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pressured
March 23, 2015, 9:11 P.M.
So I'm not saying my husband is spoiled, or anything. But I got a bonus…and he expected a
present.
And he got it. A Cuisinart electric pressure cooker. He's wanted one for a long time, and I
finally gave in. It was about a hundred bucks at BB&B (I can't believe that thing was more
expensive than the convection oven!), not too large, good range of features, and easy to use
and to clean. He made a fabulous pot roast dinner in about an hour on Saturday, and on
Sunday, he did a pound of navy beans for baked beans from scratch, and later he did a rack of
BBQ ribs that came out tender and succulent and pretty much amazing.
So I guess it will be worth it. It could be a real game changer--cheaper cuts of meat, more
ambitious menu ideas for weeknights, more "cook once, eat twice" scenarios. In fact, that's
started already. His batch of beans was enough to make two pans, so one went straight to the
freezer. Tonight is leftover roast, tomorrow is leftover ribs.
And here I was, feeling guilty because I spent 50 bucks on my penlust habit. Well, he must be
feeling a little guilty too, because he was researching for our LV trip in June, trying to find pen
stores to take me to! At this point, I'd be happy with some good quality paper. And a
Waterman converter, since I don't think the Kultur I have on order is coming with one.
I did find out that there is an old and well-respected pen store in Milwaukee, but it is in a
dreadful neighborhood, so I doubt I will be able to convince Spouse to take me there.
I feel like I really wasted my money on the Bulow pens I bought--they all seem to leak. I
thought maybe it was the Parker cartridges, so I filled the converter on one of them with
Diamine, but it leaks and clogs in turns. Plus, the nibs are extremely fat for "medium".
Ah, me. The life of a fountain pen addict.
Well, the B and I greeted the first day of Spring with a trip to the new south-side dog park on
Friday. It was a sunny, breezy and fairly mild March day, so we took a drive down to the park
so he could frolic and socialize. He enjoyed it all, the car ride, the running, the socializing with
other dogs and other people, and the fresh air. Amazing what a happy puppy that old dog
becomes when he goes to the park. It was a busy afternoon for me--after I left work, I went to
the bank, the pharmacy, the library, and the hair salon, then took the B, and by the time we
got home, both of us old dogs needed a bit of a lie-down. Then when Spouse got home, we
ran up to Racine for pizza at Wells Brothers. I thought we might get some of our shopping
done on the way home, but Spouse was too pooped out.
That meant Saturday was pretty busy, too. After coffee and cinnamon rolls, we got cleaned up
and headed out to shop. Bank again, Wal-Mart, Sam's, Bed, Bath & Beyond, AT&T, Festival, and Dollar Tree. We actually had a couple more places (Menard's and Penneys), but we both started running out of energy. And then we had to come home and drag everything in & put it away, which also takes energy. I was busy trying to get laundry done till well into the evening,
because it was ALL THE BEDDING weekend, and I wanted everything else out of the way
first. Spouse did a little housework, unpacked his new toy and cleaned it, and made the pot
roast according to an ATK recipe. Hey--I helped! I peeled carrots, washed potatoes and cut up
the celery! And sliced up fresh strawberries for dessert! And washed dishes.
On Sunday morning, I got up early, tended the dog, made some coffee, picked over the dried
beans, and gave the floor a good sweep. After Spouse got up, I stripped his bed and started the
wash, while he made a lovely breakfast. Bacon, eggs, bakery toast, and his oven hash browns
with bacon-infused EVOO and Sunny Paris seasoning. Y to the UM. I cleaned up while he
talked to Auntie on the phone, then He went in the kitchen and started his barbecue sauce
while I talked to my dad (more on that below). Once I got off the phone, I went to the
kitchen and washed the beans and put them to soak, then changed out the placemats and the
dish-drying mats, worked on the laundry some more. Got the beds all made up fresh from
mattress pads to bedspreads, and finally got myself cleaned up about 10:30 or so. Not that we
were going anywhere--it was strictly a stay-at-home day. He continued to putter around the
kitchen, getting his beans all assembled and ready to bake off, prepping his ribs, etc. I took it
easy, and read for a while. It was a very cold and dismal day, so home was a good place to be.
Well, I won't be getting a new(er) car after all. Talked to my dad yesterday, and he has told the
woman he didn't want it, and bought a ticket home for the day after Easter. Well then. I was
calling to let him know the money was all arranged for it, so I was a bit taken aback.
I am pretty sure he just decided he wasn't up to driving all the way home from Phoenix. And
you know what? That's FINE. I would not want him to do that unless he felt 100% confident.
It was just one of those deals where if the opportunity presented itself, I would roll with it. No
big whoop if it didn't. (I'm a teeny bit disappointed, but that's life.) I really don't want him to
feel bad about the matter. I want him happy and healthy and safe!
I am surprised that he's coming home at the beginning of April, but I guess he's anxious to get
started on clearing out the house.
In fine Wisconsin tradition, Spring has brought colder temps, snow, freezing rain, and general
suckiness. Weather was shite this morning, and not much better now. Only to be expected, but
I stubbornly refused to don my winter coat again. I don't care if I freeze to death!
Reading:
"Dr. Lavendar's People" (1903), by Margaret Deland. Stories about the citizens
of Deland's "Old Chester-verse". I recently finished "The Awakening of Helena Richie", and
"An Old Chester Secret", as well, both of which share that setting.
Listening:
Pearl Jam, George Ezra, The Decembrists, Laid
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