I haven’t updated the blog since April as the new normal we
live in with Covid isn’t very exciting. The months keep going by and still no end in sight for social distancing and wearing masks. No hope for traveling in the near future either. We booked the 2022 World Cruise as a backup plan as I don't see how the one we are booked on in 2021 will happen. I'm still holding on to the tours I have scheduled with independent tour guides, but I know I will need to contact them all later this year. Any ports that are the same for 2022 I will just change the dates, but most will need to be canceled.
So, our biggest adventure is masking up and going to the grocery store.
My vein treatments on the right leg went so much easier than my other leg. Phew! Then, I had a 3 month wait for a recheck to see if everything is OK or I need more treatments. The large veins are doing well, but I imagine I will need some spider veins done again. I see the doctor again week after next.
Our pond now has a small gator. (about 4 ft) He’s fun to
watch as he suns on the banks or is swimming about.
here he is in the backyard
in our backyard again - sunning
The Sandhill Crane family lost one of the babies, but the
other one is almost a full adult now. It has learned to fly, and they still fly
across the pond and visit our pond often. We see them around the neighborhood
when we are out for our walks. The other baby crane seamed healthy so I imagine a critter got it.
One day we went to a local pond in search of Fulvous Whistling Ducks, but only found our usual Black-bellied Whistling Ducks.
Whistling Ducks
Florida Black Ducks
Ibis
Ibis
Ibis
Ibis
On one of our walks we came across this baby snake that was smaller than a worm.
Ring Neck Snake
baby Mockingbird begging to be fed
Meadowlark
I have been doing jigsaw puzzles which dominates my days. Here are the ones I have finished so far:
Still cooking like crazy since eating out isn’t that appealing in this pandemic
world we live in. My pizzas are getting better and I have 2 "go to" crust recipes
now. We are enjoying our new smoker. The first time we used it we did ribs,
chicken and a Boston Butt for pulled pork. I brined the chicken which I had
never tried before (and won’t do again). It was good, but very salty even
though it was rinsed thoroughly. The pork was to die for despite getting done
around 11:00 at night. The ribs we bought were baby backs labeled extra meaty.
Won’t do that again either, as they were more like bone in pork chops than
ribs. A few days ago, we smoked a large salmon filet, 2 chickens and a whole
packer brisket. The salmon was very good as were the chickens. Greg
spatchcocked (butterflied) them again which works well, and I used a citrus rub (and no
brining) and they are delicious. The brisket is some of the best I have had anywhere.
served with a dill caper sauce
Usually once a year I make a “Cherry Blueberry Peach Pie”
when all 3 fruits are in season at once. Since I couldn’t get those things in
Panama I hadn’t made it since 2012. Well, the peaches had just appeared in the
store and we bought some to eat and they were very good, so I set out a few
days later to gather the things needed for the pie. All the peaches were gone
and I made do with some other ones that didn’t look as good. Should have
waited. Then, I always use quick cooking tapioca to thicken it and with
everyone baking there was none to be had anywhere. (even on the internet) For
the first time, the fruit didn’t cook down in the pie. I used flour which didn’t
thicken it either. So, it didn’t turn out great. On the upside my crust was my
best one ever. So, in a week or so I will make a “do over” pie when there are
really good peaches and the cherries are not so firm.
we ate it anyway....
Well, that's our exciting lives in a nutshell. Stay safe and healthy everyone!
