Tuesday Meme...

 I am writing this on Sunday morning...so here goes...

from where we lived in NY.

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we put 4 questions up each week for you to ponder and answer.  Then we hope you visit all the other participants too. So, we can get to know one another better.

Let's plan a lovely vacation through New England to see the Autumn leaves... Money is no object, and we have all the time we would like.

1. How many days and nights would you like to be away?

Maybe from late September to mid Nov. LOL

2. What kind of car would you like to take on this trip? Maybe you would enjoy the train? Would you sail up the coast in a yacht?

I/we have sailed up and down the coast and the Hudson River from Albany, NY to NYC on a sailboat. AND have taken the train as well. OH, and driven it as well. LOL

3. Would side trips be on your agenda? Perhaps to Mystic, Connecticut, Salem, Massachusetts, Plimouth, (yes, they spelled it with an "i" ) Massachusetts, Walden Pond, Lizzie Borden's home or maybe the home of  Emily Dickenson, etc.

We have been to all those places. smiles

4. Lobster roll, chowders, boiled dinners, brown bread, baked beans, pancakes with real maple syrup, blueberry muffins, Parker House Rolls (well loved by Charles Dickens, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,  the Kennedy clan.), Toll House Cookies, Red Flannel Hash, Tourtiere  pork pie, (Recipe here)— what native foods catch your attention?

All the above. Been there, done it. I have always been able to adapt to wherever we lived. Onto a native recipe for Florida:

Key Lime Pie

PIE CRUST: 

1/3 of a 1 lb box of graham crackers

5-6 tbs of melted butter

1/3 cup of sugar

Pie Filling

4 egg yolks

2 tsp of lime zest

14 oz (one can) of sweetened condensed milk

2/3 cup of lime juice or 6-8regular limes

Méringue Topping

4 egg whites

1/4 tsp of cream of tartar

2 tbs of sugar

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350*

Break up graham crackers, add melted butter and sugar, make sure your break it up good/ crumbling.

Press the mixture into the bottom and side of a pie pan, forming a neat border around the edge. Lightly form a border up the sides.  Bake the crust at 350 degrees until set and golden for 8 minutes.  Set aside on a wire rack, let cool. Leave the oven on.

For the filling, use grater, grate 2 teaspoons of the lime skin. Then, using a hand press, squeeze 2/3 cups of key lime juice by cutting each lime in half and placing it in press (they are usually too small for a juicer).

Next, separate the egg yolks from the whites. Set aside the egg whites for the meringue if you want to use them later. Have your sweetened condensed milk opened, your juice finished and your zest ready for the next step.

In an electric mixer with the wire whisk attachment, beat the 4 egg yolks and 2 teaspoons of lime zest at high speed until very fluffy, about 5 minutes.  Gradually add the can of condensed milk and continue to beat until thick, 3 or 4 minutes longer.  Lower the mixer speed and slowly add the 2/3 cup of lime juice, mixing just until combined, no longer. Pour the mixture into the crust.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, or until the filling has just set. Cool on a wire rack.

For the topping, with a mixer, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the sugar until forming stiff peaks.

Spread over filling and seal to edge of crust. Bake at 400 degrees for 5-8 minutes or until meringue is golden brown. Note: Watch the oven and don’t take your eyes off the meringue, it could brown quickly. Place in the refrigerator and let it chill for 2-3 hours.

Bon Appetit!

Rambling Sunday Steal

 Good morning from a very soggy and wet Central Florida, I am not complaining as I rather enjoy this weather. It's currently only 73-75* but 100% humidity and quite dark and windy. The husband and I are out on the covered back porch both on our laptops. 

To answer a few comments that were left on this blog: NOPE NOT A DARN THING IS HAPPENING WITH OUR HOUSE, NOTHING, ZIP. I better leave it at that, and that is why this past Monday I filed for staff housing. Excuses after excuses, jumping thru one hoop after another and we decided if closing isn't happening, then come that Monday Oct. 3, we will get our monies back, period. We figured the bank wants to raise the interest rate, yeah...never mind.

P.S. Pamela, we will get that desk, soon. We really appreciate y'all storing it for us. smiles

Hi! I'm your host Bev Sykes of the blog "Funny the World"... Welcome to Sunday Stealing.  Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. Cheers to all of us thieves. 

Do you have any Pepto-Bismol in your house?

My husband keeps the pill kind, not the liquid. He actually keeps a nice emergency mail bag full of everything under the sun. We learned a hard lesson many years ago.

 

Do you have a favorite flavor of vodka?

Yep, sure do. I happen to like vodka, especially Raspberry.

 

Is your backyard big enough to fit a trampoline?

Yep, and then some. 

When was the last time you had eggs?

Yesterday. We went to a local restaurant Wolfy's that has been here since I can remember and the food was just as great as it was 30 yrs ago and I had scrambled eggs, hashbrowns and biscuits with gravy all for under $6. Way cheaper than Cracker Barrel. And the service is way better. It pays to be at that Senior Citizen age, just saying. grin

 How often do you blow dry your hair, and what color is your blow dryer?

Everyday. I live in a very humid Florida. My hairdryer is black.

 Have you ever gone to bed later than three AM?

Sure, when I was younger and partied hardy. 

Have you been to a surprise party before?

Yep, several including my own.

 What is your least favorite month?

July-August. It's hotter than a cat on a hot tin roof. However, since moving back to Florida...just saying lol.

 Have you ever gone to see a movie the day it came out?

Yep several...we did wait a few weeks to see Top Gun 2...since we have been living here, we visit the movies quite a bit, again it pays to be a Senior Citizen and Florida recognizes this special age of 55---NY didn't...although I have to say, I don't feel 55 most days.

 Do you like movies/books about drugs, and why or why not?

No, I have no desire for that stuff...including Scarface although I have seen that several times.

 

Do you have scrap paper by your computer desk?

I do at work. Tons of it. I am the queen of sticky notes and scrap paper, lol. Although I have since learned to talk and type and write while on the phone. LOLOL

 Have you ever kept a bag from a store because you liked it?

Sure. Like Macy's.

 Was the last thing you drank carbonated?

Hmm....yesterday...since the days are hot and humid, I do drink a root beer or Peach Crush once a day.

Do you own any yellow clothing?

Yes...since moving back here, I have added shades of yellows, oranges and greens to my wardrobe. Since all of my clothing is still in storage, every pay day (twice a month), I visit Marshalls or the Outlet stores...and since I have dropped 45 lbs (thanks to grieving and stress) I really don't think my cloths in storage will fit anymore. ANYWAYS, I have a nice new wardrobe going on and hubby even remarked, "I wonder if all these clothes and shoes are going to fit in the new house." grin---they are barely fitting in the small closet now.

Last person you argued with?

My husband...I am done dealing with the house issue and he agreed that we would wait until that Monday Oct. 3 and go from there. I am just d-o-n-e dealing with everyone's issues (i.e.  housing situation and the current housing situation with no ac etc.).

Not so sunny here today, but nonetheless, I can't stress enough how free my feet feel, LOLOLOL.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

 I'll just jump right in and go from there...

Looking out my window: Sunny and it's going to be setting soon (the sun).

I am thinking: I/we really need to get out of here (move).

I am thankful for: so many things...and in response to the bank saying $51,000 in income is not enough to own a home (they keep making us jump thru hoops at the last minute)

One of my favorite things:

I am wearing: Blue jeans Lee Bermuda shorts and a blue Univ. of Florida t shirt and of course, I am barefoot.

I am watching: Nothing, since we don't have access to the tv--but I will be watching the Florida football game on the laptop at 7pm.

I am reading: Ollies has books for $1-5. This one cost me only $3.

I am listening to: Hubby is asking me what time the Gator game starts and where he can find it online.

I am hoping: Actually, my hope is fading that we will be in the house anytime soon. So, we are onto 'plan b' and have filed for staff housing at my job-it's a perk of my contract with the state. Should find out something in the next week or week after. BEFORE Oct. 2 (supposedly closing---haahhahahahahahaha) hits, hopefully.

In the kitchen: Actually, we stopped at Lee's Famous Chicken and had that for dinner.

Shared Quote: I know, it's not a quote...but it's my thought.

A moment from my day: I have no photos...but I can tell you how it's been going M-F.

--get up by 4 am, out the door by 6:30, at work by 7:15 am, there is never a shortage of work to be done--the inmate population remains an upwards trend. Leave at 5- home by 5:36-5:40, eat and in bed by 8:30.

--The weekends: Hubby likes to be outta here by 7 am, eat breakfast out and tool around town and get reacquainted with our old stomping grounds i.e. get lost. Today we hit up all the Antique stores by our former high school.

Just a thought here...we were at Target later today (we call it Tarjay, lol) and we were standing in line and this woman was standing there berating her child and the child was giving it right back. It took every ounce of energy to not slap that woman. My husband did say above graphic to her. Folks, it all starts from home.

I like the flip flops, but I am craving a little cooler air. Just saying...

Sunday Salon

 I am running so behind...this week has been one of those weeks from he hockey sticks...and I wasn't online, nor did I check emails etc. until yesterday.

...hmm on that thought...grin

Time: 9:55 am

Scene: 88*, humidity is 84%, dewpoint is 75*. yeah soupy.

Drinking: Just finished a cup of coffee with Italian Creamer.

Reading: I picked this up yesterday at Ollies for $3.99

Pondering: Do you really want to know? grin

10-12 more years of working.

Being 55 and having a different outlook on life in general.

Had a nice visit with my parents yesterday

The passing of our family pet; Coffee the German Shepherd yesterday--we were at my parents when our friends called...nonetheless, Coffee was a faithful and loyal companion to our son for nearly 15 years. We are assured he is in our sons' arms, and they are playing ball and having a grand time in Heaven. All dogs go to Heaven, right?

The cruelty of people's words: Someone said to me the other day...I wanted to clear the air, Liam passed away of Natural Causes. There was no foul play, no drugs, no alcohol etc. I wish folks would just stop and think of our feelings and the grieving of finding our son and the awfulness of such of that day. I am trying not to take that to heart--those words of what was said by someone...because obviously, no one was there but us that day and they possibly could never know etc...and also, obviously, they didn't know Liam well enough to know that Liam hated and detested folks who did drugs etc. He was a fine young man who never caused us any heart ache. Today marks 9 months of his passing...and I wish I could say it gets easier...

Pondering...one of our housemates decided she had enough of the high electric bill and turned the central ac off last week---yep and its miserable. I better leave it at that. Folks, it's STILL SUMMER HERE in central FL where the days are humid and near 100.

The ac went out at work/the office I work in-it got hit by lightning---again, miserable. So, when I get home, I spend the rest of the evening in the bedroom as we have a room ac.---and it has caused a rift with our housemates...so sorry...but I am 55 years old and pay 1/2 the electric bill and I am not sweating through this Florida heat.

Lack of customer service nowadays...just saying.

Amen on above! I shall play catch up later, hubby is wanting to get going, needing to head to Walmart.

Happy Homemaker...

 Ohhhhhhhh I have never done this meme...you can find that blogger right here. I am writing this on Sunday evening.

The Weather:

Monday 91* w/ 36% chance of rain

Tuesday 92* w/ 22% chance of rain 

Wednesday 91* w/ 48% chance of rain

Thursday 88* w/ 48% chance of rain

Friday 85* w/ 60% chance of rain

We are sort of waterlogged here, everything is green and lush here.

Things that make me happy:

Contrary to popular belief-but our sons photo. I can't believe it has been 9 months since he passed away...

My husband and the way he looks at me (ok, to be perfectly honesty he probably thinks I am cuckoo for cocoa puffs 1/2 the time, LOL).

Random laughter (which I am learning its ok to do--as I recognize the forms of depression and dealing with our sons passing-that is what I am referring too).

Cool crisp autumn days--ha probably not much of that here in central Florida.

That first cup of coffee in the morning.

One of my favorite things:

Right now, my head is filled with useless ideas on how to decorate the cottage --IF and WHEN that happens. So, yeah, just daydreaming...which is my escape right now.

Books I am reading:

I am not reading much of anything...however, since we were here all weekend, both of us sat here in the living room in comparable/comfortable silence (no one yelling or cussing--one of the housemates likes to do that-but since they were gone, wink) and both on laptops enjoying whatever program was on. 

A Photo:

I keep forgetting to take an updated photo as the land is cleared now (has been for 3 months).

But soon there will be a house there.

What I am listening to:

The dishwasher is on, hubby has his earbuds on watching the FSU/LSU game on his laptop. And the housemate's cat is meowing at me--how dare I do not pay any attention to her, LOLOL.

Menu Plan:

Our housemates won't back until Tuesday and really, I can't tell you what we will be having. My husband, bless him, does all the cooking. He did mention Bangers and Mash sometime.

On My to Do List:

Not much...but work and probably laundry. Then shopping Saturday.

Looking Forward to/On my mind:

Getting into the house/setting up a home.

A Quote:

Well, I can tell you the only furniture we have is:

the master bedroom suite

our sons bedroom suite and his recliner 

the dining suite

2 antique dressers with mirrors

an antique dressing table

and a rolltop desk we just bought from Dixie Cottage

SO....where does that leave us?

But yes, boxes galore and it will be like Christmas morning as neither of us remember much what's in those boxes. We packed when we were in severe grief/grieving.

Wishing you a safe day as I update this Monday morning and I will leave you with a great read: Thank God the U.S...

Simple Woman's Daybook

 I am not quite sure the word 'Simple" fits me...but here goes:

Looking out my window:

Still dark (about 6:30 am), but lightness is just starting to show. The days it seems are getting shorter and the mornings staying a bit darker now.

I'm thinking: A few things:

How nice it will be to be in our own home.

Why is it when you have a day off you get up early?

I really need another cup of coffee. (Listen, a certain somebody who lives here (the better 1/2 of our hosts) don't like coffee and so he outlaws it. But since they are not here, we found the Keurig and will have coffee.

I'm thankful: for so many things.

One of my favorite things: Peace and quiet in the morning. Which is very rare when you share a house with 2 other folks. Just saying (but since they are not here, grin).

**on that note...let me tell you, we share 1/2 (and sometimes more) the costs, all the utilities and food etc.. And it costs an arm and a leg. More so than what our mortgage is going to be. BUT I AM GRATEFUL.

I'm wearing: Black pj shorts/tank with stars. Another rare thing--lounging in pj's.

I am creating: albeit in my mind, a place where our stuff will go in the cottage. Dave said last night he was ok to let more stuff go...wow, surprising. Wondering what that means, lol.

I am watching: Since we live with another couple, we do not have access to the tv (it's in their room). So, we watched college football on our computers/laptops last night. I might have zone out and watched HGTV International House Hunters too, LOL.

I am reading: Nothing yet. I already skimmed the online news. Nothing new...just that the rocket launch was scrubbed yesterday, which we knew when we were out and about.

I'm listening to: Nothing. The central ac came on and the ceiling fan is on here in the living room.

I am hoping: Revival of the folks in this world. Wake up folks and let's have a "come to Jesus" moment.

In the kitchen: I made pizza last night. Yes, I sure did. And it was nice, just the two of us.

A quote:

A moment from my day:

Yes, it has taken me a 1/2 hour to write this-it is now 7:05 am.

and our housemates just sent the above photo. Beautiful.

Have a beautiful day all...

Sunday Salon on a Saturday

 Let's see, I know it's Saturday, but I may as well do the Sunday Salon, grin. Thank you all for your kind comments yesterday. I wish we all could meet up and have one big party, grin. What such fun that would be.

Time: 7:20 am

Scene: 73*. Calling for our usual afternoon showers.

Drinking: Coffee with Italian Sweet creamer.

Thinking/Today's Plan: I need to get around. Have to meet the well / septic/ water folks over at the land this morning and then need to run into town. The manufactured home folks need our approval on some things for the cottage/home.

Listening to:  Hubby has Youtube on and he is eating his cereal, rather noisily, LOL.

What's for dinner? Who knows. The most important, what's for breakfast? Hubby is having a bowl of Corn Pops cereal (HA, he is making a joke about Biden).

Reading: Nothing. Absolutely nothing...does the news count? Such a disappointment in the current administration and the hate that gets spewed out of this demented administration. Just saying. The rising costs of everything, inflation, growing debt with other countries etc. My husband firmly believes the end is near for the end of democracy as we know it.

Pondering:

The Artemis Moon Launch today at 2. And how much it costs; $80+Billion. We will hopefully see it--although the cost is just unbelievable and eye popping. Off to the moon!

Today starts the official start of college football here in the south and elsewhere. Not that we have access to a tv, but hopefully we can watch some on the computers.

yeahhhhhhhhhh...not quite that fall feeling here in central Florida just yet, LOL---and it sure seems surreal that we are back living in the flip flop land and not having to worry about the changing seasons and snow. Have a great day all and I will be back later to get caught up on the blogs and FB.

Memeing it...

 It's "Friyay" here...and it also means a 3-day reprieve from work. SO, how about some memes?

P.S. To answer some comments:

--my husband is retired

--yes 6-9 months of a wait for concrete

--we have a 1/3 of an acre that the cottage will sit on.

--I work for the Dept. of Corrections as a Classification clerk. Listen, us clerks are what makes the prison(s) run...don't mess with us (lololol)--we do everything from Out to Court Transfers, Identification, Filing, Intakes, Transfers to other prisons etc. Folks think we have easy peasy jobs, ha...NOT. NOT that I am downplaying being an Officer (they are not called guards). I am just saying, our jobs are just as dangerous as the officer(s). My office is far in the prison gates, actually, I have intense security pass throughs.

--We have a closing date of Oct. 2--it will be either that Friday before or Monday---and it might be the following Friday. But it will be the first week.

Hello and welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4. We are so glad you have you join in. The "Ber" months have begun: September, October, November and December.   Let's talk about September okay?

1. When you were in school or university, did you look forward to returning? Why or why not?

Yes, I liked returning. I can't believe I have been out of college for 2 years now.

2. September has Labor Day, which, for many is the signal of summer's end and fall's grand entrance.  Do you celebrate Labor Day in any way or is it just a day off for you?

Right now...as I speak our housemates have left for the beach until Tuesday-they asked us to come with. We have elected to stay here...we need a break from each other ((grin)). So, right now, it's just a day to relax...actually...b-r-o-k-e comes to mind. We finished paying off the closing of the house. We are meeting the well/water people etc. tomorrow at the land. We also decided not to head out anywhere--and stay here.

3. September's birthstone is the Sapphire which is 2nd only to a diamond in hardness. (Ruby is a red sapphire by the way) It comes in many colors.  Do you know your birthstone and do you like it?

Aquamarine and I love it and have numerous jewelry pieces.

4. September's birth flower is the Astor. What is yours?

Daffodil. I like daffodils and they remind me of spring.

1. Something you've labored over recently?

Work and the very fact I am really not sleeping well. 

2. How will you rest on Labor Day? 

Just plain r and r. I plan not doing much and we are ok with that. It's been a long 5 months since we have been here sharing a house (and a long near 9 months since our son passed away--no, I really can't say long--it's just different) --to which have been a Godsend to us--just keeping it real--but we just need to be on our own.

3. Margaret Mead is quoted as saying, "I learned the value of hard work by working hard." Would you agree? Where and how did you learn the value of hard work? 

My parents and grandparents.

4. It's National Eat Outside Day (August 31st). Will you? Do you enjoy dining 'al fresco' or prefer indoor seating? 

We dined inside here at the house. It is still too hot and humid to eat outside. I like to eat outside when the weather is a tad bit less humid.

5. Somehow, it's the end of August. What was the best day of the month for you and tell us what made it so? 

Honestly, the days have all been running together...I really can't say just one thing...meeting up with fellow blogger Pamela and her family and having a good heart to heart talk with them, really put joy in our lives. As did meeting up with fellow bloggers Barbara and Terri a couple of months ago.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Well...not quite yet here...but it will be come late October into late Nov. We have to get though hurricane season first, grin.