Yesterday

Yesterday was a 1/2 day at school. We were already watching Mia while her mom and dad were working. The 1/2 day took us all by surprise. I saw the note in Jill's book bag just the day before. I have a fear of forgetting to pick them up. Mia took a long nap in the morning. Jonah took a nap himself after school. Jill and I made some cookies and they all worked on homework. Mia even drew with the colors. She doesn't ever want to be left out.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day Menu

We are going out on Saturday night, but on Friday night we are planning our own private dinner. It is a simple menu but as good as any expensive restaurant -- even better in my opinion. We are having: 5 oz. Omaha Steak bacon-wrapped fillet, baked potato and salad with greens, cucumber, tomato and croutons and Ken's lite Sweet Vidalia Onion salad dressing. Oh. and a glass or two of red wine (Merlot). This is our special go-to dinner since he made it for me when we were dating a few years ago. All our dinners are special. Like having a date every night. But this dinner is the best.

For dessert, I may make a great cheesecake I found in a little cookbook called "Sunday Suppers -- Classic Recipes." This recipe is so simple I have committed it to memory and have made several variations already. This is so easy it makes you wonder why there are so many "no bake" cheesecake recipes and mixes that don't really taste like cheesecake or why people (including me in the past) pay a fortune for a store-bought cheesecake. Here is the recipe. It is called "Philadelphia 3-Step Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake."

2 packages (8 ounces each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese softened (I use light cream cheese)
1/2 cup sugar (Splenda or 1/2 Splenda works fine)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla (or other flavoring)
2 eggs
prepared graham cracker crust (or homemade)
3 tablespoons red raspberry preserves (or other flavor)

1. Mix cream cheese, sugar and vanilla together until well blended. Add eggs until well-blended. (The book suggests an electric mixer, but I have done this by hand with good results - not as fluffy.)

2. Pour filling into crust. Dot top with preserves and cut through batter with a knife to create a marble effect.

3. Bake at 350 F for 40 minutes or until center is almost set.

The book says there are more recipes like this at http://www.fbnr.com/. I plan to check out this web site myself. Happy Valentine's Day!

Bath

The pictures tell the whole story. He smells a lot better now.

Foam

I keep seeing blogs with delicious-looking drinks. Here is mine. Coffee, hot chocolate mix and foam. I found a gadget in the back of the cabinet and almost threw it away. It was a round metal "net" on a plunger which used to be part of a capacino set I got Jaime one Christmas. The little coffee pot is gone along with the tall glass container that fit the plunger. I put the plunger in one of my regular glasses with a little low fat milk and plunged it up and down a few times and had a glass full of FOAM! Now I am busy thinking of all the things you can do with foam, hot or cold, plain or sweetened. So far, this is it. But it is very good. It is still cold in Florida. We have had freezing temperatures for 3 nights now which is mostly bad for strawberries and other tropical plants. The fair is here and Gasparilla is next weekend. I usually pass on both and wait for the Strawberry Festival in Plant City in early March. By then the weather here will be beautiful. Meanwhile, it is Fair Day and no school. Mia is already here and playing with Roger's flashlight which is a no no. Got to go. Have a good day.

Disaster

Tried to make waffles this morning. Found Jaime's waffle maker in the garage, cleaned it up and made the batter. I have never actually made waffles but I do like to eat them at the Waffle House. I did think about spraying the grills, but I only had olive oil flavor spray and I didn't want to RUIN the waffles. BTW, this appliance does NOT have removable grills.

What's Going On

Jill and my neighbor's granddaughter, Savanah, having fun.

I do know what is going on in the world. Inauguration, Superbowl (in Tampa!) and even Chinese New Year. We went to see a new movie and keep up with the latest news, but what is going on really close to home?

Family birthdays (Martin and Connor). New month with a new round of bills. The housing market is very bad in Florida. We need to sell the house at Southport Springs, even at a loss. It is rented for the next few months, but then what? My daughter with her new degree will have school loans to pay for on top of everything else. She needs a job. Sean is in construction and hasn't even gotten all his pay from the last work he did. He needs a job. My friend Joyce who was laid off after finally purchasing her own condo on the beach. She needs a job. Roger's home state of Michigan. Deep freeze temperatures and mother of all economy problems. We need jobs in this country.

My brother is working over in India because his hours were being cut back here at home. He is glad for that opportunity. There are still many things to be thankful for. We are watching Mia today while Jaime and Sean work on a fence building project for her dad's neighborhood association. That will help for now. Concern, hope and gratitude. Those are the words for today.

Gran Torino man

Roger at Karin's birthday celebration last summer at Rick's on the River. Jill and Karin are in the background.

Last night we went to see Gran Torino with Joyce and Peggy. Roger's grandson suggested he should see it. Cory (Sunday) said it reminded him of his Grandpa. Roger said a few times, "Am I like that?" I had to say, "Sometimes!" Besides being from Michigan, working at Ford's for many years and having a Polish background, Roger is about the same age as Clint Eastwood but more handsome in my opinion. Roger is not really an old grouch but can give a very good imitation -- especially when he is terrorizing the grandchildren with his deep, authoritative voice. Mia always hangs her head and says, "Okay, Roger" whenever he calls her down. Even Jonah and Jill quiet down and say, "Yes, sir". The movie was very good and so were the Primo Nachos at the Pitcher Show. Joyce, Peggy and I had beer. Roger had coffee. The waitress gave him free refills since, "No one else is drinking it and it will go bad anyway."

Vannon, Connor and Erica.

Jaime had a birthday party for Connor at her house. The house was full with 14-year-olds and adult friends and family. Jonah (8) was going to come over to our house, but was allowed to stay at the party after all so we got Mia. Jill is staying with her mother. Her pepaw is visiting from New Jersey and hopefully everything is OK. I worry most about Jill since both her parents seem bent on self destruction.