Friday, March 20, 2020

Seven Days a Year: Fly on the Wall

Welcome to a monthly Fly on the Wall group post. Today 5 bloggers are inviting you to catch a glimpse of what you’d see if you were a fly on the wall in our homes. Come on in and buzz around my house. At the end of my post you’ll find links to this month’s other participants’ posts.

Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


We should all have the right to some level of privacy. I hate the way nothing you do anywhere online is private. Nothing. FB is the worst. They use anything we say, not just on their site but anywhere online to market to us. It's not only creepy that they know everything I do, it's exceedingly intrusive.

Nothing is sacred. Like I had a post in my news feed from FB telling me (by name) that I should click on their link to see what medical tests are suggested to me at my age. Seriously, get your nose out of my personal business.

So I have been inordinately happy to see them screwing up lately. First I had multiple posts from them in my news feed telling me (by name) when I had to register in order to vote in the Ohio primary. Where I don't live. And never have.

Then they told me on my Baking In A Tornado page how well my recent FB page ad was doing. But I hadn't placed one. And never have.

In my mind I see their algorithms, sick of being used to harm people, forming a algorithm coalition and revolting against those cruel FB masters. Wouldn't that be great?



Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


Anyone who's read me for a while has heard quite a few stories about the little red BMW that PurDude took from me the day he got his license. He loved that car and drove it to the ground.

But oh, that kid and that car. He had more flat tires than I can even begin to count. Or want to remember. He was 10 hours away, which made the logistics difficult, but I felt like I was constantly putting new tires on that car.

In June I signed the title over to him and he took that 15 year old car, limping all the way, to a dealer and bought a new car. Six weeks later, he's out with friends and he send me this pic of his new car:
Flat tire on the Audi S5 | Picture property of www.BakingInATornado.com


Yup, flat tire. PurDude is living and working in Boulder now, his flat tires have become his problems (although I still stress when it happens).

Three weeks ago College Boy bought a new car. Just 3 weeks.

I sent this pic of College Boy's new car to PurDude:

Flat tire on the Passat SE | Picture property of www.BakingInATornado.com



With the message:

"I guess it's hereditary."


Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


I've said before that getting old really sucks. Especially for someone who enjoys writing. I sometimes have a hard time finding words and have to google either the synonym or a description to find the word I'm looking for. Recently, that took a new turn, using the wrong word.

I don't eat KFC because when I was in my teens I had some at a friend's house but didn't keep it down. Turned out I had the flu, but from then on I associated how sick I was with the food.

Recently College Boy came over with some KFC hot wings (breaded spicy wings). He left one on the counter and encouraged me to just try it. Eventually I did, and found it was mostly breading. When he later found the wing gone, he asked me about it:

College Boy: Did you try the chicken wing?
Me: Yes.
College Boy: What did you think?
Me: Honestly, that KFC chicken is only 10% chicken, it's 90% frosting. 
College Boy: Frosting? I hate to tell you this but whatever it is you ate, it wasn't the chicken wing I left on the counter.

I can almost guarantee I'm not going to live this one down any time soon.



Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


Although College Boy is young and able to grasp any word he wants any time he wants, every now and then he flubs up too.

He and I had an argument and I was feeling disrespected.

College Boy: What is it that you want from me?
Me: Well, a little respect would be nice.
College Boy: I do respect you.
Me: Yeah, right.
College Boy: Absolutely. Without a doubt. 365 days a week, seven days a year. Oh, wait a minute, I didn't say that right.
Me (both of us laughing): No, you said it right, that seven days a year one sounds on point.



Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics



In general I try not to go to any grocery store on the weekends. But when it comes to anything I may need at Walmart, never. I do have an evil plan to get what I might need from there, though. I send Hubs.

Last weekend he was going out and asked if I needed anything. The store he was going to was right next door to Walmart, so I told him to get me some Panko crumbs.

When he got home, we were talking about his trip:

Hubs: You're not going to believe this 
Me (interrupting him): Is this about Walmart?
Hubs: Yes.

Me: Oh, I'll believe it. Doesn't matter what you say next, you can bet your ass I'm gonna believe you.



Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Chive Sauce are marinated, crusted chicken breast pieces baked and served with a creamy chive sauce. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dinner

Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Chive Sauce
Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Chive Sauce are marinated, crusted chicken breast pieces baked and served with a creamy chive sauce. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dinner


Speaking of Walmart. . .

We had some warm weather over the weekend (this was 3 weeks ago, before the stores became a frantic mad house) but Sunday night a cold front came through and there was snow on the ground this particular Monday morning. I needed something at the store so put on my winter coat and ran out to Walmart.

The woman who got in line behind me was wearing PJs. No coat to cover it up, she was wearing those PJs loud and proud. And I'm not talking about those pants people try to pretend are lounge pants (you're fooling no one, btw), but an actual set of PJs. I mean pants, with a matching button down top with lapels. And flip flops. At 9:30 am. Buying only one item, a gallon of wine. 

I was putting the groceries in my car when she came out of the store. 




And don't think for one minute that I'm shaming her. Quite the contrary. Actually, I'm jealous.




Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

I was upstairs when I heard College Boy come in to the kitchen through the garage door.

Me (yelling down): Hi! I'll be down in a minute.
College Boy: Don't bother, I was going by and stopped to grab a snack. I'm heading back out.
Me: I don't even get to say hello?
College Boy: You broke my heart.

Me: Huh? How? What did I do?

I hear him go out the garage door and I head down to the kitchen and found this on the counter:

Broken heart | Picture taken by and property of www.BakingInATornado.com | #funny #FlyOnTheWall


I had made Big Heart Cookies. They were giant so I only ate 1/2 at a time and put the other half back in the tin. 

I guess he'd gone to grab a cookie and found half a heart.


Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


I was in the den watching TV and Hubs was in the office looking through our taxes file. I heard this buzz sound and couldn't figure out what it was. I got up to look around but it stopped. Next thing I know, our land line rang. We have a land line because I need a phone number to put on applications and orders and don't want a ton of spam on my cell. And it works too.

I checked the land line and PurDude was calling. Apparently the buzzing I heard was Hubs' cell that he'd left in the kitchen. When PurDude couldn't reach him, he called the land line knowing I don't answer it unless the call is from someone I know.


I handed the phone to Hubs, who gave me an inquisitive look.

Hubs: I didn't know this thing still worked.
Me: Yup. I ignore it every day.

Hubs talked to PurDude, then handed me the phone. He'd forgotten how to shut it off.



Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


I'd had a recipe idea rolling around in my head that just wasn't congealing. Once I had it, there was a concern about how it would come together. I ran it by College Boy and we talked it out. 

The next day I decided that I would just try it, if it worked out that would be great but if not, oh well.

Me: I decided I'm going to try that recipe today.
College Boy: I believe in you.
Me: Are you going to try it?
College Boy: I don't believe in you that much.



Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


  I walked in the house one afternoon and saw College Boy in the kitchen. When I asked what he was doing there, I got a snippy answer.

Me: Go to your room.
College Boy (laughing): I'm not a child, and I don't live here.
Me: I don't care. Go to your room.
College Boy: Fine.

He goes up to his room, turns on the TV, takes a nap and gets up just as I'm finishing making dinner.

Yeah, that whole "go to your room" thing doesn't work quite the way it used to.

Now click on the links below for a peek into some other homes:

Never Ever Give Up Hope  
Menopausal Mother 
Spatulas on Parade
Medicated Musings 



Baking In A Tornado signature | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics






Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Chive Sauce
                                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Ingredients:
3 large boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup Garlic Parmesan salad dressing
1 clove minced garlic
1 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 cups Panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 stick butter

2 TBSP butter
2 TBSP flour
2 TBSP dried chopped chives 
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup chicken broth 
2 TBSP cooking sherry
1/2 cup sour cream

Directions:
*Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise so they are the same size, just thinner pieces. Cut each of these in half and place in a resealable plastic bag.
*Mix together the salad dressing and the minced garlic. Pour into the bag with the chicken, manipulate so the dressing covers all the chicken and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 X 13 baking pan.
*Mix the bread crumbs and grated cheese together on a plate.
*Remove the chicken from the bag. Sprinkle with the garlic powder, coat on all sides with the bread crumb mixture and place in the prepared pan.
*Melt the butter and drizzle over the chicken. Bake for 30 minutes, turn the chicken pieces over and bake for another 15 minutes.

*While the chicken is cooking, melt the butter in a saute pan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, chives, salt and pepper, cooking and whisking for 1 - 2 minutes or until it browns. Whisk in the chicken broth and sherry and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and whisk in the sour cream just until hot. Serve over the cooked chicken.

23 comments:

  1. This will be a nice recipe for when chicken is again in our upstate New York stores, lol. Yes, it's the end of the world, but we must supply ourselves with TP and chicken and hunker down. Actually, foodwise, we aren't bad off. I'm actually eating less working from home (as of yesterday, although I'm off today) I have a feeling a lot of people will enjoy your recipe and I laughed out loud at the breading comment. Although, I have a vision in my mind that I can't unsee. Alana rambinwitham.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. In my (humble) opinion, frosting would probably have tasted better on that KFC. OK, maybe not.

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  2. Some funny convos at your house this month---thank you for the laughs! I'm not able to get chicken yet at my store, but when it's available again (if I can get some before the hoarders take it all) I want to try this delicious recipe.

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    1. Yeah, chicken and TP, who would have ever thought we'd be out of both of those at the same time?

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  3. Now that once again all the boys are gone, we have two empty rooms upstairs. I go and sit, one is now my craft/exercise room. I'd much rather it be J room, but alas they grow up.
    My aunt has a land line because she can never find her cell LOL
    Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade

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    1. It seems as though there's a silver lining to this social distancing thing. I think all of the telemarketers are staying home, my landline's been fairly silent.

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  4. These are the priceless moments of life. It would be nice to be able to stay in PJs all day, wouldn't it.

    We keep a "landline" also. It's a non smart phone that just makes calls, and i give that when they ask for a home phone. You are right about it protecting the cell from stuff.

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    Replies
    1. the landline strategy definitely works. I still get spam phone calls on my cell, but less than half as many as everyone else I know.

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  5. I love buzzing around your house! Yep. It looks as though flat tires run in your family. Or don't run. Or limp. I'm stopping now...
    When I see someone dressed like your fellow shopper, I can't help but remember how my mom went to the store. Clean dress. Hair done. Lipstick.
    It's like it was another world. Oh, wait. It WAS another world.
    Now I want to hear what happened to your Husby in WalMart!

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  6. No, go to your room doesn’t quite work the way it used to. They have television, games and their phones. However to his credit, he had respect for you and went to his room. Choose your battles.

    ReplyDelete
  7. My mum taught me to pick my battles, she said it was the key to surviving in life.

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  8. I applaud my daughter for the way she deals with 'go to your room' - it includes 'do nothing, no devices, just think about what you did and let me know what you figured out.' Something to that affect.

    Facebook has far too much power. Thanks for sharing your thoughts - bang on.

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    Replies
    1. I like that, your daughter took "go to your room" back to what it was originally meant for, to think through the issue and come up with a better way to deal with it.

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  9. My grandson wanted to join the Drama Club. When ask why he replied so I can be a Drama Queen. Boy does that fit when sent to his room, he slams the door and you would think the world had ended. 15 minutes, he is calm and charming. He can turn it off and on like a faucet.

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, it's all about the moment. They get angry quickly, but they get over it quickly.

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  10. Sounds like college boy can be a handful. Lots of great family dynamics and stories during isolation I'm sure.

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  11. I try to stay out of Walmart as much as possible. And yes, I realize I'm missing a lot of entertainment.

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    Replies
    1. I did grocery pick up there today (not meats, I have to pick them myself, but everything else) and it was a great experience. I may never go in again.

      Delete

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