Cooking, Masking, Martini's and Race During These Covid Time

Enchiladas!  I make both chicken and pork.  Many people have talked and posted about how much baking they've been doing during these Covid times, not me.  #1 I don't need or want the calories, and #2 I don't like to bake, never have.  But, I have been cooking more.  Two fold, we've not gone anywhere since very early March, about 4 months due to the Virus.  So, you must cook more to compensate for not going out.  I also have more time it seems because hubby has been working from home, and I therefore don't have to limit what I cook to something that can be quick whenever he gets's home from the office.  I typically never even started cooking until he got home because he worked so many hours, one never quite knew what time it was going to be.  Now, he's right here working so that gives me more flexibility.  We have therefore, been eating a bit differently with more variety.

I recently order a toaster oven.  Haven't had one in years.  I generally don't like to store things on my counter tops, but thought a toaster oven would be helpful to not use the oven to heat up the kitchen as much.......since I'm cooking more.  I can't say it replaces the oven though, as a casserole dish like the one above simply doesn't fit in the toaster oven; but it has been helpful in cutting down how often I use the oven, and it does indeed heat the kitchen up less.  It also has an air fryer component.  I don't tend to fry anything, but I know many friends talk about how much they use and like their air fryers, so thought I'd give it a go.  So far, I've only used it twice with battered shrimp.  We both enjoyed that with a big salad.  A quick and fairly light meal.

To celebrate our 48th Wedding Anniversary, I broke out the special Martini glasses.  They're quite pretty, and large.  I don't use them on a regular basis, keep them in the china cabinet.  I had a lightly dirty Martini (Vodka), hubby has a Dry Gin Martini with a lemon twist.  We had cocktails on the deck, while the filet's were on the barby.

Remember, I said I like fun cocktail napkins.  This one makes me think of political and racial posts I've seen on line.....we've all been there I know, the yelling in my mind......sometimes actually outloud, as if the computer screen can hear us.

With the many protests around the country, and the world after the police murdered George Floyd, it seems racial problems might finally really be discussed.  It's always troubled me when friends/ or line acquaintances would say, I'm not racist...I don't see color.  Aren't we all just Americans instead of Black or White Americans.  I think perhaps people who say that, aren't being honest with themselves.....why, because of course we see color.  We see the color of someone's hair, the car they drive, the dress, suit etc they've chosen to wear.  To say we don't see color seems dis-honest.  I never could quit put into words why I thought that.  Then I spotted this, as part of on line forum to discuss racism and how we all have biases........even if we don't recognize them.  I thought this was worth a share.

Sorry if the wording is offensive to you, but I thought this meme was a perfect example of why, we aren't winning against this virus.  Here's a women with a mask and shield trying to be responsible and do her social distances, then you have the jerk........the non science believer leaning in, not wearing a mask and well...........being invasive in her protective space.........which is also meant to protect him.  I'm sick of seeing and hearing people who still believe this isn't real, or if they believe it feel it's against their personal liberties.  Wear your mask, stay away from parties, wash your hands, don't go to packed events, social distance.  All those pretending things are normal are making matters worse and causing the numbers of cases to climb, the death rate climb, and the virus to stick around longer.  Be a responsible person and wear your mask!

Bingo, It's a COVID Affair

Bingo!  Spotted this the other day on our neighbor site, Nextdoor and thought it was quite cleaver and thought some of you might enjoy doing this, or have the kids do it.  Since kids shouldn't be playing together, the kids in the neighborhood could do this, perhaps take a picture of said item and or write the address or street where they saw said item.  Then parents could scan it or take a photo and share with the neighbor kids, like they did it together.

I know many are still fighting the idea of wearing a mask, thought this graphic was an excellent visualization of why it matters.  I wore my 2 ply cotton mask with a pocket and insert a double folded coffee filter in the pocket yesterday when I went to Home Depot to buy flowers.  My masks has a nose clip too, which makes it fit better.  I'm happy to say the bulk of shoppers were wearing masks and all the employees in the garden center.

Scored two pretty hanging baskets for the front of the house, and of course have our flag out for Memorial Day Weekend.

I'm disappointed to say I've not settled on a pattern to use for my yummy Mothers Day Yarn (see previous post).  I've been looking, but just haven't settled on one yet.  

And yes, back to masks.  Some of the excuses I see on line about why people aren't wearing them is because they don't have a bandana (one of the common no sew options), so thought I'd share this..........I know everyone has socks

It's rare for me to have a post without showing a knitted or crocheted project, but I've not been busy with needles in several days, so nothing new to share.  Getting yard work done, now that they weather's warmed up, and trying to walk and or do exercise classes via zoom daily.

Stay well, wash your hands, wear your masks and limit your outings based on your need and medical condition.  I will continue to order grocery on line and have them delivered and or pick them up vs going into a store for an hour.  My outing to the garden center was about 10-15 minutes, we were outside, and I was wearing my mask.