Sunday, April 26, 2020

Sunday's Blessings

Groceries 
Sunday morning, I had a phone call from cousin P, "We are going to the grocery store, do you need anything other than the dozen eggs?"  (I had asked her, on Friday, when she called, if she could buy me a dozen eggs when she went grocery shopping, next.)   I hesitated, but, then, asked for a loaf of bread, as well.  A little later in the morning, she and her daughter drove up and, in addition to the bread and eggs I had asked for, she also gave me a box of cereal that she had (she had asked me, earlier, if I'd like to have it - apparently, someone gave it to her, but, neither she nor her daughter eats that kind of cereal) and a packet of cookies!  Such a blessing! 

I had put some money in an envelope to give my cousin for the groceries.  I don't even know the price of eggs, anymore!  They used to be $2.99 per dozen for large eggs, regularly, unless they were on sale, which is when I used to buy them.  But, these days, availability is more of a factor than price, isn't it?  My cousin and her daughter didn't want to accept the envelope, but, I insisted.  I had put a little extra in there and told my cousin's daughter to buy herself a cup of coffee with it for doing the grocery shopping.  According to my cousin, she stays in the car while her daughter goes into the store to do the actual grocery shopping.

After I brought in the groceries (before I took the photo), I took the eggs out of the carton and washed them!  Then, I tossed the carton out (I will put it in the recycling bin, later; I didn't want to keep it in the bag I keep in the kitchen to hold items for recycling in until I take them to the bin), took the six eggs out of the carton I had in the fridge, put two of them to boil, and put the other four into a container.  Then, I put the washed new eggs into the old egg carton!  I also wiped the outside of the bread bag, the box of cereal, and the packet of cookies with a disinfectant wipe.  I've read somewhere that one should remove the bag of cereal from the box and store in a container, but, I think it will be safe enough to leave it as it is. 

For brunch, I had an egg salad sandwich.  I figured that, since I had wiped the outside of the bread bag with a disinfectant wipe, it would be fine to take some bread from the bag, without leaving it to air for 24 hours, as well.  I removed the tab and opened the bread bag.  Then, I washed my hands.  Then, I removed two slices of bread and closed the bread bag.  Then, I washed my hands!  What a rigmarole!  LOL!  Maybe a bit of an overkill, but, the other day, the local TV news showed unmasked, ungloved, grocery store workers in several local grocery stores, who were restocking the shelves and they were sneezing and blowing their noses, or wiping their noses with their bare hands, etc., and then, continuing with handling groceries and restocking shelves without pause to sanitize their hands!  Most probably, they didn't have time to go and wash their hands.  Quite possibly, they didn't even realize what they were doing.  But, I do know that the outsides of packages aren't exactly germ free.  Normally, it would not bother me; I am not afraid of a few germs, but, these are not normal times, are they?  I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Finally I made my sandwich and ate it!  I had grated a little bit of green chili into my egg salad and it was delicious!  The rest of the egg salad is in the fridge for another sandwich, maybe for tomorrow's brunch.

Tonight's dinner will be the leftover rice sticks and some of the sausages.

It is a cooler day, today, with a cloud cover and the high being only 87F.  Inside the house, it is a very comfortable 82F. 

It is a little after 5:00 p.m. as I type this.  Almost time for a cup of tea.  Dancer is snoozing peacefully, by my side, with his tummy exposed to cool off.  I plan to have a restful evening.  The only thing I need to do is clean the litter box and sweep the bathroom. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- My cousin and her daughter offering to pick up some groceries for me
- The extra items my cousin gave me
- A supply of eggs and bread
- Another warm, if slightly cooler, day
- Being alive

Today's joyful activity was chatting on the phone with my daughter (our nightly video chat will be later).

How is your Sunday?  What are you grateful for, today?  What is the price of a dozen large eggs in your stores, these days?  Do you know?

24 comments:

  1. I was thinking the same thing while cleaning vegetables and fruits I received yesterday. So much work and constantly washing hands. But, like you said, it's better to be safe than sorry.

    I buy organic free range eggs so they are a bit more expensive, $6.50 for 18.

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    1. Yes, I read about you washing all the fresh produce. I think you did the right thing. Yes, that is expensive for eggs, but, probably worth it due to them being organic and free range. Thank you for sharing the price of eggs with me, Nil. I am trying to prepare myself for the post-pandemic grocery budget! Somehow, I don't think my current $75 budget will be enough! But, we shall see!

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  2. How lucky you are to have friends and family who think of you when they are out and about. Bonus cookies? That is the bomb!

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    1. I am very lucky and blessed, aren't I? Ha, ha, I am going to hide them cookies, waaay in the back of the cabinet! Hopefully, they will stay there and not call my name!

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  3. I used to buy free range eggs £2 for a dozen. I'm not sure what they cost now. I am hoping to go shopping tomorrow with Bob as its his day off. We have been walking to the small shop round the corner, but plan to drive my car to a nearby supermarket. My car has not been driven since mid March and it needs to have a little run! What are Rice Sticks? My USA /uk vocabulary is certainly expanding lately

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    1. Rice sticks are a type of Asian noodles made with rice flour. Sometimes, they are called rice stick noodles or rice noodles.

      I hope you enjoy your shopping trip and the car enjoys being taken for a drive! :)

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  4. I get my eggs from a neighbor. Glad that you have groceries and help. It sounds like you are doing really well.

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    1. Eggs from a neighbor sounds wonderful, Stephenie! They are probably very fresh and, even more important, you know exactly where they are coming from! I am doing well, thank you; very grateful to family and friends who make it possible for me to stay home!

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  5. I had to Google rice sticks as I hadn't heard of them before but it seems they are available over here as well. I usually buy a box of 15 mixed size free range eggs for £2. I will need to rethink my food budget at some stage as prices are gradually creeping up.

    My Sunday was very quiet and today has been much the same. It's the virtual choir practice tonight and I'll carry on with starting a new jigsaw puzzle afterwards.

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    1. My grocery budget will need to be revised, too, in the coming months, as stocks get replenished, probably at a higher cost, due to availability, etc.

      Enjoy your quiet Monday and the choir practice in the evening. Stay well, Eileen.

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  6. You are doing things the right way ... I have a feeling that staying diligent about cleaning the items we bring into our homes is something we should have been doing regardless of the 'new' covid-19 directives- we have no doubt been exposing ourselves and our families to a multiple of 'nasties' forever-
    I am now in awe of your former 'meadow'- what fun you can have establishing a new area in your yard, and the plan for a meandering rock path with plants alongside will be so nice- how wonderful you have M to help you ...I might feel slightly envious!
    The plans for getting the yards here at Paige's cut and trimmed on Friday went the way of many 'best laid plans'... i.e. the person failed to appear- now back to square one looking for a way to clear this jungle which is growing so dense and tall we will soon need a map to find the way through to the areas where we feed the critters-
    I am so glad you continue to get deliveries from friends ...I know many of them are returning kindnesses you have done for them-
    Continue to be careful and know you and yours stay in my thoughts and prayers-
    As always, fondest wishes-
    Barb

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    1. We tend to forget just how many people have handled the items we bring from the store and what might be on them, don't we?

      I'm so sorry your yard guy didn't show up! Yes, you might need satellite maps and a drone or two to help feed the animals! LOL.

      At some point, I might need to have a proper grocery order delivered, but, for now, people have been very kind and have picked up things for me.

      Thank you, Barb. Hope all continues to be well with you and yours. By the way, how is the sewing of dolls' clothes coming along?

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  7. And a packet of cookies! That made me smile.

    That’s nice that you gave her a little extra for a coffee.

    I like to take the cereal out for hubby and we store it in a glass jar. But we’ve done this for ages. Nothing to do with Covid. Just nice to have them in big jars. Stays fresh and I can see when to get more.

    But I also agree with you. Better safe than sorry.

    Enjoy your leftover dinner.

    Our Sunday was wonderful. We hung out in Hubby’s office and I read most of the day and he worked on his writing and we watched stuff and ate food. Was great. Super chill. Super fun.

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    1. Well, I have a sweet tooth, or, should I say, several of them? My cousin knows me well. :) Sounds like you had a really nice Sunday. Hope your Monday was good, too.

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    2. Thanks. Monday was very good. I got up and shot a video then was able to get it all edited before hubby came home. Very, very good day. How goes your Tuesday?

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    3. Ooh, I just watched your video for the vegan bean stew and found all your other videos! That was a great video!

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  8. EEks! Unwell grocary workers touching and sneezing on everything. AArrgghh...... good to be a careful with your groceries.

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    1. Yes. Not to mention shoppers who might have the virus also touching items and putting them back as sometimes happen. I've taken to cleaning everything I possibly can to try to avoid getting ill.

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  9. How nice your cousin P is to pick up a few food items for you.
    I'm so glad you've periodically been able to fill in the gaps in your supplies because of the kindness of your friends and family.

    And cookies - no guilt cookies, right? Because you didn't ask for them. :)

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    1. It really was very nice of her and her daughter to do that for me. I am very grateful that everyone has been so kind in keeping me supplied. But, I think I will look into having some groceries delivered or arrange for curbside pick up, one of these days.

      Ha, ha, I have those cookies on the kitchen counter, still, and they have been calling my name! But, I think I will stash them at the very back of the cupboard for now. I need to keep my sugar intake on the low side as much as possible. The cookies are good to have on hand, though. :)

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  10. I'm glad you managed to get some supplies to keep you going. We are approaching the next grocery run on Wednesday and the last loaf of bread is down to a slice and a crust, but there are bagels and hamburger buns in the freezer. I could attempt to make a loaf but I have to be feeling energetic enough!
    The weather is still so mild for a change and yesterday DH and I went for a long walk in our woodlot which is five minutes away by car, near where we used to live 30 years ago. It was quieter than I expected but DH did spot a garter snake. Here at home we have birds, squirrels and chipmunks, and now the dog next door has decided to make a daily visit for a wee cookie!

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    1. Thank you, Bushlady. I am trying not to let my supplies get too low, so when someone asks if he or she can pick something up for me, I accept the offer, gratefully. Partly because I don't know how available things are, these days, and how available they will continue to be.

      Sounds like spring is almost there! I'm glad you and DH were able to go for a long walk, even if it was quiet. Too funny about the neighbor's dog coming over for a cookie! Is that the same one you set out to make friends with a few short weeks ago? I think you mentioned he barked or growled at you at first?

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    2. Yes, that is the same dog. I guess social isolation is getting to him and he decided to venture over to our yard. He hasn't been today.

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    3. Maybe your neighbor found out that he got out and is keeping him in! :D

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