SUPPER CLUB - Monday, July 30th

[purrfect-lady]

Good morning!

Hopefully we'll be cooling down a bit (to 88*) today. 90's is too hot for the PNW!! We be heat wimps here. Most people don't have A/C because we we mostly have no need for it.

We spent most of yesterday with Bill's brother and more family. I know the nurses told us last Thursday that they predicted he only had 2-3 more days, but he didn't look that imminent to me. Though, admittedly, most of my nursing experience was at the other end of the life spectrum. But he's still alert, oriented, talks some, smiles a bit, can walk, eat a little. Unless his respiratory system or kidneys shut down, I'd give him another week, possibly two. I don't wish him that, but he may get it anyway. Bill's sister is going to move into our trailer, I think, to be closer. She lives 90 miles away while we're only 30 miles. And we don't charge as much as motels.

I am still managing to get an hour or two in my sewing room every day so am making slow but steady progress on Albert's anniversary quilt. Last night I sat in front of the TV and squared up 96 little flying geese. Not so bad considering that they are the last of 336! It's a busy quilt!

Today Bill is going alone to visit Mike. There was too much family and friends there yesterday. I think it was overwhelming to Mike so I'm going to hang back a bit, as is our DBIL. I have some neglected uglies to do plus I want to get my blocks finished if possible.

I also think I'm joining August's lotto. Blue and white blocks, simple 9 patches. Looks fast, easy, and would make good gifts for Christmas, Secret Santa, and more. If you like blue, check it out.

PAM - I always prewash everything as soon as I bring them in the door. The sizing on the fabric adds to the fabric dust in my sewing room, gets in my lungs, and I have a junky cough for two weeks after I sew with unwashed fabric. And I never bother to iron it until I'm going to use it.

BECCA - your list of all the fresh garden foods you had made me want to go out and plant a garden! But I managed to hold myself back. My parents always had a big garden, mom canned EVERYTHING. One year she did 1,400 quarts of various foods, including meats and 'catfood'. then she made about 50 jars of jams and jellies.

CHICKIE - funny that you got rain on your DD's birthday! Tradition survives! But your party sounds like a happy success, too.

JANA - I'm going to overlook your menu the last few days and concentrate instead on your new pans! Did you bake anything yet? We've been watching The Great British Baking Show. Even Bill enjoys it. You should see some of the things they bake there!

CAROLE - at least you are sitting for some of the time! Glad Luke is improving and I hope Ken gets that last 'kink' worked out with P.T. What a medical ward y'all are down there!

Supper - no idea. We think Bill's sis, Becky, will be here. Pam's parents' chicken soup sounds good. Pasta might work. Burgers on the grill are a possibility. so I guess I DO have ideas . . ;o)

[auntjana]

Good morning!

Mary - I haven't played with the pans yet, but the day is young. I have watch the British baking show too. What they turn out in such a tight time frame is amazing!

No idea on dinner, may be too hot to cook. The were 2 big fires northwest of us that merged into a huge fire, over 100,000 acres. The smoke in the valkey is really bad. I can hardly make out the shape of the mountains to the east. The fire right by my house never grew and the firefighters got in under control.

So it will be quiet here. Matt and Andrew left for scout camp, Sandee is in Texas, Stu is working, Sarah is too. Daniel is still at home, holding down the fire station there in Pleasant Grove.

Enjoy,
Jana

[carole]

Good morning,

Mary, yes it does feel like a medical ward here, BUT I am beginning to want a private room. Lol. Today, I am leaving Luke for a trip to Joanne's. First time we have left him since the surgery . I need to get some fabric for another heart quilt I am making for another great niece. I need to get some fabric for sashing. This hearts are machine embroidered. Last night I started a baby quilt for my first male great, great nephew. It also is embroidered with elephants. My late sister's kids are all becoming grandparents themselves. So they the greats are keeping me busy. Lol

Mary, my heart is with you and Bill. This is such a tough thing to go through. It is always hard to let go of someone you love.

Tonight for dinner will be spaghetti and Italian sausage, salad, and garlic bread for Ken.

Well better get moving and get this day started.

Carole

[FarmChick]

Good morning! We are overcast here—no rain in forecast, but I’m certainly up for surprises. The Hooligans and I are on Choc duty (48 hours) and Ava (noon each day), so we will be walking. I’m hoping for a little cooler than yesterday, but anything is better than 90s or 100s.

Mary—my heart is with you and Bill. So good of you to offer your “spare bedroom” to Bill’s sister. She will have privacy but be close to family at the same time. We didn’t have AC in San Francisco. We didn’t have AC in Kansas. Mom only has a small window unit in her bedroom, but it makes the dining room where she lives mostly pretty nice. Her kitchen gets warm in late afternoon, but she doesn’t cook, so it’s tolerable.

Carole—I’m sure you do feel like a medical ward. Have a fun outing at JoAnn’s! I have one great-great nephew, and I made a little quilt last summer.

Jana—your pans sound neat! I used to have several different bundt pans. Now I have the “original”. I got the cast aluminum one at a thrift store for $3 still in the box! So sorry for all the smoke and fires. I can’t imagine. I’d definitely be having a continuous meltdown. It’s all I can do to enjoy a campfire in a secure fire ring. Enjoy your quiet! Sometimes it’s nice to be quiet.

Pam—I have heard of the cucumbers in sour cream, but I’ve only had the vinegar and sugar—just like Grandma used to make with garden cukes and her garden onions. Your splurge sounds delicious! I tried the WW points and gave up. My friend did them and did real well. I spent time in the outdoors (the vacant lots by the school yard in San Francisco) with my dad as he taught me about the constellations. He used a sextant for guiding the ships with the stars. That was a long time ago. I know it’s all electronic now.

Dinners here are so boring… I have stuff made, so whatever falls out of the fridge for DH will be his “… ugh! Whatever. I dunh care…”

Bon appétit!

[Ittybittygma]

Good Morning everyone, WE are going Irish for supper......Ruebens. Rod fixed corned beef and cabbage in crockpot yesterday. Soooo good. Wish you all could join us, not many leftovers but enough for a couple of yummy Reubens for supper.

I don't know what I would do if I didn't have a live in CHEF. Aren't you all jealous? Love that man and his menu plans each day. Keeps me out of the kitchen until after supper when I GET to do all the dishes. Our crock pot certainly gets a work out around here.

Mary......so sorry to hear about Bill's brother. So hard to sit at the bedside of a loved one under any circumstances, May God bring you and all your family comfort and peace as you wait, and bring your BIL a peaceful and loving journey surrounded by family and support of angels. God bless you all today and all your tomorows too. Hugs to all of you too.

Thank you for supper club. Gives us some new and interesting ideas for a menu too. Love to hear what all of you are cooking up at your house. If nothing else gets done in life, we all have to eat and feed others. Not always easy or if you are not in the mood.

Carole......Nice to hear that Luke is healing and can be left alone for a short time. You are a great caregiver to everyone in your house. Don't forget to take care of yourself too. You sound so busy with all your quilt making for all the grands-whatever. But that is probably what helps keep you sane in the midst of medical overload and chaos. God bless your family too with quick healing and getting back to a somewhat normal life, whatever that is.


Jana......New pans? Rod (DH) is always trying to find new gadgets and pans etc to help him in the kitchen. But anything new has to be tried out soon to make sure it lives up to its ads. LOL Now he wants a new infrared portable grill, elec. We have a grill but so large and bulky and unhandy and has to be used 20 ft from house which is practically in the woods behind us. Hard to grill in the woods. LOL

So sorry to hear about all the huge fires so close to you. Glad to hear your son is holding down the fort at home fire station but that has to be a big job too. God bless all of the firefighters and other first responders on the job trying to keep all of us safe.


Feels like fall here in KCMO area of Midwest. In 60's this am. I turned off A/C and opened all the windows. So refreshing. Got some rain yesterday and chance for more today. Might drop into 50's one night this week then back up to 90's by next weekend. Crazy weather but I love this cool stuff. Some of my leaves are turning already and mums are budding out that normally don't bloom this time of summer. I love the fall so welcoming this brief respite of cool weather.


Need to scoot. I am feeling better but having trouble sleeping and getting strange dreams that come in bits and pieces like I am trying to remember things but just can't. So if this msg is like mush soup, sorry, memory is still a problem since ER & hosp visit a few wks ago. Have a dr apptmt tue as follow up. Could use a few prayers to get me thru all this. Rod is doing so much better these days and just left to get some groceries. Need swiss cheese for reubens tonight.


Prayers for all of you today and always. You are my "family" from afar and I pray for you folks every day. May God bless everyone as you start a new week. Sending lots of hugs and love across the miles to all, Shirley Mae

[Ittybittygma]

Hi Farmchick, You snuck in there. Surprised you have been so hot down south of us. We had cool day yesterday too and windows open. Gotta love that coolness, even if just for a few days. Sorry it wasn't shared with you.

I don't know how you keep up with all that dog walking. Wouldn't it be easier to just take the dogs to your house? Guess it is good exercise tho for them and you. Love to hear about your mom. She is one fabulous lady. Sorry she only has a window unit but that used to be all any of us had and if worked.

Rod makes the cukes in vinegar and salt all the time and tossed in some sliced onions too. Never heard of the vinegar and whatever to get the sour cream ones. Rod hates sour cream and cringes whenever I put it on anything to cool down some spices. He thinks I ruin it with adding sour cream. LOL But we are still married almost 54 yrs in spite of our different tastes in food. LOL It all makes up our world.

Love your "outdoors" studying the stars. I go outside each night and look at the moon and stars before I go to bed and have a little talk with God and thank HIM for our awesome world and all HIS creations. Since we face the woods, my nighttime outings often have a background of sounds like owls, frogs, crickets, and mama birds soothing their babies to sleep.


Have a great day, whatever you do today. I miss the stories of your baby calves. They have to be all grown up by now. But love to hear about your corner of the world and all its glorius beauty of the countryside. Someday I just might have to head that way and visit your little place in the country and you too. OK?


Time to get busy. Not very ambitious this am. Hello to all who will follow. Pam, love your stories and menus. Such diversity. Tell your folks Hello, they sound delightful.


God bless you all again and always. Hugs, Shirley Mae

[Rose92]

Happy Midday:

Got out early to continue working on the backyard. Yes, Mary, Asian jasmine rules my summers. It is a continual race to keep it nice and tidy. But it gives our backyard such a nice tidy green look after I whack it a bit. Our little backyard is our piece of paradise.

Weather is same 'ole, same 'ole, brown haze, overcast, hot, humid. The news said the air quality will remain awful until the Yosemite fire is extinguished, which may be another 2 weeks.

Tomorrow is supposed to be the last bathroom demolition day. It is the master/DH bath off the master bedroom. It is not really as master bath because it is small and just the same size as our main/my bath, except it has a double shower instead of a tub. DH has to move into my bathroom for 2-3 weeks. Fortunately both baths are long (9 feet) with double sinks. If you think DH makes a mess of my kitchen you should see what he does to a bathroom. Fortunately he cleans up after himself in the bathroom pretty good. So once again we descend into noise, dust and chaos...but for the LAST time.

Nothing scheduled for this week, just yardwork and sewing, which I am very happy doing. It is DH that is having some trouble with "cabin fever", but it is just too hot to go anywhere. A friend brought me a Featherweight to clean up so I will probably start on that when the contractor comes. That way I will stay out of his way.]

DH is grilling steak for dinner, mushrooms and a big salad. We hardly eat red meat anymore so this will be a treat. And Ittybittygma, DH got an infrared grill for his birthday in June and LOVES it!

You all have a good week and try to stay cool. Prayers for all those in need.

**Linda

[Becca]

Hello everyone,sunny here at 89.A hot one.

Just got back from Town seeing Dr & having Hand X rayed.No broken bones.He thinks it will heal in time but will take longer for wrist to heal.It was bruised a lot,Still blue.
Made appt with Orthopedic if I want them to check it .
Do hope that ends the saga.Neghbor did tell me They now have a trainer coming working with Dog.I still won’t walk by the house.

Everyone is busy today like everyday.Glad to see Shirley Mae at the table.Cannot imagine having a built in chef.You & Linda are fortunate.

Chickie I do have the pickle recipe & will get it to you.You are tied up with doggies again.Sure they enjoy their outings.

Jana I have lots of my Moms bunting pans.My MIL had a square one.Enjoy them.

Linda That jasmine would drive me batty.so much Trimming.Hope the remodel goes well & no mistakes.

Carole Glad Your doggie has done so well.Do hope the back improves soon.

Maryz Im Praying for Bills Family.Good DSIL can stay close.Know that quilt will be another beauty.
My Mom used to can & freeze a lot too.I always helped.Shucked all the corn.Never forget one Summer Dad had pulled it & it looked like a hay stack in our yard.Quite a challenge.Almost cut part of my thumb off schucking corn.Had to be sewed back on.

I did a tad in yard today just testing my hand.Decided it better wait.
Dinner will be BBQ chicken breast,sweet peas,And I made brownies.DH will be happy. Becca

[bampish]

Wow we have lots at the table, tonight. It is nice to see you, Shirley Mae! And everybody else!

I stopped and picked up some veggies. The tomatoes are now from the garden at the one place I go. Fresh! They transfered over from the hot house ones. I have multiple tomatoes in my garden, but deeep green, still.

I decided to make supper at Mom and Dad's house. I made cucumber salad with sour cream and onions. This time, I shredded the cucumbers, so Mom could eat them easier. I also made a little avocado salad (avocado, tomato, onion, jalopeno, lemon juice, and a pinch of sugar), and a stone fruit salad (just a peach, some apricots, and a mango). We also have corn on the cob for me. The rents will probably have corn off the cob. And... banned food baked with a few spices sprinked over. (but no salt. Salt is evil in this house) Dad has heart failure.

Chickie, I am really going to do the weight watchers thing. I have half my life past me. The weight is just going to make getting old miserable. My knees have aged a lot in the past 5 years. I have to do something. The only things that count in tonight's supper are the avocado and the sugar in my iced tea. The trick is keeping from scrounging all evening, after supper.

We were going to go to a baseball game at the local AAA league, but we got rained out. I just can't imagine you people, like Jana, with fire all around. I'll take the snow, here, and stay out of fire territory.

Carole, I have been thinking about Luke and how he is doing. I have to admit, I focus on puppers.

Mary, I am also thinking of you and Bill and your family. And Irish's family. And Becca's hand. It is hard to sew, when your hand is out of commission.

Shirley Mae, I love to sit and listen to the out of doors. In the daytime, you can hear beees buzzing, and stray crickets, and all the different people working on thier lawns. At night, you can hear so much more. The quiet brings out such a variety of sounds.

Well, my snowman is calling me.
Love,
Pam