Allergy adventures

A very public and embarrassing allergic reaction tonight. The last time I had an attack was months ago. I was talking to someone toasting cinnamon bread and didn't realize it until it was too late. I took a dose of liquid Benadryl, which I keep in my desk.

Walked outside for a few minutes and then came back. No big deal. 

Tonight, an aroma wafting through the office smelled bad and fairly strong. I mentioned it to my co-worker, the engaging and talented red-head next door and she noticed it too. Smelled sort of like deodorant. Minutes later I felt the wheeze coming on. Told my boss I was leaving, clocked out and hi-tailed it out of there but was in high cough, tingling throat and tongue, mode by the time I got to the car. Came back in to find the darn Benadryl. Head back out the door. Coughing becomes incredibly bad, I'm dizzy, and quickly attracting a crowd. So humiliating.

Finally consented to go to the urgent care clinic. Yuk. Have never had a reaction like that before to something non-cinnamon and have no idea what it was. But Googling tonight, I at least learned that there are quite a number of people with allergies to cinnamon and they ALL say the holidays are a nightmare because of all those bloody cinnamon brooms retailers like to display.

Sheperd's Pie

One of Steve's favorite meals is Shepherd's pie.

It's way too easy to be someone's favorite food. Great meal to take to someone's home who is sick or to make ahead for freezing or for the family to heat up.

• Brown a pound and a third of ground beef, with thinly sliced onions.
• Season with a little garlic, salt, freshly ground black pepper and a sprinkle of rosemary. 
• Taking the totally easy way, stir in a can of cream of mushroom soup, or make your own sauce by adding mushrooms, butter and a little cream. 
• Layer in bottom of casserole. 
• Add a can of cut green beans and a can of whole kernel corn, or other vegetables if you prefer, including mixed vegetables. I add a little celery salt here.
• Top with a nice thick layer of instant mashed potatoes. 
• Layer shredded or sliced cheese on top. 
• Bake at 350 until hot. Yum!

Dinner and date

We had to be in Orlando on Friday night, (Sept. 17), so we made our first trip to the Cheesecake Factory. Wow.

The food was great, and the cheesecake was better. We first stopped at PF Chang's but that was too loud. Not date night ambiance. Cheesecake Factory was marginally better. Why do restaurants have to be so loud? A guy in the large party near us was talking at the top of his lungs. 

I had the Bang Bang Chicken and Shrimp, take off on a Thai dish. It was great.

Steve had the Steak Diane and Chicken Madeira combination and the madeira was really wonderful.

Here's a recipe: http://restaurantrecipesbook.com/chicken-madeira-recipe/ I'm going to try it at home. If you do, let me know how it turns out.

Running from the cops

So last night, Steve and I decided to walk the Gemini Springs multi-user trail after an evening church meeting. We didn't get down there until nearly 10 p.m. A man wearing a wifebeater T-shirt was standing around smoking a cigarette. I didn't think much of it, but I guess it must have bothered me more than I realized. 

About a half-mile into the walk, Steve realizes that headlines are coming up behind us. My slight case of nerves before suddenly mushroomed into downright fear. My first instinct was to run -- to turn off the trail and hightail it which I did. Steve said he had no idea I could run that fast! He decided to run with me and when I wanted to head back right, he wanted to go left. He thought the car was going on down the lane but it stopped across the trail and the emergency lane! 

 Finally, as we hesitated Steve got a good look and said "Oh it's a deputy." I shouted at the guy "Oh thank goodness. You scared me to death." I think I was convinced that guy from the parking lot was ready to attack. The deputies had seen us run and thought they were going to have a little excitement after they saw us take off running. I think the deputies thought it was pretty funny.

As we chatted with them, I continued to heave in big breaths. One of the two deputies offered to call EVAC! He quizzed us about where we lived and what we were doing. Apparently the trail is technically closed after dark.

We kept laughing about it all night long. Too funny.