ANOTHER TASTE TEST

Oh my goodness, we are in for it today.  Mother Nature is having hot flashes again!  We should not be this hot until June!!  This morning's low temperature is 69 degrees.  It was 6:30 when Mr. Cooper and I went out for a walk, me wearing shorts and a t-shirt.   

I admit though, it's the best time to take the kid out.  No traffic, no dogs running loose, just a nice quiet walk.  

THIS is what happens when you get BACK from the walk and you get distracted.  I was on my way to the laundry room when my phone rang.  I dropped everything and ran out of the room.  When I returned, THIS is what I found.  COOPER!!!  What are you doing?  

This usually sweet kid can make the biggest mess by trying to "hide" his  B  A  L  L   in or around anything on the floor, then digging it out.  Sticking that wet slimy thing in my tennis shoes is his favorite.  

Back to the news ... we have a new Pope.  I'm not Catholic, but most of my friends are, and this ceremony is fascinating to watch.  A few days ago when I first saw it on TV, I was surprised to hear there was a Cardinal from America.  I said in my weird little head ... I bet he wins.  Wouldn't that just be amazing?

On the other hand, I was thinking they always vote for someone from Europe.  How surprised was I to hear they DID elect Pope Leo XIV .. from Chicago!  

I was driving to the store just minutes after that announcement, when I looked up.  This is what I saw.  Is this an omen?  Or cloud seeding.  No kidding, I could not count the number of crosses in the sky.  We have a lot of jet traffic right overhead constantly, but THIS ... this was everywhere you looked for as far as the eye could see.  Dozens and dozens of crosses.  Maybe it's a sign.

This was my main focus at the moment.  Mr. Jonathan had chewed his perch right in half, in spite of the many chew sticks I give him.  I have to buy dowels and try to saw holes in the ends in order to get them to stay in between the wires of the cage.  I only sawed off PART of one thumb.  The rest of me is intact.  

Cooper's best bud came to visit again.  You can tell the sidewalk is scorching hot.  These guys are out in full force this year.  I see dozens of them everywhere.  Another sign, I'm sure, but of WHAT?  

At the end of the day, I was looking for something sweet and cool.  What could be better?  Another internet recipe to test for you.  Remember, I eat this so you don't have to!!

So today it was a melted can of lemonade, beat to death with cream cheese.  Here's the thing about cream cheese.  It doesn't like anything liquidy.  It just does not blend smoothly.  There was soon lemonade with bits of cream cheese all over the counter and my toaster oven.  

Next up, beat in Cool Whip.  This one is zero sugar.  I probably should have used the HARD WIRED version, including enough sweet to put me in a sugar coma.  

Needless to say, it made a LOT.  I filled up ten dessert cups and stuck them in the freezer.  This was left over and I just stuck it in the fridge like the lady said.  An hour later I tried it out.  Boy oh boy is it ever sour!!  OOOweeeeee!  That was like sucking on a lemon!  

Of course you know I ate it, because I have to report on the flavor.  It was way too soft and didn't set up well, but if you like lemon, it was delicious!!  Too bad that a few hours later, it had started to separate in the bowl.  That's not good, so of course I had to eat it immediately before it got any worse.  I'm sure the freezer ones will be MUCH better.

And so ended another day as I ratcheted myself up for today's chop and hack at the lodge. SO much to do with so few people this year, and for the first time ever, I'm rather nervous about it.  Wish me luck!!!