The reason women don’t play football is because 11 of them would never wear the same outfit in public. – Phyllis Diller and Briami (Greek Potato and Courgette Casserole)

Super Bowl is hours away. Usually we have plans in place for this momentous event but this year we’re hanging out with each other and the cat (a Seahawks fan) enjoying the large flat screen TV occupying a good portion of our rather small living room.

What a week! This year started out running and refuses to slow down. At the beginning of the week Rick had an appointment in the town we lived in prior moving here. A recurring appointment, showing up on the calendar every six weeks, I usually accompany him on the hour or so drive. While he’s at his destination I meet old friends for lunch or do some shopping to pass the time. Lunch with a friend was on the calendar this trip.  I hadn’t seen her in over a year and was looking forward to it.

With several errands to run prior to the appointment time, we headed out early. The weather, so very strange for January, was balmy enough to prompt me to dress in a short-sleeved tee-shirt with a long over blouse and jeans. Arriving at the bank, the last of our errands, Rick went in to ask a question about the car loan while I texted my girlfriend to tell her I was in town. I hopped out to use the ATM and got back into the driver’s seat since I would be dropping Rick off and continuing on to lunch. Easy peasey. Shutting the door I felt a tug on my neck pulling me to the left and realized I’d shut my over blouse in the door. Not able to move my left arm I reached across with my right and pulled on the door latch. Nothing. Really? I mean, REALLY? Do these things happen to anyone else? I need names. No matter how many times I pulled the latch wouldn’t release.

Rick appeared at the bank door and began gesturing for me to come in. Using my only available hand I waved back. Now he was signalling for me to get out. I shrugged. Exasperated, he came to the window. I put the window down and explained the situation. Looking at me as if I had announced I’d been abducted by bubble headed aliens in his absence he attempted to open the door. Again, nothing. Not believing this was happening he reached inside and tried it that way. He did everything but apply the jaws of life and still I was stuck. The simple solution would have been to remove my shirt, but the way it was caught I would have dislocated my shoulder trying to wiggle out of the sleeve.  This brought to my mind a comment by an ex-boss of mine prompted by a phone call from me to say I’d be late for work due to my daughter had driven my car through my garage door. He said, “if it was anyone else calling I’d think you’d simply overslept, but since it’s you, Susie, I’ll see you when you get in. Bring pictures.” I tried to locate them for the blog, but to no avail. If you’ve seen Jaws you get the idea.  Fine.

Next the gentlemen helping Rick in the bank showed up at the door. Seeing Rick struggling he walked over to ask if he could be of assistance. Explaining once again my predicament I now I had two men staring at me as though I’d told the story of the little green men. Finally, after fifteen minutes of tugging and swearing the door gave way. So thankful was I that I did not have to call my girlfriend and explain I was going to be late because my arm was caught in the car door. I did tell her the story over lunch. Knowing me well she nodded, never skipping a beat while scooping up her salad.

Besides this ridiculousness, things around the house have been going to hell in a hand basket. I was afraid to get into bed last night for fear it would drop through the floor or collapse while I slept. Don’t laugh, this too happened to me once. My husband and I were sleeping in the wee hours of the morning.  We’d been gifted satin sheets as an anniversary present. For fun, I’d put them on when I’d changed the sheets. Personally, I’m not fond of satin sheets. You tend to slide off them like butter off a hot pancake. Also, they make you sweat, but that’s not the story. At any rate in the middle of the night the foot board on the bed, for reasons still unknown, detached itself from the frame. Immediately following, the foot of the mattress and box spring dropped at an exaggerted angle forming a sort of mattress slide. Like two deer on any icy pond we flew down the slippery sheets landing in a messy pile knees under our chins at the end of the bed. Sitting up trying to gather our thoughts the headboard caved in as well dropping the mattress and box spring squarely between the slats and propelling us in the air. Our elderly neighbors below, sure the end of the world had arrived, phoned the police. Fortunately there is no crime on the books listed for misbehaving bedroom furniture. Assuring everyone we were uninjured they went about their way.

Yesterday I woke up to cold water running from the tap in the kitchen. This would be less unusual if it were running from the tap marked “cold”. Waiting until Rick had his coffee, as two days ago the blinds in the front window broke, and we already have a repairman scheduled at the end of the week to look at the new dishwasher installed last month, I mentioned the problem. After a moment of silence he said he would call several plumbers once dressed. As luck would have it, after three plumbing experts examined it our water heater was pronounced D.O.A. To add to the excitement of that news, it appeared it was an unusual type of water heater requiring a more expensive replacement. Given the numbers we were quoted, I cautioned Boo, the Queen of Cats, she may have to get used to life without her pricey treats for a few months or possibly get a part-time job.

So that’s my crazy month in a nutshell. Hopefully during February Murphy will take a holiday.

These colorful veggies are just the best. Served with my fig marinated lamb chops, too yummy.

Briami

1/4 cup olive oil, divided
2 onions, sliced thin
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut in coarse chunks
3 courgettes, cut in 3/4″ slices
9 heirloom fingerling potatoes cut in 1/2″ slices
2 large tomatoes, cut in coarse chunks
3 large radishes, sliced thin
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 1/2 Tbsp. dried dill
1 1/2 Tbsp. freshly chopped parsley
Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Heat 2 Tbsp. of olive oil in large skillet over med. heat. Add onions and cook, stirring frequently for 10 mins.

Meanwhile place chopped vegetables in large bowl. Season generously with salt and pepper. Add onions to mix and toss with seasonings and remaining olive oil.

Pour into 9 x 13″ bowl sprayed with cooking spray. Wrap tightly with tin foil. Bake for 1 1/2 hours, removing foil and stirring every half hour.

Serves 4