Sunday I decided to make biscuits as it makes Ford happy! Not very healthy so I do not make very often.
Our drive to nowhere (somewhere) was a real dilemma, looking for the best BBQ restaurants, but finally decided on TacoLu's on Beach Blvd. AA ate the banging shrimp nachos, Ford had the grape salsa salad and I had two delicious tacos with a glass of sangria. Yum!! We sat on the outside patio and wore masks going to and from but not at our table.
Monday was typical, and this one was the day before school began. AA practiced her golfing, then played nine holes with Ms. Stephanie. I practiced a bit and then joined my third lesson of "LPGA Women's 201".
We did get take our food for lunch and was shocked to see NO ONE wearing a mask inside and none of the employees! In Duval County it is mandated to wear masks in all public areas, yet in Clay County it is up to each business. So lax in our county. Most grocery stores and convenience stores mandated masks. 75 % of the school children are going back to the actual school buildings. We will wait and see if the virus spreads this Fall.
We continue to play the music to Hamilton, AA knows all the words. We play RummiKub and enjoy our dinnertime conversations. It is stressful today as AA's school schedule is not complete and we are still waiting for answers.
Tuesday: First Day of 8th grade school, virtual, at home.
Classes: AP Human Geography was removed, said 8th graders can't take it even though her guidance counselor was the one who suggested it. Spanish 2. Language Arts. Honor Physical Science. AP Geometry. And she still needs an elective.
Wednesday: Fried fish for dinner and homemade french fries.
Thursday, I took the day off as I am working Saturday. We dropped the Subaru off for an oil change, went to two eye doctor appointments just to be told I need to see a surgeon. And made homemade broccoli slaw (plus the grocery shopping). About all I did all day!
Friday: I worked then stayed overnight at Carolyn's. We ate my homemade broccoli slaw and Bono's BBQ. Plus a swim in the pool and a glass of wine. Her pool temperature is about 88 degrees, so plenty warm. Ford had AA's bathroom light fixture replaced once he found out it had the fault, not the bulbs or switch.
And her regular golf lesson:
And here is her finished art assignment, not completely done as we dropped this elective (she's now taking keyboarding as her elective):
Saturday: I worked at SJRPP, AA practiced golf, completed a Spanish homework assignment. They joined the Zoom happy hour with Hugh and Maureen (Penny was on a different call with her sisters).
Another busy week which included AA playing the nine holes at TPC Sawgrass. That was a late night for us! The rest of the week involved AA's dentist appointment (braces), Heck Electric finishing out generator transfer switch, the repair of an sprinkler/irrigation line. We are back to doing our own grocery shopping. We did very well planning meals when we used the delivery service from March - end of July. We are not so good now!! Just being creative and rotating our favorite meals around takes an effort! From bruschetta, spaghetti and meatballs, blackened salmon and homemade pizza almost every week, we need more ideas! I make lemon shrimp or chicken piccata once a month, really liked the sheet-pan dinner with shrimp and broccoli. Ford made chili in the slow cooker this weekend as something different even though it is still HOT summer here.
Friday, Ford and I sat outside at Talons, drank wine and beer with the nice view, actually about 80 degrees due to the late storm that came through. Then we cooked store bought dumplings and ate salad for dinner.
Friday's landfill coal/flyash-caked jeans from work:
Saturday, AA played with Coach Stephanie for nine holes, busy on a Saturday so they were paired with two other people. We made AA's favorite black bean-mango salsa and Ford made his chili for dinner. We participated in our 5:00 p.m. Zoom Happy Hour. Always a good time with Hugh, Maureen, Kathy and Penny. With the Democratic National Convention concluding this past Thursday evening, we are surprised how little politics we chatted about during the call.
Sunday, AA practiced her golf. We grilled hamburgers at home. Carolyn came over and brought a new spinach and strawberry salad - delicious! And a bread pudding dessert (very SWEET with a limoncello sweet sauce on top). Carolyn kept about 3 foot distance from us and gave hugs to Ginger instead of us, sad that we don't quite feel comfortable to begin hugs again. Her library is still closed to the public and I still generally work by myself and Ford tested negative last week (which doesn't necessarily mean we are virus free, but it does say we are doing the right things to avoid getting it!).
We walked Ginger (very rare that we all went on the walk):
AA sorted through her underwear drawers, tossing things too small. Ginger modeled her old cowboy hat!
And school begins in TWO days!!
Wednesday, the NFJG held a champions back nine holes at the Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass. Since there will be no season celebration banquet due to COVID19, this is the last time to play with NFJG until the new season begins in October 2020. AA earned the Fall Elite Girls Trophy. This was her first year in the toughest, oldest Girls group. She played well, then when she was fitted with new clubs, a restart began, changing some old habits.
Jack speaking during the storm delay:
With almost a two hour delay (three different lightning delays), she began the first six holes as a team scramble then the three final holes were individual. Exciting that she birdied Hole 17!
Fall Winner Elite Girls Photo taken at home and sent to Jack:
August 16th: I made the blueberry clafoutis again for breakfast, everyone loves it, this time with half fresh strawberries. Very yummy!
AA and I needed to shop for underwear, so we went to Kohl's and breezed in and out with our masks on - the fitting rooms were closed so were choosy about what to buy (but can return if didn't fit). Bras for AA and undies for both of us. And they all fit!
Next, we drove to Justin's, arriving about 12:20 p.m. We chatted outside and saw the damage his goat did to all his plants: from pepper plants, herbs, lilies, citrus trees (kumquat and grapefruit) his large cactus, some heirloom plants and so many around his back yard. The goat no longer exists as Justin had already said he would never have another goat and this was the last straw! Now we know what to buy him for his birthday - new plants!
We then drove to St. Augustine, and skipped by the Burrito Shack as it was crowded, so tried an old shack that was called FA, now called Margie's and very much changed. The food was good enough, and sitting outside in 90+ heat, we were soaked by the time we finished lunch (we have not eaten inside a restaurant yet, since this COVID19 virus started). Ford had the fish sandwich, I ate the shrimp tacos (blackened) and AA had the burger. We probably will not stop there again even though the seafood was fresh and tasty, just nothing remarkable about the place.
We continue to cook most of our meals at home and play Rummikub. I am listening to the audio book "Where the Crawdads Sing" driving to and from work.
And as a memory - 9 years ago - 35th Reunion!!! Melissa was my date and she attended my 40th High School Reunion in 2016. Here's to 2021 and our 45th. Hope to make it home!
Finally mailed some cards:
Monday: We went to the bank to get our annual SJRPP/JEA pension form notarized and then to Walmart for a prescription and a few groceries (always wearing a mask). I made ahead the new recipe casserole (below and was delicious!) and made egg salad (we have tons of fresh eggs from Carolyn's coworker). I had my group golf lesson at 4:00 p.m. We played four holes from a very short distance and I scored a Hole 1 Par 4:3, Hole 2 Par 4:3, Hole 3 Par 5: 6, Hole 4 Par 3: 5. I really enjoyed playing the short distance. Photo of Coach Stephanie demonstrating our pitching technique.
The Heck electrician came to finish the transfer switch for our portable generator. Ford tested it, so ready if we need it. We are very thankful and blessed to finally have this during power outages.
AA binge watched The Mandalorian; she had watched Season 1, episodes 1 and 2; now she has completed all 8 episodes.
AA - I enjoyed watching The Mandalorian, and I kept watching to see what would happen next. I think that it was everything that a TV show should be in that it keeps you hooked to watch the next episode.
And to put everything in perspective about COVID19: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill announced Monday that it was converting to all virtual classes after reporting 135 new COVID-19 cases and four clusters within a week of starting in-person classes for the fall semester — becoming the first college to send students home after reopening.
Monday Dinner: Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
I roasted the raw broccoli while preparing the other ingredients, gave a nice sturdy flavor. Cooking the roux took longer than the recipe and was still a bit watery, not thick, but it worked great!
This cheesy chicken broccoli and rice casserole is so comforting and delicious, and comes together in minutes!
Author: Amber Goulden Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes. Yield: Serves 6
INGREDIENTS: For the cream of chicken soup*:
1/2 onion, diced (may substitute with 1 teaspoon onion powder)
3 cloves garlic, minced (may substitute with 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
3 tablespoons salted butter or ghee
3 tablespoons flour (we used this one for gluten-free)
2 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried thyme
3 cups chicken broth, 2 cups milk or full-fat coconut milk
For the casserole: 1 1/2 cups white rice
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
3/4 pound broccoli florets (about 5 cups)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat the oven to 375 F. Add the butter to a saute pan over medium heat, once melted, add the onion and garlic and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Add the flour to the pot and whisk to combine, then slowly pour in the chicken broth, whisking the mixture constantly to ensure there are no lumps. Once smooth, whisk in the milk, salt, pepper, and thyme and let cook for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce is thick and bubbling. Add the rice, chicken, and broccoli to a 4-quart baking dish, then pour the sauce over and toss to combine. Make sure that the sauce completely covers the rice mixture, if it doesn't, add another 1/2 cup of broth or switch to a different dish. Cover the dish with foil and make sure that the foil is secured very tightly. It needs to steam to ensure the rice cooks through.
Bake for 50 minutes, until the rice is fully cooked through and the liquid is absorbed, then remove the foil and sprinkle with cheese and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until cheese is melted.
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