Monday

When I woke up Monday morning, I couldn’t believe the difference in temperature. It really felt like Fall. After work, I watered the container gardens and then the raised bed garden.

Back inside, I took the chilled chicken stock, labeled it and then stuck it in the freezer. Then I washed the pots and pans and emptied and then re-loaded the dishwasher. So, that took care of the mess from the stock-making.

I got the garbage together for morning and then figured enough was enough. I went out to turn off the sprinkler in the raised bed garden and my neighbors came over to the fence to chat. We talked about our gardens and I mentioned I’d gotten two harvests already from those hot peppers (I gave them to Jake – too hot for me!)

Rick said, “Oh, no! You’re not supposed to pick them when they are green; you have to wait until they turn red!” Well, thanks for telling me in advance! Sorry Jake!

We talked about fried green tomatoes. They said they had a friend who used their tomatoes to make them some and they loved them (I do too). But when Tammy tried to do it they were greasy and the breading kept sliding off. I told them they probably didn’t have the oil hot enough. I said it should read 350-375 degrees F. on their thermometer. Turns out they don’t have one. So, I gave them two alternatives: Add a slice of potato into the oil and when it floats, its hot enough. Or, the way I like is to stick the handle of a wooden spoon in the oil. When bubbles start to form around the handle, you’re ready to go.

Back inside, I still hadn’t taken anything out for supper, so I heated up a chicken pot pie and ate that watching TV.

I forgot to tell you this (I did tell Jake on Monday) but Sunday afternoon; I found some blue corn chips on top of the fridge. I had no idea how old they were, so I scrunched them up and threw them outside for the birds and squirrels. Neither the birds, nor the squirrels seemed to be too interested in them (probably because I didn’t put out salsa).

The, late Sunday night, on a bathroom break, the security light was on and my old friend, the possum, was enjoying a late night snack of corn chips. So, I wasn’t too surprise last night when the light was on again and he was out there, chowing down.