Pho and Snow

Happy three-day weekend to those who are so blessed. I have many small fulfilling things to report this week!

Perhaps the most important is that I refinanced my car loan yesterday. Now my interest rate is more than 4% lower and I also shortened the term. It told me how much I was saving — I think it was just over $1,000. My next target is our car insurance.

That took up Saturday morning. In the afternoon, we headed to N’s swim meet. On the way, I got a free Wawa latte with my points.

Back at home, it was time to start onion seeds. You’ll recall I tested the germination rate of my year-old seeds. When I checked midweek, 90% of the seeds had sprouted!

So that’s one less thing I have to buy. I started 16 small cups with seeds, and also washed and disinfected a whole bunch more. I had some trouble with the seed-starting mix, though — it does not want to get moist; it repels the water. I had this problem last year and am kicking myself that I didn’t test the mix first. So, I went out and bought a new bag and will do a new round tomorrow, and then see which does better.

At night we went out with friends for a couple drinks.

Today, it was snowing all day (though mostly not sticking) and I was all about baking.

My vital wheat gluten arrived and I was excited to try it in my bread. As soon as I added it, I could tell the difference. The dough was springier and less sticky (and, so, easier to knead). But sadly, it did not rise any more than usual. When I cut into it tomorrow, I’ll see if the texture is any different. I suspect it was just too cold in my kitchen for a good rise.

Then we ventured out in the snow to try pho for dinner. It was the first time for all of us except T. It was delicious and exactly the perfect meal for a cold snowy night. We went to Thai Son in Pennsauken.

Post-pho, I made yet another loaf of banana bread, this time using parchment paper so it wouldn’t stick.

Earlier in the week, I called the Pinelands Alliance and got my name added to their volunteer list. My current feeling is that maybe focusing on the environment is the best use of my volunteer/protest energies. A lot of the crazy stuff that is currently going on will hopefully end with this administration. But the degradation of the environment and climate change are long-term, big problems that still probably scare me more than other issues. IDK. Also planning to take part in a cleanup of our local park happening tomorrow.

Further small wins:

• I sold a dog coat on FB Marketplace for $10.

• I cancelled Amazon Prime right after the Eagles lost last week, since Tom said he wouldn’t need it for any more games. Just in time to get my 1/11 payment refunded. (On the flip side, Tom accidentally renewed Apple TV  before I could use the free trial I have.)

Meals last week:

Sunday: Taco salad that used up a lot of stuff on hand: beef, rice, tortilla chips, cheese, onions, frozen corn, guacamole salsa, lettuce.

Monday: Chicken potpies from Haddon Culinary

Tuesday: Spaghetti and meatballs and garlic bread (gravy made partially with garden tomatoes)

Wednesday: Nick and Joe’s pizza

Thursday: PJ’s restaurant. Tom had spent the day in the ER (he’s OK) and really wanted to treat himself afterwards.

Friday: Store-bought taquitos

Saturday: Scrounge (nachos for me)

Sunday: Pho

I packed leftover CPP on Tuesday and bought on Wednesday and Friday.

I started using this app called List Ease that allows you to make and share grocery lists. So, for example, I started a list for Acme, and Tom went midweek and used the list, checking things off as he bought them, and it updates for both of us. I am unduly excited about this. Maybe it will help us eat more real meals this week…

Tomorrow: Park cleanup, lunch with my mom for her birthday, some seed starting, some errands, food shopping and meal planning. Two more weeks of January…