On June 17, Patty took Bob and me to visit the Mall at Whitney Field in Leominster, MA. Patty went to Triple A to acquire some information for our upcoming trip to New York City. Bob picked up some Pocket T-Shirts at JcPenney because with a $10 dollar coupon, they ended up half-price. It was even better than buying at home because there is no sales tax on most clothing in Massachusetts.
After we were finished in the mall, we made the short visit to Market Basket Supermarket to pick up some regular sized deodorant because it was unclear if there was any deodorant in my travel deodorant. We had visited CVS in the mall. The deodorant would have been more expensive at first, but cheaper in the long run with the ExtraBucks. Market Basket was a second opinion. The deodorant that I had selected was 2 for $4. I did a price check and discovered that it was $2.49 for one, so I grabbed two deodorants. We reached the cashier. Just as before, the deodorants scanned at $2.49 each. I told them about the sales sign on the shelf. After confirming that I was correct, the deodorant was bought. We skipped the nearby stand-alone CVS.
After the mall, we went to Aldi and picked up some supplies. We then went home and enjoyed meat and cheese sandwiches. I had Ham and Rotisserie Chicken with Swiss, "White" American, Cheddar (Shredded), and Provolone Cheeses. Bob had Roast Beef and Cheese (No records exist for his sandwich.). We relaxed for awhile until Patty's friend Amy Gould arrived.
After Amy arrived, Patty, Bob, and I headed for Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, (near Norwich) CT. Amy and I had never been there. It had been years for Patty and Bob. Dan SR. stayed home.
Other than Amy's $20 dollar win on a quarter of a cent machine (which was donated back to the slot machines), we were not too successful.
Dinner at the Casino came courtesy of the buffet. This was Amy's decision. Buffets are okay, but since I write down everything I eat, salad bars and buffets become "endurance tests" since I don't bring the "Food Diary" with me to restaurants. I would have chosen The Original Soupman, Hash House a Go Go, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, or something simpler. As it turned out, their menus were not that exciting to Bob or me. The buffet had an eclectic variety that ranged from Sushi (enjoyable) to Prime Rib (skipped). The food was generally tasty, but it was overwhelming. I ate most of my food, but I left some of my Chocolate Mousse because I was full. The Seven Layer Brownie and Gluten Free Brownie were both appetizing and in the case of the Gluten Free Brownie, not as bad as I expected.
We gambled some more, and then we headed for home. After we said goodbye to Amy, we relaxed until bedtime. It was a long, but enjoyable day.
Saturday, July 4, 2015
The Road to Lancaster, MA
It is still June 16.
After leaving the Logan Express facility in Framingham, MA, we headed to nearby Natick, MA to enjoy lunch at Smashburger. Dan SR., Bob, and I had burgers and fries. Patty had a salad! The food was tasty, but I can live with McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's.
When Smashburger was mentioned to Patty in a previous phone call, she revealed that their pool table was bought at the same shopping center years earlier. I researched the potential store for my interest. Thanks to my research, I found the place. Dan SR. picked up the stickers that he wanted.
After we crossed the road, we went to Natick Mall. The anchor stores are Sears, JcPenney, Macy's, Nordstrom, Lord and Taylor, and Neiman Marcus. Bob and I visited all the anchor stores. Sears was the only store where we bought something. I picked up a pair of tan Dockers that ended up costing me about $12 after various discounts. While we were having all that fun, Patty and Dan SR. visited the Tesla Car Dealership in the mall. Even with the mainstream anchor stores, Natick Mall was too upscale for our tastes.
After the mall, we headed for the Hannaford Supermarket in Clinton, MA. Patty was buying corn on the cob for dinner. I bought Megabucks Doubler (I didn't splurge for the Doubler.) tickets for the drawings on June 17th, 20th and 24th. I ended up winning $2 in the last drawing. The ticket will be in the mail soon with a request for re-investment in instant (scratch) tickets. Dan SR. and Bob stayed in the car and talked, I assume.
When we were done shopping, we went to Dan SR. and Patty's house in Lancaster, MA to relax. After relaxing, a dinner consisting of grilled Ball Park All Beef Franks, Baked Beans, and grilled corn on the cob (Dan SR. and Patty had researched grilling methods on the Internet (I presume.). Patty's research won because it was quicker. ). The food was tasty. We spent the rest of the evening watching television and relaxing. The sunset with a faint red sky was quite interesting from the loft.
In the next report, the adventures become a little more interesting.
After leaving the Logan Express facility in Framingham, MA, we headed to nearby Natick, MA to enjoy lunch at Smashburger. Dan SR., Bob, and I had burgers and fries. Patty had a salad! The food was tasty, but I can live with McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's.
When Smashburger was mentioned to Patty in a previous phone call, she revealed that their pool table was bought at the same shopping center years earlier. I researched the potential store for my interest. Thanks to my research, I found the place. Dan SR. picked up the stickers that he wanted.
After we crossed the road, we went to Natick Mall. The anchor stores are Sears, JcPenney, Macy's, Nordstrom, Lord and Taylor, and Neiman Marcus. Bob and I visited all the anchor stores. Sears was the only store where we bought something. I picked up a pair of tan Dockers that ended up costing me about $12 after various discounts. While we were having all that fun, Patty and Dan SR. visited the Tesla Car Dealership in the mall. Even with the mainstream anchor stores, Natick Mall was too upscale for our tastes.
After the mall, we headed for the Hannaford Supermarket in Clinton, MA. Patty was buying corn on the cob for dinner. I bought Megabucks Doubler (I didn't splurge for the Doubler.) tickets for the drawings on June 17th, 20th and 24th. I ended up winning $2 in the last drawing. The ticket will be in the mail soon with a request for re-investment in instant (scratch) tickets. Dan SR. and Bob stayed in the car and talked, I assume.
When we were done shopping, we went to Dan SR. and Patty's house in Lancaster, MA to relax. After relaxing, a dinner consisting of grilled Ball Park All Beef Franks, Baked Beans, and grilled corn on the cob (Dan SR. and Patty had researched grilling methods on the Internet (I presume.). Patty's research won because it was quicker. ). The food was tasty. We spent the rest of the evening watching television and relaxing. The sunset with a faint red sky was quite interesting from the loft.
In the next report, the adventures become a little more interesting.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
The Road to Framingham (MA)
On June 16, my brother Bob and me left Cleveland on a 9:30 A.M. Jet Blue flight to Boston to visit my sister Patty and her husband Dan SR. The whole flight experience went smoothly We were moved into the fast security lane, but it wasn't as great as last year's experience where my cell phone temporarily ended up with my brother.
Jet Blue offers a lot of creative options. Every seat has Direct TV and Sirius XM Satellite Radio, but headphones cost extra, of course. In the future, I will bring my own headphones, which was suggested when we were boarding our return flight to Cleveland on June 24th. Our flights had thirty-six TV channels and about one hundred radio stations available (Some flights have about one hundred TV channels available.).
Unlike most airlines, which offer a bag of peanuts and a variety of beverages, Jet Blue offers various chips and cookies that are interesting. Bob had Skeeter Nut Free Chocolate Chip Cookies. I had Pop Corners Kettle Corn Chips. We both enjoyed Coca-Cola.
After landing in Boston, it took awhile for Baggage Claim to send down our luggage, but once the carousel started, we had our luggage almost immediately. We then headed to the Logan Express Bus Stop to wait for our bus to Framingham, MA (Logan Express's station was temporarily in Natick, MA a year ago while the station was being replaced.). I had called Patty's Cell Phone (Dan SR. answered.) to tell them that we were on our way.
The bus trip was uneventful. Since it was not rush hour, the bus was not crowded, and the traffic was not heavy. The trip took about half an hour. As we were heading into the station, Bob saw Patty and Dan SR.'s car. We paid for our ride as we vacated the bus. Each one of us paid $12 CASH.
We then met up with Patty and Dan SR.
We were on our way to Smashburger in nearby Natick, MA. The story will continue from there next time. The fun is about to begin!!
Yes, Kathleen, there is an active blog!!
Jet Blue offers a lot of creative options. Every seat has Direct TV and Sirius XM Satellite Radio, but headphones cost extra, of course. In the future, I will bring my own headphones, which was suggested when we were boarding our return flight to Cleveland on June 24th. Our flights had thirty-six TV channels and about one hundred radio stations available (Some flights have about one hundred TV channels available.).
Unlike most airlines, which offer a bag of peanuts and a variety of beverages, Jet Blue offers various chips and cookies that are interesting. Bob had Skeeter Nut Free Chocolate Chip Cookies. I had Pop Corners Kettle Corn Chips. We both enjoyed Coca-Cola.
After landing in Boston, it took awhile for Baggage Claim to send down our luggage, but once the carousel started, we had our luggage almost immediately. We then headed to the Logan Express Bus Stop to wait for our bus to Framingham, MA (Logan Express's station was temporarily in Natick, MA a year ago while the station was being replaced.). I had called Patty's Cell Phone (Dan SR. answered.) to tell them that we were on our way.
The bus trip was uneventful. Since it was not rush hour, the bus was not crowded, and the traffic was not heavy. The trip took about half an hour. As we were heading into the station, Bob saw Patty and Dan SR.'s car. We paid for our ride as we vacated the bus. Each one of us paid $12 CASH.
We then met up with Patty and Dan SR.
We were on our way to Smashburger in nearby Natick, MA. The story will continue from there next time. The fun is about to begin!!
Yes, Kathleen, there is an active blog!!
Friday, December 19, 2014
Good Gravy
On November 29, I purchased powdered gravy from the Save-a-Lot on Brookpark Road in Cleveland just as I said I would in my last post. However, instead of the turkey or chicken gravy that I was planning to buy, I bought brown gravy because they were out of the aforementioned gravies since it was two days after Thanksgiving. I chose Save-a-Lot because I knew that Aldi does not carry powdered chicken or turkey gravy (at least at the Aldis that I patronize)! Save-a-Lot was also cheaper than Marc's.
The gravy turned out to be delicious. It enhanced the mashed potatoes that came home from Thanksgiving Dinner! The leftover gravy was used on December 4 with mashed potatoes that came from a box purchased at Aldi weeks earlier. Needless to say that I was the sole judge for the gravy because my brother Bob decided the gravy wasn't necessary.
There are no plans to buy any powdered gravy in the near future. I bought three boxes of Hungry Jack Au Gratin Potatoes from Dollar Tree in Rocky River this afternoon. They will be made for consumption on Christmas Day. The third box may be used in the future, but it could become part of Christmas Day if the first two boxes are deemed to be inadequate for our family gathering.
The next report will reveal how successful our potatoes turned out!!
The gravy turned out to be delicious. It enhanced the mashed potatoes that came home from Thanksgiving Dinner! The leftover gravy was used on December 4 with mashed potatoes that came from a box purchased at Aldi weeks earlier. Needless to say that I was the sole judge for the gravy because my brother Bob decided the gravy wasn't necessary.
There are no plans to buy any powdered gravy in the near future. I bought three boxes of Hungry Jack Au Gratin Potatoes from Dollar Tree in Rocky River this afternoon. They will be made for consumption on Christmas Day. The third box may be used in the future, but it could become part of Christmas Day if the first two boxes are deemed to be inadequate for our family gathering.
The next report will reveal how successful our potatoes turned out!!
Friday, November 28, 2014
Thanksgiving 2014
For a second year, our family celebrated Thanksgiving at my niece Mandy and her husband Paul's house in New Franklin, OH (near Barberton). The participants were my sisters Kathleen and Maggie, my brothers Tim, Joe, and Bob, Tim's companion Lois, Paul's mom Nancy, and Paul and Mandy's nephew Eric (Better known as Moose) who appeared just as I was selecting desserts to take home with Bob and me. It was a quiet gathering.
We had Turkey, Beef Brisket that appeared to be barbecue-seasoned, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes and Chicken (?) Gravy, Glazed Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Corn Casserole, Cranberry Sauce, Candied Pineapple (?), Salad, Green Olives, Pickles, Rolls, and a Lemon Jell-O Salad with Nuts! The food was delicious. It took two plates to enjoy all the food.
After the main course, some of us selected leftovers to take home! I took most of the items that were mentioned! Unfortunately, the meat did not come home with us because I didn't arrange for any more to be cut, but the leftovers will be interesting when I serve them with canned Mackerel that I picked up from Dollar Tree in Rocky River on Wednesday. I may also pick up some Powdered Chicken or Turkey Gravy from Save-a-Lot on Brookpark Road in Cleveland to supplement the Mashed Potatoes. The Gravy will end up being used with the Mashed Potatoes from Aldi Steelyard Commons that I will make later this week! It would be fun with Rice or Quinoa, too. (The Gravy will be kept separate.) Socialization also occurred while the clean up started in anticipation of dessert.
Dessert consisted of a homemade Cheesecake, a Cheesecake variety pack from Aldi, French Silk and Pumpkin Supreme pies from Baker's Square (Provided by Bob and me), Caramel Pecan Pie, Stuffed Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Fudge, an Ambrosia made by Nancy, and Mandy's famous White Trash made with Cheerios, M&Ms, Rice Chex, Pretzels, and Powdered Sugar. The desserts that I had were very appetizing!
After dessert, we relaxed and socialized! Before Bob, Kathleen, and I left, I selected desserts to take home. The hosts were given appreciation, and the other participants were given goodbyes.
We then headed for home. The ride started out relatively smoothly. However, it started snowing! Fortunately, gridlock did not occur. We arrived home safely. Kathleen spent the night with Bob and me. The night ended with more relaxation!
Thanksgiving was quite enjoyable. Once again, Mandy, Paul, and Nancy's hospitality is greatly appreciated. It was a lot of hard work, but the results made it worthwhile.
We had Turkey, Beef Brisket that appeared to be barbecue-seasoned, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes and Chicken (?) Gravy, Glazed Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Corn Casserole, Cranberry Sauce, Candied Pineapple (?), Salad, Green Olives, Pickles, Rolls, and a Lemon Jell-O Salad with Nuts! The food was delicious. It took two plates to enjoy all the food.
After the main course, some of us selected leftovers to take home! I took most of the items that were mentioned! Unfortunately, the meat did not come home with us because I didn't arrange for any more to be cut, but the leftovers will be interesting when I serve them with canned Mackerel that I picked up from Dollar Tree in Rocky River on Wednesday. I may also pick up some Powdered Chicken or Turkey Gravy from Save-a-Lot on Brookpark Road in Cleveland to supplement the Mashed Potatoes. The Gravy will end up being used with the Mashed Potatoes from Aldi Steelyard Commons that I will make later this week! It would be fun with Rice or Quinoa, too. (The Gravy will be kept separate.) Socialization also occurred while the clean up started in anticipation of dessert.
Dessert consisted of a homemade Cheesecake, a Cheesecake variety pack from Aldi, French Silk and Pumpkin Supreme pies from Baker's Square (Provided by Bob and me), Caramel Pecan Pie, Stuffed Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Fudge, an Ambrosia made by Nancy, and Mandy's famous White Trash made with Cheerios, M&Ms, Rice Chex, Pretzels, and Powdered Sugar. The desserts that I had were very appetizing!
After dessert, we relaxed and socialized! Before Bob, Kathleen, and I left, I selected desserts to take home. The hosts were given appreciation, and the other participants were given goodbyes.
We then headed for home. The ride started out relatively smoothly. However, it started snowing! Fortunately, gridlock did not occur. We arrived home safely. Kathleen spent the night with Bob and me. The night ended with more relaxation!
Thanksgiving was quite enjoyable. Once again, Mandy, Paul, and Nancy's hospitality is greatly appreciated. It was a lot of hard work, but the results made it worthwhile.
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