So...whats for dinner?

Suladog

Lacey,

You are so right

MinusTwo

Lacey - no I wasn't one of the twins but I know I'll be trying to remember who all night. Please give Debbie my best. I miss hearing from her. And from our creator - Laurie.

carolehalston

Lacey, that was dh's salad with the onions!  This morning I'm within 1/2 lb of "free" WW status.  If I can just hang in there through the weekend. 

Doorbell pealed at 6:30!  DH and I both sound asleep.  The solar panel installers are now on the roof making lots of noise.  Hope the rain showers hold off until they're finished. 

This morning I plan to make eggplant parmesan, using two beautiful purple eggplants.  Should make enough for 2 or 3 meals. 

Sula, there is no rhyme or reason to the mystery of who gets bc.  The current issue of Nutrition Action health newsletter (publication of CSPI) announces that walking can lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, breast and colorectal cancer.  Who wore out her feet walking 3 miles a days and countless other miles?  Me.  Who has pre-diabetes and is a bc survivor?  Me.  I qualify for two of the risk factors:  no children and regular alcohol consumption. 

auntienance

Lol Lacey, I noticed the onions on Carol's salad too!

Congrats on your nearing your goal again. I admire your discipline.

Here are a couple of pics of baby bunny eating DH's shoes.

Unfortunately, he didn't stop with the shoes. He ate my petunias too :-(

MinusTwo

Love the bunny picts.

Carole - I too was a walker before BC, putting in 5 miles 5-6 days a week. In addition I did a 45 minute weight work out 4 days a week. I was in the best shape of my entire life, but it didn't do anything to prevent BC. I can't seem to get back to moving again, although I did start water aerobics last week. We meet at the subdivision pool 3 times a week. It must be doing some good since I'm sore.

Some friends invited me to a suburban theater play last night. They wanted to eat at Logan's. I don't think I've been in that restaurant more than once since it opened 10 years ago. I ordered a 'steakhouse' salad w/some grilled sirloin slices. The 3 avocados pieces were smaller than pencil erasers & it had less then a table spoon of tiny chopped up tomatoes. It met my low expectations. The one downfall for me was large, hot yeast rolls. I managed to eat four (yup 4). Confession is good me right?

bedo

Lacey Happy Birthday!

How did you make that red cabbage soup? I would love the recipe.

Say Hi to Debbie for me.

There is a woodchuck in the community garden who is eating a lot of lettuce, beans and peas. He resists all attempts at capture. We have resorted to calling in the professionals. Luckily, my plot is at the other end of the garden, away from his hide out under the bee house.

carolehalston

Onions...  If I were younger, I would try to condition myself to tolerate onions because they are EVERYWHERE in almost EVERY dish these days, especially red onions.  My dh, the onion-a-holic doesn't like red onions.  He says they are strong.  Fortunately people put them in salads in big pieces that can be removed.

The solar panels are on the roof.  The crew is gone.  The eggplant slices are cooked.  A big pot of tomato sauce is simmering on the stove.  I decided to make a lot and freeze some meal portions for the summer. Dh went to play golf.  The house is quiet and I'm enjoying a cup of coffee.  All that's left to do is grate cheese and assemble the eggplant dish.  I also have a pineapple to peel and cut into chunks and a seedless watermelon to cut into small chunks.  So many healthy, delicious snack foods this time of year. 

Nance, I love the pictures of the rabbits.  I didn't know they ate leather.

susan_02143

Happy Birthday Lacey. Enjoy your La Morra dinner!

*susan*

carolehalston

Happy Birthday, Lacey! 

auntienance

Lacey, happy birthday! Have a marvelous day!

eric95us

Happy Birthday Lacey.

DD is driving on the NY Thruway...rough road and hard to type.

Eric

Lacey12

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!

Before I forget, Bedo...jere is the easy recipe I used for the s and s cabbage soup. We put sour cream and fresh chives (all over my back yard!) on top:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sweet-and-sour-...

So I have had a nice non-eventful birthday...had hair trimmed and browsed through some stores near my hairdresser, one being the consignment store for children's clothes where I buy little firecracker DGD's "new to her" tutus, then to a new ethnic store, Apna Bazar, which had so many products that I have never heard of nor could pronounce, and I was in heaven exploring the place. I needed Susan and Suladog with me!! I am fairly ignorant about Indian food. I was happy to see their spice prices to be so reasonable, and I found ground fennel, which I usually do myself....yay! Also picked up some rosewater in anticipation of"someday" making one of the Persian desserts my DDIL's family makes. But don't hold your breath! I should leave all the things I bought on my countertop so I remember to USE them!

Just received a bouquet of balloons "from" the grands. Time to get the hair washed again and prep for our dinner out.

Will fill you in later on our dinners.....again thanks!

Nance, that rabbit photo is a hoot....hide everything from thatvlittle omnivore!!

Lacey12

Ah ha.....is it the woman from Seattle who we have not heard from in a long time who is the "third twin"?

I will pass along your wishes to Debbie!

ThinkingPositive

Lacey12..thanks for sharing the recipe. That looks great and I am going to try it soon. I love cabbage!

Always looking for different things to eat !

Suladog

we're going out to dinner with out of town guests tonight, but dessert's back at our house, I'm serving this: Vanilla ice cream with Cherries and Valrhona chocolate pearls

carolehalston

Looking forward to hearing about the birthday dinner.  I checked out the menu today.  Garden Gumby is from Seattle.  Is she the 3rd twin? 

Dinner tonight will probably be pan-seared catfish fillets, coleslaw with fresh pineapple and either steamed yellow squash or blanched and sautéed kale.  Probably the kale.  In honor of Lacey's b'day!

The eggplant dish is made but I'm thinking I'll save it for tomorrow night.

Susan, hope you're doing ok so far on the new med.

susan_02143

Lunch was some Pho stock with all the add-ins made this spring. Tonight's dinner will be dan dan noodles with lots of mustard greens and more of the water spinach. A little carb heavy, but I know from experience that my stomach fights nausea better with some carb loading. Not sure how I feel, but it is different. Almost like my femara side effects are now on steroids, which makes sense if you read the science behind these targeted therapies.

I refuse to eat any fake sweeteners. I am not a sweets person, but yea, I probably eat about 3 tbl a day between iced tea and my coffee. All food turns into sugar in the body, so the fascination with sugar amongst cancer patients just makes no sense to me. Overall, it is best to eat foods that are not processed, which clearly sugar is, but I just have to go with the whole eat all the colors of the rainbow, all in moderation, with a lot of stuff that grows from the ground.

*susan*

SpecialK

Susan is right, everything we eat turns to sugar - and every cell in the body needs glucose to function.  I don't eat sugar or sweeteners, except very incidentally, because of the inflammatory action and wish to limit calories.  I have found less joint pain with less sugar.

MinusTwo

I just went back to page 450 (spring 2013) and skimmed forward to find out about the Gemini triplets - Lacey, Seaside Memories and Debbie6122. So happy b-day to you three. Laurie's B-day was 5/27.

But oh my, I found so many people I remember fondly who don't post anymore. Some are still active on other threads and some have moved on to other interests and some - like our dear Michelle - have passed on. In addition to those above & no particular order, here are some of those who used to share dinner menus on a more regular basis:

Garden Gumby, Kaara, Carbury, LuvMyGoats, Moonflower, Chabba, bobogirl, deborye, Dolce, 2nd_time_around, Joyce K, jenjen, science gal, KayG,

If you're still out there - give us a shout!!

And thank you to all you fine ladies and gentleman for making my life a richer place every single day!!

SpecialK

Lacey - forgot - Happy B-day!!!

Lacey12

So, the birthday has passed and the memories are sweet! Here's the dinner review:

First of all, we learned yesterday that the owners of La Morra were opening their new very special restaurant/inn last evening, so we were a bit worried that service and food might be grossly affected in this smaller restaurant. It turned out fine...

While DH went to park the car, I let the hostess know we were there, and she replied, "Oh, yes your table for six". I had to correct her since we were really only a party of four...and she kept saying six...finally saying, "...well why don't you get seated and either way is fine." I walked upstairs to our table, and to my surprise, our good friends from the lake (and another suburb of Boston) were sitting at our table. That was my surprise!! It was especially meaningful since they had dinner with us on my 50th and also on my 60th. So a nice treat for me. Then DH came in with DS2 and DGF. We had a great time. I was a bit nervous about so many unfamiliar Italian speciality foods being served but it worked out well.

We decided to share tastes of appetizers of: meatballs with porcini and prosciutto; fried risotto (aroncini) stuffed with braised beef and smoked mozzarella; then a red lettuce salad with cherries and I forget which cheese; after which we passed around a dish of homemade tagliatelle with the best bolognese sauce I have ever tasted (no ground meat...wonderful tender chunks...oh my! And I always thought I disliked bolognese). So those were our small plates. Oh we also were brought an amuse bouche...something fried and tasty, but I have no idea what it was and the wait staff last night was green, so neither did they.

Amazingly enough, after all those "small plates", we all ordered entrees. DGF probably wonders who these voracious people to whom she finds herself connected are! I had hake (white fish like cod) with some root vegetables and herbs, DGF had the grilled cornish hen which she ate almost all of...but who was watching?! Our friends both had a lovely looking veal item, DH and Ds2 enjoyed the scallop special with polenta and arugula. I was glad my fish was light....so much so that I could not resist ordering the rose water panna cotta for dessert.....mainly for research about how I can use my new rosewater, of course! It was delightful....as was the entire evening. Many thanks to DH for arranging a fun birthday to help me enter the new decade!

Here are the visuals minus the food (apologies):

Oh, and I realized why the owners moved the Big Night venue to a function hall. This restaurant really is quite small. Now they will have Big Night on their own new property in Sherborn, which might be back up to or close to par since they will at least "know" their kitchen, which has not been true the last two years at the rented venue. I am eager to try out their new restaurant and am awed at their renovation and multi dining room and speciality shop undertaking! Check out the Heritage Inn and Restaurant at Sherborn...hope I got that name right. I'm old afterall...;)

So Sula, I was not aware of the chocolate pearls that you use. Googled 'em! Very cool!

Suladog

Lacey,

What a wonderful evening that looks like! Happy Birthday!!

Lacey12

Thanks again for the birthday wishes!

DONE!

auntienance

Lacey - it looks like a good time was had by all. And by the way, new decade or no, you look mahvelous!

Well the garden is now decked out in razor ribbon and barbed wire. Ha ha, not really. But we did reinforce the tomato cages with hardware cloth so no little critter hands can reach in and snag the tomatoes. On the way to purchase said hardware cloth, as we were passing the garden I saw a groundhog wander out. I made DH stop the car so I could chase the critter. As I ran toward him whooping and hollering (now there's a video) he initially ran then abruptly stopped and hunkered down in the grass. I got within a foot of him and he just sat there! I picked up a metal fence pole to urge him on his way but he wasn't going anywhere. When I poked him gently, he snapped at the pole (understandably) but refused to budge! This was a new experience for me. The two of us just stood (well he sat) and stared at each other. Finally DH said let's go so I left the beast laying in the grass. He was gone when we got home so I guess he took the opportunity to high tail it. Weird I tell you!

Tonight will be some pieces of beef tenderloin left from cutting a larger piece that I got at Costco into steaks. I'll make a sauce and have them with homemade noodles. I also have some peppers and yellow squash to be sauteed with an onion as a side. I cooked and pureed some sour cherries that I had gotten at an Amish store here that I'll make into some cherry ice cream tomorrow.

susan_02143

Lacey, That looks like such a fun evening!!! Did the girl-one find food to eat? And how were the arancini? I love a good arancini and most of them are really mediocre.

Nance, I would say that Mr. Hedgehog thought that YOU were the intruder and felt the need to defend his spot. After all, there is food at stake and he is very hungry. But, shouldn't he be scared of humans? Any chance there is rabies in your area?

Dinner last night was really good. Dan dan noodles is a favorite and I found some fresh noodles at the Chinese market. Had more of this for lunch today after walking to and from the farmer's market. Then off for a bone density test. Tonight we are taking the kids to the Legal on the Mystic to celebrate the boy-child's promotion! This is a big deal, and we are so proud of him. Historically, his family has not ever celebrated his accomplishments, and I think all major accomplishments should be celebrated with gusto! He is old enough to feel good about himself and his place in the world. After all, he was smart enough to marry my daughter!!

*susan*

carolehalston

Lacey, you do look pretty and young!  No one would believe you're 70.  I like your dress. 

Susan, the young man has married into a supportive family.  Congratulations to him for his promotion.  Give us a report on the celebratory food. 

I made myself buckwheat pancakes with chopped walnuts for breakfast.  I have been craving pancakes and could wait no longer.  DH didn't share because he was off early to a monthly wood turners' club meeting.  When he returned at noon, I sent him off to Firehouse Subs for brisket subs for lunch.  Tonight we'll have the menu that was supposed to be dinner last night:  fish, pineapple slaw, and kale.  We had half of the eggplant lasagna dish last night with a scrumptious salad of romaine and avocado with Caesar dressing and grated parm. 

I cooked the kale this afternoon.  It was a plastic bag of pre-sliced organic kale.  I blanched it and then sautéed it in olive oil with garlic and coarse red pepper.  It was still a bit tough so I cooked it longer with chicken broth and then splashed in some really good balsamic vinegar.  It's pretty good now.  Has a kick with the red pepper.

auntienance

Susan, the rabies thought crossed my mind. Had he still been there when we returned I would have had to call someone about it. LOVE LOVE LOVE dan dan noodles. Bet yours were spectacular. I make the dish sometimes but not often enough. Congrats to the boy and kudos to you for celebrating him.

SpecialK

lacey - what a lovely b-day girl in your pretty dress! Yay! The food and surprises sound great!

susan and carole - yummy sounding food! Susan, so glad you are doing the congratulating for your SIL - it makes me sad that his accomplishments weren't properly recognized previously.

No dinner in my house tonight - DH, DD and the dog all got into the two seat sports car, pretty comical, they went to DH's office for him to do a few tasks and DD cleaned his aquarium. Then all three went out for a late lunch. DH is now at the gym and DD is off to watch the hockey game with a friend at a pub nearby - exciting for Tampa. I planned vegetable pasta with turkey meatballs and a new jarred marinara I am trying - will have it tomorrow.

Redheaded1

Rain everywhere around me.  Drove 2 counties over this a.m. and darned if on the only "clear day" predicted it didn't darken over and storm.  Drove home in the rain, grass needs mowing, but no way.....

Dinner was grilled salmon (in doors in the broiler) baked potatoe and asparagus.  

Lacey12

Nance, I am half laughing, half crying for you about the groundhog. You are a determined farmer....and deserve (I rarely use that term!) to enjoy the majority of your produce!

I'm happy for your DSIL that his current family happily acknowledges his accomplishments. Have a wonderful evening!

Your meals all sound great. We just had some grilled chicken breasts that I marinated in a oil vinegar concoction with some cumin and garlic. I served them with salsa that I mixed withcorn, and we had lemon pepper marinated grilled asparagus and cuke salad with mint, red onion and feta cheese. I figure we covered a few countries with this mix and match dinner ...and it was pretty low cal.

Not pictured is the piece of carrot cake I am scarfing down since I saved so many calories with that dinner! LOL

No plans for tomorrow's dinner since we are going to Fenway with DS2 and DGF (who by the way, tried a few of the appetizers and her cornish hen last night....she is a solid chicken eater) to watch the Sox struggle. The game is my bd gift from DS2. I will be lathered in sunscreen as we will be in the upper deck, it's going to be a bright day, and I have yet to sit anywhere near the sun this Spring!

I have to look up uses for tamarind since I impulsively bought a concentrate of it at the Bazar yesterday since it was just two bucks. Talk about impulsive!! But I planned to expand my horizons. Hope I'm not allergic to it! ;/