My life has changed so much since December 2018. I remarried January 7th, 2023 ... we sold the house, sold our vehicles - and bought a new 4x, a puppy, & a 5th Wheel to travel the mainland States and experience life in the slow lane. As always I record e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. happening in my life: I will share lots of pics & vids of our USA travels: I hope you enjoy our Blog.
When I pass through Castle Rock, I pass the
hiking trail Bob and I hiked on occasion.
My eyes are always drawn to it in passing …
but I have not been able to hike it alone since becoming a widowed solo lobo.
The memories are still too strong, and my heart is not yet ready to deal with
the flashes of memories that shadowy trail would invoke.
These pictures are in Bob’s laptop photo
files. They were taken 5 years ago, when we first walked the trails along the Cowlitz
River that runs through Castle Rock.
Bob had broken his thigh bone in 1978, and though
the surgeons did salvage the damage done … they had originally thought the leg
may have to be amputated; the break was so bad … the healed bone had, by
2015, begun to settle crookedly. But, Bob did not let that slow him down.
I miss Bob’s ‘go-get-‘em’ attitude.
I miss Bob’s sunny disposition, no matter
what life threw his way.
I MISS Bob’s laughter, and impish grin.
I am glad Bob was a huge part of my life for
44 years …
Bob mercilessly teasing me because I refused to cross that board
Signs of Beavers
Fungi; baby Conks
Spring green
Bird tracks
River Rocks
More chancy creek crossings ... I got my feet wet wading the creek instead ;-)
Real snowflakes … as well as political featherweights.
I was crossing my livingroom with coffee in hand, when I spotted SNOWFLAKES mingling with the rainfall - and they aren't tiny ones either.
It seems to me that snow is starting to fall closer to Springtime every year now. Spring begins next Friday despite the snowflakes …
These planter boxes Bob built me 18 months
ago: 10 days later we would be told Bob
was dying from stress caused by our next door neighbor and Park
manager https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/08/garden-surprises.html),were anticipating
Spring planting ... now they look so forlorn.
I love the 7 big windows in my Livingroom; but I wish I was seeing
sunbeams instead of snowflakes.
With snowflakes falling outside,
and temperatures falling also, I thought a nice homestyle comfort food would
suit me for Supper. So, I made this yummy Swiss Steak meal – I normally make
mashed potatoes with it because that is what Bob liked; but for myself, I
prefer the little gourmet baby potatoes because I can cook them in the oven
with the meat ;-)
Since this is Shabbat Friday, I also added Challah Buns and canned Apricot halves to my plate:
SWISS STEAK ~ 6 servings
Preheat oven to 300-degrees.
Trim edges of a 3/4-inch thick 2-lb. bottom Round Steak. Rub with 1/2 clove Garlic. Cut into serving pieces or leave whole; if left whole, gash the edges to prevent curling.
Using a meat mallet (or the side of a small saucer plate), pound into both sides of the steak as much seasoned flour as the steak will hold.
Heat in a heavy large skillet, 1/4 cup bacon drippings(or ham drippings). Sear steak until browned on both sides. Add: 1/2 cup chopped Onions * 1 cup finely mixed chopped Carrots, Peppers, and Celery. Do not allow veggies to brown. Season to taste.
Add: 1 cup Beef Broth (or 1/2 cup broth and 1/2 cup tomato sauce).
Cover and place in oven 1-1/2 to 2 hours (or more).
Swiss Steak; Widow's portion.
Remove steak to a hot platter. Strain and degrease drippings. Make Pan Gravy with the drippings.
My Swiss Steak
Supper: delish! Bob always liked this meat dish too, when I made it.
While my Supper was cooking, I was listening to that snowflake windbag inslee, WA State Governor – who is politicizing this thing with coronavirus. There is NOTHING “positive” that inslee has done for WA State. inslee has driven WA State into the ground with his disastrous tent city and sanctuary city lunacy. It is because of these unsanitary/illegal living conditions, that conronavirus is spreading like wildfire throughout WA State. That insleee would dare to state with a straight face that he is “doing all that can be done” to keep Washingtonians safe is infuriating.
This pandemic could go into the Fall months. inslee has created an environment that is counterproductive to safety. And, of course, the push for public school was also in play. Home Schooling is a right for Washingtonians – if parents decide to keep their children home and educate them at home, they should not be preached to about the ‘necessities’ of putting their children back into public schools. And now, the National Guard is being called into play. The demoncrats are using this pandemic to instill governmental slapdowns that will be difficult (and downright impossible) to undo once a shady ‘law’ is instilled under demoncrat ‘authority’. I sincerely hope that when this thing blows over, insleee and the rest of his demoncrat pack rats will be voted out!
As Supper baked, Krisalee called to say she was thinking of me and hoping I am well: I was comfoted knowing that she was thinking about me and cared. Krisalee is Bob's son, Alex's, oldest daughter - our first grandchild. I am glad to know that dispite Alex's abandonment, Krisa is sticking with me; she is reaching out. Elohim is faithful. I did talk also with our second granddaughter, Alyna, our daughter's daughter; she said they are fine, and doing thier best to stay safe and healthy: but, I had to reach out to them - there is still some tensions there. After eating, I finished up the last of MOD Fingertip Towels I made using scrap cotton yarns (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2020/02/queen-with-grit.html).
The first one I made up was basic and simple; the newer ones have patterned ends:
MOD FINGERTIP TOWELS. Spare bathroom; patterned edges.
Night time has arrived now, so I am going to snuggle in Bob’s recliner – cuddled in the fleece blanket Alyna and I made for him for Father’s Day 13 years ago; and read while I sip my 4 ounces of Shabbat wine :-D
Mozel Tov (it is Bob’s good fortune to be Home beyond the clouds with our Lord) & L’Chiam: a toast to life – his, and mine.
