Indio, California: Nothing going on today. I mean nothing. The only change in our daily lives is, after May 1st, casita construction can proceed on Friday (it is allowed Monday-Thursday during “the season”)... so the construction crew showed up next door at 7a. Yep. They have been constructing before the day we arrived, October 14th, until today... and there is no end in sight. We have stayed out of the architectural committee hearings, through all the change-orders. Hopefully our new neighbors will find a happy solution and finish-up soon. Today’s delay was simply because it was too hot to pour concrete.
First World Problems.
Dave rode his bike 357 miles, then walked two miles. I walked 63 miles... or that is what it seemed in the 99-degree heat. At least it was too hot for the golfers, so I was able to get in a few miles along the golf cart paths, and we both could stop-in to our campsite every mile or two so to chug water. Few wildlife sightings today. Geese, but they are acting nonchalant, and not giving a hint as to the location of their brood. Sneaky geese.
More and more motor coaches leaving today. May 1st is a popular exit date.
I baked a loaf of buttermilk whole wheat bread today, as we (and by “we” I mean “DT”) are out of sandwich/sliced bread. My Runner needs his carbs, and loves a sandwich for lunch. Hopefully, I will remember to photograph (and leave the recipe for) the loaf as it only uses one cup of AP/bread flour and 2 cups of stone-ground whole wheat flour. I know white flour is a rare commodity these days. Buttermilk was a rare commodity in my supermarket a few weeks ago, but my Instacart guy found some at the local organic grocer. I was so happy. Buttermilk is something I always need to keep in my fridge. Never to drink - though my paternal grandmother loved the stuff - but to use in baking, salad dressings and so many other recipes.
NEWS FROM LOS ANGELES: The Lovely Lisa continues to prepare amazing appetizer/cheese platters for her family several nights a week. (She says she is turning into her mother.) Her photos are amazing and I am so jealous... but I only feed two people, so can’t begin to compete. Lucy (age 5) did stroll into the family room last week, asking: Is the cheese plate out yet?
So far, my favorite quote of the year.
in New Mexico. Bought one for us too. So pretty!
On Fridays, Lisa and Lenny celebrate “movie night” with their kids - way before COVID-19 raised her ugly head. Usually they pop corn after dinner. Tonight, Lisa really outdid herownself by making a dessert platter for the family kids. It was loaded with everything bad. Sugar-filled. Chocolate. Marshmallows. Cookies. Mini-donuts Fruit. Dang, if only we could have been there to see the kids enjoy this treat. Lisa felt it was bad parenting. I felt it was wonderful parenting.
Our grandchildren are so stinkin’ adorable. Miss them so much.
I produced a much-less-exciting spread for DT and myself this evening:
Brie, crackers, dried figs, apricots and cherries... and a few olives. Snore.
Dinner was much more exciting. Steamed broccoli, rice and more of the Sockeye salmon (marinated all day in 1/4 cup white miso paste, 1 Tablespoon brown sugar, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, 1 Tablespoon soy sauce, 3 Tablespoons sherry (or mirin if you have it - I did not), and 1 Tablespoon grated ginger). I was supposed to garnish the sautéed fish with black sesame seeds or slivered green onion, but I forgot. I used more of the bolted cilantro - honestly, it is so pretty - it looks like dill - and I am enjoying snipping the “fronds” for our meals.
We are officially out of broccoli.
Until my next update, I remain, your over-heated correspondent.
We never purchased buttermilk, as we never needed an entire container of it for various recipes. We just added 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a cup of milk (even reduced fat) and let it curdle for 10 minutes or so.