Tea with Milk

Quiet here because of dealing with sniffle noses, mild sore throats and just feeling a bit punky myself. Plus, the weather is so wonderful and I’ve got a case of Fall fever, if there is such a thing. We’re just sorta draggy, getting the basics done in the house, including the schoolwork. Not energetic at all. But that’s okay. It’ll all get done. Eventually.

Had fun last night on Facebook, being able to locate a first cousin who lives in town, but one I rarely see in person. Top that off with her brother’s wife, and the trickle down girls on that side of the family. A great way to keep in touch, share photos and have a girl-fest with little effort. Oldest daughter and I had a blast seeing their pictures and driving my husband nuts in the process. He just shook his head, rolled his eyes and went on about his business. I love that. He just cracks me up.

Today? Not sure. A friend is here from out of town and wants to go to church with us, but don’t know who’ll be able to go or even want to. This cold makes us so tired. We’ll sit around and stare at one another for awhile and figure out that one later. The only sure thing is that I have to dig up some Black-eyed Susans for a neighbor’s garden. Besides that, the day’s a clean slate. Can’t ask for much better than that.

Tomorrow the kids (for the most part) go to my mom’s for lunch and afternoon rabble-rousing. I get to stay home, read books and make beef stew. Thinking on a chocolate cake as well. Since these folks I live with are draining me of my sensibilities (they talk SO MUCH), I’m really looking forward to some ‘me’ time. Way overdue.

This way I get to talk to myself (without any eavesdroppers) and can babble to my heart’s content.

This and other neat stuff I found at CafePress. Am especially partial to the blue vintage-style button. Too cool.

Before I run through the house like a madwoman, vacuuming, dusting and all around improving the environment, I thought I’d share what we’re having for dinner. This is one of my favorites (don’t really know why) and thought it might offer a change for folks.

We call it Salmon and Salad.

I make the salmon into croquettes—and since I’m cooking for ten, the amounts are large. To make mine I drain and clean 3 cans of canned salmon. To that I add 3 eggs and one smashed up sleeve of unsalted plain crackers. After that’s mixed, I form the meat into small portions—can’t remember how many, but we each can get about 3 with some leftover. After frying in oil, I drain them and set them aside. Meanwhile, clean lettuce, any variety, but some that’s crunchy (iceberg or Romaine) is tasty. Serve with Ranch dressing and cucumbers. We tend to crumble up the salmon onto the lettuce, and also crunch up some crackers on the salad. Slather with Ranch dressing and that’s good eating!

If I buy the store brand crackers (at about a dollar a box) and get one cuke (today at 58 cents), dressing was under two dollars a bottle (the favored yummy Kraft dressing had gone up in price so got store brand), and finally the salmon was Chicken of the Sea at $2.34/can. Store brand salmon is dry and not worth the savings. Sometimes the name brand just tastes best. For us that was a good meal for a bit over eleven or twelve bucks. Not bad for ten people. Oh, and when I first posted this, forgot to include lettuce in the cost. Still, pretty affordable.

Man, I feel proud (read heavy sarcasm). The young man indicted over illegally accessing Gov. Palin’s email account is the son of our State Representative. In our district. Would be wonderful, in an evil sort of way, if this enabled us to vote him out of office. He’s held the job for 20 years or more—much longer than necessary. But the Democr@ts rule in our neighborhood. Yeah team (again read sarcasm).

In other news, we had a wonderful rain yesterday, turning our backyard into a swamp. We needed it, but the dogs are sort of puzzled at how different it looks out there. Looking forward to that blast of chilly air that’s wending its way towards us.

Today I’m going to concentrate on home, avoid watching the Stock Market ticker and will think of something warm and comforting to eat for dinner. Seems my brand of coziness most times lends itself to food. Must think on that.

So grateful to Joel’s Trumpet for the heads up for this. There’s to be a memorial built on the site of the plane crash of Flight 93. Read it and make up your own mind.

Isl@mic nonsense is invading us on all sides. Be aware.

Well, either I fret over the stock market predicament, or I take care of my family and allow things to flow. I figure I’ll go with number two. And truly, as long as my husband has work in the shop and the possibility of more to come, I can deal with that. We have to look into the future with small bites. There’s no retirement in our schedule or plan for the years ahead. It’s all a life of faith, not that I bide well with it all of the time. Sometimes it stinks. But the Lord continues to remind me that He’s not forgotten us. Not that it’s always easy. But that’s OK. Those t.v. pastors who continually blame sin (and that sending them money will correct it) on our situations have it all wrong. There’s such a thing as testing (again, don’t like it) but it does make us stronger.

But today I know God is in control and that’s good enough for me. I have kids wandering around nursing sniffles and sore throats and there’s a small drugstore trip I have to make. Dish soap, etc. Don’t have a clue as to what’s for dinner (Dotsie!!!), but will figure that out later. Here at 9am that’s not a major concern.

I probably sound more serene that I actually feel. Getting over a minor case of this sickness myself and I get tired SO easily. What’s up with that? A tiny virus and I’m plain worn out.

Again, that’s OK. A slow day—sounds wonderful.