Thank You Sandy!

 A warm thanks to my reader Sandy for confirming my suspicion about potato flakes being a good thickener  for chowder and other things. My mother was a good cook and a decent baker who loved trying new foods and recipes but she had little patience with me, so most of what I've learned has been through trial and error and the pluck to ask others when a cookbook was not handy or lacked the information sought.

Part of the relative isolation that has become my normal has afforded me the time to try new things or get into the hall pantry and experiment while using things up and avoiding waste. I also plan my menu for the week ahead which eliminates over buying for the most part.

This pot of chowder is not based on a recipe, merely what I had on hand. It has given me two meals and may provide two more in the coming days. Thanks to my readers for indulging me and supporting my efforts.

Cheers!

Chowder. a chowhound and a question

 Corn chowder sometimes known as corn stew. has existed in this country since the mid to late eighteen hundreds and was popularized by Mary Lincoln, of the Boston Cooking School. Her successor, Fannie Farmer, furthered the dish's use by using recipes calling for newly available canned corn, circa 1896. Her additional contribution to American home cooks, The Fannie Farmer Cookbook, is still used today and was a stable in my childhood kitchen. A versatile dish, corn chowder can be made vegan or vegetarian or feature chicken, fish or other seafood such as clams, scallops or shrimp.

All that said, I prepared a version of this for an early dinner. Creamed corn, whole kernel corn, carrots, potatoes and a bit of half and half, along with parsley, pepper and salmon are melding together as I write. Though not a dish associated with warmer weather and not something I make often, I had the ingredients, which were canned and readily available, and figured, why not?

I have enough for several small meals. The resident chowhound is perturbed because while he could clearly smell salmon, he was not offered any. I am pondering thickeners since flour isn't something I keep. Plain yogurt? Potato flakes? Most recipes call for cream which I did not have, hence the half and half.

I'll see what it is like tomorrow. Meanwhile, what say you home cooks??

Cheers!

Crashed

 Lukas had me up at 3 AM and after sorting him out. I read until my grocery order appeared a bit after 6, put things away, took out the household trash and some recyclables, ate a small breakfast of leftovers and made my way back to bed. The phone was off and it has stayed quiet, so enjoyed a lengthy sleep. including bits of a dream about houses of all things.

I'm not sure where my brain was going with this but I have never had my own house. Those that were lived in as a kid included the grandparents government-owned in the Canal Zone, a small two-bed 1950's era, also government-owned in the Canal Zone and a slightly larger house, courtesy of the government in the same place following a move after my mother and stepfather married.

None of the homes or multifamily apartments in the Canal Zone were privately owned and all had been built to be used by employees and their families. The house we had depended on family size, seniority and job site location. The grandparents lived near their jobs and had a house large enough for their three children and one baby once my mother moved in with me following a divorce. They lived there from 1959 to retirement in 1971. Bedrooms were small and sometimes shared and there was one family bathroom in the hall.

The house my mother and I eventually lived in after two apartments was two bedrooms, one bath, tiny galley kitchen and small front room with a carport and porch on the back, Built in the 1950's it was concrete block and had good windows and cross ventilation needed in a tropical climate. During my childhood, we had air conditioning but my mother and generations before her were not so fortunate. The rent for your residence was deducted from the family paycheck, as were the utilities costs. Food could be purchased through a commissary, the local Chinese gardens or in either Panama City or Colon, depending upon one's location. My mother worked in a military base school and her husband at the hospital on the Pacific side. Because of his job requirements, we moved house as a family following their marriage and although I have a painting done of the porch or patio on the back of that house and lived there until high school graduation, I was never fond of it or the neighborhood. 

My bedroom was just large enough for a twin bed, a small chest of drawers and a console table with a stereo. I also had a small desk for schoolwork. It always felt cramped and given that an average house size in 1950's America was about 983 square feet, it may have been. Our house had the porch or patio added at stepdad's request, along with a slightly enlarged den, used for entertaining and guests. Two of my favorites were nuns from an orthopedic hospital outside Bogota. Colombia.

So, why the sketchy dreams of houses? No idea although I am drawn to restoration shows such as HGTV's Hometown or Hometown Takeover which are a lot more positive and upbeat than the news or lack thereof. depending upon one's perspective. 

Do you have a favorite house?

Midweek

 It has been quiet for the majority of the day here. Lukas was promptly picked up at 7:30 AM and delivered to his vet for fluids. enabling me to go back to bed for a few hours. Having arisen with Lukas at 4 AM, I appreciated the respite. It was not until my phone began ringing in the front room that I awakened only to realize that beyond the morning's laundry I had done nothing about the household chores.

After returning a call to a cousin who wanted to check in, I noticed the owner of the downstairs apartment across from mine had called and left no message. His call was about clogged pipes in his kitchen and could I please put him in touch with a condominium board member. which I did. When the number did not work, I called her myself at the number I had given him and she went by to see about the problem. What the outcome will be, I haven't a clue but the young gentleman renter isn't happy not to have the use of his sink or the washing machine. As the owner is a general contractor, I wondered why he just did not deal with the matter himself and give the board a bill for any work to replace or repair pipes. He is worried about non-payment for his time while his tenant waits which is not a good situation for either of them. Meanwhile, another contractor has been working in the unit above his and he is wondering whether thin set was washed down the upstairs pipes and led to this situation since the pipes are conjoined.

I am glad not to have to sort this out. As for my place, the floors were mopped, trash taken out, dishes washed, and cat chores dealt with. I was organized enough to ready two cards for mailing and all of the tax stuff is on its merry way south. Lukas is happy, fed and napping and I have cool air wafting through the place. glad to be at peace for now.

I wish you all the same.

Small kitchen explosion

 Monday was busy. Lukas had me up at 4 AM clearing a very smelly box. After the clean up and trash disposal, he took his medications, ate and promptly napped on our loveseat while I vainly attempted a return to sleep. As the sun rose, so did I, stashing Lukas in his carrier. The pet sitter, who normally appears at 8 AM. has taken her little boys camping until later in the week, so Lukas was being deposited at his vet by a friend on her way to work. He was cooperative, only showing his ire when the clinic cat approached his carrier at drop off.

With the place relatively quiet, I was able to do other chores and laundry before taking a tea break midmorning, followed by a short nap. It was not until I went to warm my soup lunch that I heard what sounded like popcorn in the microwave and it dawned on me that despite a microwave safe bowl, the beans in the soup were exploding. 

Has this ever happened to you? It made for quite the clean up. From now on, I'm using the stove top for any food first cooked in a pot there.

As for the soup. it was actually a combination of kale, potato, carrot, mushroom and bean variety. But for the mess. it was delicious.

Sunday and a bit chilly

 Those in northern climes may chuckle but the sun is out after a wet night and it is 49 degrees. I've made a hot breakfast and some vegetable bean soup for the day. After a late night of gathering and organizing  tax related paperwork, a task I actually enjoy. I'm ready for a nap. Lukas other ideas, apparently as he has taken over my lap. He must be chilly despite his fur coat.

A friend will pick up what I must mail from the doorstep and leave me some ready-to-eat bananas and a cheap bouquet courtesy of my flower fund. I look forward to new blooms and the surprise of what they may be as I never know what will be available.

I've got three books on the go at the moment for a future post and I think it is a good opportunity to catch up with them. Happy Sunday.

What will surprise you today?

Happy Saturday

 I hope all who read here have had a good week. It has been cooler here, often overcast or rainy. I snuck outside early morning a couple of times for some free vitamin D between raindrops because the sun popped out. I've not got a garden of my own so it is mostly just at the end of the parking lot while most of the neighbors are at work and I have the space to myself.

I wore green for St. Pat's on Friday. I do have a great grandmother with some Irish ancestry. She was born in Georgia and tracking her ancestry has been trying because her maiden name is so common. She was a sweet woman and the best thing to ever happen for her husband, my maternal great grandfather.

Several bloggers mentioned corned beef and cabbage as a commemoration of the day which is funny because that is strictly an American tradition and not something ever done in Ireland.

According to various food writers, this tradition began when Irish folk in New York, many of whom could not afford bacon or pork, adapted the curing methods of their eastern European neighbors and began brining or curing the much cheaper beef brisket available there. The "corn" in corned beef, rather than referencing actual corn, refers to the salt crystals used in the curing process.

As is often the case with things uniquely American, this widely held tradition actually reflects both our melting pot and adaptation that can arise from that.

Cheers from under mostly cloudy skies.

A Better Experience Today

 The permanent crown was seated today and looks fine. The dental assistant I saw has been there  a long time and was wonderful. Very gentle and wore a face shield along with her mask. The lone lady dentist was very receptive to my remarks and did a thorough head, neck and mouth examination. No sign of cancer and nothing overly concerning apart from needing a cleaning which I received courtesy of a longtime hygienist, along with x-rays. I will return in June and my friend has agreed to drop off and pick up since she works from home one day per week. Lukas spent the day at the cat hospital. The vet increased his fluid intake and wanted to make sure his heart was okay. He did great and is now happily napping in his favorite chair. Apart from some mouth soreness. I'm happy and relieved and hope to enjoy an early night.

Cheers!

  

Three little words

 I survived the seating of a temporary front tooth crown last week. It was a surreal and uncomfortable experience being in a small room with two people so close to my face, particularly since my longtime dentist who owns the practice with partners. was nowhere to be seen. In fact, longstanding employees including two hygienists, a wonderful dental assistant, and at least one receptionist have all retired or moved on. Despite the fact that I've been a patient there since 1992, the dentist I saw called me a new patient and was chagrined when I mentioned otherwise. 

Apart from the fact that I saw more than one employee with their masks around their chins, and that the assistant for the dentist attending me removed hers at one point and spoke to me in the chair while the dentist was working, the IT person entered the room and introduced himself, also without a mask, So much for letting the office know in advance that I am considered vulnerable to COVID and requesting that they wear PPE. I was in two masks and a face shield and waited outside until I was called. I hope things go quickly at my follow up. Since my regular dentist is semi-retired, I won't be seeing him again. This is unfortunate since the lone female dentist I saw there. though very nice, needs some work on her injection technique, judging from the fact that my mouth was sore for almost a week after the temporary was put in which has never happened before.

On another subject, I am growing increasingly familiar with the three little words, Out of Stock. Supply chain perhaps???

What do you think?

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia and Richard, Canton, US 2006 chimpanzee at Knoxville Zoo