Sunday evening
Jul. 4th, 2004 08:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ksmithThe day went well enough, as birthdays go.
First one without my Dad, which was strange. We covered that by not singing Happy Birthday, which was fine by me. If I had my way, I doubt I'd celebrate much beyond raising a glass and congratulating myself for getting through another year.
That being said...
My maiden adventure in grilling proved a qualified success. It was windy, so I kept the grill in the open garage as I lit the flame and let it burn. Things got a little smoky once in a while, and the smoke seemed to follow me no matter which direction I moved. Got a tad kippered, we did we did.
Next time, I will use more mesquite/chacoal, let it burn longer before starting to grill, and put the rack over the coals sooner so that it gets good and hot. Will also let the steak cook longer--these came out a little more rare than I prefer. Good flavor--I think I detected the mesquite undertone. But still, a shade too pink inside.
Too much food--corn on the cob, whole potatoes fried with onion, salad, and mushrooms. Later, much later, came my non-birthday cake, namely strawberry/blueberry shortcake with whipped cream. Very patriotic in appearance, and quite good. Filling, though. I am stuffed. We're having a cuppa tea now. Cheap teabag--not the best--but all right. I have also changed my shirt and washed my hair to rid myself of the smoke smell. I am sure between breathing and eating grilled meat, I ingested all sorts of interesting mutagens. But I think the blueberries I ate wiped them out--blueberries are supposed to be chock full of potent antioxidants. This is good, because I am almost always disappointed in the flavor, or rather, the lack of same. Not much punch, blueberries, unless I simply haven't had any good ones.
The experiment in trying to turn King into a house dog continues. I doubt he will ever turn into the couch potato that Mickey is, but if he reaches the point where he can be brought in during extended storms/blizzards/hot spells without misbehaving too badly, we'll be happy. That being said, he was pretty good for the several hours that he stayed inside today. He has staked out a corner of my office as his resting place, and is able to walk around and sniff without pulling everything he finds off tabletops and shelves. His main problem is that he's so danged vigilant. He'll just get himself settled when the sump pump or the fridge will kick on--when that happens he's up and pacing about, trying to find where the sound came from. Then he walks to the windows and looks out. In a way, I don't want him to change--that's what makes him a good guard dog. I just want him to slow down a little bit.
One more day of vacation left. BUFFY tonight--I think it's a Spike episode. That counts as a present.
First one without my Dad, which was strange. We covered that by not singing Happy Birthday, which was fine by me. If I had my way, I doubt I'd celebrate much beyond raising a glass and congratulating myself for getting through another year.
That being said...
My maiden adventure in grilling proved a qualified success. It was windy, so I kept the grill in the open garage as I lit the flame and let it burn. Things got a little smoky once in a while, and the smoke seemed to follow me no matter which direction I moved. Got a tad kippered, we did we did.
Next time, I will use more mesquite/chacoal, let it burn longer before starting to grill, and put the rack over the coals sooner so that it gets good and hot. Will also let the steak cook longer--these came out a little more rare than I prefer. Good flavor--I think I detected the mesquite undertone. But still, a shade too pink inside.
Too much food--corn on the cob, whole potatoes fried with onion, salad, and mushrooms. Later, much later, came my non-birthday cake, namely strawberry/blueberry shortcake with whipped cream. Very patriotic in appearance, and quite good. Filling, though. I am stuffed. We're having a cuppa tea now. Cheap teabag--not the best--but all right. I have also changed my shirt and washed my hair to rid myself of the smoke smell. I am sure between breathing and eating grilled meat, I ingested all sorts of interesting mutagens. But I think the blueberries I ate wiped them out--blueberries are supposed to be chock full of potent antioxidants. This is good, because I am almost always disappointed in the flavor, or rather, the lack of same. Not much punch, blueberries, unless I simply haven't had any good ones.
The experiment in trying to turn King into a house dog continues. I doubt he will ever turn into the couch potato that Mickey is, but if he reaches the point where he can be brought in during extended storms/blizzards/hot spells without misbehaving too badly, we'll be happy. That being said, he was pretty good for the several hours that he stayed inside today. He has staked out a corner of my office as his resting place, and is able to walk around and sniff without pulling everything he finds off tabletops and shelves. His main problem is that he's so danged vigilant. He'll just get himself settled when the sump pump or the fridge will kick on--when that happens he's up and pacing about, trying to find where the sound came from. Then he walks to the windows and looks out. In a way, I don't want him to change--that's what makes him a good guard dog. I just want him to slow down a little bit.
One more day of vacation left. BUFFY tonight--I think it's a Spike episode. That counts as a present.
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Surfacing to say--
Date: 2004-07-06 11:18 pm (UTC)Too brain dead here to remember it this year, but sounds like it was pleasant, and that is what counts. I haven't really twigged to the fact that mine is next Monday--uggh--
So who needs singing? Good luck with King--as he gets used to being inside and figuring out what is a normal sound, I'll bet he calms a bit.
Re: Surfacing to say--
Date: 2004-07-07 09:33 am (UTC)Temps are supposed to hit the 90s this weekend, so we would really like to bring King inside for an extended period. If we could only get through to that doggy brain that if he would only behave, he'd have it made.
He's a shade over three years old. He has slowed down somewhat, but somewhat with a Lab mix is a relative thing.
Re: Surfacing to say--
Date: 2004-07-07 10:44 pm (UTC)My sister has a black lab, maybe 3 years old. She loves the dog, but says that they are puppies half their lives. I can see where that would get tiring--
Moving okay--doing a few boxes a day, still doing massage clients, dreaming about book--vacation coming up the end of the month, but not going through Chicago, more's the pity-- Addition finished today, except for deep cleaning (previous people NEVER cleaned this room...or windows...or doors (15 pane) ) and mirrors--hope to have a friend etch the mirrors with mountains and dragons, in trade for pregnancy massage. Will try to get up pictures before I leave for Michigan--
So, what will be first in the home improvement?
Re: Surfacing to say--
Date: 2004-07-08 07:02 pm (UTC)My home improvement? On the outside, some major shrubbery surgery and possible tree removal. I have a burning bush on the northwest corner of my house that is extremely overgrown--it's going to take a pro with Equipment to trim it down to manageable form. Inside, probably new windows/front & back doors. I don't want another winter with wind blowing in through "closed" windows.
Re: Surfacing to say--
Date: 2004-07-09 09:11 am (UTC)Brrrrr. We have a nice crack below the front door from having it leveled--rubber didn't work well, so we do foam that now has to be replaced (moving people trashed with dollies.) But everything else cost so much, no money for front door for a while--and we need to decide WHAT to get, because the doorway faces WNW--all the weather and a lot of the sun. Normally, I'd want oak or mahogany, but without a storm door (we took off the last one because the door latch "bit" when locking and unlocking the door) it would weather too fast. Research called for....