Sunday morning, over hard!

I got a lot of sleep last night, so I woke up bright-eyed and bushy tailed at 5:30 AM (when the alarm usually goes off). Have a cup of coffee, then thought about things to do today. No matter how hard I tried, I kept coming back to: THE SMELL!

Have I mentioned recently that I think my bedroom smells? Probably not, I'm too embarrassed. I am a little paranoid about this. I have never forgotten, (nor forgiven) back on St. Clair when Jacob came into my bedroom one day and said "This room smells like old man!"

Anyway, couldn't figure it out. Washed the bedding a couple of times a week. Moved all the furniture and washed the floor, thinking maybe the cat had an accident. Vacuumed out the fish tank and replaced the water last weekend. Used Fabreeze on the curtains, etc., etc., etc.

But when I got home Friday, I smelled it coming in the garage door! So, I vacuumed out the fish tank (again) and replaced the water. When Jake and Carla came by yesterday to borrow a screwdriver (to put the new license plate on the car) I asked Carla (who has a very discerning nose) to check out the room and she said it was definitely the fish tank!

Before heading out, I called Luanne to wish her a Happy 50th birthday. She now has 17 goats in her herd, with more on the way.

I went to Meijer and bought new (a LOT) of gravel, more water, etc. and started cleaning the tank, the filter and the fake plants at around 11:00 AM. Meanwhile, I opened the bedroom window and closed the door. I washed every leaf of the fake plants with salt and baking soda, scrubbed the tank walls, etc. Since I had the tank off my dresser, I also removed the glass top, washed it and cleaned the dresser top with lemon oil. I finished up just before 1:00 PM but I still smell fish gunk EVERYWHERE!!! I never had this problem with Newt. I am thinking the gold fish is gonna be sushi!

I was washing all the towels I used in the fish tank cleanup when I heard an odd, water sound from the back room. Went to check and found my washtub overflowing! A sponge had fallen in and blocked the drain. Used all the remaining towels in the house to try and mop up the water, then had to wash them (will this never end?).

Next I started Sunday dinner. Oddly enough, after all the fuss about the Gruyere cheese, I have decided to make that dish during the week (it's less than 30 minutes). So, today's dinner is a roasted chicken, with jus, oven roasted potatoes and parsnips. Before I trussed the chicken up with kitchen twine, I washed it, put fresh thyme, rosemary and tarragon in the cavity, along with one whole lemon, quartered. I brushed the chicken with melted butter, salt and pepper. I put it in the oven in a roasting pan, breast side up and sitting on cut up celery, carrots and an onion at 375 degrees F.

I cut up some russet potatoes (I was out of redskins), drizzled them with olive oil and sprinkled them with the house seasoning (salt, pepper and garlic powder) and dried thyme. Put them in the oven as well.

Next I peeled the parsnips and put them in a sauce pan to cook. Last 15 minutes, I raised the oven heat to 425 (to crisp up the skin), pulled out the potatoes and baked the chicken until it had an internal temp of 170 degrees in the thigh.

Then I made the "jus" by straining the roasting pan veggies and juice, retaining the juice. I deglazed the roasting pan with 1 � cups of chicken stock, added the reserved liquid back in and boiled until it slightly thickened. Then I ate WAY too much.

I took a nap from about 4:00 to 5:00 PM, then I got back up and finished the normal Sunday stuff, getting ready for Monday and work.

Watched my normal Sunday night shows and went to bed at exactly 11:00 PM.