the calm before the storm...

 ...I did pack my suitcase.  It will weigh over 45 pounds, because one more bag of ground coffee has to go into it.  The limit is 50, and Char has some things she wants to stuff into it.  To be fair, I am bringing chocolate chip cookie mix and brownie mix, and three bags of coffee, plus a huge-0 jar of Nescafe Gold espresso powder.  I also have a little fan in there, as there is no A.C. in the apartments there, and shh, some of us princesses like to have a fan blowing on us while we sleep.  

Remember, I am the princess and the pea about my bed.  It has double foam mattress padding on it, because Paul likes the bed to be more firm, so we folded the whole thing to my half.  It's kind of hilarious, but oh so comfy.  For this vacation, I'll be sleeping on a bottom bunk, and I'm pretty sure there will be suffering involved, as I'm not about to check another bag and stuff a foam mattress in it, although if money were no object....hmmmm.

When you get older, there is always suffering involved.  When you're young, you just sit in a chair.  When you're me, you size up that chair, make sure you won't break it, then if you decide it's sturdy, you wonder the whole time if you'll be able to get up out of it.  

Anyway.  I am packed.  My backpack is full of snacks:  pistachios, nuts, protein bars, a few hydration packets, candy, peanut butter Monster Mix from Target.  I hope this doesn't happen again, although it was quite funny:  When we went to Norway last year, the young TSA agent kid said only take out food items from your carry-ons/backpacks.  So, I started pulling out food items.  Easter candy (several bags) (was bringing for my niece), popcorn, protein bars...there was a big pile, and I was telling the agent that this was my worst nightmare, so embarrassing, and he said okay, you can stop now.  Wait, I said, don't you want to see the giant bag of beef jerky?  How giant?  he asked...it was too funny.  

Anyway.  There are 27 from our family going, 8 of my kids, five spouses, and 12 of the grandkids, and Paul and I.  So it won't hurt to have some good snacks in the backpack.  

I didn't sleep so well last night, the travel anxiety is beginning.  I am not really worried, but my body is.  I need to write another list of last minute things, like the phone cord.  I have smartened up through the years, a second toothbrush and hairbrush are worth their weight in gold, you don't have to remember to pack last minute.  I am wearing the thinnest gauze fabric sleeveless dress, and bringing my sweatshirt for the flight.  I walk better in sneakers, but packing them and wearing the Birkenstocks seems like what's going to happen.  

I just cleaned out the refrigerator.  No matter how hard I try, it's easy to waste food, mostly fresh produce.  A bunch of celery, some cucumbers, the last of some salad mix.  Right now of course, here in the USA, you want to avoid eating those things, even if you wash them thoroughly, there is a parasite going around which causes explosive diarrhea.  Of all the diarrhea types, this sounds the most menacing.  Add this to the list of things I can worry about happening on the plane:)

It is very hot out today, going up to 97, and very humid.  I have not ventured outside.  I love sitting in the sun, but the deck will be roasting.  

Little Miss Sunshine got a new pink collar...she's excited that Sam and Grace are going to move in here and watch her.  She gets so excited when the kids come over, she has to get one lick in for each child.  I think that's how she keeps track of them.

Miss Charlotte Claire, can you tell we've been watching House of the Dragon?  

I forgot to post this the other day, our pedicure...Miss Char and I.  

So the day goes on, and I've puttered and kept busy, and here I am again...dinner tonight was just for me.  The girls brought home food when they got out of work early and had errands to do.  Paul had a big lunch, so I decided on eggs...blah, sometimes eggs are blah.  Chaffles!  They were SO good!

Okay, I can't claim these are totally Keto, but...they are mostly low carb.  As you can see, I added some raspberry puree, from the Mennonite store, freshly picked blueberries, and some whipped cream.

The recipe I used:  1/4 cup almond flour with 1/2 tsp. baking powder, a teaspoon of coconut sugar, and a sprinkle of nutmeg,  whisked in a bowl.  In a 4 cup measure, I beat 3 eggs, added a splash of vanilla.  Into the egg, one cup of finely shredded mozzarella cheese (trust me, you don't taste this!).  Add it all together, it makes three nice sized waffles that are really filling.  You don't have to add the coconut sugar, or the jam or whipped cream, they can be made savory with salt and pepper, to eat with burgers, ect.  But.  They totally hit the spot this afternoon, so yummy.  I used the bowl waffle maker, which was a thrift store find.

All right, you all have a nice few weeks, I'm sure I'll have some adventures!