Me: “OK Google, add toothpaste to the shopping list.” We’d like to change the wakeup words to “OK Janet”—a kind and wise Scottish housekeeper for two doctors in a 1960’s BBC TV series. Unlike with Google Assistant, Janet would offer to pour a “wee dram” and toothpaste would never run out.
Category: Home Living
A Taste of Summer
This is the best time of year for local green beans. Got these beauties at the farmers market. Tonight I’ll serve some of them with classic comfort food: baked mac and cheese.
AC
Still 88° at 6:00 p.m. Grateful for AC.
Migrating Our Digital Recipe Box
Converted our digital recipe box from Evernote to a folder of .docx recipe files in Google Drive. Evernote is changing ownership, with substantial layoffs, which makes me want to secure our recipes in a standard, open, Web-accessible format that is not dependent on a single company.
Minimizing Waste
Cycled to Repowered with a load of old electronics. The nonprofit employs people facing barriers to employment to refurbish and sell as much as possible. Recycling is performed in the USA.
Sort, Sell, Recycle
Went through a large plastic tub of stuff I’ve been saving to sell on eBay. Listed a set of vintage (1980’s) Cannondale cycle bags hoping to make $80 for Doctors Without Borders. I’ll recycle the remaining items shown here: they’re worth so little, it’s just not worth the effort selling them.
First Barbecue of 2023.
Today was our first barbecue of 2023: salmon on a cedar plank. The underside of the board burns, imparting a light, smokey flavor. Cleanup is easy.
Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Made peanut butter ice cream. For the last 5 minutes of churning I’ve just added chopped-up miniature peanut butter cups. I’m reminded by this exercise that ice cream is to be enjoyed in moderation. 2 cups of heavy cream, 1 cup of milk, 1 cup of peanut butter, way too much sugar, vanilla extract.
Bulk Cooking
Cooked for multiple meals. In the foreground: slow-baked beans, carnitas, and pan gravy. In the background: sides for this evening (polenta and steamed broccoli).
Good Writing Wins
Sausage, ice cream, and a movie are key ingredients for Sausage Saturday. Dwight usually researches movies, then sends me links to reviews of three movies. Tonight’s winner: Living. The screenplay is by British author, Kazuo Ishiguro; the writing will be good.