Vaccine day 💉 Leftover Pizza, Arroz Con Pollo, Salad and Jab Number Two

 Quarantine supper tonite...   Live from NYC...

Sun peeking though thick heavy clouds today as we rode out to our vaccination site for our 2nd jab 💉  arrived early...  gave us a chance to sign in... pick up a few odds and ends (site is a CVS Pharmacy)  and take a moment to breathe...   excited...  nervous...  so grateful to be getting fully vaccinated today #GetYourJabOn

Finally our turn arrived...  the pharmacist was super fast💉... it was over before  we had a chance to even worry 😄 then the 15 minute wait...  the same couple vaccinated along with us the first time right beside us again.... all of us offering thanks to the pharmacist and congratulations to one another as we left the store.  

Walking out into the cold air felt liberating...  we slid into the car beaming at one another sharing a high five...  heading over to Wendy’s in the next shopping center to grab a burger and shake to celebrate with lunch on the road as we drove home.  Recalling the CDC guidance we both made efforts to move our injection site arm during the drive...  avoiding the stiffness and discomfort of the last jab.

Feeling tired as we arrived home...  opting for a quick nap 💤 two hours later...  refreshed and a bit hungry made a salad and warmed leftovers for supper.  Pizza for yours truly...  leftover arroz con pollo for the hubs.  So far it’s been 11 hours... no other reaction to the 2nd jab.  

We now wait two weeks for full efficacy...  CDC guidance for small gatherings post vaccine expected to be written during that time.  Can’t wait to hug my Mom and the kids...  it was a good day 😷💕

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?    Thoughts?

Arroz Con Pollo & Roasted Asparagus

 Quarantine supper tonite...  Live from NYC...

Yesterday on repeat...  bright sky... few clouds...  chill wind...  a bit less blustery...  errand day...  while the hubs went to physical therapy dashed to the market for a few items for us and groceries for Mom.  Picking him up post workout he was excited to tell that we can begin our daily walks again...  he walked yesterday (didn’t realize needing clearance) for an hour...  the PT told him it’s okay to walk...   4 blocks 😅😂🤣 ooops...  but more importantly he is cleared to take a whirlpool bath...  something he has sorely missed these past four months! 

Remembered to take the chicken (still a rock even after being in the fridge overnight) out to defrost prior to leaving the house.  When we got back...  almost thawed...  just in time too...  maybe leaving Mr Sam in charge wasn’t the best of ideas?  Fortunately he slept through the entire process...  chicken  untouched! 

Arroz con pollo for supper tonite...  a favorite...  juicy skinless boneless thigh meat seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika, turmeric, cumin and coriander... pan seared then added back to the rice while it simmers with onions, garlic and spices....  finished off with chopped parsley and capers for that salty bite! Roasted asparagus on the side with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc completed the meal.   Perfect on a cold winter night.

Tomorrow is the big day!  Our 2nd dose of vaccine...  we are thrilled to be this far along in the process...  we want to see all you fabulous folks make that appointment and #GetYourJabOn ...  in the interim...  double mask up...  zoom through the market...  limit all interactions...  and wash those germy hands 😷💕

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Pizza, Wings and Salad Night

 Quarantine supper tonite...  Live from NYC...

The lion returning with a great ROAR...  howling winds...  temps in the mid 30’s...  bright sky...   few clouds...  yesterday’s warmth long forgotten.  The last leaves of fall...  freed from their snow mounds...  dancing in whorls with the wind...  only to be swept away.  Too bitter to be out for long...  the heat sucked from the body in moments...  dog walkers huddled into their jacket collars...  scarves and hoods obscuring faces...  hustling home to escape the blast.   

Coffee ☕️ oatmeal with raisins and cinnamon...  no plans for dinner...  yet...  the day flying by...  suddenly it’s supper time...  chicken still hard as a rock from the freezer (microwave still on back order  ~sigh~ ) Quick decision?  Pizza night!  Thursday night special...  a pie and eight chicken wings...  sounds like a plan...  quick salad 🥗 and dinner is delivered and served! 

Sometimes it’s good to have a night off from the kitchen ☺️

Vaccine appointments seem to be loosening up a bit as more supply becomes available...  CDC is expected to issue guidelines for vaccinated folks in the coming days...  when you are eligible make that appointment and #GetYourJabOn  in the interim...  double mask up...  dash through the market aisles...  limit all interactions and wash those germy hands😷💕

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Porterhouse with Farro, Napa Cabbage Slaw and Broccoli & Citrus Plate

 Quarantine supper tonite...  Live from NYC...

Today the lamb arrived...  52°F...  sunshine...  light breeze...  a big taste of spring...  lots of folks out walking...  light jackets...  smiling beneath masks...   neighbors waving to one another across streets and backyards...  flocks of birds circling overhead...  a pair of hawks riding thermals...  squirrels chasing one another up and down tree trunks...  leaping branch to branch...  life returning to the Big Defrosting Apple. 

Visited the greenhouse in the warmth of afternoon between appointments...  no jacket required...  soon time to clear out winters debris...  preparing for spring plantings...  the structure weathered the season without ill effect...  itching to start vegetables again.  

Supper tonite...  porterhouse steak...  farro with onions and chopped broccoli stems simmered long and low in chicken broth and herbs...  roasted broccoli crowns...  napa cabbage slaw with red onion...  to finish up... a citrus plate of grapefruit mandarin and blueberries. Served alongside a glass of Sauvignon Blanc to round out the meal.  

Mom is feeling well...  no ill effects from her 2nd vaccine yesterday...  she has two weeks more until full efficacy when we can visit her freely...  so pleased she is safer.

Covid still a risk...  until you can #GetYourJabOn you know what to do...  double mask up...   sail through the market...  limit all interactions and wash those germy hands😷💕

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Chili Night

 Quarantine supper tonite...   Live from NYC...

Ineffective sun...  azure skies...  blustery gale...  single digits early morning...  midday a whopping 35°F...  the Lion of March roared today.  

Coffee ☕️ meeting brief this morning...  Vaccine day for Mom...  her second shot.  Picked her and our sweet aide up early and drove them both out to CVS...  set up...  incredibly efficient...  in and out in 30 minutes...   back to Mom’s by mid afternoon.  She is thrilled!  The pharmacist said the vaccine will be at full efficacy in two weeks...  freedom!!  

We already have a date selected for a first dinner with Mom, us and the kids for the last Sunday of the month when all of us will have received two shots and have passed two more weeks...  it’s a surprise for her...   spoke to Mom tonite...  she is feeling well...  no apparent side effects 🥰

Brought the hubs to his late afternoon physical therapy session...  he is progressing well...  beginning exercises to build muscle...  leg presses today...  his slight limp improving.  Mr Sam is coming along...  his head tilt and slight imbalance improving in teeny increments each day...  his appetite, however, is fully restored and he makes no bones about letting us know it...  loud meows to indicate he is dissatisfied with his food levels 😹

It’s chili night in the Big Spicy Apple...  ground turkey...  red kidney beans...  crushed tomatoes...  a beer...  spices...  served with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a bit of grated Gouda...  alongside a cold Newcastle Ale.  So warming on this bitter cold and windy night.

Covid vaccinations forecasted to be proceeding ahead of schedule nationwide...  when you are eligible make that appointment and #GetYourJabOn  until then...  you know what to do...  double mask up...  buzz though the market aisles...  limit all interactions and wash those germy hands 💕😷

How was your day?    What’s on your plate?    Thoughts?

Meatless Monday... Orecchiette with Roasted Tomatoes, Eggplant, Red Onions, Walnuts, Parsley and Parmesan

 Quarantine supper tonite...  Live from NYC...

Bipolar weather today...  morning hours into early afternoon...  drizzle and mild...  3pm skies clearing...  bright blue sunshine... temperatures plunging wind howling....  Tuesday morning temps with wind chill...  single digits...  Squirrels out digging in moist ground...  searching for food in the early dampness...  midday...  scurring back to nests as wind and cold arrive.  March arriving like a lion 🦁 

Coffee ☕️ oatmeal with cinnamon and craisins...  banana snack by midday...  dinner chatter...  meatless monday...  the hubs acquiescing...   not thrilled...  he loves his pound of flesh...  but willing to try...  such a sweetie 🥰

In between appointments and paperwork...  snuck into the greenhouse today...  all quiet on the southern front.  Plants still mostly asleep...  thyme and rosemary both doing well...  collards growing a few new leaves...  carrot tops looking fuller...  gave everyone a good long drink and waved goodbye for now.  

Supper tonite...  fresh pasta...  orecchiette with roasted tomatoes, garlicy eggplant,  red onions...  walnuts...  parsley...  black pepper... olive oil and Parmesan...  indulgent...  flavorful.  Alongside a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and Wild Berry Zinger tea for the hubs.  Dessert...  Girl Scout cookies from Emily’s daughters troop...  so yummy 😋 

Taking Mom for her second vaccine 💉 dose Tuesday...  she is psyched!  More safety in her future...  able to finally see family again after these long months of isolation.  She sounded perky tonite during out evening phone chat...  so pleased for her...  looking forward to the warmer months to have her here for barbecues on the deck with the kids. 

J&J vaccines shipped out today to sites all over the US...  when you are eligible...  make that appointment and #GetYourJabOn...  we need to be all in on this to eradicate the variants and reclaim our freedom...  until then...  you know what to do...  double mask up...  zoom though the market...  limit all Interactions...  and wash those germy hands 💕😷

How was your day?   What on your plate?   Thoughts?

Salmon, Salad, Baked Potato, Sautéed Mushrooms and Citrus Plate... Smoked Salmon with Capers and a Schmear on Rye

 Quarantine supper tonite...   Live from NYC... 

Another rainy gray day in the Big Soggy Apply...  missing the sun...  too miserable for folks to venture out...  even the local wildlife stayed in bed today.  

Coffee ☕️ with rye toast... a schmear...  smoked salmon and capers...  lovely brunch.  Thoughts on dinner...  all ayes for salmon.  Some brief chat... then off to Mom’s...  Sunday visit.  She is chipper...  looking forward to her second vaccination this coming Tuesday...  great anticipation to feel more secure in her health.  The hubs in his workshop completing another project...  feeling happier that he can stand for longer periods with little discomfort.

Supper tonite...  roasted salmon with Olde Bay Seasoning...  crisp green salad...  lime vinaigrette...  baked red potato... sautéed mushrooms with garlic and olive oil...  and a glass of Cabernet 🍷 to accompany.  Dessert...  grapefruit and orange segments with blueberries.

The UK variant becoming the dominant strain amongst new cases in most states...  more transmissible...   more deadly...  when you are eligible make that appointment and #GetYourJabOn until then...  you know what to do...  double mask up...  gallop through the aisles at the market...  limit all interactions and wash those germy hands 😷💕

How was your day?    What’s on your plate?    Thoughts?