The Weekend Together and Parting on Monday

 

Roses on Saturday

Gardener friend M had been around on Friday evening, when we were attending the graduation ceremonies and he had deadheaded the roses and tended to the garden.

On Saturday morning, I slept in because I had stayed up till 6:00 a.m. and woken up at about 8:00 a.m. with indigestion!  I had taken a couple of antacid tablets before going to bed, but, now, I needed to bring up whatever was causing the indigestion!  After that, I brushed my teeth and went back to bed and slept till noon!  I was fine after that, though.  But, I had some toast with my homemade calamondin marmalade for brunch, just to be safe.

Daughter had made plans to visit with one of her friends and spend the afternoon and evening playing boardgames at her friend's apartment.  So, I dropped her off at her friend's place around 3:00 p.m. and came home.  

I did a little more paperwork and filing after I came home, ran the dishwasher, washed the sari blouse I had worn on Friday. cooked the pork chops I had bought earlier in the week and a fresh pot of rice.  I ate part of a pork chop with the rice for an early dinner without any problems with my digestive system.  I also texted with cousin V (who is recovering from knee surgery) and chatted with friend R.

Much later in the evening, I picked daughter up from her friend's place.  They had ordered dinner from an Italian restaurant, but, daughter had worn her mask throughout the evening, so, they had kept her dinner in the fridge and she brought it home to eat.  She offered to share it with me, but, I declined.  A little later, however, I wanted something for dessert, so I made us some bread pudding.  Two individual containers of bread pudding because I like raisins in mine and daughter doesn't.

Bread Pudding; With and Without Raisins

On Sunday, daughter let me sleep in and not only made her own cup of coffee, but, put my tea to brew.  We spent some time in the morning looking at the pictures she and her friends took on their recent trip to Japan.  There were a lot of pictures as they each forwarded the pictures each one took to the whole group.

In between looking at the pictures, I did two loads of laundry, changed the dust sheets on the living room sofas, dusted the living room and dining area, cleared the dining table, and cleared the big table in the family room.  A (whose graduation we went to on Friday) had invited my daughter to go hiking with her and her sister on Sunday, but, daughter's podiatrist has specifically told her not to even attempt going on a hike before her foot heals more, so, daughter had declined the invitation to hike and had suggested having a paint night at our house, instead, so, I was getting the place tidied up in readiness for their paint night.  But, the plans fell through as A's sister went on a hike by herself and A had some last minute preparations to do to prepare for a summer job she was starting on Monday.

Instead, daughter and I spent an evening relaxing and celebrating Mother's Day that we had delayed celebrating until she came home.  Daughter ordered dinner from our favorite neighborhood Japanese restaurant for a celebratory dinner and we picked it up and brought it home to eat:

Mother's Day Dinner

Unagi donburi (grilled eel on rice, served in a bowl) for daughter, my favorite beef teriyaki (served with rice, salad and pickled vegetables), and sukiyaki.  Each entree came with a bowl of miso soup.  I asked daughter how our neighborhood Japanese restaurant's food compared with the authentic Japanese food she enjoyed on her trip and she said it compared quite favorably, which was nice to hear.  We had fresh strawberries for dessert.  It was a lovely ending to our weekend together.

On Monday, daughter worked from home.  I put water to the back garden, picked the last of the oranges I had been keeping for daughter, some fresh blueberries, and the first of the peaches.  The peaches are not quite ripe yet, but, they are "seasoned" enough to be eaten with a mixture of salt and chili powder and will ripen on the kitchen counter over the next several days.  And being quite firm still, they will travel well packed into a container, without bruising.  Because daughter was scheduled to fly back on Monday evening, after work, and I was sending the oranges, peaches, and blueberries back with her, along with half the bag of red cherries I had bought, some cooked food from the freezer (pork chops, a small package of the spicy beef curry I had cooked, the two remaining slices of pizza from the last frozen pizza I had bought,  a small package of pol sambol, some ham), as well as a few potatoes and a couple of onions.  Enough food for her for this week until she can do some grocery shopping next weekend. 

Daughter's flight was scheduled to leave at 7:30 p.m., but, it was delayed until 8:30 p.m.  However, daughter wanted to be dropped off at the airport early, just in case they decided that the flight would leave on time, after all.  So, I dropped her off at the airport by 5:30 p.m.

I drove to the pharmacy, afterwards, to pick up two of my medications that were ready.  Then, I came home and took the trash cans out to the curb.  I spent the rest of the evening catching up on blog reading and posting blog updates! 

Daughter reached her apartment, safely, and called me.  She said she ate the slices of pizza I gave her for her dinner.  She will cook a pot of rice and pack rice and some of the beef curry I had sent up with her to take to the office for her lunch on Tuesday.  

I had leftover rice and beef teriyaki for my lunch and rice, half a pork chop, and lentils for my dinner.  Peach slices with salt and chili powder for a snack and cherries for dessert.

Peach Tree

I am grateful for:

- Being able to spend this time together with my daughter
- Celebrating Mother's Day a week later with a lovely meal and time spent relaxing with my daughter
- Daughter had a safe flight and ride to her apartment from the airport
- Daughter was able to spend some time connecting with her friends 
- Being able to send some food home with daughter

Joyful activities have included spending time with my daughter and enjoying a lovely meal with her.

Plans for Tuesday include taking Dancer to the vet clinic for his injection.  

How was your weekend and Monday?  What are your plans for Tuesday?

Graduation Celebrations on Friday

Youth Triumphant Fountain 

On Friday, my daughter and I attended my late friend A's younger daughter's graduation with a Master's in Educational Counseling.  The graduate, whose name also starts with A, worked full time as a teacher while studying for her Masters and I know her mother would have been so proud of her achievement.  

A, her father, and sister, offered to pick us up on their way to the graduation ceremony and we accepted the offer gratefully, as it meant I didn't have to drive and find parking, etc., since A had validated parking on campus.  The graduation ceremony was scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. and we were being picked up around 2:30 p.m., but, daughter and I were dressed and ready by 2:00 p.m.

A and family picked us up a little after 2:30 p.m. and we must have hit every traffic snag on the way!  We barely made it to the event on time, arriving at the parking structure at 4:25 p.m.!  Then, we still had to make our way from the parking structure to the quad where the ceremony was being held, outdoors under a huge tent.  The line of graduates was starting to enter the tent when we got there, but, A was still able to join the line and walk in while we found seats at the very end of the tent.  I found the commencement speeches to be very inspiring and it was a pleasure to see the graduates walking to receive their diplomas and at the very end, the university's marching band played.  

After the ceremony, there was a reception, also held outdoors, with live music.  They served a buffet style meal of salad, grilled chicken skewers, eggplant and marinated red pepper sandwiches, individual bags of chips, and three kinds of cookies - chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and snickerdoodles.  There was lemonade (and water) to drink.  Daughter and I found a bench in a fairly secluded area in the garden where the reception was being held and we felt comfortable enough to pull down our masks to enjoy our meal.  We sat there and waited for a while and then, went with A to take some pictures.

The Trojan Shrine aka "Tommy Trojan"

And the University's mascot, Traveler:

Traveler - the Mascot

Afterwards, we all went out to dinner at a restaurant in Downtown L.A.  A had asked if we'd mind going to a restaurant after the graduation and we had said we wouldn't mind at all, in fact, we'd love to be there to help celebrate her graduation, but, we would not be eating at the restaurant.  And that's what we did.  Daughter and I kept our masks on while we were there and the others had their meal.  At first, we weren't going to order any food, but, A and family insisted that we ordered our food to go, and so, we did.  Daughter ordered salmon and I ordered steak and shrimp ravioli.  The restaurant was nice, but, the music was a bit too loud!  We couldn't hear each other talking!  

Light Fixture in the Lobby

It was past 11:00 p.m. when we got home, so, it had been a fairly long day out for us.  After we came home, we had a little bit of the dinner we had brought home from the restaurant and relaxed.

On Friday, I was grateful for:

- Being able to be there for my late friend's daughter's graduation
- Being invited to attend the ceremony
- Getting a ride there and back
- Spending time with friends
- A lovely day out

Friday's joyful activity was attending A's graduation.

On Thursday

Pomegranate Flower

On Thursday, both daughter and I were up early because she was working from home and I wanted to make her a cup of coffee before her early morning meeting.  While daughter did her work, I spent my day doing some paperwork and filing of my own, including going through a few file folders and getting rid of old statements/paid bills, etc.  In addition, I put away a load of laundry and sorted through the drawers where I store my scarves and socks, etc.  

In the afternoon, I took a nap on the sofa in the living room.  

Later, after daughter finished her work for the day, she made a card for her friend's graduation which we will attend on Friday and I cooked dinner.

Brunch was French bread rolls sandwiches with a beef curry filling, followed by fresh mango.  Dinner was baked ham, mashed potatoes, and sauteed garlic green beans, followed by fresh strawberries for dessert.  I had my strawberries with a piece of sponge cake my daughter had brought me.  After dinner, I portioned up the leftover ham and froze most of it.  I kept a small package of sliced ham to have during the week.  Daughter will take one or two small packages of frozen ham back with her and the rest will be incorporated into my meals over the next several months and the ham bone will be made into a soup, later on.  This is the ham I bought on sale just before Easter.  

On Thursday, I was grateful for:

- Daughter was able to work from home
- Internet services and electricity which enables her to work remotely
- A lovely, sunny day with a high of 75F
- A working oven
- The progress I've made with the paperwork and filing.

Thursday's joyful activity was taking an afternoon nap!

Plans for Friday include attending my late friend A's younger daughter's graduation.  I felt so honored when she invited me.  

How was your Thursday?  What are your plans for Friday?

On Wednesday

 

Aeonium Flower Stalk

Some of the aeonium plants in the front garden are starting to send up flower stalks and the bees are loving it.

Wednesday was a mild day with the daytime high of 72F.  It felt cool in the shade and hot in the sunshine.

I had another appointment for further lab tests for my upcoming appointment with my primary care doctor.  Unlike Monday, when the waiting room was quite full, there were only about 3 or 4 others in the waiting room and I was called in after a very short wait.

Once I returned home, I did a load of laundry and hung up everything to dry.  I had been fasting for the blood tests, so, after I came home, I had a bread roll with cheese and drank one of the cans of coconut water I had bought.

Gardener friend M was here in the early afternoon.  He had bought a bag of fertilizer for me (I reimbursed him) and he fertilized and watered the fruit trees for me.  

After M left, I dusted and vacuumed, made up my daughter's bed with fresh sheets and quilts, and cooked some rice, dhal (lentils) and broccoli for dinner.  

Later in the evening, I drove to the airport to pick up daughter.  It is lovely to see her again.  She will work from home on Thursday, attend her friend's graduation on Friday, spend the weekend at home with me, and fly back up to the Bay Area on Monday evening, after work.  Her foot is much improved although she is still wearing a supportive brace.

On Wednesday, I was grateful for:

- Daughter had a safe flight home
- M tending to the garden for me and picking up the fertilizer, etc.
- Access to medical care and lab tests
- Safe driving
- Getting my housecleaning done and completing my To Do List for the day

My joyful activity was picking up daughter from the airport and bringing her home.

On the To Do List for Thursday:

- Put away the laundry
- Made a graduation card
- More paperwork and filing
- Cooking a chicken curry

How was your Wednesday?  What are your plans for Thursday?

May Grocery Shopping - Part 2

 

May Groceries 5/13/25

On Tuesday, I went to the Armenian grocery store to do my grocery shopping.  My main reason for going there was to take advantage of their Tuesday only deal on pork chops for $1.99/lb.  But, I had also gone through their weekly ad and listed several other items to pick up as well.  The majority of those items cost less that the equivalent at the regular grocery store.  For comparison, where possible, I put the regular grocery store prices, per their website, in blue.  As you can see, only the green beans were the same price per pound (or unit).  My groceries would have cost a lot more if I had shopped at the supermarket, although I didn't calculate just how much more.    

I bought:

Pork chops, 3 lb. @ $1.99/lb. ($4.49/lb.) = $6.09
Beef shoulder steak, 1+ lb. @ $4.99/lb. ($7.99/lb.)  = $5.86
Chicken drumsticks, 3 lb. @ $1.29/lb. ($1.99/lb.)= $3.93 

Strawberries, 3x1 lb. @ $1.99/lb.($4.99/lb.) = $5.97
Grapes, 1.67 lb. @ $1.99/lb. ($3.79/lb.) = $3.32
Cherries, 2.03 lb. @ $1.99/lb. ($5.99/lb. in 2 lb. bag) = $4.04
3 Tangerines, 1.2 lb. @ $0.69/lb. ($1.99/lb.) = $0.83

4 Onions, 1.83 lb. @ 4lb/$0.99 ($1.29/lb.) = $0.45
1 Lettuce @ 2/$0.99 ($1.99)= $0.50
Green beans, 0.85lb. @$2.49/lb. ($2.49)= $2.12
1 Cucumber = $0.69 ($0.99)
1 Broccoli crown 0.42 lb. @$0.99/lb.($1.99/lb.) = $0.42

1 pkt. Pita bread (5 pita breads; 12 oz.) ($2.99/11 oz.) = $1.49
2 pkts. Toasted bread* @1.39 ($3.00) = $2.78
1 pkt. French rolls (4 rolls) = $2.99 ($4.99 for 6)

1 quart Half and half = $2.99 ($3.49)

2 cans Coconut water @ $1.29 ($1.39)+ $0.05 recycling fee per can = $2.68 

Total = $47.15

*  Replenishing my emergency supplies; shelf stable bread substitute

Receipt (5/13/25)

My total came to $47.15

My May grocery budget = $150.00

Spent to date = $56.66 + $47.15 = $103.81

Balance left in the grocery budget = $46.19

I don't anticipate needing to do another big grocery shopping trip for the rest of the month.  The balance left should be more than enough for things like bread, milk, and some fresh vegetables, during the rest of this month.

How is your grocery shopping and spending coming along?

May Meal Planning - Week 2 Review

Wednesday Dinner: Salmon, Peas, Potato

These were my meal plan options for May Week 2:

Brunches: Scrambled eggs and toast (Monday)✔; Pancakes Waffles✔; Pizza from the freezer; Tuna Egg salad on crackers or bread (need to buy bread)✔; Soup and crackers; leftovers✔; tacos compliments of neighbor S✔.

Dinners: Macaroni & cheese with ground beef and vegetables mixture from the freezer (Mon)✔;

 Salmon with baked potato and green peas or broccoli;✔ Rice and curries with Shrimp curry from the freezer;✔ leftovers✔; or something quite different (breakfast for dinner /waffles; tacos from neighbor S)!✔

Snacks/Desserts: Crackers, fruit, yogurt, cereal, granola bars

Here's how it worked out:

Monday:

Brunch:  Scrambled eggs and toast 

Dinner:  Macaroni & cheese with ground beef and vegetables mixture from the freezer

Snacks/Desserts: Blueberries from the garden

Tuesday:

Brunch:  Mac & cheese with ground beef (leftovers)

Dinner: Breakfast for Dinner: Orange-Cranberry waffles (from a gifted mix) with homemade cranberry sauce

Snacks/Desserts: Spicy crackers; peppermint candy

Wednesday:

Brunch:  Egg salad sandwich (using the curried egg from the meal friend S brought me) & banana

Dinner:  Salmon with baked potato and green peas 

Snacks/Desserts: Spicy crackers; freshly picked strawberries (2) from the garden (there were 3, but, gave one to M), peppermint candy

Thursday:

Brunch:  Peanut butter sandwich & banana

Dinner:  Rice and curries with Shrimp curry from the freezer, eggplant moju and pickled carrots;

Snacks/Desserts: Orange (picked from the garden), apple slices

Thursday Dinner: Rice & Curries

Friday:

Brunch:  Cereal and milk

Dinner:  Rice, leftover ground beef mixture, green peas

Snacks/Desserts: Buttered toast, yogurt with blueberry compote, crackers

Friday Dinner: Rice, Ground Beef, Green Peas
(and chili sauce)

Friday Dessert: Yogurt and Blueberry Compote

Saturday:

Brunch:  Buttered bread and a banana

Dinner: Chicken Tacos, Lettuce, Watermelon compliments of neighbor S and family

Snacks/Desserts: Watermelon

Weekend Dinner - Compliments of Neighbor S
and Family

Sunday:

Brunch: Waffles with Cranberry Sauce

Sunday Brunch

Dinner: Leftover Chicken Tacos, Lettuce, Watermelon

Snacks/Desserts: Watermelon, peppermint candy

Well that worked out pretty well, I think.  I stayed on plan for most of the week except when I didn't!  LOL.

On to this week!  This week's meal plan might change quite a bit because my daughter will be visiting during the latter half of the week and we will probably get some food to go to celebrate a belated Mother's Day.

Brunches:  Tuna salad sandwiches; Waffles (leftovers); Scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast or fried potatoes; Ham sandwiches; French toast; milk and cereal; dinner leftovers; maybe pastries if we get some

Dinners: Rice and shrimp curry (leftovers); Rice and chicken curry with dhal and vegetables; Ham with mashed potatoes and broccoli; Pork chops with rice and green beans; Leftovers.

Snacks and Desserts: Fresh fruit, yogurt, granola bars, bread pudding, maybe a dessert from the bakery

I will need to buy chicken to make the chicken curry and the pork chops, along with a few fruits and vegetables.  I am planning to go grocery shopping on Tuesday (when the pork chops will be on sale).

How about you?  Are you making a meal plan this week?

On Mother's Day Sunday

 

A Bouquet of Roses

On Mother's Day Sunday, the temperature reached a high of 94f, so it was a bit cooler than Saturday.

Daughter and I decided we will celebrate Mother's Day when she is home, next weekend.

I did some tidying, sorted through a pile of paperwork and did some shredding, picked blueberries, watered the back garden, put away the dishes, washed all of Dancer's dishes, and swept and mopped the kitchen floor, finally.  

Brunch was waffles with cranberry sauce and dinner was leftover tacos, lettuce, and watermelon from Saturday's dinner.

On Mother's Day, I was grateful for:

- My mother
- My daughter who made me a mother
- Another sunny and warm day
- Water for the garden
- More fresh blueberries

Sunday's joyful activities included video chatting with my daughter and spending time in the garden.

Monday's To Do List:

- Lab appointment for blood work
- Meal plan
- Water the front garden
- Water the indoor plants
- Take the trash cans to the curb
- Paperwork/filing
- Decluttering
- Continue to tidy my bedroom (find space for the sewing supplies)

How was your Sunday?  What are your plans for Monday?