So...whats for dinner?

laurie - my DH was hilarious on the valium they gave him for his vasectomy - because he was active duty military at the time and on flying status he was never allowed to take much in the way of medication other than Tylenol or Advil - so he had never taken valium - he insisted that he could drive home from the procedure!  Not!  He had a colonoscopy a few years ago, was the same way - DD had to take him because I had a consult at the same time for a tumor in my calf, and she was mortified because he was like an extremely happy drunk and kept asking to fill out a customer service survey because everyone at the medical center was so great he wanted management to know.  She kept saying "dad, come on we have to get in the car..."

We're on vacation in Whitefish, MT~~~skiing and relaxing before next week's lumpectomy. We ate at my favorite restaurant last night. I had blackened salmon salad, with organic mixed greens, blue cheese, grapes, apples, roasted pecans and citrus vinagrette. It was delicious. DH had chicken fried steak, smashed Yukon gold potato and Mac & cheese. They are known for their homemade pies, many with huckleberries, but I had chocolate pie and he had coconut cream.

Today is our last day here, so while DH skies in heavy snow and howling winds, I'm headed into town to shop and have lunch at a little cafe. I already know I'm going to order a BLAT~~~bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato on homemade wheat toast!

We've skied a lot and enjoyed the spectacular scenery. It's been nice to get away before next week's reality. We've gotten 24" of snow on the mountain since Tuesday!

Best to all, with and without testicular issues! Gina

gina - good luck with your surgery - glad you had some fun beforehand.

auntie - what a culinary adventure - I'm drooling!  Since I have given up gluten, I am vicariously imagining I can smell the bread you are baking!

Lacey, cuccidati is an Italian fig cookie. Rather like the best fig newton you ever ate. I make them at Christmas sometimes.

Oh nance sounds great. Lacey is there something about popcorn we don't know??? LOL

Tonight DH took me out to eat. The only thing interesting was the Berkshire pork chop. Yum. Grilled , tender and juicy. But OMG was it fatty. but good. Did I mention it was good? LOL.  The loin area was so tender. I had to stop myself from picking up the bones and Sucking on them. Charred fat.... lots of it. LOL There's a theme going on here. Hmm. Christmas party was ham. Neighborhood party was pulled pork. Dinner out was pork chop. What mineral or enzyme does pork have that I'm craving? went through this one time before and all I wanted was steak. At that time I was anemic and didn't know it. Strange. LOL.  

Nance, your description of cuccinati reminded me of the tadales my mother used to make....and I sometimes still do. They have a prune, walnut, orange zest filling, dipped in sugar rather than icing.

Now that I see your recipe, I think these would be fun to make....and eat!

Luv, my DH texted me that the rain wasn't too bad, but the walk to the stadium from wherever they parked was a grueling trek thru some woods. Hahahaha. That's a first.....but one never knows what awaits when you hang with thirty year olds. Can't wait to hear about it.....:)

A football day sounds nice...I wish I liked football.....back to the law  sprinkler repair work....

Carrie, I think your DH's football watching will be more relaxing than my DH's Pat's game experience was last night. He came home around 1AM drenched and full of hilarious stories about how the grp of my DH2's  friends all decided to park at one of his other friend's houses not too far from Gilette Stadium....only problem was they had to walk in the dark thru a "short cut" in the woods to get there. It was not a very well trodden path, so they struggled in the rain  to get to the end over rocks, mud, tree branches hitting them in the face.... only to meet up with two sets of fences on the perimeter of the stadium property. Ha! They eventually found a hole cut in the first fence by some other "shortcut genius", and then made their way up huge mushy snow banks and over the second fence, and back down more snow piles, then on to the game, which they enjoyed in the rain. I had a good laugh about this adventure. Then they had to try to remember how to get back thru the woods to the friend's house. One of my DS2's favorite funny guys said....didn't anyone drop any crumbs?? Somehow they made it back..... And I imagine they felt less of the tree branches on their faces.;)

So Tuesday I am having a family over for a lunch who I hardly know. This is the DIL of my college friend and her three children under eight years. They are staying in Boston while one of them performs the child's part in the musical "Once".

I offered to have them over since it is going to be a crummy weather day and figured they might enjoy a home cooked meal in an acutal house since they have been living in hotels totally since September. It sounds like her kids are healthy eaters...only fish, no chicken or steak....so since they like salmon, I was thinking I'd make a sort of dinner/lunch with baked salmon, broccoli (which they like), winter squash, and maybe mac and cheese? Since I never make real mac and cheese, (used to make boxed versions for my kids...yuk), I could use some help with that. Am hoping it is easy.....And can I make it in advance....or partially so? I am not the  greatest early morning person these days, so would love to have just the minimal to do on Tuesday morning before they get here. Thanks for any ideas.

I'm just going to make oatmeal cookies for dessert. Then after we eat may take the kids to a play spot up the street to do some crafts....then back into town in time for her show. We already saw her perform in Providence...a very cute, talented kid....who is definitely loving being a part of a cast. 

Nance, eagle watching.....cool!

Lacey I watched that game.  I think I saw your rain soaked crew in the stands. Really couldn't believe how hard it rained

Today was fun eagle watching. Saw lots and lots. I tried to get pictures but the larger groups were on the other side of the river or in a tree I couldn't get close enough to.  There was also a large group of white pelicans that show up every year. Had lunch at a local Mexican joint, always good. Tonight was a simple cheese omelet and a bagel.

Good luck with the mac and cheese Lacey, I'm sure it will be good!

Last night on the spur of the moment I made several cherry handpies. If this baking frenzy keeps up, I'm going to have to check into the Betty Crocker clinic for rehab.

DD passed the driver license test.  She had to wait 1-1/2 hour to get her license printed because the computers quit working while she was out with the examiner.

It's about $1400 per year for her to be on the car/liability insurance.... !!!!!

and, Eric. We won't mention what happens when they have their first fender bender or in my family's case, first mailbox hit... LOL of course if they get a ticket for stupid stuff they pay the difference after it goes up again. Good luck. 

Finally got out of the house to buy yeast. I thought I had some but nope. So after my Livestrong program I will try my hand at bread making. 

Much love to all.