January 8, 2009

Four Foods on Friday #62

It’s time for the first Four Foods on Friday for 2009. This week Val is being nosey about breakfast foods. You like breakfast, right? Come join us! Copy the four quesitons below onto your blog and post your answers. Make sure you include the link above in your post. Copy your post link to the comments for the original FFoF post and wait for the fun. Val will link us all up in a new post and give her astute observations about our answers. Everyone gets a little linky-lovin and we get to talk about the most important meal of the day!

#1. Waffles. Do you usually eat frozen or homemade?

Alas, I have no waffle iron, so it’s toaster waffles or a trip to the diner for me.

#2. Eggs. Do you buy brown, white, or it doesn’t matter?

I rarely see brown eggs in my markets, but the stuff inside the shells is the same anyway, so I don’t suppose it matters.

#3. Oatmeal. Do you usually make instant or cooked?

I prefer to cook my own. I’ve been using up the supplies in my evac kit, though, so I’ve had instant every morning lately. I just ate the last pack today & don’t want to add to my pantry before I move, so I won’t be having oatmeal for a while.

#4. Bacon. Share instructions or a recipe that you use bacon in.

Oh, I cannot resist reprising one of my most popular posts! Make sure you read the comment chain following my Grilled Cheese and Bacon Sandwich recipe. I also posted an illustrated version of the recipe if you need pictures, but I think the original post was more fun.

Technorati Tags: food, grilled cheese and bacon sandwich, meme, recipe

January 4, 2009

Self Portrait Sunday for January 4, 2009

I’m feeling a little less than glamorous today. Do you see the big red zit on the side of my nose? I distinctly remember my mother telling me when I was in my teens, “Be happy that you have oily skin. You’ll never have wrinkles.” Ha! I’m over the hump of mid-fifties and still have zits, but you probably don’t really notice them because they’re usually hidden in wrinkles! This would probably be a good time to mention that the anti-aging cream I’ve been testing hasn’t done much at all for me. I don’t want to put down a sponsor, but I also promised my readers I would follow-up and here it is: it didn’t work for me. Sorry folks! That might be because of my skin type (sun-tanned leather!) or becuase I have a medical condition that causes me to struggle with dehydration. I’m not saying that it won’t work for you. You’re probably more “normal” than me. Most folks probably are, come to think of it. The product comes with a money-back guarantee, so you wouldn’t be out any bucks if you decided to try it. If you’ve been looking for a way to prove to the world that I’m abnormal and you’re not, here’s your chance!

On to other things. I’m still making progress towards my move, but keep getting bogged down. I hurt my back a few days ago and have done almost nothing since then. The day before that I got a lot of boxes packed. Now there are so many of them that I’m running out of places to put them. I’ve even got them in the middle of my living room and discovered last night that one that is in front of my tv stands in the line of fire between the tv and the remote when I sit in my favorite spot. I’ll have to do something about that before primetime tonight! Paul finished upgrading all of the existing cabinets this week, except for a little trim work. He was supposed to come today to finish that and start constructing the extra cabinet that will give a finished look to the alcove where my washer and dryer used to be, but he didn’t show up. I never actually know that he’s going to be here until he pulls up in the driveway, so I’ll have to wait and see. Both of my bathrooms also need some finish work and some cabinets need to be hung in the master bath, but those are small jobs that will be finished quickly once I’m done with painting and installing floors (that’s what I should have finished in the last few days when I wasn’t getting anything done.)

Speaking of finishing what I start, I’m going to go over to Midlife Musings now to see who else posted for Self Portrait Sunday today. Have you decided to join us for 2009? I hope so!

Technorati Tags: aging, home remodel, meme, photos, skin care

Posted by skeet @ 4:54 pm • Photos, Just stuff, Meme • 4 comments  

December 28, 2008

Self Portrait Sunday for December 28, 2008

I thought I wouldn’t get to post a self portrait today. The whole island of Oahu went dark when the Kahe Power Plant, right up the road from me, was hit by lightning two nights ago. The Marines rushed over to the Obama holiday compound with portable generators, but most of us had to do without a bit longer. My community came back onto the power grid yesterday about noon, maybe eighteen hours after the outage started. Oceanic Cable had power problems, too, though, and we’ve only just gotten cable access back for our TVs and computers. I’m very grateful. I’m spoiled and don’t like not having access to the rest of the world. It’s remained cloudy, as you can see. We’ve had lightning off and on for three days now, along with some gusty winds, but no significant rainfall. It’s a bit eerie and the critters seem to think so, too. My carport is full of flying insects, mostly flies, but some mosquitos, beetles and moths, too. I wonder if they’re taking shelter because they know a downpour is coming? I wonder if maybe I should put out some fly or moth traps, or just wait for them to go away on their own?

I have some catch-up blogging to do, but first I’ll dash over to Midlife Musings to see who joined Cass in posting for Self Portrait Sunday this week. I hope you’ll make it a New Year’s resolution to join us in 2009!

Technorati Tags: power outage, self portrait, storm

Posted by skeet @ 3:39 pm • Photos, Meme • 1 comment  

December 26, 2008

Four Foods on Friday #61

I just realized that today is Friday. I can’t seem to keep up with what day it is lately, something that is no surprise to those of you who visit regularly. I haven’t needed daily consultations with a date book the last few months, so that’s my excuse. However, excuses or no, time marches on and I’m late to participate in Four Foods on Friday this week. Since it is still Friday, here are my answers to Val’s questions:

#1. Do you prefer cooking with electric or gas?

Gas! I demand instant gratification when I want to adjust the temperature while cooking. I always scorched things when I had an electric stove because I’d turn the burner down but it would remain too hot for too long.

#2. How many times a month do you order out?

I don’t. I think I’ve had one pizza delivered in the last year, and that was because it was what a guest wanted.

#3. How do you like your ice - cubed or crushed?

Cubed. Crushed melts too fast.

#4. Share a Christmas recipe.

I haven’t tried this yet, but heard it on the radio a few days ago and it sounds yummy. Take some big, old-fashioned pretzels and dip them in melted chocolate. Before the chocolate sets, rolls in crushed peppermint candy. Doesn’t that sound delish? I’d like to try it with dark, semi-sweet chocolate. I really like a good sweet/salty combo and I’m thinking this would fit the bill!

Technorati Tags: food, meme, snacks

December 21, 2008

Self Portrait Sunday for December 21, 2008

Hyphen8 and I both wore green, dangly earrings and guady Christmas jewelry to the Table of Contents luncheon today, so it seemed appropriate to take a photo of the two of us. I gotta quit letting her pop her face into my pictures, though, because she always makes me look old and wrinkly beside her. We had a really fun gathering with lots of books and goody bags exchanged. It may have been my last chance to gather with my local BookCrossing friends before I leave the island, as I am now thinking that I’ll be able to move around mid-January. I’m hoping we’ll have another chance to get together before then, but it’s too soon to tell.

I’ve got tons of stuff to do since I was out all morning, but I’ll get on over to Midlife Musings to see who else posted for Self Portrait Sunday in a little while. You should go visit, too, or even post your own self portrait and join in the fun. We’d love to see your smiling face - or whichever one you happen to be wearing today.

Technorati Tags: friends, meme, photo, self portrait

Posted by skeet @ 7:16 pm • Photos, Meme • 3 comments  

December 19, 2008

Four Foods on Friday #60

Val sent me a Four Foods on Friday reminder this week and I’ve still managed to be late, but at least I’m showing up. There’s still time fo ryou to play if you get the lead out. Just copy the four question below and answer them on your blog. Then link to Val’s post and watch for her new post, where she’ll comment on all of our answers.

#1. What’s your favorite crunchy food?

Cold ceral. I can’t do really hard, crunchy stuff anymore because my malabsorption problems have done too much damage to my teeth. If not for that my answer would be peanut brittle - the kind with ribbons of coconut in it.

#2. How often do you try new recipes?

I always mean to try interesting recipes that I stumble across (I’ve gotten some great ones through FFoF!) but hardly ever think of them at the right time. Most of what I cook is from “new recipes,” though, because I make stuff up as I go along and whatever I cook is new and different each time.

#3. Name a food that you almost always have in the house.

Cheese! I almost always have boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pasta, potatoes and peanut butter, but cheese is the one thing I just can’t bear to be without!

#4. What kind of food do you leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve?

Cookies and milk, of course! I’m a traditionalist!

Technorati Tags: food, food discussion, meme

December 7, 2008

Self Portrait Sunday for December 7, 2008

I don’t need my thick, fluffy robe very often, but when I do I’m very grateful for the friend who gave me such a thoughful gift. The robe has been getting a real workout for the last week or so. I put it on the minute I get out of bed and sometimes put it back on after my shower (as I did a little while ago.) I also wear it in the evening as I’m watching TV or putzing around the house. Right now it’s 7:30 a.m. and the day is finally starting to warm up. Current temp is (checking my AccuWeather) 65 degrees, with a “real feel” of 63. I’m feeling coniderably warmer than I did a few hours ago when I got up, so I suppose it must have been as low as sixty (or even lower?) before the sun began to rise. I need to go to Home Depot in a while to pick up the floor covering for the kitchen and dining room, but I’ll wait until I warm up so I can wear practical clothes. (If I dress appropriately for the current chill I’ll be sweat-soaked while loading supplies into the car.) When I get back I’ll try to finish packing up my room so I can shift the furniture around and begin painting and flooring in there. I’m actually believing that Paul will finish the cabinets any day now, so, with supplies on hand, I’ll be able to install the floors in the front rooms this week and the big jobs will mostly be finished. I bought ribs yesterday & will do some healthy grilling when I break for lunch. Between the good food and the satisfaction of seeing new tasks finished I’m expecting it to be a pretty good day.

Cass doesn’t have a Self Portrait Sunday post up yet, but it’s early. Go visit her later today & see who else smiled for the camera this week!

Technorati Tags: meme, photo, self portrait

Posted by skeet @ 7:47 am • Photos, Meme • 4 comments  

December 4, 2008

Four Foods on Friday #58

Yay! It’s only Thursday and I remembered Four Foods on Friday! If you’re not familiar with it, here’s how it works: copy the four questions below and answer them on your blog. Then go to the link above and put a link to your post in the comments. Val will do a new post soon discussing all of our answers. It’s fun and interesting to see how different our answers are. For maximum benefit, visit each of the other participants and discuss their answers with them. Easy as pie, right?

#1. Does your family usually eat meals in the kitchen or somewhere else?

I have a “modern” kitchen with no room in it for a table. I’d be really happy to have an old-fashioned country kitchen, though - maybe I’ll have one after I move. Right now I usually eat on the couch in front of the TV. I know that’s just terrible, but I live alone, so I don’t see it making any difference. When my son lived here we sometimes at in the living room, sometimes at the dining room table.

#2. Who usually does the dishes in your house?

Let’s see! There’s just me and the beagle these days. Wanna guess who doesn’t haul his weight?

#3. What’s your favorite small appliance or tool in the kitchen?

Oh, tough one! I love kitchen gadgets, but I guess my favorite appliance is my coffee maker. If I had one of those marvelous stand mixers, though, that would definitely be my favorite!

#4. This one’s for my son. Share a recipe for chili.

Ah, I hate to disappoint him, but I’ve never made chili. I remember my mom making chili just once. She bought the meat - probably a roast, I think - and had the butcher grind it coursely with suet. That’s pretty much all I remember about it. That being said, you don’t need DNA testing to know that I come from Southern stock. Just take a good look at some of my favorite foods instead. I’m looking forward to enjoying a big, thick, steaming bowl of Wolf Brand Chili when I get back to Texas. It originated in the little town I was born in and family members used to send me a few cans from time to time. It’s been much too long since they’ve done that!

Technorati Tags: food, memes

November 30, 2008

Self Portrait Sunday for November 30, 2008

It’s been hot and stuffy this afternoon. I’ve been taking care of a task that I started and then abandoned a few weeks ago - sorting through all the stuff in my room and packing what’s worth keepingl. A favor, please? If you ever hear me utter those oft-mumbled words, “I haven’t got anything to wear” - just shoot me.

The advantage to a muumuu is that it offers modesty while still being cool and comfy. The sun is only just going down - it’s not yet seven pm - but I couldn’t stand the binding shorts, sweaty tee and cloying (ahem) “foundation support” a moment longer, so I donned a favorite “house muumuu,” poured a tall tumbler of iced tea and sat myself down with a book amongst the detritus in the cabinetry shop - um, I mean the carport. I feel much better now.

You’re welcome to join us for Self Portrait Sunday. Truely, I wish you would. I’ve shown you mine. Won’t you show us yours?

Technorati Tags: muumuu, meme, self portrait

Posted by skeet @ 6:42 pm • Photos, Meme • 1 comment  

November 24, 2008

Self Portrait Sunday for November 23, 2008

Oooops! Did it again! I fell asleep watching Iron Chef America and now it’s after midnight and not quite Sunday anymore. Ah, but it’s a Sunday afternoon picture of me and my lovely lavender, so it’s kinda, sorta still right for Self Portrait Sunday, right? I suppose I could go ask Cass first, but she might say no, so I’m gonna go with it! It’s a little late to invite you to join in this week, but if you take your own picture any day this week you can publish it on you blog next Sunday and be a part of Self Portrait Sunday, too!

Technorati Tags: lavender, photo, self portrait

Posted by skeet @ 12:29 am • Photos, Meme • 1 comment