Rambling Thoughts & A Little Life Update

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šŸŒŸ Because life doesnā€™t follow a theme ā€” and neither does this blog

If youā€™ve been reading Around Dusty Roads lately, youā€™ve probably noticed that there isnā€™t exactly a theme happening. One day itā€™s cats, the next itā€™s a local adventure, then a recipe, then some random daily trivia. Thatā€™s retirement for you ā€” footloose, fancy free, and no longer tied to a work schedule or those precious two weeks of vacation.

These days, I just enjoy jotting down whatever crosses my mind and sharing the little slices of life that make me smile (or roll my eyes). And for you youngsters out there, consider this a preview of what might be waiting for you when you finally escape the daily grind. Whether thatā€™s a good thingā€¦ well, juryā€™s still out.

šŸŒ± Projects, Experiments, and the Things That Didnā€™t Quite Pan Out

Iā€™ll admit it ā€” Iā€™m still a little disappointed that Welcoming Haven didnā€™t take off the way I hoped. It was a solid idea; I just didnā€™t have the budget to push it where it needed to go. Same with my brief Etsy printable experiment. Letā€™s just say Iā€™m much better at buying cute printables than designing them.

DoorDash had its moment too. It was funā€¦ until it wasnā€™t. Once I factored in gas, maintenance, and the joy of climbing to thirdā€‘floor walkups with arthritis, the math stopped mathing. When I took a spill on a delivery run, that was my sign to wrap up that chapter.

So for now, no side gigs. Just me, my home projects, and the cats supervising everything I do.

šŸ“ø The Great Photo Tagging Marathon

One of my big undertakings is the massive photoā€‘tagging project. Iā€™m working backward from Now and have made it to May 2021. Considering my media library goes back to January 2011, this should keep me entertained for a while. Maybe longer.

šŸ§¹ Decluttering: The Adventure Continues

Then thereā€™s the decluttering saga. Iā€™ve got boxes to donate, boxes to sell, and boxes that are destined for the trash ā€” all currently cluttering my living space. But the cupboards are looking pretty good, and AARP swears Iā€™ll be done in a few weeks. Iā€™m choosing to believe them.

Part of my motivation comes from watching my sister deal with the mountain of stuff my mom left behind. I still have boxes from that era that I havenā€™t opened. Someday Iā€™ll tackle themā€¦ probably when I reach the dining room. Until then, yes, the place looks a little like Iā€™m auditioning for Hoarders: The Prequel.

šŸš¶ā€ā™€ļø Health, Mobility, and a Dash of Pride

Now for the big topic: mobility. My arthritis has been getting worse, and while the hip replacement went well, Iā€™m not eager to repeat the experience with my knee. I lost 25 pounds hoping it would help ā€” and while I look better, my walking hasnā€™t improved much.

Iā€™m seriously considering a walker. I still have the one from my surgery, but itā€™s not great for strolling around parks. A new one would let me load my camera on the seat and get back to exploring. The cane works, but juggling that and a camera is a circus act.

My pride is the real obstacle. I donā€™t want to admit Iā€™ve reached the ā€œwalker stage.ā€ But as the saying goes, pride goeth before a fall ā€” and in my case, that might be more literal than Iā€™d like.

Future Me?

šŸ¾ And Through It Allā€¦

My days are full ā€” projects, decluttering, mobility puzzles, and of course, the cats ā€œhelpingā€ every step of the way. But one thing remains constant: Iā€™ll keep sharing my rambling thoughts here on Around Dusty Roads.

Thanks for sticking with me through all the twists, turns, and experiments. And if youā€™ve got advice, stories, or your own retirement adventures to share, feel free to jump in. Even if I pretend I donā€™t want advice, I usually enjoy hearing it.

 

Dustyā€™s Smothered Pork Chops

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My Longā€‘Time Favorite Pork Chop Recipe

Smothered pork chops surrounded by gravy. Of course it's in a cast iron skillet

A Little Backstory

Recently I shared two new pork chop recipes ā€” Rediscovering Pork Chops and Pork Chops Take 2.
Now Iā€™m down to the last of the chops, which means thereā€™s room for one more recipe before I take a break. I actually have another new one waiting in the wings, but that will have to wait for my next pork chop run.

Todayā€™s recipe is my longā€‘time favorite. It goes all the way back to the 1970s, when Iā€™d just gotten my first professional (nonā€‘waitress!) job. One of my coworkers told me he always made his pork chops in a skillet with Campbellā€™s Golden Mushroom soup. He insisted it had to be Golden Mushroom ā€” not Cream of Mushroom.

I tried it, loved it, and over the years it evolved into the version I make today. Itā€™s still simple, still comforting, and still one of my goā€‘to meals.

Dustyā€™s Smothered Chops

Ingredients

  • 4 thickā€‘cut, boneless centerā€‘cut pork chops
  • 2 cans Campbellā€™s Golden Mushroom Soup
  • 2 cans sliced potatoes
  • 1 small can sliced mushrooms (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Heat a large skillet over mediumā€‘high heat and add a light skim of oil (about 2 Tbsp).
    (I love a cast iron skillet for this.)
  2. Generously salt and pepper both sides of the chops. Add them to the hot pan and sear for color ā€” about 2 minutes per side.
    Do not cook through.
  3. Transfer the chops to your slow cooker and pour in the soup. Add the sliced potatoes and the optional mushrooms, then stir gently to combine.
  4. Set to Low and cook for 6ā€“8 hours.

Notes

  • Your chops will come out meltā€‘inā€‘yourā€‘mouth tender.
  • The Golden Mushroom soup makes a wonderful gravy.
  • Add the optional mushrooms if you like a little extra.

Golden Mushroom vs. Cream of Mushroom

Why Golden Mushroom?

Golden Mushroom soup acts more like a flavor concentrate than a creamy base.
It melts into the pan juices and creates a rich, savory gravy that clings beautifully to pork chops ā€” especially when you brown them first.

Can You Substitute Cream of Mushroom?

Not unless you want an entirely different vibe.

  • Cream of Mushroom makes the dish creamy and mild.
  • Golden Mushroom makes it bold, savory, and deeply seasoned.

In my own wordsā€¦ Yummy!

Wrapping Up

So thatā€™s it ā€” the last of this pork chop run. Iā€™m all out for now, but Iā€™m sure weā€™ll circle back another time.

How do you cook pork chops in your home? Iā€™d love to know.

 

The Kitchen Declutter Adventure , Week 2

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Excellent progress on the bathroom. It truly took just 30 minutes a day ā€” even with Banner and Balboa ā€œhelping.ā€ All thatā€™s left is to sweep out the bottom of the vanity and I can call Week 1 wrapped.

 

 

  • The Vanity Corner

Week 2: Kitchen & Pantry ā€” The Real Test Begins

My decluttering adventure continues.

As you may recall, AARP claims you can declutter your entire home in 30 days. Iā€™m testing that theory, one week at a time. Week 1 went surprisingly well ā€” and yes, it really did take less than 30 minutes a day. It helped that I redecorated the bathroom a couple of years ago, so I wasnā€™t dealing with 20 years of fossilized lotions. Plus, I had Bannerā€™s ā€œhelpā€ with the medicine cabinet and Balboaā€™s supervision from the overā€‘theā€‘toilet storage shelves.

Somewhere in the middle of all this, my browser crashed. Not the computer ā€” just the browser ā€” but it slowed me down enough that I ended up ā€œdeclutteringā€ my hard drive instead of my home. That saga deserves its own post.

But onward. Week 2 is Kitchen and Pantry, and the rules remain the same: no more than 30 minutes a day.

My tiny kitchen where culinary magic happens

My tiny kitchen where culinary magic happens

AARP suggests tackling the junk drawer on a weekday and getting rid of duplicates. Cabinets are also weekday tasks, except for the ā€œbig ones.ā€ In my tiny kitchen, Iā€™m not entirely sure what qualifies as a big cabinet, but the bottom line is clear: declutter them all.

Not a junk drawer, mostly confused

This is where things get emotional.

The mugs.

The Mug Cabinet

I have souvenir mugs from trips, funny mugs, mugs with pictures, mugs that remind me of people, places, and moments. One of the tasks this week is to thin those out and make room on the shelf. The rule is simple: if you donā€™t use it, out it goes. The rule is also cruel.

At least I can say one cabinet is already in good shape. The underā€‘sink cabinet is practically a showpiece at this point ā€” Iā€™ve been cleaning it out for the past year. Can I count that as ā€œone downā€? Iā€™m counting it.

Pots, pans and baking essentials, all necessary for my culinary adventures

Pots, pans and baking essentials

Of course, Banner and Balboa will be deeply involved in this weekā€™s work. They love the underā€‘sink cabinet. Theyā€™ve both figured out how to open the door even though itā€™s on a spring. I always know when theyā€™re in there because I hear the rhythmic thudā€¦ thudā€¦ thud of the door swinging shut behind them.

The spice cabinet

So here we go. The clock is ticking, the mugs are trembling, and Week 2 begins. Can we get the kitchen back to it’s former glory? Let’s find out.

Counter Clutter

 

100% Mulberry Silk

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Spring Sale: 20% Off Promeed Silk Sheets

If youā€™ve been thinking about refreshing your bedding for spring, Promeed just launched a Spring Sale on their premium 100% Mulberry Silk Sheets (23mmā€“30mm) ā€” and itā€™s a good one.

For a limited time, you can enjoy 20% off your purchase with the exclusive code PM20 at checkout.

Silk sheets are naturally cooling, gentle on skin and hair, and add a touch of luxury to your everyday routine. If youā€™ve been curious about upgrading, this is the perfect moment to try them.

You can shop the sale here

Starts 3/27/26 ends 4/10/26

(This post contains an affiliate link. If you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.)

 

The Great Cupcake Caper

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The Great Cupcake Caper

Ā Or, How I Learned Iā€™m Officially One of the ā€œOld Peopleā€

Elderly "Florida" squirrel returns from shoppingOk, I admit it. Iā€™ve crossed over. I am now officially one of the ā€œelderly,ā€ and as one of the Old People, I tend to be a little forgetful. But I still make lists ā€” real lists ā€” written on actual paper with a pen or pencil. I use my phone for plenty of things, but grocery lists are sacred. I want the satisfaction of crossing things off as they go into the cart. Itā€™s a ritual.

So last Tuesday I headed to Hannaford for my weekly grocery run. Back in the day Iā€™d pop in whenever I needed something, but now I try to do it all in one trip. Why Tuesday? Because Tuesday is Senior Discount Day, and I am absolutely here for saving a few pennies.

Right there on my list, bold as can be: flour.

My mother always bought the giant bag, but since itā€™s just me, I stick to the small ones. Easier to store, less likely to go stale, and it forces me to keep an eye on how much is left. Wellā€¦ it finally happened. Hannaford only had the big bags, so I skipped it. I wasnā€™t planning any baking anyway. What could go wrong?

Oops.

Fastā€‘forward to dinner. After all the porkā€‘chop experimenting Iā€™ve been doing, I wanted something sweet to finish the meal. I had a cat on my lap, so I figured the urge to bake would pass. But no. An hour later, I still wanted cupcakes.

I remembered I had a box of white cake mix in the cupboard. Easy peasy. Exceptā€¦ the ā€œBest Byā€ date was 8/20/2020. Not months old. Years. Iā€™ll use things past their date, but even I have limits. That mix was basically an archaeological artifact.

Fine. Iā€™d make cupcakes from scratch. Mini ones, so I wouldnā€™t overindulge. I pulled out my favorite yellow cake recipe ā€” itā€™s so good.

Who needs a box anyway!

Soft Buttery Yellow Cake (Perfect for Mini Cupcakes)

Ingredients

  • 1 Ā¼ cups allā€‘purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • Ā½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • Ā½ cup whole milk
  • 1 Ā½ teaspoons baking powder
  • Ā½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Ā¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350Ā°F and line your mini muffin pan.
  2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
  4. Stir in vanilla.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
  6. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk, mixing just until combined.
  7. Fill mini cups about ā…” full.
  8. Bake 10ā€“12 minutes or until tops spring back.
  9. Cool completely before frosting.

As I gathered ingredients, I noticed the flour bag felt suspiciously light. A quick check confirmed I had just under one cup left. But by then I was committed. I wanted cupcakes. I was emotionally invested.

 

So I did some questionable math, cut the recipe in half, and created:

Halfā€‘Batch Yellow Cake (Perfect for 18 Mini Cupcakes)

Ingredients

  • ā…” cup allā€‘purpose flour
  • Ā½ cup granulated sugar
  • Ā¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • Ā¼ cup + 2 tablespoons whole milk
  • Ā¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • Ā¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350Ā°F.
  2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
  3. Add egg and vanilla; mix well.
  4. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
  5. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk.
  6. Fill mini muffin cups ā…” full.
  7. Bake 10ā€“11 minutes.
  8. Cool before frosting.

These biteā€‘sized morsels are a treasure for your taste buds. Honestly, you donā€™t even need frosting ā€” but if you decide to go all in, thatā€™s when the real adventure begins. Now came the frosting. Have you tried frosting mini cupcakes lately? Iā€™m fine with fullā€‘size cakes, but minis usually end with frosting all over my thumbs, the counter, and sometimes the cat.

So I tried piping it on. I didnā€™t have any tips, so I cut the corner off a plastic bag and hoped for the best.

Here they are ā€” not the prettiest, but absolutely delicious. Maybe even better because of all the drama.

My Favorite Chocolate Frosting (Buttercream Style)

Ingredients

  • Ā½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 Ā½ cups powdered sugar
  • Ā¼ cup cocoa powder
  • 2ā€“3 tablespoons milk
  • Ā½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Beat butter until creamy.
  2. Add powdered sugar and cocoa gradually.
  3. Add milk a tablespoon at a time until smooth and spreadable.
  4. Mix in vanilla and salt.
  5. Pipe or spread onto cooled cupcakes.

Enjoy!
And remember: sometimes the best desserts come from a little chaos, a little improvising, and a cat who refuses to move from your lap.