One Mother of a Blog

An early ground hog day storm

mam — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:02:44 +0000

Each year since February 2, 1976 the east coast has braced itself whenever a snow storm is in the forecast around Ground Hog day. This year’s storm was one day early. I drove into work very early this morning to get ahead of the storm. At 7:00 a.m. pretty little snow flakes were dancing around the sky. By 8:30 those *((#$()^% snowflakes were drifting against my parked vehicle. By quiting time, a good foot of snow was on top of and around my little car. Luckily I worked with real gentlemen, who without being asked, cleaned off my car and guided me out of the parking lot.

Despite the snow storm the 36 km drive back to the apartment was rather peaceful. With one clear lane on the highway and very few vehicles, and a few prayers, the trip was uneventful.

There’s only one thing that’s better than being home during a snow storm………and that is a good dinner cooking slowing in the oven.

On Sunday I popped a Seven Layer dinner in a 300 degree oven before DH and I took a walk through the wetlands in front of our home. Two hours later the house was filled with delicious smells and dinner was ready. So next storm day give this recipe a try.

A typical Saturday

mam — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:19:29 +0000

With so much to do we still don’t miss television. DH spent most of the morning, driving his tractor up and down the driveway clearing the snow and ice from Friday’s storm.

We spent the better part of an hour watching two adult bald-headed eagles and one yearling catching the wind to soar above the wetlands. Our two pairs of binoculars are in constant use. The eagles live in the hills high above our home. Earlier in the week DH noticed this guy sitting in the trees behind the house, which is the closet we have seen one yet.

The temperature was a balmy 5 degrees so we walked down through the wetlands, across the ice and counted 15 muskrats houses. DH pointed out deer tracks, squirrel tracks and cat tracks.

For supper I used the leftover roast chicken in Chicken lettuce roll ups salad. This I served on a bed of lettuce, topped with green onions, grated carrots and chopped almond. A serving of frozen kung pao chicken and basmati rice completed the dinner. It tasted better than any take out Chinese, plus we didn’t have to drive 30 kms to pick it up.

Later we sat in total darkness so we could count the stars. Another crazy fun-filled day in the country.

Storm day

mam — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:45:46 +0000

The weather man predicted a heavy snow fall, followed by freezing rain, turning into rain type of day for today. So rather than drive for an hour and a half during rush hour traffic, I decided to take a vacation day and drove home last night.

In anticipation of the storm, the schools in Saint John are closed and the radio announcers are suggesting drivers don’t take to the roads, unless they absolutely have to.

Today I’m hunkering down and cooking up a storm. On the menu for supper is roast chicken à la Jamie Oliver. With a side of Eco Spuds from Timber River Echo farm. Purchased at our local Sobeys, these potatoes have an incredible taste, with no trace of fertilizer.

A loaf of Oatmeal and Fruit bread is in the bread machine. I start most of my breads in the machine using the dough cycle. Later today I’ll put on a batch of whole wheat bread.

A batch of “what the heck soup” is bubbling on the stove. DH is puttering down stairs in his work shop, kitty is asleep in the middle of the kitchen…………all is well in my world………..and that’s not a bad way to spend a storm day.

whole lot of cooking going on

mam — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:33:45 +0000

Yesterday I spent the entire day in my pyjamas………cooking, reading, napping. I made two dozen beef turnovers, using two different dough recipes. I found the cream cheese dough more difficult to roll and it browned too much, despite cutting the cooking time by 10 minutes.

In the crock pot the beans were bubbling. The flax side bread was waiting for its turn to pop into the oven. And in the refrigerator was a seven layer salad. Not a bad way to spend a cold (minus 14 degrees) day in January.

ear wig

mam — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:29:42 +0000

DH and I listen to the same radio station, me in the kitchen, he down in his work shop. I was dancing to the tunes in the kitchen while making supper, when DH came up the stairs with a puzzled look on his face.


DH: "What's that song about?"
ME: "You sexy thing?.......I believe in miracles, you sexy thing"
DH:  "Oh.......................I thought he was singing I believe in Malcolm, you sexy thing".
Later he admitted the song never made a lot of sense to him. Life is never boring with DH.



Texting for Seniors
mam — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:23:25 +0000
My grandchildren have their own texting codes, ….so here are some codes for seniors:
ATD – At the Doctor’s

BFF – Best Friends Funeral

BTW – Bring the Wheelchair

BYOT – Bring Your Own Teeth

CBM – Covered by Medicare

CUATSC – See You at the Senior Center

DWI – Driving While Incontinent

FWBB – Friend with Beta Blockers

FWIW – Forgot Where I Was

FYI – Found Your Insulin

GGPBL – Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low

GHA – Got Heartburn Again

HGBM – Had Good Bowel Movement
IMHO – Is My Hearing-Aid On?

LMDO – Laughing My Dentures Out
LOL – Living on Lipitor

LWO – Lawrence Welk’s On

OMMR – On My Massage Recliner

OMSG – Oh My! Sorry, Gas

ROFL..CGU – Rolling on the Floor Laughing…Can’t get Up!

TOT – Texting on Toilet
TTYL – Talk to You Louder
WAITT – Who Am I Talking To?

WTFA – Wet the Furniture Again

WTP – Where’re the Prunes

WWNO – Walker Wheels Need Oil
Hope these help. GGLKI – Gotta Go, Laxative Kicking in!



On the road again
mam — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:20:17 +0000
After a break of one month, I’m off to Dalhousie for the next three days.  Luckily I don’t need to worry about the driving as I’m traveling with a co-worker.   This is especially good as the weather forecast is for … Continue reading →


Houston we have a butcher block!
mam — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:35:31 +0000
DH has been very busy lately.  This past weekend was spent downstairs in the basement, measuring, cutting and sawing.  The end result was a work bench plus the majority of his tools unpacked and hung in place.
Apparently once a man has a work bench he can do anything………….so when I arrived at the apartment this evening these pictures were on my email.
This is what DH accomplished today. He fed the cat. Then he pulled out the side counter, made it even with the rest of the cupboards. Then he fed the cat again. Built an interior shelf. Gave the cat some more food. Then finished it off with a butcher block counter top. After which, he fed the cat again.






All under the watchful eye of this little guy, who munched apples under our tree. While the cat took a nap!



zuigerphobia
mam — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:35:23 +0000
I asked my grandson and his wife what Izzy, my great-granddaughter would like for Christmas.    A toy vacuum and a po chair were the top items on the list. As she has a real fear of the vacuüm cleaner, they thought a toy one might dispel the fear.
DH and I searched high and low until we found the perfect toy vacuum cleaner.  Not only was it a perfect miniature,  it light up, made noise, had a hose, and a little detachable  dust buster.  Perfect I thought, Izzy will know I truly am the “great” grand-mother.
Izzy eagerly unwrapped her presents.   Her other great grandmother, Susie,  gave her a pink po chair with a detachable pot.  This was a great hit especially when I told Izzy she could wear the pot as a hat.   Susie also included a sweet baby doll, which Izzy immediately hugged.
I saved our gift for last thinking Izzy would love it.  She eagerly pulled off the wrapping paper but as soon as she spotted what it was, her little lips started to quiver and she muttered ”no, no, no’ while backing away.  Poor baby! She was terrified.  What a nasty thing to do to the little sweetie, especially at Christmas.   I felt like a real sh*t.  I removed the offending present from the room and told her next year I would not ask  her parent’s advice on gift giving.
Fast forward a few weeks later, Addison and Kaytlyn were right.  Izzy loves her gift. She is slowly overcoming her fear of vacuüm cleaners and I maintain my title as “the great grandmother”.





Keeping track
mam — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:18:05 +0000
Andrea’s grand-mother, the original Little Nanny, kept a diary of day-to-day events.  If you wanted to know what you paid to pick strawberries the year before, she could probably tell you.   When did we visit Kings Landing last?  Nanny could easily find the date in her diary.
Keeping a blog is much like keeping a diary.  It reminds you of all the little things in life that start to blend together into one big event the older you get.   I was thinking of this yesterday while preparing lunch for Fred and Kathleen who were visiting.   Pondering on how much I like preparing meals for others, it took me a moment or two to remember that I’ve prepared six sit down meals for  friends and family visits since the 21st of December.
I use to snicker at the “Marthas” who keep a running diary of dinner guests and what was served.  Now it sounds like a great idea. So between this blog and my dinner “journal” I’ll be able to remember what I served to who and when.  It will also help  me to find the recipes I followed.  I’m a great one for trying a successful recipe, then not having a clue where I found it to begin with.
Two of my current go-to recipes have been baked onion dip and  potato pancakes using leftover mashed potatoes.   These dishes get gobbled so quickly I have not had a chance to take pictures despite the numerous times I’ve made these lately.  I apologize to the original owners of the  pictures I borrowed to tempt you into trying the recipes.  These are quick and easy, using ingredients you usually have on hand.  The type of comfort food you serve to family and good friends.  They may not remember the date nor the occasion, but they will certainly remember the love.
Potato Pancakes
2 c. leftover mashed potatoes

1/4 c. flour

1/4 c. milk

1 egg, beaten

1 tbsp. onion, minced

1 tbsp. green pepper, minced

Bacon drippings or cooking oil

Salt & pepper to taste (optional)
Combine mashed potatoes, flour, milk, egg, onions and green peppers. Salt and pepper as desired. Form into 3 inch round patties and fry in bacon drippings or cooking oil. Brown on both sides. Drain and serve.
Baked Onion dip

2 cups mayonnaise

1 cup shredded cheese

2 cups chopped sweet onion

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease a 1 quart baking dish.
In a medium bowl, mix Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise and sweet onion. Transfer to the baking dish and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake in the preheated oven 40 to 45 minutes, or until onions are tender and the mixture is bubbly and lightly browned.