Friday, April 23, 2021

The Something Else Party: Fly on the Wall

 

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

 

Welcome to a monthly Fly on the Wall group post. Today 4 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.




 
We had put in an order for groceries. I had Doritos on my list, the hot spicy ones because those are the ones I like. I was planning to use them in a recipe and as a side dish with sliders.

When we got our order, the Doritos were there, but there was also a second bag, one we hadn't ordered. I tried them to see whether I might want to use them in the recipe instead of the hot Doritos, but they were a weird flavor and I didn't like them.

After I'd made the dinner with the Doritos in the beginning of the week and served them with the sliders later in the week, there were a few of the hot ones left. One afternoon I was sitting at the counter working on my laptop and finished them off. Hubs came upstairs.

Hubs: Oh, did you finish off the Doritos, I was just coming up to get some.
Me: There were only a few hot ones left, but I left all of the yucky ones for you.
Hubs: Oh. Ummm. Thanks?


Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics
 
There was a mass shooting at a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder last month, I'm sure you know that. If you read this blog regularly you know that I have a son who lives in Boulder. In the past, when speaking of shopping, I've told him he could probably find an item he was looking for at Walmart. He told me that they don't have one in Boulder. They have a Target and for groceries there's a chain called King Soopers.
 
So when I first heard about the shooting, I knew it was at a store my son had been to, and of course I was panicked. When I found him, I was relieved, then I felt guilty for being relieved, knowing that many families would end that day not relieved.
 
Although I was glad he hadn't been grocery shopping that day, I was also a bit perplexed at his go-to store for groceries:

PurDude: There are three King Soopers in Boulder, that's not the one closest to me.
Me: I didn't know there were 3, I just knew you'd mentioned King Soopers as a grocery store you go to.
PurDude: I've been there but it's really not where I shop.
Me: Where do you get your groceries?
PurDude: I usually go to Walgreens.
Me: Walgreens?
PurDude: Yes.
Me: For groceries?
PurDude: Yes.
Me: You eating bandaids for dinner these days? 
 

Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics
 
Even after all these years it's still a shock that when I am sarcastic with Hubs he doesn't get it, answers me seriously. I keep trying and he keeps not getting it.
 
Until now, apparently.
 
He was making himself a sandwich and was rattling his knife in the jam jar for an excessive amount of time, an aggravatingly long time. So, of course, I used sarcasm to get my point across.
 
Me: You sure you don't want to rattle that knife around inside that jar for another hour?
Hubs: No, I'm good.
 
Wait. No explanation about trying to get the last of the jam from the bottom of the jar? No literal answer to my sarcastic question?
 
Only took over twenty years but I think he finally gets me. I am so proud!


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

 
Cancel that whole "I am so proud" thing.
 
Hubs got a new lawn mower and was putting it together. Fortunately, since he's the opposite of handy, whatever that is, you just have to attach the handle part. He had done it when I went out to see how it was going.
 
Me: That handle bar looks really low.
Hubs: I know, there are 3 adjustments and this is the highest. 
Me: I think maybe that lawn mower is meant for kids.
Hubs: No, they don't make these for kids and . . .
 
And we're back to answering my sarcasm seriously. 
 
So, basically, in over twenty years, he got my humor once. And it was a fluke {{sigh}}.
 
Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics
 
 
Hubs comes up from the man cave to grab a snack. I'm sitting at the desk reading something on my iPad.

Hubs: What were you eating?
Me: Nothing.
Hubs: You've got spots all over your shirt.
Me: So you're saying I eat like a child?
Hubs: No, I wasn't saying you eat like a child. 
Me: Good.
Hubs: Ummm, so how did you get spots all over your shirt?
Me: I don't eat like a child, but I do bake like one.
 
Strawberry Pina Colada Galette, a rustic tart made with strawberries, pineapple and more, a dessert version of a summer cocktail. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dessert

Strawberry Pina Colada Galette
 
Strawberry Pina Colada Galette, a rustic tart made with strawberries, pineapple and more, a dessert version of a summer cocktail. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dessert


I know I'm easily amused, which actually works out well when you've mostly not left the house for a year. I've still got another 10 days or so before my vaccination reaches peak efficacy so I remain cautious. And continue to find amusement where I can.
 
I've written about it in past months, and this month again I've gotten a good laugh from grocery store online ordering systems. This time I was looking for peanuts. We like them in the shell, and unsalted. When I put "peanuts" in the search box, only raw and salted shelled peanuts came up. So I put "unsalted peanuts" in the search box. 
 
And a package of candy eyeballs came up.
 

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

 
I know you all know by now that I've been a Red Sox fan, pretty much since birth, grew up with box seats to all the home games.

Last year was an . . . how do I put this . . . unfortunate year for them. When they're doing well, I have more of a chance of seeing the games on one of the sports networks we have here in the Midwest. When they're having a bad season, I don't hardly get to see them at all.

I thought this year would be another bad one. They were swept in the season opener at home. But a miracle happened and they won the next 9 away games, including sweeping the team that had swept them at the start of the season. So I wasn't surprised when the next game was covered by the MLB network. 

They lost.

The following day:

Hubs: The Red Sox are on tv today. Don't watch.
Me: Don't watch? You know I love to watch them.
Hubs: But I don't think they like it so much.
Me: Huh?
Hubs: Yesterday was the first game you watched out of the last 10 games.
Me: I know.
Hubs: And they lost.
Me: You're saying I did that?
Hubs: I'm just wondering if we should chance it.

So apparently I'm a walking, talking (watching), "reverse the curse". In reverse.



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

 
 
I've talked often on this blog about having to change Hubs' diet drastically to lower fat because he has gallbladder issues. It's been a change for all of us, we miss throwing Rib Eyes or bacon wrapped Filets, marinated London Broil or Flank Steak on the grill (among many, many other changes.

You also need to know that College Boy and I love lamb chops on the grill. Hubs doesn't, so through the years I would buy lamb chops, I'd buy him a smoked pork chop and we'd all have something we like for dinner. He can't have the pork chops any more so I almost never buy lamb.

Over Passover, though, I decided to buy lamb chops. I marinated a beautiful piece of salmon (which we both love) to grill for him. As I'm putting taking the lamb chops out of the bag and putting them into the fridge for the next day, Hubs comes into the kitchen.

Hubs: Oh, that looks so good. I wish I could have a lamb chop.
Me: You don't like lamb chops. In the over 20 years I've known you, you've never wanted a lamb chop.

The next day, Hubs comes into the kitchen while I'm preparing the food for the grill.
 
Hubs: I wish I could have a lamb chop.
Me: Say it again and I'm going to put you in a Memory Care Center. 
Hubs: Do they serve lamb chops?
 
 

Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics
 
 
I had a running list on the desk in the kitchen of things I needed. It included items over the year (plus) that I've been isolating in the house, up to the present. I could safely go out again next week and needed to catch up on supplies. Hubs came into the kitchen as I was setting the list to the side of the desk calendar.

Hubs: What's that?
Me: A shopping list.
Hubs: For our groceries?
Me: No, this is a list I've been keeping of items that aren't food.
Hubs (looking at the list): Why is about 90% of this list alcohol?
 
Jeez, does this guy know me? Like, at all?

 
Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics
 
As I said, I'm almost at my 2 weeks post 2nd Covid shot milestone and will finally be going out. I'll continue to wear a mask and social distance because I'm neither ignorant nor selfish.
 
I have rarely left my property in the past 13 months, so I'm beyond excited to be out and about, feeling safe. It felt like an occasion that required a celebration. I decided to make a cake (of course I did) for the family and drop off a few pieces at friends' houses. Maybe I'd even get some balloons.
 
PurDude checks in with me once a day from Colorado. Mostly it's just FB PMs, but once a week or so he calls so I can hear his voice and have longer conversations. He called as I was planning my little celebration.
 
PurDude: Hi, Mom.
Me: Hi honey, nice to hear your voice.
PurDude: You too, what have you been up to?
Me: Well, at the moment I'm planning my coming out party.
PurDude: What?
Me: I'm planning a little celebration. After all this time I'm finally getting to come out.
PurDude: Coming out?
Me: Yes, from Covid isolation.
PurDude: Mom, do yourself a favor.
Me: What?
PurDude: Maybe call it something else? 
 
So now I'm planning a "something else" party. 
 
Which is fitting since my family often look at me, roll their eyes and mumble under their breath "she sure is something else."
 
Now click on the links below for a peek into some other homes:

Never Ever Give Up Hope  
Wandering Web Designer 




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





Strawberry Pina Colada Galette
                                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Ingredients:
1 can (8 oz) pineapple chunks
about 1/4# fresh strawberries
1/4 cup pineapple preserves
3 TBSP spiced rum (can substitute pineapple juice)
2 TBSP brown sugar
1 refrigerated pie crust
1/3 cup sweetened coconut flakes
1 maraschino cherry

OPT: whipped cream for serving

Directions:
*Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
*Drain the pineapples, gently press with paper towels to dry, then cut in half.
*Clean, hull, and slice strawberries.
*Whisk together the pineapple preserves, spiced rum (or pineapple juice), and brown sugar.
*On a piece of parchment paper that will fit your baking sheet, roll the pie crust to about 12 inches in diameter. Move parchment paper with the crust on it, onto the baking sheet.
*Spread about half of the jam mixture onto the crust.
*Spread the pineapple chunks and strawberries onto the crust to about 1 inch from the edges, then fold in the edger, creating an outer rim.
*Bake for 25 minutes. When removing from the oven, don't turn the oven off. Drizzle with the remaining jam mixture, sprinkle with the coconut, top with the maraschino cherry, and bake for another 15 minutes.
*OPT: Serve with whipped cream.

20 comments:

  1. So glad your son was not shopping at that King Sooper store! But your bandaid comment had me LOLing. Curious to hear about your hub's gallbladder issues---I just learned that I have a bunch of gallstones. No symptoms yet---but an xray revealed quite a few. I'm not sure what to do or what tp expect. We'll have to talk.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hubs is having surgery in June. He doesn't go about things the way I would, but that is the decision he's made. I kept him from needing it until he was fully vaccinated, which is a little bit of success at least.

      Delete
  2. Pain in my shoulder, gall stoned, tool out my gallbladder. The pain went away, I guess they knew what was what.
    My Grandson works in Downtown Birmingham. Anything happens, first message is to Nana, it was three blocks away. No my car is not in that parking deck. Be still my heart, I did walk by at lunch. Stay in, no walking.
    My hubs had no sense of humor, period the end. Whatever you said he took to heart. I had to have that one son that loved to tease. Dinner could be interesting.

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    Replies
    1. I get it about your husband, I'm glad you had at least one person to tease with.

      Delete
  3. A note: With enough cheese (or chocolate) sauce, even bandaids taste okay... Just FYI.
    Husbys are just a work in progress, aren't they? Mine has finally 'learned' to load the dishwasher. Oh I knew he could all along. It was just that his patented "you do it better" was starting to wear a little thin.
    Can't wait to see what you come up with using candied eyeballs...
    And if you're a 'reverse the curse' in reverse. Are you just a curse?
    Happy 'Something Else' day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Apparently I reversed the reverse of the reverse of the curse 'cause I watched them again and they won. So now I'm just plain good luck.

      Delete
  4. This really sounds delicious. My local Walgreens really is like a small grocery store. Seriously. It sells just about everything but wine and liquor (NY State doesn't permit that), meat and fish, if you don't mind having a limited choice of each item. I don't think they sell pineapple preserves but I'm sure they have some kind of preserves. Even has milk, bread and eggs, and a senior day every once in a while. I think they might have a pharmacy, too. (sarcasm) Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Out Walgreens has a lot of food items too, but mostly they're beyond expensive (and mine does have alcohol). Love your sarcasm, made me laugh!

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    2. When I was in New York City I went in a Walgreens that could easily pass for a small (but expensive) grocery store.

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    3. They definitely have a large assortment of products, I'd just never heard of anyone using them as their go-to grocery store before my son.

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  5. I didn't know that was the town! I bet you were terrified until you heard his voice! OMG! Talk about a nightmare that keeps repeating night after night.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it was honestly and truly terrifying. They all are, but there's a whole other level when you know someone there.

      Delete
  6. Heeheehee! "Do they serve lamb chops?" He knows your sense of humor, i think, he just chooses to ignore it most of the time to annoy you. That's love.

    Thanks for the laughs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't know if he gets me, but he does a great job of annoying me.

      Delete
  7. At least one does not need their gallbladder

    ReplyDelete
  8. I could hear your heart beat when you were talking about the shooting. And the jam jar - how I related. I could hear that knife and wanted to scream - LOL. There is an easy natural fix to rid yourself of gallstones. Ask your nutritionist if you know one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I think maybe Hubs and I could stand to spend a little less than 24/7 together. He's just starting to go back to work 1 or 2 half days a week. That might help the jam jar situation.

      Delete
  9. Candy eyeballs might be fun as long as there not Godstoppers. Boy, those were something to eat as a kid. I'm glad you're doing well and finding things to amuse yourself. I caught myself watching some old Gilmore Girls, nostalgia maybe..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I did some Schitt's Creek binge watching. Not nostalgic but it sure was fun.

      Delete

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