A change in philosophy

My dear friend, Patt, sent me this cartoon. We have decided this is our new life philosophy. As we are still young, we will be working to develop our eccentricities. We'll let you know when we're old.

Beverage: English Teatime

Deb

Remember blue?

Do you remember when foodstuffs were all going blue? It was the 'hip' color for everything from soda to jello.

I'm working through all the gelatin in the cupboard. It seems a shame to toss it out as the packages are sealed tightly. I got to blue yesterday.

There was some nostalgia when I pulled this box out. Blue was everywhere. I liked the blue raspberry Slurpees we used to get at the 7-11 down the street, when 7-11 was still there. You'll still see blue raspberry but it's not everywhere as it used to be and the definition of "blue raspberry" varies widely.

I made up the jello and let it sit overnight. It was part of my lunch today. Yup, that's blue alright. It didn't really taste like anything other than gelatin with maybe a hint of cherry. It wasn't a dynamic new flavor. It was just colored blue gelatin to which some sweetner had been added. I think that's why the craze died out.

Beyond the fact that this was just a craze and, as such, would die out on its own, there wasn't a new flavor associated with blue. We already have blueberries. Raspberries have their distinctive flavor. This was just coloring added to some mix of apple, pear and raspberry juices. It's blue, all right, but that's all it is.

I have 2 boxes of lemon and one of lime left. By mid-month, I'll be done and will have opened up more space in the cupboard.

Wasn't the tag line for Jello, "There's always room for Jello"? There probably is, but maybe not in my cupboard anymore.

Beverage: China Black tea

Deb

Celebration

Upon completion of my taxes, I decided I deserved something as a reward. I have no ice cream in the house, having consumed the rest of the Haagen Das White Chocolate Raspberry a week ago. I've had this craving for cake lately but have had too many other things to do to actually bake one. And yes, I'd make it from scratch, thank you very much. I know how to do that and it's not hard.

Mead. April and Perry gave me three bottles of mead back in August. He said one bottle was drinkable then but the other two needed to sit until probably Christmas.

Well, honestly, the thought of orange mead didn't appeal to me. I had visions of ORANGE and not some beverage that was complex or maybe orange flavored. I like orange but it can get way over-powering.

But, around New Year's Perry mentioned the orange mead was now ready and he was very pleased with how it came out. When I finished my taxes and got the receipt that they had been sent, I knew I needed to celebrate and my first thought was the mead. "Well, Perry says it's good now. I should try it."

I have a big bottle and a small bottle. I opened the small bottle and took a whiff. Very light, pleasing scent. I poured out a glass full and took a swig. Wow! Mead can be a love it hate it drink. This is incredibly smooth with just enough orange that you know there's orange but not enough that orange is all you taste. It is very drinkable and is just perfect.

Now part of me wants to consume all of it, it's that good. The other part of me wants to keep some set aside for very special occasions. But I don't know how home made mead keeps. I'm probably better off drinking the stuff than trying to extend some shelf life.

I can't wait to play World of Warcraft on Saturday. We have this ritual before we get started with the evening's events. "Hey Zel? What's the beverage for tonight?" Zel then lists what he's starting with and what else might be on the menu if the raid runs long. I can't wait to chime in, "I'm drinking 'Joe's Ancient Orange Mead'. Beat that!"

In case you're wondering, yes, I gave the ladies a sniff. They both looked at me as if I was insane. I swear there were wrinkled up noses under all that fur.

So here's to Perry and my new raiding drink!

Beverage: Scottish Blend tea (No, I can't drink mead at the office.)

Deb

I did it!

I have successfully filed my own taxes for the 2nd year in a row. I am getting a refund from the federal government, a bigger one than last year. I owe the State of Illinois a whopping $8.00. I'll take that.

My financial company was most apologetic about my being unable to access the documents I needed to finish my return. They reset all the passwords and I was able to log in, view and print what I needed. It took me an hour and 15 minutes to finish what I had started on Sunday, print and save all my data, and e-file with both the IRS and the state.

Now I wait, but it's done and done much earlier than last year. I will be able to sit back in April and enjoy my time knowing I don't have to rush around trying to find all my documents.

I think this calls for a glass of Perry's mead.

Beverage: Joe's Ancient Orange Mead

Deb