October 27, 2011

• A Little Of This, A Little Of That....

   

  TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

  If you are a cook, you know what is meant by *a little of this...*   It's sometimes impossible for us to give a recipe because many of our recipes are ones that we have embellished with *a little of this, a little of that* according to our own tastes. 

  I don't think the Princess understood this when she was younger and learning to cook but she learned and has recipes of her own that she can't fully reduce to specific amounts of some ingredients.  I've watched her and know she, too, has developed her own *twists* to some recipes.  We all have them.

  I think what I hate is when we try a new recipe and aren't satisfied with the taste so we start adding this and that.  When it turns out well,at the back of our mind we are thinking, *Gee, I hope I can remember everything I added...*   I can't tell you how many times that my family has loved a recipe and my heart sank because I wasn't sure of everything I added.  You just do the best you can and cross your fingers.

  I got dinner ready today.  Cube steaks in an onion and fresh mushroom gravy.  I usually make mashed potatoes with it but it was just the Beast and I so I just boiled some potatoes for a change of pace.  We had corn and some apple sauce.  I don't know why the Beast buys such huge jars of it.  I don't think he realizes that it starts to ferment after a time once it's opened.  Not that the jar we have has yet but I think it won't last too much longer.  I need to have him pick up some more cottage cheese and maybe some peaches.  Even Chewlee loves cottage cheese if I add peaches to it.  I could eat cottage cheese three times a day.  I have no idea where my liking for it came from.  When I was a kid, I didn't like it.  If Mom gave me some, it was sheer torture getting it down.  Now, I love it.  I especially like the large curd.  I have several different recipes using cottage cheese in it that kids love and don't even realize it's good for them. 

  The Beast has decided that he is going to take a trip up to see Aunt Em.  She's really getting up in years and we don't know how much longer it will be that she's with us.  Besides, (as I said to him) it will give him a chance to really test drive his new love and he can show it off to her.  He got the Blue Tooth working in it and was surprised that it had downloaded all his phone numbers.  He thought he would have to put them in individually.  He tested it out on me and then had me call HIM to make sure he could answer an incoming call.  So he's safe and hands free now when he talks on the phone while driving.

  He's only going because he's been waiting for the trailer hitch to come into the dealer's so he can use his utility trailer to pick up the large sheets of paneling for the cottage/shed.  So he gets this bright idea about calling a place in Huntsville that might actually have it in stock.  Not only did he find a place but the cost of it was over $200. less.    He's going to have it installed tomorrow but will still go.  He's been pushing himself hard the past couple of weeks and needs to have a little rest and relaxation. 

  I'm having more good days than bad ones with my feet this past week or so.  I am just counting my blessings and have a *stiff upper lift* about the pain.  I can't keep off my feet constantly because so much doesn't get done if I don't do it.  Plus there's Chewlee.  She is so damned active and needs a lot of attention, if only to ensure that she doesn't get herself into trouble.  She is still pushing the limits at times.  You can't let down your guard at all and relax because if you let her get away with something once, it will take ten times longer to get her to stop.  Kids!!!

  Love you all and hope you had a wonderful day.  Be good.  Be happy.  Remember to say *Love you* to those you do.  Life is shorter than you know. 
  

  • 9:29 pm
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