I’m halfway through A-Z. Meanwhile, life goes on with no regard to alphabetical order.
So let’s see…
Yesterday, I met local food blogger Benson for a DoorScursion. We walked through a bit of his old stomping grounds, a neighborhood called Brightwood. I’ll blog about that on a Thursday next month, but here we are. Or there we were. Or whatever.
I’ve been continuing my work on the kitchen.
About six months ago, The Mister and I removed the old colossal microwave which hung over my range like the spirit of 1982. That was NOT easy. I said, “Begone behemoth!” and The Mister said this:
After a lot of peeling, scraping, and sanding, I changed out the backsplash. The Mister hung my new range hood this last week.
I know! We too are really happy we can see when the stove is on and that the chicken noodles are still warm. Before we did this, you wouldn’t have seen the back burners, the wall, or the controls. It’s freakin amazing.
No, we don’t miss having a microwave.
I continue to paint and caulk, but already everything’s lighter and brighter and I’m so delighted with the progress.
And there’s the dining room.
Cletus the Dog Kitten, sans claws, has remained enthusiastic and helpful about wallpaper removal. Cute little bastard, isn’t he?
Moo finished up her science fair project. It was about traveling water. Mostly, this involved mess. Moos are good at messes, especially in the name of science. I lay down an old towel and she asked me for a clean towel. I said, “This one’s clean. Are you asking me if we can use a pretty white fluffy towel for your blue food coloring extravaganza? Cause that would be NO.” Can you even tell that’s a faded pink Hello Kitty towel? No you cannot.
this bit’s really for skipah
Sometimes I feel an overwhelming relief that Moo can math. I loved science in school, and I still do, but she has the math aptitude to exceed my pursuits and I’m pleased as pie.
Also, Moo runs for fun. And does folk dancing. And art. Today is clay day.
Next week, she’ll choose her instrument — the viola, she says.
Sassy is learning eighth notes and slurs. I have no idea what she’s going on about half the time she talks to me about her music, but it does sound good when she plays. It doesn’t sound like much when she air-bows.
The Mister starts a new job Monday. Apparently greener pastures require a longer commute.
The tulips are opening and closing depending on variety and location. For those of you paying attention, Moo admitted she DID plant the red tulips all in a row while I planted the red tulips by the garage. I was not as duh as I thought, and Moos are also good at mischief.
Gawd I love tulips! It’d be awesome if the squirrels didn’t eat them, but as long as I add tulips every year, I think I’ll win.
My seed trays are full inside. I forgot to start the marigolds early AGAIN. I’ve started lavender and goldenrod indoors, which are both new to me. I’ve never grown them from seed and I hope the seeds take. Outside it’s time to plant carrots, spinach, onions, basil, astilbe, and coneflower. Preparing garden beds seems to take forever, but oh, it’s so worth it.
I have hoarded stale carbs for the squirrels and it’s time to harvest pet hair for the seedlings.
We’re not gonna have much of a back 40 this year unless we get someone to come out and drive a Bush Hog through it. Jury’s still out on that one. Not lookin promising.
The peonies are purple stems climbing out of the ground right now. The ants are already wild in anticipation. I comfort myself by sayin, “At least they’re not fire ants!”
I still don’t miss Georgia. I still thank God I’m home every single day.
Here are some things I’ve been cookin:
It’s good to take walks with your dog, snapping photos of things that catch your eye…
Maybe you also photograph some things on accident. You dunno. Does this steering wheel make my knees look fat?
Sometimes you stand a few feet from a little black duck, just communing in pleasure, but then your dog finally notices it and yells out, “DUCK!” or at least it felt like that when your left arm was almost ripped from your body.
Then you go home and ‘read’ with your cats, so it’s all okay. Clara on my chest, Catticus behind my head, and Cletus, well, he’ll keep The Mister’s spot warm.
Last week the furnace failed to reach the set temperature and I had flashbacks of wearing scarves and hats indoors and writing big checks, but I’m happy to say it was only that the filter needed to be changed out. Peculiar sales technique; The price of one furnace filter was $28.99 but a pack of two was $39.88. Why is that even a thing?
This month, people in my life have been affirming life’s beautiful truths. Allow me to share these truths with you.
Taking risks pays off.
You can do anything you put your mind to.
People are essentially good at heart.
Giving feels good.
Justice prevails.
Good things come to those who wait.
This month, people in my life have been affirming life’s less pleasant truths. Allow me to share those with you.
You need experience to get a job to earn experience.
Women want you to want to do the dishes.
Cancer sucks.
Common sense is not common.
Expectations only lead to disappointment.
Meanwhile, how’ve you been? What’ve you been doing?
joeyfullystated 
I was all fine and dandy until the food pictures. Jealous I am.
Also, thanks for the giggles. They’re kind hard to find these days, but your blogs usually do it for me.
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I’m so glad I got giggles out of you! That feels wonderful! Thank you ❤
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I took a day off from social media and made Mexican mole sauce with a friend. Now I’m attempting to write about it!
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Omaword! Are there tamales to boot?!? 😛
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I am in awe of your productivity, energy, and skill. You’re like a real-life embodiment of Pinterest, sans fails.
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Ha, thanks. I don’t much care for Pinterest, but I think that’s a fabulous compliment 🙂
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Hey Joey! Congrats on freeing up some kitchen space – and your accidental phot shots are funny – I really loved the opening tulips and although I have not read other posts- it sounds like you all had fun planting them last year-.
Oh and my favorite photo is the mailbox – first because they are bricking so rare! I only know where a few are around our city and sometimes I remember the milk machines we had (fifty cent quarts)
And second – the angle of the mailbox shows the concrete block and this has a time warp feel (timeless) with the type of concrete and dominate corner location. Hmmmm
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Yes, thank you 🙂
The mailbox on the corner IS an anomaly. I truly think it’s only because this neighborhood was constructed post WWII and the post box was always there. I do not recall milk machines. I’m intrigued.
Sorry I’m so late in catching your comment!
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oh no worries on being late – 🙂 – and the way this one is on the corner is unlike I have ever seen. I still marvel at the few left in the town I live in. And a few years ago they still had Phones on a few corners.
and maybe the milk machines were unique to westerner new york and other places – but for fifty cents I would get a quart of milk and chug the whole thing after practice.
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She really is something rather remarkable to behold when she gets going. Of course coming home to see things ripped from the wall can be overwhelming, but I have to stop and realize that she will make it better in the end, because she always does.
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❤ Thank you xxx
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Great food pics. Meanwhile was a very different M from most.
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Thank you 😀
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Oh my – there is just so much in here to comment on. I’ll just say Cletus is cute as a button and has a face of pure mischief. As I’m typing this, my own fur-face is laying beside me snoring up a storm. I had no idea cats snore!
Secondly, all those wonderful food photos … will you adopt me? 😉
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Aw, yeah, my fur-faces snore, too!
I cannot adopt you, but you’re welcome to join us for dinner 🙂 And thank you!
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Yay! Dinner sounds wonderful 🙂
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Love those truths. Sounds like you guys have an awful lot going on there – I’m exhausted just reading this.
The new look in the kitchen is awesome but I can’t show this to my wife cause she’ll remind me that I have to do something about our ugly backsplash too.
I second Joanne’s comment on the food pics. You keep posting pics like that and one these days I’m just gonna have to drop in for lunch. Good eclectic post.
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Thanks, Norm 🙂 It took me awhile to hate our backsplash, and even then, I left it alone for more than two years, but there comes a time…
You are always welcome to drop in.
By the by, you never did mention if you liked the chili spaghetti you made?
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The chili spaghetti was pretty good. Not something I’ll eat more than a few times a year, but they do go well together.
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😀
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Wow…this post has something for everyone ! Just wanted to comment on the tulips…love them. Memories of Holland, Michigan. ☺🌷 🌼 🌸
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I haven’t been to Holland here or there, I really would enjoy going when it’s all tulip-fied! 🙂
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You are one serious active bunny. Must be spring where you are. I’m planning a vegan feast this weekend. Not because I’m a vegan, just curious because I had a key lime pie last weekend made from avocados and the baker claimed it was vegan. It was green and delicious. Now, whether the family takes to this adventure is a story waiting to be told.
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It is spring here 🙂
I’m intrigued by the avocado/ key lime pie — I want to know how yours turns out. I’m not big on meat, but I live for dairy. I could never go vegan, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t fabulous vegan recipes. I mean, really, good food is good food! 😛 Good luck with your vegan feast!
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Will letcha know. Daughter’s boyfriend is coming over to “enjoy” the feast. I’ve never cooked vegan so it should be -erm – interesting.
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We haven’t had a microwave in over 20 years and we haven’t missed it. I like random, accidental photos. I when on a group hike once, and I kept hearing my camera beep, because I was hitting it with a treking pole (I had never used one before). Some of the photos I got from those hits/beeps were really good.
I like Cletus the Dog Kitten, and, even though I just finished lunch, I am hungry after looking at those pictures. Great complicated post today!
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Thanks!
Yeah, the girls hated microwaving oatmeal at first, but they’ve overcome it.
Some of the accidental photos really are serendipitous 🙂
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It all sounds more fun than a work conference kind of week. I’m jet lagging today.
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Poor guy. I feel for ya. Restful weekend now? You gonna take any extra time off?
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I don’t have to go back until Monday. I admit I’m kind of draggin today.
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Well do try to take it easy 🙂
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A loud noise of hands banging together. Excellent post. You have it all. Flowers,food and Pet and Kid stuff. It was like an eclair filled with pot de creme and wrapped in cotton candy. You have a Kitchen Aid. I am so jealous. One thing though. I don’t know about meeting those food blogger types. They are an unsavory lot. However I must say I had a grand time. Shame so many folks re-did their doors.
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Oooh, now I want an eclair. Or a pot de creme, but more like a POT de creme, like a whole pan of it, lol! 😛 It might be time to start dinner…
I do have a Kitchen-Aid! She was a gift. Her name is Ethel. I had a Sunbeam before, but man, I love Ethel! 🙂
I enjoyed our time together, I think we should do it with regularity. 🙂
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I agree. There are many old neighborhoods in need of exploring.
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You’ve been a busy beaver 😀 The flowers are gorgeous! I wish I didn’t kill everything I touch, have to put up with the fake shit to add some color to the house, inside and out.
I’ve been keeping Little Man busy while he’s off for Spring Break. We’ve done so much that going back to school next week may be a relief for him 😉
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I’m glad you like the flowers, and I’m sorry about yer black thumb. I have two fake plants in my house and I would LOVE to have more. They really warm up a room.
Hehe about keeping LM busy! 🙂 Good job!
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Good topic for the letter du jour. Halfway through the challenge and meanwhile still revising my new book, cooking, baking, doing yoga, reading, visiting with my daughter…
We can do lots of things meanwhile, right?
Your food pics made me want to eat. The chicken sounds tasty. Miam miam.
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Thank you!
You should post some of your foods — I’d love to see! Miam miam! 😛 Excusez-moi, j’ai faim.
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When we did our kitchen remodel we had the overbearing microwave banished to a side wall. I understand your joy with not having it in the way. Also, I’ve never tried starting marigolds inside so I have a new plant to add to my little makeshift indoor greenhouse. Thanks for the idea.
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Oh you’re welcome, this is the THIRD year I’ve forgotten to start them loooong before the tomatoes 😦 If we’re still both blogging next year, maybe you can remind me? lol I tire of buying and planting them. *sigh*
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That is a LOT going on, my friend. First, I LOVE the kitchen sans microwave. Pretty! I’ll be right over for some of that cookin.
Happy weekend!
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First, before I forget to say it TGIF! This means most of the friends I know get visited if no grandies want to sleep overnight. They went as a gang my son, my daughter and my DIL with all 7 of them. Hendrix was in movie theaters inside Mommy. I decided good to stay home and will see Jungle Book another time.
Did you use cranberries with your baked chicken, Joey? I live doing fruit with meat. Cherries are great with beef, by the way.
I like your photos!
I mostly relate our of all this wondrous life you spill into your blog: Moo stories are the best thing since unsliced bread loaves. 🙂
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I’m not much a meat eater, so I don’t cook a whole lot of variation with meat, moreso the gravies. Should I look up beef n’ cherries? See, to me, that’s a waste of cherries, haha! I didn’t do cranberries with the chicken — that’s tomato, kalamata, and caper. Cranberry with turkey is good at least once a year 😉
Thanks for stopping by! I really need to get over to you!
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Sorry about this, but whenever I hear the word “meanwhile”, this happens in my head…
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Ha. I almost never think of Twin Peaks.
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I almost never don’t. ;~}
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Well done Moo! I had to change out Miss Madison’s behemoth outdated microwave for a range hood last year also. PAIN IN THE ASS! The improvements look nice, and who doesn’t take random photography. It’s in paragraph 3.1 section D of the blogger handbook and reads: A serious blogger must take random photography of their surroundings at all times.
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Right? Getting that microwave out was seriously taxing! Thank you!
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Freaking sucked plus Madison is nothing like New Albany. If Lowe’s or WalMart don’t have what you need you are basically effed or have to drive 45 minutes back to my stomping grounds for “selection” when it came to getting a new range.
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Oh dang.
I ordered my range hood on Amazon. Broan, 30″, less than $40. I was VERY pleased. I don’t even want to think about replacing appliances.
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That’s what we ended up doing, but I’ve never been accused of being patient. So of course I wasted a day driving all over the damn place looking for one that would fit!
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Gah. Live and learn, Man, live and learn.
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