Monthly Archives: July 2017

Home made falafel balls

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So, this week I made another loaf of the vegan banana bread, but I used regular choc chips so that made them not vegan and it was quite a bit sweeter.   Think I like the dark Valharona choc better.

Then I’ve been experimenting with falafel mixes. I bought a packaged one and it was okay but I knew I could make it for less with out preservatives.

Here’s the recipe  

I was quite skeptical of using the garbanzo beans just soaked over night but it was amazing and a great recipe. I even followed the instructions.

I forgot to take pictures though(as usual).

Then I baked up a batch of tofu to have for lunches. That was tasty too.

I’m reading a fun murder mystery series by Meg Wolfe. She has written the Minimalist Woman and a couple of ebooks. I really like her writing style, very sharp and concise. Here’s the first one in the series.

The first one is loads of fun as she describes a woman going thru downsizing and minimalizing.  Try these,  I think they’re great. But I’m only on Book 2 so far.

 

 

 

tonight, it’s sorta YOYO. Everyone is getting a sandwich at the store but I think I’ll just make some noodles and brown butter. ( my go to comfort food.)

BTW, I got the first coat of Kilz on the wall and tomorrow, I’ll paint the white.

Simple Sunday

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It’s going to be an active day today. We need to drop off a load at the Goodwill Express( hopefully they’re taking donations). Then back home and take a load to our local transfer station which happens to be only a few miles away.

Then I’m going to the gym with my daughter and then home to do some painting.  It sounds like a lot but it should all flow and that’s good by me.

Not too much frugal here since we’ve been going to Home Depot and Lowes for stuff. Yesterday was getting the wall stuff( insulation, Tyvek, and a piece of siding that matches the rest of the space.  That’s the wood I need to paint and it’ll probably take two coats.

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the new floor!

IMG_0865 That’s the wall that will be painted white.

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The new door.

So, in the end, I think we will end up @ $1000.  Today B will put together the desk and bookcase. Since I’m painting that wall where the bookcase will go, it will just sit off to the side.

Well, I’ll update a little later with some new food recipes I’ve tried.

 

Decluttering and redoing the front entry and office.

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So, we had to buy a new front door after this happened.IMG_0830

Out front door was a French door with 2 panels on either side. So this winter, the inside of the dual panes started to get condensation. The door was 20 years old. But then last week I heard a pop and snap and one of the panels completely cracked. A project we were putting off till who knows when now had to be done pronto. That meant rebuilding a new door frame and the wall next to it as the other door had 3 doors and this new one would just be single.

I found a nice inexpensive Craftsman style door and we went down to Lowes to pick it up. Then B pulled the old door out and rebuilt the frame. So it looks quite nice. The plywood on the other side isn’t done yet but will be soon. then we will have to put up shake shingles to match the house and then paint.

But we also pulled everything out of the room and including his desk and realized the desk was just IMG_0844too dark and big to put back in. I have it listed for Free on a local group site.

So, of course, one thing leads to another and we’ve emptied the room and will put back only what is useful and beautiful. We decided to go down to Ikea as they had a certain desk on the family discount ending today.  We looked at it and decided it was too big too so we picked a smaller one, a BIlly book shelf and a filing cabinet.

But then we decided that since everything was out and we had a package of unused flooring to get more of the same and redo the floor. We’re not pulling up the vinyl tiles as it will help be an insulator as this original was just a porch.  So more projects. Everything is all over the place ( which is like craziness for me), but I will endure. By the weekend, all will be back to normal( I hope).

We decluttered another huge load from the barn 2 bookcases, lots of little stuff and a rug.  so that is good and now, the barn is looking so good with the extra shelves for my son’s (crap) of stuff…. I’m sure it’s useful in his eyes.

that’s it for now.  Dinner is Taco Tuesday. Black bean quesadillas.

 

Vegan Banana Chocolate bread

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This recipe is from PickupLimesBlog.  She does an amazing blog and you tube on health( she’s a vegan) plus minimalism. I’m not a vegan but we are mostly vegetarian. B is a vegetarian for over 50 years. But lately, especially after the heat spell we had, none of is eating much in the way of meat. We have our own eggs so we do eat eggs, plus cheese, and dairy(like 1/2 and 1/2 ) in our coffee and tea.

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Here’s the link to the recipe

It is excellent. I’ve made a few of her recipes and I’ve liked them all. Even though I have zero interest in becoming vegan, I could see myself going back to being an almost full-time vegetarian. I was a vegetarian for 22 years and then when my daughter was @ 7 she wanted to taste chicken. so we started to eat some chicken and fish occasionally.  So for the last 25  years, we’ve eaten mostly vegetarian but certainly meat as well.  Omnivore, I guess.

 

Well, anyway, it’s fun to try new things. Last night I made a recipe From the New Laurel’s Kitchen cookbook. Laurels Kitchen was one of the first vegetarian cookbooks I owned and was inspired by. I still have my original copy. The recipe is Walnut Oatmeal burgers and they were quite delicious.

What is so interesting is you make the patties and then lightly grill them on both sides and then pour in 2-3 cups (I just eyeballed it and it was less than 2 cups) of vegetable broth and then simmer for 20 minutes. It sounds strange but it really worked and they were great. You can google the recipe and it’ll come up.

 

the time in between

Posted in Multiple myeloma, Myeloma, Uncategorized by

First, I googled Ipad issues and got it back working. Whew… I really didn’t want that expense right now.  If it happens to you, you press both the home button and the power button simultaneously and wait for the apple icon to appear. It actually worked and I’m using it again with no apparent issues.

The time in between.

It’s a weird place as a cancer patient to not be in treatment and yet still be a cancer patient. I am very grateful to have this time off all chemotherapies and even Zometa. But I still have Myeloma. It’s not going to just go away or even get cured. It’s just there lurking.  So, I certainly think about it but not obsessively. When I was first diagnosed I obsessed and even well into my treatments after my first relapse I still obsessively thought about Myeloma. So now, I do think about it and what it means just not ALL the time. It’s nice to have the space in between to breathe and live.  I’m trying to use this time to get stronger by going to the gym and of course, still walking. Plus, working on different projects to fill my time.

But, it’s still a place in between treatments and no treatment and eventually treatment again.  I’m pretty sure everyone who has cancer whether it’s been cured or it is ongoing   can relate to how do we deal with the time in between those treatments.  I try and enjoy every day no matter what. I try and stay positive about life issues no matter what. Sure, I still get upset at the whole political thing but there’s not much I can change about that. But I can change my daily routines and strive to be better mentally prepared and emotionally when the time comes to resume treatment.

I remember those first 17 radiation treatments. Every day except weekends. I certainly was on auto pilot. I didn’t go out much or do much. I was depressed and didn’t feel well. It was my family that kept things going and I just glided. I think it was that way all the way up to my Stem Cell Transplant.  It was a rough time and the time in between was not fun, interesting or positive. It was difficult, dark and depressing.  Looking back I just wasn’t dealing with things and now I can say, I’ve learned a lot and come a long way in how I deal with my cancer.  But, the time in between has gotten better, lighter and brighter.

So even if it’s a  week between chemo appointments or one month or one year, enjoy the time in between as best you can.

 

Sunday Stuff

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So, the latest news is my son isn’t going to be going to SFSU.  insert tears:( He decided that he doesn’t want to be burdened with the student loans in the amount of 25,000. We were going to be co signers on the one loan but then it turned out we were to be primary so we said we wouldn’t do that. But there are lots of private loans that he could take out and we could co -sign and then after a period of time, we would get removed from the loan. Then he found out at orientation that even though they said they accepted the 105 units from Sierra College, only 70 units would be applied to his degree. So essentially that means 2 years and that then is 2 years of student loans. So, I agree that is way too heavy a burden for a 25-year-old. ( when he finished). So at least for now, that’s the update. I wish we could just pay for it for him but we don’t have that kind of money and it’s too close to retirement to take out a loan for that.

It’s quite hot here again 101 today. I think this week it’s supposed to drop at least into the 90’s.

We went to drop off Good will stuff yesterday and because they were so full of stuff wouldn’t  take our items. What the heck.. they make so much money off of all this free stuff they’re given and they can’t figure out their intake system.  So, it’s in the back of my VW and I’ll try the big Goodwill today. I have a prescription to pick up and I need to get cat food.  WE did manage to drop a full box of VHS and hardback books that my son didn’t sell at the yard sale. That was at the pet bookstore.

We’ve had good success with organizing the barn shelves and it’s looking good. There’s still left over flea market stuff I need to process or my son does. But right now it’s all sitting in front of the barn and is a mess. But we have made progress.

My iPad just died this morning when I went to open it to write a review for NetGalley where I get free e books in exchange for reviews.  That’s where I have Bluefire downloaded so I can read the PDF versions of the books. So I opened my IPad and it blinked and lights went out.  It is 7 years old or maybe 8. It’s the second generation I pad my husband won in a raffle at work. They don’t do that anymore nor do they do the trips like the one he won when we went to Hawaii. So 7-8 years is pretty good but now I’ll have to figure something out. My kindle fire doesn’t have the blue fire so not sure what I’ll do.

Today is a gym day and dinner is a big chopped salad, grilled chicken, and grilled tofu. Oh, and I think I’ll make some couscous. Oh, and I have left over pizza dough so I’ll grill a pizza. I saw an interesting recipe from William Sonoma that was zucchini and pesto pizza.

On decluttering, my son is bringing the antique bin table up to his friend’s house and so now that’s gone too. Yeah, less stuff is more space.

 

Middle of the week

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This week has gone by quickly.

Yesterday, we spent  3 hours looking at small ultra light rvs.  We liked the Coleman again as we did last year. And we liked 2 others. Then we came home and talked about them.  WE weren’t sure about the Coleman for a few reasons and we both seemed undecided.  It’s a big decision so I guess were hesitant.  We’ve had our Coleman tent trailer 17 years and I guess we’ve always liked the space that the pop outs give you. But I really want a bathroom in the trailer. We do BTW, have a porta potty so you know…. Anyway, then we started looking at the hybrids that the sleeping area pops out like a tent trailer but the living space is huge. So, it’s more than I thought we’d spend but since this is the last trailer we I’ll get, I want to be sure we love it.  Plus, the Santa Fe can only tow up to 5000lbs. So, we’ll keep processing.

Yesterday I had another eye check up with my regular eye doctor. He took another scan and the macular pucker was still the same. So, for now, I will just continue to monitor it.

I made this amazing beet raspberry soap. IMG_0821  It’s a recipe from the New Vegetarian Epicure by Anna Thomas. It’s a cold soup and is only a few ingredients including a pint of raspberries. I grew up on Borscht and love it so this is a cold Borscht soup. Basically, cook the beets ( I used one bunch from the farmers market) till tender @ 45 minutes, then in a blender add the onion 1/4 of red, lemon juice 2 tbsp or so, then the cooled beets and a pint of raspberries. She said strain then and serve but I didn’t strain and it was fine. A dollop of sour cream and yum.

To have with this, I made a wild rice salad with green onions from the garden, a few small chunks of cheddar and it seems some thing else but I can’t remember.

Tonight, the family is going to see the Batman movie (an oldie) at the theatre so I’m just putting together some sandwiches. Veggie bacon tomato and avocado. I made some regular bacon for the meat eaters.  I’m sticking with the Morningstar strips.

I’ve been watching Janet King on Amazon prime. It’s quite excellent if you’re looking for a new series to watch.

I went out to the barn and worked on the new shelf area.  I got rid of enough Life magazines to empty  1/2 bin. Hurray, it’s getting there. I also put a few things of my sons in a bin since when he’s in SF he won’t need them. Then, I’m going to have a huge load to go to the thrift store.  Books to the SPCA bookstore, and just stuff to Goodwill.

We also dropped off 6 boxes of food for the food bank over in our little town of Applegate. It serves a wide area and isn’t the Salvation Army food bank. They never bring Jesus into the picture and as an atheist, I appreciate that. But they do good work for those that need food. I appreciate that they provide this service for anyone who needs it. So for me, religion doesn’t come into the picture.

Tomorrow is a gym day and ??

 

Simple Sunday

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Well, my son did the flea market yesterday and even with 100+ temperatures, he made over $200 for his college fund.  So a lot of the vintage stuff I gave him sold quickly and some antique stuff. Nothing too remarkable but it’s gone and he got a little money.  So I’m very pleased. By 12 most vendors were packing up because most people don’t come out in the heat of the day. But he got rid of the 2 mission style chairs and a bookcase. So I’m thrilled.

If you’re looking for a summer dinner, pizza on the gas grill is amazing and easy.  You do need to heat the gas grill up to the highest it’ll go @ 800 or whatever it says and then be sure to spray the grill with Pam or I use Costco’s Canola spray. Then when you’ve heated up the grill for say, 20 minutes you can do the pizza. You must have a pizza peel and be sure to use semolina flour under the pizza dough. Just a sprinkling. then roll out or stretch the dough till it’s about 12 ” in diameter.  I’ve used homemade dough and Trader Joes and both work fine.  Then here’s the trick, use just a few tablespoons of sauce,  some mozzarella, then a few toppings but very sparse. I use buffalo mozzarella along with the regular shredded but not a lot. Then i may add a sprinkling of red onion, black olives and if I have any pepperoni or salami and top with a few shreds of fresh basil.

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Cheese and pepperoni pizza with basil.

Then you must shake the pizza peel to be sure the pizza is moving and then slide onto the hot grill.  Close the grill top. Don’t move it for about 5 minutes till the crust starts to cook and gets a nice char.  Then rotate once 1/2 way and close the top again. Check in another 5 minutes. It cooks very fast and is superior to anything you could buy out. Try it out and it saves the kitchen from getting too hot.

We went to the farmers market yesterday and bought some nice veggies, broccoli, etc. Then I bought a 3 pack of organic strawberries to make a jam.  I came home unloaded stuff and started the jam. I ended up with 5 pints from the 3 pack. Very tasty. I may go get more next week as berries must be at there peak.

Today was a gym day and I did the bathroom zone for tomorrow. Quick wipes of shelves, wash window and mirrors and reorganizing the small dresser we use for combs, brushes etc.

I wash sheets on Sunday and towels so I’m off to finish that.

Dinner is a huge chopped salad with stuff we got at the farmers market yesterday and I put a turkey breast in the crockpot. I use the kosher turkey breast from Trader Joes. Quite good.  I’m going to use some Tofurky turkey slices for the veg with gravy.

Still really hot here 101 today. 😦

 

5 things on Frugal Friday

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It’s been somewhat of a frugal week.

  • I didn’t really grocery shop, just picked up a few things at our local market.
  • Needed to go to Target but didn’t.
  • Ate most all of our meals at home with the exception of yesterday we had lunch out(see below).
  • used up things in the refrigerator to make meals ( BBQ tempeh was one).
  • Didn’t order from Amazon but need to do that soon ( a Lodge cast iron pan for my son for school).

We had a fun time going up to Truckee yesterday to get my Senior Golden pass card to the NF, parks and other benefits. B has one and we use that to reserve for Nevada Beach which makes camping there half price. If you are 62, you should go get one as the price will go up to $80 in October. Right now it’s $10.

So I’ve been wanting to go to JAX’s in Truckee that I read about. Guy Ferrera went there and reviewed it as it is a diner. It did not disappoint. The turkey melt with avocado was delicious. B had a chocolate shake and boy was it sweet. Anyway, lots of people up there and traffic on I 80 was thick. But we still had a good time and I got my pass. IMG_0819.jpgIMG_0818.jpg

Today, I’m going to the gym and then to Target to get my notebook for budgeting. Then into the store for a few things like polenta which I like to get bulk.

It’s Friday night pizza on the grill again as it’s supposed to be 101 today.

It’s July

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I have had another great few weeks since seeing my oncologist and just living life.  We had that heat spell which was difficult. But now it’s been lovely. Low 90’s predicted for the next 2 weeks or so. I am so glad I got the pool for B for father’s day. We are all enjoying it.

 

IMG_0805.jpgThis sits below the house so it’s nice. We’d ( okay me) like a deck even a small one on that upper edge. Perhaps in a few weeks after we do a few house projects. We need to replace the front door as the French door has condensation in the panels.  I priced out a nice door for @ $400. That’s project number one. But actually, first, we need to get those shelves in the barn done for my son’s crap  very nice things.  so that’ll be , I hope, this week. Then where we had water leaking in the siding on the sun porch needs to be fixed. this is actually and easy fix, relatively. The siding needs to get taken off, Tyvek put on over new plywood and then the siding put back on.  So that’s project 3. Then miscellaneous projects here and there.

I’ve been doing lots of little projects and decluttering here and there. I finally cleared out this old strange jewelry case that was some relative of my husband. I’ll put the case in my son’s flea market stuff.

Today is a gym day and then I might go to Home Depot.

Dinner is ??? I’m sure I’ll come up with something. last night I made BBQ tempeh. I never knew you needed to steam or simmer tempeh before using. It helps it absorb more flavor. It was ok. Not great but ok.