So...whats for dinner?

Okay...I just wrote a long post which I will not revisit and must succumb to writing them in another site and copy/pasting to here If I don't want this to keep happening. Last night I lost one too. Where the F do they go??!!

Apologies to the many folks (especially to Joyce) I addressed which I won't do again, and I also will not be re-sharing how our dinner went....

I don't like this at all....sorry to be such a grinch on New Year's Day!

Oh well...on to better, more functional things.....

Not only did I not remove the $200 from the ATM machine, but I left my driver's license at the bank! I just went and checked my purse. The bank employee asked for my driver's license and I sent it to her in the plastic jar. She must not have sent it back to me. There was a message on my answering machine from a woman asking me to call her at the bank but by the time I noticed the message indicator, the bank had closed. So New Year's Eve day was not a good day for me! I'll take care of it tomorrow with a trip to the bank.

You're right about wording your resolutions, ChiSandy. Aim for changing specific behaviors. Good luck with carrying through on your goals.

Dinner was good. DH cooked the black-eyed peas with lots of onion and with smoked sausage. Last night he looked up a recipe for Mexican cornbread. This morning he went to a local grocery and bought ingredients. Basically the recipe called for a cornbread mix, eggs, sour cream, cream style corn and diced jalapeno. He made it with no input from me. It was good but rather sweet for my taste. Cornbread eaters like their cornbread sweet or not sweet. I fall into the latter category. My salad was delish. I substituted Savoy cabbage, sliced, for lettuce and threw in quartered plum tomatoes, diced cucumber, a whole avocado diced. DH had diced sweet onion in his salad and I added Greek olives to mine. Mayo and white balsamic dressing. The peas were served over brown jasmine rice.

Carole, I had a similar experience but in my case, the atm wouldn't turn loose of the $100. It didn't come out far enough for me to get a grip on it, then snatched it back! Of course it was on a weekend, so I had to wait until Monday to contact the bank, then I had to wait until the end of the day for them to count the cash in the machine. Apparently, it was clear on the camera what had happened. Fortunately there was no sound on the recording because I let fly a litany of choice words when it wouldn't let go of my money.

I too no longer make resolutions.

I cooked black eyed peas in the pressure cooker with onions, celery and a piece of smoked pork. I then added them to a tomato, garlic, pepper, celery and onion mixture, along with some brown rice to make hoppin' john. We had that with a ham, a small twice baked potato casserole, vinegar and oil cole slaw and a cheddar biscuit each. It was all really good.

I feel like I've been on a vacation this week --no appointments, no house guests, no commitments. I have the weekend to continue my slug-like behavior then I plan to be more productive. I suppose that's a resolution of sorts.

lacey - here you go. "Post your glitches, errors, problems here". Link below. The mods are pretty good about following through. Seems to me maybe I've seen a similar problem discussed - maybe with Chrome? Don't know.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/93/topics...

HaHa...intermittent reinforcement....it posted like a charm just now....lulls me into deceptive thinking that it will work next time. Silly me!

Your dinner all sound luscious. I went to a New Years Day party and ate all kinds of things, roasted Brussels sprouts, .all different colors of fingerling potatoes, cauliflower casserole, tortilla chips with cheese and salsa. A bloody mary and some turkey (I can't remember when I drank hard liquor last or ate turkey, 5, 10,15 years? No clue) Don't know what got into me but they were good. Then went out and helped feed the horses, stole eggs from the chickens. It was great.

Eric, I have done so many things in my life, maid, waitress 11-7 shift downtown Denver (the local "Greensleeves" who wore a green jumpsuit and gold chains kept telling me I would make more working for him this was with my common-law husband at 18 when we dropped out and he was a night janitor) paste up artist-an extinct job. sold candles on the street. RN at Mass General and Beth Israel, NP various specialties , worked on a farm, and I've forgotten some I'm sure. I hope soon the be known as a FIP (formerly important person) and travel to Asia and beyond, returning to see DGC when they arrive.

So far to good with the resolutions. Practiced violin today, am looking for a weight training course, I MUST stop playing FARMVILLE 2!!!! As my excuse that all my "friends" are from Latin America and it is helping me learn Spanish has proven to be a fantasy, even to me. So, am working on reserving books on line at the library I think my resolutions will continue to evolve.

Happy New Years to everyone.

HaHa Bedo - you are probably improving their English instead. What a fascinating life. You must have gone to nursing school later in life? I was in my early 30s when I graduated, returnee to school. I had tried to convince my DM my sophomore year my grades were not good enough for medical school and I wanted to go to nursing school. No way would she believe that. I attempted once to start back to NS just as I met my DH. I have not idea how I would have paid for it but at the time it was not happening. Fast forward 5 years and the hospital I was working for was desperate for nurses so they paid my tuition in return for promise to work 2 years I think. I had only nursing courses left except for 3 catch-up courses at the community college.

All that food sounds fantastic well like I said maybe except for the oysters. Oysters, clams are just not my thing. Any other seafood is fair game. I ate sashimi as a child in Hawaii. Not so sure I would trust processing these days. Nothing to do with the raw state per se.

Dinner last night was not exciting. Tummy finally feeling better. Think because I have been neglecting my Metamucil. Started back on it and better. We had the chicken breasts that were supposed to be stir fry instead as Shake 'N Bake. I made the black eyed peas by a recipe I found which were good. Bacon and drippings. Only thing is I had smoky maple bacon - I bought that for a recipe I didn't make. A bit weird in there - the maple part not so much the "smoky" part. But they made a ton of pot liquor. Any idea what to use that on? I can just reheat it and freeze if until I decide. Maybe a soup base? We actually had tequila sunrises though the grenadine I bought was pitiful pink. No choice of stuff out here - one brand. We got a bottle of Patron Orange Liqueur at Mexican Christmas party. I have a bottle of Gran Gala also so I said put some of that in there. Guess next time I'm in town I'll get some margarita mix. I'm enough of a prude that I don't buy obvious alcohol here in town. Baptists don't drink lol. Tonight will be a repeat of same dinner with maybe some salad. Dark/dreary here but no rain until Tuesday. Supposed to see the magical sun tomorrow.

I had an ATM in town - not out here - eat my debit card several years ago. Was so mad I sat in the line and called the 800# posted on the machine. In retrospect it was a bit bent and most likely got caught in the machinery. Went inside and the helpful clerk assured me it was not going to be spit out at another customer. It was lying in shreds at the bottom of the ATM. She checked everything and issued me a temporary card. Not that I didn't have other credit cards I could use but had no cash - DAH why I was at the ATM. The counter clerk got my cash without batting an eyelash at my card - not that the customer service clerk wasn't just in shouting distance across the lobby. I've driven up the ATM here and someone said "it just ate my card". Hmm I know of several others to use and DD and I decided not to tempt fate on that one.

Special - I wish my freezer was organized. DH and I can barely keep up with what is in which freezer.

Eric, you might want to get Sharon a chorus pedal for her electric guitar, so that when she finally figures out “Hotel California" it'll sound more like the 12-string guitar on the original. She can then give “Wish You Were Here" and everything by the Byrds a try!

Bob (DH) finished the Perrier-Jouet last night--he didn't mind that it wasn't very bubbly and tasted somewhat over the hill. I opened the bottle of Thienot (small producer from Reims, much less expensive than even Nicolas Feuilatte or Philliponat, never mind Veuve Cliquot, Moet or Mumm's Cordon Rouge), and we had chopped liver, pickled herring, and paddlefish-sturgeon (Persian process, so it kept longer in the fridge) caviar. The salmon roe was definitely no good, so we tossed it. (Fortunately, it's relatively cheap). Turns out we'd long since killed off the whitefish roe--serves me right for not checking the dairy compartment more often). Wanted to keep the carbs down, so served it on flax chips. Not bad.

This morning I made a Western omelette: red, yellow and poblano (more flavor than green bell, less heat than jalapeno) peppers, mushrooms, red onion and some aged Cheddar. Yum! Pledging to avoid as many carbs as possible. Instead of the Keurig, I made a Hario pour-over of Metropolis' “Hullaballoo Blend;" forgot how wonderful freshly roasted and ground manual drip coffee tastes! (I am fortunate to live within blocks of the country's best small-volume roaster). Lungs still squealing, but I do feel better--so I will go out and grocery-shop today. We're down to half a dozen eggs, which is critical mass for a low-carber with two other breakfast eaters; and two gallons of spring water for the coffeemakers. Will get some fresh mozzarella to make a caprese (my basil plants are robust, and two of my three remaining tomatoes are fine--the third turned into a credible impression of a badly-sunburned Don King. Should've taken a pic, but I was so disgusted that I threw it into the compost pail). Will get whatever looks good at the fish or butcher counter. My local meat co-op is no more, so no more five-dollar barnyard eggs. Whole Paycheck charges seven bucks for slightly less fresh ones, but Mariano's has local Amish pasture-raised eggs for only four bucks a dozen. I know white supermarket “battery-cage" eggs are much cheaper, but not as flavorful; and the cruelty imposed on the chickens that lay them is horrifying.

Watching America's Test Kitchen--Bridget just made stir-fried asparagus with shiitakes. I have all the ingredients on hand except for the asparagus, so I'll buy a bunch to make tonight. No need to buy those organic, since snapping off the bottoms and rinsing well takes care of any pesticides. And they're doing “mahogany chicken thighs" right now--amazing that there are two low-carb recipes in one episode of a show that usually pours on the sugar and starch (I can ditch the white sugar and swap out pomegranate molasses for the blackstrap--permitted on the low-carb regimen I'm following, in much smaller quantities, of course).

Oops--spoke too soon: they’re thickening the sauce with a cornstarch slurry. Think I’ll just sear & pan-roast the thighs Tuscan-style with garlic, rosemary and olive oil, and make a pan sauce by deglazing with the leftover wine from New Year’s Eve’s dinner party.

Joyce, I think we are all in that room..... sending Michelle's daughter our heartfelt best wishes.

Nance, we have been all over the map this week. If it weren't for my pill holder, I would have NO idea what day it was.

So today, I did, indeed, make Duck-Mushroom Raviolis for our dinner. I roasted a duck breast while the porcinis soaked in hot water. While the duck rested, I chopped up some aging creminis, a shallot and some garlic, cooked them down in the same pan. You then puree the mixture in a food processor. When the mixture cools, mix in some parmesan cheese and an egg. Then I started the dough. I used some 00 flour and only used the yolks. While the dough rested, I had planned to nap but that didn't happen. A meal of ravioli isn't really balanced so I prepped some radicchio, green onions, and I made a sherry vinegar-mustard dressing. Once the grill pan was hot, I started to grill the radicchio and green onions. I started the butter.... and when it was totally melted the ravioli hit the jacuzzi. I threw some sage [my plant keeps producing sage!] into the butter. Raviolis into the brown butter sauce. Grilled veggies onto a platter with the dressing. Last minute change.... add some goat cheese.

Here is my afternoon in pictures:

ready to go

veggies grilling

salad with cheese and dressing

and Mr. 02143's portion.... ravioli with brown butter sage sauce. He likes a goodly number of raviolis.

Hope you enjoyed this little food-a-log..... My cooking has become so much more simple lately that it is good to enjoy making something a bit more complicated once again.

*susan*

Thank you Joyce. What a lovely tribute to Michelle.

joycek - thanks for sharing!  Such a mix of emotions, but so glad you could be there.

Susan I want that ravioli.

Joyce thank you for the pictures I'm glad Rick is happy.

Goats I did start a bit late. I had to goof around at Cornell, Univ of Denver and Marist for a few semesters before finally finishing at Boston U and getting my Masters in my 30s at Emory. Yes Eric there are shortages everywhere, that's how I go to Alaska for a few months, and sometimes take a few months off, work a few months locum tenens but in a year I hope to go only as a goofball and retire even though I won't be full retirement age.

Today I'm hiking then going to a pub for dinner with a friend so who knows what's for dinner. We are helping each other with our exercise resolution

Sandy, how would black strap pomegranate molasses be in coffee? I'm looking for something other than plan or maple syrup that is low carb

I was up early this AM, and realize I need to start changing my very pathetic sleep habits, since I am exhausted after getting to sleep at 2:30 and getting up at 6:30. I'm trying to get up enough energy to exercise. It is a beautiful day for an invigorating brisk walk.

Nance, I'll PM you so that I don 't do any spoilers re: The Knick.

So our Christmas gift exchange and pizza dinner with DS2 and DGF were fun last night. However, it was nothing to compare to Susan's delicious looking ravs.....oh, and by the way, it was duck meatballs, not ravs, that Sweet Basil offered...tho I think no longer on the menu.

So in anticipation of DGF's selective eating style, I made one plain cheese pizza.

Then two with assorted veggies (sauteed mushrooms, garlic, onions, red and green peppers).

I was happy that DGF not only enjoyed a couple of plain cheese slices (smallish), and actually tested the waters of the red pepper variety. And she ate salad since she is working on eating romaine lettuce. I am hoping that she enjoyed the meal and didn't just behave in a socially acceptable way for DBF's the parents! It must be hard for her to have dinner with us....yet they continue to! For dessert we had Talenti Gelato (pistachio and raspberry choc chip) accompanied by my anise and meyer lemon pizzelles. Heavy carb meal! Even so, I could eat our (giving DH credit here since he started the dough) homemade pizza until the cows come home!

So, all that is left to do is pack up all the BD and holiday gifts to send to DS1's family, which I will hopefully complete today. Oh, and take down the mini tree and other minimal decorations...and it will be "bye bye holidays 2015!". Fortunately, I am feeling that urge to clear things out here....hope I can sustain the mood!

Interesting work history Bedo! I hope that you can actualize your plan for your work/retirement arrangement soon. I smiled at your mention of Emory since we spent a lot of time visiting in Atlanta when DS1 did his undergrad pre-med program there, '96-'00. It was a great program for him, and flexible enough that he was able to fit in a semester in London (UCL) and still get all of his requisite science courses completed along with art courses that he loved. Our money was well spent! LOL We enjoyed lots of performances put on through the Emory Arts program, and once enjoyed meeting Wendy Wasserstein after seeing her Heidi Chronicles performed.

I think we will be having leftovers from the past week for tonight's dinner. I need to get back on track with my healthier menus!

Okay, enough screen time......

Joyce, thank you so much for the pictures and the update on Rick. I'm glad he's happy.

Susan, your ravioli are beautiful. Perfectly formed. The grilled salad looks good, too. That's a new salad preparation for me. I'll have to remember it. The problem down here is finding radicchio that looks fresh and palatable. It's also very expensive.

Carrie, how was the home-made pasta? You ladies are inspiring me to get out the kitchen aid pasta making equipment!

Luv and Bedo, I have an admiration for nurses.

My good news is that I feel better today. I was able to sleep last night in positions other than on my back with a pillow under my knees.

Meals today will be warmed up leftovers.