With tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers ready for harvest, I had to spend the weekend processing them. Unlike other years, when there was an abundance of veggies to freeze, this year has been…sluggish.
Monday Menu: Garden Bounty
Blog
Furry Friday: Box Fun
Reggie was glad for a late evening delivery. I as too tired to unpack or toss the box in the garage, so he got to play all night.
The Evolution of TJ Wilde: Full Sail, Pt 1
And here we are, in the final chapter of TJ Wilde’s journey. This was a hard one to write. Not because I didn’t know what to write; I did. I’d known before I even ended Run Aground how TJ’s story would end. And the unfolding mystery had been in the back of my mind for years. The Hollywood-ness of it all.
Unfortunately, a few things happened along the way. One was Covid, which threw all of us off our game. But for TJ and me, it meant I couldn’t wrap up her journey. So I pivoted to the Duxbridge series, which felt a little lighter and more accessible. It also meant I could write with one of my Covid bubble buddies. Win-win for all of us who needed connection back then.
I kept up my research and plotting. I had an entire notebook of scribbles when it was finally time to begin. Still, I struggled. Trips to LA for locations were hit or miss, until the third trip, which I’ll detail more next week.
But probably the biggest hurdle? I wasn’t ready to let go of TJ, Colby and Mimi. So I lingered.
Monday Menu: Freezing for the Week
What I’ve been freezing in my food cubes this week.
Ropa Vieja – I was craving it for some reason and chuck cross rib roast happened to be on sale. Perfect timing all around. I froze the leftovers in the 1 cup cubes. Enough to serve over rice or on a salad.
I also froze grilled hamburgers (to crumble over salads), more shredded chicken, rice, and mashed potatoes.
My experiment this week will be diced potatoes and diced hard boiled eggs. I wanted to see if they would then thaw and make a decent potato salad. My first attempt – freezing leftover potato salad did not work. I want to see if freezing them separate and then adding the mayo mixture after they thaw will make a difference. I know it’s not the potoes, they freeze well. It might be the eggs are the deal breaker.
Finally, as the garden started to deliver more fresh veggies, I had enough cucumbers to make a small batch of this Korean Cucumber salad.
Furry Friday: Stitches
Actually, staples.
Post surgery nap.
I have not blogged all week because Trixie injured herself last Friday. After surgery I’ve been playing “keep the Dane quiet” and “keep the Danes separated” all week.
Exhausting.
We are still not sure how she managed to get a two-inch gash in her shoulder that was so clean it looked like it was done by a scalpel. No blood, either. The vet and I were stumped. Minor surgery to clean up the edges and staple it shut and she was home by end of the day.
Meanwhile, the next night, Nora was attacked by raccoons. She was uninjured, but the raccoons may not have been so lucky- between the dogs and me evicting them from the yard. The drought has made them angry and unafraid, so it took a bit of effort.
Her coop needs some extensive repairs, which I’ve been doing slowly.
So no blogging this week, although I did get some good writing done. Emotional trauma will do that for me, gets those creative juices flowing. LOL
I also finally got all the books, both ebooks and paperbacks, set up for direct sale on the website. Click here to purchase directly. Audiobooks are still only available through Amazon and Audible.
Below the fold are Trixie’s staples, if you are wondering. Nothing gory. I saved those photos for friends and family via text.
Fun times.
Here’s hoping next week is quiet. Until then.
caution, mended wound ahead….
Annie DeMoranville 