Today, I have tried a new recipe. I made cauliflower patties. They were really yummy. If anyone is interested, here is a rough recipe:
1 Small Cauliflower
1 egg
1/cup bread crumbs
1 medium onion
Salt and Pepper
Olive Oil
1/2 cup shredded cheese (optional)
Boil or steam the cauliflower till it is really cooked. Should be easy to mash. Let it cool and mash it up. Shred the onion and mix everything together real well. You may add 1/2 cup grated cheese if you like but, I did not. If the mixture cannot be shaped since it is watery, you may add more breadcrumbs or flour. I did not have to.
I oiled the baking paper on a baking sheet and shaped the mixture into egg-sized patties. I brushed them with olive oil and baked them till their color turned goldish. They were pretty tasty. I dipped them in hot sauce and sweet and sour sauce while I was eating them. Yum!
Mom and I like to eat only veggies for one meal and meat and salad for the other.
Friday, February 14, 2020
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Nice Day, Interesting Opportunity
Today, I met another BFF (yes, I have more than one, what can I say? I am lucky) and her younger daughter for lunch. The daughter is going to University in Germany and she is fluent in both English and German. Pretty smart kid.
We had a nice time chatting away and it was a very good day.
I called my friend who owns the consulting company and asked her if there is any opportunity in the near future. She said, things were not looking good and she did not think there would be business coming our way any time soon. Bummer! I am ready to work since spending my days doing nothing does not make any sense at my age. Also bringing some extra income would not hurt, would it?
Tonight, I decided to call another friend who was very sick last week. Thankfully, she is feeling better yet, still needing lots of rest. I have found out that she is very upset and overwhelmed over having to break her business partnership. She is buying the business from her partner. She had asked me in the past whether I would be interested in working with them and knowing that her partner was a difficult person, I had bowed out.
She sounded like she would be drowning under her workload to the point that she was going to reject new work. I decided to offer her my help. I told her that, I would help her initially without expecting anything in return to decide whether this job will be suitable for me. If I decide that, it is something I would like to do and can do, we would then sit down to figure out how I will be paid. I also told her that, I would have to spend more time in Ankara but, she assured me most of the work can be done remotely.
She thanked me several times and said our phone call must have had some divine intervention. Lol!
So, we shall see how this will work out. I need work, I need flexibility and time for myself. If we can make this work, I will be happy.
We had a nice time chatting away and it was a very good day.
I called my friend who owns the consulting company and asked her if there is any opportunity in the near future. She said, things were not looking good and she did not think there would be business coming our way any time soon. Bummer! I am ready to work since spending my days doing nothing does not make any sense at my age. Also bringing some extra income would not hurt, would it?
Tonight, I decided to call another friend who was very sick last week. Thankfully, she is feeling better yet, still needing lots of rest. I have found out that she is very upset and overwhelmed over having to break her business partnership. She is buying the business from her partner. She had asked me in the past whether I would be interested in working with them and knowing that her partner was a difficult person, I had bowed out.
She sounded like she would be drowning under her workload to the point that she was going to reject new work. I decided to offer her my help. I told her that, I would help her initially without expecting anything in return to decide whether this job will be suitable for me. If I decide that, it is something I would like to do and can do, we would then sit down to figure out how I will be paid. I also told her that, I would have to spend more time in Ankara but, she assured me most of the work can be done remotely.
She thanked me several times and said our phone call must have had some divine intervention. Lol!
So, we shall see how this will work out. I need work, I need flexibility and time for myself. If we can make this work, I will be happy.
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Crazy Weather
These days, the weather is so weird. Last week, we had many sunny days and it was rather warm. The last three days, it is below freezing even in the middle of the day. Today, we woke up to snow and although it snowed for a while notheing more than two inches stayed on the ground.
Some days we wake up to a glorious sunny day and by noon time, the sky gets very dark and we get rain showers.
It doesn't get very dark before well after 6 p.m. so, that is a welcome sign for Spring. Sometimes March is the coldest month with lots of rain and snow. We shall see how this March is going to be.
Today, I finally donated the clothing items and sheets and what not. My trunk was full. It is nice to claim that space back.
I like to keep my trunk clean and nice so, I have a plastic cover in there. Knowing how sloppy my uncle can be, I had covered that before I went on my vacation.
After dropping the stuff, I took mom to get her prescription, exchange some yarn she had previously bought and to get some lunch. We then went grocery shopping and had tea at a small cafe at the Grocery Store. I think, she is over her cabin fever somewhat and exhausted a bit. Tomorrow, I will meet a very old friend and her daughter for lunch and make some time just for myself.
Tonight, we are having soft tacos and some veggies.
I have earth apples (also known as Jersulaem Artichokes or sunroots), cauliflower, Swiss Chard, celery roots and spinach to cook and serve this week.
Some days we wake up to a glorious sunny day and by noon time, the sky gets very dark and we get rain showers.
It doesn't get very dark before well after 6 p.m. so, that is a welcome sign for Spring. Sometimes March is the coldest month with lots of rain and snow. We shall see how this March is going to be.
Today, I finally donated the clothing items and sheets and what not. My trunk was full. It is nice to claim that space back.
I like to keep my trunk clean and nice so, I have a plastic cover in there. Knowing how sloppy my uncle can be, I had covered that before I went on my vacation.
After dropping the stuff, I took mom to get her prescription, exchange some yarn she had previously bought and to get some lunch. We then went grocery shopping and had tea at a small cafe at the Grocery Store. I think, she is over her cabin fever somewhat and exhausted a bit. Tomorrow, I will meet a very old friend and her daughter for lunch and make some time just for myself.
Tonight, we are having soft tacos and some veggies.
I have earth apples (also known as Jersulaem Artichokes or sunroots), cauliflower, Swiss Chard, celery roots and spinach to cook and serve this week.
Monday, February 10, 2020
Nice Weekend
My SIS and BIL were here over the weekend. I have seen her for the first time in over 4 months so, it was a happy and nice weekend for me.
SIS had some overdue doctor appointments and BIL needed to check up on his parents. He cannot bear to see his mom as an invalid so, every visit is very painful. His dad is a stubborn old man and he drives poor BIL crazy. They have a live-in caregiver but his dad meddles with everything. He is a bit of a penny pincher. However, I also feel sorry for him too because I am sure he is very bored. He is 81 and he probably did not envision this for his retirement life. His wife has become an invalid about 8 years ago due to a stroke and ever since, life has been very difficult for them. BIL is an only child so, whenever he needs help my uncle and I step up but, if he had siblings, it would have been different.
Anyway, I picked up SIS from her last appointment Saturday afternoon and went out for lunch. Afterwards, we ran some errands for her. BIL called as we were getting ready to go home and told us that his father wanted to visit my mom since she was so sick a few weeks ago because of the RA. I guess the poor man gets very bored as well. We told him to bring him for dinner.
I ordered fish from the downstairs fishmonger. They cooked the fish for us and delivered, so, all I had to do was to fix a salad and set the table. I had a grilled salmon whereas, the rest of them had fried whiting. My sister bought some banana and strawberry rolls as dessert, which we served with tea after dinner
We had breakfast yesterday morning and then SIS and BIL went to see his parents. They came home around 5 p.m. and we took care of some things around the apartment for my mom. Then we took them to the airport because it was too cold. It was well below freezing and the wind made it even colder.
SIS and BIL want to buy a small apartment here because, they still have their master bedroom here in the apartment which my mom is now occupying. It is a huge space that mom will eventually need to use. I told them not to rush and look for reasonable places and not spend too much money on a small apartment.
I am still very confused about whether I should move back to Ankara or stay put in Istanbul. I need to go home and be on my own for a while. My uncle will come back in a few days and depending on the road conditions, I will either go to Istanbul right away and come back for mom's control appointment on the 28th or, go after the 28th and spend most of March in Istanbul. Need to think.
SIS had some overdue doctor appointments and BIL needed to check up on his parents. He cannot bear to see his mom as an invalid so, every visit is very painful. His dad is a stubborn old man and he drives poor BIL crazy. They have a live-in caregiver but his dad meddles with everything. He is a bit of a penny pincher. However, I also feel sorry for him too because I am sure he is very bored. He is 81 and he probably did not envision this for his retirement life. His wife has become an invalid about 8 years ago due to a stroke and ever since, life has been very difficult for them. BIL is an only child so, whenever he needs help my uncle and I step up but, if he had siblings, it would have been different.
Anyway, I picked up SIS from her last appointment Saturday afternoon and went out for lunch. Afterwards, we ran some errands for her. BIL called as we were getting ready to go home and told us that his father wanted to visit my mom since she was so sick a few weeks ago because of the RA. I guess the poor man gets very bored as well. We told him to bring him for dinner.
I ordered fish from the downstairs fishmonger. They cooked the fish for us and delivered, so, all I had to do was to fix a salad and set the table. I had a grilled salmon whereas, the rest of them had fried whiting. My sister bought some banana and strawberry rolls as dessert, which we served with tea after dinner
We had breakfast yesterday morning and then SIS and BIL went to see his parents. They came home around 5 p.m. and we took care of some things around the apartment for my mom. Then we took them to the airport because it was too cold. It was well below freezing and the wind made it even colder.
SIS and BIL want to buy a small apartment here because, they still have their master bedroom here in the apartment which my mom is now occupying. It is a huge space that mom will eventually need to use. I told them not to rush and look for reasonable places and not spend too much money on a small apartment.
I am still very confused about whether I should move back to Ankara or stay put in Istanbul. I need to go home and be on my own for a while. My uncle will come back in a few days and depending on the road conditions, I will either go to Istanbul right away and come back for mom's control appointment on the 28th or, go after the 28th and spend most of March in Istanbul. Need to think.
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Not a great day
Yesterday I felt the right side of my throat was aching slightly. I ran my errands and did not think much of anything else. Last night, I woke up not only with the sore throat but also, my stomach and esopaghus on fire. It felt like I had swallowed acid.
Luckily, the medicine drawer is in my room and I found a bottle of Gaviscon. I took a table spoonful and the burn gradually went away. I attribute that to eating too much spicy hot food lately. Today I ate very bland food and my stomach feels completely normal. The throat soreness is also fading away too.
So, I am taking it easy today. Tomorrow I need to drop off extra clothing items, sheets and things like that at a charity place and also go grocery shopping. It looks like snow is on our way so, I must stock up on certain items so that we do not have to go out next week if we do not have to.
Today started as a sunny and bright day but it quickly changed and now it is raining and snowing at the same time. The temperature has dropped significantly as well.
Then there are sad news affecting the nation; an avalance that took 33 lives, a plane crash during a bad landing which killed 3 passengers so far. Feeling very down.
Hoping for something uplifting. Soon, please...
Luckily, the medicine drawer is in my room and I found a bottle of Gaviscon. I took a table spoonful and the burn gradually went away. I attribute that to eating too much spicy hot food lately. Today I ate very bland food and my stomach feels completely normal. The throat soreness is also fading away too.
So, I am taking it easy today. Tomorrow I need to drop off extra clothing items, sheets and things like that at a charity place and also go grocery shopping. It looks like snow is on our way so, I must stock up on certain items so that we do not have to go out next week if we do not have to.
Today started as a sunny and bright day but it quickly changed and now it is raining and snowing at the same time. The temperature has dropped significantly as well.
Then there are sad news affecting the nation; an avalance that took 33 lives, a plane crash during a bad landing which killed 3 passengers so far. Feeling very down.
Hoping for something uplifting. Soon, please...
Monday, February 3, 2020
A Mango Brings Back Memories
Today, mom and I walked into the grocery store and saw a guy peeling mangoes. He offered us a piece and we bought one to bring home. I do not normally buy mangoes because, I cannot be sure of the ripeness. When they are cleaned, it is easier to pick one that is really yummy.
As for the memory; it is really kind of both stupid and funny. Many years ago, when I was working for a large international company, my boss at the time was very keen on participative management. One day, he decided that all senior and middle management should get together on a weekend every 6 months or may be every quarter to talk about the status of zompany goals, new opportunities and play some games to encourage team work and such. He also said that, we should name these meetings and offered a poll for suggestions. Most people rolled their eyes and did not make a suggestion or made suggestions like "Quarterly Management Meetings" etc. Knowing that he would be upset about not enough people participating, at the last hour before the poll closing time, I came up with: MANGO meaning Management Goes Off-Site.
Lo and behold, my boss loved it and found it very creative ?!?! Really? They were going to give me the gift of staying at a nice hotel over the weekend but, the place was too far away from where I lived and to me, it wasn't worth the effort. So, I suggested a gift card to my favorite bookstore instead. My boss was beyond pleased with that suggestion. I guess, most people would have liked the hotel stay better. I got my gift card and bought 6-7 books with it.
I am as creative as a fireplace log but hey, I won, didn't I?
As for the memory; it is really kind of both stupid and funny. Many years ago, when I was working for a large international company, my boss at the time was very keen on participative management. One day, he decided that all senior and middle management should get together on a weekend every 6 months or may be every quarter to talk about the status of zompany goals, new opportunities and play some games to encourage team work and such. He also said that, we should name these meetings and offered a poll for suggestions. Most people rolled their eyes and did not make a suggestion or made suggestions like "Quarterly Management Meetings" etc. Knowing that he would be upset about not enough people participating, at the last hour before the poll closing time, I came up with: MANGO meaning Management Goes Off-Site.
Lo and behold, my boss loved it and found it very creative ?!?! Really? They were going to give me the gift of staying at a nice hotel over the weekend but, the place was too far away from where I lived and to me, it wasn't worth the effort. So, I suggested a gift card to my favorite bookstore instead. My boss was beyond pleased with that suggestion. I guess, most people would have liked the hotel stay better. I got my gift card and bought 6-7 books with it.
I am as creative as a fireplace log but hey, I won, didn't I?
Saturday, February 1, 2020
Apple Cobbler and This and That
Mom is on a cortizone treatment and she is basically on a no-salt diet. I am trying to make meals taste edible without using any salt. I cut back on salt consumption significantly too.
We usually have tea in the afternoon. So, I decided to make an apple cobber with the three huge Granny Smith apples I had. Never made it before, so I found a recipe online and it turned out pretty good. I cut back on the sugar by half but, it still tasted fine. I do not like very sweet things.
My BFF says the Turkish Delight, Baklava and the rest of the variations of it are so sweeet and rich and how come I say I do not like sweet stuff? The answer is; I do not eat them. I may have a piece or two of Turkish Delight if I am offered but I never buy it. I am very picky about Baklava and there are just a couple of places that make it absolutely divine and I will have that may be once or twice a year. I buy boxes and boxes of Turkish Delight only when going to the US. Lol!
I need to attend a funeral tomorrow. I had a Physical Ed teacher at HS and her husband just passed. She was my sister's volleyball coach and they are still very close. Mom knows her well too. So, I will represent the family since Sis lives 500 Km away and mom cannot handle standing up so long. I need to go to the Mosque, pay my respects and offer our condolences and come back. I do not intend to go to the cemetery. Unlike Christian ceremonies, the whole thing happens outside the Mosque and is pretty fast.
After that, I will come and pick my mom to go grocery shopping. She has cabin fever and although, I despise going to the grocery store on a weekend, I have decided to do it for her.
As I type this, mom is watching a volleyball game. She is very much into it. My sister quit playing during College but, mom never quit watching. Our Women's National Volleyball Team is pretty succesful and will be participating in the Olympics this summer.
We usually have tea in the afternoon. So, I decided to make an apple cobber with the three huge Granny Smith apples I had. Never made it before, so I found a recipe online and it turned out pretty good. I cut back on the sugar by half but, it still tasted fine. I do not like very sweet things.
My BFF says the Turkish Delight, Baklava and the rest of the variations of it are so sweeet and rich and how come I say I do not like sweet stuff? The answer is; I do not eat them. I may have a piece or two of Turkish Delight if I am offered but I never buy it. I am very picky about Baklava and there are just a couple of places that make it absolutely divine and I will have that may be once or twice a year. I buy boxes and boxes of Turkish Delight only when going to the US. Lol!
I need to attend a funeral tomorrow. I had a Physical Ed teacher at HS and her husband just passed. She was my sister's volleyball coach and they are still very close. Mom knows her well too. So, I will represent the family since Sis lives 500 Km away and mom cannot handle standing up so long. I need to go to the Mosque, pay my respects and offer our condolences and come back. I do not intend to go to the cemetery. Unlike Christian ceremonies, the whole thing happens outside the Mosque and is pretty fast.
After that, I will come and pick my mom to go grocery shopping. She has cabin fever and although, I despise going to the grocery store on a weekend, I have decided to do it for her.
As I type this, mom is watching a volleyball game. She is very much into it. My sister quit playing during College but, mom never quit watching. Our Women's National Volleyball Team is pretty succesful and will be participating in the Olympics this summer.
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