Social Distancing Diaries: Day 20

Dear Diary

Let’s start with a Hallelujah—How about that sunshine?!?! Can I get an “Amen!”? 

The lack of rain lured me outside to do some yard work. I have now entered the club: Neighbors Who Have Mowed”. It’s not very exclusive. I might be the last member.

Today’s blog theme is: These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

Meet Rita. Ain’t she a Beaut!

Working outside reminded me of another favorite yard implement: My cordless, battery operated weed whacker. I call her “Rita. Rita Ryobi.” I love her. Today I spotted an electric pole saw in my dad’s garage. I’m wondering, if I’m really good, will he let me use that?

Favorite Beverage: Unsweetened iced tea. In the summer, Tom and I drink a ½ gallon per day.

Favorite Snack: Popcorn. Favorite Topping: Adult Popcorn. It’s our family’s favorite. We call it Adult Popcorn because when we first discovered it the younger kids didn’t like it. Now they love it. It’s a mixture of brown sugar, salt, garam masala, and a dash of cayenne pepper on buttered popcorn.

Favorite Child: Eden

Favorite Flower: Lily of the Valley. Bonus: they bloom on my birthday

Favorite Radio Station: NPR

Favorite Genre: Historical Documentaries

Favorite Meal to Make: Pesto Chicken in the crock pot. Seriously—it does not get easier. I make and freeze gobs of pesto in the summer. I freeze in ½ cup amounts. After the chicken is cooked, mix ½ cup pesto with ½ cup sour cream (or plain yogurt) and pour over the chicken. Serve with rice. Bonus Tip: Our favorite travel food in the summer (cuz we’re cheap like that) is to pack pesto pasta salad (throw some grape tomatoes and mini fresh mozzarella balls in there, pack the kalamata olives separately because not everyone in the family is as bougie as I) and cantaloupe cubes. Both of these will keep in the cooler or hotel fridge for 2-3 days. If your hotel has a fridge. Sometimes we stay in places that don’t and sometimes I lock the door and don’t let my sister leave the room (my sister, Karen, and I go on road trips and sometimes we stay in sketchy places). Also, apples and peanut butter and cheese and crackers. Boom! You only need to eat out once a day!

Favorite Snack 2.0: Crackers and cheese. These are the World’s Most Perfect Food.

Also, I Googled bougie to see if I spelled it right and I discovered this alternate definition. Which I will leave you with:

1.    a thin, flexible surgical instrument for exploring or dilating a passage of the body.