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3 August 2004 23:54![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
plunkybugGot the muffler fixed today, and a much lower cost than some places we got quotes from, but more than I wanted to pay, but I realized it was higher because I needed the connector pipe too. So that cost extra. So it was $278.36 with all the taxes and stuff as opposed to $400-600 other places quoted us. But there is still the problem with the car starting without pushing the gas. This problem in my old car was fixed by the new muffler, but it must be something else in this car now. They did say my fuel filter needs replacing which may be the culprit, and that it looked to be an original part...so I have a 15 year old fuel filter. I replaced the original distributor cap and wires earlier this year or late last year so there is no surprise there are original parts on the car still. Well, the car did only have 65,000 miles when I got it a few years ago from my aunt. It is obvious she never drove it much.
Oh well. It took a long time to fix the car, so I walked to my parent's place to visit with my dad since he has retired. It took me about 20-25 minutes. The thing about walking like that is that every step was progress toward the goal, and as I got closer, I swelled up with a little more pride that I was accomplishing this goal. I could have walked a straight path for most of the way, but the road was very busy, and as small as I am, I admit I feel self conscious and vulnerable when I am by myself. So I took the road that went behind the main road...it was a little it longer, but there were trees and it was quieter. A nicer walk indeed. My dad made me a sandwich for lunch and we chatted. He asked me what he could do with a pound of ground beef, and I gave a few options. Since they only have one car now, and my mom has it to go to work now, he could not get to the store, so here is what we did:
-Browned the pound of meat and drained.
-Sauteed half a large onion and half green bell pepper, coarsely chopped, with remaining fat from the pan.
-Added the meat back in.
-Added one can of diced tomato, one can of water, and half a jar Ragu sauce. This one had mushrooms.
-Add seasonings...salt and pepper and whatever.
-Brought to boil, then down to a simmer for a few hours, covered, periodically checking and stirring.
He said that it was still slightly runny, so I told him to simmer uncovered until the remaining liquid evaporates or thickens to his liking...about 20-30 minutes or so. They are having it for dinner tomorrow since they had plans tonight. He said it looked and smelled great. He tasted a bit too and liked it. So success too. I like it when improvisation works, though it was not total improvisation as this was a modified recipe I used for the meat sauce for my pastitsio. But that was improvisation originally. And had we had other ingredients, we could have added them too.
Well, it is passed my bedtime, so I need to get going.
Oh well. It took a long time to fix the car, so I walked to my parent's place to visit with my dad since he has retired. It took me about 20-25 minutes. The thing about walking like that is that every step was progress toward the goal, and as I got closer, I swelled up with a little more pride that I was accomplishing this goal. I could have walked a straight path for most of the way, but the road was very busy, and as small as I am, I admit I feel self conscious and vulnerable when I am by myself. So I took the road that went behind the main road...it was a little it longer, but there were trees and it was quieter. A nicer walk indeed. My dad made me a sandwich for lunch and we chatted. He asked me what he could do with a pound of ground beef, and I gave a few options. Since they only have one car now, and my mom has it to go to work now, he could not get to the store, so here is what we did:
-Browned the pound of meat and drained.
-Sauteed half a large onion and half green bell pepper, coarsely chopped, with remaining fat from the pan.
-Added the meat back in.
-Added one can of diced tomato, one can of water, and half a jar Ragu sauce. This one had mushrooms.
-Add seasonings...salt and pepper and whatever.
-Brought to boil, then down to a simmer for a few hours, covered, periodically checking and stirring.
He said that it was still slightly runny, so I told him to simmer uncovered until the remaining liquid evaporates or thickens to his liking...about 20-30 minutes or so. They are having it for dinner tomorrow since they had plans tonight. He said it looked and smelled great. He tasted a bit too and liked it. So success too. I like it when improvisation works, though it was not total improvisation as this was a modified recipe I used for the meat sauce for my pastitsio. But that was improvisation originally. And had we had other ingredients, we could have added them too.
Well, it is passed my bedtime, so I need to get going.
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no subject
Date: 5 Aug 2004 11:35 (UTC)Thanks for your answer! (hug)
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Date: 6 Aug 2004 05:10 (UTC)