And Then the Coffeemaker Stopped Working

Fidál (Grace), 8 Sharaf (Honor), 170 BE – Tuesday, January 07, 2014 about 12:22 pm Pacific Standard Time

When I fixed my breakfast, it took the microwave fifteen minutes to cook something that should have only taken eight to ten minutes. When I washed the dishes, one-half of the sink backed up while the dishwater was going down the drain. And the final straw of the day, the coffeemaker stopped working.

I suppose the next thing to go out will be the microwave, which will leave me with only the electric skillet. Without a microwave, I cannot reheat the leftover coffee in the carafe or heat water for instant coffee. I only hope and pray that the electric skillet keeps working until I find a new place and move.

There is an opening in Searchlight; unfortunately, it is beyond my budget especially since the utilities are all included. The house, mobile home, or apartment, whichever it is, is all-electric. The house I live in now, and am expecting to leave this month, is all-electric and the power bills are outrageous.

Even if I could figure out a way to afford both the rent and the power bill, I would have to give up the internet connection because I could not afford it. As it is, I may have to give up the internet connect and the internet when I move. If I can find a place I can afford, with the power bills I still have find a way to afford the internet connect or give it up. I suspect if I have to make a choice between paying the power bill and having an internet connection then the connection to the internet will have to go.

I just heard the mail carrier drop letters or something through my door slot, so I have to go see who wants money today. After that, I need to take out some more trash and see if the trashcan in the garage is full. I am posting this now and hoping it is not my last post.

Monday: You Know it's Going to be a Good Day When

Kamál (Perfection), 1 Qudrat (Power), 170 BE - Monday, November 4, 2013 about 8:45 AM Pacific Standard Time

You know it's going to be a good day when...

1.  ...you see a neighbor riding his Harley-Davidson to work;

2.  ...you find the microwavable plastic container that has the leak before you put it in the microwave to reheat last night homemade chicken soup;

3.  ...you have enough left over coffee in the carafe to reheat four cups in the microwave before you have to make fresh coffee;

4.  ...you find enough laundry detergent to wash three or four loads before you have to purchase another bottle of liquid detergent;

5.  ...you don't have to put your cell phone on the charger before making the first call of the day;

6.  ...you find you have a large trash bag of aluminum cans ready to take to the recycling center to sell before Thanksgiving;

7.  ...you check the weather report to find out that there is 0% chance of rain even though there is a cloud cover;

8. ...your virus scan program doesn't take four hours to check you hard drive for threats;

9.  ...you access the internet and go straight to work instead of logging into your favorite online game website;

10.  ...you complete three blog entries before 9:30 AM.

Sunday epiphany

Jamál (Beauty), 10 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur), 170 BE - Sunday, May 26, 2013 about 2:23 PM Pacific Daylight Time

I baked a chocolate cake in the microwave today. I mixed the cake according to the directions on the box and then put it into a microwavable casserole dish because I don't have anything else to use for cakes when I put them in the microwave. It took the cake nine minutes to bake and I'm waiting for it to cool enough to ice.

When I smelled the cake baking, I realized that I don't want to bake cakes any other way. The cake smelled the same as it would in a conventional oven, but I could smell the cake sooner in the microwave. I like baking cakes in microwaves, especially in summer when I don't want to use a regular oven. I also like baking in a microwave in winter because I don't have to wait as long for the item to bake.

microwavable
casserole dishes waiting
for me to make lunch

nine minutes to bake
a dark chocolate fudge cake
what more can I ask

Coffee Under Ordinary Conditions

Istiqlál (Independence), 18 Jalál (Glory), 170 BE - About 2:32 PM Pacific Daylight Time

A few months ago, one of my doctors ask "How much coffee do you drink a day?" I gave him my standard answer to this question "Under ordinary condition three cups." This is true, I make a full 12-cup carafe of coffee, but normally I only drink three cup that day. The next day I warm up the leftover coffee in the Microwave and drink three more cups. This way I only have to make fresh coffee once or twice a week.

The doctor did not ask me to define ordinary conditions, which is just as well. The reason, is that sometimes I drink four or five cups and, under rare conditions, the entire 12-cup carafe. Today is one of those rare conditions because I have already drank six cups and I will no doubt drink the other three cups before the day is over.

The reason for this over consumption of coffee is simple. I ran out of coffee last week and did not have to money to purchase more. This situation occurs every time I run out of coffee and am unable to purchase it for a week. I have decided the best way to prevent this situation is to purchase coffee on the third or fourth of every month whether I need it or not. That way I have a couple of containers stocked up in case I run short of cash.

New Year's Day 2013

Fidal (Grace), 2 Sharaf (Honor), 169 B.E. - Tuesday, January 1, 2013 about 9:05 A.M. Pacific Time

On January 1, my Grandmother always made black eyed peas, so today I have a batch of  black eyed peas in the slow cooker. Yesterday, I washed them and then put them onto soak because this is the way you make black eyed peas. I seldom buy canned black eyed peas, I think it is because Grandma never fixed black eyed peas from a can. When the peas are about done, I add the rest of the ingredients to the slow cooker.

When I went to the grocery store yesterday, I bought a package of cornbread already made and a whole pumpkin pie. All right, when Grandma fixed her New Year's Day meal she always made her own cornbread and pumpkin pies. I buy these items already made because it is easier for me then making them and cleaning up after the meal. In addition, I only have a microwave oven and I have not attempted to make cornbread or bake a pie in the microwave. I will attempt both of those projects sometime in 2013, but not on January 1.

Did you turn your clocks back Sunday morning?

Kamál (Perfection), 2 Qudrat (Power), 169 BE – Monday, November 5, 2012 about 7:30 AM Pacific Time

Daylight savings time ended Sunday, November 4, at 2:00 AM. Did you turn your clocks back before you went to bed Saturday night? Did you turn your clocks back when you woke up Sunday morning? Fortunately, for those of use who have a computer connected to the internet, a cable box with a digital clock, or a cell phone, we did not have to anything to be on time because an app automatically changed the time.

The only clocks in the house I had to turn back is the one on the coffee maker and the microwave. I still have to turn the clock back on the microwave, but I am not worried about that clock because it does not affect the use of the microwave. I turned the clock on the coffee maker back this morning because I may want to set the brew time. I have not used that particular feature on the coffee maker yet, but there is always the possibility I may want to use it.

I thin I am going to start using the automatic brew time this winter. It means I have to make sure there water is in the tank and coffee grounds in the basket the night before, but I normally set those things up the night before anyway. The only reason I have not been using it is leftover coffee, which I warm up in the microwave the next day.

The hot water heater is still draining

Fidál (Grace), 8 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 169 BE – Tuesday, October 23, 2012 about 4:20 PM Pacific Time


The hot water heater is still draining, it’s draining cold water because it is shut off, but it’s still draining. I woke up Monday morning to find water on my living room floor because the hot water tank sprung a leak. Today the tank is still draining and this to shall pass or be soaked up by sheets and blankets.

I’m getting a new water heater as soon as I have everything brought up to code. I have to have earthquake straps, a protective cover for the power cord, and a shutoff switch near the water heater installed. After I take care of those things, my home warranty company will have a plumber install a new hot water heater and I can take a hot shower again. At present, I’m heating water in the microwave for sponge baths and to wash dishes. I’m washing the clothes in cold water, it won’t hurt the sheet and towels to be washed in cold water for a while. I’m also mopping the floors are in cold water, which is all right for a little while.

Recipe of the Week: Potato Microwave Casserole

Jamál (Beauty), 11 Bahá (Splendor), 169 BE – Sunday, April 1, 2012 about 7:10 AM Pacific Time

Potato Microwave Casserole

Ingredients:

4 small to medium potatoes quartered.

1 12.5 oz. can fully cooked chunked chicken packed in water drained or undrained

1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes drained or undrained

Preparation:

Step 1: Wash, peel, and cut potatoes into quarters.

Step 2: Place potatoes into medium to large microwave safe casserole dish with a lid.

Step 3: Cook potatoes 5 minutes and then test to determine if cooked through. You do not want to overcook the potatoes, but you do want them almost completely done before adding the rest of the ingredients. If necessary, cook the potatoes another 5 minutes and test again. You should be able to stick a fork into them without any difficulty.

Step 4: Open the 14.5 oz. can of tomatoes and pour them over the top of the potatoes. If you want to drain the tomatoes, you can. Sometimes I drain them and sometimes I pour the undrained tomatoes into the casserole.

Step 5: Open the 12.5 oz. can of chicken and pour it on top of the other ingredients. Again, if you want to drain the chicken before adding it to the other ingredients you can. As before, sometimes I drain the chicken and sometimes I do not. It depends on whether or not I am planning to add the liquid to leftovers in the coming week.

Step 6: Place the lid back on the casserole and then place the casserole in the microwave for another 5 minutes.

Serving Suggestions:

This is a main dish; therefore, you may serve it with whatever you like. I suggest a couple of dashes of hot sauce if you want it spicy. You can either add the hot sauce before or after you cook the casserole.

Number of people served:

I suspect this will serve about four people. Since I cook for only my mother and myself, I am never sure precisely how many people a recipe will serve because this usually depends on what you serve with the dish and how hungry the people are who eat. Sometime I serve other things with this dish and sometimes it is the only thing I serve, except desert or some type of fruit.

Microwaveable Chicken and Rice Casserole

Istiqlál (Independence), 12 Masá’il (Questions), 168 BE – Friday, December 23, 2011 about 10:30 AM Pacific Time

Today I am making Microwaveable Chicken and Rice Casserole, with plans of dividing it into two portions and freezing half for use later. The recipe makes enough for at least four people, so it is more then Mom and I will eat today.

Ingredients:

4 cups of cooked white or brown rice
1 14 oz. can clear chicken broth
1 14.5 oz. can sliced carrots
1 14.25 oz. can whole kernel sweet corn
1 14.5 oz. can cut green beans
1 12.5 oz. can fully cooked chunked chicken in water
½ cup of your favorite cheese grated (if you want more cheese add 1 cup)

Directions:

Step 1: Cook the rice. You may want to cook the rice the night before and let it sit in the refrigerator over night.

Step 2: In a medium to large microwavable casserole dish combine the rice with the chicken broth. Stir until the well mixed.

Step 3: Open cans of carrots, corn, and green beans. Drain the water off the vegetables. Stir the vegetables into the rice and broth mixture.

Step 4: Open the can of chicken. If you want to drain the water off the chicken, go ahead. Sometime I drain the chicken and at other times, I mix in the chicken without draining off the water.

Step 5: Place the lid on the casserole dish and put it in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

Step 6: If you are making this dish for one or two people divide the contents for freezing.

Step 7: Place the casserole in the microwave to cook or rather to heat. Since the ingredients have all ready been cooked, the only thing you have to do is heat it up, which takes about five or more minutes depending on the microwave oven and whether or not you add grated cheese to the dish.

Step 8: While the ingredients are still hot, stir in the grated cheese. The cheese should melt into the hot ingredients.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve this with a green salad of some type. You can buy salad ingredients already mixed at the grocery store.

A Recipe in Progress – Microwave rice casserole

Jalál (Glory), 16 Qudrat (Power), 167 BE – Saturday, November 19, 2011 about 9:55 AM Pacific Time

At the beginning of the week, I fixed a package of rice in the slow cooker. I fixed the entire package because I wanted the rice to last all week. This time I did not add any bouillon cubes to the rice, but the next time I make it I think I will add some chicken or shrimp bouillon cubes.

On Thursday, I added a can of chicken and a can of green beans to the rice. Thinking about it now, I realize I had too much rice for one can of either item. However, since I did not use a measuring cup when I transferred the rice to the microwave casserole dish, I do not know how much rice I used. When I tasted the rice, I realized I needed more chicken and green beans.

Today, I added the rest of the rice to the casserole dish, but I did not add any other items. I wanted us to finish the casserole this weekend so that I can begin fresh on Monday and keep track of the amount of the ingredients. Right now, the ingredients are rice, chicken, and green beans. Next time I make this recipe I will add corn, peas, and perhaps carrots or switch to cans of mixed vegetables. I have not decided which just yet. I also have to buy some chicken bouillon cubes because I have only shrimp cubes in the refrigerator. Yes, I keep my bouillon cubes in the refrigerator.

There is a first time for everything

Jamál (Beauty), 3 Rahmat (Mercy), 168 BE – Sunday, June 26, 2011 about 3:55 PM Pacific Time

Today, I baked cookies in the microwave for the first time. I knew it was possible; I just had not attempted it. I had a package of cookie dough in the fridge. I opened the package and broke apart the dough. Then I put the cookies in a microwave safe dish. I set the timer at 1.25 and turned the oven on. The cookies turn out well, considering that the instructions on the package were for a regular oven.

The only oven in the house that works is the microwave. I have no other choice; I have to use the microwave whenever I bake anything. I would prefer not to guess at the time, especially with cookies. I could not leave the cookie dough in the refrigerator any longer, so I baked them today. I still have a package of cookie mix in the refrigerator. I will fix it this coming week. I think I need to add eggs to the mix, so I cannot bake it until I go to the store again.

I also have a couple of squash in the refrigerator, so I will bake them in the microwave. I like baked squash better then fried squash. I will post the recipe I use for the squash once I decided on the ingredients.

I made Chicken and noodles last night

Kamál (Perfection), 2 Kamál (Perfection), 167 BE – Monday, August 2, 2010 about 11:31 AM Pacific Time

I made chicken and noodles last night for supper. I made plenty because I wanted enough to warm over for lunch or dinner today. It is easier for me if I make a batch of food and have enough to last several days. Mom does not cook any more, so I have to make something that is quick and easy to heat up. Since the Microwave went out, I am heating everything up in the electric fry pan.

I need to have the stovetop and the oven fixed. So as soon as I get the power bill and the water bill paid, I am going to see if I can get someone in to fix those items. I am tired of cooking everything in either a slow cooker or an electric skillet. A new Microwave or a toaster oven would help, but if I get the stovetop fixed then I cannot buy either a Microwave or a toaster oven.

I'm fixing Leftovers

Jalal (Glory), 17 Mulk (Dominion), 164 B.E. - Saturday, February 23, 2008 about 11:46 AM PST

I'm fixing leftovers today in the slow cooker. I don't have a Microwave any more it died, so the only way to cook anything is in the slow cooker, the toaster oven or the toaster. The leftovers I have aren't the type I can fix a toaster oven or a toaster, so the slow cooker is my only option.

I'm going to have to start pricing Microwaves next week. I think the first place I will look is super pawn. I don't know if the have this type of thing in there or not, but I can go in and see. Besides I want to see what the have in the digital camera line as well.

I may have to go to Walmart or K-mart for a Microwave. Having a new Microwave would be nice. The last two I've had in the house were used when I got them, so a new on would be nice. I think the first place I'll look is online see what type of options I can get and the prices. I don't want to go looking for something like that without knowing what I want and what I can get within my price range.

If I don't get a Microwave soon, I'm going to have to learn how to baking a cake in a slow cooker and I don't think that's going to work out too well. I much prefer baking in a Microwave. I think I'm going to have to wait until close to the end of March to get it though. So far this year I've had to get new tires (January) and have the elm tree removed (February). I looking forward to the next ten months of 2008, I can't wait to see what else comes up.

On the bright side I now have three computer mice. I sent for a three button mouse with some gift points I had and received three mice through the mail. One was the mouse I sent for and the other two were smaller. Last year I sent for a radio alarm clock and received two. I have some other gift points to use, so I am looking forward to see what I get through the mail when I use those.

My Microwave Finally Bit the Dust

Fidal (Grace), 13 Mulk (Dominion), 164 B.E. - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 about 9:33 AM PST

My Microwave oven went out yesterday. I checked the breakers to see if a break had tripped, but no luck. The Microwave is no longer working. I am going to have to either get another used microwave or buy a new one. This is not a good time for the Microwave to die, I just had the elm tree removed from the front yard and at the beginning of the month got a new set of tires for the car.

For the next few weeks, I will use the slow cooker or the toaster oven to cook everything in. That is unless I can find a used one on Freecycle or Vegas Trader. I have announced on Freecycle that I want a Microwave, but no responses yet. I have not ask on Vegas Trader yet because I am not sure what the budget will allow. I am going to miss that Microwave because I have enjoyed learning to cook new things in it.