Mr. Clean The Stalker

 Good morning California!!!  It's PRESIDENT'S DAY and Monday Funday, or more like Monday recover from the fun day.  Mornings used to be a LOT more fun.  I creak, I crack, I'm sore from one end to the other and my hand is cramped up into a fist.  I could hardly unroll it.  That must have been a good fight I was in!!

I spent the first hour playing brain games with my two buddies Patsy and Doug.  At least it keeps THAT part of my body from complaining.  Breakfast is always the same ... English muffin with a scrambled egg.  Mr. Cooper gets half the egg, and is not the least bit shy about telling me so.

I really had nothing on the menu today except to sew and work the puzzles.  Standing at a puzzle is better than sitting on the couch.  Progress once again.  I love this one since I'm all about steam trains, but mostly I love the BIG pieces.

I stitched a couple more squares, but have to admit I don't like the crosses.  They stick out too much.  I may have to make two extra ... from the easiest pattern of course.

Suddenly I heard it.  Mr. Clean came alive and was wandering around the living room.  Cooper almost got run over when he appeared behind my chair in the sewing room.  No no no ... the carpet is too thick in here.  I booted him out the door.  That was a bad idea.  

I finally had to CLOSE the door to keep him out, he was just insistent on entering.  I'm not kidding, for the next 15 minutes he stalked us like a bear on honey.  He hit the door over and over again ... bang bang bang!!!  Just give up and go away.  You are NOT coming in here!!!  Good grief ... this guy is persistent!!  At long last he went away, only to sulk in the corner with a dead battery, having again lost his internet connection.  Today I'll move him closer to the router and see if that helps.

I watched a little rodeo where one of the clowns did a little bullfight.  Not your traditional one, but getting the bull to run at them.  The bulls are bred for this ... and OH MAN ... they are FAST!!  The bullfighter is getting up there in age ... probably 30 something ... and didn't jump QUITE high enough.  Ouchie ouchie!  He got rolled around pretty good, but still jumped up and went at it again.  Oh to be 30 again!!!

While watching that, I had THIS.  I blame Dan Chance for this ... 100%.  He had some popcorn when I was down there, swimming in yummy hot butter.  I left off the butter, but ate the WHOLE THING!  Of course you know it's not any good the next day!!!  I need to buy smaller bags.

For those who would like the cauliflower recipe ... here it is.

One whole cauliflower head that I cut up and cooked in the microwave.  You could boil it if you wish, which might have been easier.  Chop that up into 1/2" pieces.

In a bowl, combine a room temperature block of cream cheese, 1/3 cup mayo, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp black pepper and 1/4 tsp salt.  Then stir in 1 cup (or 2 like I did) of grated cheddar cheese.  Dump that over the hot cauliflower and stir.  

I put it in casserole dishes and sprinkled with parmesan like the recipe called for, but I think cheddar would be much better.  I baked it for 20 minutes at 350, just to melt the cheese and brown the top.  This is definitely a KETO recipe.  It almost reads like meat, because I ate a small amount and was full to the brim.

 I was a little disappointed when my Hello Fresh order showed up.  I think I'm going to cancel this one.  This is the celery they gave me, along with one carrot that was so rotten on the end it was soft.  

I was able to scrounge enough of the veggies to make it, but this is not acceptable for the price you pay.

I sautéed the veggies, added the ground beef until cooked, then a little flour, some tomato paste and a cup of water.  WATER?  Yup ... that's what it said.  Then two small packages of beef broth.  Cover with mashed potatoes and white cheddar cheese.   This is the SHOULD look like picture.

Not bad ... not bad at all, except I was afraid to leave my pan under the broiler since I didn't know if it was oven safe or not.  This shepherds pie is one of my favorite meals.  I'll just have to get the ingredients myself from now on.

Back to the OTHER puzzle since I can't sit for long and not be bored to death ... there was a little progress.   I gave up quickly since I don't really have good light to see the colors on the pieces.  I've gone through the piles twice and still not found the final two border pieces.  Maybe I'll finish it by Christmas!

Today I'll be resting up ... maybe even take a nap if I can.  Who am I kidding, that will never happen.  Oh yes, it's Bingo time again ... a night of Kings, Knights, Ladies in Waiting and of course the PEASANTS.  Here's hoping the infernal machine keeps its brain intact for the 20 minute ride to the lodge.  Wish me luck!!!