Brats

Good morning.  How is everyone on this final day of July?  To me, it signals the end of summer because August always flies by.   Hands are still sore from the sanding and painting, have not stitched.  I saw two small samplers that appealed to me enough to consider a purchase!  Something I have not done in many many months.  But will I want to stitch it or hoard it like the others?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAW from Nan, Threadwork Primitives.

 

And this is on Ebay which I have wanted for some time, but I'm not willing to pay that much for something I may not even stitch.

 

Sharon Cohen Nostalgic Needle Tree of Life book cover, on Ebay here.

Finally finished painting the exterior of the windows which was only necessary because of that problem I have with color, the deck is ready for stain, Mark rototilled the area Jason created for planting, and the concrete guy won't return my calls to finish this area.  But the windows were a big thing and mixing my own paint for the grilles took a while.  They are actually very mauve but against the green glass, brown. 

 

We had a sprinkling of rain the other day and of course, the brats came running.  I was busy with the windows (which I tilted to inside making it really easy for painting) and not paying attention.  The bottom windows were done and the screens were installed upstairs. 

I kept them this way all day to dry between coats and enjoyed the fresh cool air.  As I grabbed a snack and took a break, I searched for Nitzy and thought it might be a good time to apply the eye ointment since he was trapped inside.  Where the hell is he?  Take a guess.  He went upstairs, jumped on the chair, walked over the tilted window and was sitting on its edge looking out the screen.  If his weight would have tilted it back he would have probably been pushed out the screen. 

 

This morning they were ready for squirrel adventures after breakfast.   Where is Monkey Mona (what I call Missy)?  I have two galvanized tubs in the shrubs held up by rocks, hoping to give refuge to little critters being chased.  Never thought they would squeak beneath!  But there she was, her new favorite spot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My kidney function is still good!  Other reports were slightly off, nothing serious enough for me to start meds.  Doc may think so, but I do not believe every little thing that worsens as we age requires meds.  Sometimes side effects create more problems, many they don't even know about, and aging is aging!  Don't compare my bones to a 35 year old which is what the World Health Organization thinks is a good idea.  There is a correlation between calcium and heart disease believed by some, but not all.  So as with all supplements and drugs, no one can tell you it will not create another problem and every body reacts differently.  I will certainly take what would extend or save my life, but not what I consider unnecessary for borderline or minor discrepancies.

 

Hope your day goes well!

Thanks for visiting.

 

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For 3millplainrd

I could not get full frontal.  But the side is better than nothing.

 

 Oh if you could see those glasses on him.  The thick dark brows.  I told him I was posting his photo (he knows how gorgeous he is, everyone tells him all the time) and we joked about it.  As he was leaving, he took off his hat and flashed that smile knowing the camera was in the house.  When I told my sister that he was working at our house today she screamed "why didn't you tell me!".  She said she has never seen a more handsome and sexy man and would have loved to stop over for a visit.  There are plenty more around, but not that we've seen!!

 

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Wasted

hour upon hour working out a layout for a small area of the front.  My landscaper (who does not want to look into a camera and has cut off his long locks) is here and what I planned, he questioned.  So we went back and forth on layout of the barn stone, whether the stone should be two high, or whether a two high split rail on top of the stone would be best.  Angled?  Didn't work.  Ninety degree instead of forty five?  Didn't work.  I let him make the decision since whatever he does, I get to watch.  Make him happy.  So he chose a rounded outline to compensate for all the square edges in our house and yard.  Have no idea what will go in it, but as he works on it, I can see he was right.  Jason, my eyeful, said don't worry about whether you like the stone wall or not because in a few years you'll be ready for a nursing home anyway.  Yes, the good looking bastard has a great sense of humor.

Before

After

 
All those wonderful flat stones had to be removed because they started to break into layers, not safe, and requiring continual maintenance.  They are gone and will be replaced with stamped concrete.  Very sorry to see them go.

 

He brought the new worker with him, the only one he could get to do labor.  Very nice young man.

 

 

 

 

And every time I look at my guy, his helper is doing this.  EVERY time.  Finally he asked him who the hell he is communicating with constantly.  His answer - "oh I'm not using my phone because I'm not replying to anyone while working, just checking with the family group". 

 

He told me what it would cost to move the massive stones at the front door and recommended we just have him raise and level them.  Go ahead dear, whatever you want.

The boys are done with the vet and seem to be doing well.

Missy is a little brat and continues to be a total brat when inside the house.

Andersen came out Tuesday and replaced all the sashes so I started painting them (exterior) yesterday.  Yes I know they are maintenance free but they are extremely dark and I wanted them to match the house.  If that becomes an issue with a buyer in the future, too bad. 

My brother continues to have rock hard swelling from the cat bite all the way up his forearm.  Still can't move the fingers very well and much pain.  On Augmentin, finishing today, seeing a surgeon Tuesday about a cyst and will talk to him about it.  I read that if the tooth pierced the tendon sheath, surgery is usually required to remove the bacteria.  We just know that it is not getting better after 10 days of treatment.

I'm having a DEXA scan Monday to please my PITA doctor.  I told her I refuse to take the meds for osteoporosis treatments.  Originally we were told that you can never stop taking them.  Now they recommend after taking them for several years to stop, allow your body to do its thing, and be reevaluated.  Doc said she would treat me with diet.  There damn well better be calcium in Dove dark.  I'm drinking a ton of water in order to hopefully get a good number on the kidney function tests, also Monday.

Hope your week went well.  Mine sure was full.  And I can't believe summer is almost over!!!  AUGH!!!!!!!!

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Six week muffins part 2

Maureen, I can't reply with an answer to your question.  My sister has silicone cupcake pans but in the past has used liners or greased the tins.  Either way.

I read on someone's blog that the recipe makes around 5 dozen and an ice cream pail is a good container for them in the fridge.  Also, which surprised me, the calorie count was around 140 per muffin.  Really?  And yes, some recipes call for 6 cups of the cereal, others 9, but we've always used the entire 20 oz. box so that's the recipe I listed.  Because she uses more cereal (other amounts are the same), she gets over 6 dozen, fills them almost to the top of the pan, and bakes them at 400 for 20 minutes.  They are not heavy at all which we prefer.

Now I want one.  If I made them, they would be called two day muffins, not six week.

 

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Six week muffins

Hi folks.  My sister brought over a few muffins and we've always loved these.  Easy to make and you keep the batter in the fridge for weeks, make the muffins fresh as needed. 

Six Week Raisin Bran Muffins

1 (15 oz.) box Raisin Bran cereal 

Note - she uses the 18.7 oz. box (originally 20 oz.) 
1 c. oil
3 c. sugar
4 beaten eggs
1 qt. buttermilk NOT milk
5 c. flour
5 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon is optional
 

Mix cereal, sugar, flour, salt, and soda in large bowl. Add beaten eggs, oil and buttermilk, mixing well. Store in covered container (like Tupperware) in refrigerator until desired. (Will last up to 6 weeks in refrigerator; use as needed.) Fill muffin cups 2/3 full and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

You can add nuts if you'd like, finely shredded carrots, dates, (chocolate chips aren't as good as you would think) but I don't know how much without affecting the texture.  We love them as is. Don't know how it stays fresh but the longer the batter sits in the fridge the better they are.  Maybe the buttermilk? 

 

There are many versions online that are smaller batch.  She likes to have the batter ready in the fridge when she knows the kids will be coming over several times.  Great when a group is spending a few days together and you want something fresh without the fuss.  Oh to have a cottage on the lake filled with family and fresh muffins every morning!

 

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the Nitzy files part 2

I should have known something was up.  I came in for dinner and they would not let me back outside.  So I decided to nap on the sofa for a while, but when I woke, I wasn't allowed to go into the garage!  My pad, man!  My favorite sleeping spot!  I wailed.  They didn't listen.  Instead they brought in my dad Budman to keep me company.  Some company.  All he does is sleep.  The lights went out, humans left, and I had no choice but to deposit hair on every piece of furniture I could find.

 

Morning.  Ah.  Let me out!!  I wailed, I screamed, I whined, nothing happened.   After an hour of the human with the hair putting me into the litter box (to no avail), I was picked up gently and then crammed into that plastic cave.  NOOOO!!  Not again!  Here we go, moving, trying to get my balance, and then back into the big metal box with doors.  Please don't do this to me!  My cries continued (I hear all cats do that in plastic caves) and she kept talking to me and telling me I won't be there long. 

 

We stopped.  We wait.  Then the hairy one's guy picks up the cave which I hate!  Do you know how scary it is to not be steady in this thing?   They opened the cave door and I was not falling for that again.  I'm staying inside!  The plastic was so hard my nails would not dig in as they tilted it for me to fall out.  Who's this?  Didn't my human hold me last time?  She grabs the back of my neck and lifts me off the table so my front legs can't touch and my back ones, barely.  What the hell is she doing?  I heard human mom say "I will hold him for you" but they said she was the tech and can handle me.  Tech you say?  Let me show you how I handle techs, whatever the hell they are.  While she's holding me in the air and the same man as before shoots me in the butt, I lift those back legs and flip her arm around making the man grab me too.  After a minute of petting, she does it again!  And he shoots me on the other side and it hurt.  I lifted my back legs off again to make her lose control.  I am only 10# but they said "very powerful".  Yes I am people.  While trying to calm me down and I'm back on all fours, I see the man getting a large pad from the cupboard.  Wait wait WAIT!  What are you doing with that?  She lifted me up all the way by my scruff and he wrapped me in this thing.  Somebody help me, I can't move my legs!  Oh God.  What is that?  He pulled my head back and shoved something down my throat!  I'm choking!  And shredding his nice mat while escaping their clutches.  I only made it to the big sink and fell in, nabbed me.  Wrapped me again for the second pill and I spit the first one out at him.  As I growled like a Tasmanian devil, I heard my human mom ask if he was sure I needed the second half pill.  He laughed and said he's reconsidering.  After several attempts, the 1 1/2 Drontal went down.  I got even though because his mat is shredded.  They put me back in that plastic cave as fast as they could and then sighed relief.   I don't know what Valium is but I will be getting 5 mg before my next visit, hopefully NEVER.  I heard the man say that if Missy is even worse, give the little lady 2.5 mg. before she comes.   I have a feeling it won't be like our Temptations catnip flavor treats.

 

On the way home she kept looking at me to see how I was after the trauma and I settled a little in my pitch.  And then she starts laughing when reviewing the receipt.  Seems I am not Nitzy, I am Mitzy!  Oh you people.  I just wreaked havoc on your office.  I am Nitzy the Nasty not Mitzy the Meek.  I really didn't know what to do when I came out of the cave even though it was my room.  She put down several Temptations and I ate them, she brushed me for a few minutes (even though I first ran from her), and then I was finally freed.   The first time this happened, I stayed close.  This time, I turned and walked away into the woods.  I am feeling better and it's over, and since I am back home and everything is the same here, I may come home for dinner.  But I am warning Bud that he is next!!

 

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