Right now, I am...
annoyed
that I completely forgot to buy bread yesterday when I went to Aldi. Sigh.
anticipating
the start of daylight saving time. It's a week from Sunday!
trying
to type and see my monitor around a cat.
I got this plexiglass thing to go over my keyboard so she would stop stepping on it. But unfortunately now she likes to sit on top of the plexiglass.
This is less irritating than her stepping on the delete button, to be sure. But it is still not terribly convenient.
a little embarrassed
at the state of my keyboard. I really need to buy a new one because woo, the pleather is peeling on this one at a tremendous rate.
Sadly, Microsoft does not make this keyboard anymore, and the ones on eBay have the same peeling problem mine has. 😉 Clearly, it was a design flaw.
(Note: I took a pause from writing this post and have just now ordered the new wireless version that they make. I sure hope I like it. My current keyboard is from 2016, so I am extremely used to this particular design. I DON'T WANT TO CHANGE!!! Sigh. But I will adapt, I know I will.)
looking forward
to leftovers for lunch. Last night I tried a recipe for Marry Me Chickpeas (a riff on Marry Me Chicken).
They made for a VERY quick meal, with enough for lunch leftovers today. Perfect.
There are a million recipes out there; I browsed through a few, got the gist, and went for it. Here's one I looked at, but I used chicken broth instead of veggie broth, and I added spinach.
thinking
about how many bean/lentil recipes I could try to explore now. A person I used to live with (ahem) didn't eat legumes of any sort, so as a result, I have not honed my legume cooking skills.
Time to rectify that. 😉
(Of note: disliking legumes is not a character flaw and is not a reason I got divorced. Perfectly wonderful people can dislike legumes. But I do appreciate this newfound legume freedom. 😉 )
happy
that the high is supposed to be 50 degrees today!
waiting
for some packages, because I did do a pretty good job of spending my fun money this month. Report coming up next week. 😉
Want to join me? You can do a little "right now" in the comments. 🙂
P.S. I shut Chiquita out of the office, and now she is pacing the floor outside my office door, expressing her displeasure.
I love beans! Typically- fir convenience- I always stock canned chick peas (garbanzos), canned black beans, and a bag of lentils in my pantry. I’ll make a quick hummus with the chick peas, toss them into my green salad, or add them to a curry. I also made them up and add a variety of things to make a fake tuna salad like spread that’s good on crunchy bread.
I toss black beans into all of the Mexican type dishes I make. Often I’ll cook up a whole bag if lentils with water to stew consistency, and add spices (I like cumin, curry powder, and tumeric). Often I’ll serve this with rice or Aldi naan
I am:
... thinking about how my 55 lb dog is part cat, including trying to climb onto my lap while I'm knitting;
... not happy about DST, we should pick a time zone and stick with it;
... plotting with my brother about where to take my father for a milestone bday next year;
... not looking forward to a day of desk-based work (but who would be?);
... happy all my New York and New England[1] friends are ok despite getting feet of know; and
... realizing I need to get ready for the contractor, who is famously on time. Have a good day, y'all!
[1] Any "real" New Yorker will tell you that New York is not part of New England.
@WilliamB, your dog is a hoot, and I am 100% in agreement with you about DST!
William, I'm with you about the stupid Daylight Savings Time, or as I call it, Daylight Losing Time. New Medical studies show it is not healthy. We should keep standard time year round! Some people want DST all year long. Nixon tried this back in the 1970s and children waiting in the dark for the school buses were getting hit (and sometimes killed) by motorists who couldn't see them.. So the government quickly changed back to the normal standard time. It appears that the current bunch of legislators and DST proponents do not remember what happened.As usual, they've failed to do adequate research.
Agreed that we should stick with one thing year-round. But I doooo like the longer evenings so that's my vote. Ha.
We don't change times here in Arizona and, after living in Chicago all my LIFE (except for the last 7 years), I absolutely love it. I used to have a terrible time adjusting to DST!
The concept of divorcing someone over legumes made me LOL!
I wish I liked chickpeas, I keep trying them but I don't think they are for me. I do enjoy black beans, maybe I need to branch out more.
Right now I'm enjoying some quiet-- baby is sleeping and I have therapy at 9.
Right now I'm trying to decide if the difficulties of pumping are worth it instead of formula. I'm still frustrated nursing did not work out, honestly.
I'm glad she is growing well though.
Maybe try a little bit to make sure it agrees with her...easier than going cold a turkey and having regret or having to regain supply.
Sometimes giving a little grace and occasionally giving formula allows you to continue....all one or the other aren't the only two options.🤗
J in NC
Good advice! She does already get some formula now, because I can only pump about 85-90% of the milk she needs.
If I may be allowed an opinion: it’s all good. A well-fed baby is a well-fed baby, and almost every baby does fine on whatever it has, be it formula, breast milk, or some combination.
Allow me please to point out that a stressed mom doesn’t often lead to a happy baby. Or a happy mom.
Very wise, WilliamB. I did have a good discussion with my therapist about reevaluating feeding so that I am more regulated emotionally.
WilliamB,
Hear hear! I remember reading or seeing something when my son was young:
Fed is best. 🙂
My son was 10.5 ounces at birth. He was hungry the minute he hit the open air. We started the bottle in addition to breastfeeding right off the bat. I would feed him at 8:00 and go to sleep. Hubby gave him a bottel at 11:00. This meant I got lots of sleep. I had to got a lactation specialist who was so helpful but still I couldn't produce enough milk to keep him fed. I had to let it go at 7 months. Hubby and I cried. My son just looked at us as if to see where is my next bottle.
It's totally disappointing when you don't get the outcome you were hoping for, and also, do whatcha gotta do. I had a very hard time nursing and loathed pumping. There's no single right way to feed a baby, and most of the actual wrong ways are not things you'll be doing (like not giving them enough nutrition, or giving a pureed sandwich instead of formula to an infant or something.)
Soon after my baby was born and it felt like everyone was fussing at me to do this and do that and don't do this and don't do that, I decided that I would be guided by the following principle: "Look at her! She's fine!" It helped me tune out the noise, even when the noise was coming from my own head, too.
Sitting...on the floor. This is better for me in the morning than sitting in my chair. It makes me stretch out my back and legs first thing in the morning.
Drinking...coffee without my usual cream, because that's the small thing I gave up for Lent.
Watching...my candle flicker. It's getting towards the end of the wax.
Happy...that I don't have to go in to sub today. I was scheduled to, but the teacher who put in for a sub accidentally requested the wrong month. So I'll be there March 25, but not today.
Thinking...about "Go Set a Watchman." I started it yesterday and am about 2/3 done. In the lives of the characters, this is the sequel to "To Kill a Mockingbird," except it was actually written before that, so it's been very interesting to note the differences between the two books and how Harper Lee changed her storytelling between them given that one is written from a child's perspective and one from a young adult's.
It's so interesting seeing the change in perspective on Atticus!
It feels very true to the experience of children growing up and seeing their parents not as the heroes of their youth, but as real people who don't always live up to that idealization of their children. So far, I think the book captures very well that feeling of disillusionment. I know some people were very upset that Atticus was "ruined" as a character with this story, but this is an adult book and everything isn't so black and white as it is in "To Kill a Mockingbird." In my opinion, that is consistent with the perspective, the lives of the characters, and even the realities of life in the South at the time.
I completely agree!
Morning, everyone!
Randomness... Today is a wonderful catch-up day here after some super busy days recently. Hoping to make some solid progress on work for my current class. Glad that my various part-time roles mean that pretty much every day's schedule is a little different. Hoping to see our two oldest sons at college briefly this weekend. Thankful for small signs of improvement in a family situation (not directly involving me, but my heart has been heavy about it). We can be thankful on Wednesday, right? 🙂
Have a wonderful day, all!
I am late getting to this since our microwave oven went kaput this morning. DH took it apart and pushed the fuse in (after testing it) and it is now back in business. I'm happy to have it working and not headed to a a landfill.
I just hung a load of laundry in our screened in breezeway. Our weather is similar to Kristen's and it may dry outside today. Not drying our clothes all the way makes them last longer, I think.
I am looking forward to a warmer day.
I like to eat legumes. They are purported to be good for you, high in fiber and protein. I often cook them from scratch, especially lentils. The Instant Pot is an excellent way to cook them and other legumes.
Chiquita is a very important office companion! She keeps an eye on the mouse
Right now I'm having a slightly crappy day and looking forward to getting home from work. I'm tired from going out last night, excited to go to bed early and aiming to get up early and go to the gym!
"[A]n eye on the mouse." Hah! Hope the rest of your day is better. ;-}
Haha thanks! I was hoping the joke would land! My day improved after putting on my pjs and watching Gilmore Girls lol.
My cat loved to be with me at the desk. He preferred my lap, or next to my keyboard. Oh how I miss his presence when paying bills and working on all the tedious things in life. He passed this summer. Hoping for a kitten in spring! So, yes, we truly love the kitty photos!
JDS, go to a local shelter and find your perfect kitten. They have so many available in the Spring.
I cracked up at the pictures of Chiquita on your keyboard cover. Cats have a knack for finding the most inconvenient places to be, and looking adorable while they do it.
Right now I am....
Annoyed that I couldn't finish Squardle. It's a challenging word search game. I WILL finish it later!
Waking up -- my ice coffee with creamer is helping with that. The coffee is left over from the day before yesterday, but was tightly stored in the fridge. The creamer is from Aldi.
Anticipating my day -- thinking about meals -- granola for breakfast? Beans, scrambled eggs and whole wheat toast for lunch? Can't even think about dinner yet.
Getting ready to check in with my recovering friend. I see she has texted me!
Feeling pretty satisfied with my life in retirement -- slow, easy mornings, lots of reading, interesting walks, time for all the little things I couldn't get to in my working years.
I finally threw my keyboard away. I too was tired of it peeling. You held out longer then I did!!
Lots of people report success with buying a decoy keyboard (thrift for a buck or two) and leaving it near the desk for their cats! Win win.
Right now:
I am eating a delicious breakfast bowl of carrots, edamame (let’s give it up for the legumes!), sautéed spinach with an over easy egg. And sweet chili sauce
I am minorly queasy from trying to get a splinter out of my right thumb with my left hand. I do not have great fine motor movement in my non dominant hand & I committed some butchery!
I am repeatedly jumping up & down to let my young dogs in & out. I need a dog door!!
Currently reading one pleasant & one technical book on my desire to do a deep dive into Buddhism for 2026.
Thinking about what I’ll wear to lunch & a matinee at our local playhouse. Grateful to friends who let me come along on their dates. I’m fine to go to plays solo, but I do enjoy the company
Ooh, I just checked out a cookbook from the library called Cool Beans by Joe Yonan. It might help you in your new era/freedom…I have learned a lot and gotten several excellent recipes just over the past few days.
Right now I am sitting in the living room with my husband while he listens to his radio. I finished coffee, and have been up, reading, since about 3 this morning. (Ugh, why can’t I sleep??) I’m also fixin’ (a nod to my Texas friend) to meet my neighbor for a walk.
Right now I'm waiting on my glucose test.
I loooove legumes. Standards for me include tofu/broccoli stir fry, minestrone, tomato-lentil soup, kasha and pasta with lentils, bean/cheese burritos (great in a packed lunch.) When I lived alone I ate a lot of vegetarian caldo verde (white bean/potato/kale stew,) and I'm a big fan of buying jarred curry sauces (like Pataks brand) and just adding chickpeas and vegetables, then eating with rice, cilantro, lime...so inexpensive! So easy! Oh, and I make a really nice quick ratatouille with leftover pasta sauce, chickpeas, and zucchini which I eat over polenta with lots of parmesan...no one else in my family likes that one lol
I would quite happily add lentils to things like cottage pie or bolognese but it would likely lead to a revolt in my house, so I don't. But legumes are fantastic. I always feel full but not sluggish after a beans + rice/corn/wheat meal.
I’m surprised you aren’t googling how to cover/replace keyboard pleather 🤓. I just love how interactive Chiquita is!
I love me some White Bean Quesadillas from Budget Bytes. She has a great bean repertoire!
https://www.budgetbytes.com/creamy-white-bean-and-spinach-quesadillas/
Right now I am sick of winter! 😉
Thanks for the recipe link. I'm going to try these (for something different to try).
We had a small ottoman with a peeling pleather top. I lightly sanded off all the vinyl skin and sealed the fabric underneath with some acrylic paint. We got a few more years out of it.
I also love beans. My mother was not a good cook and her idea of beans was watery, boiled to death green beans. As an adult, I subscribe to eating beans, greens and mushrooms frequently for great taste and nutrition. The other night I made vegetarian red beans and rice to use up a baggie of beans in tomato sauce from the freezer. It was yummy.
Have found 24 cents in the past few days. Baked another batch of carrot cake-style bran muffins for breakfast, which are loaded with goodness and so much cheaper than cereal.
Right now I am….
• Avoiding answering emails in my inbox. I’m feeling a little feisty after reading a few and I need to make sure my responses are kind – the answers in my head are less than kind right now.
• Enjoying the blue sky outside of my office window. I’ve been really lucky with the string of blue skies this month and my mood is really feeling it.
• Trudging my way through an audio book. I can’t decide if it’s the story or the person reading the audio book that isn’t doing it for me. I’m at the halfway point so I will continue on.
• Confused that one of my plants died. I’ve been tending to this little plant for years and it has been thriving but last week it took a turn and is now officially dead. Nothing has changed for this plant and I’m sad that I had to toss it this morning.
• Proud of myself for signing up to take a watercolor class. I don’t know anyone in the class and the art center is new to me.
Best wishes for a fun time in your watercolor class! WC is my favorite medium to practice. I hope it’s relaxing for you!
Right now, I am...
Watching: Star Trek: The Next generation with DS#3.
Hoping: that we can increase nutrition today and do more ambulation. Also hoping DS#2 has a less stressful night at work tonight!
Planning: to use leftovers for dinner, and very much looking forward to it!
Right now I am:
finishing up breakfast (cold brew from Dutch Brothers, Breakfast Baconator from Wendys)
thinking about some phone calls I need to make....set up my colonoscopy (oh joy NOT!!) and find out if I'm eligible for a program through my utility company
Listening to the crazy cat being crazy (and I wouldn't have it any other way, he is great company and amuses the heck out of me on a daily basis)
Wishing my tax refund (2K) and a small amount from the state of Oregon (money that was owed to my father) would show up already ROFLMBO patience is not my strong suit
Considering some decluttering, tidying, cleaning, and shopping for a new (or at least new to me) clothes dryer
I wonder if putting coarse sandpaper or something sticky such as contact paper (taped sticky side up) would deter her. They are both temporary and low cost. Of course, if one of those does work, she'll try to sit on your arm. Cats gotta cat.
Or hmm, aluminum foil? I have seen that really spook cats away.
We had a cat who liked to turn on a clock radio during the night. We tried covering it with foil to discourage him. He balled up the foil and made a toy out of it.
Right now I'm remembering when we got 36 inches of snow overnight in Center City Philadelphia and the snow plows had nowhere to move the snow so they began dumping it over the Schuylkill River Bridge until it looked like a ski slope and the EPA made them stop.
RNIam...
Watching the fog lift in purply-pink puffs up against the coast range. After chores this morning I walked with a neighbor and another neighbor joined us. He is a great guy who just retired @ 80 and his wife still works. He is a brilliant sweet guy.
Set Pizza rolls and focaccia bread on the mantle to rise.
Put the recycling in the truck to get rid of on my way into town.
I have the same keyboard, I removed the wrist rest and cut up a yoga mat and glued in place. I pick up yoga mats for $1 @ garage sales to use in the garden, to winterize my standing spigots in the garden, stand on them in the greenhouse.
My uncle is delivering a unit of peppermint compost this morning...I love using it as mulch around my little plants in the gardens.
Making osso buco, polento, roasted broccoli and focaccia for community dinner tonite with cheesecake bars for dessert. It is a potluck. I got the shanks for barter for setting up his mom's room and bathroom for her recovery at home as her experience at the assisted living rehab was horrendous.
Happy Wednesday to all!
Right now I am waiting for kids to be finished with lunch. It was a lackluster lunch of leftovers. Unappealing leftovers. But we ate them. And the kids will get some cookies later.
I had hoped to type my "right now" earlier, but our computer crashed. Somehow my husband was able to resuscitate it and promptly print off his sermon for tonight and passwords we would lose. And back it up, I think. I stay out of technology stuff. I hate it. A new computer is already ordered. We knew this was going to happen soon because there were signs we tried to ignore. (If I'm silent for a while around here, it's because I don't like typing comments on a device that's not my computer.)
My son also bought his first computer today. Lots of money spent today! He bought one that meets the specifications for the college program he is interested in. I REALLY hope he gets a scholarship or two that he applied for. I would like to see him go to his first choice for college.
And right now I am also waiting to hear from my husband when a funeral will be. He is at the funeral home with the family. This will change our plans for the week probably, and I'm okay with that.
And right now right now I am deciding whether to "Block all AI enhancements" on my Firefox browser that Mozilla's new CEO decided were necessary to have Firefox "evolve into a modern AI browser" and had automatically installed on everyone's browser overnight.
I hate that there's some AI summary at the top of some of my gmails. Like PLEASE, I know how to skim an email. So stupid.
It's the "hallucination" problem that has me at "no thanks". It's hard enough separating fact from fiction without an AI bot chiming in.
Hi Kristen-I was able to turn that off in my Gmail settings. I can't remember the steps, but I think I googled something like "turn off AI summary in Gmail" and found the steps. Really appreciate you, by the way!
Yes, I need to poke around and do that because it is so annoying!
Right now, I am at the library since my computer died and I keep losing what I try to type on my TracFone.
Right now:
-- my leg is hurting. It felt better late last night until I got up to go to the bathroom and almost fell. I told my boss yesterday that if he knew how much my leg hurt, he'd rush me to the hospital and tell 'em to amputate.
-- I'm looking up acupuncture doctors. The M.D. and the chiropractor and massage therapist have not cured the leg problem, although my back no longer hurts.
-- I'm going to call up the League of Women Voters' voters guide and research the candidates and then go vote early.
--I'm happy today is going to be my day off because I could not work my entire 4 hour shift yesterday.
--The library is taking a poll about how we like our chili, with beans or without beans. Being a true Texan, I vote for the latter. Although dumping beans in it is a frugal way to stretch the meat and I have often done that. The "with beans" votes area leading right now.
sending you love and hugs and hope.
Anita, thank you. I had to end my library time bc I was hurting a lot. I'm back home in bed putting ice on my leg and I made an appointment with an acupuncture doctor ah hour from now.
The closest 'spiritual successor' to the old MS natural is probably logitech's Ergo K860. Not the cheapest keyboard (about 150 on amazon new), but if you're going to keep it another 10+ years it might be worth it.
I wholeheartedly disagree, people who don't like legumes are weird and definitely not good people. (Half kidding, please don't anyone come after me!)
Right now I am . . .
Working on a "job talk" for an on campus interview next week. The job talk is where you present your research, and it is a central part of an academic interview. I am very lucky to have TWO on campus interviews.
Annoyed that I must have missed the list for on campus interviews on the two other jobs for which I did first-round interviews. Both those jobs are closer to home. I'm trying not to emotionally spiral at the state of the academic job market. I keep getting so close but still missing out on job after job.
Cold. We have made it so far through a very cold winter. And I know today is supposed to be warmer, and there are some really beautiful days ahead. Maybe it is my emotional state, but I'm cold and feel like I will be cold forever.
Experiencing jealousy of a friend who was just diagnosed with breast cancer. Weird, I know. I am three years into my breast cancer journey. Every time I think I am out of the woods a scan looks bad or I have a life-threatening side-effect of medication or I get a medical bill in the 1,000s. I'm tired of fighting cancer. I'm glad I'm alive. I'm glad I have health insurance so that my bills are in the 1,000s and not the 100,000s, but I can't help but envy someone whose doctors followed "you have cancer" with "but we caught it early."
Planning to keep going. With my cancer treatment. With the treatment for my cancer treatment. With my job applications. Despite feeling discouraged, all I can do is keep going.
Sending you a hug. You have done an amazing job of keeping on despite the cancer side quest, and I cheering you on. But at the same time, it is ok to be tired or frustrated or just over it. It's a big deal.
Much love to you!
Can you cover the rotted pleather with black electrical tape, or that vinyl stuff they advertise for covering chairs? I have used tons of black electrical OR black duct tape on cracked, nasty pleather desk chairs. 🙂
There are so many curves involved, I'm not sure I have the skill required to make this a comfortable typing surface!
i am sure that you can figure it out. u r AMAZING. but you have fun $. so why bother?
Chiquita is so grateful for her plexiglass perch, and she is aggravated that SHE is denied entrance to her office!! (she owns you. You know that!😋)
I agree with you - so many delicious foods a certain someone wouldn't eat (certain veggies and dairy), and so many gross things he loved (sausage, keilbasa, spicy foods)
I'm grateful my menu is now dictated by MY healthy choices (lean meat and poultry, veggies, whole grains and the occasional splurge).
Been reading your posts since early this year, and enjoy your frugal, tasty and thoughtful musings - as well as those from your readers!
Thanks for a you do!
Any future husband of mine needs to be into veggies at a bare minimum. Legumes would be a bonus. 😉
Kristen, this would make for a very funny dating profile or personal ad!
“48, F, in search of man who eats vegetables.” Hehe.
yesterday no chiquita photos today 3. yay yay yay. is there a shelley photo in our future. hope so.
Right now, I’m impressed that legumes were not a cornerstone of your past frugal meal plans!
Right now, I’m leafing through a slow cooker cookbook that has an Indian focus. There are lots of legume recipes to try! I found it on the free shelf at the library.
Right now, I’m in the “cooling down” portion of the yogurt making process. I’m trying to stay alert because I hate it when I let the milk cool too long!
Right now, I’m happy that my daughter called from college “just because”.
Right now, I’m grateful to have a fire burning in the fireplace.
Just wondering whatever happened to the old house you found so many treasures in? Was it rehabbed? Is it a home for someone now. Just curious...
Yes, it's all rehabbed now! My brother is renting it out as an Airbnb. 🙂 If you have Instagram, you can see updates here: https://www.instagram.com/treasure_haus/
Regarding Chiquita--is there a way you can put your monitor on top of the plexiglass shelf and then your keyboard underneath it? I have a similar set up, my DH made a wooden stand for my computer which is a CPU/tablet/screen thing, and i put my keyboard underneath the stand, also to keep a certain Commodore Fluffington from stepping on it.
Those chickpeas look amazing!
My husband and I do not care for beans (for me it's a texture thing), but for some reason our kids love them. Go figure.
I have gotten to where I can handle some beans in chili or soup, but not too many. They're cheap and good for you, I wish I could do better at eating them.
Those keyboards are definitely not for everyone, and I imagine it would be very hard to switch. When I worked as a 911 operator, we would often jump on each other's consoles if the phones were going crazy.
One coworker had one of those keyboards she would use for her shift, and if I tried to use it I'd go from typing 130 words a minute to barely being able to type a thing. And she was the same if she had to use a regular keyboard. Hopefully you found a good replacement!
Buy another plexiglass thing. Place it over your old keyboard, right next to your new keyboard. Maybe your cat will move.
My husband has that same keyboard and he recovered the fake leather part with some scraps of real leather. If you look at it closely you will see how to take it apart.
Could you decopauge the keyboard where it is peeling, or even paint over it and seal it?
Right now, I …
* have finished reading 63 comments
* am sitting in my recliner with my feet up, drinking a cup of coffee along with a baked treat from the freezer to celebrate having hit 119 degrees of flexion at the 5-week post TKR this morning in PT
* enjoying a bit of sun through the window after many days of gray, dreary rain … grateful not to be digging out from the snowstorm having lived in those climates previously
Maybe when you get your new keyboard you could give her the old keyboard and place it beside you letting her have her own office. 😊
A person I used to live with *ahem* also refused to eat legumes, and he specifically hated it when I cooked chickpeas in the crock pot. When we first separated, I cooked a big 'ol pot of chickpeas, and reveled in the knowledge that he wasn't around to gripe about the smell. Freedom!
Sometimes, there are nice little side effects to a split. And it is no sin to enjoy them. 😉
Right now I'm finishing up a tea and going through some mail.
I tried to post her earlier a couple times that it wouldn't take my post.
I hate when I forget something from the store. I saw you forgot bread. I saw a cute recipe for Crock-Pot bread on Pinterest that I may try. It was a simple white bread and took regular flour.
I got back from a shopping trip to Walmart and feel like I've saved quite a bit of money there I've switched from shopping family at Kroger to Walmart because they're cheaper on a lot of things I buy on a regular basis. Plus you can get cash back at the register when you shop for free. Kroger charged a fee so I never did that. Being able to do this saves me a trip to the ATM. I may still shop at Kroger and other stores for some meats on sale, but I've been impressed with Walmart. I just never really compared grocery prices there before until I checked a couple things and saw they were much cheaper. And then I really started looking at more things and made the switch. If I do buy things from Kroger it will be on Tuesdays when they get 5% back for seniors or on weekends when they often offer double points that we use for gas.
I hope you enjoy your new legume-laden life! They’re the best! I highly recommend air fried lentil tofu, it’s so easy to make and my whole family loves it. And on TikTok search for “Dense Bean Salad”—they’re all delicious!
Right now I am thinking about the fact that I am 69 and watching cartoons. I'm also thinking about the fact that I don't give a squat when anybody thinks that I am watching cartoons.
And also thinking that now I need to go find a recipe for marry me chicken with chickpeas or some other legume.
Also thinking that I need to go out and pull up the potatoes that are ready out of the raised garden bed.
I'm actually more focused on the cartoons. I Am a huge Phineas and Furb fan on Disney and have been since they premiered in 2007, ran for 7 seasons. And, finally, released new episodes in 2025. Considering the sun is about to set and it's going to be back in the 40s tonight, the potatoes can wait until tomorrow.
Now I'm thinking that you all have a wonderful evening.
Chiquita, good kitty, nice perch.
Ha Ha
...getting ready to roll out pizza dough and assemble a salad for dinner...listening to the local news and watching the 5 pm traffic roll by.
...happy that I have a basic menu planned for the next 5 days!
...thinking I also need to up my legume AND curry game ...
Hi Kristen! I just wanted to mention that when looking at the first two Chiquita pictures, I hadn't even noticed the peeling keyboard! In case that relieves any embarrassment 😉
Right now I am
- grateful for a fridge full of leftovers
- looking forward to more sunshine and warmer temps as Spring approaches
- trying to find ways to bring more balance/less work
I wonder if you could patch it w some fabric and glue.... I'd trim and shave the excess that's loose.
I love beans-delicious, economical and nutritious! Our favorite use of beans is in soups, burritos or with rice. I use pretty much any kind of bean (dried or canned) we have on hand. I recommend using a pressure cooker for dried beans.... so much easier than soaking and cooking for hours. My family loves beans as well, they just have to remind me that having them for more than 2 days in a row isn't a great idea.
RE: lentil recipes. My fam really likes a random lentil burrito bowl recipe I cobbled together, and it freezes and reheats gets for work meals. It’s a good mix of veggies, carbs, and protein, and it keeps me from hitting the Taco Bell drive though 🙂
1) I cook dry lentils (the green kind, but I’m sure any would be good) in my instant pot with better than bullion beef broth instead of plain water.
2) Then I make up a batch of taco-bell style beef using the recipe from fav family recipes (https://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/taco-bell-meat/). I like to add a finely chopped onion to the meat when sautéing, as another veggie.
3) I cook up a batch of rice and mix in some chopped spinach while it’s hot to wilt.
4) I assemble the burrito bowls in individual, freezer safe containers: a scoop of rice, a scoop of the lentils, and a small scoop of the ground beef. Once cooled, I add some shedded cheese and pop the bowls into the fridge or freezer. When ready to eat, I reheat in the microwave and add some hot sauce, avocado, pico, etc. So good!
Chiquita is a Queen! I love that cat!
Right now I am
*starting the retirement planning, which is nerve wracking
*getting ready to go get my respirator fit testing and then I will be done for another year
*thinking of what I want to eat for lunch today
*enjoying the autonomy, freedom, and peace of single life and looking for allll the silver linings I can.
Right now I might be regretting not taking 4 hours of PTO when asked if I wanted to leave early from work. I am already here so it would be better to called off before I got here, but since I have book club at my house Saturday, I could be tidying up etc. to get ready.
I remember my husband arguing with our cat over the keyboard one night. He got up to refill his drink. She walked across the keyboard and the screen magically turned sideways. It was awesome! He was so mad and it took a while to get it flipped back
He was mad but i thought it was so funny. I had to leave the room!