Outside the dugout: What's cooking?

Made a nice simplistic salad tonight. Chopped lettuce, black olives, and feta cheese. Topped off with Good Seasons dressing. I always used balsamic vinegar to make it. I remember a long time ago I use to use white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar but just love the balsamic so much am sticking with it for now.

I had to get a blood test this morning in advance of my bi-annual checkup next week. I use Quest and things always go very smoothly. My tech today was the same one we had when I brought Mom in last time. She's super nice. I always leave a very complimentary review afterwards.

That appointment was at 10:45am, and I had fasted beforehand, so brought and consumed a banana afterwards that was wonderful...lol.

Then I ran up to my fav. wholesale flower nursery and picked up 110 (6") Sunpatiens for my monthly accounts, my place, and Mom's. I will also give some away to friends.

As an afterthought - and along the thoughts of gift giving - I also grabbed 7 spider plant baskets. They will also be given away as gifts. And I bought a young 3 gallon Thatch Palm to add to my collection. This place does mostly flowers but they also dabble in some woodys and misc. tropicals. The owner is a Gator and we always have a chit chat about sports while I'm there. Of course today it was mostly about last Saturday's debacle.

I also ran by Site One and grabbed a couple bags of fertilizer. One was a 24-5-11 for turf and the other a 14-14-14 all slow release for ornamentals.

Then I came home, ate the leftover Filet from last night, and ran back out and planted 40 of the sunpatiens at 4 different properties. Tomorrow I will plant another 20 at Mom's. Then chase back here to plant some at my place. I got 6 different varieties so I could put certain colors at certain properties according to needs.

It's a little late to plant these but on the other hand if they don't get melted by a hard freeze they will look incredible come late Winter/Early Spring.

There was a guy at Quest this morning saying it was getting down to 32 tonight. I knew he was wrong but elected to refrain from debate. I don't think it will get below 40 here. Maybe not even that cold. I wore shorts today until I went back out to plant. Was getting chilly by then so slid on some sweats.

Tempted to ask Mom if it's OK we just have pizza for Christmas dinner, but she's super traditional so I will forge ahead with the ham, etc.

I also made the decision today to stay off the talk forums before the game Saturday. I've already said my peace. I might take a peek or two but mostly am not in the mood to get into any big discussion stuff. Working in my gardens will be a lot more gratifying, for sure.

I do hope we win the game though and know that's asking for a lot but you never know.....

Go Gators!

 

Bazza, I had to take a nap after reading about your day!

 

That was the short version......

 

Lurk—

Check the label on the packaging. If it’s the small yellow tag, that’s beef from Mexico and I would advise you to leave it with them. IMHO you won’t be happy with it. If it’s the regular W/D sticker then buy whatever they’ll let you have.

 

Anyone Activia yogurt fans here?

The Black Cherry flavour is insane good!

 

Baz—

Can’t help you with this one but I will add that when my Mama was still alive we were required to keep her freezer stocked up with Publix brand frozen yogurt (most any flavor) but amongst her favorites was their Black Cherry. I will have to say that, well, it ate better out of a big cereal bowl rather than a desert bowl....

 

Good stuff, Bill!

Your Mom sounds like a great lady.

And you are proof of that, indeed!

 

My wife loves the black cherry and also French vanilla. I’m not much on desserts

 

We are going with a known good dish around here hoping it shares some good luck tonight in ‘lanta..........

We are having fresh fried catfish, cheese grits, homemade coleslaw, hush puppies, and Ms. Jan’s sweet pickles.

A beautiful day as it has warmed up to mild temps. Back porch ice cold longnecks and chilled wine are in play for the afternoon/evening.

Life is good in Gator Nation!

 

French toast this morning w/thick sliced maplewood bacon! YUM!

Helluva game last night.

Great weather for gardening today so will be at it until the showers move in later.

Have a super Sunday everyone!

GO Gators!

 

How about the little candy canes next to our profile pics?

I admit, I'm not much in the Christmas spirit this year. Feels like I'm just going through the motions.

The little candy cane is a nice reminder that this is the season.

I sent a Christmas card to an old flame too. She's still single as am I. She actually called me and told me it really boosted her spirits. You never know - but regardless it's nice to send a card out to someone you care for whether just a friend or otherwise.

 

Back on topic......I just made Fudge Brownies! And Winkipop got to lick the bowl!

Great weather today!!!!!!!!

 

Picked up the green bean casserole ingredients today. Going with the French cut beans!

 

Have to be French cut. Went to 2 Publix in the last several days—completely out of regular mushroom soup. Only low-fat and heart healthy. Went with h-h but going to have to add seasoning