Jennifer Apodaca's Blog, page 37

Friday Five

TGIF! You know what that means! Time to share five random things about our week. Let’s do this!

The week is ending better than it started. You know those cupcakes in the fridge? They have to be dizzy by now! I’ve had them in and out of the freezer quite a few times (but never long enough to defrost) in an attempt to go to Wizard’s mom’s. But it just didn’t happen this week. He called her on her birthday, we have a gift and cupcakes, but life is just a little twisty. Every plan we make gets changed multiple times. We thought we’d go today but…Wizard got called in for Jury Duty. Here in CA, you’re on standby for a week, and you’re call each night to find out if you go in the next day. Each day has been a mystery, and then last night, he was told to come in. So far, he’s called me twice and texted twice, and he’s not impressed. He got a judge who has decided to treat possible jurors like prisoners or kindergarteners. I’d gloat but…guess what came in the mail for me yesterday?? My jury duty summons. This is a plot to annoy us. Yes, yes, I get the whole civic duty thing. Whatever.So yesterday we had to stay home for an appointment. So we’ve lived in this house more than six months now, and the day we picked up the keys, we were told that the garage side door had been keyed incorrectly. This is an easy fix — all they had to do was replace the doorknob and key it to our housekeys. We were promised this constantly, but for reasons that confound logic — no one could ever manage to find a doorknob and do it. Even though houses are being built in this same track all day every day. And they all have doorknobs keyed to the owners keys! It’s like magic! Finally we got annoyed and submitted a claim higher up. What we thought would happen is the higher up would tell the foreman to grab a doorknob, and spend four minutes replacing and rekeying it. Nope, they put in a call to Door Specialists. I can’t make this stuff up, the sent out an employee of Hakes Sash & Door to resolve this complex problem. The expert confirmed the obvious problem — we needed a new doorknob. But of course he didn’t have one because this is not a call they get. Like ever. So they had to order a doorknob. It took 8 weeks to arrive. Why? No freaking idea! Then they scheduled an appointment with the same door expert to install it.  And finally the new doorknob was installed. And that is why we stayed home yesterday. Is this not a dumb boring story?? I’d like to point out that we wanted to go to my mother-in-laws, but we were trapped at home waiting for a doorknob. That’s like a worse excuse than my dog ate my homework. It’s been a truly weird week, trust me.I put Willa my previously freeze-dried sourdough starter to work! I used a new recipe for sourdough yesterday and Willa did her job so well! I fermented it overnight and baked it today. The bread looks good. I don’t know how it tastes yet as I’m writing this yesterday before we ate any. I’m looking forward to it! I eat very little gluten but a slice of sourdough if it’s long-fermented is usually okay. (If you’re are interested, the long fermentation helps breakdown some of the troublesome fructans and gluten). Here’s a picture of one of the two loaves (the second one goes in the freezer to keep the cupcakes company): Tomorrow we are going to the airshow. At least that’s the plan, although with this week anything could happen We haven’t been in a very long time, and decided to pay for actual seats (on folding chairs, LOL). Naturally, the heat chose this week to show up, but we should be fine for a couple hours or so. We both are looking forward to it if nothing else decides to go wonky this week.

And that’s my five, now I’d love to hear yours! I’m sure yours will be vastly more interesting and not involved a long winded story about a doorknob.  I hope everyone has a great weekend!

The post Friday Five first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

Ask and the Universe Will Answer!

So remember last week, I mentioned hearing coyotes outside our back fence? And I wondered if a coyote could jump the block wall? Now I know the answer!

A couple mornings ago, a neighbor went to take his newish puppy out back when it was still dark around 5 am and a coyote was IN his back yard. The neighbor yelled to scare him away, and the coyote hopped up on the block wall and walked down it toward our house (he lives about four houses from us).

The neighbor’s dog was fine, and the neighbor was going door-to-door to make sure all of us knew that coyotes could get in the backyard. We super appreciate that.  I had always heard coyotes could jump a block wall, I just hadn’t heard a first-hand account of it. Now I have! Otherwise, Wizard and I have already lived in this area for a really long time. so we knew about the coyotes (and bobcats and rattlers) but others may not.

And despite that, we do love it here! Now if a rattler gets in our backyard, I may feel differently <>

But isn’t it awesome how sometimes we ask and the universe answers? Now I won’t feel quite so silly at night out in the backyard doing my Granny Baseball Ninja act in my pajamas (We all know when that it comes to Maggie, I’ll sacrifice life, limb and pride for her!)

Happy Wednesday!

The post Ask and the Universe Will Answer! first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

Weekend Roundup

The weekend was good! Saturday, we had four chairs for our patio delivered (I love free delivery!). Once they arrived, Wizard said, “I know you’ve been thinking it already, but when you were gone yesterday, I took Maggie to Home Depot and we looked at portable propane firepits that could work with this set.”

I laughed, because yes I had been thinking it and looking myself But we aren’t committed to that yet as we must wait for the final verdict from the Budget Office at the end of the month. But the way he said he already knew I’d been thinking about it was too funny. The only one who knew I was looking at those firepits was Maggie. And should couldn’t have told him….wait…I took Maggie with me when I was looking at them at Home Depot! Maybe she showed him when he took her there???

Back to Saturday; later that day, Special K and Turbo came over. We had fun! Turbo checked out the “new” backyard with all the changes. He was slightly unsure until I showed him the section of hill that is all dirt just for him in. He was thrilled! He immediately started digging and playing with his trucks. Special K and I were chatting while watching him until Grandpa came out and shooed us away, which made us both laugh. But he deserves his one-on-one time with Turbo since I got him all to myself last time I saw him.

I also made chicken enchiladas that I was happy with. That’s a win for me. Now I just hope I can remember how I made them since I didn’t really follow the recipe.

On Sunday, I also made some cupcakes to pop in the freezer to use if we can for my Mother-In-Law’s birthday this week. Unfortunately, Wizard has jury duty so we aren’t sure how the week is going to go. This way once he has a free day, all I have to do is take the cupcake out of the freezer, whip up a batch of Bailey’s chocolate frosting and pipe it on then I’m ready to go. While the cupcakes were in the oven, I finally remembered to check my  bottle of Bailey’s liquor (after I’d gone to the store, of course). I only use it for baking and can’t remember how old is is. Well now I know — old enough for the sugars had crystalized and turn it was a lumpy mess. Sigh. I tossed it out and see another trip to the store in my near future

That was my weekend, how was yours?

The post Weekend Roundup first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

Friday Five

TGIF! Once again, I’m shocked how fast Friday arrived! The days are just whizzing by. But it is Friday, so it’s time to share five random things about our week. Here’s mine:

1) Outside where we just planted flowers, we have something called Dog Vomit Slime because it looks like dog vomit (or scrambled eggs…but lets not go there). It’s so weird, but apparently harmless. When we first saw it appear one morning this week, we thought Maggie had been very sick and were concerned. Then we learned what it was…LOLOL! The best part is that Maggie is fine.

2) It’s been another busy week, mostly because I keep trying to do too many things in too few hours I used to think it was because I spent so many hours writing or trying to write, but now I’m getting a clearer picture of my…uh…let’s call it optimism on how much I can actually do in a day. I blame my brain that refuses to let me sit down or do fun things if I have not checked off the tasks I put on my mental check list. I mean I should be able to hit a delete button somewhere right? But my brain is not a believer in the delete button.

3) I bought a bunch of shirts. I’m desperate for clothes for various reasons, and made myself start somewhere. It’s just a few t-shirts and tank tops, but I’m proud of myself for finding that much. Although I was shocked at how much it cost. I mean I shopped at The Gap at an outlet center and all the shirts were on sale. Maybe I just hate spending money on clothes that don’t turn me into a young supermodel   Next I have to clean the crap out of my closet. I have some basically unwearable things in there I’ve hung onto “just in case” but I’m never clear on what that “just in case” might actually be. Like a locust invasion where no one will notice shredding seams because I’ll be covered in buzzing grasshoppers???

4) I just began hydrating my new sourdough starter that I bought freeze dried. I’ll know by next week how that’s doing. It’s for a white bread sourdough, meaning it’s basically all-purpose flour and water. Rye-N, who is now misname because I’ve converted him from a rye flour starter to a wheat flour starter, is doing amazing! I feed him roughly once a week and he rises like the superstar every time. I hope my new starter, Willa, does the same. (Willa came to me with that name, so I’m keeping it).

5) The plan this weekend is for Special K and Turbo to come over on Saturday. CPA Boy will come too if he can, but he’s still in tax season so he’ll play it by ear. We’re looking forward to that! I may even try out a new chicken enchilada recipe while they’re here — we’ll see. It all depends if I can get some prep done, and if I can’t, no one will care. The point is to just have fun with Special K, Turbo and maybe CPA Boy.

So that was my five, now I’d love to hear yours! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

The post Friday Five first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

Are You Independent or Codependent?

A few nights ago at dinner, I mentioned to Wizard that I was nearly out of Italian seasoning.

Wizard asked, “What’s that”?

I was surprised as I thought he knew, but I answered, “Dried herbs traditionally used in Italian cooking like oregano and basil mixed together in a bottle.”

He still looked blank with his fork suspended half way between his plate and mouth, so I added, “It’s one of the spices in my spice drawer by the stove. I use it for of pasta sauces, and some chicken and shrimp dishes.”

He nodded, then looked at me seriously, “Witch.”

“What?” I asked.

“Don’t die.” Then he resumed eating.

I cracked up. We are pretty codependent like that. I mean I put gas in a car maybe once a year and that’s just an example. I don’t think Wizard has turned on the oven in this house, although he has run the dishwasher and often does some laundry like the towels he uses to wash the cars. He’s capable of cooking, and he BBQs all the time, but I usually prep the food he grills. On the other hand, he cleans regularly the BBQ and I never have done it myself. We just tend to divide and conquer all life’s tasks and in the decades of marriage, pretty much becoming codependent.

I’m sure some folks would consider that unhealthy. And I fully understand that point of view. I lived the reality of that when I was 13 and witnessed how my own mother struggled when my dad suddenly passed away. However my mom figured it out because that’s what smart, resilient people do. Still, I was determined in the first years of our marriage NOT to become complacent and depend on Wizard too much.

The the years and decades passed. We got busy with real life and kids, and found a way that worked for us that included a method of dividing and conquering life’s tasks.

So sure, sometimes I worry about being so codependent. But most days I’m very grateful I don’t have to put gas in the car

What about you? If you’re in a relationship, are you independent or codependent?

The post Are You Independent or Codependent? first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

Weekend Roundup

We had a nice Easter celebration at home with just the two of us and Maggie, and that was perfect. We’ve been running around a lot, and it was nice to take a break.

Friday, we took Maggie out to see Wizard’s mom. Although we weren’t there that long, it took most of the day. Saturday we went out to see a friend, and met her adorable grand daughters. They were so cute. And she had dogs! Dogs always bring me so much happiness.

Sunday, I didn’t sleep so I was tired, but determined not to let that ruin our day. We went to breakfast, and then I planted my little herb garden. I hope it does okay, the herbs didn’t look that great, but the selection was slim. I also made some chocolate covered strawberries just to make the day a little more special. Oh and Maggie got to go to Home Depot with me to get my plants. Two car trips in one weekend is pretty exciting for Maggie :-). In fact, one day a week or so ago, I loaded her up in the back seat of the car for another plant buying trip when a neighbor needed to talk Wizard and me for a couple minutes. I opened the back door to make sure Maggie had air, and she must have thought I was going to call her out. She immediately curled up on the farthest corner and pretended she didn’t see me. I just laughed, then assured her we were still going and she didn’t have to get out of the car. She’s so ridiculous sometimes, LOL.

As boring as my description sounds, we did have a really nice weekend. Now I’d love to hear yours!

The post Weekend Roundup first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

Friday Five

TGIF! Let’s get right to sharing five random things about our week:

This week, I hit the ground running and it hasn’t let up! Of course it’s mostly Wizards fault for daring to have a birthday He seemed to have a really good one though, and he loved the mini cheesecake topped with raspberry sauce and fresh whipped cream. I took one bite, and it was good. Overall making two small mini cheesecakes worked out really well, and I’ll do it again if the need arises. And an added note: I wasn’t deprived, I bought a dairy free, dark chocolate bar for myself and was very happy.I did a fairly dramatic hair cut for me. I have a pic with it after I blow dried it and did a bunch of errands, but it’s not officially styled. I love the cut, and I’m growing the bags so that they will eventually do a side swoop. The darker color was a shock, but I knew it would be. We may adjust it a little, but I wanted to live with it for a few weeks to see what I like over time. I was so tired of my hair that this is a fun change and easy for me to blow dry and go.We got the big back planters done! Wizard did all the drip lines and dug all the holes. He planted about half the plants too when I wasn’t home, and I did the rest. We are really happy with that! Here’s two late afternoon pics after the work was done, but you get the idea:I finally made Maggie’s appointment to get her teeth cleaned and the small lipoma on her belly removed. It’s really overdo and that bothers me a lot. I’m not worried about the lipoma, we are reasonably sure that’s not a problem but it should be easy to remove since she’ll already be under sedation. But small dogs can get really ugly problems with their teeth. So while her appointment isn’t until June 8th, I feel better just having the cleaning arranged.Today we plan to go see Wizard’s mom. Then I’ll come home and bake easy cookies to take to our friend’s house tomorrow. I had to change that plan from cupcakes I was excited to make due to a time crunch. Life does that sometimes

That’s my five and now I’d really love to hear yours! I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

The post Friday Five first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

I’ve Become a Pusher

You all know I love to bake.

But I really don’t eat much that I bake anymore. My diet restrictions are generally boring so I won’t recount them all here, but I will say I’m a huge believer in not expecting others to conform to my issues. So while I do bake some items tailored to my needs occassionally for me and Wizard, I don’t force these items on others.

So what do I do? Well, yesterday we had a friend over to see our house, then this weekend we’re going to her place to see her house. She offered to serve lunch, and I begged to bring cookies or cupcakes — that I know I can’t and won’t eat. Which kind of makes me feel bad because I’m so focused on eating healthy, unprocessed foods, but I want to tempt others with junk food so I can get my baking fix.

I’ve officially become a sugar pusher But I’m doing it for fun, not profit, so…maybe that doesn’t make me quite so bad?

Happy Wednesday!

The post I’ve Become a Pusher first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

Weekend Roundup

It was a good weekend, which I appreciate.

Saturday was a lot of running around and chores, but in that, Wizard and put together my new planter. I think it’s going to be perfect! I can’t wait to go get my herbs later this week and get them planted (I ran out of time over the weekend to do that). I’m thinking that even though I could put then directly in the planter, I’d rather keep them divided into pots or bags.

Sunday, Wizard went to his race, and I headed out to see Turbo and Special K. I got to see oldest too but it’s tax season so he stayed home and worked while we had fun. Anyway, we took Turbo to the Easter Egg Hunt that we thought would be a small casual thing, LOLOL! There had to be close to 50 kids there! But it was a blast. This is just a little community even that a mom organized and I’m impressed! Turbo had fun! He took his collection of plastic eggs with us to lunch and had so much fun looking through his eggs to discover small candies, toys like stickers and a few coins. These were small treats but to him they were little treasures that he enjoyed it immensely. I love that we can still do community things that are just simple fun.  I also love spending time with my daughter-in-law. She’s smart, caring, and very easy to be around.

I also took Turbo a chocolate Easter bunny because I can And his parents are pretty chill about this stuff (although I check with them first because they are the parents). Turbo, in turn, sent a few pieces of his candy from the Easter hunt home for Grandpa. That was so sweet!

That was my weekend, how was yours?

P.S. Hope everyone was safe from the T-storms and Tornados hitting parts of the country!

The post Weekend Roundup first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

Friday Five

TGIF! Is it just me, or is time flying? Okay, let’s get right to sharing five random things about our week. Here’s mine:

I think it’s obvious that I’m still not writing. But I am living a happy life doing all the things I didn’t have time to do when I was writing. That surprises me in a way. Writing has been such a big part of who I am that I wasn’t sure I could be happy not doing it. Life can surprise us. But I do think about stories and ideas, so who knows what the future has in store.I finally ordered my standing planter for my herbs and I’m excited! I know it’s a little thing, but I’ve been looking forward to getting to this point in our backyard plans. Once we get it assembled (thoughts and prayers for a swear-free experience, please ), I will be able to get my herbs! The standing planter is pretty small and easily moved, so I can easily protect the plants from the elements when needed. I’m not big gardener, but fresh herbs are just one of those little things in life that make me happy.Wizard has a birthday next week, and I just got all the things I need to make him a mini cheesecake as he requested. He’s pretty happy about that And I’m happy as I can get another use out of two mini spring form pans that I recently bought. I think I’m also going to try making sourdough bread again.  I’ve decided to use the same recipe and maybe do a couple tiny tweaks. I think sticking with the same recipe for the first few times will help me learn the feel of the dough better. Experience is the best teacher. Thankfully the bread seems to freeze well too.I’ve been researching microbiomes, gut health and various related things. Let me just say that this is a huge rabbit hole! I fell in hard, LOL! And then I kept stumbling into new rabbit holes like sugar in children’s school breakfasts and I don’t even know how I ended up there. Then my incessant need to verify stated facts with my own research sucks me into an endless tunnel system of rabbit holes via Google! I’m not sure I’ll ever escape now. Don’t believe me? I can now tell you what the elementary school nearest us offers for breakfast to those who cant have it at home, and I don’t have school aged children. I actually had to look that up to see if what I was reading was correct (sadly, it was correct). That is only one of the rabbit holes! I think I need an intervention!This weekend, Wizard is racing, and I’m meeting Special K to take Turbo to a little craft show/Easter egg hunt. It’s by their house and sounds like a fun thing to do. I’m looking forward to it!

That’s my five, now I’d love to hear yours! I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

The post Friday Five first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.