maison rustique

I've been remiss in posting my birdie visitors, which is not to say I haven't had any. Just get busy and forget to post them. Here are last night's friends, including a new one for me--Eastern Phoebe!! American Robin Blue Jay White-throated Sparrow Eastern Phoebe Downy Woodpecker Northern Cardinal Brown-headed Cowbird American Crow Black-capped Chickadee

Recently, I got a frozen pizza from my milkman. I baked it a few days ago. I doctored it, but it was still dreadful--dry and no flavor. I tried a second time with leftovers and I still couldn't like it. Trying hard not to waste food, yesterday I cut it into pieces, Put in a baking dish with more olives, tomatoes and onions, and poured over eggs, milk and copious seasonings. Topped with mozzarella about halfway through baking. A pizza strata. Not the best strata I've ever made but it was vastly better than the original pizza.

If any of you are visiting the area, we have a new museum here. Museum of BBQ

I don't remember it. I might have been able to track it down by stuff she might have posted about, but I think all the old stuff is gone, right?

It broke my heart to see her husband post about it on Facebook yesterday. She was such a brilliant woman and so kind. I will miss her terribly.

Those scallops bring back great memories of eating them at Anthony's Pier 4 in Boston when I lived there. Still can't believe it is gone. Love scallops and I can't recall the last time I had them. I need to fix that.

Been watching newest seasons of Reacher and started Bosch: Legacy last night. Both great, though I prefer Reacher clean-shaven. This season his face just looks dirty.

I've been craving biscuits and sausage gravy. For only one person who doesn't eat much, I wasn't sure it would be worth the trouble. I discovered that Jiffy makes biscuit mix--easier than scratch and not nearly as wasteful as buying a box of Bisquick. The box makes 5 biscuits--I used half and made two, so I've got leftovers. The sausage is from a local producer via my milkman.

I had a late lunch out yesterday with friends so wasn't terribly hungry last night. I had a light snack with a glass of wine.

I'm another baby step nearer to being able to move out of this monstrous evil house. After months of fighting the insurance company and filing complaints with every place I could, I got my husband's life insurance a few weeks ago. I immediately requested to cash out my own policy because I do not want anyone to have to go through what I've gone through with these people. The check is in the mail already--I think the insurance company will be happy to be rid of me. At any rate, keeping it as cheerful as possible, my progress has been very slow with downsizing because of having a hip replacement and getting old right after my husband's death, so I had a serious meeting with my attorney and financial team last week. I am talking with my realtor and in another month or so will begin an earnest search for just the right place for me. I will take my time, as I expect it to be the last place I live unless I have to enter assisted living at some point. I will then move into the new place (easier to know what you can keep when you know where you are going and how much space you have). I have been talking with a friend who has a militaria auction business. He and his partner will come take the bulk of my antique militaria collection and children's uniforms and toys on consignment. I'll call in an estate sale company to clear out the rest and then put this place on the market. I finally feel like I can move forward. My husband's dementia (like many) caused him to put us into financial peril and I am no longer circling the drain. Folks, watch your loved ones carefully. If something seems "off" with the finances, jump right in and investigate. Don't wait until all the money is gone and you don't know where it went!

Working on cleaning out pantry and fridge.

Brown-headed Cowbird American Robin Northern Cardinal house Sparrow Downy Woodpecker White-breasted Nuthatch And I spotted a bluebird on the deck yesterday. 😍

A friend gave me some of her cottage pie that she'd made for St. Pat's. I have an abundance of asparagus and porotta that I got at Costco, so I heated up the pie and cooked a bread. Sauteed some asparagus in a bit of butter and a sprinkle of Penzey's Curry Now and wrapped the asparagus in the bread.

If you are into Indian breads, I highly recommend the porotta (like paratha) at Costco. I picked up a box last week and it is delicious. This is all that is left of the box so I can't show you the front.

This evening I had: American Robin Dark-eyed Junco Black-capped Chickadee Northern Cardinal House Sparrow I did not stay out long--this quite windy. And dreadfully windy this morning with temps dropping like a rock and snow coming later this afternoon, so I won't be out recording this evening.

I love Springtime (even though it is supposed to get cold and snow again tomorrow). Northern Cardinal Barred Owl Black-capped Chickadee Brown-headed Cowbird Red-bellied Woodpecker Dark-eyed Junco Carolina Wren

If I'm going to have a grilled cheese for supper, it is not going to be an orange plastic slice on Wonder bread. When my sis was here Saturday, she brought a couple of pieces of a cannoli poke cake she'd made so I had a piece of that for dessert. No pix because I completely mangled it trying to get it on the plate.

The birds must be enjoying a break from the cold and wind, too. Tonight's visitors included: Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Eastern Bluebird (Yay! I thought they'd left me!) Northern Cardinal White-throated Sparrow Eastern Towhee Brown-headed Cowbird Dark-eyed Junco House Sparrow White-breasted Nuthatch

And last night's entertainment was provided by: Barred Owl House Sparrow Northern Cardinal White-throated Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Black-capped Chickadee

My evening chorale: House Sparrow Carolina Wren American Robin Dark-eyed Junco Brown-headed Cowbird Northern Cardinal

Today's fear. I am getting taxes done. Could they make long-term care insurance any more confusing than they have? I am terrified that I am going to owe a gazillion dollars. I am going to wind up in Debtors Prison. And I plan to cash out my life insurance policy soon (I don't want anyone to have to go through what I have gone through trying to collect my husband's benefit.) and there will be tax issues with that. Plan to discuss with tax person today. I want no penalties/interest this time next year.

Many of you will be horrified. I had not had a fried Spam sandwich in decades, but had a craving and went for it. I've got leftovers.

Season 3 of Reacher. And Boston Celtics games whenever they are on.

Something amiss, but they said no foul play. Carbon monoxide? Gas?

Makes no difference to me. If they have their way, I'll lose my Social Security benefits and be living on the street anyway.