POO Update

He has been adopted. Will be a spoiled pet.
I'm lonely and looking forward to finding another helper.
I keep forgetting to take my Meds on time.
Out neighbor, who fell and broke her hip, came back home today.
I made Chicken Soup.

Good news on my health care front. Because I turn 65 next month my premiums will be considerably less.

More for me to lavish on new Baby.
She will need everything.
She will get it too.

Maby a bowl of Chicken Soup will make me feel better.

I think it is going to Snow.

Best,
tow---

FEB_10

The POO is with his Vet awaiting a retirement home.
No final decision has been made or will be in the near future.
I'm still not smoking.
Gained 5 lbs but starved it off during a recent illness.
More on my POO situation next month.
Best,
TOW---

JAN_10

Happy New Year to all.
Weather has not been good to us.
TOO-FAT-POO is still ripping it up with his 3 pound Yorke friend. She is a mess.

I'm still (trying) playing games with the idea of collecting the bits and pieces that actually make a game.

I have concluded that:
A) There is one game.
B) The Sprites and the way they can be manipulated, whether 2D or 3D, reminds me of C code.
C)The Graphics and Story Line are the things that make an individual game.

I have found a great appreciation for the costly software that can be used to build a game.

My New Year's Resolution:
Stop throwing away the OKARA that is left after I have drained my SOY MILK.
Dang near half the world does not have enough to eat and it makes no sense to use part of a SOY BEAN.
The OKARA can be quickly cooked and added to RICE, every SOUP that I can think of, MEATLOAF, MEATBALLS, FISH CAKES, BEAN DIPS,as well as added to CHEESE SAUCE for Veggies.
Add it to your SAUSAGE for GRAVY.
Hey, I'm Southern but I can tell you that OKARA mixed in with Grits is OK with me. Try adding some to your OATMEAL.
Best,
towwad

Christmas 2009

The Spirit is willing but the Flesh is weak.
General winter medical problems.

POO and his friend stayed together in the same large cage at their Vet's clinic while Miss Roxie's owner took me to a doctor. When we returned to pick them up I was thrilled when we were informed that my anxiety ridden old poodle did not cry or show distress while I was gone.
So now we know that he needs more than just being in a cage in a room with other caged animals, he needs another of his kind to be with him.
Mr POO is back on antibodies for his gums and he gained a half a pound.
All 3 pounds of Miss Roxie is perfect.

So, if you run into Santa, please mention that I have been good and would like to have a House and Car for Christmas. POO would like to have a little Sister.
Good night,
towwad

Thanksgiving 2009

This is my anniversary post.
We, the POO and I, started here three years ago.
He is going on 10 years old and is still ripping it up with his 1 year old Yorkie friend.
They enjoy each other's company so much that we have a serious problem with Miss Roxie and Mr POO slipping out the door and running across the street to visit. Trouble is if nobody can catch them then and there they take themselves for a hike and we have to search the complex. It is dangerous for the dogs in that they don't fear cars or strangers.

I made an easy savory Dumpling recipe yesterday.
It was a combination of directions for Puffy and Flat dumplings.

I started with some homemade chicken broth and added Onion and Celery.
I would like to have had some Carrots and green Peas.

I used about 2C. Biscuit mix and flavored it with Sage, Rosemary, Parsley, Onion salt, Plain salt, and course grind Black pepper, and added some non-fat- Dry milk powder.
Mixed everything with small amount of water. Very heavy dense dough.

I tried the Drop-1-teaspoon method into the rapidly boiling broth. Puffed right up and when I tasted it I realized that it could be ok for some people but I did not like the cooked, but dry, center.
I was not satisfied with the over all taste and believe that Chicken, Vegetable, or any other kind of Bullion added to the Biscuit mix would help.

I refrigerated the Broth and the unused dumpling mix and several hours later I put the broth on to boil and used a sharp knife to slice the cold dumpling dough into 1/8 wide strips. By the time the broth was ready I had the dough cut into 1/2 to 3/4 long strips and stretched them a little as I dropped them into the broth.

Not bad. I had some whole Black pepper in the broth along with the celery and onion.
Only thing I did for serving was to add some butter to my bowl.
Yes, POO likes them too.

Next time I will go with the Bullion in the dry mix and build on that.

No money for Thanksgiving traditions this year.
We will just try to hold on to what we have and be grateful for that.
And I don't know just how much longer we can hang on.

This environment is not changing for the better.
Best,
towwad

10-12-09

Between last post and now:
I've managed to hang in there with the smoking effort.
Car troubles have been then and now.
My landlords have done some serious work with cleaning up the landscape problems.
Got light bulbs replaced in living room and kitchen. Something kinky about the living room fixture.
While POO was enjoying a play-date with his friend, her owner and I got into an ice cream eating contest. I lost but didn't mind because it was a lot of fun trying.
And I actually harvested about a dozen green beans.

Major XP problem.
Did a clean install.
Because I have my trusty WD stand alone I had backup.
But it was a pain to get the system back up. Things are not back to the way I had them.
I have replaced the MB and CPU but the other hardware is old. I'm looking forward to Windows 7. I will need a new PC for it.

Now that our weather has cooled I'm in the mood to cook again.
After 2 or 3 years trying my grocery stocked Rosemary. I got 2 bottles and looked for more.
At the moment I'm Fish hungry.
Thinking about a pan seared fillet with a ground Sunflower Seed and "something" sauce.
Best,
towwad

September, Sweet September

We have rain. Weather has cooled.

I haven't smoked a cigarette since the middle of August. Am slowly adjusting to this self imposed change. Doubt that I will ever "Quit" but the patches I'm using do stop the craving. I don't have anything to prove, not doing this for any reason other than I am tired of the inconvenience of running out and having to make a trip to buy more.
I do miss the Second Hand Smoke smell because I grew up in a home of smokers.
I don't wear the patch but 16 hours a day because I don't smoke in my sleep.

POO is enjoying his play dates with his friend who lives across the street.

Summer produce was a disappointment. Hope fall crops will be better.

This is my version of baked Okra
I use several pounds because I like fresh baked Okra and I save the left-overs in the freezer to add to soups.

Heat oven to 450 degrees.
Line Jellyroll pan with non-stick foil.
Slice Okra 1/4" thick and place a single layer in pan.
If you want to use Salt and Pepper or any other dry seasoning you can do it before baking. I don't use anything on the batches I plan to freeze.
Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes and remove pan from oven and use two spatulas to turn and return to oven and lower temp to 425 degrees. Check every 10 minutes.
It is done when you decide it is done.
Yes, POO likes it too.
Best,
towwad