A Sweet Surprise

I love surprises, although NOT the kind that cause grief, like mud streaming down the sides of your rig right after you washed it, or possibly running out of fuel.  I'm into pleasant surprises, like this shop that quilts all the beautiful pieces of fabric we chop up and reassemble.

I began the day parked outside this building with two quilts ready to be stitched.  Even though it was 9:30 (and the sign said we open at 9:00), alas the door was locked up tight.  Keep in mind it took me 40 minutes to get there.  I called the number and discovered she was on her way.  She must live as far away as I do because it was after 10:00 when she arrived.

The pleasant result is that they are cheaper than my California quilter.  No surprise there, since everything is more expensive in California.

Then I was off to a furniture store looking for a nice SOFT headboard.  With two dogs sleeping on the bed who growl at my slightest movement, there's barely enough room for me without banging my head.  I'll relegate the hardwood headboard to the guest room.  To my surprise, I found exactly what I was looking for.  Pictures to come when it's delivered.

Finally back home, I picked up my mail.  Previously, I debated whether to call Mauna Loa regarding their small 6 ounce jar of nuts, purchased WELL before the pull date.  They were so rancid I could barely eat them.  At $9 a bottle, I was rather irritated.

I gave the gal all the pertinent information, and what to my surprise arrived in the mail yesterday?  Not one but TWO TEN OUNCE bags of nuts for free!  Now THAT'S the kind of surprise I like!!

On the other hand, THIS surprise I could have done without.  There are three humongous pork chops hidden in the bottom of this pot.  They started out in a frying pan, but by the time I added all the onions, mushrooms and can of mushroom soup, it was full to the tippy top.  I covered it and walked away.  

To my SURPRISE it bubbled over covering half the stove, making the biggest mess you ever did see.  I unceremoniously dumped them into this big stock pot and put it on the back burner.  Take THAT pork chops!!  I let them simmer for the next hour while I cleaned up the mess.

SURPRISE!!!  After a total of 90 minutes on the stove, they were as tough as could be.  I knew I should have used my instant pot.  Although camouflaged by mushrooms, here's only ONE chop on my most expensive dinner plates ... remember the melamine from Williams Sonoma that cost $25 each?

Surprise again ... that was WAY too much food.  So lets just add to the misery by having a piece of key lime pie.  Truly, I did not eat a quarter of a pie.  Surprise!  This is a mini springform pan about five inches across.  If you need a quick dessert, this is it.  

One can sweetened condensed milk, 1/3 cup cream, 1 cup cream cheese and 1/2 a cup of lime juice.  Beat the devil out of it for five minutes.  Add in some grated lime peel and pour into a graham cracker crust.  Ta-Da!!  

It really was delicious, but I ate WAY too much food and no surprise, was miserable most of the night.  I still haven't learned that lesson!

I was rewarded with a beautiful sunset, but in the interest of space, I'll post those pictures tomorrow.  Today I'm going for a long walk and hope there are no more surprises in store for me.