Tea Infuser Arrived

 

Song:  Ordinary World

Group: Duran Duran

I just received my electric Infuser Kettle today.

I love it so much.

-------------

Yes...

I am like a child when I react to positive things in life.

I feel an inner giddiness...

a bubbling and upwelling of happiness from the simplest things.

I had been so looking forwards to this infuser 

since I had first ordered my peppermint tea.

I will be making large batches of tea...

as I will be drinking large quantities throughout the day. 

This great electric infuser comes with a separate base plate...

which the kettle itself just fits on top of as only the water in the kettle heats up...

while the base remains cool.

Then you just lift off the kettle and it is portable as a serving vessel.

You can see the stainless steel loose leaf tea strainer inside the kettle.

I had also ordered a stainless steel...

hermetically sealable tea container.

I just spooned out the tea into the filter

(which attaches to the underside of the lid).

I slid the tea strainer back onto the lid.

There is also a finer filter which seals up against the pouring spout...

and which is part of the main kettle...

but which is very easy to clean.

Addendum:  You would first allow the water to boil...

and then you would emplace the tea infuser to allow the tea to steep.

Otherwise...

it is subject to boil over with higher levels of water.

I then just placed the kettle onto the electrical connector plate...

...and flipped the large under handle switch

(a blue led light tells you when it is heating the water to a boil...

whereupon it automatically shuts off and the tea steeps for 10 or so minutes).

In less than a minute...

it began to boil the water.

In less than two minutes...

it began to boil at a greater rate.

After I let it steep...

the tea was the color of coffee...

just right.

The kettle just lifts right off the electrical connection plate.

And the kettle performs perfectly as a serving vessel.

I really love this tea steeper.

It works perfectly...

is very convenient...

and is a very welcome addition to my kitchen.

---------

Although this tea is delicious...

and leaves a coolness in my mouth...

I want an even more intense peppermint experience.

So, I ordered essence of peppermint drops...

made specifically to add to tea.

I will then call my peppermint tea...

Arctic Blast  :)

I think I will once again visit the Yellow Mountain Tea House.

I miss the Dim Sum...

as well as the tranquil ambiance...

and I plan to buy more tea directly from them.

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Just as the included song intimates...

take care of the future...

so you may then leave the prison of the past...

and so...

you may fully live life today.

Allow yourself to feel a free flowing happiness

in the most ordinary of events in your life.

Delicious meals or drinks...

country drives...

little gifts to yourself...

beautiful scenery...

should all make you feel as giddy as a child at Christmas.

So...

 once again...

never let your inner child die...

for he (or she) is the one who gives life so much of its flavor.

Love life always...

it is the only one we will ever have.

Snow / Two Days Of Recovery

 

Song:  99

Group:  Toto

(This song had come out...

and had quickly become one of my favorite songs

when I lived in Hawaii for four years...

from 77' - 81').

As I was driving back from today's shopping...

this song played from my play list in the car...

and it just fit my mood at the moment...

and so...

from Woodland Park...

all the way home...

I just kept repeating this song and singing to it.

As the weather was nice (50F or 10C)...

I drove with all of the car windows open

while Bandi hung outside one of the windows...

just loving the wind in her face.

---------------

I had taken it easy all day in bed yesterday...

as my body aches had returned...

because I tried to work outside while still ill the previous two days before.

I felt pretty good this morning...

but...

just as the first weather report had predicted...

yesterday started out with some mist on the mountains...

which devolved into a short thunder storm...

and then into a light snowfall.

So...

I couldn't do any more deck work anyway.

All day today...

other than for a quick food shopping trip in Woodland Park...

I will also stay in bed.

For the next few days...

the weather is supposed to be fine.

This should allow the light dusting of snow to melt...

and the water to evaporate.

Early next week I am supposed to get my wood repair epoxy.

I suspect it will take me a while to finish the repair work...

and then another day of allowing the epoxy to fully cure.

So long as there are not any more showers...

I should be able to resume the outdoor waterproof carpeting of the second deck soon after.

As you can see...

 the third deck protects the second deck.

I took Bandi out to her forest bathroom area before taking her 

on our car ride into Woodland Park for shopping.

A last pic just before entering the front door.

I quickly walked upstairs to check some things on the computer.

You can see the light dusting of snow on the trees.

And then Bandi and I got into the car to do some bulk shopping at Walmart.

This is just before the turnoff for Safeway...

my normal food shopping place...

except when I need to buy things in bulk...

then Walmart is just one mile down the road from Safeway.

I love seeing Pikes Peak from Woodland Park.

After completing my shopping...

I stopped in at my favorite taco truck in Woodland Park.

I always park facing Pikes Peak.

This way I will always have the best seat to enjoy my food and the views.

Their carnitas tacos are the best.

I ordered two...

but I should have ordered all of them as carnitas.

I had also gotten three carne asada tacos.

Although they are good...

the carnitas tacos are simply the best.

When you bite into the carnitas tacos...

and the succulent juices drip out both ends of the taco...

that is how you know the carnitas was correctly made.

The meat is just so tender and juicy...

and with their verde on top...

along with a full lime wedge squeezed over the top of each taco...

it is just the best.

I just love tacos.

As I was eating and enjoying the views...

I noticed a new food station had made its home in the same parking lot.

After I finished eating...

I walked over to see what they sold.

I couldn't resist buying a small pie.

Not only because I love blueberry pie...

but I admired the semi elderly lady running the operation.

She is following a dream of hers...

and I could see the excitement and pride in her eyes.

She had a softness about her that made me want to do something for her

(when a woman is soft...it automatically triggers the protective instinct in men).

She bakes at home using her own recipes...

and she is planning to supplement her retirement income 

with her self made operation.

I always like to support the small businessman or woman.

It takes great determination...

long hours of work, and risk.

And, most of all...

she is expressing a creative passion.

Again...

I cannot help but admire such a person.

So...

later tonight...

I am going to try her pie.

And...

every time I visit the taco truck...

I will be sure to stop in to buy something else from her.

I was leaving Woodland park and on my way home here.

I had just filled my belly with a delicious meal...

driving with all of the car windows fully open...

and the included song played on my car stereo about here as well...

and until I got home...

I just kept repeating it...

and singing to it...

with the wind in my hair...

and not a care in the world.

I was almost home here.

After unloading the car...

I made myself a large mug of peppermint tea...

which I am currently enjoying as I type up this article.

--------

As I still have some body aches...

I will just go to bed and try to rest.

But...

I have to tell you...

those great tacos really made me feel so much better.

A great taco is one of the great simple pleasures in life.

So...

here I sit with my appetite sated...

my peppermint tea just about finished...

my body feeling drowsiness overcoming it

(even though it is only 3 PM)...

still feeling slightly ill...

but enormously happy.

When the simplest of pleasures make you deeply happy inside...

you know you have done something right in life.

Eliminate worries...

so you will have none.

You then may enjoy everything all around you...

from the clouds, the sun, the forests and mountains...

and even the gentlest of breezes.

Even though it was a simple car ride into town to shop...

and then to eat a greatly satisfying meal...

well...

I had such a great day.

I enjoy the views to and from town...

having the freedom of the open road...

seeing Bandi enjoying herself so much as she hangs out the window...

singing to my favorite songs as if I were on stage

(yes...with the included theatrical movements of my free arm and head :)...

and then looking forwards to sipping a mug of my favorite tea...

my life...

while simple...

is filled with such serenity that I am certain that dreams do come true...

if we just keep them alive and constantly work towards them.

Look into the future...

and walk the path to its realization.

Be the ant...

and not the grasshopper...

it is worth it...

so very worth it.

----------

(after resting and then taking Bandi out to use the bathroom...

I saw this sunset almost in its final stages.

I rushed up to the loft to stand on the third deck to take this shot of a dying sunset.  

It was still so beautiful).

Yesterday...

I ordered a book on Eastern Philosophy.

I decided to incorporate the wisdom of some of Asia's greatest philosophers (Taoism)...

as well as the wisdom of the Western Philosophers (Stoicism)...

in my future book series.

I have much reading to catch up on.

No matter the weather...

I always have a carrot awaiting me.

To accomplish your dreams...

is to enjoy every day...

and so...

to never have regrets.

This is in the realm of serenity...

and of living a life well lived.

Day 3 - Second Deck - A Problem Found

 

Song:  Moon

Artist:  George Winston

I started out the day with egg sandwiches...

as I needed a meal which would last me all day

(I fed Bandi half the eggs).

I would use the carpet in the middle to fill the two gaps.

I then cut it to a size which would fit the first gap.

The rest of the carpet I put aside to later fill the second gap.

I measured the amount I would need to lay over the edge...

and began cutting around the posts and supports.

You will notice the raised electrical outlet box.

This presented a unique challenge as I couldn't just cut it to a perfect size

as I had to make room for the door of the outlet protector to swing up.

So...

I had to cut out a section forwards of it...

and then I siliconed the wood...

and I cut out a sort of cap of carpet I will be able to remove when it is in use.

As I had expected rain or snow on the morrow...

I had to seal around all of the posts and supports before moving on

(this is what takes so much time).

I then pulled over the rest of the carpet to fill in the second gap.

Yes...

I know it looks ugly right now.

But...

I will later lay down an additional layer of carpeting down the middle to cover 

the center seam, ensuring water tightness...

as it will have a triple layer of overlay.

This is where snow builds up in high mounds in winter.

I will also apply footings along the wall and supports to further ensure a water seal.

--------------

Problem found:

As I was cutting the carpet to size and sealing it...

I had found some water damaged wood.

Now...

this presented a problem.

I had to stop all further carpeting as I have to first repair the damaged wood...

otherwise it would rot underneath any coverage.

I ordered wood epoxy and syringes for deep application.

It will take a few days for it to arrive...

so any further carpeting must wait.

I also found other spots on the other side of the deck I also must repair...

so...

it is all good.

Plus...

the cold wind started to make me feel ill once again...

so...

it was actually a blessing in disguise.

I felt the need to finish up early...

take a dose of NyQuil and just go to bed.

So...

I waited until the next day to post this article.

If I feel up to it...

I will just cap the posts today...

and if the weather holds out...

I will then weatherproof and install the foot mats on the four stair stairway.

The weather forecast once again changed.

The promised rain and snow seems to have changed to just 

cloudy and chilly weather.

Hopefully this will hold true...

as I must await the epoxy before laying anymore carpets...

and I must have 24 hrs. of good weather after application to allow it to fully cure.

As I was resting on my finished project for the day...

 I looked up to see my reflection in one of the windows...

so I took this opportunity to take a selfie.

As all of my windows are double paned...

my image is slightly doubled and distorted...

but...

I look like a proper grizzled old mountain man  :)

Day 2 - 2nd Deck / Maggie's

 

Song:  Theme From The Valley Of The Dolls

Group:  Living Marimbas

I started out the day throwing away regular trash at the community center...

picking up my mail (I had a notice to pick up a box at the post office in Cripple Creek)...

and I had to throw away the satellite dish and an old metal pan 

at the Cripple Creek large trash transfer station.

I was at the bottom of our mountain...

and almost at the main road.

To the right is to the mail boxes...

and just beyond on the main road is the community center

(I missed this Autumn's art fair there because I was ill)...

and to the left...

just four miles down the main road...

is the town of Cripple Creek.

I dropped off the satellite dish and pan at the transfer station ($5.00)...

and picked up my box.

I also received three more boxes at home.

They are the stairway friction and drainage mats...

as well as the remainder of the post caps.

I blew the deck clean before starting.

I wore sunscreen and a hat this time.

My face got a bit red from yesterday without using either.

I had one section that fit perfectly from the end to the angled portion of the deck.

I had to measure the carpet so as to have enough to overhang the deck to allow 

proper water drip.

I used a cutting board to cut the carpet.

After this particular cut...

I switched around the blade of the carpet cutter...

as it started to cut raggedly.

I am getting much better at making the post and support cuts.

Tomorrow's cutting time will go up dramatically...

as I have many support structures and posts...

as well as other irregular cuts.

I pulled away a large section of carpet to make room.

I looked up a recent weather report...

and this had made me modify my plans.

I was going to lay all of the carpets first...

and then finish trimming around the posts...

and then caulk around each...

but...

tomorrow will be the last full day of sun.

In two days...

we are to expect a late afternoon rain or snow...

and then the next day...

we are expecting snow.

Then...

it is supposed to be sunny again for a few days.

But, as I cannot afford to let water seep between the posts and get underneath the carpet...

I had to first trim behind each post...

and then caulk

(I had to lay on my belly to make the far post side cuts by feel...

and to then caulk blindly).

This silicone seal will do the job until I emplace footings to further 

enhance water impermeability.

I don't remember if this widget came with the caulking gun...

but it is a fantastic gadget.

It seals the caulking end...

and the other side spreads out the caulking into a smooth bead.

I so appreciate well thought out engineering.

This gadget excels at two functions in one small and very useful piece.

I then rolled out the larger carpet just to see the geometry of my next lay of carpeting.

I will cut another carpet to fit the geometry of the two bare spots

(I use a lot of overlay of the carpets).

I will have to move over the large carpet and make the appropriate cuts around each post

and support...and then caulk.

I will then lay out another carpet on the house side...

and then make the appropriate cuts...

and then caulk.

And finally...

I will have to go down the long side on the other side of the deck.

This will be the most time consuming as there are a lot of posts and supports.

Hopefully...

I will be able to at least finish up with these areas before the expected rain showers...

and snow.

If not...

I will just lay out carpet to cover the remainder of the unfinished deck 

and temporarily tack them down to prevent them moving in case of high winds.

I am planning on capping the rest of the posts on the following day

before the late afternoon showers.

The stairway can wait until I get the 2nd deck protected.

And the final trimming will have to wait until all three decks are fully covered.

I will have to use my extendable ladder on the outside of the decks

to do the final trimming and stapling...

but that is the very last thing to do.

As it was getting late...

I took a nice long hot shower...

and this being Tuesday night...

it was my day to go to Maggie's.

I was headed down the mountain...

...and towards Maggie's in Cripple Creek.

This was Maggie's Halloween decoration...

at least so far  :)

Either that...

or it was my calling to Maggie's

(Bat signal :)

I opted for the 12 oz. Ribeye steak

(even their beef barley soup was delicious).

And...

once again...

it was perfection on a plate.

I learned that the chef is female...

and you can tell that she puts passion for her craft into every meal.

OMG...

this chef has a rare talent of not only being able to cook a steak perfectly at Medium Well...

but the steak was so tender and juicy...

as well as having had the perfect char on the outside that was just mouth watering...

I could just use a fork for most of the meal...

only using the knife to trim the outside fat.

I needed no sauce at all.

As always...

everything was perfectly spiced.

Her veggies were crisp and fresh...

with the perfect flame charred outside.

I am so impressed with this chef's cooking.

Especially with a medium well done meat...

a lesser chef tends to dry out the meat.

Not so with this chef...

everything was just so perfect.

Never had I had such a juicy and tender medium well done steak before...

and so filled with savory flavor.

Besides the spices...

it is the outside flame charring which makes this steak so...

absolutely delicious.

And...

again...

at half off  :)

I even like their decor on the ceiling.

What can I say...

everything about this quaint restaurant is just so right.

------------

Tomorrow will be a very busy day...

and so...

I will go to bed early...

as I will probably be busy the whole day...

as I am under the weather gun.