All the going on!

Well, yesterday I posted about our new food delivery service, Hello Fresh, but there has been a lot of other things going on around here.  Let's catch up, shall we?

On Monday, October 9th, I took mom down to Gainesville for her six month check up with her surgeon.  For the most part it was a good visit - she is not as argumentative since she has been on her anti-depressants and it really showed at Dr. Pickens office.  He and I were able to talk without mom getting angry.  I told him about her diagnosis and he had some questions about it, but as far as her check up with him, all went well.

After leaving the doctor's office we went across the street to J.C. Penny's as mom wanted to return some under garments that she bought in February.  She didn't have the receipt and I told her they might not take them back.  Well, after waiting in line, the cashier told us that they would take them back without a receipt, but would only give her thirty cents per pair - they cost 3pair for $23.00.  I told mom that we would try and find the receipt and we left.  (Mom found the receipt when we got home, so that's something that will need to be returned at some point.)

Tuesday I had a CT Scan with contrast in Valdosta and a doctors appointment with the urologist after at 2:00.  I didn't realize that the CT was with contrast until after I got there - anyway, my appointment was at 11:00 and we didn't finish at the hospital until 12:45.  Dan and I went for lunch and then to the doctors appointment.  The preliminary report said that I have some small kidney stones but they should not cause an issue (not like the last time, thank goodness!)  Anyway, because I have had them before the doctor told me to quit taking my multi-vitamin, change my calcium supplement, and to drink lemonade.

Tuesday night we had dinner at a friends house to celebrate Bud's birthday.  I was really tired and after dinner Dan and I came home fairly early and I went straight to bed where I watched NCIS before drifting off to sleep.

Wednesday was my normal shift at the shop and then home to straightened up the house.

Thursday we attended the dedication  of the new pontoon boat here in the village.  Dan is the "captain" of the boat and I am the "first mate".

The boat is beautiful and Dan is always happy when he is on the water.

Friday and Saturday were quiet days here at home, watching football and doing a few projects here and there.

Sunday was church and then Sunday evening we had the first meeting for the Bethlehem and Beyond performance this year.  Bethlehem and Beyond is the live production of the life of Christ that we do here as part of the Christmas celebration.  Last year we only did the birth of Christ but this year we will portray Christ's life from birth to crucifixion.  Dan will be in the production, but I won't this year as it falls on Adalyn's birthday weekend.  I will go with him to rehearsals and help where I can behind the scenes, but I won't be in the production.

Monday, the 16th, I had my cystoscope (Sp??) in Valdosta with Dr. Chang.  I was really nervous about this test for several reasons but all turned out well and there are no issues with my bladder.

Wednesday morning was my shift at the store and Wednesday afternoon we had our first official trip on the new pontoon boat with the couple that donated the money for the purchase of the boat and several of their friends.  Dan really enjoys piloting the boat but bringing it back into the dock is a little tricky as we have to dock going WITH the current instead of AGAINST the current because of where the entrance/exit is on the boat.  It's fine and we have figured out how to dock without issues, but the first couple of times were a little different.  (Thank goodness we practiced before taking out anyone - hahaha!)

Thursday was busy, busy, busy!  First thing was Mom had a doctor's appointment here in the Village with Dr. G.  It was okay - but she has issues with women doctors.  While the beginning of the appointment was a little rough, Dr. G had her laughing toward the end.  

I had a Membership Council Meeting at 1:30.  I only have a couple more meetings to do before the new board takes over in January.  I'm glad I served but I will be happy when my term as secretary is over.

Then Thursday evening we had a themed Italian Dinner here.  We went with our friends Carol and Neil meeting at the Dining Room at 4:30.  Even though it was advertised that seating would begin at 4:30, it was closer to 5:00 before the doors were opened.  We were very impressed with the variety of food and the taste.  In fact, in my opinion, there was probably too much variety with a buffet line, a pasta saute station, appetizer station, and dessert station.  There was polenta with cheese and fresh basil and balsamic vinegar, meat lasagna with red sauce, spaghetti and meatballs , chicken Marsala, stuffed manicotti w/baby spinach, ricotta cheese, garlic, Parmesan cheese and marinara sauce topped with béchamel sauce, green beans, fried eggplant, roasted asparagus, Italian bread with infused basil olive oil.  The Pasta Saute station had prepared to order by shrimp or diced chicken in garlic cloves and butter tossed with bowtie pasta.  There was pesto Bruschetta, Artichokes Parmigiana and lemon Antipasto salad w/{prosciutto, assorted cheeses, olives, marinated artichokes, mozzarella balls and cherry tomatoes on the Appetizer Bar.  Finally, for dessert there was Chocolate cannoli w/ blueberry flavored cream-filling topped with walnuts, tiramisu, or raspberry sherbet.  So, so much food!

Friday we spent in the garage and workshop.  I cleaned the garage while Dan worked on his work area.  We donated a large black buffet that we bought when we redid the house on Lime Road in Lake Placid.  We had been dragging it from house to house ever since, not really having the place for it.  We thought it would fit in Dan's work shop but it just wouldn't work - so, we finally donated it.  Now my car doesn't beep at me nonstop when pulling into the garage.  Everything is nice and neat again - but it will only last until the next project is started.  Which might be really soon as we finally got the approval to build the pergola.  (Dan and I went lumber "shopping" today)  I would really like it finished by Christmas, but if we don't get started soon that won't happen.

Friday night we went down to Sonny C's in Mayo for dinner - ribs!  Yummy!  I was really bushed by the time we got home, so I changed into my PJ's and vegged out on the couch watching football until bedtime.

Saturday we went out for breakfast before heading home for an afternoon of college football.  I put chili in the crock pot for dinner and we had leftovers for lunch.  There was some good football games on Saturday (Roll Tide!) and it made for a really lazy day.

Sunday we went to church, the dining room for lunch (not impressed - I'm not sure how the same crew can have such a marvelous dinner on Thursday night and a ho-hum lunch on Sunday - just boggles my mind).  Came home and watched a football game before heading back up to the dining room for our Pal night.  We had our trip into town with our Pal - going to the Dollar Store and buying things for their Operation Christmas Child shoebox.  After our shopping excursion, we came back and packed our box before having a pizza dinner.  We started our get together at 3:30 and we were back home by 7:00.  We finished the night watching some more football before I fell asleep on the couch.  Dan just covered me up and let me sleep, knowing that if he woke me up I'd be up the rest of the night.

Today we went back down to Mayo to try a new to us little place for breakfast.  It was okay, but we probably won't go back - among other things the grits were cold and price was too high for what you got. Oh well, you don't know if you don't try - right?    Then we started looking for the lumber Dan will need for the pergola.  It was soooo much fun walking around lumber yards in the rain. First a place in Mayo (the reason we tried the new breakfast place), then into Lowe's in Live Oak (did pick up a few things), and then to Howlands - a locally owed lumber yard.  This is probably where Dan will get his wood as they are actually cheaper than Lowe's and actually has what he wants, plus the delivery charge is much less than what Lowe's charges.  It doesn't hurt that it's a locally owned business either.

Speaking of rain, we are suppose to have some cooler weather arrive in the next day or so.  It won't last - but at least it is the beginning of cooler weather.  I might see a fire in the fireplace in the, not quite so distant, future.  (fingers crossed).

Well, that's pretty much has caught you up. 

Until next time!

Carol

 

Hello Fresh

A couple of weeks ago when we were in Lakeland, I talked about my daughter and son in love cooking us dinner and how good it was.  Well, it was from one of those mail food services, you know what I mean?  These services pack up everything you will need for three meals and ship everything to you all fresh and ready to cook - right down to the meat.  Well, we were really impressed and we decided we would give it a try.  My older daughter also uses this service and she had sent me an email with the first three meals free - so we decided to order and see how it was.

I went online and set up our account and the first shipment was set to arrive on Friday.  We decided that wasn't a good day for us and changed the arrival to Monday's, but because I didn't go in and change it in time,  the first box came on Friday.  

So, the first three meals were:

Figgy Balsamic Pork with Roasted Green Beans and Rosemary Potatoes

Beef Ragu Spaghetti with Zucchini, Parmesan, and Pepperolio

Dan told me that this was the best spaghetti he has ever eaten (he almost didn't tell me because he didn't want to hurt my feelings - ha ha!)

Southwestern Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef, Quinoa, and Monterey Jack Cheese

The second delivery (on Monday) was:

Chicken Pineapple Quesadillas with Pico de Gailo and Southwestern Spices

      (which I forgot to take a picture of)

Cherry Drizzled Pork Chops with Tomato Couscous Salad which Dan fixed because I had a horrible migraine headache that day - so again no picture.

and 

Winner Winner Chicken Orzo Dinner with Cheesy Roasted Zucchini and Tomato

(We had a visit from the fire department on this dinner because the fire alarm went off for NO reason - you can tell nothing is burnt - but it did make for a little excitement!)

Our third shipment (last Monday) consisted of:

Pineapple Poblano Beef Tacos with Lime Crema, Cilantro, ad Warm Spices

Carolina Barbecue Chicken with Quick Stovetop Mac 'n' Cheese and Green Beans

Adobo Loco Steak
with a Poblano Corn and Crispy Potato Hash

Now, all the pictures above were taken with my phone after I had plated the dinner's and put them on the table so the quality of the pictures are not that great, but the quality of the meals is excellent. 

Dan and I have really enjoyed these meals - they are quick to prepare (30 - 40 minutes), they provide everything you need (the only things I have had to use from our pantry is olive oil and a couple of pats of butter),  we don't have to worry about portion control, but as you can see there is plenty of food, and everything is FRESH!  I love that we are cooking with fresh ingredients instead of processed stuff - fresh vegetables, and fresh spices.  We are eating things that we probably wouldn't have eaten otherwise (couscous, orzo, quinoa), but everything has been delicious!  I'll be perfectly honest - the only meal that I probably wouldn't fix again is the stuffed peppers - not because they didn't taste good, they did, but I'm just not a stuffed pepper fan.  I did eat almost all of one pepper and then I took the stuffing out and ate it and left the other pepper.  Dan and I like that we don't have to worry about three meals during the week - and we usually eat out at least once a week - so I only have to figure out something else a couple of nights.  The price is reasonable at just under $10.00 per person, per meal - so $60.00 a week for us.  We have lots of meat in the freezer - so for the couple of days we don't have Hello Fresh I have meat here.  I just have to pick up a few fresh vegetables and we are set for the week.  We are actually saving money in our grocery budget - a definite win/win in my book.  Also, if you have been reading this blog for any length of time you know that cooking is NOT my favorite thing to do, but with this Dan and I are working together to cook dinner and it's actually been fun.  That in itself should be a reason to stay with this service!

We received our new shipment today and we'll be having salmon tonight, and chicken and beef later in the week.

I guess this post has turned into a post for Hello Fresh, but I really just wanted to let those of you that read this know how good this service is.  I am not being compensated by Hello Fresh at all (I wish),  just really impressed with them.  In fact, we had tried another service about a year ago and just didn't like the food choices and canceled after two weeks.  If any of you that read this would like to try Hello Fresh for free (one week) just let me know and I can send you a link for your first week - I would get a discount on my next order if you try, even if you decide it's not for you, but I don't know why it wouldn't be - ha!!  Anyway, if you are interested, just let me know.

Tomorrow I'll do a post letting you know what all has been happening, other than cooking.  Until then - 

Carol

Lakeland

Hi everyone!  Hope you all have had a great week.  I thought I would let you know what Dan and I have been up the past week.

A couple of weeks ago Dan and I were sitting in the family room, probably watching TV or playing on our Kindles, when Dan looked over at me and said "I miss my girls".  I told him that I could have a suitcase packed in half an hour - but he had a more level head and said "How about the weekend?"  So, I texted my daughter to make sure they didn't have anything planned and told her we MIGHT be down on Friday.  I was suppose to call her the next day, but I didn't because Dan didn't feel well on Thursday and I wasn't sure we were going.  But Friday morning, while sitting on the back porch, we decided we would head down after lunch.  

I went over to Mom's and made sure she was good for the weekend - had food in the house and everything handled for the couple of days we would be gone.  Then I came home and packed for us while Dan got the stuff together for the dog.  We were on the road by noon and decided to go the more scenic route instead of the interstate.  We made it down to Melissa's by around 5, but the girls weren't home yet - and they didn't know we would be there.  Well, my son-in-love pulled into the driveway and they girls were like "Who's car is that?"  All of a sudden, Lorelai figured out it was my car and Justin said they were throwing their seat belts off and trying to get out of the car.  They came running in the house yelling "Nannnnnna" - sure did make this Nana feel GREAT!!!!  Then I told them to go look in the living room and then it was "P!"  It sure was great seeing those sweet faces!!!!

We ended up going to Beef's for dinner - they have a game room that the girls can play in until their meal gets there and the adults can actually talk. So, after dinner we went back to the house to get ready for Saturday.  Melissa had to take her car into the Ford dealership to have some work done and Dan decided it would be a good time to drive down and look at "new to us" cars.

Saturday morning we were up fairly early - and down to Bartow we went.  Everyone went in their separate vehicles and I guess it was a good thing.  Dan and I ended up spending the better part of the day at the dealership doing all the paperwork that is required when you buy a vehicle.  Dan has never been happy with the Escape - he tried to make it work - but it was just too small for him.  He always felt like he was in a sardine can.  Anyway, we bought a new to us 2016 Ford Explorer.  It probably has more bells and whistles on it than we really need  (heated back seats????), but it does have some of the things that we wanted - back up camera, navigation and leather seats.  I really like it and I think Dan is happier now.

Saturday afternoon we went to see Dan's girls and visited for awhile.  It was good to see them and that they didn't have any storm damage other than one magnolia tree that my dad planted came down at Dana's house.

Saturday night Melissa and Justin cooked dinner for us - it was really good, the girls ate a good meal and so did we.  The kids are getting a meal service called Hello Fresh and it was one of the meals from that they supplemented.  Actually it was so good that we signed up for the service ourselves once we got home.  We got our first shipment yesterday, but I'll tell you about it a little later.

We got up Sunday morning and had some coffee and donuts before loading up the car and heading home.  We came home via the scenic route again. After getting home an checking on mom, I got the car unloaded and the clothes in the laundry.  Spent the afternoon watching football and finishing up the laundry.

This week has been a little slow getting ready for an onslaught of doctor's visits next week. Monday I finished up the "books" and getting all the stuff together to take to mom on her checking account.  Since I now do all her bills I make sure to have a bank statement and check register that balance so she knows where she stands monetarily. Tuesday was spent cleaning house.  We had a information meeting Tuesday night for the Information Booth at church - Dan and I will work at the booth every Sunday during the month of June, 2018.  Wednesday was my usual shift at the gift shop.  Thursday I had an Executive Board meeting at 2.  On Friday we had a check out cruise on the new pontoon boat before our first trip with passengers Friday evening.

We also had our first shipment from Hello Fresh come on Friday (I tried to change the delivery date to Monday, but I didn't get it on the computer in time for this shipment but all future shipments will be on Monday's).  I had planned on cooking dinner after the boat ride, but by the time we got back, got everything put away on the boat it was almost 7 PM - so we decided to go to the Village Cafe for supper.  Well, after ordering three different things and being told they "were out" - I just looked at Dan and said "Let's go home and have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich".  So disappointing!  Anyway, we came home and had a bowl of cereal instead.

Today was Autumn Fest at the Village Square.  There were some vendors, but I didn't find anything I couldn't live without.  Dan wanted to put the truck in the auto show, but was told he couldn't with a "for sale" sign on it.  Well, that's was the only reason he wanted to put it in the show - to maybe get some interested from people at the show.  Anyway, he just parked it close to the show, but we haven't gotten any phone calls on it.  I guess I'll probably put it back on Craigslist next week - and maybe even EBay.  We did buy some ribs which we had for lunch.  I'll do the first Hello Fresh meal today for dinner.

So, that's been our week.  Next week I have a doctor's appointment in Valdosta and mom has two - one in Gainesville and one here in the village.

Hope everyone has a good week!

Carol

Fall Home Tour

 Hi everyone!  Today is a new adventure for me - today I'm going to do my first ever Home Tour!  While I have shared some fall decorating on the blog before, I have never done an official home tour - so here we go.

Now, while the outside temperatures might still be in the mid 90's around here I can't help but hope that since October is showing up on the calendar that cooler temperatures can't be far behind.  So, with that hope in my heart I spent one day last week adding some fall décor to the house.  If you are looking for all the neutral fall décor that a lot of bloggers are using, you can just stop right here.  I don't do "neutral" - I do fall with all the colors that nature provides - orange, yellow, red. Of course I know that some people like all the white and pale colors, but not this girl.  If it's fall it's time for color!  I think you will find that all the décor this year is easy and simple.  Nothing fancy here. 

I moved the goose over to the entry way table and surrounded it with some fall foliage.

 Love putting in some fall scents in the warmer - just makes the house smell so, so good!

Added a lumbar pillow to the couch - we should always be Thankful, but now it's a great time to be reminded.  Changed out the candle on the coffee table and added some fall décor to the side tables.

I did some rearranging in the kitchen.  I have not been happy with the back wall in the kitchen for quite a while - it just seemed too cluttered for me.  So, all the cute little signs came down and a single picture was hung along with one sign.

Just seems so much calmer to me.

Used the wooden slice as a holder for a couple of fall candles - added a fun fall printable in a simple black frame and a faux pumpkin and the kitchen was done.

The breakfast nook area also received a little fall love.  

Not a lot - just a little ceramic pumpkin, some fall napkins, a nice candle, and a cute little squirrel on a pinecone.

Just a few little touches on the shelves - another ceramic pumpkin and a cute little scarecrow shelf sitter was all that was needed to add that little fall touch.

As we move into the family room the buffet got a little fall love also.  

Dan and I are loving our new plate rack that we hung over the buffet.  I ordered it online from IKEA and then Dan painted it this beautiful shade of green.  We were able to unpack the Wildlife dishes that had been packed away since we moved.

Add a pumpkin soup tureen, a "gourd" swan, a sweet smelling candle, and a candle topper to the top of the buffet.  Then a couple of wooded fall leaves along with the Burl wood bowl and the basket of pinecones and this little corner was done.

I kept the table really simple this year.  I ordered two of these table runners from Piper Classics thinking that they would go from side to side on the table, but they weren't long enough (guess I should do a better job of checking size next time), but the price was good and I was able to use the other one on the coffee table.  I just love the colors in the runner and even if it wasn't exactly what I had planned I am certainly happy that I purchased them.

The plates came from WalMart last year as part of the Better Homes and Gardens collection.  I paired them with my everyday white dishes, a napkin, and a woven design charger.

I love the colors.

The couch got a few new pillows -  A couple from WalMart, one from Kohl's, and one from Hobby Lobby.  The "throw" in the corner is actually a scarf from Amazon.

The coffee table I left pretty simple too - the second table runner, my wicker tray, some faux leaves, a Yankee Candle, a small pinecone,  and a faux pumpkin.  Easy and simple.