It is much drier outside today, not so much in the basement. I don't think the sump pump has stopped running since Saturday. I am just very happy that it is working. *knocks wood for a long time* We are back in that place where everything is breaking down and getting screwed up.
Last week, the washing machine was leaking. Then it didn't the next few days so I thought it was just a weird fluke. Next was the dishwasher. That is still up in the air, we haven't run it since but I am pretty confident that the problem is going to start again, just like the washing machine did yesterday. And in spite of all my deep cleaning and crazy efforts to make sure all of the pantry pests are gone, I boiled up two different boxes of pasta last night and had to throw them out.
A couple of weeks ago, I took *everything* out of my cabinets and pantry, opened everything that I could, and anything that was questionable, I tossed out. What I had been doing with the pasta was before I even cooked it, I would put it on paper towels on a cookie sheet, sift through to make sure nothing else was in there.
I was making orzo with asparagus, lemon, and parm cheese. Everything was going perfectly- the asparagus was blackened in the cast iron skillet and sauteed with the garlic, all ready to be tossed together with orzo. I opened the *sealed cellophane bag* of orzo and poured it slowly into a shallow bowl, stirring it to look really carefully for anything that didn't belong. Poured that into the pot of boiling water-- still nothing but pasta. Whew- I am thrilled, everything is on time, the table is already set- yahoo! Dinner wasn't stressful at all. I add the lemon juice and parm cheese to the asparagus so all lI need to do is add the cooked orzo. Drain orzo and *&*$#&*^#@#*(, there was a small little flying bug like a gnat in there. ^%^$##))@! I bring the colander to the garbage and I am not sure if you have even done this, but it is really hard to pour a colander of orzo into a garbage pain while your glasses are completely fogged up from the steam. Only about half of the orzo made it into the can. The rest of it was down the front, the back, in the handle, and onto my feet. I also don't know if you have ever tried to clean hot and wet orzo from the floor but it was impossible! You can't use a brush/dustpan. You can try a paper towel but they just kind of smear. My last hope was the dogs-- they were nowhere to be found!!
I start a fresh pot of water, grab a box of penne, pour that onto the cookie sheet, and push it all around. I don't see a darn thing other than pasta. Nothing, not a speck anywhere. The water boils and I put the penne in a handful at a time. Whew. Then I poke the asparagus that has been sitting way too long in the skillet and is looking a bit past its prime. Whatever. I pour the penne into the colander ( my glasses off so they don't fog again and I can see every last noodle as it goes in)-- looking good!
*&^&^$%#^()^%$%$#%$()_!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THERE IS A TINY BUG ON TOP OF THE PENNE!!!!!!!!!!!! JUST TAUNTING ME.
OMG, I swear I could have burst into tears but I had to have been dehydrated after standing over the hot stove for an hour and a half.
So I have this overcooked pan of asparagus and not an ounce of energy to make attempt #3 with pasta. Called the family down said- you are all on your own. Took some leftovers out of the fridge, Cait made a tomato and cheese sandwich and that was that.
Scott's friend is going to be here for dinner tonight and I hope they don't mind a bit of extra protein in their pasta. JK-- I am going to look really carefully at the pasta again- I bought three boxes last week so they should be safe to use but if not, I will run out to get one this afternoon or send someone.
Wishing everyone a GREAT day!!
Last week, the washing machine was leaking. Then it didn't the next few days so I thought it was just a weird fluke. Next was the dishwasher. That is still up in the air, we haven't run it since but I am pretty confident that the problem is going to start again, just like the washing machine did yesterday. And in spite of all my deep cleaning and crazy efforts to make sure all of the pantry pests are gone, I boiled up two different boxes of pasta last night and had to throw them out.
A couple of weeks ago, I took *everything* out of my cabinets and pantry, opened everything that I could, and anything that was questionable, I tossed out. What I had been doing with the pasta was before I even cooked it, I would put it on paper towels on a cookie sheet, sift through to make sure nothing else was in there.
I was making orzo with asparagus, lemon, and parm cheese. Everything was going perfectly- the asparagus was blackened in the cast iron skillet and sauteed with the garlic, all ready to be tossed together with orzo. I opened the *sealed cellophane bag* of orzo and poured it slowly into a shallow bowl, stirring it to look really carefully for anything that didn't belong. Poured that into the pot of boiling water-- still nothing but pasta. Whew- I am thrilled, everything is on time, the table is already set- yahoo! Dinner wasn't stressful at all. I add the lemon juice and parm cheese to the asparagus so all lI need to do is add the cooked orzo. Drain orzo and *&*$#&*^#@#*(, there was a small little flying bug like a gnat in there. ^%^$##))@! I bring the colander to the garbage and I am not sure if you have even done this, but it is really hard to pour a colander of orzo into a garbage pain while your glasses are completely fogged up from the steam. Only about half of the orzo made it into the can. The rest of it was down the front, the back, in the handle, and onto my feet. I also don't know if you have ever tried to clean hot and wet orzo from the floor but it was impossible! You can't use a brush/dustpan. You can try a paper towel but they just kind of smear. My last hope was the dogs-- they were nowhere to be found!!
I start a fresh pot of water, grab a box of penne, pour that onto the cookie sheet, and push it all around. I don't see a darn thing other than pasta. Nothing, not a speck anywhere. The water boils and I put the penne in a handful at a time. Whew. Then I poke the asparagus that has been sitting way too long in the skillet and is looking a bit past its prime. Whatever. I pour the penne into the colander ( my glasses off so they don't fog again and I can see every last noodle as it goes in)-- looking good!
*&^&^$%#^()^%$%$#%$()_!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THERE IS A TINY BUG ON TOP OF THE PENNE!!!!!!!!!!!! JUST TAUNTING ME.
OMG, I swear I could have burst into tears but I had to have been dehydrated after standing over the hot stove for an hour and a half.
So I have this overcooked pan of asparagus and not an ounce of energy to make attempt #3 with pasta. Called the family down said- you are all on your own. Took some leftovers out of the fridge, Cait made a tomato and cheese sandwich and that was that.
Scott's friend is going to be here for dinner tonight and I hope they don't mind a bit of extra protein in their pasta. JK-- I am going to look really carefully at the pasta again- I bought three boxes last week so they should be safe to use but if not, I will run out to get one this afternoon or send someone.
Wishing everyone a GREAT day!!
