So...whats for dinner?

Carole, that meal sounds very southern and very delicious. I always enjoy hearing about your Sunday dinners.

Eric, I'm glad you're feeling better. I wish everyone was as considerate as you about spreading their germs. I'm always astounded to see little kids cough into their sleeves as they're taught in school, yet a lot of adults, who you'd think would know better, don't even bother to try to cover a cough or sneeze.

Today was a good day with dad. I filled out some paperwork for him, did a few other things and we took him grocery shopping. DH went with me which made things with dad so much easier. It's such an effort getting dad in and out of the car and more difficult when I have to drive, find a place to park, get the walker out, get dad out, etc. Anyway, we had a nice lunch and he was very appreciative of our help.

Tonight we had the last of the ham in a thin barbecue sauce on homemade buns, a potato casserole and more sliced tomatoes from the garden.

Lacey - Happy Anniversary in advance. Glad you're getting your DH to erbaluce. I hope your meal is as good as the one we all shared. Looking forward to details next week.

Thanks everyone---cords are gone. only visible bruise is on the right leg, but I couldn't kneel in church Sunday because of pain in the left knee. I have such chubby legs, it's hard to tell if it is swollen, but there is definitely a sore spot. Tonight I bowl, so we will know for sure if there is an issue with it then.

Kitchen Aid Mixers- always thought they were the gold standard . Had to laugh at Eric suggesting the Hobart--now that is an industrial mixer and a much as you use one.....well....... IHas anyone seen the episode of Flea Market Flip where the couple made a light fixture out of the beaters off of one? Really cool, but bet it is tough to get inside to change the light bulb......

Nance-yes, the transport, walker stuff is hard. I have to do that too. One day he had several stops/appointments and the next day my neck and shoulder were sore from moving the walker so much, I am sure.

Carole your stewed chicken sounds really tasty--I had never heard of it. Hope the weather stays decent down there.

Eric, take care o yourself, Its crappy being sick and away from home..

Lacey, enjoy your Anniversary and your time with your co-worker. Don't fret over the pounds.

Made four pizzas for dinner. All a bit different, and they were good! So far my new mixer has succeeded in pizza dough, cinnamon bread dough, bagel dough [whohoooo! not even a shudder,] and grated all the cheese for the pizzas. Next big test is grinding meat.

Sunday dinner is a really lovely tradition that has almost disappeared around here. The kids have soccer games, and French camp, and who all knows what else. Our substitution is dinner every single night as a family, Sunday "brunch" and of course the big holidays when we still eat at 2pm, with nibbles at 1pm. But we don't dress up now that my grandmother's generation is no longer with us. Just all being together is fun, and less stressful without trying to find the right dress.

Red so glad to hear that you are healing so quickly. And Lacey, I am a bit jealous about another night at erbaluce. Next up, you need to come in town and we can head to Sarma together.

*susan*

Carole, happy to learn that you fared better than the weatherguy suggested might be the case! I have to say that I just got a bit anxious about your buyer's remorse comment. But I bet our Susan and some others here can come up with some ideas for you. Lots of barbecues perhaps?! Be relieved it isn't bacon after today's report moving that into the carcinogen category. Oy! I keep hoping that Woody Allen's Sleeper could be right with all the food sins turning out to be the healthy choices!

So today I met my colleague for lunch. She is an active riot...and has packed more activity into her brief months of retirement than I could even imagine in my last three years. Anyway, as I approached the French Press she walked out with an iced coffee, suggesting that we go across the street to Not Your Avg Joes for a real lunch. So we did. We both had a half tuscan chicken sandwich with salad. They were very good.

Tonight, after working out and attending stretching class, made some chicken salad to put on Volante's baguette. I like their baker's bread...tho I sure do bet I would like Susan's and Nance's even better! So, I did not do a great job of avoiding carbs today, but did work off lots of calories! Ha!

I learned from our trainer that she has started a food blog, which I look forward to reading. She is a great healthy foodie, who is such fun!

On my way home from gym, I decided to stop at Volante's for the bread and to get some treats to bring to DSM (step mother:). She actually does not refer to herself as that since my dad did not marry her until I was in my mid twenties, but there is no short word to describe her role in our family, and she has been a lovely addition For us over the years. She is the only remaining person of that generation in our family.

Anyway, at Volante's I picked up some cranberry welch cakes (a splurge!), an tin of freshly baked uncut lemon brownies (we can enjoy them after dinner tomorrow night), some Vermont chocolates that were made near where my sister lives near Lake Champlain, and an unusual variety of apples from their overflowing bins. Of course, even tho I took the info sheets for each apple, I can hardly match them up now....haha...all so I would not be wasting a plastic bag for each apple! ;/ We will enjoy them nonetheless.

I'm off to pack for our brief trip...trying to act like I am actually going to be gone for just two days! Really!!

Anyone have a good, healthy chicken salad recipe to share?

mysunshine - I roast several chicken breasts (I get it with skin on, on the bone from Whole Foods) with a little olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder sprinkled on.  When the chicken has cooled I remove the skin and pull it off the rib bones and tear it - I like the shredded texture rather than cutting it up.  The meat is more moist from roasting it on the bone.  I add sliced organic celery and sweet onion, salt and pepper, and use JustMayo (non GMO, soy, dairy, egg, lactose) - only enough to get the chicken to sort of stick together, I don't like too much.  I sometimes add pecans or grapes, or mandarin oranges. 

I probably should not have used the word shred - I pull it as opposed to cut it, but I leave it in bite sized chunks

For lunch I ate the last of my home-made cream of chicken soup today with some added tender bok choy sautéed in butter. This bok choy is so delicious. The bunches are quite small and very tender. I buy it at the farmers' market from a couple who also raise two varieties of kale and arugula.

I'm thawing two chicken legs bought at Fresh Market for dinner and also thawing a small chunk of beef to make soup. DH was recovering from his bout of crud and is taking a downward turn today, just like I am. So soup will appeal to both of us. I'll put potatoes and carrots in the soup along with tomatoes and celery and onions but I won't eat the potatoes and carrots. My paternal grandmother used to say, "You might as well eat the devil as drink his broth." She was referring to her practice of putting bacon drippings in beans to season them but not the bacon when the beans were for her husband to eat on a Friday. He was a devout Catholic and wouldn't eat meat on Fridays.

"My beautiful baguettes", she said immodestly.

Nance, those are spectacular!!!!!

Okay.... these are the stories that make me giggle. Eating bacon fat on Friday, but it doesn't count since the fat isn't the real thing.

Dinner tonight was lamb burgers. Ended up with enough meat for five burgers. Three are 4oz, the other two 5 oz, stuffed with feta. Here they were waiting for the grill, hanging with the pickled onions.

For some reason, no pictures were taken when they came inside all cooked. Side was a huge Spring Mix salad with a roasted garlic, lemon juice and olive oil dressing.

*susan*

Thank you all for the chicken salad ideas. Since dx, I have changed my way of both buying food snd preparing it. I do use free range chickens and buy mostly organic. I hsve put grapes and almonds in chicken salad before.....so good.

Those baguettes look good! When I get home.... :-)

Mysunshine, somewhere along the way in this thread, I posted a jasmine rice shredded chicken salad......grapes, toasted pine nuts, onion, cilantro, etc

The link (here) below gets you to the page, but I can't figure out how to get it to go to the particular post. It's about 2/3 the down the page at 10:05pm on April 18. When I say shredded, I basically poach or slowly cook the chicken in a dutch oven and then pull the chicken apart with my fingers.

Here

In CT... When we arrived yesterday we had lunch of tasty cheeses and crusty rolls DSM had, with some wonderful apples I brought from Volantes. DH and DSM also had some vegetable soup which I avoided after seeing lots of celery floating in it.

After spending the afternoon "catching up" and DH helping DSM with her computer needs, we had dinner at a local Italian restaurant. We shared a tasty app of a large portobello mushroom stuffed with roasted veggies and mozzarella cheese, with balsamic flavor. Then I had a house salad and the most delicious salmon fillet over fresh sauteed spinach with garlic and mushrooms. The others also had fish dishes and we were all pleased. We had dessert at home...the tasty lemon brownies from Volantes. Yum! This morning they are both upstairs planning breakfast....I am planning a walk before the rain arrives!! Forgot to mention the side of angel hair pasta I had with my salmon ...... Oh dear!

auntie - that bread looks so good!  Like a postcard from France!

susan - the burgers look delish and the announcement is adorable!  Who did the illustration?

Last night was DH's b-day, but he had actually been up all night before sick so he wanted something bland. Very unusual for him, it made for a rough day yesterday at work.  I made some mac 'n cheese.  DD and I picked up the Ipe wood flooring for the lanai (loaded in the rain, unloaded in the rain - I looked like a drowned rat, lol!), so while DD was at work last night DH and I laid it down except for the pieces that will need to be cut.  It looks awesome.  Today the rest of the stone is going up on the kitchen and the granite countertop is going in, the fridge and stainless steel sink are here and ready to go in.  The gas line and water is hooked up.  They think they will be done by Friday, most likely.  We will also have some under counter lighting that will go in.  We bought a huge umbrella for the table since it will now be out from under the lanai and in the sun on a more regular basis.  DD is off today so when DH gets home from work we will do presents/cake and a dinner out at our favorite local place right around the corner - consistent service, quality food, it is the default celebration spot - close, easy and good!  I need to bake a cake sometime today!