Jennifer Apodaca's Blog, page 40

Weekend Roundup

The weekend came and went as scheduled. We didn’t plan any kind of Superbowl event, so Wizard went racing. He just got home as I’m writing this just in time to watch the game. I told him I’d make him taquitos. That’s kind of a Superbowl game food? Plus we had roast last night and it’s an easy way to repurpose the leftover meat

Otherwise it’s been a good weekend, but not exciting. I mean unless you consider watching yeast grow exciting. My sourdough starter is growing, and will hopefully mature. Wizard is mildly freaked out by the way it can grow in a day, LOL. I assured him we are safe…unless it escapes the jar and eats us. But I’m sure we’ll be fine. Probably.

Now I have sworn up and down that I won’t buy any special equipment to make this bread. For one thing, it’s pretty labor and time intensive and I’m just trying it for fun. Who knows, I may never try again. But I have fixated on a Dutch oven. I had one years ago in my other house, but gave it away (it made sense at the time). I will resist! I don’t need it just yet, and I won’t use it a lot. Heck I haven’t even ordered a pizza peel yet, which I also want. There’s just too many other, more pressing things, we need for the house.

I also wanted to tell you guys I made Rachel Ray’s Chicken Francese last week, and Wizard and I really liked it. I had leftover, and I turned that into two lunches for me: a wrap and a salad. If lemon chicken appeals to any of you, then I can recommend this recipe.

Oh and my “test” gluten and dairy free cake isn’t bad. It’s not going to have the same crumb as a cake made with all purpose or cake flour, but it was still good and cake like. We ate it with no frosting. I will make it for youngest for his birthday. I’m pretty confident he’ll like it. I’ll put dairy free frosting on that one.

How was your weekend?

The post Weekend Roundup first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

Weekend Roundup

TGIF! How is it even Friday? Well apparently it is, so it’s time to share five random things about our week. Here’s mine:

The weather has been high sixties and seventies. Since we’ve had a fair amount of cold weather, I appreciate the nice days more than usual.Maggie and I discovered a new set of hiking trails. We had to walk, I don’t know, maybe three quarters of a mile through streets to get to it, but boy, was I surprised. It’s less brush, and wider trails that feel safer. But I should find someone to walk with me for safety. The only two people I can think of willing to do it are oldest son, or middle daughter-in-law and they live too far away. Wizard agrees that only crazy people do this, LOL.  From the trails, we could see the poppies spreading like a virus over hills that are a few miles away. We also found this secret spot that was interesting. It’s not easy to access, but maybe BMX or dirt bike jumps? Yesterday I made a little sourdough starter, and we’ll see if it grows. Wizard eyed the weird sludge in a jar on the kitchen counter and asked what I was doing. I told him a secret science experiment. It drove him nuts for a couple hours until I finally explained I’m trying to grow wild yeast. Once I assured him it’s only flour and water and it won’t kill him, he lost interest And still on the subject of baking, I’m going to test a gluten free/dairy free cake recipe and if it’s good I’ll make it for youngest’s birthday. But dang…the cost of ingredients! I had to run to the store for one ingredient for the cake, and two ingredients to make Chicken Francese for dinner. I bought dairy free baking butter, some white wine and a small bottle of sage (a spice), and spent nearly $25.00. I never used to even blink when I ran to the store to pick up a couple ingredients I was missing, but now I think hard if I really need to go to the store!Wizard is racing this weekend, and I’m taking each day as it comes to decide what to do. Which oddly, makes me think of something Wizard said. So I was listening to a podcast by a group that analyzes behavior in crimes. I find them interesting, especially two of them who have significant experience in military interrogation techniques. Wizard comes in and asked me what I was listening too and I told him. He nodded, then as he walked away, said, “I feel a book starting.” By the time what he’d said registered with me, he was already outside. I was so surprised. I’m not writing, he knows and supports that. Now his comment is floating around in my brain making me wonder what he’s observing in me that I’m not seeing??? I swear he probably just said it to mess with me because I made him what a couple hours to find out what my “science experiment” is

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

The post Weekend Roundup first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

The Rule of the Scale

I forget to tell you, we got a new bathroom scale. Now I know you’re just dying to know — What happened to the old scale?

Well I’ll tell you what happened. Wizard came out one morning and said they scale was weighed him too heavy and must be broken.

You’ll be so proud of me, I just nodded and kept my mouth shut.

The next day, I had to run to Target and he asked me to buy a new scale. So I did. Again without saying anything. Wizard tried both scales side by side, want to guess how that went? Yep, they both weighed the exact same.

I didn’t laugh. Noe even when he said to me with a straight face: “It’s only broken sometimes.”

Now I do know what happened, see Wizard doesn’t believe in The Rule of the Scale. We weigh ourselves ONLY when we first get up before we have even taken a sip of water. That’s the only time the scale will work correctly. If you weigh any other time of day, the scale has complete freedom to screw with you.

Seriously, it’s an ironclad rule. Don’t believe me? Weigh yourself in the morning before you dress, eat or even take a full breath of air. Then go to the doctor’s and get weighed. See what happens??? Don’t break the rule!

I’ve told Wizard this rule repeatedly, but does he listen? Nope. He thinks he has the complete freedom to weigh himself any time of the day he wants to. He’ll weigh himself as instructed in the morning, then he’ll do it again two hours later after he’s dressed, put on shoes, had coffee and pancake breakfast. Then dare the scale again later than night after donuts with Turbo and some massive dinner. Then he swears the scale is broken for showing him a few pounds heavier. All I can say is; he was warned. But if he continues to break the rule and drive himself nuts, then I’ll keep buying new scales to toy with him He’s been warned!

Happy Wednesday!

The post The Rule of the Scale first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

Weekend Roundup

Note: I’m posting this early on Sunday because sometimes when I add in pictures, it won’t post when I schedule it.

This weekend was pretty good. I’m just not talking about my health for awhile — it’s so boring.

Saturday we went to see Turbo. Before we got there, Turbo called me to ask what was taking us so long He had a surprise for Grandpa! Ten agonizing (for Turbo) minutes later, we arrived to find Turbo and his dad waiting at the bottom of the driveway. Wizard barely turned off the car before Turbo grabbed his arm, led him inside and presented him with the chocolate donut Turbo picked out for him that very morning! Turbo had a Cookie Monster Donut. The two of them ate their donuts and it was too cute! In case anyone is wondering, they all knew I wouldn’t eat a donut right now, but they did pick up a few small donut holes for me just in case I wanted a small bite. My son had some other things there that I could eat, so it was all good. We had a really good day. Turbo was a huge chatterbox!

Sunday went to breakfast for the first time in a couple months and them I worked on the cake until I ran out of energy, so I’ll finish it today. I definitely need this practice to remember how to carve cakes and do fondant, then I think I’ll try my air brush.

It’s been just gorgeous here, like truly stunning. But guess what all the rain is bringing us?

POPPIES!! Sigh. They are already blooming on the lush green hills. Our city has closed down the trails after the horrible experience a few years ago. It’s so sad that they have to do that, but there was no controlling the hordes of people. They just parked anywhere they wanted — including freeways and on and off ramps. Their kids and dogs were running into the roads. A few fools were bit by rattlers. And most tragic of all, a police officer was hit and killed on the side of the freeway. This particular trail doesn’t have a large area to park as 95% of the time, only a handful of people ever us it. All that said, it’s lovely to see the hills blooming a fiery orange from my house.

And lastly, I have a few pics that Wizard took of our backyard.

Where you see the square cement pads is outside our dining room. I’m planning on a lot of plants, some chairs and maybe a small safe fire pit (the small kind from a place like Home Depot)

We love it, and Maggie is really enjoying it too. She loves the planters, and we’ve seen her sprawled on the turf soaking up the sunshine.

How was your weekend?

The post Weekend Roundup first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

Friday Five

TGIF!! How is it February? Okay, let’s jump into sharing five random things about our week. Here’s mine:

I had hoped to share a picture, but due to slow drying concrete, phase two of the backyard won’t be done until sometime later today. So far, Wizard and I are very happy though! The drying concrete is some cement pads to create a sitting area outside our sunroom, and today the artificial turf in, including around those pads of concrete. I will show pics once it’s all done. Next will be the smaller stuff like figuring out, buying and then planting the landscape.While we’re happy, Maggie is stuck in the house. She doesn’t understand why she can’t go into her own backyard and looks at us with sad eyes. I’m not saying that Maggie is a con artist, but this “look” has earned her extra treats and walks.I’m feeling somewhat better this week and hoping I continue that way. I saw my doctor again and am doing all I can to resolve this or at least control it.  At least this week has been better!I finished reading TERM LIMITS by Vince Flynn and enjoyed it! I am finding I read more in trade or hardback rather than my Kindle lately.I baked and froze a cake, made some fondant, and managed to get out to my cake store although I didn’t buy anything. I’ve sketched out some designs, but this weekend I think I’ll try the hardest one that I am pretty sure won’t work There’s no reason except that I feel like trying it that way.

That’s my five, now I’d love to hear yours! I hope everyone is doing okay after the brutal weather in some parts of the country this week! Have a great weekend!

The post Friday Five first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

Wednesday’s Question

Short blog today But this was a question I was thinking about while driving to the doctor’s today.

What was your most hated job?

Mine lasted about a week. I got a job at a small café. I can’t remember what I thought I was going to be doing, but I ended up bussing the tables. I couldn’t handle it — I think we all know I have a weak stomach I very quickly got another job! The thing about having bad jobs, in my opinion, is they really motivate us to strive for better jobs! All my kids worked in things like fast food or similar jobs that sure motivated them to get useful college degrees and work hard to build careers they mostly enjoy.

I’m curious — what was your most hated job?

Happy Wednesday!

The post Wednesday’s Question first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

Weekend Roundup

Not much to tell This weekend a freeway was closed AGAIN. They are doing needed repairs, but it’s so annoying. Therefore we couldn’t go see Turbo and he couldn’t come see us. Hopefully next weekend!

In good news, I was able to leave the house! I went to Target on Friday and Walmart on Saturday! I even bought a cheap pizza stone, and I very quickly learned why I need a pizza peel (big pizza spatula thing) to get the dough on and off that stone! I didn’t burn myself, but I make a mess of of the pizza. Still I had fun.

Yesterday, my granddog Phoebe came over! It’s her first time here, and Maggie lost her mind. I mean she was a crazy dog. I had her waiting out front on a leash when Phoebe got out of the car, and Maggie turned into a shrill chatter monkey wiggling and baying in excitement. Phoebe was like, “Dude chill,” and did her best to avoid the shrill chatter monkey. I cracked up because Maggie deserves it. She’s either a total snob or a super fan girl when she meets other dogs. She really needs to learn the level middle ground. Even more insane, Phoebe can be dog aggressive, but Maggie didn’t believe it. That surprised me, she’s usually more cautious around bigger dogs. But it was all good, and Phoebe really enjoyed seeing the back yard. The entire time they were here, Phoebe ignored Maggie and for a dog who can be dog aggressive, that is good behavior. I was very proud of her!

Otherwise, I did some boring chores, read a little, watching a movie and began thinking about how to make a monster jam cake for Turbo’s birthday in March. This is probably way beyond my skills, but I’ll try it and see what happens.

How was your weekend?

The post Weekend Roundup first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

Friday Five

TGIF!! Let’s dive right into sharing five random things about our week. Here’s mine:

I forgot to mention, I made pizza dough and bread from scratch last week. Both turned out decent. I’m sure I can get better, but I was pleased for my first attempts at baking with yeast. Now that I know I can make pizza crust, I’m thinking about buying a pizza stone. I don’t think I actually need a stone, but it sounds fun, LOL.I remade the gluten free and dairy free chocolate chip cookies and I think I baked them much better this time. I made them smaller and used regular heat, not convection, and it worked. I happened to just have the ingredients and decided to try it.We are having actual weather this year. We had some pretty strong winds this week, and they made a mess. But the good news is we didn’t have to clean a pool after the winds! Now we’re expecting rain again this weekend, although I don’t think we’ll get as much as the last series of storms, which is good. I’m also really happy that we have all the concrete done, that makes it easier for us taking out trash and stuff, and Maggie won’t track in as much mud.As of yet, we still don’t know why I’m having, let’s just delicately call it pretty severe digestion distress. I think this is the fourth week now, and its like nothing like I’ve ever experienced for more than a couple days at most. Whatever this is, I don’t recommend it. We’re trying different meds to attempt to control the symptoms until we can figure out the problem.My health insurance has a new game — it’s called let’s hold certain medications hostage until the patient pays the entire year’s deductible up front. Since my deductible has several K’s in it, I am not liking this game. This is for the Humira that has controlled my RA for years so that I can do fun things like walk. I’m seeing my doctor next week to see if there are any options. I know I’m not alone, this is happening to a lot of people these days.

So that’s my really boring five. I hope next week I’ll be back to normal (okay I was never normal, LOL!), or at least more interesting. Now I’d love to hear your five! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

The post Friday Five first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

Wednesday Stuff

So far, this week is on my last nerve. But I do have to tell one story about people actually doing their jobs and how much I appreciate them.

Last week, I ordered some of Maggie’s prescription food that has to be vet-approved each time it’s shipped. Then over the weekend I got a series of emails stating that the dog food company had reached out to my vet multiple times and could not get a response. They warned me I had 48 hours to resolve him or my dog would starve they would cancel the order.

And all this happened over the weekend when there was literally nothing I could do about it.

Fortunately I had an appointment for Maggie Monday morning. I told the two amazing women at the front desk what was happening. They were able to show me a copy of the FAX they’d sent the Friday morning approving the food. But they didn’t stop there. They called the place, and proved that they had indeed sent the FAX, which resulted in Maggie’s food being shipped overnight.

I was AMAZED and very grateful.

So while this and last week have had some significant problems, this one issue was resolved within a half hour by two women ready and willing to do not only their jobs, but also the job of the people who didn’t put her food order through!

Also Maggie made a new from named Goose. He’s the office cat — he’s gray, about her size and very low key and cool. Maggie was pretty proud of herself!

How’s your Wednesday going?

The post Wednesday Stuff first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

Weekend Roundup

The best description is quiet. But quiet isn’t bad, so I’ll take it. A quick summary:

The guys finished up and phase one of landscaping is done! Maggie has checked every inch of the back and approves so far. Our plan is to do phase two, which is turn and pavers in the backyard in a few weeks. We have some work to do to get things ready before that starts.

Saturday, Youngest stopped by on his way home from Home Depot, carrying a load of wood on the trailer that he built from a kit. Maggie and I went out to see Youngest and his trailer, and Wizard looks over at me, “How did you know he was here?” I answered, “I heard his voice.” Wizard just shook his head, having no idea how I’d heard that from inside the house. It’s a mom thing. Also I figured youngest would stop by to see the concrete and walls so I was probably half listening, but I didn’t feel the need to tell Wizard that.

Youngest’s trailer is really cool. Like I said, he built if from a kit, and got it registered so it’s all safe and legal for him to tow and carry stuff. I’m pretty impressed. Maggie was curious about it, and youngest told her she could jump up on it. Maggie hopped up there and preened. I’m not sure if it’s because Youngest allowed her up there, or she just loved being up there. It was too cute Youngest has been teaching himself how to build, mostly woodworking. He loves it, and it’s a great creative outlet for someone who works with numbers in his day job. These kinds of hobbies and passions are excellent stress relief.

Sunday Wizard went racing, and Maggie and I did a couple walks, and I did yoga — oh! When we put up the new TV, we rotated an old one into our “exercise room.” We had a Roku we hooked it up too. And now I can stream my yoga videos and workout to them. I’ve been doing this on my Kindle previously, which was okay, but this is much nicer! We also can stream anything else we have access too, so it’s a nice room to watch a movie or read a book too. It’s a peaceful space away from the main part of the house. Eventually I hope to get some calming art work in there (I also hope to win the lottery, LOL!)

From B.E.’s recommendation, I ordered the book TERM LIMITS by Vince Flynn. It finally arrived and I started reading it. I really like it so far. It’s been awhile since I’ve read that style of thriller. I see so many books labeled thriller that I don’t think fit in the category, but this one does. It has enough high concept with great tension building in the plot. There are a lot of characters, but so far, they are easy enough for me to keep the sorted. I’ve only read a few chapters but I’m invested.

Today, I’m taking Maggie to the vet for her routine tech visit then we’ll see what else Monday brings!

The post Weekend Roundup first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.