Less Hustle More Coffee

Finally, the Roger tribute is done. It feels good. It’s taken me all month and then some with all that has been going on. I’d love it if you would watch on YouTube and give me a subscribe (it’s free, as few things are) and we have lots of content coming. I post about every 3 weeks in video. The YouTube channel is a few months behind our real life, but my goal is to close the gap some this year as my experience increases. I’m currently at ONLY 52 subscribers but that means the world to me that 52 of you care enough to follow along. George always brings the humor. And I’m honored that he will take part in my video adventures. Don’t miss a one and subscribe! We tried to make this tribute to Roger a happy one. And while tears flowed when putting it together, I was able to keep it from a sob fest. I specifically chose music not to be so sad. I spent a lot of time on the music and picking the right songs. I hope you enjoy my creation and our remembrance of our little Roger.

Spaghetti with Mizithra Cheese

What is Mizithra Cheese?

Mizithra cheese is a Greek whey cheese from sheep or goats or both. It has a taste that I would say is similar to feta but has a stronger taste. It really doesn’t taste as strong as some of the goat cheese I’ve had. It has a milder taste. It is harder to find these days since the virus hit and inventories and choices have minimized.

I first learned about Mizithra from “The Spaghetti Factory” in Nashville. I used to order “The Manager’s Special” with it’s two types of spaghetti, half in half, one of which was included browned butter with mizithra and the other a basic marinara. The two together is divine.

So George fixed the noodles, and then basically just used a jar of marinara spaghetti sauce and had some brown butter sauce to pour over. I did not quiz him on the makings of the browned butter, but I assume he melted butter and knowing him probably added some seasonings of some sort. It really just adds a layer of flavor and you pour that over half the noodles and sprinkle the grated mizithra over it.

Where do you find Mizithra?

I found a block or a “mound” of Mizithra at Kroger. I would say that perhaps any of your grocers that specialize in a variety or good assortment of cheeses may have it. Our smaller Kroger near us, did not, however the larger Kroger about three miles away that serves a heavier population – had it! I was so excited. Enough so that I may splurge and go back again and buy some more! ;-). I love it so. It’s a good winter meal too with the hot spaghetti sauce and warmed butter side by side over the hot pasta.

I thought about our dinner all day yesterday, looking forward to it while at work slaving over the last minute year end process. Oh my gosh, I’m going to get myself started here. Only a paragraph I promise! 😉

QE/YE Update

If you have been following me along, you know that Quarter End/Year End, aka January, aka “The Impossible” Month that we make Possible, has nearly been killing me, frustrating me, worrying me, stressing me, and just over all agonizing me. And all the while life itself still happens – family, caring for Mom, doc appts, birthdays, trips, flu, and all sorts of things. Anywho or Anywhy, the deadline is 1/31 in which everything “should be done” or is “supposed to be done”. I’ve worked late, skipped lunch, worked some on the weekends, worked while sick, and done everything I could in December and January to support the cause. I was given the w-2 reporting information for the year end returns and w-2 reporting that has to be done yesterday morning. So I have two business days (one of which is primarily targeted toward payroll processing) to do about 26 states worth of reports on line to each of their websites. (Insert your favorite horror face picture here). Needless to say I have brought a suit case of files home to attempt getting some of these done. However, I have a lot of things to do at home this weekend as well (laundry, and other responsibilities, and life balancing tasks, etc.) and even if I worked non-stop it’s not enough time to get it done, but I’ll work this weekend (dammit – sorry to curse but it’s better than the f-bomb which I might have dropped yesterday) to try and minimize our company impact. Yes I know the work week is already off balance, by NOT working the weekend and this just gives work more and more of your already off balanced life. But isn’t that the American Way? No time for family and friends? But I am taking a chunk of my weekend back and getting done things I need to do. I will work on it as much as I can, but it won’t be finished. If we want it to be finished, we have to find a different way to do things. As much as I want to be a hero, I’d like for there to be a possibility to be one and in this case, it’s just not feasible. lol Too much to do in one month and too much that waits til the last minute. Ok promised ONE paragraph. Technically in my head, it’s just all over already. I’ll do what I can in the few days that are left. So I’ll set it up this morning and do state w-2 reportings off and on all weekend rotating work and home duties and yes, even personal things I want to do. Like the video that was completed. Yay! I am a person and I deserve to have a life. At least a morsel of it. Tribe has spoken.

And George has also just informed me he wants a hair cut this weekend. Mom has some things she wants me to order for her. But I am looking forward to February. It’s so close I can smell it. I will blog about that tomorrow – all the things I’m looking forward to doing and accomplishing in February!

Cold Weather

Our temps have been dipping again. It snowed yesterday. Scared me a bit but it hit heavy on the way home. I’ve had to upgrade my wardrobe to include some warmer things. I ordered this wonderfully thick shirt/jacket from Amazon. I wear it both as a shirt and use it as a jacket if it matches what I have on enough, lol. I love it! Here was when the snow started on the way home.

Going over the lake was beautiful. The water had turned a very cold and angry looking green, and you could see snow coming in the distance. I think I would love living in a house overlooking a lake – as long as it wouldn’t flood, lol. It’s so intriguing to watch.

Overall, I’m very happy this morning. I may have work to do, which I’ll give some of my priority time, but I’m so happy it is the weekend and we are home. I have fixed a pot of coffee and I’m sipping it out of my Blue Lobster mug from Maine. It’s my favorite mug as I like the old timey coffee mug shape with it’s thickness and of course I love the logo, as well as the “lucky to be different” message. I can see February 1 coming ahead. I sense a smell of more freedom to be able to live my life. I’ve held off on so many things to focus on work, in January. Feb 1 is MY new year and I’m looking forward to it. Tomorrow I’ll be explaining why and what Feb will bring! Yessssss!

Ok off to try to conquer The Impossible. lol

What are YOU doing this weekend? And are you going to watch the Roger Tribute? We love him and miss him. I’m leaving you with a pic of our little buddy. We miss him so much. We miss the love of a dog. My tribute could not do justice to what he meant to us.