Face Masks

I posted this pic of Riley on Facebook because he had earned enough money to go buy a DVD and wore a mask like the Rock Star that he is. 

Now I will admit that I have not always worn a mask. In the beginning, it was because I never left the house, social distancing was possible when I did and, unless you made one, disposable masks were nowhere to be found.  Sewing is definitely not a strength of mine but I did manage to make this “No Sew” face mask. 

Now that we are entering into Phase 3, there are more and more people out there so social distancing has become a lot harder. So yes, I wear a mask whenever I need to go out in public.

Disposable masks are readily available at the moment and I find them more comfortable than my “No Sew” version. If you are like me and have wondered if there is a proper way to wear these disposable masks (because the instructions on the box don’t mention a right or wrong “side”)…..there is. Thanks to our niece (who is a Co-Associate Director of a Nursing Undergrad Program back east...so she knows what she is talking about) mentioned “you want your mask to vent down”. I was smart enough to realize the edge with a “wire” (so you can pinch around your nose) was the top. Go me.

So, if you have the disposable masks that have white on one side and blue on the other…the blue side should face out. Like so…

 If the mask is the same colour on both sides, the “vents” (pleats) should face down.

Do NOT be the person who wears their mask like this…you look like a loser.  

However, the ultimate loser…..looks like this…

Here’s a good video by Bill Nye on Why We Should be Wearing Masks in Public:

As our wonderful Dr. Bonnie Henry would say:  "Be Kind; Be Calm; Be Safe."

THE Best Mushroom Rollups

Not everyone who reads my blog follows me on Facebook so you may be wondering why I would suddenly decide to post a recipe.

Well…my niece, who has been living abroad for almost 2 years, is coming home tomorrow. Due to the pandemic, she will be in quarantine/self-isolation for 14 days.  I mentioned on Facebook that because I am THE best aunt EVER…I was making her a batch of her favourite Mushroom Rollups. Also, I am desperate for content for this Challenge…so a blog post it is.

I originally got this recipe from a friend back in the 80’s. It has been tweaked over the years and while a little finicky…always a hit. Enjoy!

MUSHROOM ROLL-UPS

1 Large Onion (chopped)

2 lbs Mushrooms (roughly chopped)

¼ c Butter

8 oz Cream Cheese

1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce

1 tsp Garlic Powder

Salt & Pepper to taste.

1.    Melt butter in large frying pan. Add onion and saute until soft. Add mushrooms and cook until tender and most of the liquid has evaporated.

2.    Cut cream cheese into chunks. Add cream cheese and rest of the ingredients. Stir until the cheese melts. Let stand until cool.

3.    Once cool, using a food processor or blender, puree the mixture in batches. Consistency should be just smooth enough to spread or as “chunky” as you like.

Here’s where the finicky part comes in. In the past, I have had to pre-order the bread as I like it to be cut horizontally so you have long strips of bread. You also need to trim off the crusts.

A few years, I discovered this crustless, pre-sliced bread made by President’s Choice. BEST. THING. EVER!!!! 

4.    Remove crusts from bread (if you can not get crustless). Roll each strip of bread with a rolling pin to slightly flatten. Spread mixture to the edges and roll up like a jelly roll (from the shorter end). Wrap in saran wrap and freeze.

5.    When ready to cook, cut into slices (~1/4” wide). Brush each side with melted garlic butter and bake at 400F for 10-15 minutes (flip halfway through) or until desired crispness. Serve hot.

Voila!  

"Pulling His Own Weight"

For the past year and a half, as part of our program, Riley and his friend “Bob” had been doing volunteer/work experience twice a week. One morning was spent volunteering at a Senior’s Centre where one of the jobs was helping out in the kitchen (unloading the dishwasher and putting the dishes away). It took me a while before I finally had a *lightbulb moment”…THIS could be something Riley could do at home.

As you can imagine, he was thrilled when I mentioned it. 

One of the ways Riley copes is by “scripting”. A LOT! In the past, it hadn’t always been clear what he was talking about. This dialogue is from Cheaper by the Dozen. In the movie they are talking about chores/rules of the household so the "script" is quite appropriate.

For the first time, I only had him unload the bottom rack (plates and utensils). Watching him barely clear the countertop edge as he took the dishes out made me question my decision to have him do this. But then I decided this may be my chance for a new set of dishes. 

To our surprise, on the second attempt, Riley unloaded both racks by himself. We showered him with praise. From that moment, I knew he would start “pulling his own weight” around here.  He was most proud of himself. He was keen. SO keen that the following night he unloaded the dirty dishes while we were sleeping.

I had not anticipated he would take to this so whole-heartedly. So I quickly printed out a sign to put on the dishwasher. 

It worked. Well…at least until the other night. 

You see, it's been 8 months since he started "pulling his own weight" around here. Riley knows the routine. Pretty much every other night we run the dishwasher. He talks about pulling his own weight all…day…long. Sometimes, G forgets to switch the sign but Riley knows if he wants to live here…he has to pull his own weight and unloads the dishes regardless of what the sign shows. 

But then…there are times when G forgets (because I would never) to start the dishwasher.

The other morning I saw this and was most confused.

After some investigation, I discovered G (again) had indeed forgot to run the dishwasher. I figured out that Riley had emptied the dishwasher but had apparently noticed the dishes were NOT clean. He had attempted to wash the dishes BY HAND and dry them before putting them away. I was shocked and so impressed he would problem solve on his own.

So, if you are here soon and notice your glass/plate/utensils are ummmm…not exactly clean. It is G’s fault.

  

Hangover Prevention

This is gonna be short and sweet.

It has nothing to do with the fact I am a little ummmm…”tired”. Last night we had a social distancing get-together with my sister/BIL (who are in our “bubble”) and one other couple. FYI…we were home and in bed by 11:30…just a party animal these days. 

OK…so other than the obvious “perhaps you shouldn’t have drunk so much”… REALLY “helpful” comment you might hear…seriously?!?!? 

While I most certainly do NOT want to jinx myself, as I have “matured” …THE key to not having to spend the next day talking to the big white telephone is….wait for it….WATER!  Plain and simple. Agua. 

Lots and LOTS of water. Most definitely during (alternate between water and adult beverage) or drink at least 18 gallons before you go to bed. No…you won’t have to get up and pee in the night. Alcohol is a diuretic. And if you do have to get up…hopefully it will be just to relieve yourself. 

You’re welcome.

Tomorrow…a glimpse into Riley World. 

Shake IT UP!!!

Let’s get this Challenge started with something fun…since it IS the weekend!  

J2’s friend Monika, who is like a daughter to me, suggested I pick my top 3 cocktails. Not an easy task but a challenge I was willing to accept.  

I thought it would take me a LOT longer than it did to pick just 3!! So I decided to narrow it down by seasons and not overthink it (thanks Diane Mc) so as not to burn up too many more brain cells. 

So…without further ado…

Number 1:  NEWLY discovered…it’s called a Pear Cosmotini.

I recently fell upon this blog “The Martini Chronicles”…not sure what took me so long but it’s a match made in heaven. She even has a tab called “Martini Thursdays”. Be still my heart. 

2 oz. Vodka

1 oz. St. Germaine

½ oz Triple Sec

¼ oz Rose’s Lime Cordial

1 oz. Cranberry Juice

Where does the “Pear” come from you ask???  Well…I think it is the combination of the St. Germaine’s and Lime Cordial. When I first tried it, I didn’t have Rose’s so I substituted fresh squeezed lime juice. It was tasty but the Rose’s definitely makes a difference. It’s “refreshing” and goes down a little tooooo easily. I also like to top it with a splash of sparking wine. Because doesn’t everything taste better with some sparking wine??? 

Number 2:  Summer Season…a drink with No Name.

My Facebook friend “CS” tagged me on this one with a comment "Our new official summer drink.”  What can I say???  I HAD to try it. What kind of a friend would I be if I didn’t?!?!?  I describe this as a Sangria-ish beverage only waaaaay simpler. Even though I think of red wine as more of a winter “sport” and prefer white sangria for the summer, THIS…definitely will be my go to Sangria for the summer. I’m sure you’ll be able to figure out the proportions from watching the video. Ole!  

Oh…the stuff in the pink bottle is called Pink Whitney. You can find it in the vodka section of the liquor store.

Number 3:  Winter Season…Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…flake! 

2 oz. Vanilla Vodka

2 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur 

1 oz. White Crème de Cacao

1 oz. Half & Half

Lemon Wedge & Sanding Sugar for Rimming

For the Christmas season…nothing like a White Chocolate Snowflake Martini to get you into the holiday spirit. May sound sweet but alas…tis just right to give you the warm and fuzzies. Just be careful and be sure to call Operation Red Nose for a ride home. 

Be sure to come back tomorrow for some of my Hangover tips. I kid.  Maybe.  

Another Blog Challenge... "The Results"

WOW…such an overwhelming response for me to do this challenge. THANK YOU ALL!!!  

via GIPHY

I couldn’t wait to see all the ideas you would come up with. 

I anxiously waited for notifications from Facebook that you had responded. 

I waited and waited and waited some more.

While I was waiting, I even figured out what to make for dinner. THAT is how long I waited.

I don’t mean to sound ungrateful for the support you’ve shown me but….let’s just say the number of ideas/topics you responded with was ummmm...rather dismal. I guess I should be thankful that nobody used the words “natural consequences” as their suggestion. 

So, I guess this means that, for the most part, I am on my own to come up with ways to enlighten you all. I shall take responsibility for my actions. It is good to know where I stand with my friends/supporters.

Like if we were short 1 PFD (Personal Floatation Device) on the dragon boat, I would know I was the chosen one to go down with the boat. Typically, it would be the Captain but If you have a clear conscience to relinquish the life of THE primary caregiver to a young adult with disabilities…so be it.

The way I see it, the topics are going to revolve around a couple of subjects I am most familiar with…Riley World or Food & Beverages. As I have another 20 some odd posts to write…I am going to leave you with this teaser/cliff hanger. I only have so much wisdom to share.    

Another Blog Challenge

I put out a call on Facebook to see whether or not I should participate in another Blog Challenge. I had a number in my head and if I got that number of positive responses…I would do it.

I did this BEFORE looking into what this Ultimate Blog Challenge was all about. At almost 60…I still have a tendency to leap before I look. This challenge appears to be a little too serious for me. It’s all about ways to get more traffic, increase exposure and grow your blog. While worthwhile for many, I am not that motivated.

One of the hardest things for me, other than what to make for dinner EVERY. SINGLE. DAY, is coming up with a subject to write about. I definitely need some help here. So here is where you people who responded (either by commenting or liking) come in.  Please reply on your comment with a subject/topic you would like my deep thoughts on. Remember this is a PG site.

Oh….the number I had in my head. 

It was one. 

At almost 60, I’ve learned not to aim high. I'll know better next time.