Things of a Personal, Sweet & Family Nature

In a few days it will be two months since my infamous 3 hour dental appointment that reawakened the long covid in my head & face.  It brought new meaning to the date September 11 for me.

I'm sorry for going on about it for the umpteenth time, I know what a tired subject it is.  But I went over 3 months this summer with little symptoms before that much needed dental appointment.  This has been an ongoing thing for close to 2 years now.  

I just want it to lessen up to the point of being manageable again--where I can go back outside and spend time with friends & family again.

 Alright, enough.  I've got better things to share.

This morning my brother Steve texted me and told me my oldest nephew (his son Stevie) is getting married to his long-time girlfriend Jacie.  I haven't seen Stevie since a family dinner we had a couple years ago, but I've always felt a closeness to him.  He's a big bear, but a gentle one too and has never hesitated giving me a hug when we meet.  What really surprised me though is his age, he turned 40 in September.  Unreal. 

Anyway, aren't these terrific photos?  Someone in the restaurant overheard Steve proposing and took these pictures.  I sure am happy for these two!

And Steve & Ann (my brother and his wife of 75 years--well, it seems that long) congratulations to you too, I love you guys.  Yes Ann, you too! 😉  

Finally,  I wanted to share this "little surprise" I got in the mail yesterday--a belated birthday present, a big box of candy from my sister Shawn.  When I texted Shawn to thank her, she said "Doug I swear I had every intention of doing this before your friend Mike sent you that box of 5th Avenue candy bars and beat me to the punch!  That's the one candy bar I was looking for before I changed my mind and sent this to you!"

I told Shawn thank you and of course I believed her, and no one can have too much candy.  But I have a feeling my weekly weight chart is going to be headed in the opposite direction this month.

Swamp in a pot? Well, there's a first time for everything

The other day I was in the store reaching for a can of breadcrumbs, and a woman (black if you want to get specific, she had the tallest hair I'd ever seen) was standing directly behind me, talking on her phone.  She said "They got your sausage on sale, I'll make swamp potatoes."

After she walked away, I turned around and saw the sausage she was talking about--Eckrich Smoked Cheddar.  Can't say I ever bought this, and I had NO idea what 'swamp potatoes' were.  But it was only $2.99, so I tossed a pack into my cart.  When I got home, I looked up swamp potatoes and saw a hundred versions of this recipe that included extras like oil, butter, salt, garlic, Cajun seasoning, chicken broth, water, smoked paprika, chopped onions, onion soup mix.  

But they all boiled down to the same few ingredients in a crockpot:  green beans, onion, Yukon gold potatoes, smoked sausage.  I had the veggies, garlic powder & Cajun seasoning in my cupboard, and a mini-crockpot.  So why not give it a go.

I dumped the chopped onion in first, followed by one can of green beans (and didn't drain them--I figured that would be my water/broth).  Added 3 pats of butter.  Chopped 10 little yellow potatoes in half, tossed them in, sprinkled garlic powder over them and a couple shakes of that Old Bay.

Finally, I sliced ONE of those sausage links in 1/2" inch slices, put them on top.  Wonder how it will all turn out?

Well, it seems I did everything right.  I didn't add extra liquid (aside from the green beans) and it didn't need any, the pot made plenty.  No oil or soup mix either, just a few pats of butter and I went very easy on the spices.  A little of that Old Bay goes a long way.   

I let it cook on low for 2 hours, then high for 90 minutes.  I put a dollop of sour cream with some smoked paprika on the side, and it was absolutely delicious.  I can't wait to make this again.

Thinking out loud, sharing a few words and an apology if needed

This was taken in my little kitchen on Monday November 3, at 2:31 pm.  You can't tell by looking, but the one side of my face is swollen & hurts (the side closer to my words).  My chin & left eye sting, with some aching in my jaw.

It's not horrible, but is still uncomfortable enough to keep me from wanting to go out and do normal things.  I'm convinced it's going to fade eventually, just don't know when.

As I've shared before, this all returned in mid-September (after a 3 hour trip to the dentist) and it's not as bad as it was the first couple weeks, at least.

Anyway, one of the reasons for this post is because I know I've been blogging more than usual, and if I'm making you tired of me, I'm sorry.  It's just that this blog is pretty much my contact with the outside world until I can make a complete recovery and get back out there again.

I also didn't know how much easier it was to create new posts until my older laptop died (along with my 20 year old editor) and I had to start using Blogger's nifty online version.  It's so much simpler, I just wish I had more things to write about now!

I took down a recent post I wrote late Saturday night (I was watching a dreadful documentary about Bigfoot while working on my application for Social Security).  It was pretty boring stuff, but really opened my eyes what a lengthy process this can be.  It could take months to get that first check.

Speak of the Devil (heh) I just got this email from them.

I never thought I'd see the day I'd be applying for social security.  I can still remember getting my very first paycheck in August 1977, I was a dishwasher at the Olde Southern Pancake House.  I made $2.10 an hour and worked my butt off.  To this day the thought of boysenberry syrup still gags me.

Okay that's all I have for now--thanks as always for listening, I should be back tomorrow or the day after with a tasty food post.  :^)