Sunday Funday!

I woke up at the normal time again and got a cup of coffee. I filled in the rest of the Blog post and then got started on the normal Sunday morning chores.

I took some time and finally cleaned off the kitchen table. It had been piled high with tools, clothes, gloves, etc.

Then I took my 30 photos, put them in order and numbered them. I wrote an explanation of each for Leon. I put the letter, the photos and their Christmas card into a 6 x 9-inch clasp envelope, sealed it shut and then taped it as well. I put on an address and return label. Since I have no idea how much postage will be required, I figured I’d take it to the Post Office when it opens at noon.

I shaved, showered and got dressed in my “go to town” clothes. I left for Home Depot just after 9:00 a.m.

On the way back, I stopped at McDonald’s and got a sausage and egg McMuffin for breakfast. You have to keep your strength up on these marathon builds!

Back home, I left the truck outside. I changed into work clothes and got busy outside sanding again. There wasn’t any wind today. It was still, damp and chilly. I took a break at 11:00 a.m. and got a cup of coffee to take the chill off. Then I got back to work. I quit at 11:45 p.m. and changed back into my “go to town” clothes – Not as nice as my “go to work” clothes, but definitely not as shabby as my “work around the house” clothes.”

The line at the Post Office was huge! I should have thought this one through. I was standing there (and standing there and standing there) thinking, “Damn I wish I had a postal scale! I could have avoided all of this!” Then it dawned on me. I have a sensitive kitchen scale that I probably could have just weighed this on! Duh!

The upshot was I had to pay $1.86 for Leon’s envelope and I got home just before 1:00 p.m. I changed clothes (for the last time today, I hope) and then went out for some fresh visqueen.

I cut a big sheet and put the computer table on it. I closed off the pocket door to the living room (trying to contain the smell) and opened the window in my bedroom. I shut the downstairs door after opening the window in the downstairs bath (to avoid explosions). I turned the kitchen vent fan on and donned my laetrile gloves. Then I shook the can of Minwax “Wipe on Poly.”

Note: This is the first time I’ve tried that. It’s supposed to give a hand-rubbed furniture look to your application and I’m all about the furniture look. But, it was a little scary to try it on something this critical.

By turning and flipping the table, I managed to get every surface coated. Unfortunately, since the laetrile gloves are only wrist high (and I had to delve deep into the drawer areas), I managed to coat my forearms as well. So, when I finished up, I went into the garage and bathed my arms in mineral spirits. Then I went back inside and repeatedly washed my arms. I was afraid I’d get Festivus!

It takes 2-3 hours for this to dry enough for a second coat, so I went back to my other project. I built a couple of sanding jigs and got everything sanded three times: 60, 150 and 220 grit.

Sidebar: I had about six honks and waves or fist pumps from neighbors down the street I don’t know. Apparently, they approved of my work!

Then I assembled the project. I left it just before 6:00 p.m., clamped and glued. I dragged the sawhorses and sanding table in, pulled the truck back inside and called it a day.

I turned on the evening news, but fell asleep watching it. I was beat! I woke up at 7:30 p.m. and debated on finishing the computer table or making dinner. My stomach finally won out!

So, I had two food issues to deal with: tonight’s Sunday supper and Tuesday’s work Christmas party soup. For tonight’s dinner, I cut up the rest of the baby redskin potatoes and threw them in a bowl. Then I peeled a package of parsnips and tried to cut them all in the same size.  They went in the bowl as well. I added a healthy slug of olive oil.

Next I minced up six cloves of garlic. I added that to the bowl as well as a good helping of dried rosemary leaves (my home-grown herbs are dead), some sea salt and fresh ground black pepper. I tossed that together and dumped in on a half sheet pan, covered with foil. I stuck that into the preheated (400 degree) oven, set the timer for 30 minutes and moved on.

I needed at least two boneless, skinless chicken breasts for my chicken tortilla soup for the work Christmas party (the theme is Mexican). So, I bought two packets of two each Amish chicken breasts.

Now, they were like three times as expensive as Kroger’s brand chicken breasts. But I have been repeatedly preached to about the inhumane conditions on chicken farms and the difference in taste, so I thought I would pop for them.

Sidebar: I can still remember my brother Pete, going out and killing a couple of chickens with a hatchet, in response to my Mother’s direction for our Sunday supper. Was that humane? I dunno… I doubt the chicken thought so…

Anyway, I mixed up some spices:  11/2 teaspoons of ground cumin, 1 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. I drizzled three of the chicken breasts with olive oil and then sprinkled on the spice mixture. These will be for the soup.

I made a separate little tray of foil on the same half sheet pan. I mixed mayonnaise with grated Parmesan cheese and smeared it on the chicken. Then I sprinkled on Italian bread crumbs. That is for my Sunday supper.

When the timer went off, I stuck the chicken in the oven and reset the timer for another 30 minutes. I also tossed the roasting potatoes and parsnips around so they would cook evenly and not stick.

When the timer went off again, I pulled both trays. I cut the end of the Parmesan chicken to check that it was cooked through and it was.

I plated the Parmesan chicken and some of the roasted veggies and ate a great dinner!

When the other chicken breasts were cool, I stuck them in the fridge for tomorrow’s soup. I read in the living room until I got sleepy and then went to bed.