SPRING HAS SPRUNG

Oregon doesn't have very distinct seasons, yet I enjoy having a little change every few months.  Currently our days are close to 70 (or a little bit over) already.  I think we may have a HOT summer (thank goodness for a pool and air conditioning) coming our way.  Maui was "just right" warm for a few months (winter) then HOT.  I do like the Oregon choices better!

A view into my little world ...

Easter egg hunt strategizing ...

Just outside our front door

Thank goodness the army still enjoys a stuffed animal now and again .... 

Yes ... two boys, two blankets, two stuffed animals and an iPad

 Rice Krispie treats made with Peeps!

These camo boys still love soft friends!

Kate's oldest son ... Bosko

THE MORNING

Now that I am retired and not responsible for anyone or anything, I love having a leisurely morning.  I usually start with a mug of cold brewed coffee (strong and less acidic) that I warm in the microwave.

First on my reading list, email followed by blogs.  Next is the NY Times digital version where I see all the horrible things that are going on in the world.  Often I read the local paper online but their slant on things is SO ridiculous, I don't stay there very long.

My indulgence is Facebook where I can see family and friends, get updated on their kids and grandkids, unfollow those who complain and whine constantly, and have a good laugh.

Typically on weekdays Mr. 5 is up and quietly playing.  I offer him some breakfast followed by his "latte" ... warm milk with a splash of vanilla topped with whipped cream and a different color of sprinkles every day.

I catch up on Scrabble, Letterpress and Boggle as well as a crossword puzzle.

Since last week, I have a magical scene from my chair.  My Lover of Animals daughter has stepped up her game in caring for the birds.  She makes her own suet, has a feeder with thistle and a feeder with native Oregon no mess seed and of course a hummingbird feeder.  Plus suet.  

She lures the squirrels away by having her cigarette break across the parking lot and  feeds them peanuts.  This new feeder set up has a great anti-squirrel baffle on the bottom part of the pole.  When we hung things in front of our dining room window, in the trees, the squirrels overcame every obstacle ... once chewing through the wood of a suet cake so it dropped to the ground.

Mind you, she had treats for the squirrels to entice them to stay away from the feeders.  A large mason jar on it's side attached the the underside of the stairway above us with peanuts and corn.  A corn cob holder with corn.  Which they gleefully devoured, but they were insatiable and have invited their entire squirrel population to join in the fun.

Part of my new fun is watching them TRY to get to the treats on the new bird feeder.  So far ... no success.

P.S.  Yes, I am waiting to hear from the HOA that we can't have it ....

IF IT WERE JUST ME

I love living with three generations of me.  It gives me an opportunity to stay up to date with children and what they like to do and I am proud to watch my kidlet raise wonderful people.  Her relationship with her mate has blossomed with respect and fun, as well as sharing household responsibilities.

My 10x13 room is my serene zone.  The rest of the condo is busy and filled with stuff.  My room is filled with stuff also, but everything is grouped and in containers.  The walls out there are packed with photos and more.  The fridge and freezer are covered with kid art, schedules, vacation magnets, etc.  I have become my father by insisting on my own special chair in the living room and beware those who put things on it!!!  Must have my coffee and computer time (unless both boys are home and then it is just too noisy ... they know how to use Alexa and they love to sing and dance).

But ... if it were just ME living here ...

The microwave would always show the time, not 11 seconds left to cook.
The toilet seat would be all the way closed.
The entrance would not be filled with many pairs of shoes, slippers, boots and flip flops.
The lights would be turned off when the room was not being used.
The vegetable bins in the fridge would be cleaned out before things got slimy.
The bathroom exhaust fan would be off when not necessary.
The microwave would be sanitized weekly.
The wet towels would be hung up.
The dirty laundry would be in a hamper.
The bathroom sink would be cleared after each person got ready in there.
The toothbrushes would not stay in the shower.
The mail would be brought in every day.
The mail would be opened the same day.
The ice cube trays would be emptied and refilled.
Things would be returned to the same spot they were found.
The shower button would always be turned off.
The grocery list would have items written on it BEFORE I ran out.
The toilet paper roll would never be empty.
The cream would never contain 1/4 teaspoon of cream.
There would always be potato chips in the pantry.
The TV remote would be kept in the same place, up high away from the boys.
My iPad would always be charged.
The gas in my vehicle would never go below 1/4 tank.
If a package arrived, I would always hand it directly to the recipient.
The dining room table would be tidied up every other day.
The printer would never be without paper.  Or ink.
Burned out lightbulbs would be quickly replaced.

But despite all these tiny little annoyances (and many more), I cannot imagine life without them.  I don't think I want to be alone again.  I'm a better person with a team and I'm proud I'm flexible enough to not sweat the small stuff.

RERUNS

My husband did not like leftovers.  I hated wasting wonderful home made food.  After a few years, I finally learned the best way to enjoy leftovers was to wait a day or two and somehow doctor it up.  Beef stew?  Made it into stroganoff.  Spaghetti?  Served chicken parmesan on top.  And so on.

We have so many leftovers at this house, we have to "date" them.  My feeling is that once a food is opened or prepared, the fridge shelf life is 5 days.  It's too hard to remember when something was put in especially if it gets pushed to the back. I probably score more often than not, the kidults don't really eat lunch!  Once I make sure they aren't planning on using them that night, I have a nice warm lunch.

Now my grandsons don't like leftovers!  One day last week we had so many yummy items already cooked, I talked to the parents (the one who was cooking that night ... they take turns) to see if I could make a menu and let the boys each choose WHICH leftover they wanted!  Big hit.  Sometimes you just want a choice?  And accompany their choice with a veggie assortment.

I got out some small mason jars to use for glasses.  This was going to be an old fashioned diner.  Used kerchiefs for napkins.  Gave them each a BIG fork coz we don't cater to young 'uns (try explaining young 'uns)

No one chose the instant macaroni and cheese!  Braeden got to learn a new word by sounding it out (accompanied).  They especially liked the dessert CHOICES and Momma (the waitress) said they had a couple of specials for dessert that weren't listed on the menu, did they want to hear those?  Popsicles, vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt tube.

I have more fun than they do!

THE 24 HOUR DATE

These parents almost always prefer to have their boys join them.  I'm not sure how a date night was chosen last week, but they had a Dr appointment in the late afternoon and several errands to run.  The boys had no school Thursday and Friday (teacher conferences).  Of course I said YES and they were going to return to put the boys to bed and then go to a movie ... but my guys are big boys now.  We can handle bedtime just fine.

The kidults puttered around for an hour before leaving and finally the boys said "please just go, guys!"  So we could start our fun!  I had been simmering pork chops for dinner and then decided I had to make it into something more kid friendly.  I baked some potatoes and made a salad bar.  Gosh was that a big hit!  Homemade bacon bits and just about everything you could imagine, all in tiny bowls to add to salad.  The boys set the table and asked for candles.  I got out sturdy wine glasses for our water and made garlic toast to accompany the salad.

After salad, we played a little more while the potatoes finished.  I cut little pats of butter and put onto a plate with a teeny tiny fork and let them serve themselves.  They were perfect little gentlemen.  They got to add their own ground salt and ground pepper.  After we were finished, the two of them took everything (all those little bowls as well) into the kitchen.  Braeden did all of the dishes!  First time!! Deacon wiped off the table and the chairs (the dog loves this part!).  And the living room was spotless.  I was pretty proud of them!

We watched part of a movie then they did their nightly routine and snuggled in promptly.  Because the next morning ... the three of us were heading to McDonald's for breakfast!  So the parents could sleep in.  Braeden helped Deacon get dressed and they were super cute!  I should have taken pictures.  Long sleeve tshirts under short sleeve tshirts and sporting ball caps.  Just the cat's meow!

After a gourmet morning meal (first time I've ever had their coffee and WOW!  pretty good), we went to the big Walmart and looked at toys and clothes.  Yes, I let them each spend $10 and it was the longest decision making process ever.  Brubba, you get this one and I'll get that one and then we can play.  Brover ... we have one that is almost like that ... look at these Halo guys.  And so on.

It was still pretty early (10am) so we went to the Mall .... to the Lego store.  Spent an hour there (dreaming) and left via Cinnabon for the drive home.  By now it is almost lunch time and at breakfast they discovered the toy in the Happy Meal were teeny tiny beanie baby animals!  To kill a bit more time (and so the parents didn't have to rush and make them lunch) we went to the drive thru.

Happy little clams and so excited to open their action figures and play.

Gosh are these parents loving me!  The best part for me?  I only said "hurry up" once in 24 hours.

THANKFUL THURSDAY

My neighbors gave this gag gift they received to the boys.  They love it!

Spring has sprung at our house.

They made a paper mache volcano ... that works! For PREschool project!

The boys made me lunch the other day!

 We live about two blocks from the Willamette River (divides Portland into East and West sides).  The boys have a "secret spot" and are making a house.

AWKWARD WIDOW's FAVORITE THINGS

These items are new to me.  If you've known about them for years ... why didn't you share?

I think I heard about this shake-on seasoning from the Clark Howard website.  People are buying this up at the retail Trader Joe's store and then re-selling it online!  Yes, even Amazon is selling it.

My favorite bagel IS the "everything" bagel ... with cream cheese or even just with butter.  Imagine my delight when I bought this!  My morning breakfast most days is a 60-calorie slice of Killer Dave's many grains/seeds bread with half an avocado, a generous sprinkle of this and topped with a slice of turkey or an egg or just a slice of tomato.  YUM.

I think I first read about the next Trader Joe item in the NY Times.  Although it does have 29 g of carbs, I don't eat all six dumplings at one meal.  Yesterday I simmered chicken bone broth with carrots, celery, onion and amino acid (like soy sauce only better for you) for hours.  I thickened it a little, added some shredded cabbage (couldn't find bok choy at two local stores) and spooned it over three dumplings and joined the boys at the table.  I didn't think they would want it for dinner but not only did they like the dumplings, they loved the broth!  I had to cook some ramen noodles and give them each a bowl of soup.  And then cook myself more dumplings.

I've also had them just steamed as there is a bit of chicken broth inside each.  Quick and easy and only 250 calories (I think).

Finally, a rather new (2017) local brewed product.  The son of a friend no longer drinks alcohol but soda options were all very boring for adults and many are just too sweet.  Shrub style drinks went out of favor with the advent of refrigeration, but these people have revised them for the 21st century.

These have no added sugar and, believe it or not, have vinegar as an ingredient.  I'm hoping they will come up with some herbal sodas as well.  I think they are off to a great start.  (Still high in carbs but less than a Coke).

I am very picky when it comes to yogurt.  Mr. Ralph would eat a carton of Yoplait lemon yogurt for breakfast every morning.  Along with a toasted English muffin with honey, some fruit if I would put it together for him and a big mug of coffee.  When he was ill and losing weight so quickly, I kept trying to find full fat yogurts.  I discovered Siggi's.  Now I like yogurt!

Plain old vanilla.  I like the non-fat but they do have many flavors in full fat.  I try to keep a carton or two in the fridge but the other cooks in the house keep using it!  Smoothies, waffles, with granola on top, etc.  Now I keep one hidden on the bottom shelf way in the back.  

Are there any foodies out in blog reader land who have some favorite food or drink ideas?  Chime in!

USING MY GADGETS

For the past two or three years, I have been buying zucchini noodles already made.  In the beginning, only Whole Foods had them.  They were usually just $3.99 and I get three meals from the little container, so I felt it was worth it to help me cut back on carbs.  Soon 365 stocked them and finally, even Safeway stepped up!

But when I stopped in the other day at Whole Foods ... they were $5.99!  Safeway went up to $4.99.  Another locally owned store had them for $6.99.  I had to start making these myself.

I looked online for an easy to use AND easy to clean spiralizer.  OXO brand was my answer!  It's $40 on Amazon and one zucchini made a whole container ($0.89 for the zucchini) so this gadget will pay for itself in about two months.  Everything but the blades can go in the dishwasher.  I love any OXO product I have ever purchased.

For my first zu-noodle meal, my noodles were topped with Jesse's famous marinara sauce.  The next night they were out and about, so I sauteed onions and mushrooms and added four little frozen meatballs.  Then two days later, I topped them leftover pot roast and carrots.  Very YUM.  It's so easy to lightly saute the noodles and top with whatever!  I'm thinking butter and salt and pepper some night.  (I've even used them as hashbrowns with a little onion and an egg on the side).  I'd like to do butternut squash as noodles but I can't imagine peeling one and how tough the process would be ... but hopefully I will give it a try.

The OXO I bought has a giant suction cup on the bottom so it sticks to my counter top.  One hand is for cranking and the other for pushing the vegetable or fruit close to the blade.  It comes with three different blades ... spaghetti noodle size, fettucini size noodles and a thin spiral that can do a whole apple (or whatever) into the thinnest slices ever.  OR, you can put a slit in your produce, and it makes your end product in shorter sections.  I'm going to try putting in a slit the entire length of my cucumber tonight to see if I get just individual slices.

One day I made the most wonderful apple cake.  It was a recipe that came with the OXO.  Green apples (I peeled them first to trick our non-produce eater).  Buttermilk and ginger, cloves and cinnamon.  The frosting was rich beyond belief with cream cheese and butter.  The boys wouldn't even try it!  Jesse and I each had two pieces, then I cut the rest up and delivered to neighbors.

I always make au gratin potatoes for Easter and may try the slicer option ... although they may be too thin.  Now that I have this, of course I'm looking up recipes.  Stay tuned.  There's even a Facebook page!

GRATUITIES, TIPS, SERVICE CHARGES and DONATIONS

A week or two ago I took myself to a late lunch (after meeting with the young lawyer who is updating my will).  It was Happy Hour there and I had two small plates and a beer!  I just couldn't decide between the two, so I got them both!  I could only eat half of each but the combination just hit the spot.

I usually tip in cash as I know servers aren't paid minimum wage.  This can work to their advantage as I tip well for good service.  When the bill came, I was a bit taken aback.

Granted, $0.35 is not going to ruin my entire budget.  BUT ... a service charge?  Why not just up your prices a bit?  I surely do not get it.  And then a line for DONATION?  In addition to a tip?  Wow.  Based on this, I think I'm more in favor of NO TIPPING and paying restaurant employees a wage based on their abilities.  

Tipping in many countries is frowned upon.  Tipping under any circumstance in Japan may be seen as rude, because good service is standard and expected.

China - Typically, nobody tips in China.  I had a 90 minute foot rub for $1.50 and gave him a $3.00 (US Dollars) tip and my friend was outraged!  No more tipping for me during that trip!  

Hong Kong - Tipping in Hong Kong is not common either, and as in Japan, may be seen as insulting. A 10 percent gratuity is also built in at most restaurants.

Switzerland - Swiss federal law dictates that all services charges be included in published prices, so there is no obligation to tip people in the service industry--servers, hairdressers, hotel porters, etc. 

Australia - Tipping in Australia historically has not been the norm. Tipping in hotels, hair salons, bars, and taxis is also not expected, but it's normal to tell someone to keep the change.  Some of the restaurants larger cities are adding a line for tip though 10% is the going rate (last time I was there)

Belgium - Like in Switzerland, service staff are well paid, and tipping is not required because bills include the service charge. 

Brazil - Tipping in Brazil is generally not expected. However, tourists often tip small amounts for taxi and porter services, and restaurants will sometimes add a service fee to the bill, but it is not mandatory to pay.

And these are just countries I have visited.  I think New York City larger and/or more exclusive restaurants already are doing this ... and no one is going out of business.

What do you think?