Topaz Apple Tuesday @ TDD - C&C

[trissie]

EDIT

[trissie]

Topaz is a humdinger of a late ripening, crisp, tart and flavourful apple hailing from the Czech Republic.

The story of Topaz
What would an apple collection be if we didn’t include a variety from the Czech Republic?...
What? You didn’t know the Czechs even grow apples, let alone breed them? It seems that most countries on the planet, save those near the equator, have been in the apple business at one time or another. And most still are.
If soccer (aka football to most countries) is the world’s sport, then the apple is most certainly the world’s fruit. And Topaz is a fine contribution indeed from the Czechs.
Very late in ripening, this is a super-crisp, tart, flavourful red apple that keeps well and is favourably compared by some to the much-revered Honeycrisp.

Topaz Facts
Its origins
Bred in Rozvojova, Czech Republic; 1990s introduction.

Flavour, aroma, texture
Crisp, cream-coloured flesh, with a distinctive tart and spicy flavour.

Appearance
A medium to large-sized apple. The skin's yellow background is mostly covered by a red and crimson blush.

When they’re available
Very late season (usually in November).

Quality for fresh eating
Very good.

Quality for cooking
Mainly used for fresh eating.

Keeping ability
Very good (4 months or more when kept refrigerated).

[Kittykatt]

Good morning, Trissie, and thank you for starting on us off. Topaz sounds delicious, and similar to Jazz, our current favourite (I wonder if they have a similar breeding line?)

Laura, I had forgotten your DDad had brought his DDog - that would certainly be enough to upset the kitties, especially if he/ she chased them!

Just a quick post - I need to be OTD early to take Freddie for his Solensia appointment.

DH's greeting to me this morning nwas a list of things he can't find. Told him where things should be if he has put them away properly and also said I don't have time right now to look!

Today is going to be another beautiful sunny day, so I want to make the most of it outside, as well as keeping things together indoors.

[Kittykatt]

To do:

Appointments:
Tuesday: DH WFH
8.45 vet Freddie - Solensia injection & ORDER HIS FLEA CONTROL!
6.30 pm DH choral practice
Wednesday: DH to office
7pm DH choral practice
At home for me
Laxapet for Jude and Matilda
9 pm Final touches to Waitrose order - ORDER EXTRA MILK FOR CHURCH COFFEES
Thursday: County Council elections; DH is PO at our local polling station
Vote!
10.30 am church
Any errands?
Hoover car? ( Weather permitting!)
Bring blue crates up from garage (delegate this to DH)
6-7 pm Waitrose delivery
Laxapet -Jude and Matilda ( if we didn't do it yesterday)
Friday DH: WFH
At home for me
Saturday:
*Text DF E re coffee tomorrow* not this week, as we're doing coffees after church
Sunday: church 9.30 am We are doing the coffees this week
Coffee with DF E ? Not this week
Laxapet Jude and Matilda

Future dates to note: Order my meds

Outstanding deliveries: Mountain Warehouse, Seasalt

Extras:
Amend Amazon S&S items - TODAY WIP
Digital decluttering- Google Photos for 2024 and 2025
Pick up my footprints
House tasks: clean gutters and the swan neck on the downpipes where "stuff" tends to accumulate, clean cladding back and front and downpipes, and short return wall as well. Replace the bit of mortar that's fallen out of the edge of the roof (I think its called the verge?) , fix dripping kitchen tap ( new washer?), sort out cabinet that wobbles, fix garage guttering that's loose at one end and bending down. More as I think of them? Texted 10/3 and 14/4
If no reply by the end of the month, then definitely look for someone else (DF PM is also starting to become exasperated with his reluctance)
Steps to take to find a replacement: ask friends, look on local sources eg Nextdoor for recommendations
I may have to split the jobs between different people this year if I can't find someone who's good at a variety of skills, so:
For gutter cleaning, Dneighbours R and A used Ben's gutters -are they pleased with the work? Does BG also clean cladding? Do they have a website? Yes
Also The E Gutter Cleaners -they have good reviews
Prepare my "job spec" WIP
Fill in free quote forms for both the above companies
Wait and see the results!
Kitchen tap - DF E has given me the phone number of her plumber . I think DF CW also has a plumber she is happy with?
Garage gutter -probably something for a handyman - text /message a few likely people. Does Dneighbour R2 do handyman type jobs? I know he's done work for Dneighbour R in the past, but that was larger jobs, like laying a path!
Pick a new podiatrist from my "short list"
Book an appointment !
Take up and hem those thick winter curtains for the kitchen
Book eye test for me
Find picture hanging equipment for DH
Sort prints and put in albums (this will probably be an activity to do on wet days!) WIP I am now working on 2024
Think about setting up Guardianship for F,J and M - looked on Cats' Protection, I need their microchip numbers, approximate DOB, colour and markings and useful information about them. Bookmark link with local recommended solicitors (also ask DF CW?)
Change health centres to the one nearest us? On hold ATM , but I'll leave it on my list so I don't forget.

To do:
Early morning:
Cuddles and treats on the bed with Matilda, Jude, and Freddie
Cup of tea
QT
Update latest Waitrose order when new dates become available
Make bed
Shower / wash hair/ moisturiser and sunblock/ clean and floss teeth
Physio exercises and back exercises
Proprioceptors exercises X1 x2 x3
S/S bathroom
Get dressed
DH launched for his walk
Breakfast and meds / supplements - me
DRINK WATER #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8
Check bank account
Go for my walk

Garden:
15 minutes in tiny front garden
15 minutes in back garden

Cats:
Cats’ breakfast and meds / supplements
Fresh water in cat bowls
Scoop cat trays
Check Jude’s bowl
Check Matilda's bowl
Walk Freddie
Lap time with Jude, Freddie and Matilda
Play with Jude, Freddie and Matilda
Head rubs with Jude, Freddie and Matilda
Cats' supper

House:
Rubbish down to wheelie bins
Kitchen clean up
Load DW
Run DW when full
Unload DW
PUPA downstairs
Quick dust sitting room
Quick hoover downstairs
PUPA upstairs
Quick dust bedrooms
Quick hoover upstairs
Lunch
Supper

Lay out clothes for tomorrow
Journal three things I am thankful for today
Hand cream

Extra house tasks:

Monday:
Clean bathroom
Clean spare room
Clean bedroom
Can I clean some windows?

Tuesday:
Clean hall
Clean sitting room
Clean stairs
Empty hoover before starting work
Wheelie bins back when dustmen have been
Filing paperwork for 15 minutes
Clean more window /patio doors?

Wednesday:
Clean kitchen

Garden extras:
Feed pots weekly
Beginning of June - need to order more fuchsia gall mite predator
Plant Begonias - shallow pot on manhole cover in front garden, also some for shallow bowl on patio? Bought 18
Geraniums - 10 along fence by path
20 for small border
6? for patio ? Bought 30
Allysum - need to plant these in a pot -which one?

Financial:
More work on budget WIP
Healthspan
Change CTax SO again in May!

[Bama]

Good morning
Topaz sounds tasty, good to know about the Czech Republic. I do wish I’d known my grandparents and could have heard stories about their country of origin.
Kittykatt, good luck to Freddie, hope the Solensia helps. I need to make an appt to take Tux for his.
I forgot to make a list last night so must do it now.

[Bama]

Tuesday To Do List (√ = done)
√ Bible
√ Weigh
√ Planner
√ Spot clean floors
Water ~ in progress
Bathroom - √ wipe down, dc a drawer, scoop litter
√ Feed inside animals + glucoasamine supplements
√Feed outside animals
WHB √ dust, √ vacuum, mop, glass
√Kitchen - wipe down, unload/load/run dw, shine sink, Wfd/cook (hot dogs, stewed apples…), clean up after eating
√ Laundry - scoop litter boxes, tidy
Wash - dh’s clothes (hamper empty), my clothes
Dining room - √ wipe down, dc cabinet, √ stock drink fridge
Living room - clean glass and rehang cat seat, strip and wash furniture covers, take down decor around tv
√ Second bathroom wipe out inside cabinet, scoop litter
Foyer - wipe AC vent cover (in progress)
Master bedroom - √ box items to donate, box Christmas
Closet - sort/declutter clothes and shoes 20 minutes
Office - dc 20 minutes
√ Paper - log payments
√ Ss room - dc 5 minutes
Porch - repot plants that are in too small containers, water plants
Yard - gather mulch and put in dog yard
√Walk dogs
Spray for ants
Spray house with outdoor cleaner
Spread dirt - found someone to do it for us cheap, waiting on date
√Pick blackberries
Tuesday Focus: pets - brush, dremel nails (√ brushed Toby, Jeremy)
√ Self: nails

[Kittykatt]

Good morning, Bama! Freddie grumbled, hissed and swore at everyone this morning, but the Solensia is definitely helping with his mobility, especially his "bad" hip, so we persevere. Fortunately, the vet we usually see is used to him, and can cope.

I've had breakfast and coffee in my garden this morning - it's another beautiful day. I need to do some housework, so I think I'll tackle that while the sun is at its highest, and maybe do some watering this evening.

[Kittykatt]

To do:

Appointments:
Tuesday: DH WFH
8.45 vet Freddie - Solensia injection & ORDER HIS FLEA CONTROL!
6.30 pm DH choral practice
Wednesday: DH to office
7pm DH choral practice
At home for me
Laxapet for Jude and Matilda
9 pm Final touches to Waitrose order - ORDER EXTRA MILK FOR CHURCH COFFEES
Thursday: County Council elections; DH is PO at our local polling station
Vote!
10.30 am church
Any errands?
Hoover car? ( Weather permitting!)
Bring blue crates up from garage (delegate this to DH)
6-7 pm Waitrose delivery
Laxapet -Jude and Matilda ( if we didn't do it yesterday)
Friday DH: WFH
At home for me
Saturday:
*Text DF E re coffee tomorrow* not this week, as we're doing coffees after church
Sunday: church 9.30 am We are doing the coffees this week
Coffee with DF E ? Not this week
Laxapet Jude and Matilda

Future dates to note: Order my meds

Outstanding deliveries: Mountain Warehouse, Seasalt

Extras:
Amend Amazon S&S items - TODAY WIP
Digital decluttering- Google Photos for 2024 and 2025
Pick up my footprints
House tasks: clean gutters and the swan neck on the downpipes where "stuff" tends to accumulate, clean cladding back and front and downpipes, and short return wall as well. Replace the bit of mortar that's fallen out of the edge of the roof (I think its called the verge?) , fix dripping kitchen tap ( new washer?), sort out cabinet that wobbles, fix garage guttering that's loose at one end and bending down. More as I think of them? Texted 10/3 and 14/4
If no reply by the end of the month, then definitely look for someone else (DF PM is also starting to become exasperated with his reluctance)
Steps to take to find a replacement: ask friends, look on local sources eg Nextdoor for recommendations
I may have to split the jobs between different people this year if I can't find someone who's good at a variety of skills, so:
For gutter cleaning, Dneighbours R and A used Ben's gutters -are they pleased with the work? Does BG also clean cladding? Do they have a website? Yes
Also The E Gutter Cleaners -they have good reviews
Prepare my "job spec" WIP
Fill in free quote forms for both the above companies
Wait and see the results!
Kitchen tap - DF E has given me the phone number of her plumber . I think DF CW also has a plumber she is happy with?
Garage gutter -probably something for a handyman - text /message a few likely people. Does Dneighbour R2 do handyman type jobs? I know he's done work for Dneighbour R in the past, but that was larger jobs, like laying a path!
Pick a new podiatrist from my "short list"
Book an appointment !
Take up and hem those thick winter curtains for the kitchen
Book eye test for me
Find picture hanging equipment for DH
Sort prints and put in albums (this will probably be an activity to do on wet days!) WIP I am now working on 2024
Think about setting up Guardianship for F,J and M - looked on Cats' Protection, I need their microchip numbers, approximate DOB, colour and markings and useful information about them. Bookmark link with local recommended solicitors (also ask DF CW?)
Change health centres to the one nearest us? On hold ATM , but I'll leave it on my list so I don't forget.

To do:
Early morning:
Cuddles and treats on the bed with Matilda, Jude, and Freddie
Cup of tea
QT
Update latest Waitrose order when new dates become available
Make bed
Shower / wash hair/ moisturiser and sunblock/ clean and floss teeth
Physio exercises and back exercises
Proprioceptors exercises X1 x2 x3
S/S bathroom
Get dressed
DH launched for his walk
Breakfast and meds / supplements - me
DRINK WATER #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8
Check bank account
Go for my walk

Garden:
15 minutes in tiny front garden
90 minutes in back garden

Cats:
Cats’ breakfast and meds / supplements
Fresh water in cat bowls
Scoop cat trays
Check Jude’s bowl
Check Matilda's bowl
Walk Freddie
Lap time with Jude, Freddie and Matilda
Play with Jude, Freddie and Matilda
Head rubs with Jude, Freddie and Matilda
Cats' supper

House:
Rubbish down to wheelie bins
Kitchen clean up
Load DW
Run DW when full
Unload DW
PUPA downstairs
Quick dust sitting room
Quick hoover downstairs
PUPA upstairs
Quick dust bedrooms
Quick hoover upstairs
Lunch
Supper

Lay out clothes for tomorrow
Journal three things I am thankful for today
Hand cream

Extra house tasks:

Monday:
Clean bathroom
Clean spare room
Clean bedroom
Can I clean some windows?

Tuesday:
Clean hall
Clean sitting room
Clean stairs
Empty hoover before starting work
Wheelie bins back when dustmen have been
Filing paperwork for 15 minutes
Clean more window /patio doors?
Wash bedroom rugs

Wednesday:
Clean kitchen

Garden extras:
Feed pots weekly
Beginning of June - need to order more fuchsia gall mite predator
Plant Begonias - shallow pot on manhole cover in front garden, also some for shallow bowl on patio? Bought 18
Geraniums - 10 along fence by path
20 for small border
6? for patio ? Bought 30
Allysum - need to plant these in a pot -which one?

Financial:
More work on budget WIP
Healthspan
Change CTax SO again in May!
[/quote]

[helia]

I don't think I got here yesterday. It was a tight morning with payroll prep and then a haircut appointment in another town that takes 2 hours, including driving time. I was at payroll 1:30 - 4ish and then watched Fable 6-7. Dinner was on my own since dh met a friend (ex-pastor) at 7:30 pm.

I've never heard of a Topaz apple, trissie, but now I want to try one! My favorite is a honeycrisp - but it has to be a good one. Some are too bland for me. The good ones are both sweet and tart and have a nice crunch.
Glad everyone survived Freddie's appointment. Breakfast in your garden sounds lovely, Kitty. Enjoy time outside!
That's quite the list, Bama!!

It is forecast to be a warm day here, getting up to 80*F. And windy. I'm going to jog this afternoon so I can visit Mom this morning. . . It will be a warm and windy jog, but I will keep it short. This morning is my weekly get together with friends K, S2, and J. It has gradually moved later, 10 - 12:30. I'll visit my mom beforehand. I need to get groceries, and I need to get GGT for payroll started. I also need to look into some things for Mom: dental practice application is the most pressing. And figuring out a neurologist appointment. I'm not sure we paid for the hospital bed, so I should look into that too. And get a referral for a wheel chair. And order shelving. And mail out change of address cards. --Well, that was good to write out but it's more than I thought and it's not all going to happen today.

Next:
- some qt
- back exercises
- s2s and self care

Later:
- strip MBR bed
- remake it with clean sheets
- empty dw when it is finished
- find knitting project - booties for dgrandbaby (these were intended for ds; I started a sweater and booties set when I was pregnant with ds but never finished it. My hope is to finish it for my first grandbaby, 31 years later. That's my speed for craftsy projects. )
- visit Mom
- KS2J get together (the idea is to do crafts while talking; everyone does that except for me. . . )
- lunch
- menu plan and grocery list
- grocery store
- change to jog
- short jog: arboretum? (Forested --> cut down on wind)
- email trustee re: Q re: dental practice application
- anything else for Mom?
- payroll: copy over S3 lesson plans
- payroll: start GGT
- dinner: TBD
- after dinner clean up
- duo
- other things?

TaDas!
- up; weighed self - still very high. I gained like 2 pounds over the weekend.
- coffee
- dw running; I didn't do that last night
- email deletions + weather website

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
Tue 10-12-ish KSJ get together
Wed 8:10 dentist/ 1:30 - 3:30 payroll: teach AAS D4
Thu 8 work out with trainer/
Fri 1:30 - 3:30 payroll: teach AAS D5/ 6:30 Dinner with Rs and Gs
Sat 8 - 5K? / 5:30 - ? CG1
Sun 10:30 - 12-ish church in other town/ 12:30 meet MZ for lunch near church in other city/ NO hosting Sunday dinner

Mon 1-1:40 payroll: instructor mtg/ 1:40 - 3:30 payroll: teach AAS D6
Tue 10-12ish KS2J get together/6:30 host Tuesday dinner for ____
Wed 1:30 - 3:30 payroll: teach AAS D7 (Midterm Test?)
Thu 8-9 workout with trainer
Fri 1:30 - 3:30 payroll: teach AAS D8/ Dinner Date with dh?
Sat 8 - 5K?
Sun (Mother's Day) Church/ 3:30 - 5:30 host CG2/ Host Sunday dinner for 8?

April Brain Dumps
This Week - House
- clean sheets on the bed
- clean fridge
- get 2 guest beds remade with clean sheets
- polish kitchen appliances
- possibly, polish stone counter tops
- repot my little orchid

This Week - Deskwork

General Brain Dump
- book bnbs for July vacation - wip
- book tix for Maine trip
- progress decluttering clothes - wip
- new phone eventually
- buy queen bed frame + mattress + box springs for dd26's room - wip

MOM
- send change of address cards
- put up pics in her room
- shelves for her room?
- keep on sprucing up her wardrobe - wip
- application: dentist
- find a neurologist

Brain Dump - Mom and Trust
- get fire safe box for Mom's documents
- email church about the tools in Dad's workshop; Dad would have loved for the church workshop to have them

[Smile*Lee]

Good morning!

trissie ~ indeed, apples are an amazing food. My faves are bright, crisp, and sweet-tart.
kitty ~ enjoy the sunshine!
bama ~ good to see you!
helian ~ busy day as usual. How is your dm settling in?

Spent last week in Ohio with ds/A. G is on his second week in NC supervising house building - meeting with al the subcontractors. It's coming to life! He has his office now set up in the big "barn." The last of the "garage" cabinets are coming today. He's in seventh heaven. We'll be going down together for our annual spring camping trip at the end of May. While we're there, we'll be meeting with people to pick out appliances, lighting, etc.

I see that the old forums are still up. Not that I'm complaining. To me - merging the 2 groups has been good for injecting some good dynamics.

Getting a slow start - but I can always count on my day moving better when I enjoy SHE peeps company!
Off to the shower!