So...whats for dinner?

Zumbia, My husband was just there for a directors retreat next time he goes there i may come and hope we can get togher, same here if you ever get this way let me know, my husband can get pretty good rates for you at chinook winds casino ))  Cabbage lasagana sounds intriqueing (sp)  will you share the recipe.

Deboyre - yes, yes, yes!  Please think about meeting up with us at Pickity Place...maybe early October. 

And Laurie and Liz Hoffman - you, too.  And anyone I might have missed, the more the merrier.  We can go on a Saturday or Sunday. 

I just changed my Facebook name to Michelle C Hall in Salem, NH.  Hopefully it will make me easier to find. 

Starting to think about Hurricane Irene wreaking havoc around here.  We're going to have to bring in the patio furniture, as much as we can, and stack it in the few empty spots in the living room.  DH says if the power goes out, we're heading to a hotel.  We have well water and if the power goes out, there won't be any water!  We can also head to one of our family's houses if they have power and we can get out on the roads.  I think the hotel idea is a pipedream - everyone else without power will be thinking the same thing.  And who knows how far we would have to drive before finding an empty room...lol! I asked him if he wanted me to order a small generator, and he said no. So there you have it. Hopefully, all this will be a big bust and Irene will "take a powder" out to sea!

Carrie - I remember making real sloppy joes, a long time ago.  I might try that again later in the fall. 

Zumbagirl - cabbage lasagna? Interesting. DH doesn't like cooked cabbage or sauerkraut or anything that remotely smells like cooked cabbage...no cauliflower either. He is a bit of a fussy guy when it comes to veggies.

Time to get going - moving my mom this afternoon.  I need to program her new telephone for one touch dialing before we head off to her place.  Gonna be a bit of a job but I'm hoping it will be less stressful for her.  God, I hope I don't get dementia.  I think I've paid my dues with diabetes, arthritis and breast cancer.  Hopefully the dementia gene passes me by!

Michelle

My brother lives in Virginia.  They had a couple of thing fall and break during the quake.  He is quite worried about Irene.  They are as well prepared as they can be, plenty of emergency supplies, whole house generator with full fuel tank, plywood to cover the windows, loose items from outside brought in, etc.  And they are prepared to evacuate if necessary.  I think they are more aware and ready to prepare because of their training as Red Cross first responders.  He told me last night that Red Cross has already given them their reporting station for after the storm passes. 

Needless to say that I'm praying for them and all others in Irene's path.

Laurie - we were camping at Greenfield State Park many years ago and we were in the middle of a horrible thunderstorm.  Sitting inside the tent on metal framed chairs while a river of water streamed through the inside of the tent.  Suddenly I had an "aha" moment and said we probably shouldn't be sitting in metal chairs in water in a tent held up by metal poles.  So we all got in the car and as we drove away, two sites down, there were ambulances and rescue vehicles - a tree had been struck by lightning and it traveled along the roots to the tires of the RV, blew out the tires and the folks inside were stunned.  They were ok, but I learned my lesson and we always went for a ride if a storm got bad, figuring in the car was better than in the tent. 

Phew! We are pooped! We moved my mom into her new space today and got everything set up except her phone, which will get installed on Monday.   The maintenance director will hang all her pictures tomorrow.  This studio apartment is much lighter and brighter than the one she shared, it just seems better. She was a little confused by the changes, but I think she was calming down by the time we took her down for dinner.

We were supposed to cook steaks for dinner, but after getting everything done we decided to go to Carrabba's. Rick loves their steak marsala, I just ordered a salad and then shared a little of his marsala and pasta. My appetite just doesn't warrant spending $20 for a meal and I can save Rick from himself...lol. I do like their house salad and dipping oil for their bread. And their Sicilian Chicken Soup is my "go to" meal in the winter when I have a cold.

I'm not moving off the couch until it's time to go to bed!

Michelle

Debbie,



I'm with you on being a nervous flier.... Even if you don't enjoy the trip, I hope you enjoy your time away! Oh, lordy... 6:30 am flight!??? I can FEEL your pain....lol....

I used to be a nervous flyer, but I've gotten over it.  It's just the only way to get to Hawaii...lol!  I flew a bit for business and while DH loves to drive anywhere in the US, I'm all about hopping a plane and being there in a few hours.  Debbie - might be a good time to take an ativan, after boarding!  My one complaint about flying is that I can never sleep on a plane.  I had never tried a true sleeping aid and the flights to Hawaii were long and boring once everyone else on the plane is sound asleep.  That's especially true on the return flight.  Next time, I'm drugging myself after boarding! 

Enjoy the trip, you will have loads of fun!

Tonight we are heading to St. Anthony's Festival in the North End of Boston.  I can't wait, I've always wanted to go but we were never here at the right time.  This is one of the biggest Italian/religious festivals in the country.  I'm going for the food and music, I've heard it's amazing.  I want to have a culinary adventure, sure hope it's all that I think it will be.  And I hope my appetite can get past one piece of pizza...lol!  I'll have to pace myself and take bites of everyone else's selections so I can some variety!  And a cannoli!  Gonna take pictures, too!  I know I am French Canadian and English, but I must have a piec of Italy in me somewhere

Michelle

Laurie,

Here's a really easy salmon recipe:

Salt and pepper salmon filets and either gril or bake until just beginning to easily flake.  While fish is cooking, mix a glaze of 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 dijon or honey mustard (if using honey mustard, use a bit less brown sugar) and 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger.  Mix well and spread over the salmon.  Grill a few minutes longer (or broil in the oven) so the glaze carmelizes on the fish.  It is delicious and super easy.  I keep my ginger root in a ziploc in the freezer and just grate (while frozen) however much I need.  It stays fresh for a long time this way.

Michelle,



I hope you enjoy the festival!! It sounds awesome!



I love ALL food but, I do have a special fondness for Italian food and I don't have an ounce of Italian in me either! My Mom is half Cuban and my Dad's side mostly German/Scottish...



We went to a Rennaisance Fesival last week-end and that was exactly what my husband and I did... We would order something and share. That way we got to taste more things without getting so full!!



We stayed over-night and left the kids (18 and 22) alone for the first time EVER! They did fine and the house is still standing with no complaints of any parties! We had the nicest dinner out at an Italian place that the hotel recommended...



We both had a dish that had seared scallops, mushrooms and peas over pasta in a vodka cream sauce.... Was just amazing.... Didn't have room for the cannoli (a favorite of mine)!!!



Enjoy the food and have a bit of cannoli for me!!

Getting ready to head out to the hotel airport, will stay over night to fly out tomorrow, beens so busy today, just got a chance to log on and see if you are all ok.!

Thanks for the wishes, be safe every one,

Hugs,

Debbie

I would love to meet at Pickity Place.

www.pickityplace.com

Michelle  how disappointing for the food at the festival, hate it when i get my hopes up for a really good treat and then it isnt what I expected. Love italian food...little Italy in NYC...yum.  Daughter home from NYC just in time to escape the storm

Today we are  expecting wall to wall sunshine.  Carribean party at marina for all us boaters..have a guy coming with a huge smoker/cooker doing jerk chicken and pulled bbq pork.   we will all bring dishes to pass.  The food is always amazing at this event.

Happy weekend everyone..be safe!

That's still the case in Philly at this point too.  It is raining pretty hard, but the winds don't seem too bad yet.  My biggest worry is all the trees around here.  Hope none of them get knocked down.  Other than that, took in the outside furniture and the trash cans.  Not in an area to worry about flooding.  Keep safe everyone. 

Seeing some pretty bad flooding down at the Jersey shore on tv. 

Just lost our power. Yikes.

You must have gone through Chelmsford Michelle.  

I have not been tothe North End in years.