Recuperating .......

 Bingo nights always result in a lack of sleep.  I rarely get to bed before 11:30 and DING ... the alarm in my head goes off at 4:00.  I try to lay motionless until 4:30.  The slightest bit of movement proves I'm awake, which is followed by the kid digging holes under my arm.  

If I'm really lucky, I remember to turn the alarm off before opening the back door.  I even posted a HUGE note on the window ... ALARM ... so I don't forget in my morning foggy haze, sans coffee.

So here we are back at the lamby prize Cooper got from my foray into Marshalls.  I have to admit their prices are low and their products exceptional, considering todays economy.  Normally $10, this was $5.  Really nice cotton bath towels regularly $20 at any other store, were $7.  You can't beat that with a stick.

He smelled it the second I came in the door.  Mr. Cooper walked on his hind legs clear across the kitchen.

Maybe this was a mistake.  I listened to this squeaking for the next two hours.  When he pushes it with his nose, that's my cue to throw it.  Repeat ... repeat ... repeat ... you get the picture.  For a fourteen year old pup, he sure has a lot of energy!

At long last I throw my hands up and say NO MORE.  That's his cue to snuggle up with it on the couch.

By noon I was ready to greet the world.  But first ..... GAME CHANGER.  Whoever suggested I toast up the zucchini bread and smother it in butter ... though I'm not sure that last part was included ... is a genius! I'm pretty sure I'm going to eat all four loaves, not even sharing with Jonathan.  Please take a bow ... it was SO much better!!!  I may even make some more!

Since I had an afternoon appointment, I went to cooking up the next batch of Hello Fresh.  As you know, I'm all about easy.  This pork bowl dish was just that.  I have to admit, their ideas of adding grated ginger or lime zest to rice just adds so much more flavor.  This one had lime zest and a little butter added.  

The ground pork (you could easily substitute turkey) cooked up quickly, followed by soy sauce and veggie broth.  Add carrots (already cut up ... I like that part) and it was done.  It took less than 15 minutes. Of course this is the "pretty" picture.

It was topped with a mayo and sweet Thai chili sauce dressing, of which I didn't use much.  The mayo part kind of put me off, but it really wasn't bad after all.  Then came the crispy fried onions.  You can't see much of anything since I smothered it in onions!!  

A little lime juice and VOILA!  A mighty tasty dinner was served!  The best part, I have three more meals in the fridge from this one batch, meaning I don't have to cook for TWO days!!  To make it even better, I don't have to go shopping for ingredients!!  In case you were wondering, I pay $45 for the box.  There are  two meals per box, two servings for each meal.  Because their serving size is always big, that equates to 8 meals for me every time.  

Know what's even BETTER?  Isn't this just gorgeous?  A beautiful little pineapple upside down cake for dessert.  Obviously I inhaled it.  This is my something free for life.  Sometimes I pick breakfast things, sometimes I pick ..... okay MOSTLY I pick ... dessert items.  It was so good I ate it before I could even take a picture.  

Literally the rest of the afternoon, I spent at an appointment.  FINALLY my haircut gal got back from her Panama Canal vacation.  Yup she's that good that customers wait in line.  This is a BEAUTY shop, right?  They are supposed to make you BEAUTIFUL!

Well after three hours, I'm sad to say it didn't work.  When they spin you around in that chair, you expect to see magnificent long curly locks with the face of a 20 year old.  Well not so much!  It's always a shock!!

As usual, it's WAY too short, but as usual, it will grow out ... eventually.  

The rest of the day was spent mostly on the floor with my little old man Cooper.  He can be pretty demanding when it comes to play time.  I might possibly have recuperated just enough for the next Lodge meeting tonight.  When I took this job, I never realized just how much time is required.  I really can't complain I guess ... it's always for a good cause ... and tonight is Law Enforcement Night.  How could I miss that!!!