"Taps" performed in Arlington National Cemetery (summer and winter)

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE Baked Chicken, Asparagus and White Rice

I love fried chicken, but BAKED CHICKEN is a favorite of mine because it's so easy to fix.  Once you place the chicken breast covered with Italian Salad Dressing in a baking dish, you can go off and do something else.  Bake it for an hour or so and out comes a favorable chicken breast.  I usually only purchase chicken breast so this is a great meal for us on the prairie.

Side dishes of asparagus and rice add some interest.  Iced tea to drink and all is well for a meal.  Protein, vegetables and grain with a chilled beverage.

Switching out the type of dressing makes for a nice switch.  My Mom use to prepare baked chicken with cream of chicken soup mixed with milk on it.  I've used Vidalia Onion Dressing before which doesn't smell the best when baking, but have mercy, it's delicious to eat.  Bar-B-Que Chicken is just as easy as can be.

For now, this baked Chicken Breast 

adds zing to meal time.

Blessings to you,

d 

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE Salmon Patties, Scolloped Potatoes and Mixed Veggies

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE wouldn't be complete without some fish in here somewhere.  I can tolerate and enjoy Salmon Patties, a childhood favorite for me.

How many times have you heard, "Eat your vegetables.  They're good for you!"  Especially now as an older woman.  This meal would have been even better with the some skinny veggies included in the menu.

I do try to serve together what I call SKINNY VEGGIES with STARCHY ONES combination   Didn't achieve it this go round.  Next time.

There's something fishy going on...and that's alright. 

Canned salmon was used.

Blessings to all,

d     

NO EXCEPTION

TIME FOR A NAP in my recliner to gain some strength back.  It seems that when I have to GO OUT that I get worked up more than I want to admit.  I needed to get some lab work done today, so when I telephoned my Doctor's office to make a curbside appointment where the lab tech comes to the car, I was told that they stopped doing that last Monday.

No NEWS about stopping this service mentioned in their handy dandy PORTAL that we as patients are encouraged to use to be well informed.  humpf....went my sigh under my breath as I talked to the lab techie.  If I have to go inside a building, I decided that I would go ahead after all and use QUEST instead.

Phoned QUEST LAB to get their hours and was instructed to wear a mask.  No prob bob.

Woke up early, did my hair, got groomed, dressed and headed out the door carrying my camera, ID and mask.  HUBBY came with me and away I drove to the LAB.  Thought we could make a visit to the KSU Gardens afterwards if it wasn't raining.  Mother Nature poured buckets this morning.

Drank plenty of water so I would be well hydrated and it's just easier to get blood when hydrated.

Hubby stayed in car as I went inside to sign in for lab.  There weren't any humans in the lobby where the chairs were spaced wide apart in the room.  Only 5 chairs in the lobby.  Signed in at the kiosk and decided to stand while waiting for appointment.  Staff opened the magic door and I disappeared into their hallway not touching the door.  Handed the staff my work order and sat in the throne chair ready for the draw.  Mel's getting use to me because she knows the blood is drawn from the left arm.

She's a runner, so I asked her if she's running during this pandemic and she said it keeps her sane.

She's excellent at her job.  Quick and efficient.  Will know results in a few days on the portal.  Out the door I went and walked to the car peeling my plastic gloves off my hands.  Pitched gloves in a trash container and asked Hubby if we could go to the Gardens.

Once again my back started to ache and cramp while taking photos and walking the grounds.  I handed the camera over to my sweetheart and he snapped away.  There were dew drops on the blossoms with overcast skies.  Nice weather and cool enough to take our time in the GARDENS.  No thunder.  Storm over.  We took a short drive about the old neighborhood we lived in back in 2005.  The neighborhood was well kept.

There was one neighbor that had an oversized lot designed for a huge FLOWER GARDEN.   This looked like it needed some attention and I believe the neighbor is elderly now, but the front yard was gorgeous.

HOME to rest and have lunch.  I snapped a few pics of the new flowerbed that went in last July.  The Irises are starting to bloom this late in the month of May.  Usually they bloom early May.  It's nice no matter what.    

Memorial Day is on Monday.  This crept up on me as I always think of it at the end of the month.  Not this year.  Fourth Monday of the month hits this Monday.  I mailed my Sister and bro in law an anniversary card to congratulate them on 49 years of marriage.  It's a miracle.

Needing to phone my Mom after I rest up.  

Sometime today, I will return to the junk room and work away at making sense out of the mess so we are one day closer to having a tv room away from the crowd.  This will be quite an undertaking as the room is full of clutter that needs much attention.  Subflooring and a new wood floor needs laid.  A ceiling fan installed.  Curtains hung.  The television set hooked up. Recliners carried up the flight of stairs and positioned where they will sit as we enjoy the fruit of our labor.  Goal in progress.  Sometimes these things just take a long time to create.  This is no exception.

Blessings to you,

d  

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE Chicken and NOODLES

Dining On The Prairie HEARTY MEAL.

Not only warmed the tummy, but warmed the soul on one of the chilly days where it rained all day.

Only sunshine was in a smile.

Blessings to all,

d

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE Salad

SALAD ANYTIME!

A protein packed meal 

for lil 'ole me on the Prairie.

Blessings to you,

d

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE Penne Pasta

MORE VEGETABLES ADDED 

to increase the veggie count.  

Tasty.

Blessings to you,

d

BREAKFAST ON THE PRAIRIE Waffles, Scrambled Eggs and Bacon

YUMMERS.  

A wonderful way to start the day around here.

Blessings,

d

THINKING ABOUT IT

MY MOTHER'S DAY BOUQUETS lasted the entire week.  Enjoyed them each day admiring the blooms that opened into gorgeous flower blossoms.  I didn't make it back to the KSU GARDENS to see the IRISES in bloom, but have plans this week to observe the new blossoms.

Ours on our grounds are opening up.  This is like a surprise CHRISTMAS gift as we relocated the irises last summer and were waiting for them to bloom this year.  After the bulbs are relocated, they kind of are in shock and do not bloom as prolific as they will in the second year of their new locations.

Last year our FLOWER GARDEN was gorgeous.  The waiting is the hard part.  Next year they should be even more beautiful.  2021.  Pray they do well.

This past week-end our Granddaughter graduated from High School on Saturday.  I did not know what to expect as this was the first time we watched a graduation online.  It was a tearful time for me as this was emotional.  The tears faded as the day progressed.  She went to buy a car and this was the end of her social distancing as she picked up some of her friends to ride around.  Upsetting to me as I am a firm believer in this social distancing for now.  

We celebrated Mother's Day by social distancing with my MOM.  We stood our distance then sat in chairs and chatted for a couple of hours before returning to our home a couple of hours away.  My Mother's Day was spent with my daughter, son in law and granddaughter and hubby on the patio.  My dear husband fixed me a steak meal in the evening with my favorite lemon meringue pie.  A brother of mine had a 62nd birthday.  A sister of mine will celebrate her 49th wedding anniversary during the month of May.  We went shopping in mask and gloves.  Wiping everything down before putting it away for the day.

The pandemic is still raging, but the people I see seems as if it never happened.  No mask and not social distancing.  School season is ending, graduations are not the same.  Funerals and weddings are not the same.  Businesses are opening back up with guidelines.  Protest have let up.  It's disheartening how many in the public are bad mouthing the news reporters as our great and powerful President has demonstrated for us on national televised programs and internet broadcast.  This is a shameful way to present oneself as the President of the United States.  He is setting a standard that is strifeful and rebellious.  PRAYERS ARE NEEDED for our elected officials.  Our President is not an exception.  

I am doing better not watching two hour a day TASK FORCE BRIEFINGS which had turned into a campaign platform in which the opposing party were slammed and smeared by the President.  I wanted to stay informed about the pandemic not hear about Pelosi dancing in China Town.  She may have done this, but I don't want to hear about it when I have tuned into the briefing about the coronavirus epidemic now pandemic.  For now, I check out worldometer . com.  I don't care much for the new press secretary Kayleigh.  Her voice isn't mellow, but kind of childlike sounding.  Say what you will, I can have an opinion.  Thank you.  She may be very good at damage control and painting a picture of what President Trump wants the world to think about him, but I do not believe she will stay long as it is the habit of our commander and chief for a heavy turnover.      

I started out the day by shaving my legs and showering.  Shampooed my hair and allowing it to air dry.  Writing out a grocery list of what's to come.  Looking forward to going grocery shopping this week.  Mostly seeing the landscape along the way.  Catching up on laundry and have plans to work in the tv room this month making way for a real television/media room.  Soaking up SPRING.  Viewing the Irises.  Slowing down and enjoying nature at it's best.  Writing a few letters.  Filing paperwork.  Paying some bills and researching. 

THINKING about getting an outside kitty.  Hubby would build a kitty cage which would be in the screened in porch until kitty got older.  We did this many years ago with two kitties.  They were kept in a kitty cage house in which we had control of their coming and going.  They'd be held and loved on and fed.  They had a kitty box for a bathroom.  They were the sweetest and lovingest cats I have ever seen.  I am a firm believer that this is the way to train kittens for pets.  Also think a kennel is needed for puppies.

Now for a lot of movie watching.  This was what I have done to have some sense of normalcy during a very uncertain time in my corner of the world in the evenings.  More television watching than ever.  Besides the task force briefings...the television doesn't come on during the day hours.  It's in the evenings that the tele comes on or something is watched on the computer.

MOVIES in the evening during Quarantine Time.
1917  (Extremely realistic.  Very graphic.)
DEAD TO ME  (The F bomb is dropped all the way through this series to the degree of being nonsense.  It would not have hurt a thing if the foul language were completely left out.  The story line is interesting enough.  This is not for young children at all.)
DR. DOOLITTLE  (The special effects with the animals is outstanding.)
BELGRAVIA  (The costuming and interior design is above and beyond outstanding.  The story line has kept my interest and so far it is family friendly.)
BOURNE movies.  (All 5 Binge watched these with hubby.  Absolutely overkill on the violence.  Not family friendly and I could barely stomach the violence.)
THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY  (Adult themed Murder Mystery)
CALL THE MIDWIFE. (Family friendly and every episode is extremely well written and carried out.  Never disappointed.). 
GRANTCHESTER  (Murder mystery.)
THE GREAT ESCAPE
THE YES MAN
FUN WITH DICK AND JANE
THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS
THE LAST THING HE WANTED
BREAKING THE BANK
I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS
WACO
BLAST FROM THE PAST
THE CONSPIRATOR
JUST GETTING STARTED
THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY
A BRIDGE TOO FAR
RAT RACE
FINAL COUNTDOWN
A SERIOUS MAN
LATE NIGHT
SAVING MR. BANKS
MAN ON A LEDGE
BEECHAM HOUSE
THE WAY WEST (Gorgeous scenery and cinematography.)
FATMAN AND LITTLE BOY
WORLD ON FIRE
THE ARTIST
THE NUTTY PROFESSOR
OVER THE HILL GANG
PROMISED LAND
JUMANJI THE NEXT LEVEL
DJANGO; UNCHAINED
DEATH OF STALIN
HITCH
GOIN SOUTH
RAINMAN

Doing things differently these days.
ONLINE ORDERS during this time of the pandemic.
Graduation gift for Granddaughter.  Ordered through Sams.
Protein drink mix through NUTRITION EXPRESS.
A toilet lid.
A book about President Trump.
Mary Kay Lipstick.

AND so it goes.....
BLESSINGS TO YOU,
d

KSU GARDENS

KSU GARDENS have an array of Irises to enjoy this time of year and it doesn't matter that there is a pandemic raging on.

One of my favorite places in all the world is in Manhattan, KS.
Due for another trip this week, but for now, this will do.

BLESSINGS,
d