So...whats for dinner?

mmmm - vegetable lasagne sounds wonderful.  With the bechamel and eggplant it sounds almost like mousaka!

Yeah, we were definitely unhappy about the motor expense.  Hubby missed out on fishing to his hearts content due to this stupid cancer and all the associated "fun".  As you never know how much time you've got left, it's important to make the most of it - so I encouraged him to go ahead and get the thing as soon as possible rather than waiting for a deal somewhere.

carole - thank for the lowdown on muffaletta in NOLA, I need to visit and find that place! The salt content is probably off the charts but I LOVE them!  Not something I eat very often - maybe a couple of times a year, but it is worth it!

All the salmon conversation is making me want to try a new recipe - it is a salmon cake made with quinoa.  I watched one of the Food Network star people make it on TV and it looked good, so I think I am going to try it.  I printed out the recipe, it is sitting on the counter awaiting DH's return from the other coast.

garden - DD just got a new boat engine (motor?) - it has 2 hours, yes only 2, and is now malfunctioning. Her boat is for sale, she is having a custom flats boat built, so she has to sell this one but can't wet test it with anyone for fear of the malfunction.  This is a problem.  What do they say - a boat is a hole in the water that you pour money into?  Also - good to "see" you!

I have recovered from the cook-a-thon mainly by spending yesterday at home in my giraffe pajamas.  We had a law enforcement situation down the street - a suicidal and armed young man - I have no idea what happened other than we were instructed to stay inside, then they said he was no longer a threat, but I'm not sure what the resolution was.  I did go out later and walk with my next door neighbor.  Anyway, today was a shop-a-thon!  Got some cute sale costume jewelry and odds and ends.  Then decided to cut my hair, so moved my appointment from next week to this evening to strike while the inspiration was there!  I grew it long after chemo, but now I feel like a change - I think this is progress!

moon - excited about the upcoming knee fix - I know you have been waiting for this, but wish you didn't have to be in pain now.

lacey - I used to cater a lot, mainly when we were in Washington, D.C., but when we came to Florida in 2006 I did not continue.  I have done my own parties and holiday gatherings, a few parties for friends, and lots of cooking for friends with health concerns, like I did on Monday. If I was more organized I would have done one dish a day and it would not have worn me out, but the plan came together rather quickly when we found out that he was going to be released from the hospital earlier than we thought.  I think my DH is the one eating all the food, lol!  Just as well, then he doesn't have to shop and cook, and can pay closer attention to our friend. 

Happy birthday Gemini "triplets"! You know who you are........;)

Happy birthday triplets!

Yay!  Happy Birthday!

Viv,  how are things with Iggy?

I woke up and couldn't find my "smart phone" so I looked around the cabin barefoot and stepped in grand-dog's poo with my right foot. Ugg. So I went to the bathroom to clean it up and stepped in more with my left foot. It was not as bad as it seems as she is a little girl but had not had my coffee. So called the phone company and reported it missing and was told that it "was used at 1, 3 and 5 am" so I had it turned off. Ah hah! I found it!  No one used it unless the animals are very smart. So had to go back to landlord's to have it turned back on. Cranky. I hate it when people don't do their jobs. My pet peeve

I finally made Swiss chard pie. I burned it but DGD loved the burnt crust.

The inside is OK

I've decided to listen to Pandora and forget all about it.

Happy Birthday to the triplets! Can my DD be an honorary one?

Barometric pressure is changing and low, which used to give me migraines and I think one is beginning.  I think it has made me very cranky

2 cats, and dog have been passed out on the bed all day as if they have been drugged.

What exactly have they been doing to cause this exhaustion?

Nothing

eric - I think it is a problem with the fuel line, not the engine itself.  This is a brand new engine and there are already issues - so, it is something more complicated.  The problem is that she has to take it in to have it serviced, they always think they have fixed it, but she finds out that it is not fixed at some inopportune moment.  Like when she is out on the water.  By herself.  She is also taking the class for her Captain's license right now, and she can carry a gun unconcealed when she gets it, and she will.  She is working two jobs - about 60 hours a week so does not have much free time to be horsing around with this when she needs to sell this boat.  She is frustrated!

Thanks for the birthday wishes, all. Had a nice dinner with DH and DS2 at a new seafood place in his area of town. We had fried oysters and shrimp sliders for appetizers. Both excellent.....hardly felt like I was eating a fried food with the oysters....very light. I had Maryland crab cake for entree....a bit light on the "chunk" but very flavorful with a nice relish on top. A side of veggies might have been nice. Butterscotch pudding with crispy puffed wheat sprinkled on top. Quite yummy...and complimentary for the birthday girl! 

I woke up yesterday   with a sore throat, and by dinner time, I was feeling pretty awful (head virus on top of allergies), but trundled on.....after all, exact birthday dinners only come once a year! Today barely a voice and definitely a headache, and we are headed down to visit the grands....think I'll ask DH to drive. I know this will pass......

Hope the boat issues resolve, Special. I admire your DD's independence!

I like the sound of Sharon's course, Eric.

Better get moving.....

Have a good day, everyone! 

Must be the day for tree cutting, my neighbor across the street is losing a huge oak today.  Bad planning cause the gal 2 doors down is having a garage sale.... OH Well, as for me, I've had my walk at the lake and came home from the other end of the block to avoid the traffic.

Taking my 86 soon to be 86 year old dad to lunch today for early Father's day- We have a mom & pop restaurant that serves all you can eat walleye on Fridays  and as a fisherman, he thinks this is a must do on Friday.   I am still eating soup and focaccia bread for dinner.  Freezer died on me and still haven't called repair man..... 

Count me among the walleye lovers!  Carole, glad you're having that spot taken care of. I badly need to see the dermatologist. I'm not having any issues, but I'm a "moley" person and since bc, very paranoid about cancer. Especially now that those of us with spots  are apparently more prone to bc (one more thing that's my fault I guess). Geez I hate cancer.

Still waiting for the axe man. Guess the previous tree didn't come down willingly. I did go grocery shopping and got a little food inspired. Tonight is good ole American -- bratwurst, baked beans and corn on the cob. DH is ecstatic. I picked up a couple of Cornish hens to fix tomorrow. DH requested homemade pizza for dinner on fathers day, so that will be easy. I have some tomatoes I need to use. Maybe I'll roast them for the pizza. I'm going to a new farmers market tomorrow morning, I hope to find some locally grown stuff, especially some spinach, although it's probably getting too warm for it. That should be fun.

The world is lush and green here from all the rain, although it's only in the 70's and totally sunny today. We've never had so many birds at the feeders. Adult birds are now bringing the babies to the feeders which is why we feed in the summer. I discovered a cardinal nest with the female on it in the small maple in the front yard. I'd been seeing them go in and out lately so I suspected one was there. I was surprised to see it at eye level. Lucky me, now I can peek in on the progress! The wren house on the front porch has babies in it. I can hear them cheeping when the parents go in and out. We've had two families of orioles today and numerous singles. A rose breasted grosbeak family too.  I love spring!

Good morning all,

Iggy had a crisis yesterday,  started complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath. Had 2 clots they traveled to lungs.

They immediately took him an placed filters in different places near kidneys to not allow any more to travel up. They went in through vein in neck.  Checked legs no other signs of DVT.   Waiting to hear what can be done for chest ones, as he cannot take blood thinners because of the brain surgery.

I am going to sleep for a few, before I go back to hosp. Taking kids to see him.

On the food topic, I got the call as I was about to start cooking....my kids made mahi mahi in the oven, mash potatoes, and Texas toast, plus they finished the cake. And what a mess.

I feel so blessed, that even a kitchen that is gonna take at least 2 hours to clean is ok.

Blessing to all of you. Happy Father's Day Eric and to all others husbands / Dads that you have all shared about here.

V

Ladies- I got up early and went to Farmer's Market.  I bought baby white turnips, orange beets, and rainbow swiss chard, along with Farm Fresh Eggs and a loaf of Honey cracked Wheat bread.  

Now--what do you do with swiss chard?  Never had it.  Girl at farm stand said I do the leaves like spinach, and she suggested I eat the stalks raw like celery.  somehow, I thought you cooked all of it..... Any ideas????

Viv, sending good thoughts to you, Iggy and your family. Love those kids!

Boy, talk about Friday the 13th . . . The tree man showed up yesterday with his crew to take down the giant oak. Well, the tree ended up falling the wrong way and instead of landing in a large open area, landed on our propane tank, one of the apple trees and part of the fence. Propane started leaking out of the tank (we live in the country and propane is the gas that powers our heat producing appliances) with a loud hiss! We frantically called the propane people who rushed out with a guy to try and stop the leak, unsuccessfully.  In addition, the tree knocked the tank off it's moorings. The tank ended up being ok but the valve was smashed open. So then the propane guy had to go back to town to get  a truck to try and pull the tank back on it's moorings and refill it after replacing the valve. We're talking about a 500 gallon tank here. The propane guy gets back and proceeds to drive his big ass truck down the hill toward the tank, even though DH advised against it because of all the rain. He still can't get the leak to stop but finally after lots of clamps and duct tape does. Then as he tries to pull the tank back on it's base, he gets his truck stuck. DH says call a tow truck but instead the group of braniacs decide to try to pull the propane truck out with a chain and pickup truck. Of course, that doesn't work, the chain breaks and in the meantime the ruts in the yard are getting bigger and deeper. DH says call a tow truck, but NO. A fire truck, a volunteer fire guy and two more pickup trucks arrive and they decide that all three pickups are going to pull the propane truck out. (I kept waiting for the clown car to arrive)  Needless to say they broke 2 more straps and chains and probably damaged a truck or two but the propane truck didn't budge (except to make more holes in the yard). FINALLY two hours later they call a tow truck. In the meantime, everybody is running around calling their insurance companies and the tree guy is apologizing all over himself.  Fortunately, he is insured and will pay for everything. The fence section just lost the cross pieces and can be easily repaired or replaced. The apple tree lost a limb and a few branches. The biggest loss is the propane. But the tree is down and nobody got hurt, thankfully. We finally had dinner at 8:30 last night.

Went to the farmers market today. Lots of greens, but no spinach, and things were on the pricey side -- not much different than the grocery store. There were a couple of grass fed beef vendors there but again, very expensive. I was looking for veggies but good to know about the beef. I ended up buying a couple of yellow squash (squash casserole for me too Carole!), bunches  of beets, radishes and rainbow carrots, a fennel bulb, spring onions and something else that I've forgotten.  So along with our Cornish  hens with lemon and  thyme, tonight  we'll have orzo with asparagus and parmesan and roasted vegetables. I'll roast extra for the pizzas tomorrow night.

Happy Father's day Eric and all you dads out there!

Nancy that is crazy.

You make swiss chard pie with swiss chard. It's good. You use the stems too.

There are lots of recipes on the web for pie and other things.

I just read that watercress is very very good for you.  Who knew?

I might have to make watercress sandwiches on white bread with butter.  I have turned into my Mother. All I need is to cut them into spades, clubs, etc, get an ivory cigarette holder and start a bridge club.

Bedo, let me know how those sandwiches are. I always wanted to eat one.