dfish

Winner, winner, chicken dinner! You are absolutely correct. My DS Barb lives on the other side of 31 from A-Ga-Ming. I think wedding attendees have filled the condos here. I’m glad to read that your DH is home now. Do pace yourself and don’t be afraid to seek help occasionally. Best wishes to you!

Our view from breakfast this morning.

Good morning, everyone! It is kind of a gloomy start to the day here in Kewadin, Michigan. But no fear, we will all be in a festive mood this afternoon for DN Emily's wedding. Turkey orzo soup sounds like a lovely meal on a day like today. We'll need something to warm us up. I'd take nachos, too! Here's our first recipe https://www.aheadofthyme.com/creamy-turkey-orzo-soup/ This next one has slightly different seasonings. https://theoregondietitian.com/one-pot-creamy-turkey-orzo-soup/ This one skips the cream and calories and is a broth based soup. https://cookingformysoul.com/turkey-orzo-soup/ I hope this finds all of you well. Wishing you a great day! @Lady Hudson

We are on beautiful Torch Lake. Enjoyed the pre- wedding soirée tonight.

Good morning, everyone! I remember when brandied fruit was all the rage. We had jars of it on our kitchen counters and every week we added a cup of fruit and a cup of sugar. It was disgustingly sweet and grew out of bounds. I remember picking up the container and all and dumping it. It is a rainy day here in mid-Michigan. We will be driving up to the Traverse City area for my niece's wedding tomorrow. We're staying at a golf course resort as the rates were phenomenal compared to hotels in Traverse City. The downside is that Sue and I are sharing a condo with our brothers and sister-in-law. Not sure how that is going to work out. Tonight we are going to a pre-wedding soiree in Elk Rapids. On Sunday is a brunch at our sister's house. Today's meal is one I will gladly skip. It comes from Bon Appetit and the paywall is up and running. I got the message that the kitchen was closed. I tried Epicurious and that kitchen is closed as well. Sometimes you can find the Bon Appetit recipes elsewhere and sometimes you cannot. Pinterest usually lists the ingredients, but not the directions. I think I found the recipe, or something very similar, on this website: Red Snapper Ceviche Recipe – Stiltsville Fish Bar Here is a similar recipe for ceviche fans. https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/a39298380/ceviche-with-corn-peppers-and-avocado-recipe/ @sailingdutchy Wishing you all a wonderful day!

Good news! Thank you for letting us know all is well. I hope they can find something that works for your back.

Actually, the inside of the throat isn't the sore part. You can eat anything you want. I just used it as an excuse for ice cream. I had a tuna salad sandwich after the adrenal surgery. Yes, I want this next surgery over and done with. This hernia is very visible. I look deformed. We are thinking alike, Lenda!

They test each of the four parathyroid glands to see which one is sending out too much hormone and then as they remove the offenders, they test the calcium levels and parathyroid hormone levels. Lots of testing going on to make sure they get the right parathyroid glands - we have 4. They took 2 of mine. My sister had three removed. My calcium is normal and has stayed normal since the surgery. She'll have a sore throat for a day or two. I had surgery on Wednesday and came home that day. I was tired the rest of that day and on Thursday, but was almost back to normal by Friday. The surgery is a good excuse to eat ice cream for dinner. But, she needs to be careful. I had a bit of acid reflux after surgery and some antacid tablets would be smart to have on hand. That part is normal. I have an appointment with a general surgeon for consult on my ventral hernia next Tuesday. It would be nice to get this scheduled and over with. I look like I'm pregnant and there is no holding your gut in. It just makes the hernia stick out more.

Good morning, everyone! It is a balmy 52F here in mid-Michigan this morning. The skies are dark with heavy rain clouds and I think we are going to get a soaker. Nothing really planned today except getting ready to head north for our niece's wedding on Saturday. It will be fun getting together with the whole family. Bon Voyage to @Lady Hudson Katherine. I hope @marshhawk and @catmando Annie and Chuck are having a fantastic time on their cruise. It sure looks like @kazu Jacqui and @0106 Tina are enjoying theirs. Today's meal is a repeat but it is worth taking a second look at. This recipe from Ahead of Thyme looks pretty easy to do. https://www.aheadofthyme.com/glazed-honey-balsamic-pork-chops/ If you're not a fan of pork chops, you could easily do this with chicken. Honey and balsamic go well together with chicken. Seasonings are a little different with this recipe, but it is still pretty easy! https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/pork-chops-with-honey-balsamic-glaze/ This one looks so good! https://whatsinthepan.com/honey-balsamic-pork-chops/ I hope this has awakened some appetites! We do need a break from soup and stew occasionally. Wishing you all a wonderful day!

Medication is still a mess. Be glad your A1C is normal. Technically, mine is normal as well, but that is because I am taking those meds. Last time it was 5.7. I sure hope you get some relief from your shots today. What you described sounds a bit like my nerve ablation that I get every year or so. They use a local anesthetic and then deaden the nerve somehow. They won't do the procedure unless I have a driver. They even walk me out of the building to make sure I make ok. The last time my leg was really floppy, but that time the procedure lasted longer. Medication is still a mess. It took all day to get partially done with the rest of the agenda. I found out how much Social Security I am getting and how much Medicare is left over to pay. The only thing I don't know is when the SS starts paying part of the Medicare premium. This month? Or next? SS and Medicare didn't know either. And, because SS is paying part of the premium and not the whole thing, I can't continue with Easy Pay where it is just deducted from my account. Surely they have the software ability to do that, but they don't. They'll send me a bill once a year.

KInd of explains it all. My nephew worked IT for a company that got rid of their IT department. Less than a month later the department was all rehired.

A bit of a frustrating morning here. I was able to get the payoff amount for my last car payment. I tried to adjust the recurring payments in my bill pay system, but that was a no go. So, I just made an extra payment for now and in a few days, after that has processed, I will go in and eliminate the payee entirely. Next I talked to the pharmacy and they had no recommendations on what they could offer in place of my prescription. There are problems with this order anyways as the doctor only ordered a 28 day supply with no refills. So, I get to call the Dr.'s office. The pharmacy did assure me that those with a diabetes diagnosis would get their prescriptions filled before the weight loss people who are using it off label. They did say I could call around to local pharmacies and see if anyone could fill the prescription for me. Another full time job. Then I called Medicare to see what I need to do to adjust my payments. Currently they deduct the whole Part B premium from my account, but Social Security will pay most of that starting this month. Unfortunately, after waiting on line, I was told their system was currently down and asked to call back later. I think I'm going to need a BHB before January of 2025.

@Seasick Sailor and @SusieKIslandGirl Wishing you both the happiest of birthdays. Celebrate YOU!

Good morning, everyone! We spent yesterday raking leaves and it almost needs to be done again! It sure goes faster with two of us than it does with one. I have a busy day today coordinating with my doctor's office and prescription provider what I can substitute for my diabetes medication. I'm sure the shortage is because of people wanting it for weight loss and I'd love some weight loss, but I'm not taking it at the dosage level for that. But it is very effective for blood sugar control. The show at the Center for the Arts was very enjoyable last night. There are a couple more coming up that I would like to see. Today's meal is one we had last January, but since we are now in soup and stew season it is a good idea to take another look at it. You can put it all in the slow cooker and it will be ready when you finish raking those pesky leaves. This one looks good with the chopped avocado on top. https://natashaskitchen.com/slow-cooker-chili-recipe/ This one sounds interesting with the cocoa powder added in. I wonder if I can leave out the sugar. https://www.cookingclassy.com/slow-cooker-chili/ This one has a great seasoning combination. https://www.momontimeout.com/crockpot-chili-recipe/ Wishing you all a wonderful day!

@Quartzsite Cruiser I did talk to my PCC about the balcony, but decided to forgo it. We would lose the OBC we received when we originally booked the cruise. ON another note, I got a message tonight that my prescription for my diabetes medication cannot be filled due to a shortage. I'm not sure what I am going to do.

Oh, my! The leaves are all done for now. We'll have to do them every week now for a while in order to keep up. But the yard looks nice right now. Tonight we are going out to dinner with DS Mary Jo and DBIL Mitch. After dinner, MJ, Mitch, and I are going to Celtic Thunder at the Center for the Arts. I'm looking forward to that! I got my blood test results back and everything is looking good. My cholesterol has never been better and my A1C is still below 6 even though I can't tolerate the metformin anymore. I think that adrenal tumor was really making a mess of things. My BP has been great ever since we took that thing out. I'm thinking of calling my PCC and upgrading to a balcony cabin for South America/Antarctica. Hmmm

Good morning, everyone! It is a chilly morning here in mid-Michigan. We'll have mostly clouds today, but we are planning to get out and get the leaves to the curb. We'll have to do it again, but at least it won't be such a huge job. I remember moving in last year and the previous owners hadn't raked a single leaf. I moved in on Saturday and the leaves had to be to the curb for pick up by Monday. My neighbor came to the rescue. He owns a landscaping firm and he sent a crew over to rake up the leaves. We got our Covid booster and the flu shot Sunday night. Yesterday we were both dragging quite a bit so we just watched Netflix. The pharmacist told us to wait two weeks for the RSV vaccine. We'll make sure to have ice cream in the house for that. We both wanted it yesterday, but neither of us had the energy to go get it. Today we feel normal. My mom used to make chow mein when I was a kid and I have to admit that it wasn't one of my favorites. I ate it because I was hungry and wasn't going to get anything else. But, I haven't had it since. I know I would prefer it with meat in it, so I'd probably add in some chicken if I were to make it. We'll start with this one. https://omnivorescookbook.com/vegetarian-chow-mein/ This looks like a sweeter version with the addition of brown sugar to it. https://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/vegetarian-cajun-chow-mein/ I can see making this one with my own vegetable combination, chicken instead of the tofu, and leaving out the sugar. I think that is a whole different dish and recipe. https://www.recipetineats.com/vegetarian-chow-mein/ Wishing you all a wonderful day. Healing thoughts for Edi @NextOne as she undergoes her heart surgery.

@Cruising-along Carolyn, it is here. https://howtofeedaloon.com/guinness-ground-beef-pot-pie/

Good morning, everyone! Today is going to be overcast with a high of 58F. It will be nice to have a respite from the rain. The leaves are really turning here and coming down in droves. We can see the neighbor's house next door and the house across the street. In the summer it just looks like a wooded lot across the street. You'd never know there is a house back there. I got up this morning and headed out to the lab for a blood draw. Just routine blood tests right now. The first lab was closed because everyone there was sick, so I had to go to the main lab. That meant a wait as there was a back up. All without coffee!! But, I am home now and have my coffee and all is well in my world. I think I'd like to try the drink today. It sounds tasty to me, but is probably sweeter than I like. We've had today's meal before and some of you might remember it. Here's the first recipe to get us started, complete with carrots for those who like them. https://www.aheadofthyme.com/ground-beef-meat-pie/ This one is more of a pot pie with large chunks of carrots and other vegetables included. https://www.backtomysouthernroots.com/easy-ground-beef-pot-pie-recipe/ This next one is a holiday tradition in French speaking Canada. I'm sure some of you have made it. The seasoning is unique for a beef dish. https://www.spendwithpennies.com/tourtiere-meat-pie/ Our last recipe is one that combines Guinness with the beef. Just for you, Carolyn. @Cruising-along Wishing you all a wonderful day!

Sure is. You have a fantastic memory!

It sounds like all are having a great time. That is wonderful! @kazu Jacqui, don't let your guard down and be safe. No accidents, please!

Thanks, Bruce. I am trying to get well. I'm fortunate that my issues are not serious ones, just ones that need to be dealt with and they will. I have the referrals I need to take care of things.

@JazzyV I would get someone to finish the hand quilting for you. If it is that far along, it would be a shame to not finish it. Here are two blocks from the quilt I am working on now. One is the dark block (blue) and the other is the medium block (gray). I need 45 of each block. @Cruzin Terri I sure hope things look up for you and Jim.

We will keep you close on Wednesday. Wishes for a successful outcome and rapid recovery.

Good morning, everyone! It is a gloomy day here in mid-Michigan. I think it will be a good day to work on my quilt. I was informed that my sister needed a new quilt for her bed to go with the room decor here in the house. And, that I needed to make a quilt for the bed in River's room. And so, I sew. We have appointments today for our Covid booster and flu shot. I'm expecting sore arms tomorrow. Today's meal is more of a technique in cooking rather than the filling you put in. If you're not enamored with the vegan filling, add in what you want. The trick is in the wrapping, so take a good look at the pictures in this recipe. https://pinchofyum.com/vegan-crunchwrap They look pretty good to me! This one has a lot of suggestions on what you can use as a filling. The novelty of this dish is frying the wrapped tortilla and getting it nice and crunchy so that you have the crunchy texture when you bite into it. https://www.kathysvegankitchen.com/cruchwrap-supreme/ For the carnivores, here is one with a meat filling. https://www.spendwithpennies.com/copycat-crunchwrap-supreme/ Wishing you all a wonderful day!