1. January 29th is National Puzzle Day. Do you enjoy puzzles? What kind (crossword, jigsaw, sudoku, etc)?  How often do you work a puzzle? 

I don’t really do many anymore, though I play a game called Puzzle Combat, which is really more like Bejeweled. We used to do a lot more because my oldest had an affinity for them; he could do any puzzle at a very young age. That’s one of those sore spots for me though because he’s so smart and yet, hates school.

2. Something you currently find ‘puzzling’? 

As I am writing this on Tuesday, and as I mentioned in my Tuesday post, it’s puzzling that I feel such mental clarity, from my now 36 hour fast, but also, the creeping body aches that come along with sickness. My two boys are both ill and I am trying to not get it. In 2017 everyone in my house got the flu but I did not. I was a lot less healthy than I am now but I took my essential oils and even though I stayed home to take care of them all, I never did get it. So here’s to mindset I guess.

3. What’s your go-to dish to take to someone who needs a meal (new baby, bereavement, etc)? 

I’d just make a lasagna. They freeze and reheat well. I make a pretty good one that I feel is basic enough for anyone to enjoy. I make a sauce with crushed tomatoes and one can of tomato sauce. Start by browning ground beef (but not a ton!) and add simple spices, garlic salt, onion powder, salt, pepper. Remove meat and heat your minced garlic. Then add both cans of sauce. Stir. Add pepper and Italian seasoning. Stir well. Now add parmesan cheese and sugar. Let simmer. Then add meat. Let simmer and season to taste. Then I cheat and use oven-ready lasagna noodles. Base layer of sauce, 3 sheets, spread ricotta (into which I mixed one egg, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, parmesan and mozzarella), layer sauce and mozzarella (on this and top layer only), repeat until done and top with mozz and lots of parmesan.

4. Do you watch any HGTV and/or The Food Network? If so, what’s your favorite program there? 

We don’t watch any TV anymore, unless you count live sports. We used to though and loved so many of those HGTV shows, almost all of them. The one that got me into it was House Hunters and funny enough, Ash’s brother was really into it when I first met him. Which is odd, since he was like, in high school. Now for Food Network, I loved Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Guy Fieri never irritated me, I guess.

5.  Wrap up your January in five words, with a five word phrase, or with a five word sentence. 

Long, Cold, Survival, Beer, Session

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Sorry I didn’t post yesterday; I totally could have. I stayed home with Isaac because I felt like he needed me to prod him. He had pretty nasty virus but after walking, sitting in the sun, and generally looking more positively, he’s doing much better. He is still home today because the leftover congestion has his voice week and he’s hacking up a lung every six seconds but he’s on the mend.

It was nice being home, even if it meant putting myself in danger of getting sick. I washed sheets and towels, painted the ceiling in the sun room, sat outside for some sun myself, took a quick nap, and generally tidied up the house. I even made a nice dinner! I made my fancy mac and cheese (the kind reserved for Thanksgiving and Christmas) along with green beans and two different kinds of chicken in the air fryer, to suit all parties. I was very proud.

Do I feel a little of the ick creeping in? Maybe a little but it’s not bad. Just sinusy. Here’s hoping that it’s all I’ll experience and I can move on. After all, my oldest had a sore throat for two days and never did get sick.