Posts

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Champagne Grapes

This is a bit of a teaser post, but there is a reason(s)…my work load is fuller than full and Champagne Grapes are available for a very short time!

I have some uses for them to share…but not the time to make all I’d like and photograph and etc., etc. …

Champagne grapes are tiny, very sweet, seedless grapes. I like them with almonds and lemon juice and butter cooked down as a fish or chicken topper. I have a new recipe to try for a rosemary-garlic-grape focaccia.

I found these at my grocery last week. In the past, I’ve only found them in a HUGE container at Costco. I was thrilled to find the smaller container…BUT thinking about ice cream made with these…maybe I DO need the large container.

Anyway. These are not grapes that are used to make Champagne. I’m not sure why the name. One source said maybe because they were like champagne bubbles ??? Whatever, they are a treat and a very seasonal treat and if you see some … BUY them!! It is fun to try new things and I’ll have some of my uses in a post ASAP.

And if none of my stuff appeals, they are good to just eat … Champagne Grapes – YUM!

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Hobbling along

I am doing far, far better than hobbling actually. The discomfort and achiness is minor and the swelling is mostly gone. I can wear shoes again!

I did get a cane, though…even though it sounded incredibly “elderly”!

BUT, it is All-terrain cane!

It is actually pretty cool…

And it can stand up on its own so none of the crashing to the floor kind of thing I had with crutches 12 years ago when I had to use those.

I also bought a calf-shin wrap designed to help runners with shin splints … and skipped getting the $500 orthopedic boot.

In the woods, I use the cane and 1 ski pole with the wrap and a good pair of running shoes … a little help with weight bearing and 3 point support. Additionally, all of the equipage reminds me to slow down and pay attention to where I’m putting my feet. I think most of my accidents have happened because I’ve been in a hurry and/or not paying attention.

Bottom line, I’m getting around fine but also remembering to take it a bit easy.

Not everyone needs help remembering to take it easy…

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Peace and Light

It is still cool.

We’ve had bits of rain overnight and in the days.

June was like July and so far July is more like June.

Bear, Auggie and I are enjoying every moment of the current cool, pleasant and sometimes rainy days and nights.

Peace and Light.

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Two stories from the chairs

The odd chair arrangement speaks to an event from last week.

I was trotting down my driveway in hopes of speaking to the UPS person as he was delivering a package to my “end of the driveway” box. At one point, I said “OW!” I didn’t twist anything or step wrongly – there was just a sharp pain in my left shin.

Back at home, I thought that since I don’t normally run and I was not in shoes that had much cushioning, it was probably a shin splint. I iced and took some ibuprofen and massaged and stretched.

Through the week, it got worse in both pain and swelling.

By Friday afternoon, I was sporting a “platypus” foot, fat ankle and shin. The pain is on my shin bone but the swelling went from there all the way through to my toes.

Saturday morning, I went to an urgent care orthopedic clinic for an exam and x-ray. The thought is a stress fracture – inconclusive as stress fractures do not show on x-ray until they heal … or actually fracture.

Well, phooey.

The Dr. suggested a cane for the next week to wait for the swelling to subside and then to get fitted for a walking boot to stabilize things and allow healing vs a full break.

I’m using ski poles vs a cane which allows for both support and a more normal stride than a cane. The more normal stride will hopefully keep other joints and muscles from objecting.

Plus I am keeping my leg elevated as much as possible …THAT is what the chairs are saying as I moved them in order to have a leg rest when outside.

And a lot of “icing” … well, a bag of frozen peas was too small…the bag of blueberries is just right and the heavy paper wrapping is much more comfortable than the plastic wrap around vegetables :) !

The second story from the chairs is weather related. We’ve had some rain. Not a lot, but off and on light showers the last two days. Yea!!

The chairs have spoken.

The End.

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Nearly normal

Via the cat thermometer (curled up cat vs long, long cat), it is still cool :) !!

Actually, it is nearly normal temperature with low 70’s daytime and upper 40/low 50’s overnight. Pure bliss in my book and I could take this for the rest of the Summer.

Bear agrees!

Plus, we got a nice bit of rain yesterday (Tuesday) morning: .26 inches per a headline article in the paper.

I have been enjoying Asian-spiced turkey meatballs during the heat wave and even now that it is cooler. The recipe is Mel’s Kitchen Cafe Baked Orange-Glazed Meatballs.

I made the orange glaze with the first batch and it is very good. I didn’t have an orange on the second round, but did have some of the cranberry jalapeno salsa – also a Mel’s Kitchen Café recipe. (Mel’s Kitchen Café Cranberry Jalapeno Salsa)

The spiced up flavor of the turkey meatballs with the cranberry salsa on a bed of lightly dressed cole slaw … all wrapped up in a flour tortilla has been making for one light, refreshing and tasty lunch!

This recipe is the first time I’ve used ground turkey and I am sorry I waited so long to try it. Mel’s method is to bake the meatballs in a mini-muffin pan. I was baking mine on a half sheet pan so I added an egg and some shredded zucchini to add a bit of fat and moisture since mine were not contained in a little pocket of their minimal fat. These meatballs are full of flavor, tender and versatile: good warmed up with the glaze, good cold and they freeze wonderfully. Another winner from Mel!

I doubt we’ve seen the last of Summer heat, but hopefully we’ll stay cooler than the upper 90’s of the last weeks.

We are all enjoying being nearly normal.