My walking buddies, Katie, Wyke and Bean
Finally, after three months, I was able to get back out on our favorite big walk. It is a 7.5 mile hike up some fairly challenging hills and back down again. Part of it is on a wooded trail that is gorgeous and then back out onto the road. At the top of the hill we get to go across on the top of the hill and then come down a very steep incline to get on the road to return. It is challenging and gorgeous. There is a mix of dogs off leash and then they need to be on leash. It appears they don’t seem to mind at all. Wild life included two turkeys and two deer who snorted at us and startled the heck out of all of us. There is plenty of water along the hike for the dogs to get an occasional swim or a drink and usually just when they really need it. Glorious day and my foot felt great. I’m really back on track again. Yippee!
Pandemic Accomplishments
I’d like to take a moment to congratulate daughter, Katie, on successfully completing her course to become a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and passing the brutal exam. The flowers are from her boss and are beautiful. I am so proud of how she took on this project during the past six months of lock down and working from home. What a great way to make the best of a very unusual situation. Add to that she gets up almost every morning and is out the door for a 5.5 – 6.0 mile speed walk before she begins her day. Way to go Katie and Congratulations!
Dog Grooming
We have been looking for a place to get the dogs groomed for some time now. The one place in town is booked three months out. I just happened to run across someone who recommended a place about 45 minutes from here. So this was the week. We took advantage of the day to drop them off and then to take a trip over to Moultonborough to see Dataw friends Karen and Chuck Tomb. Of course I forgot to take a picture. We had a lovely time with them – socially distanced of course – and had fun catching up on the summer. It was a really fun trip for John and me and to a place we had never been before. We have been fairly circumspect about trips but due to the fact we have a very low incidence of Covid in our area we are beginning to feel more comfortable doing a few things. We also need a break from the renovation mess at Jenny Lane every once in awhile.
Update on Jenny Lane
It was a big week inside and out. John finished taking off the last of the shutters on the windows and painting the clapboards underneath. The house looks pretty good now and will wait until spring for its proper painting.
Tuesday the big delivery happened. The remaining order of windows were delivered and the sheet rock for the front hall, bonus room and the new bonus+ room.
By the end of the week the windows had been put in the bonus+ room and for the first time the house is secure. No holes in the walls waiting for windows, no missing exterior doors and even a few walls and partial ceilings. It feels so good to be building back up again. We want to get the front hall, bonus room and bonus+ room at least with sheet rock up by the end of the month. Can I say we are almost done – no – but we are making some real progress now. We are fully insulated on the lower level so should be cozy there for the coming winter. Optimistic – yes!
Healthy Hints
Thought this little poster would be helpful when choosing foods to keep us healthy as we continue to fight this virus that is blowing its way through the US and the world. It certainly won’t hurt to support our immune systems with the healthiest foods we can. I love the Eat the Rainbow idea and am recommitting myself to eating for my health. I do drink an immune supporting green tea every morning with a big piece of lemon. It might not protect against anything but it certainly won’t hurt and it tastes good.
Cooking This Week
Our baker is going back to school this week so we are going to have adjust to not having quite so many treats around the house. We have become committed to grilling and have enjoyed some wonderful meals on the grill this past week. One meal that was a big favorite was actually not on the grill but cooked on the stove was a Chicken Piccata from a post by cookingprofessionally.com that John made. It was delicious. Here is the recipe or you can go to their site and get it.
Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts
1/2 cup flour
1 lemon
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt & pepper to taste
Sauce:
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 lemon juiced
1/2 cup white wine or chicken stock
3 tablespoons capers
2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Instructions
- Combine the flour, lemon zest (1/2 a lemon zested) , salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken in flour mixture
- Heat olive oil over medium high heat and cook chicken about 4-5 minutes per side or until just until cooked through. Cook in batches if you cannot fit into pan. Remove from pan and place in a dish to keep warm.
- In the same pan, melt 1/4 cup butter and add flour to create a roux. Whisk until smooth. Cook 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually stir in chicken broth whisking after each addition until smooth.
- Add lemon juice, white wine and capers. Simmer 3 minutes, whisking occasionally.
- Add chicken back to pan and simmer 2-3 minutes. Stir in parsley and serve over pasta.
