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!

What I'm Doing on my Summer Vacation

No, I haven't mastered this.  I can almost do this on one side, but not with the heel down.  The other side fell right on my keister.  Now I've tried to do it when not moving from another position to this for practice....um no, I still can't do it.  I am though enjoying learning some yoga.  My primary problem is I need things to go slow so I can see what they're doing and some move pretty quickly from one move to another.  This is a video from my gym.  I'm going to try it a few more times to see if I can improve.  I'm also doing something called Boom Mind from Silver Sneakers which is a combination of yoga and pilates.  That particular one is standing only, which I like and focuses a lot on balance..........boy do I need that.  So if someone asked me what positive thing did I do during the Covid times, working on yoga would be the answer.

Politically, I found this hopeful and hope lots of other folks did as well.  The police violence is something I find very very troubling.  I hope this time will be different.  I hope this time something beyond empty promises can take place.

This seems to explain how stupid a recent comment from the orange  one was.  In my opinion, getting rid of him in November is the single most important thing we can do  for our country.

I love fun cocktail napkins.  Recently ordered quite a few from Amazon, since I'm still not going to any stores.  I am still ordering my groceries on line and having them delivered, and or picking them up curbside.  I've not been knitting or crocheting, spending more time on yoga (see above), and walking.  Been averaging about 15K a day in steps.  Trying really hard to up my physical activity.  

Hope you're all staying safe, washing your hands, wearing your masks and continuing to social distance.  I've seen way too many pictures of people partying, acting like nothing is wrong...AND with states numbers rising, particularly in the South, that's a big concern.