Road Trip

I woke up at 5:39 a.m. on Saturday morning without the alarm, so I guess I’m getting adjusted to Daylight Savings Time. I stripped the bed and started the weekend wash. I had to wake Caley up to do it, though. She obviously has not adjusted yet.

I watched the morning news with a cup of coffee. Then I started to get ready for the morning errands run.

I left the house just after 8:00 a.m. First stop was the bank for some cash. Next was the BP gas station at Five Mile and Merriman (it’s usually 10 cents cheaper). I was holding my breath as the low fuel light had come on last night on my way home from work. But, I made it and filled it up.

I swung into Kroger’s and picked up the needed supplies for my St. Patrick’s Day Sunday supper: corned beef, a head of cabbage, baby redskin potatoes and a bottle of Guinness stout beer.

Sidebar: I know, I know… Nobody in Ireland really eats corned beef. If I wanted a traditional “Irish” St. Patrick’s Day Sunday supper, I would have to make a leg of lamb, lamb stew or, for the people who live on the Irish coast, salmon. But, this is the traditional “American” St. Patrick’s Day Sunday supper, okay?

From there, I went to Leda’s Coney Island. Now, I would normally get their corned beef hash and two eggs over-easy. But, since I’m making corned beef on Sunday that seemed redundant. So, I ordered two eggs over-easy, hash browns and link pork sausage with rye toast. It was excellent and hit the spot.

Last stop was Home Depot where I bought some metal shower rings. I didn’t think the white plastic ones I had in my old shower curtain scenario would work in this application.

I made one impulse stop: the O’Rielley’s auto parts store to pick up some windshield washer fluid (with all the melting snow and splashing, I’ve been hitting it hard). I got back home before 10:00 a.m.

I treated the cat, put away the groceries and then went out to add the windshield washer fluid. This was the first time I had opened the hood and I had a few problems. The first was that, with the height of the truck and the canoe over it, I couldn’t open it all the way. So, I backed the truck up about five feet and tried again.

That’s when I noticed the hood wouldn’t stay up! I searched and found the rod that holds it (duh). I filled up the washer fluid reservoir, said goodbye to Caley and headed out.

I stopped just before reaching my Brother Carl’s house and got the truck washed. It was covered with dirt, salt and splashed water and I couldn’t let him see it that way.

He was babysitting his granddaughter, Aurora, and the three of us had an interesting visit. Carl and I had a cup of coffee and Aurora had some grapes. She asked me if I had any money and I asked her why she wanted to know. She explained (rather matter-of-factly) she wanted somebody to buy her a cell phone and a laptop.  

The main reason for this trip was to take him the SC onion sausage. So, I did. Enjoy, Brother!

I left there and headed over to B___’s house. Fortunately, his daughter Amy and her daughter, Lillian, were visiting, so I got to meet his 10-month old granddaughter. She was a sweetie with a killer smile.

Finally, I took my leave and headed back home. I got there just before 4:00 p.m. I checked and I’d put 77 miles on the truck with this road trip and the total miles on it just passed 1,000.

Sidebar: I would have made the trip up to Washington to see Dave and Melissa but, sadly, they had a family funeral to go to. Next time, Babe!

Much of the discussion at both Carl and B___’s revolved around the melting snow. So, after treating the cat, I walked out back and took pictures of the snow and the emerging lake (I hope the ducks come back!)

I hope the ducks come back this year!

Back inside, I was hungry, so I made the last of the ham chunks into a “mock” ham salad (no hard boiled eggs or sweet pickle relish on hand) and ate a sandwich.

Then I switched loads in the dryer and started the last load of clothes in the washer. I made up the bed and then tested it by taking a nap.

I woke up just after 7:00 p.m., so I decided to make dinner. I started by filling the pasta pot and putting it on to boil. When it was bubbling, I threw in some Kosher salt and a box of fettuccine.

Then I chopped two slices of thick bacon into 1/2-inch chunks. I cooked that in the 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until just crisp (about four minutes). I removed the bacon from the pan but reserved the drippings.

I added two cloves of minced garlic to the bacon grease and sautéed that about one minute, stirring constantly. Then I sprinkled a tablespoon of flour over the garlic and cooked that about a minute, stirring constantly still.

Now, this is one of those Cooking Light Recipes so the next ingredient is supposed to be 1% low fat milk. But, in my house??? Come on…

So I gradually added one cup of whole milk, (say it with me) stirring constantly. I let that cook for about two minutes until it was bubbly and slightly thick. Then I gradually stirred in 2/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until all the cheese melted.

I had already drained the pasta, but reserved 1/4 cup of the cooking water. So, I stirred that in along with some sea salt and fresh ground black pepper. I added the hot pasta to the skillet and tossed well to combine. Then I sprinkled the bacon and some fresh chopped flat leaf parsley on top.

I plated the dish, topped it with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, took a picture for you and then ate my dinner.

Fettuccine Alfredo with Bacon

It was very good. In fact, it was very, very good. But I couldn’t help thinking it would have been over the top if I just would have sautéed an eight-ounce package of sliced crimini mushrooms in that bacon grease before I added the garlic. Oh well, next time.

Stuffed, I watched some taped TV until bedtime.