Oh That Cool Breeze Feels Soooo Good!

September 13, 2015

Good morning.  It's 8 a.m. and the cool breeze coming in through the open door is just heavenly.  The sun isn't out yet so it's a bit cloudy, but the cool air feels just wonderful.  Pogo and I got up early this morning and had our breakfast.  Mmmmm.   Steak and eggs for Pogo, and fried potatoes and scrambled eggs for moi.  Yum!

I'll bet you're wondering how that beef stew came out.  Right?  I was afraid you'd ask.  Well, it only took me close to an hour to figure out how to get the pressure cooker turned on.  I know, sounds like such a simple task, huh?   But I kept reading over the instructions until I finally got it right. 

Once I was ready to cook, I first had to brown the meat.  There is a "Brown" button on the cooker, so I pressed this and waited.  Hmmm,  nothing happened.  Finally I took out the induction burner, placed a frying pan on it, put the meat in and browned it.  Then I dumped all the meat back into the cooker. 

I added the onions, carrots, potatoes, liquids and seasoning and sat back and waited.  Nothing.  After thirty minutes, I realized something wasn't right.  I shut the cooker off.  I read the book again, and turned the cooker back on.  I did this two or three times until I got it right.  Then I sat down, happily awaiting my pot to finish cooking the stew. 

Unfortunately, after a while, the cooker started steaming like an old steam engine.   I grabbed the instruction book to find out what to do.  In the end, I had to shut the cooker off and unplug it.  Once all the steam was gone, I started over.  As soon as the cooker built up some pressure, the steam came pouring out again. 

Okay.  Time to shut everything down and get out a burner and a large pot.  I finished the stew the old fashioned way.  In a large pot on a burner.  So much for me and modern technology.  I did have me a bowl of the stew, and considering all the trouble it was to cook, it didn't taste too bad.  Not my best accomplishment, you understand, but sort of tasty and edible.  I put it all in a huge covered bowl, and the dwarfs can have it for their supper later today.

Tomorrow I will call the manufacturer to find out if (a) I did something wrong, or (b) the steam valve is faulty.   Want to take bets on what their answer will be?  Hmmm?   I'm just thankful I wasn't trying to cook a four pound pot roast.   In a few days, I'll try the pork chop recipe (that I bought all the ingredients for).  Only I'll be cooking it in a pan on a burner.

Well, I may be a bit technically challenged when it comes to all these fabulous new machines and devices, but I must be doing something right..  I got a card in the mail on Friday, that had me walking around for two days with a huge Cheshire cat smile on my face.  Even that wicked pressure cooker couldn't wipe this smile off my face.

I've had plenty of thank you's before, but my youngest grandson, Kevin, took the time to sit down and write his out in a note and mail it.   Kevin, you are such a joy to me.  I love you, and I'm blessed to have you for my grandson.

I've always been a "cheap date."  The littlest things make me the happiest.  A smile, a hug, a wagging tail, a hand written note.   But then, you can't put a price on happiness.   I have been so very blessed, and for this I am grateful.

Well, I've talked your ear off, so before I go, I have another pretty plant to share.  This is called an Angel Orchid (Habenaria Grandifloriformis).  Rather appropriate for today I think.

Now I'm going to enjoy my coffee and do a bit of blog reading.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.