So...whats for dinner?

Laurie08

I guess it is a sauce day!! 

Carrie- I am glad your sister is doing well, thanks for updating us on how she is doing.

Kidsandlabs- What a sweet surprise!!  I hope you are doing well!

Seaside- I didn't post a recipe for the sauce I did...I just kind of winged it.  I am about to do it again!  But basically all I did was saute garlic and shallots until soft, threw in some fresh oregano, parsley and basil sauteed that for a minute or so and then crushed the tomatoes by hand into the pot.  I blanched them by dropping a few at a time into the boiling water, then scooped them out and put them in cold water peeled and cored them.  I added about a tsp of sugar as well and 1 can of tomato paste.  I am going to do a big batch today and I think I am going to add mushrooms to the mix

Chabba- what do you cook with the laurel leaves?

Apple and Eric- that is why I am glad that I have boys!!! 

Lacey- Newfound is one of my favorite lakes ever.  My mom and I used to go the state beach there all the time.  When winter comes you can cook more, until then enjoy the eating out on the lake!

bedo

My daughter (and her dog) will be staying with me Mondays and Thursdays so I will have to spice up my cooking skills, more specifically my leave it in the fridge skills so we can grab food when we need it.  We have schedules that are a little different, although we are in the same profession

Apple, I will definitely make a bucket of hummus today.

Tomorrow we will have fajitas and guacamole for dinner.

Smoothies for breakfast, and almonds, cheese sandwiches and bananas to take to lunch (Maybe yogurt parfaits)

I have help at work now, Whee heee!  She is really nice!  I will start my violin class again this Wednesday after a year! and it seems that my long distance friendship (my violin teacher's Dad, who I met while he visited her here) is going well, so I will be going to check out Cincinnati first week of Oct.

And a road trip second week to the Berkshires with my friends! Yippeee! 

I just read "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed. It is a wonderful book.  So much of our life lines were the same till our twenties that it intrigued me. I think that it is a great book for everyone.

I chose to spend Saturday and Sunday by myself doing my thing, and it has been wonderful.  

Michelle still holding the end of the month for our get-together.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

Kidsandlabs, what a great present, you must have really great friends!  I'm still wondering what your avatar is.

debbie6122

I am back!! Got in late last night with my sister. It was so good to see my dad even though he had lost a lot of weight and looked so pale. I havn't had time to read any of the post here yet but just wanted to check in and say hi. Missed you all and hope everyone is doing well

bedo

Hi Debbie! I've been thinking of you!  So glad your visit went well 

eric95us

Girls scare moms and dads with crazy friends and worries of some maniac hiding in the bushes.



Boys scare moms and dads with cars and crazy friends...



Eric

Lacey12

Debbie, it is so good to hear from you and that the visit went well, tho yes it is so very sad to see a parent in a weakened state. Your dad must have been thrilled to have you there.



Laurie, yes, Newfound is a special place.....

and ditto to raising boys resulting in less in the "worry" department as they are growing up, but I also have seen how all that worry can payoff in the close adult relationships that parents and daughters can have, which is lovely. I was on the listening end of the pain and worry of so many of my friends and co-workers about their daughters. They are doing fine now that they are grown and enjoying their adult relationships. It's different being a MIL to someone else' daughter...you know how that old saying goes about a son being a son until he takes a wife, but a daughter is a daughter for the rest of your life. Translated.....neither of my sons have ever invited me to go out for drinks and karaoke!

I really did enjoy bring the mother of boys, tho, and now we will enjoy little DGD as a "first".

Lacey12

Oh and Eric, your suggestions for greeting your DD's potential bfs are classic protective dad and hilarious!!

Laurie08

Eric- So true!  I will have a different set of worries:)

Lacey- You nailed it.  I had to make my peace with not having a daughter.  I was so close with my mom I had looked forward to having a daughter and building the same friendship we had.  Instead I choose to remember the years where I was hormonal and crazy and drove everyone nuts:)  Makes it easier that I don't get the other good parts.

Ds #1 just helped me make sauce and it is simmering now for a few hours.  He loved squishing the tomatoes.

chabba

Laurie, Love that expression...reminds me of my brother.  He too was a red head, Irish setter red. 

Bay Laurel is the plant from which our bay leaves for cooking come from.  I use them in soups, stews, lots of sauces, especially tomato based ones.  My Italian friend taught me to always put it in spaghetti gravy (her term for sauce).

Debbie, glad you are back. I've been thinking of and praying for you, your Dad and family.

luvmygoats

Chabba - Are bay laurels cold hardy? Sounds yummy. I have a rosemary plant that has gone native.  Looks like a bush and DH regularly chops it back. I wouldn't think it would survive as well here but it does. On northwest side of garage, course gets south sun in winter. Sort of protected.  Might be reflected heat from driveway helps. I have a fig "tree" (LOL more like a bush) that dies down to the ground every year. Actually has a few figs on it this year. Nothing last year in the drought even though watered it every day. It is not so protected but even though I have the plant wrap stuff haven't done a good job last 2 years. Last years' very hard freeze took me completely by surprise.

Made the roast in crockpot yesterday. Don't know when I've had a piece of meat that really had no taste. Good thing some is going in enchiladas later. DH thought it was good though "it smells good".  Anyone make homemade enchilada sauce?  I find the canned ones terrible; tolerate a brand called "Hatch" but I'm a sissy wimp when it comes to spicy.  I drive by a primo spice place weekly called Pendery's.  Darn, no recipes for it on their site. Must be time for a visit.

I have been several times to Trader Joes since it opened in June. See the one in Dallas (?Plano) opened this weekend.  LOVE their almond windmill cookies and graham crackers. Clerk said to try the vanilla wafers.

Wishing everyone a productive SE free week.  Also thinking of anyone going for tests/appts this week.

deborye

Meatloaf and corn on the cob

Tazzy

salmon fillets, corn on the cob, green salad. 

eric95us

If that had been me..and at that age... I would have been using my feet.

Eric

carberry

Laurie  What a great tomato smasher!

Eric  If you would still like to use your feet...try doing grapes...it is accepted in the grown up world.

Sister just called, all lymph nodes were clear and clear borders, she will do some rads and that will be the extent of her treatment.

whew!

Debbie  Glad you are back. Spending time with your Dad and sister must have been hard for you but good for your Dad.

auntienance

Today I made our weekly supply of English muffins. We're getting to be quite addicted to these. I hope I don't burn out on them. I've got the recipe tweaked so that I'm getting more "nooks and crannies" each time.

Tonight's menu is Senate Bean Soup, johnnycakes and sliced tomatoes. I have "corn envy" for those of you who can still get it.



Carrie, sounds like good news indeed!

luvmygoats

Auntienance - Ooh Ooh.  Would you share your recipe?  Somewhere I think I still have the rings I bought years ago at a garage sale.  I used to be able to get Wolfermans here but not any longer.  Ft. Worth is not a hotbed for English items.  English store out near airport might have them but over 1 hour drive.

On the same idea anyone using a bread machine these days?  Any recommendations?

Lacey12

Carrie, what good news (in that relative BC way!) for your sister.

Relieved for both of you and your families.



My DDIL posted a couple of pix of little 4 week old DGD in her Patriots' cheerleading uniform (that I found in a used children's clothing store for three dollars:). In

the second pic, she looks like she's prepared to try out for a lineman position! I will try to post them.....hilarious!



Packed up and did a "soft closing" of the lakehouse since we may stay put at home to get a few things done here for a bit.

For dinner grilled our garlic "infused" bison burgers, and had with caprese salad dotted with black olives.

I saw a recipe for low calorie sweet potato chips on Spark recipes today, and found a giant sweet potato while emptying the lakehouse fridge, so will try them and let you know!



Chabba, I always use bay leaves in my Italian food...as my Italian mother did. I would love to have a bay laurel plant, tho I guess it would need to come inside for winter in the Northeast.

Have a good week everyone.....

auntienance

luv, these actually remind me of Wolferman's crumpets.  Here's the recipe:

3-4 cups all purpose flour

4 1/2 tsp. instant yeast

1 1/2 tsp. sugar

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

2 cups milk (I use skim)

1/2 cup water

Combine 3 cups flour, yeast, salt, sugar and soda. 

Heat liquids until warm.  Add to dry ingredients and beat well (I have a bread dough whisk that works great for this.) 

Stir in 1/2 cup additional flour a little at a time.  Dough should be very loose and sticky.  This helps create those nooks and crannies.  Add remaining 1/2 cup flour if needed.  (I usually only need around 3 1/4 cups)

Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours. 

Heat griddle to 300 degrees.  Place English muffin rings on griddle and spray insides with non-stick cooking spray.  Using a #12 scoop (I think this is around 4 tablespoons), fill rings with 1 scant scoop.  Cover rings with a heavy cooking sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick spray (I use the back side of the sheet.)  Cook for 4 minutes.  Flip muffins after 4 minutes and cook other side for an additional 4 minutes.  Remove muffins from rings and cool on rack. 

Makes 14 large muffins.

*Notes:  Spraying the scoop makes it easier to get the batter into the rings.  When removing the cookie sheet, some dough will probably stick to the sheet causing the ring to lift off the griddle.  Holding the sheet over the griddle for a second will allow it to drop back into the ring.  Sometimes the whole thing will stick to the sheet.  Just shake it a little bit until it drops back onto the griddle.  From all the research I've done on making these, it's very difficult to get "store bought" texture.  But the taste of these toasted is really good and they do have holes.  If you fork split them, you preserve more holes.  I've never made these on anything but a griddle, but you could probably use an electric skillet if you could figure out how to weight the tops.

Momine

Laurie, I think one of the best things ever you can do for kids is to get them close to cooking.

LuvRVing

OK NH/MA/RI lassies - I will make a reservation for  Saturday 9/29 unless I hear an objection.  Laurie - I know you were waiting to hear about a birthday party.  Any word yet?

We went to my son's yesterday to watch the Patriots game and he made a really good chili in less than an hour.  Of course, it used every burner on the stove to brown everything separately, but the flavor was surprisingly good after he put it all together and let it simmer for a few minutes.

Laurie - cute picture of your DS helping make the sauce. 

Lacey - that soft closing must be bittersweet.  It's so beautiful at the lake this time of year.  I don't think I'd want to leave until October!

I need to get some sweet corn this week.  DH is going to be gone for a whole week - he's heading to Mobile, AL later today then to Kansas City on Wednesday.  He's staying until the following Monday and will be golfing with his buddies.  So I'll be "all by myself" for a week.  I suspect I'll be hearing from my kids and probably have at least one grandkid sleep over on the weekend.  Anyways, DH is not that big on corn, while I love it.  So I may be eating it a bit more than normal this week. 

Auntienance - homemade English muffins - yummy!  Luv - You could probably order Wolferman's from their website.

Bread machine - I gave mine away a long time ago after I became diabetic. 

Carrie - so glad to hear the "good" news about your sister.  I'm sure you are all relieved.

Isabelle2

Laurie, I love your little "tomato masher" cute,cute.

auntienance...going to try those muffins. I love english muffins & DH makes Eggs Benedict quite ofter..thanks for sharing.

luvmygoats...I still use my breadmachine occaisionally...make whole wheat bread & cinammon buns. Trouble is they are both so good we eat too much of them.

I have just made Tomato soup with my beefsteak tomatoes...first time for that & it was easy &  absolutely delicious. Used  the last of the basil & made pesto again.(first cold night will wipe it out)  and DH made pico de gallo....

and tomorrow is my last rad day...25/25.

gardengumby

luvmygoats - I have 2 bay laurels in my yard - I lost most of one of them last winter in the ice storm, but the other survived with no problems at all.  Unfortunately the one that survived easily is the one that is almost impossible to get to.....  But the one that practically died has been nursed back to life.  It's now a very strange shape, but still provides wonderful leaves!!!

Laurie08

Isabelle- How did you make your soup? 

Michelle- Enjoy your quiet time with DH gone.  Although I am sure somehow it won't be quiet   Enjoy the grandkids!  I think I am a go for Pickety!!  I pointed out to DH last night that regardless of when his sister might have time off DS has soccer on Saturday morning   I can miss soccer if need be, no problem

Carrie- Great news for your sister!

Chabba- I had no idea that Bay Laurels were Bay leaves

Eric- He would have used his feet if I let him!  He looked like a murder victim by the time he was done.  He was covered and had a blast.

Debbie- I am glad your visit went well, but I am sure it must have been hard. Missed your posts while you were gone.

Dinner- pork chops in country gravy,mashed taters and zucchini and yellow squash 

Isabelle2

Laurie...will post the recipe tomorrow...bit emotional & overwhelmed at the moment.   last treatment tomorrow.

Lacey12

Congratulations, Isabelle! You made it...and impressively with all the cooking you have been doing thru your rads.



I have to look into getting a bay laurel plant/tree.



Laurie, looking forward to meeting you at Pickety.

Anyone heard from Hauntie? I hope she is doing well on her post surgery regimen.



I am wiling (sp?) away the days with this sudden lack of structure in my life. I have an idea a minute, but have yet to get much done around here...maybe I'll get off the computer and work on the baby taggies I have promised all the new mothers I know.

LuvRVing

Congratulations, Isabelle!  I remember how I felt as I had that last infusion just about a year ago!  Celebrate big time!

I will try to contact Hauntie through Facebook.  She posts occasionally, so I suspect she's doing well.

eric95us

Laurie, I suspect that your son and I are about the same age! :-). I just *knew* he was thinking of using his feet!





Congratulations Isabelle! Tomorrow will be the happy dance!



Eric

Laurie08

Congrats Isabelle!  I hope tomorrow goes well and you are able to celebrate!!

ridergirl

Ok i must be having a carb thing. Been reading thru the posts and the potato salad with dill etc and the baked potato bar sounded awesome!!

By the way what the heck are burnt ends?

And congrats Isabelle we should almost cross paths tomorrow my appt is 230.

Lacey12

So congrats to you also, ridergirl!

I have also never heard of "burnt ends"...interesting term tho.