We broke down and quit struggling with our gas range. The oven actually. It just wouldn't heat up. Replaced the igniter. Cleaned the inner workings. Replaced the breaker feeding the oven.
So we've gone without an oven for several months. It was an easy adjustment at first. Pizza can be done on the electric pizza cooker. Some casseroles are adaptable to the oh so convenient slow cooker. Bigger things like ham and turkey could be baked in the big roaster, just like grandma used to do when her oven was packed with other holiday deliciousness. Even the toaster oven can pitch in and handle batches of fries or popcorn chicken.
But
The pizza cooker took progressively longer each month. An 8 minute pizza has become 15 minutes. Slow cookers are really that convenient for many recipes running the typical 10 hour day from assembling to consumption. Stuff just dries out, burns, or gets mushy. There's a reason grandma's turkey was half burnt and half raw. Toaster ovens are fine for one person, maybe two. Not four.
But nothing matches a big oven for biscuits. Homemade cookies. Quick breads. Cake. Dinner rolls.
We've missed those baked delights oh so much.
Within an hour of delivery, a double batch of biscuits was slide into the cavity and gravy was being mixed up on the stove for dinner. Next dinner was shepard's pie. The following morning, made from scratch double chocolate muffins filled the house with a yummy aroma. A dutch apple pie is on deck. A real pizza to follow.
Aahhh. The luxury of a working oven.
What would you make first?
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Nose Prints on the Door
On the carpet on all fours.
Dog.
Nose prints on the door.
Is that the UPS man over there?
Dog.
Nose prints on the door.
Here comes the school bus from afar.
Dog.
Nose prints on the door.
There’s a squirrel in my yard.
Dog.
Nose prints on the door.
What could make that odor?
Dog.
Nose prints on the door.
When will they be home?
Dog.
Nose prints on the door.
Could it be the family car?
Dog.
Nose prints on the door.
Should I bark or should I growl?
Dog.
Nose prints on the door.
Half a bottle of windex.
Dog.
Nose prints on the door.
Dog.
Nose prints on the door.
Is that the UPS man over there?
Dog.
Nose prints on the door.
Here comes the school bus from afar.
Dog.
Nose prints on the door.
There’s a squirrel in my yard.
Dog.
Nose prints on the door.
What could make that odor?
Dog.
Nose prints on the door.
When will they be home?
Dog.
Nose prints on the door.
Could it be the family car?
Dog.
Nose prints on the door.
Should I bark or should I growl?
Dog.
Nose prints on the door.
Half a bottle of windex.
Dog.
Nose prints on the door.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
new car
Who would buy a new car without at least sitting in it?
We needed to improve our gas mph on one vehicle so spent a bout a month shopping. Looking to purchase a Yaris, Fit or Rio5 proved quite difficult as the dealers in the area didn't have them on their lots. One even went so far as to ask for a deposit and he'd order one that would arrive in 4 weeks. We laughed at that. Who would buy a car without ever having seen it in person, let alone sit in it or drive it?
We drove 40 miles to Bloomington/Normal and were able to see (and sit in) all three models - two of them at a single dealer. I don't see how the Peoria dealers are growing their business. Must be plenty of lazy brainless people with too much money in Peoria. As it turns out, none of them passed armpit test.
A potential car for us had some very clear required features. We made it as simple as possible for the half dozen salesmen we worked with. Primary on the list was the arm pit test. Could Diane reach out of the window? This meant either a low door panel or a seat that can adjust in height. That helped in looking at cars. A quick sit would exclude it without further discussion. Many of cars (especially side impact airbag equipped) have tall door panels these days.
Buying the Saturn was a mistake. We got ourselves backwards on the types of vehicles in our driveway - neither of them breaking 20 mph. And despite the salesman's claim, that Saturn was not capable of pulling the camper. It was a lot of dead weight.
The Explorer we bought a couple years ago we got lucky - bought it quickly after it was driven on the lot. Priced too low really. Had three offers to buy from us at a couple hundred over what we paid, knowing they could still make a profit after a little body work. It's the right car for us tho - kid hauler, dog hauler, adventure support, 4 wheel snow monster, ...
This time, patience won the day. If it didn't match all of the criteria (price, mph, armpit, AT, etc.) then we walked away. No settling. Nearly four weeks later we found another underpriced car. And it fit all the measures and then some. We jumped 50% in mph. And with gas over $4/gal today, that feels smart.
We needed to improve our gas mph on one vehicle so spent a bout a month shopping. Looking to purchase a Yaris, Fit or Rio5 proved quite difficult as the dealers in the area didn't have them on their lots. One even went so far as to ask for a deposit and he'd order one that would arrive in 4 weeks. We laughed at that. Who would buy a car without ever having seen it in person, let alone sit in it or drive it?
We drove 40 miles to Bloomington/Normal and were able to see (and sit in) all three models - two of them at a single dealer. I don't see how the Peoria dealers are growing their business. Must be plenty of lazy brainless people with too much money in Peoria. As it turns out, none of them passed armpit test.
A potential car for us had some very clear required features. We made it as simple as possible for the half dozen salesmen we worked with. Primary on the list was the arm pit test. Could Diane reach out of the window? This meant either a low door panel or a seat that can adjust in height. That helped in looking at cars. A quick sit would exclude it without further discussion. Many of cars (especially side impact airbag equipped) have tall door panels these days.
Buying the Saturn was a mistake. We got ourselves backwards on the types of vehicles in our driveway - neither of them breaking 20 mph. And despite the salesman's claim, that Saturn was not capable of pulling the camper. It was a lot of dead weight.
The Explorer we bought a couple years ago we got lucky - bought it quickly after it was driven on the lot. Priced too low really. Had three offers to buy from us at a couple hundred over what we paid, knowing they could still make a profit after a little body work. It's the right car for us tho - kid hauler, dog hauler, adventure support, 4 wheel snow monster, ...
This time, patience won the day. If it didn't match all of the criteria (price, mph, armpit, AT, etc.) then we walked away. No settling. Nearly four weeks later we found another underpriced car. And it fit all the measures and then some. We jumped 50% in mph. And with gas over $4/gal today, that feels smart.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Ketchup
A brief summary of the summer so far.
Aspen competed with the YMCA swim team this summer. Big improvement over last year and does pretty well in her age group for a summer only swimmer. Glad to see the early morning practices end.
Aspen and Mom went to Savannah, GA for Aspen's Girl Scout Troop fly up to cadette. Way too much to write about there.
Dad and Ember went backpacking for a couple days while they were away. Did practically nothing the entire time. "It should be an annual event" - Ember
Major work on the house remodel has been suspended for effort to be focussed on installing a hot tub. Diane has waited long enough.
The Saturn wagon has convinced us to get rid of it. The only car we have not taken over 100k.
Gas prices and the unreliable Saturn had Gary tweak a bicycle a little to pedal to work. He did it a couple times one way last year - fear-sourced adrenaline had him pedalling to fast. This year he kept his head, ignored the idiot drivers, and quite enjoyed the ride. The plan is to pedal to work twice a week.
Aspen may have a similar allergy to dad regarding bees. She had a strong localized reaction, just before the Savannah trip. Her foot swelled up nicely.
Ember leaves for Girl Scout camp Sunday, at Camp Peairs on Lake Bloomington. Diane and Gary volunteered there a couple seasons before the girls were born. She'll be an L.I.T. Hopefully learn to sail. Ad we're sure she'll teach a few things also.
The barn swallows came back, and decided the nest shelf was good enough this year. Second brood is near hatching.
Aspen competed with the YMCA swim team this summer. Big improvement over last year and does pretty well in her age group for a summer only swimmer. Glad to see the early morning practices end.
Aspen and Mom went to Savannah, GA for Aspen's Girl Scout Troop fly up to cadette. Way too much to write about there.
Dad and Ember went backpacking for a couple days while they were away. Did practically nothing the entire time. "It should be an annual event" - Ember
Major work on the house remodel has been suspended for effort to be focussed on installing a hot tub. Diane has waited long enough.
The Saturn wagon has convinced us to get rid of it. The only car we have not taken over 100k.
Gas prices and the unreliable Saturn had Gary tweak a bicycle a little to pedal to work. He did it a couple times one way last year - fear-sourced adrenaline had him pedalling to fast. This year he kept his head, ignored the idiot drivers, and quite enjoyed the ride. The plan is to pedal to work twice a week.
Aspen may have a similar allergy to dad regarding bees. She had a strong localized reaction, just before the Savannah trip. Her foot swelled up nicely.
Ember leaves for Girl Scout camp Sunday, at Camp Peairs on Lake Bloomington. Diane and Gary volunteered there a couple seasons before the girls were born. She'll be an L.I.T. Hopefully learn to sail. Ad we're sure she'll teach a few things also.
The barn swallows came back, and decided the nest shelf was good enough this year. Second brood is near hatching.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Observations
Inspired by another blog I occasionally read, what follows is about nothing in particular.
"But how do I get the experience?"
Gary is currently looking to advance. Tried at current employer and fell just short. Trying at others and falling just short. Seems the weak spot is not having experience in the position he's applying for. Sound like a kid just starting out looking for his first job? Well, at least that's what the decision makers are telling him. So now he's lleft to ponder how can he gain that experience at work while spending week after week after week, 8.5 hours a day, training newhires for the Delta/Peerless account. Or spend a few thousand dollars enrolling in a college to study behavorial sciences, corporate dynamics, ... and all the stuff he's experienced in the past 15 years.
Another thing he's found challenging is how to make what is "just doing my job" special. Yes he's done some pretty cool stuff, been innovative, a leader, but it's just part of doing the job. It's what you're supposed to do. So when asked, nothing stands out in memory.
Well wellness?
Frankly I'm tired of hospitals moaning about folks coming to the emergency room for a cold. And tired of doctors saying they have such a raw deal. Ember had a fever for three days - running between 101 and 103. We went to a hospital's branch office. They have Saturday hours. Our doctor does not. Our previous doctor, retired and then returned, had to close his Saturday and evening hours because a hospital bought his group. MOnday, we noticed another issue develop so we called our doctor. Without seeing her, he referred a specialist. She still had the fever. We called several of these specialists. Only one could see in a reasonable time - the next day. All others were 2 to 4 weeks out. If we felt we could wait 2 weeks, do you think we'd be calling you? Really now. The fever lasted through the week The specialist treated the other problem but did not think them related. Nor could she explain the fever. Nor was our doctor concerned. Call us doting parents, sympathetic hypochondriacs, whatever. It may be time to interview a few new doctors.
And our insurance is changing again. Seems Gary's work will pick one and then change every couple years. Just as well as the current one has a pretty limited network.
While still on the insurance topic - copay for prescriptions. Gary laughed out loud when he picked up a prescription for two tiny pills and the copay was $40. He asked if the pills really cost $20@. The clerk sheepishly claimed to not know. Taking another tack, he asked what it would cost without the copay. She'd have to actually have a prescription to ring it up and see. Okaaay. Then what if the script said 40 pills. She said with a grin, $40. She finally undertood what I was getting at - $20 a pill is ridiculous.
Something Positive
Was thinking to post this last weekend. Pop-pop visited several weeks back. We had some fun, got some work done, and just hung out. One excursion we went on was brought about by the luck of the weather. LST325 was docked on the Illinois River in Peoria. We had some rain which caused the river to rise. The rain continued to the north of us which kept the river up and LST325 couldn't make the planned trip upriver or return home downriver, being to high to pass under some bridges. So we were able to tour the ship with Pop-pop. Aspen had visited thru school so she played tour guide. The girls got to imagine living in such tight quarters, see guns, lifeboats, etc. Pop-pop enjoyed talking to the men that served on her. Happy Veteran's Day.
"But how do I get the experience?"
Gary is currently looking to advance. Tried at current employer and fell just short. Trying at others and falling just short. Seems the weak spot is not having experience in the position he's applying for. Sound like a kid just starting out looking for his first job? Well, at least that's what the decision makers are telling him. So now he's lleft to ponder how can he gain that experience at work while spending week after week after week, 8.5 hours a day, training newhires for the Delta/Peerless account. Or spend a few thousand dollars enrolling in a college to study behavorial sciences, corporate dynamics, ... and all the stuff he's experienced in the past 15 years.
Another thing he's found challenging is how to make what is "just doing my job" special. Yes he's done some pretty cool stuff, been innovative, a leader, but it's just part of doing the job. It's what you're supposed to do. So when asked, nothing stands out in memory.
Well wellness?
Frankly I'm tired of hospitals moaning about folks coming to the emergency room for a cold. And tired of doctors saying they have such a raw deal. Ember had a fever for three days - running between 101 and 103. We went to a hospital's branch office. They have Saturday hours. Our doctor does not. Our previous doctor, retired and then returned, had to close his Saturday and evening hours because a hospital bought his group. MOnday, we noticed another issue develop so we called our doctor. Without seeing her, he referred a specialist. She still had the fever. We called several of these specialists. Only one could see in a reasonable time - the next day. All others were 2 to 4 weeks out. If we felt we could wait 2 weeks, do you think we'd be calling you? Really now. The fever lasted through the week The specialist treated the other problem but did not think them related. Nor could she explain the fever. Nor was our doctor concerned. Call us doting parents, sympathetic hypochondriacs, whatever. It may be time to interview a few new doctors.
And our insurance is changing again. Seems Gary's work will pick one and then change every couple years. Just as well as the current one has a pretty limited network.
While still on the insurance topic - copay for prescriptions. Gary laughed out loud when he picked up a prescription for two tiny pills and the copay was $40. He asked if the pills really cost $20@. The clerk sheepishly claimed to not know. Taking another tack, he asked what it would cost without the copay. She'd have to actually have a prescription to ring it up and see. Okaaay. Then what if the script said 40 pills. She said with a grin, $40. She finally undertood what I was getting at - $20 a pill is ridiculous.
Something Positive
Was thinking to post this last weekend. Pop-pop visited several weeks back. We had some fun, got some work done, and just hung out. One excursion we went on was brought about by the luck of the weather. LST325 was docked on the Illinois River in Peoria. We had some rain which caused the river to rise. The rain continued to the north of us which kept the river up and LST325 couldn't make the planned trip upriver or return home downriver, being to high to pass under some bridges. So we were able to tour the ship with Pop-pop. Aspen had visited thru school so she played tour guide. The girls got to imagine living in such tight quarters, see guns, lifeboats, etc. Pop-pop enjoyed talking to the men that served on her. Happy Veteran's Day.
Monday, January 1, 2007
Flat Michael continued
Over New Year's weekend, we visited Lakeview Museum. But first we stopped at the center of the solar system (or a model of it). The museum had an Ansel Adams exhibit that Uncle Gary wanted to see. And of course, cousins Ember and Aspen showed Flat Michael the discovery center.
Flat Michael stayed up late with us on New Year's Eve. He had a little trouble with our wish balloons.
Happy New Year!
Flat Michael
We have a guest for December and January. Flat Michael is the creation of our nephew Michael. (Flat Stanley, Jeff Brown, is an excellent children's book Michael's school project is based on.) He's been enjoying hanging out with the girls and going on adventures.
In this set of pictures we have Christmas dinner at the girls' Uncle Dale's house with an explosive game of Battleship. Dinner was Nueske's applewood smoked ham, green beans, homemade apple sauce, lefse, cheezy potaotes and a tall glass of cold milk.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Daddy Date
Twice a year, the girl scouts have a father-daughter function. Here's this fall's picture. It was a prom theme.
Dad took the girls to Basta's, a nice Italian restuarant. The waitress did an outstanding job recognizing the special occassion and treating the girls like young ladies.
Helping hands cont'd
The contractor's helpers tossed one of the concrete forms to the side. It hit the garage and put a hole in the wall. We needed to replace some boards anyway. Primed the inside to help seal the wood on both sides, and help lighten the interior of the garge.
So here we are working together. Helping each other. And smiling. Still.
A 4 foot wide and 12 foot long sheet of 5/8" drywall weighs about 90 pounds. That's plenty for two people to hold over their heads while standing on ladders. Now put a drill/driver in a hand and try to accurately drive screws into the drywall sheet.
Drywall lifts are wonderful. Only cost $25 to rent for the weekend. And not just for ceilings. It helped with the upper wall sheets too.
Work / Play Balance
Our dear friends from Rock Island (Master Design's Boomerangs) came over to help for a weekend. We got alot done. And we also made sure to enjoy the time.
When you don't have to ask somebody for help, just answer their question of when should they be there, that's a true friend.
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