Category Archives: cooking

Mid Week

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, cancer, cash envelopes, cooking, husband by

It’s been a lot of driving back and forth to infusion and there’s still more this week. Yesterday, I dropped B off at 10 and picked him up at 2:45. Tomorrow he needs to be there at 11am so I plan on staying down there and doing a few things. Depending on the timing, I will hit up the old Costco( as it’s closest) and I think maybe the library. Tomorrow is platelets so they go faster than blood transfusions. This week is all about appts so I’m not even thinking about the gym or the pool. Next week, I can pick up the rhythm again.

This is his last chemo as far as we know and I’m so over it all. Next week he has a video visit with the UCD doctor and that should give us a good idea of the next steps. Cancer has a way of shifting priorities. There’s not much you can do but go with the flow of it.

Today, I have my doctor appt in Sacramento. After that, I need to pick up a prescription and maybe go to the bank. I need the insurance printout but I’ll see how I feel after getting back to town.

last night we had the black bean soup and it came out good. I never follow a recipe with it just black beans in the crockpot and chili powder, cumin, garlic, and paprika. I also made turkey chili and there’s plenty left over to have tonight or freeze. Of course, B doesn’t eat meat so it’ll just be me tonight as our daughter works late at the library.

I’ve been working on organizing my cash envelope binders and have one just for savings challenges. The challenges are fun and usually, I only do ones with $1 or $5 bills. I’m saving up for an LV GM agenda preloved. I think this is what I want to use as my daily book. Once I get it, I can get some inserts and use them to write my lists and plans. Right now I’m using a really nice Leuchtturm 1917 my son gave me for my birthday. The paper quality is really nice. I use a CrossFountain pen and it doesn’t bleed through. The LV GM is the largest agenda and will make it easier to write in. Well, that’s a ways off yet but maybe by February/March.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in Blood test, bread, budgets, California, cancer, cooking, Gratitude, instant pot recipes, velcade, Walking by

I’m thankful I can be flexible when I need to be because:

I woke up grumpy this morning and decided to NOT walk. That’s kind of a big deal for me not to do something when it’s planned. but I figured Fuck it, I’m not walking. I will go to the gym after Velcade and call it good.

I’m thankful the library is such a wonderful resource. I’ll get my holds after the gym.

Last night, we had homemade lentil vegetable soup with the Tartine baguette. The baguette came out very well, and I’m pleased. As I’ve said, his recipe seems to always work. It may be that his hydration is spot on. I used the instant pot for the lentil soup and it was done in 20 minutes of pressure time.

I’m over the moon that Barclay is doing so well. No nosebleeds and his energy is good. Today he’s getting labs so I’m hopeful they are still above the 100 mark for platelets. So grateful for this round being so much easier.

I’m grateful, most of what I wanted to get for Christmas is done. I feel like this is the last year of doing presents even though I didn’t do a whole lot this year. It still adds up and we’re definitely towing the line with money. I think I’ll formulate a plan and write it down so I can reference it for next year. Like maybe Amazon gift cards? Plus be more diligent with the budget.

I’m thankful it’s only 16 days to the Winter Solciste.

Menu Monday

Posted in budgeting, California, cash envelopes, cooking, meal planning, swimming, Uncategorized by

First off, B has done really well with this last chemo. He’s been engaged and has had energy(some). So that’s very positive.

Sunday night- we had spaghetti with Rao’s sauce and some meatballs

Monday- Tamales and rice with salad

Tuesday- Quiche of some sort

Wednesday- Brinner

Thursday- TBD??

Friday- I’ll do a pizza, either homemade or take out

Saturday- Soup of some sort, I’m thinking a split pea.

The pool was nice this morning but busy. Everyone was doubled up in the lanes. Then I went to Costco to return an item and got some ink for my HP printer. Also milk, eggs, bread, cookies, and some cheese.

Our weather continues to be lovely. Sunny and temperatures in the mid 60’s.

Simple Sunday

Posted in California, cooking, home stuff, Uncategorized, Walking by

I went to the gym this morning. I did about 30 minutes of weights and 20 on the treadmill. From there I went to Goodwill to get 2 champagne glasses. I found 2 that matched. They’re kind of cheap but that’s ok. We need 2 so we have a total of 6 for Christmas.

I’m home now and plan on tidying up. I think I’ll do a 10-minute tidy in each zone. Yesterday I re-did the entryways with cedar boughs and red berry faux flowers. I need to clean off the patio table as it is just a catch-all for gardening stuff.

My son is going to spend the night after he visits his friends. I plan on making spaghetti with Rao’s sauce. I have some beef so I can make a beef sauce also. The lettuce in the garden didn’t freeze with our last frost so we have lettuce still, kale, and chard. So I’ll make a salad. I need to plan next week’s menu so I’ll do that later too.

It’s cloudy today but quite a bit warmer. We had a nice walk in the park and no one was there. Maybe because it’s Thanksgiving weekend.

We got our Ikea tree up and lights on it too. I think I’ll wait to put on some ornaments till later this week. I put out the little Christmas houses and I put a battery-operated candle in each one. I doubt I’ll do too much more but I’ll check my bins.

Well, that’s about it at mi casa!

Menu Monday

Posted in California, cooking, meal planning by

This week is Thanksgiving so that will simplify things.

Monday- The Greek lemon soup. I made it but not sure if I’ll do that tonight. My son is coming over after work so that may change the dinner menu.

Tuesday- Costco beef slices that are sous vide. We haven’t tried this so we’ll see. Plus I’ll do some potatoes and salad. We’re still getting beautify lettuce, kale and chard from the garden.

Wednesday- something easy probably ramen bowls.

Thursday- Turkey/nut loaf day.

Friday- leftovers

Saturday- pizza

Sunday- TBD??

Simple Sunday

Posted in books, budgeting, budgets, California, cash envelopes, cooking, home stuff by

The rain has stopped and it’s patchy puffy clouds and some blue sky. It looks like the rain comes back in tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully some of the run off can be absorbed.

We had a nice walk this morning. The air was fresh from all the rain. We did see one of the park cats. I’m guessing he was dropped off. I hope he finds a new home.

I went in for my mammogram early and then to the gym. I was back home by 9 a.m., so it was a productive morning.

After I had breakfast, I started the IP with a chicken carcas to make broth. I’m not going to pressure can it but will freeze it. I might do a Avgolemono soup tonight so I’d need some for that. It’s one of my all time favorites.

Our new December budget start tomorrow. I hope it’s better than November. We had lots of extras to pay for and it made for a tight month. Next month includes Christmas but I have most of that done. Not all of it but most. The last big annual bill will be our property tax which I plan on doing this week. I had about half in my cash envelope so that helped but next year I will get it all in. I did fairly well with my annual bills using cash envelopes but I want to do better next year.

I’m roasting a pan of veggies for dinners this week. It has sweet potato, broccoli, red onion, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes. I can use this with rice for at least one meal.

I still need to mop the kitchen floor and then I’m done. I’ve finished reading all the Baldacci’s I had and really enjoyed them all. John Puller is an interesting character. The Simply Lies, is a stand alone and I like that one as well. Tuesday after I drop B off at infusion, I plan on going to the library so I can checkout a few more books.

Frugal Friday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, cancer, cooking by

We are way over our grocery budget but most of that was extra Costco stuff. It’s ok, some months are like that. I think I’m sitting at about $700 right now. I just checked and it’s more like $900 as I didn’t add in the last Costco trip. Oh well, I have a freezer full and will just need veggies mostly to fill in the blanks.

I got gas at Costco which does save almost $1 a gallon from prices in Auburn. I have enough gas to get through next week. B has his chemo on Tuesday and that will be my last trip to Roseville for the week.

I plan on returning the clothes to Costco today. I did find a pair of the Fila I like and ordered them. If they don’t fit I’ll return them too. I think they were $12.99 at Costco.com.

We didn’t have any meals out and stuck to my menu plan. If we do eat out it’s always lunch anyway. But with B having no appetite it’s not worth going out for lunch.

The turkey order showed up so that’s in the freezer til Monday or Tuesday. I have a coupon for $15 off a whole Diestal turkey down at the Holiday but I’m not sure I’ll use it as they are usually bigger than I need or want. But I may check it out.

We’ve got a small break in the rain today and then it comes back in tonight. It’s supposed to be a colder storm too. From the little news I get now, I did see the PNW got slammed by this storm.

I haven’t checked out any Black Friday deals but B said the new Airpods with hearing enhancement are on sale. I may look at those for him as he does need something to help with hearing. I’ll check that out his weekend.

I have my annual mammogram scheduled for next week too so I can cross that off my list.

Menu Monday

Posted in California, cooking, meal planning, simple foods by

I need to look and see what needs to be used up in both the fridge and the freezer.

Sunday- shrimp scampi with broccoli. I still have some broccoli to use so I’ll plan that

Monday- Breakfast for dinner. I have hash browns to use and lots of eggs. I also need to use up the veggie sausage.

Tuesday—I have some whole wheat tortillas to use, so I’ll make some bean burritos. I have frozen beans, or I can use my canned ones. I have lettuce but no avocado, but plenty of cheese and salsa.

Wednesday- I have some burgers in the freezer that need to be used. They’re from the summer so I don’t know if they are still ok or have freezer burn. But I’ll check it out and if they are ok do a burger night and fries. I have a Boca burger left over in the freezer too.

Thursday- This might be mystery night but I’m guessing soup. Either lentil or white bean. I try and do soup once a week.

Friday- I’ll make a pizza because I have a log of fresh mozzarella to use up. I may stop at the store for a few toppings like mushrooms, pepperoni, and peppers but I’ll wait and see.

Saturday- unknown !

Simple Sunday

Posted in California, cancer, cooking, home stuff by

Well, another Sunday, and B is going to Sacramento Clinic to have a platelet transfusion. Overall, he is doing much better but his platelets are still decreasing. We see his doctor Wednesday so that will give us time to ask some questions. It’s only one bag. So last time it was just one bag it barely brought his numbers up so we’re a little miffed at the doctor for not ordering 2. Then he ended up having to go BACK to get 2 more bags. It seems UCD would want to be proactive here but obviously not.

I went to the gym and did some weights. After that, I went to Target for hand soap.

I plan on tidying things up and doing a quick house reset. I also need to water my plants and dust.

Last night we had breaded tilapia (from Costco) and potatoes. It was very good. tonight I plan on doing a turkey breast as a warm-up to Thanksgiving. I’m also going to bake some of the delicata squashes with butter and brown sugar. I will go pick some romaine from the garden for a salad too. for B I’ll make some tofu.

Here are some pretty fall colors from Meadow Vista.

Well, I better get to doing my chores.

Simple Sunday

Posted in Blood test, California, cancer, cooking, medicare, Political things by

Barclay’s labs came back good. His hemo went down to 9 something from 10 something but still, that’s way better than last time. He gets labs again tomorrow but overall he seems much more alert and doing some things. So that’s really good.

I went to the Auburn gym and that’s it. I’ve just finished making spaghetti sauce for dinner tonight. We’ve had some great salads with fresh spinach, kale, and romaine lettuce from the garden. My daughter must have just hit the right time to get the seeds in. Soon it’ll be too cold and they will not make it. But for now, it’s great. I plan on another big salad for tonight.

Time change is always a challenge. Not so much in the morning because I get up early anyway, but the evening is tough. I’ll probably be ready for bed by 8 or 8:30. 🙂

We had quite a bit of rain yesterday but today it’s clear and the sky is a beautiful blue. My walk was very nice even if it was later than normal. But I’m ok with that as long as there’s not a ton of people. No one was there this morning but that’s normal for a Sunday.

I’m still having pre-election anxiety but I keep telling myself it’ll be whatever it is and there’s nothing I can do to change. Still, we can only hope there are more sane people voting for Harris than crazies voting for the orange man. We’ll know soon enough.

I ordered the Diestal turkey breast for Thanksgiving so that’s done. Tomorrow I plan on switching my Medicare Part D to Cigna from Wellcare. I really hate changing providers but our plan is going up by a lot so this one is much lower. They don’t make it easy that’s for sure.