So...whats for dinner?

carolehalston

Nance, I selected my laptop as the least expensive small one. $700. By the time I paid transfer of contents of old computer to new computer and to external hard drive plus sales tax, the total was $900 plus. Ridiculous for someone who uses a computer so little. I use my IPhone as a tiny portable computer.

I didn't even realize the new laptop was also a tablet. I went into Best Buy to see about having the old laptop repaired. I was seeing a "blue screen" and eventually couldn't open Windows. The young tech hated for me to pay $150 only to be told the hard drive had crashed.

The weather is iffy today with threat of storms. I'm leery of going to the nursing home and exposing my little car to possible hail

PontiacPeggy

Sandy, I don't have any trouble playing DVDs or CDs on my Win10 laptop. Win10 recognizes them. I have a Lenovo. I must say that I resent having to get the automatic updates to Win10. I had them turned off in XP and Win 7. I probably could stand to watch a movie on my tablet. I don't even like watching movies on my laptop. I want BIG. And watching on a phone? If you're 20, go for it. I'm not and I won't.

Carole, I got my laptop at Best Buy too and spent well under $500 for it. The battery life is non-existent and I can't replace it with one that is decent. But since I usually use it where I have power, it doesn't matter. I have a Samsung tablet and Note 4. I am so connected. I have a 1T internal harddrive. I'm not convinced on with the solid state drives. And while I use DropBox a lot, I have stuff I don't want stored on the Cloud either. Life is complicated.

Auntie, thinking of you. BTW, I love Win10 too.

CeliaC, it should be a fun game today! DS is coming up and we'll watch it together. Making Chex mix for him (I actually prefer the Crispx version). Had to invest in all the cereal. Oh well, he's worth it! Then we'll go out to dinner someplace.

Happy Weekend! Go Zags!

HUGS!

M0mmyof3

Leftover spaghetti for tonight!

I loved Windows 7 but when my old computer was starting to die a little at a time I bought a new one that runs Windows 10. Not exactly happy with 10 but I have adjusted to it. Plus it helps that I bought a Windows 10 for Dummies book to help me understand it better.

MinusTwo

Still haven't made it to the grocery store. Last night was Stauffer's Mac & Cheese.

Tonight I went with a friend to hear a reading by C.J. Box from his new book at one of our Indie book stores. We treated ourselves to dinner out. I had flounder with French lentils & spinach, and wonderful fresh rosemary/garlic bread. AND we had dessert. My friend had molten lava brownie. I had a pear/raspberry tart w/ice cream. Too full to move

carolehalston

Gave some thought to home-made pizza tonight but decided instead to go lighter since I'm planning to go to WW tomorrow. Skipped last two meetings because of my mother's hospital stay.

Thawing out a huge chicken breast that I will halve and flatten for cutlets. Sides will be asparagus and salad

M0mmyof3

Pork roast, steamed Brussel sprouts and a side dish

ChiSandy

Bob's problem is that the laptop is 4-5 yrs old and Windows 10 doesn't recognize the DVD drive--and the mfr of the drive didn't issue a Windows 10 driver for it

MinusTwo

I intended to get up and go to early Yoga this morning but turned off the alarm & went back to sleep. Apparently my body is still on Pacific time - not to mention my brain. Slowly making my way through 10 days of the Washington Post. Some of the wash is done but some still in piles on the floor. Sigh.

Linner/dunch looks like Yakisoba noodles w/veggies from the freezer courtesy of Costco. Although maybe PF Chang's fried rice - also a freezer selection - with some added frozen veggies. Tomorrow I really should get to the market.

ChiSandy

We awoke late and had an herb-and-Boursin omelette for brunch. (Hint: never use a 10" frypan to make a 3-egg rolled French omelette)—and those “copper ceramic" allegedly non-stick pans from the As Seen on TV aisle at the drugstore don't work after the first few uses. They stick, stick, stick! I think that for each item they demonstrate on the infomercials they use a brand-new pan straight out of the package. Oh, well—only $20 down the drain.

Back to the 8" All-Clad for omelettes—hope I can get the same 10 yrs. out of my new one I got from the first, since I use it for omelettes and nothing but (and only I am allowed to wash it). As for 10", I ordered the OXO Good Grips on Amazon. (My 10" All-Clad's nonstick coating is badly worn—and since 10" & 12" pans get so much use and nonstick coatings wear so quickly, I'm not gonna buy the same $100 nonstick pan over and over every year or two). I love my cast iron, but there are things you just can't cook in them (unless you want to go back and start the whole seasoning process over again).

My 12" non-stick T-Fal fry pan is on its last legs—can't get the “walls" completely clean w/o fear of flaking off the coating, the coating on the cooking surface is roughening, the handle can't be screwed back on tightly enough because the threads (both the screw & hole) are stripped, and the cooking surface domes up in the middle and stuff runs to the edges. ATK top-rated it when I bought it, but for thirty bucks you get what you pay for. Their new top-rated nonstick 12-incher is the OXO Good Grips Open Frypan, for $40—but like nearly everything they top-rate* it's sold out everywhere—Amazon, Wal-Mart, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, you name it, even the OXO site. I had to spring for the “Pro Dishwasher Safe" (never put nonstick in the dishwasher, no matter how it's lableled) version for $60, and it'll take at least two weeks to get it. With kitchenware, I have learned my lesson about settling for second-best: not only doesn't it last as long, it just doesn't work as well. Meanwhile, for large stir-fries and pan-searing fish I will haul out the 12" All-Clad nonstick I got as a gift and have barely used because it's so pricey and delicate. When the OXO arrives I will alternate using them.

*(Took over a year to get the China Grill brush ATK recommends—coils instead of dangerous wire bristles—and I had to buy it from the mfr. who is swamped with back orders).

auntienance

When I had tho give up XP, our old computers had to be replaced. DH opted for an hp desktop. I went for the cheapest decent laptop I could find. It was an hp clearance laptop without a box from best buy. I think I paid $300 for it. I immediately removed the battery and hooked it up to my 17" fairly new monitor. It suits my needs. I decided that if I was going to have to replace my computer every five years, I wasn't going to pay any more than I have to for it. It's been going for 3 years so I probably have gotten my money's worth.

HappyHammer

Celebratory meal of "linner" after the U of SC won their bball game today.  We are in the Final Four- so exciting.  Sort of a buffet of buffalo chicken soup, tossed salad with or without grilled chicken (several homemade dressings- Italian, ranch and bc) and thin crust veggie  pizza with white sauce-spinach, mushrooms, red onion, cheese and artichokes (Papa Murphys and really delish!)  . Also, had a bit of hummus with carrots and tortilla chips and salsa.  Unsweetened Palmer to drink (unsweet tea and lemonade).  Fun with family and friends!

MinusTwo

Hammer - sounds like a delicious celebration meal. Wow - final four.'

Susan - how are you doing with your port?

eric95us

Chi, look around the thrift stores for a smooth surfaced cast iron skillet. With just a quick spray of olive oil, a cheese omelet will just slide out when I tip the skillet...and a wipe with a dry paper towel is all it needs for cleaning.

My favorite one belonged to my great grandmother, so there isn't really an issue with the skillet wearing out.

april485

Eric, if anyone owns a smooth surface cast iron frying pan, they are hoarding them or selling them for big money...LOL. I HATE the rough interior of my new one and my ex husband stole the one I got from my grandmother (he wouldn't give it back and now that he passed away, no one can find it!!)

Tonight we are having Crack and Cheese (Martha Stewart's wonderful recipe) because I made it on Saturday along with pulled pork so tonight is leftovers. Yesterday we ate Chinese take out with some friends so have plenty left over from Sat.

I agree Sandy, when it comes to pans, esp. non-stick, you get what you pay for!

Minus, I am so jealous of your crab-a-ganza vacation! I love D. crab!

M0mmyof3

leftovers

ChiSandy

Eric, my thrift-shop experience with cast iron skillets is that those with cooking-ready surfaces are rare and command top dollar (as much as> $100). Collectors have caught on, so Griswold, Birmingham Stove & Range, Wagner (not “WagnerWare”) and even pre-1960 Lodge show up affordably only if cracked, warped or rusted to a fare-thee-well. I love my 10” Lodge, which I have seasoned, for steaks & cornbread (sadly, no cornbread now that I’m low-carb), and the 12-incher I bought for when I have to sear two or more steaks. And for one or two fried eggs, my little ten-buck vintage Lodge eBay-special is perfect. (The seller doesn’t have anything larger yet).

Last night we went to the Palm for “Sunday Supper:” their March special on Sundays is a broiled 3-lb lobster for $59 (usually $75). We split a “Gigi” salad (romaine, tomatoes, green beans, egg, onion, bacon, avocado & jumbo prawn), the lobster, and sauteed Brussels sprouts and creamed spinach. The spinach has become more “cream” (and Parm.) than “spinach” lately, so next time we’ll get the leaf spinach. And the bread service, which Bob loved because of the pumpernickel-raisin and sourdough breads, has devolved to just sliced white Italian-“French” bread and cellophane-wrapped breadsticks. (Less temptation for me). We plowed through the lobster, which was terrific (a female, so there was plenty of roe), brought home the legs to pick out the meat for salad, and most of the veggies. Might get a small steak or pork chop to grill, or perhaps a salmon portion, after my workout this evening.

MinusTwo

Does anyone else use Seeds of Change 'rice'? It's a perfect size for one or two, certified organic, and heats in 90 seconds in the microwave (or can be done in a skillet). I thought that Seven Whole Grains was my favorite, but today I had Quinoa & Brown Rice w/Garlic again and I may like that best. I have a package in my cupboard that I haven't tried yet, Quinoa, Brown & Red Rice with Flaxseed.

So today's meal was wild caught, flash frozen Atlantic Cod fillets (certified sustainable from Costco), dipped in melted butter & lemon, rolled in Panko and baked 12-15 minutes at 375. Sides were 1/2 a package of the rice above and Brussels sprouts. I have enough of each for another meal. I'm doing well with my one meal plan (but sigh, no bread). I'd gained 3 lbs on my trip and have lost them already. (must mean they were just water, right?) And I'm still eating a snack in the evening. Last night was a small dish of Jelly Belly's 49 flavors candy. Saturday was two Girl Scout Lemonade cookies.

ChiSandy

I don’t eat rice—staying away from starches—except for sweet potato--as much as possible. When I cook, my husband usually doesn’t eat a starch either. (My son likes Uncle Ben’s Basmati, Brown, and Jasmine Ready Rice, which are usually on sale via Peapod for a buck a package). He did try Seeds of Change long-grain brown—it was good but relatively pricy.

SpecialK

minus - yes, I eat the brown rice and the quinoa one as well, like them a lot. I usually have enough for dinner for DH, little bit for me, and enough left for lunch for him with whatever else we had for dinner.

susan_02143

Sorry to disappear for a week. Turns out, keeping people informed about how I am doing is exhausting!!! Clearly, I need to reactivate my blog. I can't do weekly updates to everyone, now that the world knows about this crap.

Taxol, day 1. Well, let me tell you this wasn't that bad. She accessed my port for the first time, and could not have been more kind. She explained everything. She was disappointed that I didn't have the numbing cream. She was so gentle, and did I mention, kind? My one button down shirt was perfect, if totally out of style 12 years later! She left the catheter in, so the port only had to be accessed once. [But a bunch of you already knew that.] There was an allergic reaction, but not too bad. Charge nurses were involved. My oncologist came to listen to my lungs. One additional dose of the Benadryl. I went home and fell asleep. Wednesday I just didn't feel the steroid rush, but I did make bread, cookies, and prep some bagels. Maybe there were steroids involved after all. Had the crash Thursday at 2PM. By 3, I was asleep, and that was it. No fatigue. No nausea. No increased appetite. The port is still a bit sore, but that might be Olivia's fault. I have the cream, and will use it tomorrow morning. Who would have "thunk" it? So far, this is way easier than Xeloda. I will reserve total judgement until I have done the full cycle of 28 days. Oh, there is that diarrhea that has begun to rear its ugly head.

Over the past week, I have also made fish chowder, Chinese soups, a simple meal with burgers, and then a delicious meal for a good friend with lamb chops, baked sweet potato with a sage-garlic compound butter and a fabulous salad. My mother came down to take pictures with Olivia while I still have hair. She splurged on an Indian meal that we all really enjoyed. Tonight I made a simple meatball and pasta dinner. I needed some protein and carbs. I had lost last night's dinner and today's lunch.... needed something simple for my stomach.

Olivia today ate: 1 egg omelette with 3-year aged Gruyere, pineapple, chicken falafels, cheese tortellini, raisins, 1/2 cup lima beans and 2 tablespoons butternut squash. Her Dad picked her up early so I wasn't able to feed her anything more.

This picture is everything that I want her to know– we adored, loved, and trusted each other.

[damn, now I am crying.]

*susan*

PontiacPeggy

Susan, awwww. So sweet. Glad you are doing well.

Sandy, I use grocery store non-stick pans. My 10" ones were under $30. I refuse to spend a fortune for my skillets. Then again, I don't cook exotic things. My pet peeve is glass lids. I hate them! They make the pans so heavy. I have 2 ancient (20+ year old) T-Fal 2 and 3 quart sauce pans with aluminum lids that I hope never die.

HUGS!

MinusTwo

Sandy - yes it is relatively expensive, but it's only a tiny fraction of the cost of going out to dinner - even fast food, which most of us don't seem to do too much. It's $2.48 at WalMart, and that amount wouldn't even buy a restaurant appetizer, let alone a salad. So 1/2 of one bag & some added veggies is a really good deal in my opinion.

This is similar to a previous discussion we had on this thread about Rao's marinara. Several of us determined it was a good buy for us. Yes, that's expensive too. It's less than $7.00 at WalMart, but one jar provides sauce for 3 meals for me - less than $2.50 per serving. So with a handful of pasta or zoodles from 3 zucchini for $1.00, that still wouldn't pay for a bowl of soup in most restaurants.

It's all relative to our personal budgets. I eat well when I go out, but my budget doesn't usually allow for a good meal out more than once a week. (not counting vacations of course)

MinusTwo

Susan - sorry I was apparently cross posting. The picture is wonderful. Yes, total love & trust. Way to go!!! Amazing what the little girl eats. I can't tell for sure, do you go for an infusion every day for a month? I hope it remains easier than Xeloda. Thanks for updating us. I have a friend in ICU and I've volunteered to be the point person for calls so 25 people don't call her husband every day for the same update. It's a lot of work updating and we appreciate it. And of course we love hearing about what you're cooking.

MinusTwo

I found the delicious Raincoast Crisps are shipped from Canada to parts of the US. It's worth tracking them down. Oh, with a delicious Brie!!! Or a sharp NY cheddar. Below is a link that has a store locator.

http://www.lesleystowe.com/us/product-line/raincoast-crisps-us/

HappyHammer

Susan....the eyes say it all...yours AND hers....love and trust..no matter what.  Absolutely precious.

auntienance

Awww Susan - I think that picture says it all.

Hope you find taxol very doable.

ChiSandy

We get Raincoast Crisps at Whole Foods. Fortunately, Bob & Gordy finish them before I can even get to them. I could live on nothing but good Blue cheese (Roquefort, Stilton, Cabrales, Maytag, Bayley Hazen, Roth Buttermilk) and quince paste or blueberry jam on Raincoast—if I were willing to weigh >250 lbs.

Susan, what a wonderful picture. Hopefully, that past tense of “love” & “trust” will mean that when she’s in her teens, the two of you will look at that photo and reminisce. And as to her diet—you and your kids are raising an amazing little foodie! Start ‘em young is what I say, before their peers tell them what they’re not supposed to like!

I chickened out—literally. Bought a salmon filet and was going to pan-sear it, but then I realized my nails are a mess and I have a mani coming up Wed. That can mean only one thing: BUFFALO WINGS!!! (Don’t want to ruin a fresh French mani with orange cuticles). Couple of ribs of celery and blue cheese dressing of course, and seltzer with lime. About to treat myself to a decaf breve cappuccino (had a regular one earlier). I stopped using my large latte cup & 12-oz. steaming pitcher, and instead using trad. (6 oz) cappuccino cups and an 8-oz pitcher. Same calories, but twice the enjoyment (and I finish drinking before it cools off). Going to have a little square of Nespresso 70% cocoa dark chocolate, one big perfect strawberry, and one drop of balsamico. Then off to a hot juniper-oil bath and to bed. Maybe if my muscles aren’t sore and I’m up early enough in the morning I will check out the Silver Sneakers class (though the Zumba Gold class going on while I was training tonight looked do-able). Dropping off the taxes at our CPA and then will swim tomorrow evening…assuming my suit stays on in the pool. (Check Lumpectomy Lounge for my sad swimsuit saga).

My biggest beef (no pun intended) with cheap pans is uneven heating—which can mean burning or steaming when you want to sear. If lack of durability were their only flaw, I wouldn’t mind them.

april485

Susan, Olivia is beautiful...and so are you. Your photo will mean the world to her when she is grown. I know this for a fact from my own photos of my grandmother and what they mean to me. You can see the obvious love in both of your eyes and yes, when she looks at this, she will KNOW how much she meant to you. The last sentence made ME cry and was very poignant and shows just how much you love her. Hugs and hoping that Taxol kicks butt and Olivia has you in her life for many years to come.

Tonight will be escarole and white bean soup and salad with a sour dough bread that I asked hubby to pick up.

carolehalston

Susan, wonderful picture and such a special relationship.

April, I would love your meal.

We had an early dinner before Dh went off to a woodworkers' meeting. I made a large salad and topped it with leftover sliced chicken.

On the way home I detoured to stop off at a local veggie stand where I bought eggplants, green beans and cucumbers.

ChiSandy

Peggy, the 10" OXO nonstick arrived today--turned out to have been $25, not $35. The 12" arrives tomorrow. Used my 8" All-Clad this morning for exactly the same omelette that the 10" Copper Chef botched. Turned out perfect! Tonight, pan-seared salmon and veggies for me, shrimp scampi over linguine for Gordy. Bob is being fed at a downtown focus group.

Our front porch reboot starts tomorrow morning! New stairs, banisters, railings, flooring and "holy" stucco replaced with cedar. Our house will no longer look like something out of the Beverly Hillbillies