So...whats for dinner?

carolehalston

Dinner tonight is Tuscan Bean soup that I cooked yesterday.  I used an America's Test Kitchen recipe as a guide but didn't follow it exactly.  The beans are cannelini beans out of the freezer.  Other ingredients are bacon, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, canned diced tomatoes, kale, parmesan reg. rinds, s & p.  Tonight I'll cook some pasta and serve the soup over the pasta.  Some slices of crostini made from a baguette.  And salad greens with a blue cheese vinaigrette. 

Dinner tomorrow night is a meal I'm really looking forward to!  Because I won't cook or serve it!  We're going to a nearby restaurant which is our favorite.  I made the reservation weeks ago.

Susan, how are you doing?  Apple, we're all worried about you.  I wish we knew someone who could check on Apple.

All of you in snow country, stay warm.

LuvRVing

Deb - there are rescue groups who can place diabetic cats.  My DD's SIL had such an issue with one of her cats and they found the rescue group who got the cat a new home.  You might ask your vet about it.  I think it was here in MA somewhere.

Apple's brother posted to her Facebook account on Thursday - a request for prayers for her.  I don't think she's doing well and she could use our love, prayers and support.  (((Apple)))

auntienance

(((Apple))), thinking of you.

SpecialK

Sending a  prayer up for Apple.

deborye

((((Apple))))

luvmygoats

Apple - Prayers here as well.

bedo

Apple, no one knows the effect that they have on someone else.  It is too bad.  It's like the movie with Jimmy Stewart.  I know that you have made me happy reading your posts and just being yourself.  I hope that you are feeling like yourself. You've brought me happiness even though we have never met, or spoken.  Hugs for feeling better and I am holding you in the light (a Quaker way of prayer.)

auntienance

Dinner tonight was tikka masala, brown rice and naan. Pretty tasty.

chabba

Apple, you are in my heart and my prayers.

eric95us

The news of Apple saddens me more than anyone would expect--even more than I would have expected.  Like Bedo said..I've never met her, nor seen her, except through her postings, but I've looked forward to seeing them and I've smiled when I've read them.

(((Apple))..praying for you...

Eric

SeasideMemories

Apple,



Your posts have always made me smile! As Bedo said so well, you never know who you will touch with each post you make... For me I love the posts where you talk about your interesting past and your children... Your pride and joy in them rings through loud and clear! You have much more to do....



Holding you close in my prayers... To loosely quote your signature line.... Sending you peace and much love, Apple!



Seaside

SeasideMemories

Michelle,



Thanks for the news on Apple... How are you feeling tonight? Hopefully no side-effects.... Thinking of you....

curveball

@deborye, also ask your vet to check for a urinary tract infection, which can also cause cats to wet in the house. Your cat could have something that just needs an antibiotic to clear it up.

curveball

re: Roadkill
years ago, I saw a recipe called "Roadkill Chicken" on a cooking show. It's a chicken split up the back and flattened out before cooking. I think the show I saw used Rock Cornish game hens. Here's a link to one recipe I found online, but I imagine a chicken could be prepared this way with any kind of seasoning you choose. I would guess it could also be barbecued. I don't know the name of the device but there's a wire thingie used for some barbecue foods, two pieces of wire mesh hinged together with a latch to hold it closed and a handle to turn it over. I've never barbecued anything myself, but I bet that wire gadget would work well for Roadkill Chickens

SeasideMemories

curveball,



Glad to hear I'm not the lone Facebook hold-out! Good point on a UTI being a possible culprit... We had a dog once who went through that and what alerted us to the problem was her having small 'accidents' everywhere...



Lol on the Roadkill food! Not sure why someone would want to name their restaurant that but clearly from Deb's photo someone did! It sure is a memorable name though!

Laurie08

((((Apple))))) I am thinking of you.  I pray you are ok.

Michelle- I hope you are still having no SE from treatment.  I thought of you today as we were on a mission for a new car and were about an hour outside our stomping grounds, near your neck of the woods I think?  I saw a beautiful little lake and I wondered if it was yours.  Don't ask me where I was- we were half lost and DH was driving.  I am honestly not much of a driver   But I thought of you and your family and the hot air balloons and all the smiles you have there.  I was also proud of DH when I said, " I wonder if Michelle lives on this lake?"  He knew JUST who I was talking about

SO long story short, DH and the boys and I left on a 7 hour adventure to get one of the last 2012 Honda Odyssey's.  We had total success and hit all of the numbers we were looking for and walked away with a steal of a deal.  I think DH and I should go in business buying cars, between the two of us, we pull it off.  (we got an amazing deal on our last one three years ago)  It was late when all the wheeling and dealing was done and we agreed to leave and have them deliver it to us in the morning at our home with the paper work- a one hour drive   I am now officially lame and own a mini van instead of an SUV.  But we can now seat 8   I am pretty sure the hippie in me just cried a little bit.

LuvRVing

Laurie - congrats on the new wheels, the Odyssey is a nice van!  And the end of the month, the end of the year - good job getting a great deal!  You can always get your mid-life crisis car in a few years

If the lake had mostly open water, you probably saw Canobie Lake if you were in Salem.  Our lake is off a main road and not likely to be noticed unless you're looking specifically for it.  And how sweet that your DH knew who I was!  That's a man who's paying attention to the details!

I have had some very mild nausea from treatment yesterday and this morning.  Nothing serious - a little like morning sickness, I feel better after I eat something but I can't eat much at a time.  And I like very moist foods - anything the least bit dry isn't happening.  I don't know if gan after-effect from brain rads or from a previous chemo but it's very annoying.  Fruit, soups and anything with a sauce is my friend right now. 

We are grandkid-sitting tonight.  The younger ones were in bed at 7:30 as they've been up late the last couple of nights and they were "done".  The oldest went to bed at 8 but it was at least 9 before he stopped getting up for something or another.  We're just hanging out watching the Redskins - Cowboys game.  Hopefully they won't be home too late, we have to take my car to the collision repair shop at 8:30 tomorrow morning.  I'll be up regardless, but DH likes to sleep. 

Lacey12

Caring thoughts to Apple who has touched so many of us over this past year with her textured stories of earlier life memories and current family experiences. You are a special person for sure, Apple, ......please gain strength.



Laurie, when I saw your note on FB about the new car, I wondered how you felt about moving on to a "van"....but all the young families I know who have that car love it....and at some point if you have more than one child, and want to drive more than four people, you do end up needing a van ( in the olden days it was the nine seat custom cruiser station wagon). When DS1 and DDIL were here for the holiday, it was necessary to take two cars anywhere we went, so I'm secretly hoping that they cave and replace their SUV with a van, eventually. Just consider it a familial developmental milestone! Believe me, you will enjoy hearing some very interesting boy conversations while shlepping the sports teams here and there...at least until they get their driving licenses, which is a long way off. And by the way, can I borrow you and your DH the next time I go car shopping?

Kay_G

(((((Apple)))))). I hope you're feeling okay, thoughts and prayers with you and your girl child and Mr. Apple, and boys.

debbie6122

((((APPLE))) I pray she will get stronger and be ok! I always smile when I think of her and the crows and loves them singing to her. Love and hugs!

Michelle- Glad you didn't have to bad of SE and hope the Chemo is gentle on you.

Laurie- Great find on the honda, those are nice cars!!

Tomorrow night we are staying in for the first time in years and decided to invite friends over for dinner. Nothing fancy just making my Belgian chicken with cheesy potaotes. green bean bundles and a pear and pomegranite salad. An assortment of cheeses and crackers with a articoke dip. Dessert is chocolate moose in martini glasses and Marionberry pie. It sounds like a lot after typing it out but really isn't haha!

Deb- Sorry about your cat!

Have a safe and Happy New Years eve tomorrow everyone! much love to all

LuvRVing

LOL, Debbie...will that "moose" fit in a martini glass?  The marionberry pie sounds yummy!

Lacey12

Michelle, glad your SE's are mildish.



Did we have a discussion about marionberry pie on this thread many moons ago. I can't recall where else I might have heard of that, except, in this illustrious geographically varied group. And of course I can't remember what those berries are.



It seems to me that Deb might come up with a pic of a moose in a martini glass.



I'm glad for the helpful suggestions to Deb...so hard to have an older ill animal. Vet bills are so enormous these days, it makes it hard for many folks to care for their animals in the way they would want to.



We have absolutely no plans for tomorrow night, but will work it out tomorrow. Maybe we will showmup at your place, .debbie. Your dinner sounds delightful! I have been feeling crummy, so if we just stay home, I'll be fine. Also, our town has lots of First Night events, concerts, etc. so if the energy is there, we might be!



Tonight we had veggie chili and as I was looking for the rice, I came across some polenta that screamed "use me up!"....so I did. Also had cole slaw. Odd dinner but I seem to be into mix and match lately, and DH never complains......:)



Have a good New Year's Eve all.....

deborye

I'm glad your SE are minimal.

debbie6122

Michelle- LOL! on the moose. with that and the Beer running around the neighborhood who know what else may pop up. Haha!

Lacey- I think i might of mentioned the marionberry awhile back it is made here in Oregon and I make it quite a bit. Just love it. I wonder if Deb can find a picture like that! haha!

LuvRVing

Marionberries - a lot like a blackberry.

The 'Marion' cultivar (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus) or Marion blackberry, marketed as marionberry (help·info), is a hybrid caneberry developed by the USDA ARS breeding program in cooperation with Oregon State University. It is a cross between the 'Chehalem' and 'Olallie' blackberries.^[1] The marionberry is currently the most common blackberry cultivar,^[2][3] accounting for over half of all blackberries produced in Oregon.^[4]

The marionberry is a vigorously growing trailing vine, usually producing just a few canes up to 20 feet long.^[5] The vines have many large spines, and the fruiting laterals are long and strong, producing many berries. The berry itself is glossy and, as with many blackberries, appears black on the plant, but turns a deep, dark purple when frozen and thawed. It is medium in size and tends to be conical, longer than it is wide. The berry has a somewhat tart flavor, fairly earthy with traces of sweetness. It is larger, sweeter and juicier than the 'Evergreen' blackberry. The relative complexity of its flavor has led to a marketing label as the “Cabernet of Blackberries”.^[1] The more powerful flavor of the marionberry has led to it dominating current blackberry production. It is often used as an ingredient in pies, ice cream, jellies, jams and other foods, over other blackberries

auntienance

LOVE marionberries (when I can get them.)

carberry

Prayers for Apple certainly am missing her funny tales on this thread. Sending you love and strength.

With my last name being "Berry" how come I have never heard of a marionberry? Hmmm... they look delicious.

Deb   We had a cat that got diagnosed with diabetes (she was puking everywhere) and we had to make the decision whether to give it insulin or not.  Daughters cat and she decided we would do it, so she gave it insulin for years but we never saw any difference in the behavior and then she was diagnosed with cancer and got very ill and had to be put down.  Hard decisions.

Debbie  If I came over for dinner could I start with desert first?

Laurie Congrats on the score of a new car. We have a large SUV (chevy suburban) and whenever all of us in our group of friends goes to an event that we decide to all go together...someone says to us..."time to get out the bus" The vehicle is a gas hog so we dont drive it, sits in the garage and is used just for road trips requiring lots of seating.  Always drove a mini van when the kids were young and I was carpooling the kids around.

Happy New Year to everyone!

LuvRVing

We dropped off the car this morning then went to the seafood market and picked up a pound of shrimp for shrimp cocktail plus a quart of clam chowder for tomorrow.  Then we were off to the Italian Kitchen Market for ciabbatta bread, aroncini balls, meatballs, lasagna, eggplant parm, chicken parm, puttanesca and pomodora sauces, and 4 individual desserts.  There's just a bit of everything so we can have "small plates" tonight and leftovers for tomorrow.  It's nice to know the work is all done, just need to reheat and serve.  Just have to throw together a caesar salad.   Then we went to breakfast as DH hadn't eaten and he was starved.

auntienance

Wow Michelle, that's an Italian feast!



Snowing here today. Braved the store to get stuff to make minestrone and garlic bread sticks for tonight. We're getting together with another couple to have a soup and blu ray movie night. They're bringing clam chowder. Yum!

Dessert will be half of the Italian cream cake that I froze. Hope it tastes ok still. I wish you all a safe and happy new year!

Lacey12

Thanks for the re-education about marionberries, Michelle.

It would be interesting to see if there is a marionberry pie, jam, or something that can be mail ordered for those of us newbies to try. Will check into that....And I will try to remember this info this time so that I don't re-ask the question when marionberry pie is mentioned!

I might be heading North for your small plates party, Michelle! That sounds like a great idea...and good food choices!



We are heading out to the Mall to make exchanges. I went there only ONE time and struck out with sweaters for DH...both the same size....one too large, one too small...go figure!



Happy, Healthy 2013 everyone!