Sunday's Story

I woke up early on Sunday morning (about 4:30 AM), probably from going to bed so early. I finished reading my new book and then got up about 6:00.

I started peeling carrots for my pot roast. I put them and an onion (cut in half) in the bottom of the slow cooker. Next I halved all the baby redskins (peel on) I had left (they were starting to sprout) and threw them in with a crushed clove of garlic.

I seasoned my plastic cutting board (a Jamie Oliver trick) and rolled the roast in it while I heated up some canola oil in a skillet. I used dried thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. When the oil started to shimmer, I seared the roast on all sides and both ends.

I put the roast in the slow cooker and covered it with raw onion rings. I wish I had some mushrooms, but I don’t. I added maybe a quarter cup of water and turned that bad boy on low.

Then I shaved and showered. Next I filled up my medicine tray for the coming week. I got dressed and was ready to go. Note: To me (and I may be influenced by the hot climate I just came from) but it was cold and windy outside. I hope the people at the family gathering (to celebrate the anniversary of my Mom's birthday) are able to keep warm in the park!

The first thing I noticed on the road was that the detour signs for the railroad crossing repairs on Inkster were gone. Yay! I went to Jake and Carla’s old house to finish up. First, I put the trash out to the road (their pickup day is Monday). Then I loaded up the car with stuff they wanted saved in the attic (that couldn’t fit in their cars) and stuff they gave me – tons of cleaning products, coffee, etc.

I was headed back when I saw an Aldi’s. I stopped and got some mushrooms. This was my first time at an Aldi’s so while I was there, I checked it out. I was sooo unimpressed!

Next I stopped at the Super Kmart (still heading home on Wayne Road) for a new dish rack (the one in the sink is getting a little tired), and new phones.

The old phones suck! You can’t read the caller ID on either and the one in the bedroom cannot be dialed. You can only call out on the living room phone. This time I got one base and two extra ones, so I could replace the old, old phone in the office (that one didn’t have a caller ID feature, you see, so I could never answer it).

I also bought a cheap Black & Decker waffle iron (I’ve been jonesing about waffles for a while now).

Next, I stopped in at Kohl’s in the Westland Mall and finally found a fall jacket (on sale!)

I cruised the mall some and located the hot pretzel stand. I bought one and satisfied that craving (at last).

Back home, I put Jake & Carla’s stuff in the attic and put my haul in the back room to be sorted and stored at a future time. Then I assembled the phones and plugged each in to charge the batteries (it takes 15 hours).

I ate an apple and some cheese for a late lunch and made a pot of coffee. I washed the bedspread after getting as much cat hair off as I could. Then I took a break for a bit and watched cooking shows.

Next, I went out and filled the bird feeder and threw out the old bread and mini pita rounds for the squirrels.

I made the bed back up and went to eat dinner. I put the meat and the veggies on a platter and strained the liquid. I heated that up in a saucepan and, when it was boiling, I whisked in a mixture of cornstarch and butter (two tablespoons each). When it had dissolved, I turned off the heat and tasted it. Perfect!

I plated up the roast beef, potatoes, mushrooms, onions and carrots. I put my gravy on the meat, and potatoes and put butter on top of the carrots. I ate that watching the last of the news. It was excellent!! And, I liked the way searing the meat first kept it from getting too soft.

After cleaning up the kitchen, I wandered back in to watch my usual Sunday night shows.

During a break, I got on the scale. I feared with all that fast food I might have gained 10 pounds. Imagine my surprise when I saw I’d actually lost five pounds! All I can figure is it was going up and down those damn stairs (they have a two story house, now) a gazillion times. At that rate, Jake and Carla will both be buff in no time.