What Month Is It?

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!