

What I learned: Once dressed and there, trivia was a lot of fun and worth spending time getting ready to go.

Listened to: The Jelly Jungles of Orange Marmalade

Dinner: I had not planned on eating out, but we were at The Electric.

Reuben Sandwich, coleslaw

Wednesday: My Beloved Sister and I were able to go to my happy place again. I had not been since our big trip and I missed seeing all the participants.

I brought back a recipe from a side dish we had in Hungary, but had to purchase a safety mandoline slicer before I would try it there.. 

I try to insure the participants safety first and foremost, which means I have accrued an array of gadgets I would not normally need or use. But honestly they enjoy using them.

With the exception of a couple of participants who hate cucumbers, the Hungarian cucumber salad was a pretty big hit.

After time there, we arrived back at the house and I found a package near the front door. 

We will be going to a Parkinson's Gala in September and the dress I had ordered arrived. TheHub will be wearing a tux and I needed something formal. I am not a shiny glitzy person and found a fairly simple navy dress. It was not my first choice but it was very inexpensive, and I knew if I did not like it, I had time to return it and order another

I tried it on right then and there while My Beloved Sister was available to offer an opinion on how it looked. We both agreed it would be perfectly fine, especially since most likely it would be worn only once.

What I learned: Sometimes the cheapest option can be the best option

Listened to: "Marmalade from Paddington the Musical)

Dinner: I had a brisket that needed to be used, so I thawed it and stuck it in the crockpot on low for about 15 hours. Wow it was good!

Brisket, coleslaw, sliced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers

Thursday: I woke, got dressed and picked up My Beloved Sister. She had to had a little procedure (she's fine) that required some sedation, so I was her designated driver. While she was inside, I was in the freezing waiting room. You know the room is too cold if the nurses are wearing sweatshirts under their scrubs, and the receptionist will occasionally open the window asking if anyone needs blankets.

After it was over I pulled my car into the pickup spot and had to go inside to get her and listen to their instructions for aftercare. It would not have been a big deal except my knee popped partially out of joint and hurt like a son of a gun.

I was supposed to be taking care of her instead of gimping along saying a lot of really ugly words as we made it to Walmart to pick up her scripts, and ice cream. (I think it is the law if you have any sort of procedure you must have ice cream afterward.)

Got her to her house than I came home to take Advil and put on a knee brace, before getting off my feet for a bit.

Son3 and DIL3 came down for a visit which made us very happy. They were here in February when DIL3's folks were in Birmingham, and it was nice to have them at our house again.

What I learned: If the knee acts up, put pride aside and use a cane.

Listened to: I understand this might be a stretch, but it does mention marmalade skies. 

"Lucy in the Skies"

Dinner: There was a large pan of frozen pastichio that I took out of the freezer. A couple of hours later, dinner was mostly done. Son2 and DIL2 also came to eat with us, which was perfect. I needed several folks there because the pan of pastichio was large. (Son3 took the leftovers back to Nashville)

Pastichio, tossed salad, garlic bread, red velvet cupcakes

Friday: Son3 and DIL3 swam until the now regular afternoon thunderstorm began. After the swim they took off to ride around and find something for lunch. 

TheHub and I stuck around the house. I talked with MBS then I finished reading the most current book from my reading list, and hung out until it was time to get ready for an early dinner

What I learned: When I am reading I often have to research things I am unfamiliar with. So I now know how to test for the presence of human blood in liquids. Do not even ask why I needed to know, because I have no idea. I just know I needed that info before I could continue reading.

Listened to: I could not think of anything else with marmalade, so I switched to it's culinary cousin___jelly.

Jam Up and Jelly Tight

Dinner: We (TheHub DIL3, Son3 and me) met Son2 and DIL2 at Perry's for dinner.* It was a great meal, mostly from the conversations and company, made even greater by our server, Alex.

I love help that is knowledgeable about all the foods and the prep without being intrusive.

Shared appetizers were shrimp cocktail, tuna tartare, spinach/artichoke dip. My entree was lamb chops. Others had fish or pork. Shared sides were asparagus, brussels sprouts, potatoes au gratin. Shared desserts were bread pudding, and chocolate towers. 

Saturday: I woke to Son3 cooking breakfast and making coffee. I am not a breakfast fan, but having coffee ready when I wake is a bonus I was happy to find.

We talked about their studio build and the equipment it will take to get them off and running. (Much equipment and several instruments they do not already have)**

Listened to : Jelly Roll Blues

What I learned: Much more about recording equipment than I thought I would ever know.

Dinner: I had planned on having chicken and dumplings (one of Son3's favorites) however, I had frozen a slab of ribs and a pound of pulled pork after the 4th meal. I chose simple over a favorite meal.

Ribs, pulled pork, collard greens, au gratin potatoes (leftover from Perry's) DIL3 has some dietary restrictions but had tuna leftover from her Perry's dinner. (Their portions are more than generous)

Sunday: DIL3 and Son3 woke, ate breakfast, took some duplicate garden tools we no longer need (plus they took some items from the freezer!) packed their car and said their goodbyes until we see them again. It was a very nice visit!

We missed church, but streamed the service while I had coffee and TheHub had hot tea. It is not the same as being there, but you do what you can, right?

TheHub put together an adirondack rocker I bought last week.  We are replacing our existing outdoor furniture with poly-wood items. They are outdoors and exposed to the weather year round and we need a more rugged material. The metal chair frames have rusted a bit, and we decided we want something requiring less maintenance.

I was very tired after the kids left, read a bit, talked with Sluggy, talked with My Beloved Sister before dozing off in a rocking chair on the screened porch. It was hot but I had the overhead fans on and the breeze kept me reasonably cool.

What I learned:  A friend's daughter is getting married . . . to a Vol fan!!!!

Listened to: Jelly, Jelly

Dinner: Leftovers again

Leftover brisket, mashed potatoes, sliced tomatoes (straight from the garden)

Read this week: Confessions (highly recommend)

Have a great week.

May all your weeds be wildflowers.

Anne

* Next time we are all planning to go to Gian Marcos. DIL3 has never been there.

** They will be able to use the drum kit we have in the music room upstairs, as additional drums. That is a win/win. They will have an extra drum kit for their studio, and the drums will be gone from our house forever.