The Wall...

Allow me to clarify...this post has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with Pink Floyd.  Around these here parts there is a different 'Wall.'  One of which I have hinted about for a week or so.  I decided since it was Sunday and there were a couple of things which caused reason for celebration, I would delve into the mysteries of the 'Wall' and discuss.  All both fascinating and humorous.  Quite possibly the understatement of the year.  I'll get to all of that in a moment.  Patience, people!  It makes us better human beings....and it is virtuous!  Who wouldn't want to be virtuous??  I can only imagine how good that looks on your resume...

Back to the celebration...aside from a clean apartment and laundry, we have reached a milestone of sorts.  One I never fathomed. I do not routinely check my blog traffic.  I don't like to jinx myself and it is not as though I am encompassed with good luck.  I'll have you know, as of this evening, I broke the 400 mark.  I had over 400 checker-outers!  That made me smile. (not as much as T.G.), but a huge smile none-the-less.  I cannot thank you all enough, and if I knew your addresses, and if my handwriting wasn't so poor, and if I stationary, and stamps, I would personally send you all thank-you cards.  My parents did teach me good manners.  I know better.  I really, really would.  So, I'll send out a virtual thank you, which isn't quite as personal.  But I sooo appreciate your support.  This is fun, and I quite enjoy writing .  Your loyalty is astounding...and also a virtue, in case you were a curious sorta cat!

Alright...back to the 'Wall.'  Anyone gotta a tissue???  hahahaha...  The 'Wall' is a spot over on Marigold where an eclectic group of individuals hang out.  I officially was inducted into said group two weeks ago.  Now that I am a member, there are seven of us.  Three guys, three girls and me..oh, I'm a girl, in case there was any confusion.  As to not overwhelm you with information, I will start off discussing the guys of the group.  I'll save the gals for tomorrow. Amongst this group, I am the only one gainfully employed.  Most of them are from the retirement community down the block...except for Adam.  He and I are the only ones under 40.  They all tell the same stories over and over and over...and we do gossip.  Gossip is fun.  Shhhhhh...that's a secret.  I do not generally gossip, ever!  hahahahaha.  Tom is around  50...very nice guy, taking care of his terminally ill uncle and has a sassy, cute little chihuahua named Petey.  Russ is in his mid 60's...always swears that if he were 30 years younger I'd be his girlfriend, tends to drink way too much and used to play football for the Oakland Raiders back in the mid-late '60's.  Boy, the stories he tells.  He's a hoot!  Then there is Adam....he is from Ohio, has lived here about a month in the apartment complex across the street, is an ex-Marine, and looks SPECTACULAR in a white T-shirt.  Just sayin'.  That sort of thing doesn't usually make me go weak in the knees..but, mmmm, yeah..if I were 24 again....the possibilities...

"Mama...you're old enough to be his Mama....Shame on you!  But you have my approval!!  I do like his white T-shirt!"

She takes after me, as I have always professed.  No, we didn't spend our day dreaming about cute little ex-marines from across the street.  I had an agenda, and am a realist...he'd be like, "look old lady, take your cane and get outta my face!"   No time to waste on such nonsense!  Again, I blame the heat....that and white T-shirts...they should be illegal!

We did quite a bit of cooking today...I like to be all fancy-pants on the weekend.  As you are well aware, I have way tooo much free time on my hands.  I do my best to stay out of trouble.  My cape was in the wash, so.....I worked on my Ninja skills.  I am improving, in case anyone was wondering...

I had the other half of my game hen to cook.  I decided to make that, along with potatoes and spinach.  Spinach is a very underrated vegetable.  Quite tasty, if you ask me.  But do you know of a word that rhymes with spinach??  That's sorta-kinda-maybe driving me crazy, just a bit.  No cause for concern.  No need to send out the guys in white coats carrying straightjackets and such..

The other half of my hen...I browned the skin....it was just the right thing to do.  However, be sure and wear a brand new white sundress while doing said task.  It's all about ruining new clothes.  Would someone please send me an apron?!?!?!?

Here is my after photo...Gorgeous, crispy skin.  Things don't get much better than that...they probably do...but I'm at a loss at this point....

I made my own intrepretation of chicken saltimbocca.....Here is my sage and prosciutto.  They rock, and roll as well...and can play the cello!

I placed sage leaves atop the game hen and wrapped in the prosicutto.  Zero regrets!  Four out of five 'That Guy's' would approve...I know my stuff!

I proceeded to bake it in an oven for about 20 minutes.  For that I do have regrets.  It was hot around here today!  I need to find more summer-friendly recipes....But rather tasty.  Totally worth my pain and suffering...I'm a martyr....just in my free time, of course!

I wasn't stupid...and I did not place this hot pan on my carpeting.  I'm learning.  It's taking some time...I will eventually be a-ok!

Along with my game hen, I served whipped potatoes with garlic and creamed spinach.  Both were remarkable!!  Again, that may be a bit of an overstatment..but I hadn't eaten all day.

Here are my spinach components.

A roux of butter/flour (I feel soooo French!), cream, nutmeg, onion, garlic and spinach!  Award-winning combination!

Once the above mentioned ingredients were brought together...they may for a splendid side...

Even Popeye is jealous at this point!  Again, merely an observation...

The game hen was in need of a comfy place to rest...so I thought whipped potatoes would be most appropriate...

I've said this before...the bomb shiggaty!

"Oh, Mama...hurry up!!  I'm sooooo hungry!!!!  Don't subject a dog to drooling!"

I plated everything.  However, I am not particularly fond of the appearance.  Something is off.  It tasted very good...I just was not pleased...too much food.  Maybe that was it.

May I present....dinner.  Can I get a little finger clap????  Just a little bit???  Are those crickets I hear???  Hello???

Be sure and take advantage of your pan juices.  They add an excellent accent to the dish...

After we ate, we hung out at the wall for a bit.  Tom was the only one around.  I have actually been listening to Mumford and Sons today...it's sort of like The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie...I fought being a fan every step of the way.  I just couldn't help myself.  I have little-to-zero restraint...Again, it is something on which I am working.   One of these days I will be totally put together.  hahahahahahha.  Probably not.

My herbs are almost dry...and I had no choice but to move them outside to the veranda.  They're in a vulnerable position.  That Guy...where are you...I accepted your application!  This is an urgent matter...before spiders take over and such..

I straight-up fired Grumpy Smurf...now he has a reason to be grumpy.  Then I threw him off my veranda.  It was an ugly fight.  We'll leave it at that...

"Awww, Mama...you should be nicer to Smurfs!"

Thanks again to you all.......As previously mentioned, your support keeps me going.  I could not do this without you!!   We'll be here tomorrow...so watch out!