So...whats for dinner?

ChiSandy

Stopped off at Hoosier Mama (en route from bc support group meeting) to pick up a slice of quiche to take home for dinner. It was closing time, and they threw in two slices of pumpkin pie with broken crusts. One will be my breakfast tomorrow. Carby, yeah—but also protein and antioxidants.

Eric, I can see from your devotion to your mom and to Sharon that your mom lives on in you.

SpecialK

eric - I am so very sorry about the loss of your mom, you were a very devoted son, and the care and concern you provided her was surely a comfort to both of you. Sending you strength to get you through this time of sadness.

My surgery went well, I'm home resting - sore and a bit beat up, but that feeling will pass. Thanks to all for the good wishes

eric95us

Special, good to hear you are home.

SpecialK

eric - thanks, sweet of you to post when I am sure you are consumed with the loss of your mom. Please know I am thinking of you and yours.

carolehalston

Ditto to Eric's post, SpecialK.

Tonight's dinner will be loin lamb chops. American lamb and a more reasonable price at $9.99 a lb. Previously about $13 a lb. I bought several packs and will probably stock up on more. They come 4 chops to a package so it's a moderate amount of red meat but satisfying and so good. The side will be asparagus, probably tossed with EVOO and roasted. Also a repeat of last night's romaine salad. I bought a large package of romaine hearts at Sam's yesterday because they were so nice. It will be a challenge to eat that much romaine.

I got myself into trouble this morning by "sharing" a very nasty political cartoon that appeared on my news feed on facebook because a young Canadian friend had "liked" it. It isn't easy for a "blue" person to live in a broad band of "red," but blue is mostly urban and at this stage of our lives, it isn't in the cards for dh and me to move to a crowded city. We have relatives who feel just the opposite. They live in "blue" Illinois and are extremely "red" in their politics.

On the food front, urban dwellers have diversity in their restaurant food offerings as well as diversity of citizens. It has been interesting to hear about Lacey's and Susan's dining out experiences.

M0mmyof3

Hubby suggested bacon and cheese omelette with a salad

MinusTwo

Special - thinking of you & hope the healing time is not too uncomfortable.

Eric - thinking of you too. Your Mom has been so much a part of your life since you live in the same town. I loved hearing your stories about her younger days when we met. Are you the one making all the arrangements or is your brother helping? I know you're relieved that you got the paperwork done last month.

Weird that I don't eat out for 10 days and then eat out two days in a row. Dunch yesterday was at PF Changs. I had excellent honey/crisp shrimp with fried rice & egg drop soup - and a lovely glass of Malbec. My evening snack was a handful of pistachios. Dunch today was a Tuscan restaurant called Brios. My SIL loves this one because they have a full gluten free menu. (BTW her GF pasta was quite good. ) I had chicken limone which was basically chicken piccata with very little breading served on a bed of Yukon Gold mashed potatoes w/haricot verts. I only ate half of the chicken, passed on the potatoes & ate some of the wonderful bread instead, and splurged on a dish of dark chocolate 'pudding' w/choc sauce, topped w/baby marshmallows and roasted before adding more shaved chocolate. Likely 2 lbs added, but yum.

Lacey - wonderful that you'll get to see Susan. We've exchanged a couple of emails and i agree - all of her spoons are continually in the air. I'm exhausted just reading about her schedule. She said they had taken care of Olivia two days last week and she's coming to that "getting into everything" stage.

Nance - glad your cough is finally on the run.

Carole - I've solved the problem by just not turning on the TV, and I managed to change the subject twice today at lunch with my SIL. No point in arguing and I'm hoping we as a nation can get back to being civil.

MinusTwo

So sorry to hear about Leonard Cohen's death.

ChiSandy

I think I am going to treat myself to some “tea and oranges that come all the way from China."

april485

Me too Minus..very sad that he passed. Hallelujah is one song that gives me goose bumps every.single.time.

Tonight is old fashioned beef stew. Threw it together and it is in the crock pot. This is one dish that comes out perfect for me every time in my crock pot because I have done so much trial and error over the years. If I am home on the weekend, I make it on the stove top, but I have figured out the perfect ratios in the crock pot and it all comes together. It is on low and when I get home, it will be done. A crusty baguette from Lino's and a nice glass of Shiraz (for me, hubby does not drink) and a fire in the fireplace. FRIDAY! One of the longest weeks ever...

M0mmyof3

Making my hubby a special dinner in on honor of being a Vetera

SpecialK

mommy - that is so nice! We had several veteran benefits locally including 10% off groceries all day today, a free entrée at two different restaurants, free app at another. I am in no condition to go out - unless they want to see me in my yellow ducky PJs, but maybe DH and DD will go.

MinusTwo

Special - and maybe they'll bring something back home for you?

To all of you who are veterans or married to veterans - thanks for your service.

M0mmyof3

Thanks Minus. Those of us who are married to veterans or current service men or women don't hear that often enough in regards to us.

SpecialK

minus - thanks for the thanks! I will also thank DH from you! I am not sure DH/DD will take advantage of any of the freebies. I think Mexican food (one of the offers) would be a mistake for me at the moment, but maybe a burger (the other) would be good. I did cook ahead so we have broccoli cheese soup, chili, marinara, chcken/rice/artichoke salad, broccoli salad, cooked chicken, cooked steak, BBQ & coleslaw.

april485

To all of our Veterans both here and gone, I thank you and hold you in the very highest esteem. There is nothing more honorable than to SERVE our country.

Special, so happy your surgery went well. Be well and I agree, hubby should bring you food so you can rest!

ChiSandy

Thinking today about all the veterans in my circle: my late uncles (WW II), now retired former boss (Korea--Bronze Star); and housekeeper’s husband and my late best buddy in law school (Vietnam).

MinusTwo

Special - just as a curiosity, I don't remember you ever talking about your DH cooking anything. Does he grill?

auntienance

My dad was going to take advantage of a free lunch today. He's a veteran of WWII, who served in the Philippines. It's very nice to see how many places, even in my small town, are honoring vets today. The middle school here hosts a luncheon for veterans every year. It's very sweet, the kids wait on the tables and serve the vets and their significant others. It's very well received.

Carole, we find ourselves much like strangers in a strange land here as well. We find ourselves whispering any "blue talk" when we're out in public, especially during this election, so red is it here. Hopefully, we'll all find a way forward. For better or for worse, at least the politicking is over for a while. I am quite weary from it all.

I made beef stew last night, for the first time in the pressure cooker. Boy was it good. I still have to figure a good way to get the sauces thicker. It's tricky in the pressure cooker. I don't like just adding a slurry at the end. Actually, this recipe called for gelatin, which unfortunately I didn't have. So maybe that's the key, at least for this dish. I'll be trying it again for sure.

I feel the baking itch coming over me, it's nearly uncontrollable sometimes. So I made a lemon meringue pie. I feel so much better now lol!

SK, I'm glad your surgery went well and you are recovering. I despise general anesthesia and how it affects me.

Minus, I love your menus. Those of you who are in contact with Susan, please convey how much we miss her.

Lacey, can't believe it's pizzelle season already!

On a techno note, my auto correct isn't even trying.

auntienance

carolehalston

The pie looks scrumptious!

We were having warmed-up red beans tonight but instead we're having dinner with another couple at our club in the nicer dining room called Morgan's. We like it better than the more family oriented Oak Grill. Morgan's has a new fall and winter menu with some options that sound really good.

The problem for me is that I probably won't be hungry after having lunch after playing golf. The buffet had crab and corn soup which was very good. And crispy fried small catfish fillets.

Dh is a veteran. He was in the army when he was in his 20's. Speaking of military subjects, don't miss the WW2 museum when you visit New Orleans. It is worth a day's visit.

auntienance

We've been to the museum three times, as each new section opened. I regret that my dad will never be able to see it. One time when we were there, a group of WW2 vets were there. You could see what an emotional experience it was for them. A group of middle school kids were also there acting very disrespectful -- their stupid teacher had given them a scavenger hunt for artifacts and they were running around whooping and hollering and acting like the unruly pre-teens they were and it really upset some of the old vets (as well as us). I complained to the chaperone that I saw with them who was doing nothing to impose any kind of order, and pointed out (politely) that this really wasn't a party atmosphere and it was very meaningful to the veterans who were present. She was apologetic and said she would tell the teacher (who was no where to be found) and thankfully, they left shortly after. It really made me mad that a teacher wouldn't have the sense to instill in the students some kind of respect for the history, especially in the presence of those who lived it.

M0mmyof3

Made steak, baked potatoes and corn on the cob for hubby tonight. He loved his special dinner!!!!

SpecialK

minus - DH does grill! We put in a new outdoor kitchen exactly one year ago. The grill is dual - left half is gas, right side is charcoal. When we first started dating (in 1982, lol!), I passed his kitchen window in the apartment building every day after work and he would be cooking dinner, always invited me to eat with them (DH and roommate) since I lived alone. For a long time he didn't realize I could cook.

auntie - have you heard about the honor flights for WWII vets to go to Washington DC for vets to see the WWII Memorial? We took my FIL and MIL and ran into a group from St Louis, and one from Chicago. All expenses are paid for the vet and a chaperone. It is an awesome program. My FIL cried to see such appreciation, and got to talk to a number of others who were stationed where he was. Because he flew bomber aircraft in the Pacific he had always felt somewhat guilty - part of the reason he became a doctor - so he could help save lives.

auntienance

Special, yes I know about the honor flights, we've even had a couple go from here. My dad just can't travel because of his health issues.

SpecialK

auntie - sorry your dad can't travel, Honor Flight is such a fantastic concept. We took my FIL in a travel wheelchair, and at least half of the Honor Flight folks were in them as well. I have some great pics from that day of the memorial itself and Iwould be happy to share them with you if you think your dad might like to see them.

Lacey12

My appreciation also to the many veterans we honor today. My dad, brother and uncles all served. DH was working and in night college during most of Viet Nam and got an extremely high draft number after graduating, which was lucky since his family needed the support from his work salary. I was impressed today with all of the food establishments that had signs out offering free meals to vets...a small but, I'm sure, very appreciated gesture.

I met a friend for lunch at a local family frinendly sports bar, and it was sweet seeing so many vets (moms and dads) with their kids enjoying lunch together.

Well, Nance and Carole, if you ever feel the need to find "blue sanctuary" you know where you can come... With pizzelles included in the offer!

I enjoyed half of a turkey BLT and delicious cole slaw for lunch. I took the other half sandwich home for DH's dinner in case he arrived home for that (from a healthcare/business conference he was organizing and attending this week). He did. So he augmented with an Asian noodle soup and chips. I ate hummus and artisan bread (carrot and broccoli would have been better for dippers)....I'm never too hungry after eating lunch out. I think I own the slowest metabolism in the world! We enjoyed a bottle of pinot grigio with our less than exciting dinner....a bit of relief drinking, I'd say, after a rather intense week. Now, the Celtics game...glad we aren't at the Garden for this one....tired....but at least they are playing better.

MinusTwo

Lacey, Nance, Carole - you can imagine the need I have for a sanctuary stuck down here in the heart of Texas. Nuff said. We did not play dominoes today. I didn't have the fortitude to bite my tongue. Besides it's still sore from my trip to see my brother.

Nance - you have made me sooooo hungry for a lemon meringue pie. Maybe I'll make one after Thanksgiving.

Lacey - do you make your own Asian Noodle soup? I usually use Auntie Chun's since there are no take out places near me.

Late lunch was a toasted pumpernickel bagel w/ lox & cream cheese. At the happy hour time, I ate Beer Nuts with my G&T so now I'm not hungry for supper/dinner. And there are so many delicious leftovers in my fridge. I have a full weekend with a concert Sat. evening & a play the next afternoon - of course with meals involved. I'll report later.

SpecialK

Tiny blue zone here too - at least my house and the house next door, lol!

Forgot to mention the delicious looking pie pic - lemon meringue is one of my faves

ChiSandy

Joining the blue sanctuary—I’ll bring the wine (blue-bottle Nahe Rieslings, perhaps)?

That meringue pie looks scrumptious. Not a big fan of lemon, though. Hoosier Mama in Evanston has passionfruit meringue two days a week. But my favorite meringue pies are chocolate, butterscotch and peanut butter. There is a tiny town in southeast KS, Dearing, which has a coffeehouse & bakery called King’s Cafe. (It’s a Christian coffeehouse, but they’re not in-your-face about it). Besides having the only real espresso & cappuccino bar in the Coffeyville/Dearing/Caney/Independence area (if you don’t count Bartlesville, OK), they specialize in insanely delicious meringue pies. When I used to do weeklong artist residencies for the Coffeyville Humanities Project (senior centers, nursing homes, the high school, food pantry and community college—17 shows in 5 days), at the end of the day I would head out there. Ironic that in Coffeyville itself, the coffee is awful, and the closest thing to a latte comes from either Mickey D’s (pre-sweetened) or those fake “Cappuccino” machines in gas stations that basically whip flavored International Coffee mix. King’s has a 2-group Faema plumbed-in espresso machine with a couple of Mazzer Major grinders—they mean business!