Happy May Day,
Well we are still in “prison” hopefully everyone is doing well. I miss seeing everyone out and about, hopefully it will not last much longer.
Take time to take a walk about our outside space, the shrubs, trees and plantings are beautiful, take a look and enjoy all the color. Here is a sample of what you will see.
Traveling Neighbors
Several of you answered my question about your travel plans being impacted by the travel ban.
These are some of the reports.
- Cheri was supposed to have gone to gone to the Netherlands and Belgium. She had big plans of having some great Belgium chocolate, maybe some raw herring in Holland. She also had plans to cruise the Great Lakes later this summer. Hopefully, she will be able to do both later.
- Shirleen and David had big plans to celebrate his Aunt’s 100th birthday in early April. Family was coming from all over the country to help celebrate this huge event. They had plans for a great French dinner out with family but alas it was not to be.
- Andrea and Drake had a Road Scholar trip planned to Chicago in June.
- Carole Remme was planning on a trip to Italy with her twin sister to celebrate their 70th birthday in June. A fantastic place to celebrate a big occasion like that but guess she will have to make do with a Italian pizza or pasta closer to home. She was also looking forward to a trip to the LA area to visit her grandkids.
- John and Linda were supposed to go to Grandson’s high school in NY graduation near the end of May, a big event for the eldest grandchild in the family. John says they have been going on virtual cruises the past couple of weeks.
- Dawson and Linda missed their annual trip to Palm Springs for the first time in 16 years. They also had a trip planned to Croatia in June with Linda’s chorale group. At least they have rescheduled the trip for a later date.
- Edy has had several consulting and speaking engagements cancelled. One to London, Israel and New York City along with Copenhagen (I had planned to join her on this one, we were spending several days in Copenhagen then visiting friends of hers in Sweden).
- Jerry & I did sneak out for a quick look at the tulips in Skagit County. Sadly they are just not planting as many as the used to. What was there was beautiful. We had a picnic lunch in Burlington to make it seem like a true outing.
Armchair Traveling, we can do a bit of traveling without the hassle of airports, waiting in line or leaving your home, check out some of the travel shows available.
- Rick Steve’s, PBS
- The Curious Traveler on PBS
- Samantha Brown, PBS
- Vintage Roads, 2 gentlemen who take road trips in a sports car all over UK, car enthusiasts should enjoy this one, Acorn
- Dream of Italy, PBS
The above shows should give you a few hours of enjoyment all from the comfort of your couch.
May Birthdays
I’m the only one celebrating a birthday this month
One Bowl Cake Depression Cake
This recipe came out of the depression-era with the usual ingredients used in cake recipes hard to find. It was very tasty and so easy.
Ingredients
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, (either Dutch-processed or natural)
¾ cup boiling water
2/3 cup mayonnaise
¼ tsp salt
1 ½ tsp baking soda
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 ½ cup flour
The recipe indicated if you want to increase the chocolate flavor you can add a handful of chopped bittersweet chocolate or a tsp. of instant coffee. I did both and it was really chocolatey
Preheat oven 350 F
Grease an 8- or 9-inch pan
- Heat ¾ cup water to boiling
- In a large bowl put the cocoa powder, pour in water and let sit a few minutes, then whisk until smooth.
- Whisk in mayonnaise, salt, baking soda and sugar until smooth. Whisk in vanilla, whisk in flour and mix vigorously to eliminate any lumps.
- Pour into greased pan and bake for 22-40 minutes or until top springs back and a toothpick comes out clean.
- You can frost with cream cheese frosting, or fudge icing, or a simple sprinkling of powder sugar
Recipe from Melissa Clark
Tips Du Jour
Ripening fruit
Hasten ripening fruit by storing unripe fruit in a brown paper bag with a ripe fruit that is already producing copious amounts of ethylene such as bananas.
Judging pineapple ripeness
Because pineapples do not continue to ripen once they are picked you want to make sure you are getting a ripe on. Use this trick to choose ripe pineapples at the store. With one hand, gently tug at a leaf at the center of the fruit. If the leaf releases with a little, effort, the pineapple is ripe. If the leaf holds fast, choose a different pineapple. (Conversely, avoid pineapples with dried-out leaves and a fermented aroma-the fruit may be overripe.)
Hulling Strawberries
Many of us do not own a strawberry huller. However, the probably have a drinking straw, which makes a perfect replacement tool. Push through the bottom up to the top of the berry, a straw cores and hulls whole strawberry quickly easily.
Orca Season
I noticed the Richmond Beach Orca’s have reappeared for the season. These colorful sculptures are now in their 4th season around the neighborhood. Take note as you are driving around, they are a nice addition to the landscape.
Exercise tip
Not only getting outside and taking a nice walk around the neighborhood or down to the bluff good for you, try this one suggested by John W.
Using a rubber band/tube you can get from any Physical Therapist. Attach to a door and use it for an upper body strengthening exercise. Easy and a convenient way of getting a bit stronger.
Desperate measures
Since we have been in “lock down” somethings have come to a screeching halt, others slowed down but not my hair. I have missed two haircut appointments and I am getting closer to taking matters in my own hands. I am afraid to let Jerry come at me with scissors, that would be just darn scary. It is sort of like taking out a sliver in your finger, it hurts less if you do it yourself.
This is an example of taking the final step
to deal with all this excess hair……
https://facebook.com/samkerswellhair/videos/689787645117116/?t=3
Remember to support our local business, we want them to be here when this is all over.
Take care, be safe and have a great day,
I always loved to celebrate
May Day in Lyon.