Friday, August 9th, 2024
Friday Five
TGIF!! I know were only 9 days into August and it still feels like it’s going fast to me 
Okay let’s dive into sharing five random things about our week. Here’s mine:
- I made gluten and dairy free shortbread cookies yesterday and they taste like they are dairy and gluten free I will either drizzle them in lemon icing or maybe make them into cookie sandwiches using dairy-free cheesecake frosting. That will elevated them a bit, but I still wouldn’t recommend them. A cookie like shortbread depends on the quality of the butter and the gluten in the flower to get the right flavor profile and bite. I didn’t think this version would be comparable, but I guess I had to prove my hypothesis I do think it’d be better if I made the cookie a chocolate flavor with cappuccino flavored icing Those flavors would cover for the lower quality (in baking terms) butter and flour.
- Also I’ve been craving chocolate cake from Cheesecake Factory for a week now. I rarely have cravings this vivid and specific.
- Lizard Slayer is alive and well. Yesterday morning I went over to the area of the planter Maggie was hanging out in and saw an unattached still-moving lizard tail. Eww. Then later, Wizard found the rest of the lizard — not moving. My sweet and charming dog is a serial killer. Probably, one day they’ll be a movie about her. All the neighbors will say, “But Maggie was the sweetest girl! I can’t image her being a serial killer.”
- Today is my UCI appointment. We’ll see how it goes. I was surprised to get a text that they require masks….then I remembered this particular facility has very sick patients who are often severely immunocompromised from the meds they are on to treat their disease. I’ll cheerfully wear a mask.
- We were going to see Turbo tomorrow, but he’s had a virus. He starts first grade Monday, so I want him to rest and get well. We will likely go the following weekend then I can hear all about his first week of school. As for my weekend, well now I can do some cleaning I’ve been ignoring all week — yay me!!!
Yep that’s my boring five, I bet yours are much more interesting!!! I hope everyone has a great weekend!
August 9th, 2024 at 10:55 am · Link
4. I’ve had you in my “extra” prayers all day. I hope all goes well.
1. You’re right. Shortbread is very picky and I can see the gluten free just not making the cut. It’s good that you have ways to make the yummy.
2. Am I seeing a trip to the Cheesecake Factory? I think I just might 😋.
3. Ha Ha. Maggie is the defender of the realm. When they make the movie of the serial killer in pups clothing we will come to Maggie’s defense 😆.
4. Staying away is probably for the best so that Turbo gets better. Hard to do.
1a. My bestie is up from NC to take care of her pregnant daughter who had to have a 10 pound cyst removed from her ovary. Mom and baby (fetus) are fine. We have been trying to get together but oh the troubles.
2a. Tuesday we had terrible winds and tornados. No power to all the little communities near me, so no get together. There were over 13 poles down on one road over 3 miles. Still not up. My boys aren’t expected to get power back until the 14th.
3a. Last evening between 6:30 and 8:00 over 4.7 in of rain fell here. We’re on top of a hill so we’re okay. There was flash flooding all over.
4a. Still nothing on getting hubs the MRI.
5a. Nothing planned for the weekend. Maybe have C & C and A & A over for showers and hot food. Don’t think A & A will want to drive the hour over here.
6a. Harrison definitely broke his arm but the orthopedic says it’s too swollen to cast just yet. They’re looking at Tuesday and then it stays on for 6 weeks. Welcome back to school 😢.
August 9th, 2024 at 12:28 pm · Link
I’m so glad I don’t have to worry about gluten/dairy! I do keep an eye out for recipes for you, just haven’t found any that said “Taste me!” FYI, chocolate makes everything bettre.
I’m sure Maggie’s movie will be the “picture of the year” at the Oscars! Lizard Slayer 
If/when you get back to the Wingslayer Hunter books, you need to give Maggie a cameo! Sending you ALL the good thoughts and have all fingers/toes/extremities crossed, knocking on wood, and sending up prayers for your appointment. Keep us posted as you can! Sorry no Turbo–and that’s he’s under the weather–but how much fun next weekend when he has so much talk about! FIRST GRADE!!!! OMG!!! Okay, my five:
1. It rained a little this morning and there’s supposed to be more over the weekend. It’s currently 76 and there’s a rumor among the weather gurus that tomorrow’s high will be 70! Oh heck yeah!!!
2. The book continues to boggle my brain. Every time I think I have a handle on things, the characters throw me a twist and I have to backtrack to make sure that thread gets knotted in at the right place. I’m up over 112K words now. 🤯
3. I fixed a Cajun boil the other night for dinner. It was pretty tasty and easier to put together than one might thing. Shrimp, new potatoes, Vidalia onions, and corn on the cob with Cajun seasoning and lots of butter. Yum, yum!
4. Keeping fingers cross for Only. She’s waiting on a phone call and we’re all anxious (in a good way) for her. I can’t really talk about it yet–don’t want to jinx things but 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼 and 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 for good news.
5. Pete is fully back to normal. He’s eating everything I put out for him. He’s in and out all day long. He has breakfast, goes out. He comes in for elevenses and goes out. He comes in for a late lunch and a nap. Then he goes out. He comes in for high tea (fourish) and…goes out. He comes back in at dinner time and then goes out again and we have to remember to let him back in at bed time. Cats! 😼
We have no weekend plans. Baseball Boy and Stormy head back to school next week. Stormy is headed to the 5th grade. It was just yesterday that he was going into the 1st. Time. It’s not my super power.
Have a great weekend everyone!
August 9th, 2024 at 12:34 pm · Link
Viki, sending out good thoughts and prayers to you too! Holy cannoli! The weather. Yikes! And Harrison’s arm!! Double yikes! Sorry on the no news.
And lastly, I totally feel for your bestie’s daughter! I know all about those 10 lb. cysts/tumors and I wasn’t pregnant at the time. Bless her heart! Sending prayers their way as well! 🙏🏼💖
August 9th, 2024 at 4:07 pm · Link
Viki, thank you for the prayers, today was good. I’ll talk about it more Monday. I don’t know if I’ll get to Cheesecake Factory, but I’m definitely thinking about it! Now for you:
1) Oh wow, that had to be scary for your friend and her daughter. Glad Mom and baby are fine. I hope you can get together with your friend, but between her daughters surgery, your stuff and all the weather-havoc, I can see why it’s complicated.
2) So sorry for the storm and winds! That sounds brutal. I hope no one was hurt or killed. I feel for your sons and their families going through the power outage. I’d be a whiny baby about it if it were me! Hope it comes on sooner than expected!
3) That much rain in an hour and half???? That’s torrential rains! You guys are getting All The Weather!
4) So frustrating on that blasted MRI!
5) At least they know showers and hot food are available at your house if they need it. Sometimes just knowing that is a comfort.
6) Oh my gosh I didn’t know Harrison broke his arm. I’m so sorry for him. It’s probably really sore right now, and then the cast will be annoying. Poor kid! Hope he at least has fun getting lots of sympathy and attention!
I really hope you can see your friend, the weather calms, things get cleaned up and restored and you can catch your breath and maybe relax a bit this weekend.
August 9th, 2024 at 4:15 pm · Link
Silver, LOL on Maggie’s movie betting best picture!! She soak that up! Today went well, a bit overwhelming in the right way, so I’ll talk more Monday when I’ve processed. But it was good and we feel better about the care I’ll get.
1) Highs in the 70s is perfect weather!! Throw up the windows and celebrate!!! I’m jealous (it’s supposed to be 102 here) but still happy for you guys!
2) Hmm, you sounds like a writer!!! It’s all fun and games until the characters take over and cause us endless work. But still, I think you’re on top of this way more than you realize right now!
3) Spicy!!! I wish I could eat it! Glad you enjoyed it!
4) I’m crossing my fingers for Only too! I don’t know what it is, but it sounds like a good news possibility and I’m there for that!
5) YAY!! I’m so happy Pete’s fully recovered and back to his rather complex schedule. That is great news!!! I don’t know a lot about feral cats, but it sure sounds to me like he’s adjusted to life with you guys pretty well.
Stormy in Fifth grade???? He sure is growing up fast! I guess time goes by faster when it’s our grandkids. I hope everyone has a great first week of school, and I hope you hand LG have a good weekend!