Monday, April 5, 2021

Monday Musings: This and That

I may have to start moving my walks to an earlier time, depending on the weather forecast. Today's high was eighty and I started my thirty minutes at ten thirty. I wasn't so hot I had to change as such, but I ended up with that itchy sweaty ankle syndrome thing from sweating into the socks as well as probably kicking up some dust in the process. So I had to remove said socks and shoes as soon as I got in the house and wiped my feet and went barefoot. Note: This is probably also a humid vs dry issue that I haven't adjusted to yet.

Today I was once again out and about among the people. I finally got my car cleaned both inside and out which had not been done properly since Texas arrival and got my final sticker for my car registration. I also actually walked into a grocery store for a few things, a new one for me. I even got Whataburger.  



Nary a speck on my carpet. For the moment!

Unfortunately said errands took so long that I did not get my chuck roast for the Italian beef sandwiches in the slow cooker until two, so I may be having eggs tonight and shredding tomorrow. (Boneless chuck, a couple large packages of dry italian dressing mix and the soda of your choice that is not diet. One can. Best served with provolone and whatever). I dont use the slow cooker when I am going to be gone but a few minutes. Call me paranoid. For the people who asked about pot pie in the slow cooker, scroll down way past the end of this post.

In the past few days, I've passed on two social things that I would have liked to go to. More on account of other commitments, but still. I hate to not be taking advantage of chances to get out and meet people, you know? But then again, how many people do I want to meet at one time?

The first one was the grand opening of our little community market that has farmers market stuff as well as local producers and makers and small businesses, and that was because of another thing I had to do on Saturday. The other was a small quilt guild get together today - It was six hours and wasn't ready to spend the day. I now know that I can come for the morning or afternoon, and will do that the next time. And this Saturday I'll probably try the community market! I fully admit I am walking a couple lines-one between the desire to socialize and the desire to go slow. The other my natural crowd avoidance thing that says stay home on the weekends and go out on the weekdays (obviously tough when stuff is weekend only, but I try to do Friday or Monday things when I can).

A group of mainly younger folks who work are looking at having a drinking and art or craft on the patio thing once a month. Depending on the place and the numbers I may join in.

I did tell my daughter yesterday at Easter dinner  that I was committed to dining out outside somewhere  for Mother's day, and I put the word out on my city Facebook group asking which places that had patio dining were both keeping the masking and distancing thing going, and would not look askance at just me and my book for lunch. Progress, progress.

My current project is deciding what to do with my patio and since big monthly shopping is a week from today, doing some deep diving searches. I have two very small trees that need heavy pots so they are stable in the wind, I need chair covers for my patio chairs, I want plants (hanging and otherwise. So I'm researching pots, looking at hanging brackets, deciding if I want lights on the patio railing or up above, and what decor if any I want on the railing itself.







Being maker me, I'm also looking at a smaller version of some yard art stuff that I can put in pots to be decorative instead of in the ground. Painting and wood are definitely NOT my area (although I may have painted a bird house or sign or two in my day), but I am in love with the idea of a small (like two feet) version of something like the wood sign, and already have a vision of collecting beads and stuff to make plant stakes for all the pots. The garlands below were found on Etsy by some clients who would like something similar. These are not not my personal style as such, but I can see myself making something similar in bright colors for me. We'll see.

All of these projects may require a "completely honest" Pinterest project (or Etsy photo)  comparison. Me and the photos. Or not. Either way there are at least some supplies to be gotten.




Today will be a late night since the game doesn't start till almost nine PM my time. I hope Gonzaga wins but considering team histories, I won't be upset with the end result either way as long as it is a great game. For the women's side, once Arizona beat Uconn all was right with the world and that was all I cared about.

I now have a vision for my modern quilt as well as my summer quilt, so onward and forward!!!




Chicken Pot Pie in the Slow Cooker: Takes three and a half to four hours on high!

Note 1. If you are making veggies and cutting them up themselves, you will want to put them in with the meat. I don't do potatoes because one starch per meal is sufficient round here.

Note 2: This does use canned goods. I try and use the low sodium soups. But I dont own a salt shaker and rarely use salt even in baking (I use salted butter instead) so I am still within limits

Chop onions and celery and put them in the cooker. Lay chicken on top (I used four thighs, laid flat). I used one can of cream of chicken soup, one can of cream of mushroom soup and about a third of one of those "country gravy" packets. You would probably be fine with out the gravy, with jarred gravy or whatever. I use parsley and thyme for my seasoning and if I had it to do again would add a teeny bit of sage and or chives. I added half a cup of broth but would start with maybe less depending on the soupy-ness level.

Turn on high and walk away for about two to two and a half hours. Take out the breasts or thighs and cool enough to chop and put back in (I don't like shreds in stews). Stir well, add more broth if you think it needs it. Add vegetables if using frozen (I used a mixture that included beans, carrots, corn and peas).

Take it out when it's heated. I made biscuits during the last half an hour.

16 comments:

  1. I must be paranoid too because I won't leave my crock pot on if I'm going to be gone either. Same with the dishwasher or clothes drier.

    Love some of those plant decorations! Can't wait to see what you end up with for patio lights. I want those too and hope to find a solar powered set.

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    1. The dishwasher I'm okay with for some reason. But I live in the land of no basements.

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  2. I really like the bead decorations for pots. Since my washer failed and the water kept running and the dryer heated to the point of danger, I am paranoid and with good reason. The crock pot still scares me, but I do leave it on over night and for a bit when I am not home.

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    1. I'm gonna have to go get some buckets of beads...

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  3. Love the plant decoration! Super cute. I'm getting my second vaccine today, and am looking forward to having more protection. Both of my kids have orientation for school (required so they learn the new COVID safe ways) & then go back to school the week of the 19th. But, they are already playing sports, so I'll feel more protected after I get the vaccine. They are both teens, so the science indicates they can be spreading COVID, and they are not personally vaccine eligible yet.

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    1. I will be glad when the younger folk can get the vaccine.

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  4. The chicken pot pie sounds delicious and hands free. I love that kind of cooking some days.
    The pots and the plant markers are fantastic! The pots look like Mary Englebright porcelain. I feel a pot painting session coming on at my house.

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    1. Like I say. My painting will not be their painting, lol

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  5. I'm OK with leaving the crockpot on, but not the dishwasher, washer or dryer if I have to be out. We've all got something, don't we? LOL. That chicken pot pie sounds delish! I recently made one and will be blogging about it tomorrow.

    Deb

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    1. Good. I love seeing recipes especially from those who are better cooks than I!!

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  6. I love the yard art ideas. Google peace totems, and check those out. Texas weather does take some getting used to!

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    1. You-know-what, I've in Washington DC for 20 years so you would think I would be humidity trained. But after eight years of living in the land of drought, it's taking me some time..

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    2. I like the piece totems. But these would be smaller to go into planters unless I made them for others.

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  7. I'm looking forward to seeing your patio all dressed out in its finery and plants. It sounds like an oasis!

    The chicken pot pie sounds delicious. I do leave the crockpot on during the day - I used a lot when my kids were younger. Like your previous commenter I won't leave the washer or the dishwasher running, too afraid of a flood.

    Take care, stay well!

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  8. I don't worry so much about the slow cooker, I do worry about going out and leaving the washer running.... Has to do with a major water problem years ago with a washer hose.

    I love the beaded stakes.

    God bless.

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  9. I do not leave any appliance on if I am not here, including heater or air. I just shiver until house warms up when I get home for work, or just stay hot until it cools off after I turn on air in summer after I get home from work. , My house is really shaded and small, so even though I live in south central Alabama and it gets really hot in summer, I can do this. I do not currently have a washer, dryer, or dishwasher. I use the crockpot a lot, but only if I am here. I have heard of those exploding and catching on fire. I was home, and one of those electric plug in radiator looking heaters started to spark and caught on fire. I managed to yank the plug out and roll it out in the yard. It was very scary. I just do not trust appliances of any sort.

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