Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Slow Living


I ran out of excuses to take a walk this morning although that hasn't stopped me in ages from continuing my slothful ways. I put on my very non-stylish walking clothes and shoes and appeared in the Glen Den. My husband looked up in astonishment. 
"I guess I'm going to see if I can still walk a mile," I said, with very, very little enthusiasm.  

I did manage to walk a mile and then some and it was fine. Still, I can definitely tell that I have been neglecting that part of myself for awhile. It was overcast and muggy as hell and I was sweating by the time I got home. The branches you see above are part of a truly beautiful and rather spooky old oak tree just down the road. 



I may not be enjoying the high humidity we're experiencing right now but the resurrection fern growing on its gnarled and twisting branches appears to be quite happy. 
I decided to walk down to Lloyd Creek, or at least a branch of it. The creek was still and there was some trash floating in it. But, it is water. 



The railroad trestle goes over it. 

All right- let's have a report on the air fried chicken, shall we? I cut the two boneless, skinless breasts I had in half because they were Dolly Parton sized (and I don't think that Dolly would mind if she knew I called them that because she is a saint with a grand sense of humor about her gorgeous and generous bosoms) and dipped them in flour, then beaten egg, and then panko crumbs with salt and pepper and a few spices and I put them in the small magic oven box and set the time and temperature and function and they came out quite well! Crispy outside and very tender inside. In fact, we are going to have the other two pieces tonight, transformed into a sort of chicken parmigiana. 
I was not displeased. 
And it takes far less time than the big oven. Only a few moments to preheat instead of a good chunk of time, and then a few moments to cook. So that's nice. And this morning I used the toast function for my cheese toast and that took about a tenth of the time my old toaster oven took. 
I am pleased. I will become more familiar and comfortable with it as time goes on but so far, any problems have been due to user error, not the product itself. 

Speaking of appliances- the refrigerator repairman showed up today. It's the compressor and this seems to be a major flaw in this particular brand. However, the warranty for the compressor is good for five years, parts and labor, so I am not too upset. Now if I didn't have a refrigerator in the hallway, I'd be screaming, but as it is, it's just a minor inconvenience. We are scheduled for repair a week from Thursday which seems like a long time but it'll go fast. Supposedly, the company has redesigned the compressor entirely and eliminated the problem which is very good because I do love that refrigerator. It's size and ease of use and the way it's set up is a joy. 

It's been a nice, slow, easy day for me and I feel as if it's been the first day of true relaxation I've had since way before Christmas. I will have to go back to town tomorrow to pick up a prescription and also to go to Publix to buy steaks because Owen is spending the night Thursday and steak is what he wants. 
With onion rings. 
Which I will cook in the air fryer! 
He and Boppy are not going fishing as planned because the seas look to be too rough but instead, Owen is going to help his grandfather with a project or two, earning money in the doing. I am not sure why but it warms a place in my heart that I did not know was there for him to work with his Boppy on jobs that need to be done. This is a part of being a grandparent that I did not foresee or envision when he was born but it is a sweet one. He is such a dear boy. 
I always think of the time when he was just a little guy and he said to me one day, "Mer, did you know that sometimes when people get really, really old, they have to wear diapers?"
"Yes," I said. "I know that."
"Well, what I want to know is, who changes those diapers?" he asked me. 
"Their grandchildren!" I replied, as seriously as I could. The look on his face. He was so horrified. 
"Not really," I assured him. And truthfully, that is one task that he will not be assigned. But I do wonder if he thinks of that. 
I hope I did not traumatize him for life. 

On we go. 

Love...Ms. Moon

33 comments:

  1. I cook the breakfast bacon in mine now and it is a wonderful thing. I don't get grease pops and dreaded burns or nasty shirt stains although it does seem to smell up the house a little more.

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    1. Really? Bacon in the air fryer? I need to check this out. Of course it wouldn't be nearly big enough when we have the grandchildren over but for two, it would work fine. I already use my oven to cook bacon in.

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  2. Our compressor expired at the beginning of the pandemic and we had a long wait for the LG repairman also. it was only a year old!
    It sounds as if your Christmas was lovely.I enjoyed reading about it.We took a chance and drove the five hours to see our grandchildren and their parents and also enjoyed it all.

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    1. Yeah. That LG compressor was obviously a complete failure. That's the same brand we have. But some friends of ours lost the compressor on their almost-new GE refrigerator so it's not LG alone. And the repair man told me that it's a lot easier to replace the LG one than the GE.
      So glad you went to see the grandchildren!

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  3. The old tree with the resurrection fern is beautiful. Glad the air fryer is working out for you.

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    1. Isn't it cool? I love resurrection fern but it can get so heavy it brings down branches.

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  4. When my oldest grandson, who is a computer nerd, a cook and a mama's boy used to work in the garden with me, I admired is natural grace with the shovel. I got my brother to involve him in some household repairs that involved a saw and a drill, and one again was blown away by his natural arm stroke with the saw. That brother is gone now, and my grandson, who has purchased his first house, lamented his demise recently.

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    1. Sounds a lot like our Levon! I really hope that I can live long enough to see that little guy grow into his skills.

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  5. Glad to have the update on the air fryer. Good thing th the fridge is under warranty, since the compressor is the biggest thing that can go wrong with it.

    You sound pretty good, back into walking again. I find it's good for the spirits.

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    1. It is SO good for the spirit to walk, isn't it?
      Yes. I think I am liking this new little appliance.

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  6. How many times can I squeeze "good" into one short teply?

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    1. I do that all the time. I get one word in my head and I use it over and over again.

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  7. good to hear air fryer report (it's not enough to make me buy one LOL).....but my question is.....does the outside (as of your breaded breast) brown? and crisp? Is less cooking time the only truly positive aspect? I look forward to more thoughts. Oaks with ferns on them.......just gorgeous. Here in coastal california we are blessed with some of the most lovely ancient oaks...all supporting other systems of life both in and beneath them.
    Glad you walked! I did short walk only with the dog, since it was only 48 degrees and I was frozen before we started!
    Susan M

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    1. Yes. The outside of the chicken was nice and crispy and browned. Very much so. And it does take a lot less time.
      The old, huge trees are ecosystems all on their own, aren't they? I don't think we remember that enough. I don't even think a lot of people realize that.
      If it was 48 I doubt I would have walked.

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  8. That's a sweet story about Owen and the diapers. I bet you didn't scar him at all, only made him more thoughtful and dependable as he grows. I love that he's helping his grandfather do jobs that need doing, learning as he goes from that good good man. The air fryer sounds like a win! We might have considered one but there's not an inch of space in our kitchen to keep it. I look forward to hearing more of your air frying adventures!

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    1. I'll have to ask Owen if he remembers that story. It's funny what they do and don't remember. Just like us, I guess.
      Do you have a toaster oven because we replaced our toaster oven with this new oven which has the toaster oven feature. It's no wider but it is taller so it's not taking up any more counter space and it sure does toast a lot faster.

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  9. It is all good as the young ones say. Have a sweet night.

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  10. I came to your post straight after watching Steve's video of the winter trees, and there was your photo of ....winter trees!
    I hadn't heard of an air fryer, but good to hear that you are getting used to it. Like Rosemary I wouldn't have an inch of space to keep one in the kitchen! (Not that I know how big they are either, but my kitchen is very small!)

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    1. Well, I think you can probably live without an air fryer. It's a sweet little luxury.

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  11. A Slow Beautiful Life. Love the Owen and diapers story. Also the air fryer has become my new best friend since I got it last year. Mine can't do toast I don't think. I'll have to upgrade. XOXO

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    1. I highly recommend the toaster oven function. It works so well.

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  12. You are lucky to spend so much time with your grandchildren. They are so happy to spend time with you and you with them! I got the good news yesterday that my daughter took a new job that will start in February. She now lives over 3 hours away but the new job is only 30 minutes from me so she will be moving closer! Hurray!

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  13. Owen is a love.

    Thinking about the display of lovely tiny sweater...would look wonderful in a small shadow box laid upon a background piece of plush emerald velvet (check for remnants at J's, esp this time of year). :)

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  14. I'm sure if the task fell to Owen he would do it with love. And of course he is helping his Boppy. I think that's what grandparents are supposed to do, teach their grandkids things the parents don't have time for or perhaps the skill for. the air fryer sounds good, no messy grease spatter when frying on the stove.

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    1. You're right about learning from grandparents.
      You're also right about the air fryer. I hardly ever fry anything on the stove so this might expand our culinary field. Haha!

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  15. I'm glad the air fryer is working out! I didn't walk at all today and I wish I had.

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    1. But you had a long, long walk the day before. Still, I know what you mean.

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  16. Oh poor Owen - that would traumatize me too! Oh and I bought a cheap air fryer when my son was living with me and I just loved it too!

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    1. Yes. Poor Owen. He probably has nightmares!
      I'd be interested to know what you mainly cooked in your air fryer.

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  17. I think I remember you telling that diaper story a while back, but it made me laugh out loud again!

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