So...whats for dinner?

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  • Laurie08
    Laurie08 Member Posts: 2,891
    edited March 2013

    Hi everyone- sorry I have been MIA.  Since we are all honest with each other and all of the "stuff" we go through- I have been having a really hard time with anxiety for awhile now and started on med on Saturday which made me sick as a dog for three days with side effects.  Each day gets better and things have been improving, so I have high hopes.  although I am still having a hard time concentrating.  But I am much calmer and am already feeling the benefits now that the side effects are calming down.

    We are headed North tomorrow as we have a condo for the week.  We will stay until Tuesday and head back home for a day or so then go up for another long weekend.  I am trying to figure out what to make for dinner for Easter.  My brother and his girlfriend are joining us.  But I will be limited where we are in a rental unit.

    Lacey- I am so sorry your family has been going through so much.  Prayers for you.

    Seaside- Good luck with your daughter- I could not imagine not being in touch with my sons- but I am sure she will have a great time and be just fine. 

    Laughing about all the squirrel talk!

    Eric- Glad your mom is doing ok and hope she continues on the same path.

    Hugs to all.

  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited March 2013

    Squirrels could take over the world if they have thumbs. They are smart and determined. A bad combo when you are talkin about rodents.

    Laurie, I hope the meds kick in and help you out and those side effects disappear.

    Had a rough day. Long story that I am not ready to talk about just yet. We needed to head to Costco, so we splurged on a hamburger out. For dinner, I roasted some beef bones and then made some beef stock in the pressure cooker. Later, I made some poltenta, sauteed spinach with garlic, and a roasted, cremini mushroom ragu. Absolutely delicious. Husband is camped out in front of basketball. Last time I will see him tonight.

    *susan*

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 6,887
    edited March 2013

    Hope the med does the job on the anxiety, Laurie. 

    All the squirrel stories are cute, but I still don't like the little buggers.  We've been catching them in a cage trap and transporting them to a wooded place on the other side of the interstate.  But it's a losing battle.  The news is out that there are feeders full of black oil sunflower seeds at our address.

    This morning I made chicken veggie noodle soup for dh, who has not been feeling good for a couple of days.  Tonight we're having ribeye steak cooked according to Alton Brown's recipe for seared and oven cooked steak.  Also baked potato and roasted asparagus.

    I've been researching blenders and it looks like I'll have to spring for a Vitamix, which is too tall to fit in the space between my cabinets and the counter.

    Fingers crossed that dh feels good enough tomorrow to go to the Fairgrounds in NO for the Louisiana Derby.

    My assignment for Easter dinner is ham and potato salad.  I have one smoked shoulder ham to boil and another ham for dh to decorate with cloves, etc. and bake according to his family tradition.  My family prefers the boiled ham.  The meal will be at my mother's small house.  It will be crowded but that's ok.  We'll have three children so I'm sure we're do some Easter egg hunting.

  • Lacey12
    Lacey12 Member Posts: 2,951
    edited March 2013

    Laurie, so good to see you check in......I sure hope the meds start to do what they are supposed to minus the side effects! Have a great weekend "up north" as we say.....:)



    Carole, I had to chuckle at your description of the squirrel re-location efforts, since DH tried that many years ago with Have a Heart traps, and as you discovered, the physics of squirrel habitats are that as soon as one (or two) are moved from their environment, one or two show up to take their places. We were stupidly surprised! ;)



    I spent the day sewing...finished up 8 taggies (mainly Red Sox ones with girlie ribbons for all the girl babies born to the teachers I worked with), and have only one more to do, along with a couple of nursing covers for two new moms I know. I think I'll take a break from sewing for a while after they are finished so I can clear off the dining room table...a goal for this week.



    Tonight we had a chicken, roasted tomato, farro soup that was really filling and tasty. It was supposed to lentils, but the cupboard had none, thus the farro. I used the Trader Joe's already cooked farro and it worked great.

    We had nothing but matzo crackers with it since I was too absorbed in sewing to make anything else, and DH had both breakfast and lunch at restaurants, returning home looking too "prosperous". ;)



    Susan, sorry it wasn't a good day for you but my spirits would definitely have been lifted with your mushroom ragout. Yum! Hope tomorrow is better.



    Tomorrow AM we go to a neighborhood gathering for coffee and breakfast treats. I was going to make mini quiche, but that sewing machine was too compelling today. I did make many banana walnut muffins the other day which will work, with sprinkles of Easter candy on the serving plate. :)



    Hugs all around.....



  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2013

    laurie - sorry you have not been feeling your best - hope the new med does its thing and the SE go away soon.

    susan - sorry you had a "less than good" day but your food sounds delish!  Glad you enjoyed it - your DH is watching hoops, mine is asleep, lol!

    carole - your steak dinner sounds yum, tonight was taco salad because I could use a bunch of odds and ends that were hanging around the fridge and pantry, and everyone likes it!  I seriously need to go to the grocery store - have been putting it off for days.

    lacey - I wish our neighborhood did coffee and breakfast treats!

    Hello to everyone!

  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited March 2013

    Laurie, hope things continue to get better for you.



    Susan, I greatly admire your ability to make such a wonderful meal in spite of having a rough day.



    If I were to start catching squirrels, I would have no time to do anything else. It would be a full time occupation. Deb your squirrels were way cuter than the raggedy little buggers we have.



    Dinner tonight was sloppy joes (DH request) homemade onion rings and salad. I'll try to be a little more creative tomorrow.

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2013

    Oh man, now I want some onion rings....

  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited March 2013

    Special, they were good too. I made them the same way Susan did, soaked in buttermilk then dusted with flour. Excellent.

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited March 2013

    OK... So what do all think of this..



    We visited my sister and her family in the capital district of NY and we went out to eat at a chain restaurant... So I'm eyeing the Mushroom Swiss Burger and notice this... (1150)... after the name of the burger. So I ask what does that 1150 mean? Turns out it's the CALORIE count of that burger NOT including the sides!!! Holy Crap!!! Their county requires that chain restaurants post the calorie contents right on the menu...



    The burger was not enormous or anything so what on earth could lead to a calorie count like that? Still don't know the answer to that one!



    I did change my order to a plain hamburger with lettuce and tomato (750) but geez.... I still have no idea how it's that many calories.... While I do think it caused me to make a wiser choice, I think it also took a bit of joy out of the evening...



    Sooooo, what do you all think about the posting of calories on your dinner menu? Do you want to know or would you rather just not know on the occasions that you eat out?



  • eric95us
    eric95us Member Posts: 2,845
    edited March 2013

    Michelle..ice cream isn't just for breakfast!   It's good for all 3 meals. :-)

    Laurie, I'm glad the side effects are calming down for you.  Sometimes memories from 30 years ago and the past year gang up on me and I'll get to worrying about Sharon....and then I'll have to go outside for awhile...

    As for what's more difficult...keeping goats in or squirrels out....I'm not sure.  Both are very smart and tenacious. They'll both keep trying until either they get lucky or break something...and then get lucky. :-)

    My aunt tried the squirrel relocation trick also.  She "tagged" the ones she caught with food dye and let them go a couple of miles from her house.  It wasn't long before she was catching squirrels with food dye on their backs...

    Susan.  I'm hoping for a better day for you tomorrow. 

    I wish the neighborhood here had some get togethers.  I think the remote controlled garage door opener has ruined socializing with the neighbors.  There are neighbors here that I've never talked to.  They will drive up, push the button on the garage door remote, drive in, push the same button again..and go in... I don't even get a chance to say hi.  We have 3 cars in the garage (the old Jeeps) and park our daily use car in the driveway, so if a neighbor is out, we'll say hello. It seems to surprise them when we do this...very disappointing....

    I'm glad when the menus have nutirition information on them.  I can then decide whether I want to worry about it or not.  Usually I do avoid the worst stuff.

  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited March 2013

    Right now I don't care about calorie count - actually, the more the better...LOL!  I don't think I want calorie counts on the menu.  I can always look it up on www.calorieking.com if I am really curious. 

    Eric - interesting observation about garage door openers...you're right that it discourages socializing.  Our house had a wrap-around front porch and we sat out there on occasion and saw our neighbors when they were out for a walk.  But it wasn't that common...

    Laurie, Susan, Lacey - hope everyone is feeling better.

    Last night we went to a local chain seafood restaurant and I ordered grilled swordfish.  It was awful - overcooked, underseasoned, came with the wrong sides...not sure how they could have screwed it up more.  I sent the fish back and told them it would be ok if it were slightly undercooked.  So they gave me one that was completely raw on one side...ugh.  And still no lemon pepper seasoning.  How hard is that???  Lazy chef I think.  The baked potato was good.  I watch too much Food Network - I'm getting fussy about my food and I think it's not that hard for a restaurant to get it right.  Don't be afraid of salt and pepper!!!






  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited March 2013

    Seaside yikes! That would certainly have dulled my appetite. I don't watch the calories as much as the carb counts and that is something I would like to know. It's pretty obvious with things like buns and fries but not so much with things like salads which sometimes have carb heavy dressings.



    Eric, I know what you mean about the neighbors. Or subdivision has three sections, and while I know most everyone on our side, I really don't know the others so much. But even the neighbors I do know don't get seen from late fall to early spring. Only when the weather warms up do people start coming out of their houses into their yards. We should be seeing them any day now lol!

  • eric95us
    eric95us Member Posts: 2,845
    edited March 2013

    Standing rib roast, home made dinner rolls, salad, sweet potatoes, "regular" mashed potatoes, green beans, maybe some corn, salad, and a "rocky road" cheesecake...plus what mother in law is bringing over.

    The parents of a friend of DD have invited us over for Easter tomorrow, so I'm doing up a meal today. 

    I'm still cleaning up the cast iron.  I'm probably 2/3 done.  The stuff that I've finished looks like it has never been used and so far, even with no oil, it has been stick free.

    Sharon has been giving the old deep fat fryer "the evil eye".  I won't be making donuts in it...although DD would like that.

    DD has been invited to the prom, so she and Sharon are out dress shopping.  My uniform and pistol are all cleaned, pressed and shiny!  :-)  When I tell DD that, I get a "DAD!!!!!" and then I tell her, that as long as they treat her right, even if sometimes treating her right breaks her heart a bit...it's OK...

  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited March 2013

    Wow Eric -- that's quite a feast!  Sounds marvelous!

    I've been cleaning all day because the house is going on the market (again) on Monday. Geez, I hate housework. Even cleaned out the big freezer. Didn't have to throw out as much as I thought.  How do we get so many bread products?  There must have been a dozen half loaves of bakery or homemade bread in there.  I guess because it's just the two of us and I forget about it unless I'm looking to make bread crumbs or croutons.  I did find some naan bread however,  so our meal tonight is tikka masala with brown rice and naan.

  • Lacey12
    Lacey12 Member Posts: 2,951
    edited March 2013

    Sounds like good eating at your house Eric, and yours Nance!



    We are having lamb burgers since the day is gorgeous, and DH wants to grill. Also, I'd like to start using some of the stuff I have squirreled away in the freezer before the ice maker guy comes to fix it.



    Our neighborhood gathering was delightful....and felt thankful that we are not yet the oldest folks within two blocks! ;)

    I think that because we have such a shut in feeling during the cold, snowy winters here, everyone is eager to re-connect once Spring arrives. It is fun to watch the kids find their Easter eggs, and I had a chance to catch up with lots of neighbors I rarely get together with....tho now I could actually do that. :)

    Afterwards, DH and I took a nice long walk, and It was great to see so many people out with their strollers and pooches. Our town is a great walking/running one....pretty flat and lots to see...and living not too far from the town center encourages us to walk there rather than drive when we have a light CVS or hardware store trip. On our way home, we even had the thrill of two little schnauzers over enthusiastically barking at us on one street. Made us nostalgic for Lacey....

    A lovely day....better get the grill guy going so we can eat.



    Tomorrow DS2 is having us down to the Seaport area to go to Brunch, then to watch some hoops at his place. (We are not extreme Easter celebraters)
    DS2 does the NCAA pool at his workplace, and he and DH are currently in absolutely last place. LOL! Guess they ignored Syracuse, Carrie.....not so smart!



    Have a Happy Easter (or at least enjoy the seasonal jelly beans and chocolate bunnies:)

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited March 2013

    Michelle,



    Glad that, overall, you're doing well but sorry that nausea is still rearing it's ugliness despite best efforts to keep it at bay! Is it something that may subside as your body adjusts or can they tweek the meds a bit more to provide more relief during the times that you need it? Hoping those TM's continue their downward trend.



    Susan and Laurie,



    Sounds like you are both going through a rough patch... Hoping that things turn around soon... Thinking of you both!



    Nancy,



    Thanks for answering my fencing question! I have a raised bed garden so that will work out! Must be the wood border keeps the rabbits from creeping under? I've seen them squeeeeeeeeeze through spaces that you would think were far too small!



    You are right on the calorie counts of some salads!! Just crazy...



    Eric,



    That sounds like a great dinner!!! Yay for prom shopping but tough to see your baby in that way... Best advice ever... Make sure they treat you right... Even if it means things didn't go how you planned!



    My 22 yo DD went through a break up last year and she was just devastated but, while I didn't think he was Mr Right for her, he was up front with her and broke up with her gently and in a way that allowed her to retain her dignity.. I respect him for that....



    Happy Easter All!!!

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited March 2013

    Lacey,



    Yum on lamb burgers!! DH and I just got back from Price Chopper where they had bone-in Australian lamb for $2.99/lb and boneless for $4.99/lb... We had bought one small boneless roast earlier in the week to have for tomorrow but, just couldn't resist going back and grabbing a couple more... Will chunk some up for kebabs and grind some for burgers and maybe mousakka. That will get frozen! Now hoping it's tasty and not mutton!

  • Lacey12
    Lacey12 Member Posts: 2,951
    edited March 2013

    I forgot to mention our rodent story of the day....



    This AM, DH went outside to wait for me (since I was packing the food we were bringing) on the way to our neighbors, and as we walked, he commented on the lovely little purple flowers he'd noticed that were bloomed in clusters next to the house (little crocus patches). About two hours later, as we left the house for our walk, DH went to show me the clusters, and was flabbergasted that there was now ONE purple flower in that spot. :( Clearly our resident rodents are famished!! Time for the cayenne pepper, since you know the will not be sated with a few crocus patches.



    Eric have you entered an amendment to the gun control bill that can exempt distressed fathers from any restrictions where it comes to their daughters? ;) I can actually picture you standing at your front door with perfect caste iron pots and pans raised up high. Seriously, there are a lot of decent guys in the world, and girls who find them are usually the daughters of decent dads....I would bet she does fine. :)

  • Lacey12
    Lacey12 Member Posts: 2,951
    edited March 2013

    So Seaside, I'm not even clear about the difference between lamb and mutton.....and between American Lamb and Australian.

  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited March 2013

    Wow Seaside, that lamb was quite a bargain! My raised beds are 8" high and as long as the fencing is flush with the boards and the ground, we haven't had any sneak under.



    Lacey, sounds like a wonderful day in the neighborhood.



    As it turns out, the Naan was freezer burned so I'm making my own. First time for that so we'll see how I fare with it.



  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited March 2013

    Seaside - the nausea is a once or twice a week thing.  I could take more decadron and probably that would work.  But I'd almost rather tolerate the nausea than take the steroids.  They play hell with blood sugars.  Over time the nausea may resolve itself.

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited March 2013

    Lacey,



    I think Australian lamb is thought to be a little milder and more tender due to wet-aging on the ship ride to the US but I know the markets tend to play a little fast and loose with the definitions! Mutton technically is meat from a sheep greater than 1 year old. There are some who prefer it but, it is typically very much stronger and gamier in taste than lamb..



  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited March 2013

    Tonight I made "faux" tandoori chicken. Authentic tandoori spiced marinade with yogurt, but sadly I don't have a tandoor oven in my back yard, so a charcoal grill had to substitute. Served with grilled onions, dal with garlic, basmati rice and store-bought naan. The chicken was great! Used bone-in thighs and as is always the case with Indian food, you pull off the skin. Love that charred taste. Happy stomachs. In fact, I might have eaten too much.

    Hard to find mutton these days. Back in the day, sheep was primarily for wool and it made economic sense to keep them around for their coat. Now the sheep are raised for meat alone. That is a great price for lamb!

    *susan*

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited March 2013

    Michelle,



    Hopefully this isn't a totally stupid suggestion but, when we took our cruise I was really worried about getting seasick as I am super prone to motion sickness. In addition to my Bonine dose my Doc said to bring along ginger tablets to deal with any break through nausea... I had to take the ginger tablets only once or twice during the week but they seemed to work really quickly to reign things in... Maybe they could be of help?

  • Lacey12
    Lacey12 Member Posts: 2,951
    edited March 2013

    Michelle, you are a marvel at your ability to manage the delicate balance of your body's needs, which these days, I know, is no easy task. I'm glad that you are able to eat some of your fav foods, (save for crappy swordfish!) and hopefully the nausea will soon go bye bye!!



    Tonight, as DH was busy grilling on the deck, he motioned for me to come outside. There sat a very large bunny just staring at us for the longest time. You'd think he/she would motion a sign of gratitude for the lovely mid-day crocus buffet. Clearly the word is out that there is no longer a ratter dog (mini-schnauzer) living here. So we'd best take our new little potted daffodils inside tonight if we ever want to see them again......



    Nance, your raised beds are getting me motivated to start a raised bed garden this year.....we'll see of the motivation remains. So how tall is your fence to dissuade the rabbits? Is it chicken wire or stakes? Thanks!

  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited March 2013

    Lacey, the fence is four feet tall. It's chicken wire secured with six stakes

  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited March 2013

    Loved all the squirrel stories and pics! LOL.

    Tomato story of my own: I had just two little cherry gomato plants by my front door. Was watching the little ones start getting ripe. Had like about a whole cup or more at the same time. So looking forward go making a beautiful fresh salad it something with them. The night before I thought they looked just right. Came out to pick them the next morning, not a one with any color there. So upset. Happened again. The next time, I got up earlier, to see what was eating so many of them. Did you guess? Yep DH, having himself a fine breakfast. LOL. At least I knew I wasn't crazy and at least one of us got some. LOL

    Today I made a half recipe of the meatloaf freezer meal. But I popped it in my little crockpot. The 1 1/2 qt one, with a handful of mini carrots and potatos. It came out pretty nice. Have just two more recipes of the first half of my freezer meals left. Well other then the two full recipes. I have to have more than me for those. My DS2 will be the only one coming home for Easter. DH has to work, (he's been putting in 12 hour days, and taking care if his father when he is DS1 is going to his wife's family, DD 2 is going to her fiancee's side, and DD1 is still in PA. So I will be cooking a ham just for me. I might change my mind and not cook it. Save it for another time. But I do love ham. LOL

    Much love to all.

  • gardengumby
    gardengumby Member Posts: 7,305
    edited March 2013

    We're breaking with tradition. I'm making cioppino for Easter. 

  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited March 2013

    We're having ham, macaroni and cheese and asparagus. The only reason I am is that I had the ham and the mac in the freezer and I still have a boatload of asparagus. I would rather have cioppino. Oh well, it's an excuse to make a chocolate cream pie.



    Hope everyone has a lovely Easter!

  • deborye
    deborye Member Posts: 7,002
    edited March 2013

    Roast Duck a l'orange, asparagus, maybe an apple corn bread stuffing.  Cheese Cake for dessert.

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