Back on Dataw and Life is Busy
I arrived back on Dataw late on Sunday night after a long day of travel from Montreal to Savannah. We had to stop in Hilton Head to pick up my car which had spent the week at the repair shop due to a lug nut falling off the front driver’s side wheel. You might think that it was an easy thing to do, pick up a car from a lot but it was far from it. We arrived to find that the road was blocked off due to a paving project that was being undertaken in the Home Depot parking lot. I could see my car but I couldn’t get to it because it was behind barriers. Under no circumstances was I leaving my car there so I marched right over to where my car was and got in to drive it out of the lot. John was rather braver than normal and he lifted up the “do not cross” tape and I drove under it. Then I made a mistake and tried to go around a corner that was really blocked off so I had to turn my car around and head in the opposite direction. A young man was putting carts away in the Home Depot lot and he said “OMG you aren’t supposed to be there” to which I replied “I had to get my car” and proceeded to go under another piece of tape after John moved the barricades. Never mess with a tired and cranky Momma who has been traveling in a plane all day and sitting in airports and who was definitely ready to be home. No damage was done to the car nor to the road that was being prepared for paving. I was victorious!
The week just got better from there. We had our wonderful Island Friends group for dinner here on Monday night. There were 11 of us and we were able to be around the table and able to enjoy each others company. The best part is they all love cats and dogs which I guess you have to if you are going to be in this house for more than a few minutes. The kittens were very curious about all these new people and Wyke kept bringing his toys to show off to everyone. One interesting item was a discussion I had with one of our guests who said she had lost a cat to FIP (which is what Immy died from this summer) a few years ago. Her cat lived for two years with the disease. She was lucky I guess.
Fur Crowd are Doing Well
The kittens love their inside tree and are frequently found sleeping up high on the platforms or using the scratching post. The little one constantly is talking and so far I am not sure what she is trying to tell me but she keeps trying. I did manage to get them both harnesses and have tried a couple of times to take them outside to explore. They also both have collars now since we have had one jail break this week and the little one has darted out the door twice which scared the heck out of me. She went right for the road. Now I can hear her coming because of the bell on her collar which gives me a chance to grab her before she gets out the door. They like being outside but are just as happy to get back inside as well. When you see this little old lady walking her cats on a leash, just wave and smile and wish her a good day. You just never know what is going on in her head.
Trick or Treat on Dataw
We don’t have Trick or Treat for children here on Dataw but we do have a Trick or Treat for Canines where we can take our dogs to get a little bag of dog treats – all natural grain free of course. The person who sets this up every year really goes to town on the animated decorations. Wyke was not too sure about the animated figures but he sure loved the treats and would happily go back there several times a day if only the critters on the bench weren’t there. Of course, he often doesn’t like garbage cans or fire hydrants either. We stopped and took a couple of pictures just the way proud parents take pictures of their children Trick or Treating.
Trunk or Treat
What we do have for children is something called Trunk or Treat sponsored, along with others, by our church in Port Royal. John and I had not participated before but we did this year and it was loads of fun. The costumes are so creative not only on the little ones but also on the adults accompanying the children as well as the people who have the trunks. Everyone is so clever about decorating their cars and many wore costumes. According to the policemen who were there doing crowd control there were over 4100 people there which is double what has been in the past. This is such a popular event. St. Mark’s provided hot dogs too. No cost. We literally ran out of candy. I bought over 800 pieces of candy and we were only one car of about 40 cars. Next year at least a 1000, maybe 2000. Nestle loves us.
Walking This Week – Unusual Mushrooms
One week to go until the Rock & Roll Half Marathon in Savannah. My lower back has been sore so I have been babying it a bit this week as well as being more conscious of how I move. I went to Restorative Yoga twice and I also have been doing a sequence of yoga moves at home which really seem to help. Sitting is just the worst thing. I have no pain when I walk at all but if I sit for any length of time afterwards I am very stiff. The good news is my feet and ankles are great. I wonder if it is time for another pair of shoes??? I am good and strong and will do only two training walks this week with the other days just normal walks with Wyke and John. After the half-marathon I may take a little time off and see how things go.
A Different Bolognaise Recipe
I found this recipe from “The Inspired Table” while reading about comfort foods. I wanted something meatless so I thought I would give it a try. Suffice it to say, buying a pumpkin and then shredding the pumpkin is not the easiest thing I have ever done. Anyway, it is full of good things, pumpkin just being one of the items. If you do try it let me know how you like it. I personally like things that are a bit spicy so I may add a bit more to it than called for but otherwise I didn’t make any other changes. It looks delicious.
The Best Vegetarian Bolognese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 brown onion, finely chopped
- 3 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, finely chopped
- 8-10 button mushrooms, sliced
- 300g pumpkin, peeled & grated
- 1 clove garlic, peeled & crushed
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- generous splash of red wine
- 1 can of cherry tomatoes
- 1 BPA-free can of organic lentils, drained & rinsed
- 1/2 cup basil, finely chopped
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over a medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery and carrot and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until soft. Add the mushrooms and pumpkin and cook for 3 minutes or until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Stir through the tomato paste and red wine and bring to the boil. Add the cherry tomatoes and lentils and reduce the heat to low, stir through the basil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover with a lid and gently simmer for 15-20 minutes to let the flavours develop. Add a little water if the sauce is reducing too fast.
- Serve with zoodles, your favourite pasta or I love it on some sprouted rye toast with a generous sprinkle of grated parmesan and cracked black pepper. YUM!
