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Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Our AGA is fixed... and other things

This morning a repairman came out and fixed our AGA.  As DH said, "OMG, it's alive again!" That's what it feels like when the pilot is lit and the whole thing becomes warm again. It is the 'heart' of the kitchen and we've had it since 2005. 

It's only had one repair in all those years and that was in 2011. But when the workman who were putting in the generator last week tried to put it back on, they broke the simple mechanism that lights the pilot. So the poor thing went cold after all those years. We were lucky to find someone who knew how to fix it, as you don't find too many AGAs in Texas. But we love it... and really missed it. So we are so happy to have it back working again! 


She's back!!


Of course we also have an old wall oven... but we've had it for 36 years and the thermostat on it doesn't work well.  We have been told that it is too old to repair the thermostat so we either have to put a bought thermostat into the oven and regulate that way or just order a  new wall oven... (and who knows when that will get here - and it's definitely not a priority).

We did go out and buy a Breville toaster oven that has air fry capacity. THAT is supposed to be delivered before Christmas (we shall see). This was a precautionary measure in case the AGA parts had to be ordered and we wouldn't have any kind of oven for Christmas dinner. 

And I have to say that these last few days without an oven has taught me how to microwave more. Up until now we only used the microwave for heating things up... not actually cooking. But I've learned to cook scrambled eggs in the microwave (and baked potatoes)  as well as some microwavable dinners (like Stouffer's lasagna). I always knew they were microwavable, but just preferred to put them in the oven.

Anyway, now you are up to date on our latest Christmas dilemma.


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Our oldest son and his wife drove in from Texarkana this past weekend and we had our little family get-together Sunday. They were going to come Christmas Eve, but for one reason or another ended up coming this weekend. It was so good to see them as they have moved from Oahu, Hawaii to Grandbury, TX to Texarkana during the pandemic and we haven't gotten to visit much. 

Their dog is a Golden Doodle... (funny name for a breed I know), but very family oriented. I think he really believes he is just another kid. 
Here is a picture of Winston in his Christmas sweater.





He usually runs around the house except when we're eating - and then they 'corral' him for a little while. But he is a sweetie, loves to play and loves to watch TV... especially dog shows... but he watched football with us Sunday. 

We won't see our daughter and her family this Christmas, but we did see them Thanksgiving... and hope to be able to visit them in the hill country this spring or summer (if this virus would stop mutating and we could feel safe to travel).

Youngest son and his family will come over Christmas evening. Granddaughter is 9 now and her class recently had a Christmas event at school. We almost always go to these events, but decided that perhaps with Omicron rearing it's ugly head, that we would forego any crowded gatherings. They understood. No one wants any of us to get sick.

Tomorrow I will continue baking my Christmas rum cakes since the AGA is back in service.  I need to get these out to my neighbors sometime this week... and then I'm finished baking. We have gotten so much in the mail from friends and family... and even neighbors that we have enough goodies around this house to last for a year. 

These are the cannisters and rum cakes I send out... 




DH's brothers sent us a ton of dark chocolate 'everything' from the Chocolate House in Houston and bags of Italian seed cookies as well as quarts of Spumoni Ice-cream from Angelo Brocato's in New Orleans and a variety of different flavored pecans. I will have to put some of this away or we will all have diabetes by the end of the year. 

Well, Merry Christmas to all of you! Stay well and stay safe! And I'm glad that we at least have this safe way to stay in touch and communicate during these strange days. 

Hugs (virtual),
Rian

* For those who have shown an interest: Sorry I couldn't get the sequel to "Time after Time" out before Christmas. But hope to do it sometime early in 2022.  But good news is that I'm still getting hits on Amazon for both the paperback and the kindle edition. *












20 comments:

  1. A very, very happy Christmas to you and yours. With a healthy happy New Year to follow.

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    1. Thanks so much, EC... and Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you and yours also!

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  2. Hi Rian. I'm glad your Aga was repaired! Just in time too. :-)

    I'm also happy for you that you have been able to have family visit at this time, even if not everyone. At least it seems better at your end than last year!

    Take care, stay well, and a very Merry Christmas to you and all your family. :-)

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    1. Yes, we're happy to have the AGA back... and the toaster oven arrived yesterday... so, we're set to cook again. And you are right about things being 'a bit better' this Christmas than last year. At least with the vaccine, we are getting to see our kids and grandkids and not missing those hugs. Wishing you and Derry a Merry Christmas and happy New Year!

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  3. i LOVE your stove and that entire area!! do you like your air fryer, i have been thinking about getting one. that is one sweet looking dog, like one i had as a child!!

    your treats look wonderful!! if we don't talk again, merry christmas, it's nice that you are able to spread out your visits with family!!

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    1. Debbie, the toaster oven air fryer just arrived and is still in it's box... so I don't know if I like it or not. It's a bit big and hope it will fit on our counter, but I will let you know. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a happy healthy New Year!

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  4. Glad (and a little envious) you're getting together with family over the holidays. That doggie sure is cute!

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    1. Well, getting together on separate occasions does seem to work well this year for all of us. I did miss seeing them all last year... and certainly missed those family hugs. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a happy healthy New Year!

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  5. At least you are getting to visit with family in segments. Probably a safer way this year. So glad you can cook again. That had to have been an adventure doing with out AGA. Good to know the sequel is not that far off. I sure enjoyed the first one. Have a wonderful and safe Christmas and new year.

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    1. Patti, it was awful being without our AGA... I know that sounds silly as it's just a kitchen appliance, but it's warmth year round keeps the kitchen (as well as our cats when we had them and our grandkids when they're here) warm. They tend to sit on the floor around it... (I even sit on the floor with my back to it with a cup of tea on cold days).

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  6. Glad you were able to get your Aga repaired. I know I can microwave things but far prefer to use the conventional oven. The texture isn't the same with some items.

    Enjoy your family time! Merry Christmas!!

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    1. You are right, Mae. I too prefer the conventional oven to the microwave - although it certainly comes in handy sometimes. Merry Christmas and happy New Year!

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  7. Rian, your AGA is awesome!! I never heard of this make an oven until your blog. It's both eclectic and homey. Anyway, that dog looks sweet as do your delicious baked goods and I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. 🎄🎄🎅🙂

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    1. Dug, the AGA is an old English stove that you see a lot of when watching British TV. We happen to see one back in 2005 when we were remodeling our kitchen and fell in love with it. We still love it. It keeps the kitchen warm and is always on - so no pre-heating when cooking necessary. Your comment about being eclectic and homey does fit... as that's the feel I like.
      Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

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  8. I too am glad to hear your AGA is fixed. I look forward to hearing how you like the toaster oven. And Merry Christmas to you and yours, Rian. I also look forward to reading the sequel some day. Perhaps I'll go back and read the first one again. :-)

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    1. Thanks, DJan. I'm anxious to try the toaster oven... and air frying. Cleaned off the counter today and will see if it will fit tomorrow. Don't think it will fit under the cabinets... so not sure. As for reading the first book again, it might be a good idea - it's a pretty simple read. But I did put a quick summary in the sequel. But in case I don't post again, Merry Christmas! Stay warm and stay safe...

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  9. I guess I missed your writing!! That sounds like fun. Glad you have family, and I am sure getting an appliance repair is the last thing one wants to do over the holidays.

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    1. Hi Tabor! We didn't expect to get our appliances fixed, but it happened. Our AGA is fixed and the toaster oven arrived this week. So we are doing pretty well. Wishing you a happy safe Christmas and New Year!

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  10. How wonderful that you were able to get your Aga repaired! It sounds like you are getting to enjoy some special times with family. That is what really makes Christmas! A very Merry Christmas to you and all of your loved ones!

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