So...whats for dinner?

We will be having jump ups for several days. DS1 and family left today, leaving left overs in the fridge and all the Christmas cookies eaten! Had chili tonight. Last night was baked tilapia, steak fries, cooked cabbage with sour cream and horseradish, and spinach salad.

We got only a light dusting of snow before the rain hit, and it had yet to freeze by the time Bob made it home for dinner. He stopped at Panda Express to supplement last night's leftovers, but all I could eat from Panda was the filling of a spring roll. Everything else was carb, carb and more carb. Drive-thrus are streamlining their menus now to keep the long lines of cars moving as quickly as possible: speed and therefore volume are the only ways they can remain open. They had no soup, plain vegetables, egg rolls, plain vegetables or BBQ pork. So I basically had most of last night's duck leftovers. We opened the little jar of osetra from WF (half-price) and had it with blini (cucumbers for me) and creme fraiche. We have half of it left, and will eat it Sun. night during the Bears game. It's snowing again--still above freezing. Hopefully it'll provide just enough traction over the inevitable black ice that will form beneath it overnight.

I hope you all Have a Happy, Blessed, and Fun, 2021!

New Years eve supper was salmon, rice and peas, green, not blackeyed. I hate the texture of those. LOL. Today was leftover spaghetti. Had to use it up because i cooked so much this week.

Minus, the wreath is Rice Krispie recipe, using Corn Flakes instead of the RK. It is a version of the tiny, putzy cookies! Im lazy, one big one for me! But hey, it works, is impressive and so easy.

Lacey, so sorry about your back. Hope PT helps.

Eric, kidney stones are no joke. I had 4 in a row about 2 years ago.worst year of my life for pain. I hope she lets you take care of her. Maybe let her know you are being selfish by wanting her with you! Apologize for even thinking about how much easier it would be for you and Sharon. Maybe it will make her think. Hugs

Much love to all.

Moon - like your idea about Eric's MIL. GUILTING just might work. My Mom was the queen of subtle guilt so I've tried not to engage in that method. However I think there are times when that tool might be appropriate.

I did make the sweet potato muffins - with about 2/3 the brown sugar. I had intended to eat them with left over Mexican black eyed peas, but the muffins were so good I ate three of them as they cooled and that was dinner. Slathered in butter of course. I took a couple to my neighbor and now almost wish I had them back. Desert will be a ripe Royal Rivera Pear from Harry & David accompanied by some sharp white cheddar cheese.

Dinner tonight was lasagna soup that Sharon made. I was busy with making the sourdough.

Thanks for the “better back" healing wishes, friends. Slower process than I (or DH!) would hope for, but compared to what so many folks are dealing with in their lives now, I should not complain. It's just been so frustrating that my level of household activity and productivity has been totally shut down. And walks are impossible. PT starts on Thursday when my therapist returns from vacay. Looking forward to it except for possibility of Covid exposure. It was set up for a quieter time at the practice. The muscle relaxant makes me a bit loopy, so I'm not taking a full dose.

By yesterday, there was improvement....no spasms, just pain...so I did stand in the kitchen long enough to make the lobster/mushroom cream sauce with fettuccine for dinner. We BOTH appreciated that menu!
Poor DH is now feeling stretched with the cooking tasks. Today he is making a Moroccan red lentil soup from a package of dry ingredients I bought him a few months ago to try his hand at soup making, an interest expressed by him. So far he seems a tad overwhelmed by the recipe instructions, and our pantry supply of ingredients (all the containers of broth have passed the “best by" dates). Eeek! I have to remember that he doesn't possess a “cooking gene", so he feels less secure about doing anything beyond exactly what the recipe states, so substitutions are a challenge. Since he does possess an amazing “persistence gene", he'll manage, and we will get through this together. If he didn't have to eat, I'd be perfectly happy to live on oatmeal, yogurt, cottage cheese, or any odd “throw together in two minutes" item in the kitchen. Here is the lobster fettuccine:

Eric, I think the idea of inviting DMIL for an “audition visit" to try out living with you, with lots of reinforcing comments about how wonderful (and easier) it is for you two to have her there is a lovely idea. And given my “trade", I wonder if there is a geriatric social worker in your area who might be available to consult with about how to construct a plan that is likely to work, respecting everyone's needs. Always a challenging life transition...

Minus, sweet potato muffins are new to me. Sound so yummy! Where did you find the recipe?

Carole, I'm vehemently with you about the hypocritical vaccine line jumpers!

Nance, I chuckled to see you wondering how you lost track of those beans. What??!! I might have lost my mind if I tried to accomplish all that you have during this crazy year! I hope you are loving having a worthy kitchen again.

Lacey, what a beautiful plate of food! I continue to hope your back pain goes away.

I had a yen for a burger and fries yesterday and dh was agreeable. For lunch I went to my closest McD's and picked up two Deluxe burgers the only ones that are "dressed" with lettuce, tomato, and pickles and slathered with mayo. Also a large fries to share.

We have a nearby Five Guys (right number?) burger place but its location is in a more congested area and McD's is easy. I may scope out the Five Guys the next time I'm over that way.

For dinner I had crackers and cheese, finishing up a delicious Havarti that I have been whittling away for some weeks. Dh warmed up a bowl of rice and black eyed peas.

I may buy some mustard greens today at the produce stand if fresh greens are available.

Tonight is pan seared pork chops with a balsamic glaze, DH’s creamy Brussels sprouts and sautéed spinach.

We have 5-Guys out here in metro Phoenix. I love the place, although I don't eat there that often.....trying to do less meat (sort of vegan)...which has pleased my physician because my diet changes lowered my cholesterol levels enough that I won't need any meds.

Lacey, I must have missed out about your back. I'm glad it's improving. As for MIL, she is (hopefully) getting the first of her 3 kidney stones smashed up tomorrow. They are doing it under (very) heavy sedation, so she will be spending the night here with us. I'm hoping that when all is finished, she will be able to get back her ability to move.

Illimae, as usual, awesome and mouthwatering pictures. :-)

I'll see if I can find Sharon's lasagna soup notes. She's snoozing right now and I don't want to wake her because MIL needs to be at the hospital at 6:30am. Anyway, on the "next time try" list is to use a more tomato paste as we decided it was a bit thick.

Last night was breaded pork chop cooked in skillet with small amount of grape seed oil and baked sweet potato.

Tonight will be pasta. Linguine with enhanced Rao's.

Since I had two zoom meetings in a row this evening dinner was a quick chicken Enchilada dish using rotisserie chicken, green chilis, enchilada sauce and shredded cheddar. 🥘🥗

I felt like a beachy seafood platter, i blackened a gulf snapper and added frozen popcorn shrimp, corn and a piece off warm buttered bread. Then, I decided the meal needed a beer too.

Fortunately, since DH drives rock star tour buses, we always have random leftover, beer, wine and alcohol from all over the country. Tonight’s beer is Southampton Double White.

Chicken enchiladas are always appealing to me.

A measuring tech came yesterday morning and measured our counter tops. I have picked out a white quartz at Lowe's and got the process started for changing out our forest green formica counter tops which are still in good condition except for the area over the dishwasher. I consulted cabinet companies some years ago and was told I would have to be without a kitchen for a week or two. Not the case now. The measurements are taken with a laser machine. The counter tops are made. The company comes and removes the old and installs the new in one day.

Dinner was almost an afterthought last night after watching tv all day as events unfolded proving that words do matter. If there's a plus to the madness, I'm glad it happened ahead of Inauguration Day. Maybe the police will be more prepared for white terrorism. Their unpreparedness was the only surprise in what happened.

Doing chicken stir-fry