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| Mini Blueberry Muffins |
Thursday morning, I was awakened by a phone call from neighbor T; she was having a plumber come out and wanted to know if she could use my bathroom if she needed to. For a couple of seconds, I hesitated as my thoughts raced - what about Covid? Would it be safe? But, then, common sense kicked in and I said, "Yes, certainly". I know T hasn't been going anywhere to get exposed to the virus and we would be fine as long as we wore masks. I wasn't sure if she had any masks or would wear one if she came over, but, I kept a box of new surgical masks near the front door to hand one to her, if she came over and didn't have a mask on. A couple of hours later, she called and said she didn't need to come over, after all.
I spent the rest of the morning replying to blog comments, paying a bill, and doing a couple of other tasks. I called my step-aunt in Texas and checked on her - she said they have power, but, a water pipe connected to the sprinklers had burst and they had no internet connection. She was glad that I called.
In the afternoon, I practiced the piano and attached the rest of the rows to the granny squares blanket. I am now crocheting a border around the whole thing, to finish it off.
Later in the evening, I watered the back garden, paying extra attention to the new fruit trees. Then, after she finished her work for the day, daughter helped me to pick some of the calamondin from the tree in the back:
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| Calamondin Fruit |
Calamondin is a type of citrus. They are about the same size as kumquats, but, rounder. They look like miniature tangerines, I think. I am planning to make some marmalade with them, tomorrow. All I could do, today, was wash them.
Afterwards, daughter made some coffee for us and then, I cooked dinner - a fish curry using frozen pollock fillets and sauteed zucchini, served with rice, of course.
Later, daughter baked some mini blueberry muffins for dessert. She found a recipe online that called for plain yogurt in the muffin batter and we were glad we had been able to buy yogurt in our last grocery order!
Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to pay the bill online
- A working printer so I could print out the payment confirmation
- Being able to say, "Yes" to neighbor T's request
- Calamondin from the garden
- Blueberry muffins!
Today's joyful activity was picking fruit from the garden.
How was your Thursday? What are you planning for Friday?
I've never tried calamondin. I hope your marmalade comes out good. The little muffins look delicious :)
ReplyDeleteThe little muffins were very good! I, too, hope the marmalade will turn out well! We shall find out!
DeleteI think I would have been anxious about someone using my bathroom but thankfully for you, it didn't happen and you can relax again.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a good crop of calamondin fruits. Will there be any more or is this everything? You're going to be busy making your marmalade aren't you.
Are you missing the piano lessons or just happy to continue practicing at your own pace? My HP music book arrived in this morning's post so I now have to wait patiently while it's in quarantine and then I can make a start on learning the pieces.
I felt guilty about hesitating for even a moment, because, pre-Covid, there would have been absolutely no hesitation (T has come over to use my bathroom, as well as washer and dryer, on previous occasions); but, yes, I was relieved when she called to say she didn't need to.
DeleteThere are more calamondin fruits on the tree. Pictured are the ones that daughter was able to reach to pick, standing on a 2-step, stepstool. I weighed what she picked and it came to 5 1/2 lbs. The tree is about 12 feet tall.
To be quite honest, I am not missing the piano lessons! I am enjoying the slower pace! I'm glad you've received your book and can start learning the pieces in a few days. :)
You are so lucky to be able to grow citrus in your garden! I had never heard of calamondin. Are they sweet or tart like a kumquat?
ReplyDeleteThe calamondin is very tart! One can make a refreshing "lemonade" with the juice, or use a couple of fruits to make infused water, too. I've seen recipes for calamondin cake, but, I haven't tried making one.
DeleteI know- it is kind of odd when we have to stop and think-should I or shouldn't I "help" with Covid still abounding. Today I am sitting at the hospital with my grandgirl-waiting for her to come back to the room after a tonsillectomy. I wondered if I should come here or not-but we are in a private room and everyone coming in and out is masked. Poor girl! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteDiana, I hope your grandgirl has a quick recovery after her surgery. Lots of soothing ice cream, I think! And, gentle hugs!
DeleteCrazy how this pandemic complicates the simplest situations, but you were able to rationalize and say yes. At least your neighbour had peace of mind knowing that she could come over if necessary. When our family visited outdoors in December, they were able to go into the house with masks to use the bathroom.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't sleep last night and decided to organize my tax papers for a while, along with a mug of Ovaltine. This morning I went back to bed after breakfast and caught up on some sleep.
It really is crazy, Bushlady. Things I would have done without even thinking in pre-Covid days now require a lot more deliberation!
DeleteYou made good use of your inability to sleep! I am glad you were able to catch up on your sleep after breakfast, though. :)
I have been reading about the news from Texas - that's quite something, so far south. Glad you got hold of your step-aunt, and that she was all right.
ReplyDeleteOh I wish you hadn't shown me those muffins....!!!!
Looking forward to hearing about the marmalade. I haven't heard of calamondin either, but I will look it up. You should get a very decent batch of marmalade from 5.5lb. Do you cut the peel by hand, mince, or use a machine? I find marmalade making such hard work, because of all the cutting, but I like clean, long shreds of peel so I resist throwing it all in the food processor.
Oops! Sorry about the muffins! :D
DeleteI made the marmalade, today. I was able to make a decent batch of marmalade, but, oh, deseeding the fruit was a pain! I cut half the fruit by hand and then, put the rest in the blender (don't have a food processor).
Those muffins look delicious and I'm looking forward to seeing your completed blanket and marmalade. I'm about to enjoy mine on some toast for breakfast.
ReplyDeleteIt's reassuring to know your relatives are OK. The winter storm is just being reported here on the morning news. X
Thank you, Jules. I made the marmalade today and am looking forward to having some on toast for my breakfast, too! Hope you enjoy your breakfast!
DeleteThe muffins look delicious. I always used to make them when my children were little but not so much nowadays as there aren't so many of us in the house and we all feel a little guilty if we keep eating them. I should see about a really good recipe that is freezable.
ReplyDeleteThe muffins turned out really good. Baking a batch and freezing some for later sounds like a good way to get around eating too many in one sitting! :)
DeleteI am glad your relatives in Texas are managing ok.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bountiful harvest! I've not heard a calamondin before. Do they have an orange taste?
You and your daughter are eating well. I enjoy hearing about the things you both make.
I made some black bean soup yesterday that turned out good. Leftovers are on the menu today.
Thank you, Debra.
DeleteCalamondin tastes a bit like a kumquat or an extremely sour tangerine!
I'm afraid daughter and I are eating a bit too well as we are both in danger of gaining weight! Your black bean soup sounds good! I'm still intending to make that sausage and bean casserole with diced tomatoes you mentioned making, was it last year? It might be on the menu for this week! I'll let you know how it turned out, if I make it.
Yes - I do make that regularly. Sort of a mock cassoulet
ReplyDeleteYes, that's the one! :)
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