So...whats for dinner?

MinusTwo

Carole - sorry to see on the other thread that your Mom has an intestinal virus. Hope it's short lived. Love the herb report.

I used to do a week's menu when my son was young & I was working & supporting all the "after school" activities. We would never have eaten otherwise since my ex specifically did not cook - ever - and I felt it was really important that we all sat down & ate dinner together. Now I just sort of graze on what's in the fridge many nights.

I DROVE my own car!!! Went to the grocery store - Oh My. Funny about all the things that looked good after not being in a grocery store for a month. Of course mainly bread & tortillas, but I avoided cakes/pies/cookies/etc. I had leftover chicken shredded & topped w/green chili salsa & grated cheese on a soft flour tortilla for lunch & it was terrific. I'm a fan of the microwave for this. Of course I had to have one more tortilla with just butter. Picked up a California Roll so dinner will be sushi. Bought Strawberry cream cheese to spread on my two HoneyCrisp apples (apples were a pure indulgence on sale at $2.98 a pound). Picked up a pkg of good looking boneless center cut pork loin chops for this weekend that were also on sale. Now I'll have to decide whether to do a salsa sauce or a brandy cream sauce.

ChiSandy

Bob’s working late tonight, Gordy has a show, so no First Seder tonight. Nonetheless, I might drag out the food processor and make a little charoset (which Bob adores all Passover long). Will start with a little chicken broth with a few “mandlen” (little choux paste puffs made with ultra-pulverized matzo meal) to keep it lower-carb than matzo balls. Entree will be some gefilte fish & horseradish. Probably have the leftover green beans from last night; since Gordy didn’t eat the meatloaf & mashed potatoes from last night (he went for Bob’s duck sausage linguine instead) and since there are breadcrumbs in meatloaf, I’ll freeze that. Since it’s not a Seder, I won’t have wine (or maybe I’ll chill the kosher-for-Passover methode-champenoise brut from the Galilee, pour myself a couple ounces and put the rest in the fridge with a champagne stopper). If I have dessert, it’ll probably be sugar-free kichel (bigger choux-paste puffs) or macaroons with berries on the side. Tomorrow night’s Seder will be at temple, the whole 9 yards: matzo ball soup, charoset, greens, fresh horseradish (might bring swim goggles for that), hard-boiled egg half in saltwater, roast chicken, potatoes & carrots, with macaroons & fruit compote for dessert. They usually provide both grape juice and a dry Israeli rosé. (Bob even likes the old-school sweet Manischewitz Concord, but I’m drawing the line at that this year--too much of both alcohol and sugar).

queenmomcat

ChiSandy sounds like a decently symbolic dinner under the circumstances. And yeah, goggles for the horseradish.

susan_02143

All this talk of lamb burgers, and I am weak. They are all assembled and in the fridge chilling. I found some mint already up in the garden, so I was able to add some mint to the dill I knew was already in the fridge. A quick tzaikis sauce is done and flavors are "melding." Pickled red onions, and then a huge lettuce salad. Mr. 02143 didn't remember that we had already bought a bunch of lettuce and came home from Whole Foods yesterday with his special milk and yet another big bunch of lettuce. I have made him a tomato and feta salad as well. At this point in the cycle, tomatoes are off my personal menu. He is going to grill them outside which is always more tasty.

*susan*

hsant

Susan, I use Takara mirin, it's a full 750ml bottle, and can be found in the wine section, as opposed to the Asian food section. I get what you mean about mirin, but the one I use is pure. My recipe isn't Japanese American. It's by Nobu Matsuhisa, probably the most famous Japanese chef in the states. But I love trying new recipes, so please post yours when you have a chance.

Passover started this evening. My dad went to my cousins for a Seder, and I opted out. I took myself out to sushi for a much needed alone time. Pics may gross some of you out, but here we go...

Yellowtail tar tar with a raw quail egg and smelt roe. Yum

hsant

Su

susan_02143

Hsant,

Wasn't sushi declared a Pesech approved food this year? Thank you for the mirin brand name. That ingredient looks wonderful and I will seek it out. So glad that you had a moment for yourself tonight. Being the caretaker is hard work, and you deserve time off. And that food is beautiful. A new Japanese restaurant has opened near me, and it is fantastic! My daughter and I had lunch there yesterday and chose a selection of yakitori and each one was perfect. They make their own soba noodles, so that is what I will have next time. Then the next time, I will dive into the extensive sushi menu.

*susan*

ChiSandy

Sushi has always been “Pesadich" for Sephardic Jews despite the rice, because their tradition includes the use of some grains and legumes as long as they're served whole and can't self-leaven the way flour & water can. I'm not sure Ashkenazic rabbis would approve--though sashimi (made from permitted fish) is kosher for Passover. (Not sure about soy sauce or tamari, however).

One year at Seder I served gefilte fish with wasabi-flavored whitefish roe instead of horseradish. (Still had the horseradish on the Seder plate).

Matzo balls are indeed dumplings. But because it contains nothing but wheat or spelt flour and water, kosher-for-Passover matzo itself really has no flavor of its own unless baked till well-done. (That’s why I prefer Yehuda and the handmade “shmura,” or “guarded” matzos because to me they have some flavor).

susan_02143

This is what I was referring to. My Ashkenazic friends are quite excited.

http://forward.com/food/339180/with-kitniyot-ban-l...

*susan*

ChiSandy

Thanks, Susan. Most of us Jews here are secular, Reform or Conservative, so that’s a welcome development. The Orthodox (especially Hasidim) probably won’t change their rules. When I went to the Sephardic Seder in Madrid last year, they made sure to assure us they would not serve “kitniyot,” so that Ashkenazic Jews (travelers and the few Ashkenazim among the Spanish) could freely partake. I’d have loved to experience some of those traditionally Sephardic kitniyot dishes. Even so, some of the non-kitniyot Sephardic versions of Seder foods were different. (Babaghannouj, charoset that instead of being a relish was so finely ground it was pressed into little truffle-like balls, beef stew seasoned with Moroccan spices rather than the usual brisket, etc.).

hsant

Susan, that's a great article. Thank you! I never knew that legumes weren't allowed during Passover until recently. I guess I'm what you would call reformed light. I can be embarrassingly unknowledgeable when it comes to my religion.

I avoid rice in general, because of the carbs. I did bring a bottle of Tamari with me, but I realized I was eating before it was officially sunset, so I could enjoy regular soy sauce, and a Kirin beer (I think).

Sandy, I would think Tamari would be ok, since it's wheat free. I don't think soy sauce is kosher for Passover, but I could be wrong.

bedo

Minus that sounds like an extremely delicious dinner. Might I suggest Edy's fruit bars (strawberry) with sea salt? I am glad you are driving

Carol, up here it's time to put in the sugar snap peas-must get in by May 1st in this zone. I will planting mine this weekend at the organic community garden and then helping my daughter and her husband next week. I will be in town Boston and Jamaica Plain for three days next week for a contraceptive technology conference and will be staying with them. Unfortunately I won't have time to meet anyone, Lacey and Susan

Susan and Sandy, I became addicted to Borscht and lox on bagels with cream cheese, red onion and capers and tomato slice through my first live in whatever he was lol- a nice guy

Carol I enjoyed reading about your Mom 's Bingo,sounds like fun. I want to be the lady with the private room -fat chance

Hsant those sushi pictures sure look good. I hope they find some way to make your Dad more comfortable

For dinner tonight Sprite in the "green room" I've been diligent and 5 of us have been asked to play onstage with the "real" musicians. Fiddle/violin. I stink as always.

Enloy your weekend everyone. I am buying cheap clothes to ruin at camp.

Lacey12

Last night's dinner was simple and good. DH grilled two petite sirloin steaks which I'd rubbed with a spice mix I'd made a few months ago and labeled "spice mix for steaks and breast of turkey" hmmm....how flexible! It was tasty and I wish I'd labeled the ingredients! Sooo ADD! Our sides for dinner were a large garden salad with evoo and light balsamic dressing, and a blend of quinoa with sautéed onions and asparagus pieces. We enjoyed a nice red wine that was suggested to DH by one of our local wine shops....inexpensive and good.

This morning we got up early to join a demonstration in a close part of Boston, where a lateral pipeline is being built by an out of state energy company right next to an active quarry and continuing through many neighborhoods.....for fracked gas to ultimately be exported. It was a nasty morning to be gathered and walking and chanting for four hours. Seemed warmer when we left the house, but rain bursts and wind made it feel more like March. Glad to be home and in dry clothes...and of course the sun is peeking out now and the temps rising!

Am thinking about making whole wheat pizza dough to use for tonight's dinner

carolehalston

Last night I took two packages of pork out of the freezer, one labeled Ribs and the other Roast. I didn't expect the package of ribs to be enough for a meal so I was thinking I would cook both of them in the Crock pot today. Instead we'll have two pork meals. The ribs are simmering toward the tender stage. DH will finish them on the grill with barbecue sauce. I cut the roast into chunks and cooked the chunks in the Crock pot, once again following the pork carnitas recipe that calls for a squeezed orange, fresh lime juice, onion chunks, cumin, dry oregano, bay leaves and s & p. I am reducing the juice to a cup of sauce and will add it to the cooked chunks. We'll have the pork carnitas with tortillas tomorrow night and black beans and avocado. Probably sautéed onion and colored peppers for dh.

Tonight's sides will be roasted sweet potato chunks and cabbage slaw.

Hsant, glad you had some "me" time to relax and enjoy yourself. The food was artfully presented.

ChiSandy, I find your discussion of Jewish food very interesting. It's all totally unfamiliar to me.

MinusTwo

Below is a very interesting link from the Washington Post about 'ethnic' food. Which once was called 'foreign' food but now those foods have gone mainstream. It's kind of long but talks about how our "meat & potatoes" palates have caused some corruption in the current "ethnic" foods in the US (like over the top curry). And how we refuse to recognize that 'ethnic' food - done well - might be as good or better than what was originally foreign food - French & Italian & German - and to pay for it accordingly. It also mentions a book that sounds worthwhile by Krishnendu Ray called "The Ethnic Restaurater"

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/04/22/the-great-ethnic-food-lie/

Moonflwr912

wow lots going on! Special, glad your daughter is ok.

Susan i hope that the electric is the last glitch in your renovation.

Carole ill bet your Mom becomes a killer bingo plsyer! LOL.

Hsant and Chisandy, (and i think i saw Lacey mention matzo), (and queenmomcat knew about horseradish) enjoy your Passover. I have some relatives and friends who went to Seders yesterday. One og them was dreading it because her relatives use the Manischivitz wine. My neighbor's daughter also just got married and his family invited my neighbor to her first Seder, so i was interested and read up again since it has been over 20 years since i attended one. We also once hosted a meal based on the Seder when i attended a very progressive Catholic church years ago as a way of exploring the roots of the church. i did laugh though, when we picked up the meat, it was wrapped in bacon LOL. We decided we'd cook it anyway as we didnt actually have any Jewish friends attending. Although we picked off the bacon before cooking it, as it just didnt seem quite right.

Bedo, you sound very busy, but also happy. And, if you stink, i dont think they would have asked you to go on stage with the musicians.

Supper was porato and sausage fry. I haven't been shopping for the week yet and thats about all that was left in the fridge. The sausage had been there awhile. Hope it was actually still before expiration date. LOL. Ooops.

To all much love

eric95us

First off. Special, I'm glad your DD is OK. I hope the soreness, and annoyance, quickly goes away.

I must be getting old. I get home, work a bit on the Jeeps, shower, read a bit and fall asleep. I have been reading, but more lurking lately.

All the CJ Jeeps (a 1950 and a 1964) are fully operational. They didn't break down, just some long term preventative maintenance..brakes and a rusty gas tank and a fuel slowly degrading from rust particles in the gas. It's been a couple of decades for the brakes and not much less time for the fuel system, so I guess I can "forgive" the Jeeps.

Dinner tonight was a zucchini pasta dish that Sharon made. Very good and there's enough for tomorrow as well. For tomorrow morning, I going to make some sourdough waffles...or pancakes...there isn't too much difference in the batter recipes. That is unless DD asks for Aebleskiver.

I'm not Jewish and am not terribly familiar with the food requirements/traditions. The exception is Iranian Jewish food. Mickey met a girl, Karmella, in college. Karmella and her family were Jewish, they were from Iran and her dad was an officer in the Shah's Army. After 1979, this wasn't a good set of things to have on a resume there and in 1980, they arrived in Phoenix with basically nothing. That whole family loved to cook and they would have us over for dinner (and we would have them over for dinner too). I guess that's were I found out about Middle Eastern food.

While I can't call it pure "ethnic food", it is still an interesting experience to eat in Bisbee, Arizona. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Bisbee was arguably as rich as St. Louis and San Francisco--gold, silver, copper, lead mining--and people from all over the world came there to make their fortunes. Within 20-30 miles of Bisbee, the mountains and climate combine to make it possible to grow just about anything. In that distance, one can chose low desert to grasslands to an almost rain forest environment and then onto an alpine like forest.

Hsant and Red, I completely understand the "alone time". I would like more than I get, And, Hsant, no, the pictures didn't gross me out... :-) It looks good.

Minus, I can't imagine not being able to drive. I will do the same thing with a tortilla..butter and eat..and love it. Unfortunately, my favorite apples (Jazz) are always about $3 a pound, but I buy them anyway. As for the driving in flooded places....it sounds like Arizona does not have a monopoly on not so smart drivers.

Carole, where you're at, does the mint try to "take over the world"? I planted some here in the shade of an orange tree...and it's a good thing I want the mint. :-)

Auntie, since all the resorts have been built on the beaches, it's not easy to find a place to camp out on the beach. Between that, and the violence, it's not the nice experience it used to be.

Susan, how come an additional electrical inspection is needed?

And finally, hi to everyone I missed. I'd better get to bed before I fall asleep on the couch.

ChiSandy

Bedo, wish I’d logged in earlier today (had issues with my router and then my new credit card arrived...with a different expiry date and CVV code. Spent all afternoon visiting different creditors’ and subscription services’ websites to update the info; then it was time to get ready for Seder).

Temple Seder was less well attended than in years past. There were more pieces of afikomen hidden than there were kids to find it. Gefilte fish was, instead of individual quenelles, slices of a loaf--but it was very finely textured and surprisingly light & fluffy, though a tad sweet for my tastes. Matzo balls were excellent, consomme clear enough to read through. Main course was herb-roasted chicken, new potatoes and baby carrots with dried cranberries--the carrots were nearly raw, but I don’t mind them that way. Desserts were macaroons (coconut & almond); chocolate, orange and honey cakes; and chocolate covered cookies with sprinkles. (Hard to believe they were Pesadich, but they were). Unlike at the Fri. oneg Shabbat, the decaf tonight was brewed strong enough to actually taste good. (I think the only houses of worship where I’ve been served regular coffee were Unitarian Universalist....almost a reason to join....).

The wines weren’t bad. Both were Baron Herzog from Sonoma: a chardonnay and a rosé of pinot grigio. "Wait a minute,” you must be saying, “aren’t rosés made from red grapes and isn’t pinot grigio a white wine?” Before I helped out one year with the crush at a MI winery, I’d have thought so too. But we were crushing pinot grigio.......which is a PINK grape! Most vintners separate the skins from the juice immediately (which is also how “white” brut champagne can be made from pinot noir grapes), but Herzog let the juice sit on the skins awhile before draining it off. The result was a rosé that wasn’t as bone-dry as a Provençal, Spanish or Italian, but neither was it sweet like a (ugh) white zinfandel. Worked pretty well with the chicken! Last night, with matzo ball soup, “shmura” (“guarded” handmade ultra-thin) matzo, and gefilte fish I had a brut methode champenoise sparkler (equal parts pinot noir & chardonnay) from the Galilee. Very dry, lively bubbles but high acidity. Ironically, it’d have gone best with oysters!

This morning I made matzo brei, which is basically matzo softened in hot water, dipped in French toast batter, and fried on a griddle. Tried to open a fresh Mason jar of White Kitty Farm maple syrup (from the grove of a friend in OH), but the lid wouldn’t budge and I didn’t want to risk an LE flareup. So I had sugar-free maple syrup instead, which wasn’t as bad as I remembered.

carolehalston

Minus, interesting article. I didn't relate to the discussion of Indian food because we have no Indian restaurants on the north shore. There probably are some in New Orleans. Thai food has become popular and there are four or five Thai restaurants. Interesting that Americans expect "ethnic" food to be cheap. That is true of Mexican and Chinese, which are really Tex-Mex and American Chinese. I can find something to eat at the Tex-Mex places but very little at the Chinese places (especially the ubiquitous buffets to be found in every town in America.)

I wonder if the ordinary Japanese citizen in Japan eats food like that in the pictures Hsant posted. That is part of the food discussion, too, the difference between what the people with money eat and what the ordinary people eat.

The pork ribs last night were very tasty. The cabbage slaw and roasted sweet potato chunks were completely satisfactory, too. Thank you, SpecialK, for the tip to peel the sweet potatoes. I was also careful not to cook them too long. Our meal was definitely in the "ordinary people" category!

ChiSandy

Sort of eclectic dinner tonight: we ordered out for Thai/Japanese: sashimi, salmon-skin & cucumber salad, shu mai, & spring rolls (Bob ate the latter two because he’s not Jewish and doesn’t have to avoid non-matzo flour products). I made matzo ball soup to start, and we also had gefilte fish. Of course, I put wasabi on mine--the horseradish was just too mild.

SpecialK

I am so far behind! The fam has been out of town/busy/working so I have not been cooking that much - in the last few days have had chicken and pinto bean tostadas, a couple of NY strip steaks and Caesar salads, breakfast this weekend of scrambled eggs with goat cheese, thick cut bacon, making burgers tonight on Hawaiian rolls with the leftover bacon and BBQ sauce, might do some thick cut homemade fries.

carole - glad the peeling worked for the sweet potatoes! I really like them either wedged in fries or cubed and roasted. I love bingo! We always played annually for pottery, crystal or silver in the officers' wives' groups I was involved with in the military. DS was a volunteer firefighter starting his senior year of high school and his station raised funds with a huge weekly bingo game - all hands had to be on deck to help!

hsant - thanks for the compliment and love the sushi pics! The fam pic was taken at a wedding in Austria - I am sure that added some classy ambiance, except that if you look closely DS has a drink in his hand, lol! You, me, Minus, chick flick, Ruffles and Ranch - let's do it, I am totally in! Can you dad tolerate hot cereal? Might be a soft food that is fortified and can provide some nutrition and be easily swallowed. My mom had some swallowing difficulty after a series of small strokes, she had a specially weighted milk product, that could work too.

To all who worried about DD - she is doing fine - took the Flexiril and ibuprofen for a couple of days, but discontinued due to no need.

susan - when is the p'nut due? Also, enjoyed the Bahn Mi convo - one of my faves and I like to try new ones when I have the opportunity. Did you get the final addtional inspection for the electrical? I bet you are relieved to be done with such a stressful, but ultimately satisfying, project! Everything looked beautiful in the pics.

lacey - I am guilty of "momming" everyone - my kids coined that term! If you would like, I can add you to the list, lol! I have the advantage of being a licensed insurance agent - one of my seemingly disconnected collection of jobs/skills, lol! That makes navigating insurance issues slightly easier for me. Note that I said slightly.

joyce - driving in FL is challenging! The drivers themselves are challenged, and FL is mecca for PI lawyers, it is a bit of a nightmare. I have advised every friend with teenagers to get them off their insurance policies and get them their own - even if it is more expensive - the minute they turn 18, and to get vehicles out of the parent's name to minimize any financial vulnerability. Also, everyone in FL should carry uninsured motorist coverage as about 25% of the drivers on the road are uninsured, partially due to the cost of insurance. When we moved here in 2006 from Virginia our premiums doubled, I was paying $800 a month for 4 drivers/cars, which is ridiculous. DD in FL currently pays double what her brother pays in VA.

minus - your poor grandfather and family - that is just terrible for both them and the pregnant woman who hit him, what a day of mixed emotions for her, oh my. My DH was on "alert" as I was in labor with my first. They don't do this anymore but back in the day aircrews had to live next to the nuclear equipped B-52s for a week at a time, with 24/7/365 coverage. He went on alert six hours after my labor started so he drove to the squadron and got on the alert bus, and then I drove myself to the hospital between contractions. Fortunately it was 6am and the hospital was on base, but it was -35F with wind-chill and icy - not good conditions for driving or walking from the parking lot when one cannot see their feet! I was in labor for a really long time and our son was not born until the next night after 10pm - by C-section (I never do ANYTHING the easy way), with the entire alert crew in attendance out in the hallway since they had to travel as a unit. Not sure what DH would have done if the claxon blew during the delivery - he would have had to rip off the scrubs and run out! Fortunately that didn't happen! Also, I sympathize with the not driving thing - didn't drive for 3 months while in a non-weight bearing cast for a broken ankle while having two teenagers, one with only a driving permit - and didn't drive from Nov. 1 to Feb 1 after BC diagnosis due to the five surgeries that preceded chemo. DD ferried me around to the various post-ops and appts. It is a pain, can't imagine getting through that without her help, so I feel for ya and glad you are making headway - just be careful!

susan_02143

the P'nut is due on May 8th. Last Monday, they were prepared to try to invert the child which creates a high risk for labor and/or c-section, but the P'nut was already flipped. Spent last night with the "kids" celebrating their birthdays. He was born on the 22nd; she on the 23rd. They were breathing a sigh of relief that neither of them would need to share a birthday with their new addition. She looks so much more comfortable now that baby is in the correct position. No more pressing against her ribs, and blocking her lungs. She was able to eat a normal amount of food again!

My daughter preferred that we go out to dinner. She didn't want the "stress" of seeing me create a birthday celebration dinner. They chose the local Legals which has a more interesting menu than most of their restaurants. It was a lovely evening. Her salmon was cooked perfectly, and strangely, she was so happy to see that they now offer mashed potatoes as one of the included side dishes. I got an appetizer tuna sashimi with a seaweed salad, and the two men both had a cup of clam chowder and a clam pizza. None of us felt we needed dessert.

I found the six boxes of baby stuff in the attic and we are ready here in Somerville. 30 cloth diapers, a number of soft onesies some with legs, quilts, sheets, and the wonderful mobile that Mr. 02143 bought for his daughter in 1986. In another box were both my childhood china sets and the girl's. The final box had a ton of tiny hangers! All of this stuff is expensive, so we were delighted to find them. And the miracle is, these things have been moved approximately 17 times, and they smell fresh and wonderful! The kids bought fresh and new diapers at the local spot called, yes really, The Diaper Lab. To celebrate Earth Day they were offering a 15% discount on everything. The crib is assembled. Clothing has all been pre-washed. The only thing left to do is pack her hospital bag.

I am not as far along. To make room in the guest room for the P'nut, I have to move all my books to another floor. But that means dealing with the bookcases that the kids left up there, and reconfiguring them, then moving the existing cabinets to the house in Arlington, and then, and only then, can I set up the crib and baby box. Getting ready for them to move in three years ago was a huge job. Removing into my own spaces now is also hard work.

*susan*

SpecialK

susan - yay for a May p'nut! I have two different friends whose children share birthdays - crazy, right? I would imagine that all the moving to different places, and then kids moving in and then out is a ton of work! Being a military spouse for such a long time I have done the same - and it allowed me to have opportunities to ask myself - do I really need this? It usually didn't work, because I decided that I did need whatever the thing was - but if I had lived in the same place for a long time I am sure things would have been worse, lol! I am sure you are beyond excited and want things to be ready, but don't get too tired! You have an impressive amount of energy, but I worry! See, I am "momming" you too!

susan_02143

Special, why yes you are, and you are good at it unlike my maternal unit! Her only help has been telling me at least 6 times to make sure that Lauren has pad to protect her new furniture post delivery. I might mention, she never suggested any of this to me!

Oh yes. Electric inspection was short and sweet and successful. We have a Certificate of Occupancy. The project is done! Last thread to tie up is paying the final bill, but first the Great Sergio has to give us one with all the receipts. Dinner tonight is some lamb shank stew from the magic freezer, polenta, and a zucchini-tomato gratin. Next? The bathroom in our house. We are pretty sure there are lots of leaks and that the subfloor is compromised. I can't believe I might have to live with more construction but having the bathroom crash to the first floor doesn't seem like a good idea either.

*susan*

carberry

We did birthdays as well this past wknd...my DH and son. Son came from Ohio with his fiancé and future MIL, not only for birthdays but to do some wedding finalization. We tasted food to decide the wedding menu and wine selections for the bar. Decided on a beef wrapped around some stuffing with a beef gravy, a lemon chicken, roasted potatoes, fire roasted veges, green salad with various dressings and penne with marinara. It was all very good and the chef came out at the end and asked if we wanted to change any of the seasonings on any of the food we tried. Then we decided flowers and centerpieces. My girlfriend is a florist and is doing this pro bono...although we will compensate her against her wishes. Also final decisions on cake. This is all so difficult since they live in Ohio and are getting married here in NY

I am tired from all the company for 4 days, and now we have to finish up all the leftovers from their visit...lots of grilled chicken and salads as well as leftovers from eating out.

Lacey12

Wow, Carrie, you had busy and productive weekend! Sounds like a wedding menu that covers many bases for food preferences....always a challenge these days! I would be happy to have leftovers to enjoy while "recovering". And how nice to have a friend do the flowers...adds some extra love to the occasion!

Sounds like it was a really nice BD celebration, Susan. Glad the inspections are completed successfully.

I did end up making whole wheat crust pizza this past weekend....it was fine, but I have to admit, I favor the less healthy traditional white flour pizza crust. Maybe I need a taste bud adjustment!

Sunday I made a big pot of kale/bean soup which I've been eating with big 'ol salads for dinner...adding assorted other food items for DH.

Today I saw on TV that it is National Pretzel Day. Hmmm, if I accomplish any of my "must do" tasks, maybe I'll make some pretzels. Tho I really don't need those tempting carbs hanging around....

DH reminded me to take pix of the pizzas, so here they are:

I so love taking food pix!

ChiSandy

I’m spending the next five days down in the SW suburbs--aka the Land of Lousy Pizza--because I’m bringing my pal in for her BMX and then taking care of her once she’s released until her next-door neighbor can take over. It’s Passover anyway, so I might as well just go back to low-carb (bringing one piece of well-cushioned matzo in my suitcase so I can have my mandated daily nibble).

SpecialK

Dinner tonight is the same as last night, lol! Cheeseburgers with grilled onions and BBQ sauce on Hawaiian rolls, broccoli salad and baked potato salad. Later I am making a sour cream coffee cake and raspberry cream cheese braid for DH to take in for Admin Pros day, then we are going out for lunch with his office. The repeat dinner is working out well as today has been a closet reorganization day. DD moved back home a year ago and her "I will just be here a couple of months" doesn't seem to be happening so I am bringing the rest of her clothes in from the garage, which already contains her boat, some furniture, and a whole bunch of other stuff!

lacey - yummy pizza food porn pics!

susan - glad to be of service on the momming! I am available anytime! It is funny how parents are different with our children than they were with us, right? I got some interesting pushback from my MIL on baby feeding - first she was peeved that I would not let her take my newborn son overnight (in my house, they came to "help") because I was breastfeeding. She wanted me to pump so she could have him overnight so we could ostensibly have a "good night's sleep" but if I was breastfeeding that wasn't going to happen anyway - besides which, I didn't even have a pump! Then she wanted me to put cereal in his bottle immediately in an effort to get him to sleep through the night - he was two weeks old! I was like, um - he can't digest it yet, and what two week old sleeps through the night? I got the response that she did it with all of hers and they did just fine, and she is a nurse and my FIL is a doc and they know how things should be done. Eeesh. I don't think she has forgotten my disobedience, ha! She is an example of too much advice! My mom was wise enough to offer no counsel at all and let me figure it out on my own, in my own way, lol! I have faith that you know your daughter and will offer the right advice at the right time, and all of you will surround the p'nut with boatloads of love!

queenmomcat

Pizza out at one of the local restaurants, to benefit a local library. Hey, pizza and libraries....what's not to like, for me?

carolehalston

In my present state of "queasiness," I admire you all the more, Susan. Food has been at the bottom of my list of important things since Sunday night, when I succumbed to the stomach virus that has been running rampant through the nursing home where my poor mother is residing. My sister and I kept going to visit her after my mother became ill, confident (I guess?) that we were healthy and had good resistance. My sister got the virus and said she was "sick as a dog" and was overcome with pity for the elderly people in the nursing home. Then Sunday night I got sick. Last night dh was violently ill.

The only cooking around here has been chicken broth on Monday and beef noodle soup yesterday.