As a person with CKD (chronic kidney disease) I am advised not to eat whole-wheat bread, as it is difficult for the kidneys to process. I have struggled with finding a white bread that I like. There is plenty of white bread available, but it is mostly too soft and doughy, and flavorless. I found that I really liked the Country French bread from a bakery near my brother's house, but that is in Michigan! The bakeries around here don't seem to offer a similar product. I have finally found that the white bread that Panera makes is acceptable in taste and texture. Not cheap, though.

So yesterday when I got an email offering a $10 gift card with the purchase of a $50 gift card from Panera, I sprang for it. I opted for the physical gift cards, so the total spent was $51. That should keep me in bread for a while. Variables are now 8%.

I stayed home all day yesterday, not even taking a walk. The morning got away from me and then the afternoon was too muggy. I'll try to take one today, but I can already tell that it is a bit sticky. Maybe a before-shower walk would be better than an after-shower walk.

My BFF has been drawing and sending me pictures of her drawings, so I told her I would start writing the book that is swirling around in my head and will send her my daily work. That will keep me to the task, and I won't have the luxury of getting bogged down by perfectionism. I don't expect to ever publish this, it is just for her enjoyment. I wrote a pretty short Chapter One yesterday and I will send it off today -- and start Chapter Two.

Putting off the Sam's trip till next week. Or I might do another Aldi instead, but there is no hurry. I am running out of a few things, but nothing essential.

I have a lot of Swiss cheese and bacon to use up, so I'm planning on making a Quiche Lorraine. I will have to make a crust from scratch, which I hardly ever do, and I'll have to substitute milk and butter for cream. So it will be a bit of an experiment. It will be my afternoon project.

This morning, I will have my second batch of apple pancakes for breakfast. MMmmmm! I am loving having time for leisurely cooking from scratch.