“The flush toilet, more than any single invention, has ‘civilized’ us in a way that religion and law could never accomplish.”
Today has been an interesting day around the Ryan homestead. First I had to go toilet shopping. The one on this floor cracked and pieces of tank and lots of water ended up all over the bathroom floor. I, however, was in New Hampshire when this happened so my friend Clare kindly cleaned up the flood and made sure the water was off. I had to run to the upstairs bathroom the last couple of days and sort of had to plan for the extra time to get there. Last night I decided I’d had enough planning so today Skip and I went to three places shopping for a new toilet, though I hesitate to call it shopping, and we were unsuccessful. One didn’t have the toilet in stock and the other two were closed. It was in the fourth place we finally found my new toilet. Skip mumbled his way through the parts and instructions but it is now in and functional so I no longer have to run upstairs. Skip then went outside and dug a hole for my little free library, http://littlefreelibrary.org, attached it to a 4 x4 then filled in the hole. My friend Bill made the library, and it is beautiful and even has cedar shingles on the roof. Skip is now completing his final task: putting a new mailbox for me across the street.
I like to shop, no question about it. Mostly I like off-beat stores where you can find odd or vintage. This week I have shopped for toilet seats, a new toilet, a new mailbox and a 4×4 pole. That is just not shopping by any definition.
It is a gorgeous day with a bright sun and a cooling breeze. When I was outside with Skip, I was reminded of Saturdays when I was a kid. I could hear a lawnmower, people talking and kids yelling to one another as they rode their bikes up and down the street. This is a neighborhood where people greet each other, catch up on the news and wave while passing by in a car. We are on our second generation of kids. The first generation grew up and now have kids of their own. On my street are nine, soon to be ten, kids under 10. There are two more but one just graduated from high school and his sister will be a senior in the fall. Many of us on the street are now retired. Four homes have the original owners. I’m one of them. I guess in a way that makes me an historian of my street.
Explore posts in the same categories: MusingsTags: beautiful day, bike riding, blue sky, little free library, neighborhood, new mailbox, new toilet, Shopping, water all over the floor
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keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
June 20, 2015 at 2:57 pm
I’ve wanted a little library like that here but very few passes by and most who do so do it by car. I think it’s a great idea!
I too must soon go toilet shopping but I’ll do it online. I need to change to an combustion toilet since my sewer system no longer is legal. I’ll also need to buy something called box filters where the shower, washing and dish water will run through. I still haven’t figured out what kinds yet. I guess I need to hire a plumber for those box filters too, the authorities don’t like if we do something like that on our own, the plumber must most likely be licensed as well.
Very few kids in the village, one is on this side of the village and I think there are two on the other side. I’m suddenly the one living longest on my little road 🙂 I’ve lived here for fifteen years now. Can’t say I know much about the history here though 🙂
The day turned out to be rather wonderful, just one tiny shower and after that we’ve seen the sun quite a lot 🙂
Have a great day!
Christer.
June 20, 2015 at 6:42 pm
Christer,
My library is now up but still empty. I have to add a sign telling people what it is and another sign which says take one, leave one sign. There are many across the country but this is the first on the cape.
The toilet is so easy to replace. It is when it has to be plumbed that a professional has to do it.
I bought my house in 1977 and within a year three other people also bought their houses. Two houses have 7 kids with number 8 due to July. Each house has three boys and a girl (one a 3 year old and the other due in July).
Great day today!
First day of summer today!!
June 20, 2015 at 8:00 pm
Banana Cake with Cinnamon Glaze
INGREDIENTS:
1-1/2 cups flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, cashews, peanuts, etc.), optional
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Cinnamon Glaze:
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 to 2 Tbsp milk or cream
PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with non-stick foil.
In a small bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, salt, and chopped nuts.
In a large bowl, beat sugar and oil. Add eggs, bananas, sour cream, and vanilla extract.
Beat for 2 minutes until thoroughly combined. Add dry ingredients,
stirring only until all ingredients are combined.
Pour into prepared pan.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until lightly browned and top springs back when lightly touched.
Let cool to room temperature.
Cinnamon Glaze:
Whisk together confectioner’s sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract,
and milk or cream.
Add only enough cream to make a spreadable glaze.
Top cooled cake with cinnamon glaze before cutting.
Yield: 24 to 36 servings, depending on cut size
——————–
Grilled Pork Chops with Coffee Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
1/4 cup fine sea salt, plus more for seasoning pork
2 pounds pork chops, preferably center cut Freshly ground black pepper
Coffee Barbecue Sauce (read next recipe below)
Instructions
Pour 1 quart of water into a deep container.
Add the salt and stir until it is dissolved.
Put the pork chops in the solution,submerging them completely and weighting them down
with a plate if necessary.
Refrigerate for at least 12 and no more than 24 hours.
Remove the chops from the brine and pat them dry with paper towels.
Prepare an outdoor grill or preheat a grill pan over high heat on the stovetop.
Season the chops with salt and pepper and put them on the grill over direct heat.
Cook for 5 minutes on each side,or less if the chops are thinly cut.
After turning the chops,baste them with coffee barbecue sauce,
letting the sauce caramelize onto the pork.
Serve from a platter with extra barbecue sauce alongside.
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
————–
Coffee Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
1/2 cup brewed espresso or strong, dark coffee
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 onion, peeled and finely chopped, about 1 cup
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
3 fresh hot chili peppers, such as jalapeno, or hotter if desired, seeded
2 tablespoons hot dry mustard mixed with 1 tablespoon warm water
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons chili powder
Instructions
Put all of the ingredients in a small pot,
stir them together,and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
Lower the heat so the mixture is just simmering and let simmer for 20 minutes.
Remove the pot form the heat,let the mixture cool,
then puree it in a blender or food processor fitted with the steel blade.
The barbecue sauce can be covered and refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
June 20, 2015 at 8:22 pm
Morpfy,
It is always good to have you back!!
Yup, I copied all three recipes. I love pork and don’t generally think to barbecue pork chops, but this recipe makes them enticing.
That banana break sounds scrumptious!
Thanks as always!!