So...whats for dinner?

Monica, I somehow missed your post about the interesting workshop on putting together meal packets.  How is that working for you? 

My chicken enchiladas turned out to be more of a casserole.  I made the mistake of putting the whole dish together ahead of time and the tortillas soaked up the enchilada sauce.  I would have liked more "chewiness."  The dish is definitely a repeater but I'll do things a little differently with the preparation.

Tonight we're having pot roast with potatoes and carrots.  And tossed salad.  Good aromas in the house.  I'm such a carnivore.  Just like the bad sister!

Bobo, what are the kids eating tonight?

Susan, I hope you're having good meals in Oregon.

We had linguini with meat sauce for dinner.  DH brought me a big bowl and I thought I wouldn't be able to eat it all, but I did...nice to get my appetite back!  I feel so much better today - more energy than I've had in days.  I was able to put away some laundry and I actually started dinner tonight.  Amazing what a little blood will do!

Laurie - sending you patience with your sick boys.  And the good fortune to avoid getting their germs!

Tazzy, I loved that site!  Especially the vegetarian and under $10 sections

Moonflower and Bobo, Moonflower called you Bono!   Hahahahha!  Sorry Moonflower, I hope this doesn't start another round of mis-typings, Laurie can be hilarious at that.

Carol, good riddance to the 60s! May you thrive and prosper!!

Michelle, SO glad you're feeling better. You have way more energy than I!

Lee A Are we the only ones who like stuffed peppers??  I put ground"crumbles" in them and make then in the crock pot.  Yummy I don't even bother buying the expensive red and yellow peppers, and so good for you

Bobo, you can't be the bad sister.  Dodo is. Ok you can if you want. I am going to be really bad.  I took tomorrow off.  I'm going to "return my hair to it's natural color" the home kit didn't work real well) and then go the dentist again ( rolling eyes) all for one tooth. And, I'm having herring in wine sauce. (The jar kind) for dinner.  No naughty puppy stories tonight

I think you are right about DD.  She is not asking for food and is buying her own fast food. She called me when I was an hour late  getting back from work tonight "GOD, Mooommmm, are you ALIVE?!?? You are ALWAYS home at this time.  Wondered if you were in a CRASH! Can't you answer your PHONE???"  I think Hazel, my Mom who passed before her birth entered my body and has moved on to hers.  Or she thinks that I am becoming the equivalent of her daughter.

At a facility today where I did a consult I time traveled back in time to a place where the entire staff were acting like 5th grade girls.  I hate that.

Oh, I may pull out some mussles later in butter and garlic sauce.

Monica those sound great!  Would you be my personal chef and ship em to me? Eh?

Debbie I am thinking about you still and always will.

Susan, bring us back some recipes!

Hello to those I missed. My post work adrenaline just pooped out and I realized that I need to sit with my fire, kitties (doggies not here at moment thank God), and listen to music ot I will lose what's left of my mind.

Happy Birthday Carole!  Hope tomorrow is a grand day!

Happy birthday Carole! I hope you enjoy your day.



Re: the freezer workshop, the burger recipe was ok. I would add less of the seasoning. But the honey balsamic drumsticks were awesome..I cooked up one of the half servings. So there were 4 drumsticks.I just roasted potato cut in quarters with it. Those were good to, I put on the steak seasoning on the potato. Yum. So now i have two days of leftovers. LOL. My DH is going to his dads this weekend, so I will probably have to go out to eat at least one day, I get lonely, being home alone all week, and the weekends too. So I go to eat with people around sometimes, even if I sit by myself! LOL much love to all. Oh, BTW, the work shops are for Wildtree products. Google freezer workshops and wildtree. You should find more info. I'll let you know about the rest of the recipes as I use them. Also, don't worry about reading me because I allow autocorrect its own way, somethings its too funny!

Carole  Happy Birthday!!  Celebrate in style

Bedo  I have the same problem with my daughter..She has decided that we (her Dad and I) are totally incapable of going to NC alone and looking for retirement homes.  she has weasled into our trip to chaperone us, we will be picking her up in Baltimore.  This is the same child that hated us so much in her teen years, she wanted to move out at 16. My mom is still alive and I dont need another one!

Lacey  After all that kitchen mishap, I think you really need to share that recipe. It would just make it all worth while for your troubles.

Last night was cheeseburgers done on the grill and mac salad...trying to get in the summertime mood!

Happy birthday Carole... (is it a belated one already?).  Raising a glass of vino in your honour.

Hugs all xx

Oh Susan, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you have many happy memories of your dad.

Laurie, that is so sad that DS1 is in such pain. So hard to see him like that for sure. I hope his virus passes pronto and that DS2 escapes it!! Your Cordon Bleu sounded good. I have never made it.



We were really snowed in today, so I just spent time in the kitchen (for variety;). Since I knew we wouldn't want to go out for dinner in this mess (about 18 inches) and DH was busy outside killing himself with the snow blowing and shoveling, I figured that I'd have a hearty soup ready when he walked back into the house. I made a soup that I named Snow Soup in honor of the day (or I should say, two days ). It is not a white soup....guess I'll rename it Snowday Soup . For a throw together, it was really yummy and nutritious.



Snowday Soup



1 very large spanish or sweet onion medium diced

3 cloves garlic minced

1 carrot diced

1 red pepper diced medium

1 small zucchini (outer part only, not center seed part), diced medium

Sautee those in 2 TBS olive oil for 15 mins or so



Add chicken broth or stock (one carton, 32 oz)

Bring to boil, and

Add 5 leaves of stripped, chopped kale

Add 2 cups of poached chicken cut in 1/2 inch cubes

Add 2 cans of drained, rinsed cannellini beans

Add one can (15oz) diced tomatoes

Add 3 Tablespoons tomato paste

(I also add a cup of water mixed with a tablespoon of Better Than Bouillon)

Reduce to a simmer for at least a half hour

Add 2 tablesoons basil pesto (just cause I had it in my fridge... gave it a great taste)

Add any other spices you desire....I added some oregano and some hot pepper flakes

Add 1/2 cup of orzo during last half hour of cooking (I actually brought it to a boil again for adding the pasta....I am a random cook!)

Topped it with fresh grated parmesan at the table. Very yummy and hearty for snow blowing hardworkers! DH was quite happy.



Tazzy, always nice to see you post here.....



Tomorrow AM I head to the chili cook off. DH asked me if I used a lot of salt since restaurant folks use that for good flavor. Oh well.....

Laurie - Michelle - everyone else.  Didn't mean to ignore anyone.  I'm challenged by going back more than one post.  Wishing everyone a great weekend.  I'm going to Coldwater Creek for a 35% off deal.  Then hopefully going to fix my toilet since the tank is off and sitting in the middle of the floor.  Thinking of those who are in the storms.  Our weather in Houston is more like Carole's in LA.

Susan I am sorry for your loss.  I'm glad that his passing was peaceful and that he was with your Mom.  I think that he must have been very proud of you.

A great day for a grandkids' recital. Which instruments will they be playing? Enjoy, Michelle!

Brings me back to the many years of piano recitals we attended. Fortunately neither of my boys were ever nervous about playing in them...I think that their lovely Suzuki teacher made performing such a natural thing that everyone enjoyed it. DS1 was a natural at playing the most challenging Mozart pieces, mainly by ear since that is how they first learn with the Suzuki method. The downside to that is that he never became a stellar note reader....but those fine motor skills have certainly served him well as a hand surgeon. I always harbor the hope that he will some day again take up the piano, since he was so much more accomplished than his mother who never got past Fur Elise!



So, there is no chili pot trophy in this house......

Interesting chili cook off facts:

Out of about a dozen participants, there was one woman cook, one person who made a chicken chili, and one woman breast cancer survivor. She did not win! But I sure did learn that when you cook for male judges who sell hot sauce and barbecue foods for a living, you really need to ramp up the heat!! The kid ( I think he as about 19 years old) who won made a basic beef chili that was so hot (and I like spices) that I was scrambling for bread to calm my mouth down, after tasting just a little bit of it. The cook off was fun though, and I ran into my neighbor's daughter, learning that my neighbor is returning from her regular Haitian humanitarian trip tonight. Since they love my chili, I am sending it over to them so my neighbor doesn't have to feed her family upon her return. So all is good! And now I know a bit about how to participate in any future chili contests ....make nothing as healthy as chicken, and burn the judges brains out! We will still eat medium heat chicken chili in this house.



Off to make a tiramisu trifle to bring to a friend's house for dessert tonight.



Laurie, I'm glad to hear that DS1 is on the mend!



The sun on the snow today is just spectacular here!! Enjoy the day everyone.

Lacey, I think the judges were incompetent and you should have won.  So there.  What a kind person you are to give your delicious chili to a neighbor.  I'm looking forward to the recipe.

Susan, I empathize with your loss.  My dad died almost 18 yrs. ago and we still miss him. 

Laurie, thank heaven your son is better. 

I went to a car wash place to have my car washed this afternoon.  While I was waiting I looked through a cookbook that was on sale and ended up buying it.  Now I'll read it cover to cover like some people read a novel! 

My birthday dinner last night was good.  A cup of oyster and spinach soup with a creamy base.  Blue cheese dressing on my salad of mixed salad greens.  Entre of crab cakes with a side of green beans.  Drawn butter with the crab cakes.  I could have chosen baked white potato or baked sweet potato as the side.  No dessert.  3 glasses of chardonnay.  Good company with two other couples.  A most enjoyable evening.

I'm finally getting a chance to post.....I've been reading, but haven't had time to post.  Things are finally settling down again a bit.

The salmon recipe is from the winter edition of Eating Light on page 37.  It's also at

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/tarragon-citrus-salmon-recipe-ghk0511

The link may not be clickable...or may be split across lines....so you may need to type it in by hand.  The next time I try it, I'll add a bit more lemon juice.

Belated