So...whats for dinner?

carolehalston

It was in the 50's here this morning.  DH turned on the heat in the camper!  We're opposites.  I can't stand heat--on with the a/c.  He doesn't like to be cold--on with the heat.  He's outside now transferring the bike rack to the truck so we can go biking.  We give the bikes a ride to the paved bike trail that starts in Park Rapids.

The good news is that we seem to have a good internet connection this year on the Pine Hollow Wi-Fi. 

Moon, I'm happy to hear your knee surgery was successful.  Now if you can just broaden your diet beyond chicken and rice!

Lacey, the apps and the dinner at the wedding sounds like the ultimate menu.  Hope you don't suffer with the tooth extraction.

Nance, you get the award for the most varied diet.  Your meals all sound good.  Fencing in the garden seems like the way to go.  It's too disappointing to do all the work and then have animals ruin the garden.  Our main pests in Louisiana are insects.  It's almost impossible to go organic.  Insects thrive in tropical conditions.

Laurie, happy to hear that you're busy and happy with your family activities.

Eric, you have to have the tool for the job.  Or that's what dh tells me!

Viv, what a luxury to have neighbors drop off mangoes.  I feel lucky when I buy them for $1 each in the supermarket.  They're such luscious fruits.  I guess they're classified as fruit?

Guess I'd better don my biking pants with the ample padding!  We're hoping to get to town before The Pie Lady sells all her home-baked loaves of bread.  DH is in the market for home-made preserves, too.  I DON'T intend to buy any of the yummy cookies and pies she will have on display.  That comes later in the trip when the will power has eroded!

Dinner tonight will be wheat pasta with a red sauce with Italian sausage and grated romano (or Asiago or parmesan).  And a garden salad. 

Last night's dinner was a delicious ribeye cooked on the small gas grill, boiled potatoes and salad.  One of my favorites.

 

SpecialK

GG - your tacos and gazpacho al fresco sound delish!

laurie - busy is good!  Have a great time at the lake!

lacey - the wedding food was music to my caterer's heart - everything sounded so good!  My DH has a mango allergy too!  Sorry you have to have some upcoming mouth pain but I am sure you will make delicious smoothies!  Good luck with the tooth - extraction is always scary, you are not being whiny.

auntie - gyros - one of my faves - now I do the horiatiki salad and have the gyro meat on top - gluten free gyro/greek salad mash-up!

SpecialK

Yesterday we went over to see our elderly friend on the east coast of FL - left here at 4 am and got back last night at 11:30 pm.  Somehow, DH got up and went to work this morning.  Things are not good there so he will go back tonight and stay for the holiday weekend.  I take my friend to chemo tomorrow otherwise I would have gone back with him, but his brother will drive down from Palm Beach to see our friend (he knows him too) and provide moral support.  Unless things take a turn south, which they very well may based on yesterday, he leaves next week for a race (running) in N. Carolina with his older sister, so things will be quiet for two weekends in a row.  When I am by myself sometimes I cook, sometimes I don't and I just nibble.  DD will be coming home the first weekend of Aug. for her 25th b-day and to pick up her new boat - she is very excited!  Her internship is done mid-Sept. and I think she will be back in this area to job hunt for something permanent. She will have completed her Captain's license at that point so she can also guide and make some money.  She misses civilization and us - she is a sweet girl, and we have missed her too.  Her dog will come home with her at the beginning of Aug. so that frees up more room for her to pack up her stuff when she comes home in Sept.  He travels with many accoutrements - beds, a tub of food, bowls, leashes, etc.  Lol!

SpecialK

After all the glass bowl microwave discussion I bought this today:

http://www.amazon.com/Catamount-Glassware-CG4526-Microwave-2-5-Quart/dp/B002N333TC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404430758&sr=8-1&keywords=catamount+corn+popper

gardengumby

last nights dinner was chicken salad. Chopped the last of the citrus chicken, added it to chopped cabbage, jicama, grapes, cucumber, celery, and tomatoes.  The dressing was mayo, lemon juice, and curry powder. 

This morning we went fishing and hubby caught a nice salmon.  Food today is all restaurant food.  At the horse track for a buffet and then fireworks (they do 'em on July 3 at the track).

Moonflwr912

My DD2 dropped by last night and took me out to dinner. Went to my favorite place - Twisted Willow without a reservation and got in. Must have been slow night. Had filet  Thought I'd try it because I need protien and iron. LOL still taking meds so not too many problems today : ) chicken and rice today though.... LOL

Joyce sounds like you'll have a great night.

Glad Deborah is celebrating her new grand child.

Garden enjoy the fireworks! They have our biggest dhow in downtown Milwaukee tonight too. I'll only get to watch on TV but it's always good. It's the biggest show around. Even beats out Chicago! Can you tell I love fireworks? LOL

Specialk thats awesome about your daughter! We have a lot of Charter boats in Port and getting the license to Captain is NOT easy.

Carole the market sounds wonderful. I love the jam lady at ours. She has wonderful combinations I look forward to getting them. 

I know I am missing a lot of people but you're not missing in my heart♡. 

I'm doing ok. my PT is happy with my recovery work, my ortho is happy with the healing and I'm happy the pain is lessening.  Maybe I'll even be able to cook soon. The cherry tomatoes plant I bought the week after  Memorial Day still has the same 6 green tomatoes! They haven't gotten red yet! It was 52 degrees yesterday. Today was much better up to 70 but we've had so much rain. Maybe by this weekend. LOL

Much love to all. 

auntienance

Everybody's meals sound wonderful. Last night was fish and chips. Had to use frozen cod, no fresh here. Good nonetheless. Tonight was chicken enchiladas and fresh corn with peppers and onions.  Also made guacamole with some fresh tomatoes and cilantro from the garden. I'm very excited, the first local corn had just come in and I've got 2 dozen ears! 

Tomorrow will be simple hamburgers, coleslaw and grilled corn . I did make some ice cream for dessert ;-)

auntienance

Sk, it's interesting you brought up the glass bowl. Mine developed a bubble in the bottom after popping some corn. It didn't break but I was afraid it would. I ended up buying a microwave popcorn bowl (not glass) . It works fine but I think I like yours better.

SpecialK

It was not too expensive - I got it on sale at Williams-Sonoma - 20% off $22.50.  Of course, I also bought an All-Clad pan - also on sale, but sheesh!  Don't tell Mr. Special K.

naiviv

Happy and safe 4th of July to all,

Tonight was angel hair with meatballs and sausages,garlic cheese bread and salad.

Tomorrow kids going with their Dad to a pool party, I'm eating out then off to see fireworks.

If anyone is in Arthur's Path, I hope you don't get totally rained out this weekend.

Take care,

Vivian

eric95us

We're in the middle of thunderstorms/dust storms.

Lacey12

Agreed, Joyce!

Am taking it easy with food given the open wisdom tooth socket issue. At least tonight it is less painful with a regimen of Motrin. Yesterday, after the extraction, I ate nothing, given the raw pain of it...unlike my DH who was busy chowing down right after his significant gum surgery.....and wrecking his stitches! No chance of that here......;).

So tonight, DH heated up a Trader's greek chicken and orzo meal for himself. Last evening he  boiled up some lovely home made artichoke and pesto ravs we picked up at a local Farmer's Market ( they were made in VT) Obviously where there's a will......he can cook!  I had two leftover ravs tonight , and some orzo leftover from his Trader's meal. Am hoping I can chew more than pasta when we head to the Cape on Sunday! I don't usually even eat much pasta, but since the scales showed a record low this AM, I guess I can afford to follow the oral surgeon's advice while the socket heals up.

We walked up to our town's fireworks display tonight and watched some of the Boston Pops concert on TV when we returned home. DS2 was having a roofdeck party to watch the Boston fireworks, and he mentioned that his girlfriend made homemade mac and cheese and he added lobster to half of it. Nice to hear of them cooking together! He just texted me to say that they saw the fireworks then got drenched with the fast and furious rain storm. It did come in like a race horse!

Happy Fourth, everyone!  Predicted to rain heavily here all day.....no barbecues planned for us. Will get ready for vacation week instead.

auntienance

Happy Independence Day peeps!

carolehalston

Everyone sounds so happy!  And well-fed! 

SpecialK, what an interesting looking popcorn popper.  I bought a package of paper lunch bags with the intention of trying Minus One's method of popping corn.  I don't have a large glass bowl in the camper.  Congratulations to your DD on earning her Captain's license.  She sounds like such an interesting young woman.  I know you will be happy to have her living close to you. 

The campground is abuzz with activity.  Little children are busy riding their bikes or tricycles and playing.  Dh and I enjoy sharing "our" summer spot on weekends and holicays but we always look forward to everyone leaving on Sunday afternoon.  Some weeks we have the whole place to ourselves. 

Our simple meals have been tasty.  I bought Canadian walleye fillets (pricey at about $16 a lb) and panfried them on Wed. night.  Last night I made a red sauce with Italian sausage out of the freezer and canned diced tomatoes.  Crushed tomatoes would have made a thicker sauce but a big handful of grated Asiago did the trick. 

Tonight will be babyback ribs, fresh corn cut off the cob with diced sweet pepper and butter, and garden salad.  I steam the ribs until they're fork tender and dh caramelizes them with barbecue sauce on the hot grill. 

Happy 4th to everyone.  Last year we went to the parade in Park Rapids and stayed for the fireworks, which were really good.  But really late since it doesn't get dark until 10 pm.  This year we may take a boat ride with campground neighbors out on the lake and watch the do-it-yourself fireworks along the shore.  The neighbors say you can also see the fireworks in the sky at Park Rapids.  I could pass on the parade in town because small town parades are most enjoyed by the people who know someone in the parades.  Said by someone coming from Mardi Gras land! 

SpecialK

carole - glad you are having fun in the RV!  When DD returns she may be so close she is living in my house, lol!  She just applied for a couple of jobs - one in Orlando, one at the same location she is now - but I suspect she doesn't really want to stay down there.  There is also a job at Clearwater - the facility where she first interned, and where Winter the dolphin from Dolphin Tale lives.  The Captain's license is a huge deal - it is a hard thing to get but she is half way done and doing very well on the testing.  She is a funny combo of tomboy with a capital T, and a really cute girl - keeps the boys confused, lol!

Hope everyone is doing fun stuff for the 4th!  I am home alone (DH is on the other side of the state with our ill friend) but just ate a solo burger in solidarity with everyone who is grilling or picnicking!  Maybe I will make some popcorn later in my newfangled popper!  I will report on how it goes!

gardengumby

Watched fireworks at the horse track last night - they always say they will start at 9:30, but they never actually start until 10:30.  They really put on a good show, though. 

Today I made potato salad and smoked salmon dip to take to my MIL's where we will relax this evening.  I always put a lot of stuff into my potato salad.  It's about 1/2 potato and 1/2 other vegies and eggs (and pickles)... 

eric95us

Special, "capital T tomboy and really cute girl" .....it's the perfect combination...nothing confusing about that at all.....   :-)

Eric

SpecialK

Eric - I agree, but the boys don't whether to be her BFF or ask her out!

Lacey12

Special....DD sounds like a "special" daughter! hope the boys wise up for when she is ready for a long term relationship! Maybe a BFF will turn into that!

So our town parade made it before the monsoons today, and DH ran up to see it.....he is a sucker for parades.....me not so much.

So I spent the day organizing and putting my winter clothes away now that summer is here to stay! Most of you probably think it is way late....but not here! I was wearing sweaters until these last two weeks!

DH bought  items for our dinner yesterday while I was out clothes shopping, so tonight we had our own little hamburger/cole slaw/ corn on the cob indoor barbecue (he actually stood in the rain grilling...such a good sport) with a Mexican sort of pasta salad I made. Can I tell you that it all tasted great (!) especially after not eating solid food for two days.  Oh, and a rare indulgence of red wine helped!

So tomorrow, I will finish the clothes organizing and then pack for our trip. I will try not to take everything I own! The Cape weather is supposed to be really consistently warm and mostly dry, so I have no excuse for taking too many clothes. 

Hope you all enjoyed a good 4th and that it was drier than here...tho not so dry as what you experienced, Eric. Is that dust storm a common occurrence? Yikes! Hope all has calmed down.

Moonflwr912

wow! All the food sounds great! Hope the weather leaves all you on the East Coast ok.

Our Weather was great today. Spevialk, my DH was up with his family on the family farm today so I was alone. My neighbor brought me a turkey brat for dinner from her by with her daughter so I got to eat 4th of July menu too! Otherwise a real quiet day. Wish I could have seen the fireworks though. They sounded pretty nice. As for small town parades. Oh my. Our kids when little were in Band and dance and Girl and Boy Scouts so we gad to he there for every parade.  And since it's a joint school system for 2 parades!  LOL.  But that's over so it's quiet for me! LOL

eric95us

One, sometimes two, dust storms happen per summer.  It's less a big short term deal than the news stations make it.  Some places get trees knowed down due to high winds from thunderstorms...we get dust...,

The long term issues can be, for some people, "valley fever".  It's a usually unnoticed and self resolving lung infection caused by soil fungus spores blown around by the winds.  When it does cause problems, it is usually easily treatable.  At its worst it can be a mess to deal with...especially if the doctor is unfamiliar with it.  I guess it's the desert's answer to Lyme disease.

Tazzy

Sorry I am a day late - hope you all had a wonderful happy July 4. 

Thanks for the happy Canada Day wishes - was fun.  And great to have a 3 day week (I took Monday off).

What with the World Cup now the Tour de France - and work of course, I seem to have no time.  I am a bit of a sports watching nerd

Made this salad yesterday - with my variations.

Spring Greens with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette:

Spring Greens (use as much as you need - recipe calls for 12 cups, but as there are only 2 of us....)

half cup crumbled goat cheese or gorgonzola (I used gorg)
3/4 cup pecans – caramelized*
1 cup strawberries (or any fruit you like) - I used strawberries/tangerine slices and grapes

For the vinaigrette:

1 tbsp. maple syrup
2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 tsp soy sauce
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp pepper
Half cup olive oil

*to caramelize
pecans, spread them on a baking sheet and roast at 350 degrees F oven until just starting to turn brown.  Remove and toss with melted butter – enough to lightly coat.  Sprinkle nuts with 2 tsp white sugar and 1 tsp and toss again.  Return to oven for a few minutes – have to watch in case they burn.
So here is my variation:  I didn’t have any balsamic vinegar only balsamic vinaigrette.  So I substituted the olive oil for 4 tbsp’s of the balsamic vinaigrette – worked OK I thought.

Happy weekend everyone !

carolehalston

There was no potluck meal here at the campground yesterday.  We're supposed to be having one this afternoon.  Brad the good fishermen has promised to cook walleye.  I made a potato salad with ham cubes and cheddar cubes, diced boiled eggs, diced celery and a dressing of mayo, mustard, s & p, and dried dill.  We're also bringing two cartons of cookies from the Pie and Bread Lady.  We bought the cookies and a loaf of wheat bread this morning at the Farmer's Mkt.  One box of cookies is oatmeal blueberry and the other is double fudge. 

 

auntienance

Tazzy, that salad sounds a lot like the one I ate at a restaurant for lunch today and it was delish.

Carole, envy you your walleye. I saw some frozen in the store and it was $14 a pound. Not cheap!

Tonight is a squash casserole, new potatoes and green beans and some  grilled ham with pineapple.

deborye

Meet Jasper Robert, my brand new grandson.

Born June 19th, 9lbs, 19.5"

Moonflwr912

Congrats Deborye! He's cute!

auntienance

What a cutie Deb!

eric95us

Deb.... Wow!!! :-)  DD was looking over my shoulder and she was "Ahhhh!.  He's *C*U*T*E*!!!!".  I agree.

Eric

Lacey12

Oh, Deb.....best picture you've ever posted. He is adorable!! Enjoy! Congrats to you all!

Tazzy

Congrats Deb - Jasper really is a cutie.