minutes

Minutes – August 16, 2016

Angela Pea1 Comment

::grateful – We’ve had a few unseasonably cool days this week!  OMGosh, 70-ish degrees in August!  It’s been delightful, especially since I’ve had to spend a great deal of time up on roofs at work this week, performing inspections and looking for leaks. I’m thrilled with the cloud cover and sprinkles.

::tired – Running ragged this week.  Back to school things,  taking care of Mom P. things, doctor’s appointments for Mr. Pea and getting The Architect set up in his new digs.  Maybe it’s just age, but Dang!  I just don’t have the stamina I used to have, or the ability to breeze through my days.

::frustrated – Lost yet another Fitbit. I love love love tracking my steps and exercise every day, but have always hesitated at the investment in the more high tech trackers – the ones that come with a real wristband that buckles so it can’t just go missing from a pocket or waistband.

*sigh*

Oh heck, why don’t I just come right out and say that I’d really like an Apple Watch.  Hear that Apple?  If you offer me one for review, I’d be happy to oblige.  (Maybe Mr. Pea will actually read the blog…hint hint.  Oh wait.  I don’t think he even KNOWS that I have a blog!)

::delicious – summer doldrums in the kitchen.  All I really want is a big bubbly pan of lasagna, but it’s too hot to turn on the oven. So – we’ll compromise with

  • Chicken Cacciatore and a Big ‘Ole Salad
  • Leftovers – clear out the fridge so there’s room for a watermelon
  • Steak Tacos, Black Beans and Guacamole
  • Ratatoulli, Baguettes
  • Turkey Sandwiches and Jicama Slaw
  • Salmon, Saffron Rice and Peas
  • Grilled Sausage, Corn, and Tomato Salad

::busy  – We’re hitting the bike trails this weekend – Yeah!  It will likely be hot, and I’m sure I’ll complain a bit, but it will be fun. And good for us.

Image Courtesy - Tyler Florence, Food Network
Image Courtesy Tyler Florence, Food Network

Dream of Lasagna.  Keep the Faith

angela pea

minutes

Minutes – August 8, 2016

Angela Pea3 Comments

::thankful – for safe travels to and from Colorado with a van loaded with kids and a ton of camping gear, backpacks and food.  Not an actual ton, but pretty darned close, I’m sure.

Outfall from Lake Irwin
Me! Waterfall on Ruby Anthracite Creek. (That’s DirtBike behind the tree…he was taking pictures in the other direction.)

::brave – Mr. Pea went camping for the very first time ever.  Seriously. Camping was the only sort of vacation my family had when I was a kid.  Mr. Pea’s family lived in a city, and their concept of “wild” was picnicking on the outskirts of town or trekking to Cape May and staying in a cabin near the beach. He did GREAT!!  We climbed mountains, hiked for miles, cooked on a camp stove, and drove the van off-road.  He even slept in a tent, in the rain. Mr. Pea was amazing, and I’m so glad he came with us.

Trail to Green Lake
Why yes, that IS snow! On the Ground! In August!

::creative – I finished knitting a sweater during the drive to Colorado, one that I started last summer. I also knit up a pair of socks and some baby booties.  It was a  l.o.n.g.  drive.  And no, the baby booties aren’t for anyone in particular; they’re going into my “stash” of adorable, soft, knit with love baby things for my someday grandchildren.

::gorgeous

View from the tent
Lake Irwin

::delicious: – The freezer is still alive.  Mr. Pea fixed whatever was wrong (thermostat? maybe?) and it’s been restocked with prepped meals for the craziness that is ‘back to school’.  This week’s menus include

  • Tandoori Chicken with Lemony Red Lentils
  • Chicken Pesto Pasta
  • Black Bean Burritos
  • Turkey Paninis and Veggie Soup
  • Tilapia Romano with Jicama Slaw
  • Grilled Shrimp, Corn and Tomato Salad
  • Burgers, Chickpea Salad.

Speaking of delicious, we ate at this amazing Mexican Restaurant in Colorado Springs,  Jorge’s.  Highly recommend it, along with Mikey’s in Crested Butte. Best. Pizza. Ever.

::prepared – It’s back to school this week! DirtBike remembered to remind me that the school supply stash was running low on paper (both the lined and the graph sorts) and ink pens.  Both were replenished BEFORE the first day of classes.

Climb Mountains. Keep the Faith.

angela pea

minutes

Minutes – July 25, 2016

Angela Pea1 Comment

::thankful – air conditioning.  That is all. We’re in full on summer scorching mode.  It’s so hot your eyeballs hurt when you go outside.

::excited –  There’s a camping trip on our calendar this year, and it will be Mr. Pea’s FIRST time camping!  Seriously – the man is well past the half-century mark and he’s never been camping.  Never slept outside in a tent, never roughed it with an old-timey percolator for the daily coffee dose.  He’s never hiked up a mountain or yanked a fish out of an ice cold lake.  He’s never gone more than a day without a proper shower, or used a composting toilet.   We’re going to take care of his cultural delinquency.  This is going to be So. Much. Fun!

::frustrated – Yes, it’s a zillion degrees outside and the deep freezer died.  On the bright side, I’ve been sort of lax keeping up on pre-assembled freezer meals, so I’m able to rescue most of the food and stash it in the kitchen freezer.  We’re having ice cream for dinner today, because it would be a shame to waste perfectly good Bluebell.

2016.07.25 Bluebell

As an aside rant…appliances should last at least 25 years. AT LEAST!

::delicious  –   This week’s menu is brought to you by Maytag, as we eat all the stuff that wouldn’t fit in the kitchen freezer

  • Ice Cream (no kidding)
  • Tilapia Romano and a Salad
  • Thawed Pulled Pork, Baked Beans and Coleslaw
  • Clam Chowder and Tomato Bisque
  • Steak Tacos
  • Pesto Chicken
  • California Cobb Salad with Avocado Dressing

::fun  –   My darling daughter Cherry Ames tagged me in some Facebook Thingie where I’m supposed to post seven pictures of me and Mr. Pea. We have gazillions of pictures of the kids, but not so many of me and Mr. Pea.  I may have to pull out a photo album.

Keep the Faith….and an extra freezer.

angela pea