The Official What's For Dinner thread:Thursday 1-24-08? Recipe finder in OP. Enjoy!

[Glynis]

Alan and I are going to a Christmas concert tonight where his brother and SIL are singing in the choir. We are filming it for the participants, and then afterwards we'll go out to dinner. It'll be late, so I'm not sure where we'll end up. Should be an adventure.

[Aimeedyan]

I'm STILL sick!! This has been since Monday and frankly it's just getting progressively worse. My doc wanted to order a CT scan (I said no, I can't afford one right now) and now this thing has moved to my chest (was sinus infection).

I have no idea what's for dinner... I'll do something REALLY simple I'm sure.


:grouphug:

[Aimeedyan]

Today has been a weird day. I went to bed around 2am (typical for me if I don't have to be at work the next day) but had to get up at 6am to go pick up DH from church. Took home 2 friends, too, and got back home at 715. I put the dogs back up for bed and slept until noon. DH went upstairs to the guest bedroom and is still asleep.

My little brother is supposed to come over this afternoon when he gets off work to help us hang the rest of the lights. he installs satellites on roofs and is not as scared as we are on the roof. DH got up there yesterday and freaked out.

I am going to make chicken fried rice and egg rolls. I think I may put chicken in the egg rolls, too.

[Mermaid02]

Thanks for the hugs and the prayers guys... I have NO voice (but that's okay because nobody in this house listens to me anyway...:lmao: ) We are having spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic bread... there's some comfort food for ya!! :thumbsup2

[TigerKat]

I hope I get that far I woke with another migrane at 5:00 this morning took a advil and I feel better since my breakfast of crackers and coffee. :rotfl2: I may have to breakdown and go to the doctor and see why I'm starting to get these migranes so often again. It is probably like I've been reading the darned "M" time of life. I will dance :dance3: when I'm finally on the other side. It's like puberty all over again.:eek:



I'm on the other side and it does get better, my migraines aren't nearly as frequent or severe.:hug:

I'm STILL sick!! This has been since Monday and frankly it's just getting progressively worse. My doc wanted to order a CT scan (I said no, I can't afford one right now) and now this thing has moved to my chest (was sinus infection).



Prayers for you!


Nothing quite like coming home from vacation and getting sick, woke up at 1AM with a nasty stomach virus and body aches. Just now able to crawl out of the bed but it won't be for long.:sick:

I froze a large container of vegetable soup when I mad it before vacation, so that's thawing now.

[HERSEY]

I decided on a beef roast for dinner and veggies of some sort.

I decided on my grandma's potato chip cookie,spriz, peanut butter kisses, oatmeal. I haven't actually started any of them yet cause as usual got lost in the basement looking for my christmas decorations. I also was searching for my brownie cups recipe. I did find that finally.

Mermaid02 I hope the doctors find out what is wrong and you get better.

[HERSEY]

Kathy Not you too. Go back to bed. I hope tomorrow you feel better.

[liamsaunt]

I have not had time to scroll back and see the whole thread that I missed, but I am sad to see that some of my wfd friends are sick! Yuck! I hope you guys feel better soon. We are leaving in a few minutes for our final meal at Disney--at the California Grill. Overall the trip has been great--though I have to say that most days the parks were busier than I expected. No worries though, thank goodness for fastpass, and the obedience of my crew, who I dragged out of bed early most days!

I'll check in with more details tomorrow afternoon, once I am home and situated.

[TigerKat]

Becky - Have a great meal at CG!!! and a safe trip home.

[THE HAT]

Evening all!!

Loreli and Kathy--I am so sorry to hear that you both are feeling sick. I hope that you are able to get some answers Loreli, and Kathy I hope this passes very quickly for you!!

Janice-- I hope that your migraine has passed. I have suffered with them since I was in 7th grade (Hormones and they also found a twisted optic nerve that is a culprit) plus the weather is a severe trigger for me, I try to go with aleve unless it is just to much to bare then I give in to the prescription fiourcet for them. I hope your stomach is doing a bit better now with it as well.

Stephanie--I am so happy you get to have some holiday time at your own house. We said when we had Ross that we welcomed all, but were not going anywhere, so we always have a huge house filled over those 2 days! We love it, but this year we are bowing out and will be in Disney for the holidays!

Speaking of Disney--A week from today and we will be on our way!!! We are leaving Maine at 2pm and road tripping it!! (We have a christmas party we HAVE to go to at 1pm!)

Ross has a friend here from Karate until 7pm, we ordered a late lunch from the local pizza joint, though no one had pizza, go figure! That will be our Lupper, and we will snack the rest of the evening!

Hope you all who are not sick are having a wonderful Sat!!
I am doing much better after my trying week.......here is some good family news...(sort of the flip side of the coin I have been dealing with this past week)...Kris' cousin and husband have just had an 18month old little boy placed with them for their first foster child with a very good chance they will get to adopt....he is just the sweetest thing, we got to meet him at the family christmas party last night. He has a head full of blonde ringlets, :) Quite the Christmas present for them....(that and they are also pregnant and expecting in January!!)

[bear74]

homemade pizza for dinner

[FormrCastMbr]

:hug: :hug: :hug: For all my friends that are not feeling well.

Wendie, what nice news about the baby! Congrats and best wishes to your cousin...:)

Janice, can you share the potato chip cookie recipe? I think I may bake a few types of cookies this year. I am not a great baker.

I am going to make those pretzel, hershey kiss things too. They are easy. Maybe some peanut brittle.

We are having frozen pizza tonight. We were out today shopping and went to the food court at Wegmans so I wanted something easy.

Tomorrow is Glynis' Pot Roast!!! :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

Have a great night...hope all you girls that are sick are feeling a bit better.

[LindsayDunn228]

Today we are going out somewhere to eat. No cooking for me tonight.

WFD at your house?

And now for an update on:

The Romance of the Smitten Kittens

We all had a pretty good time yesterday. We left out of Cleveland around 9.m. and didn't get back until after midnight. I'm still exhausted. It was a loooooooooong day. Spaghetti Factory was really good. It was cold and rainy all day though.

The SKs were quite a sight. All over each other the whole day. Kevin's camera has all the good pictures. Hopefully he will e-mail them to me later. In the meantime, here is a cheeseball picture of me and Scott at the Opryland hotel.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y102/LindsayDunn228/DSCF0781.jpg


On a darker note, Scott and I have decided to not go on anymore day trips with them for awhile. Ohhh you guys, it was the longest drive to Nashville I have ever taken. It's not that far of a drive- about 2 1/2- 3 hours depending on traffic. From the time we picked up Robin, until the moment we got to the Spaghetti Factory, neither of them said one word to me. Nada, zero, nothing. You see, Scott knows Robin from work, so they can do a lot of "geek chatter" that I can't participate in. I'm telling you, when I got of the car, I was already ready to go home.

Those two are just so into each other they pretty much have nothing to do with us. They're in love- great! Wonderful! I'm still really happy for them!!! But when you are so into yourselves on a freaking car ride that people are being ignored, interrupted, and such, something's gotta give. Know what I mean? I would start a funny story about something and I'd hear them whispering back there talking about something else. I'd just quit talking. That's just plain rude, to me.

Anyway, like I said, we aren't going to do this again until they've cooled off a little bit and have learned how to be friends with people while being a couple. Don't get me wrong, I'm not mad at anyone, just a little hurt and surprised. And the kicker is, a million bucks says neither one of them noticed anything was wrong yesterday.

Sorry to end this update on a sour note, but I needed to vent. Kevin may be going to lunch with us today so I may be reporting more later.

And there's an update on The Romance of the Smitten Kittens.

[HERSEY]

Lindsay Sorry that happened to you. Sometimes new love makes us act like teenagers. I hope their feet get back on the ground so you all can have fun again.

I think soup is in order for tonight. I have to work today and we are supposed to have ice all day today. The roads should be good I say a salt truck go by a little while ago.

[TigerKat]

Good morning!

Wendie - That's awesome news about the precious baby boy, and another one on the way!!!!!!!

I think I'm doing better today, my fever broke early this morning but I'm still achy all over.:confused3 No cooking for me, we're having Thanksgiving leftovers which I froze before we went to WDW!!

I hope everyone has a great day!

[TigerKat]

Lindsay Sorry that happened to you. Sometimes new love makes us act like teenagers. I hope their feet get back on the ground so you all can have fun again.

I think soup is in order for tonight. I have to work today and we are supposed to have ice all day today. The roads should be good I say a salt truck go by a little while ago.

Janice, be careful out there! I know you northern gals are used to the icy roads, but it scares the crap out of me.:scared:

[THE HAT]

Hello friends--

Lindsey--I am sorry that your day didn't go as you had thought it would. I am sure they never noticed a thing being wrong as they only noticed each other. I would think that things will cool down a bit after the holidays and you can all enjoy each others company again.
I LOVE that picture of you and Scott!!!

Kathy--I am glad to hear that your fever broke, fingers crossed that by the end of the day your aches have become less as well!

Today we are doing all the little things and errands that need to be done before we leave. (my ticker is how many days before we get to disney but we are leaving next Sat for the trip down)
I took out chicken for supper, so far that is all I know...not sure how I am cooking it or what the sides will be...but at least I took something out of the freezer to thaw!!!

I will try to pop back on later this afternoon. I hope everyone has a good Sunday...and those not feeling well get some much needed rest!!!

[Glynis]

Dinner last night was fun! Alan and I went to Chadder's. It's a local burger joint that is causing a bit of a hullaballoo! For those of you who know In 'N Out Burger, Chadder's is a DIRECT takeoff on it. In fact, the man who opened Chadder's had an In'N OUt franchise in Vegas years ago. He is making everything exactly the same! They tried to sue him, but he's done enough differently, that they can't close him down. Since I love In 'N Out Burger, this is great for me! Now I don't have to wait for a trip to California or Vegas to indulge!!!

DS Jacob is sick today. He was acting really off yesterday, listless, didn't want to play with friends or go out into the snow. He just lay on the couch all day long. Last night he began running a temperature, and it's still the same today. Poor guy!

Dinner tonight will be some steaks that Alan is going to fix for us. I guess I get a day off!!!

[ugadog99]

Hey y'all! I haven't been around lately. We are getting ready for our trip and final exams for school, so not a lot of cooking going on. We're trying to eat up some stuff from the freezer before we leave. Today we are having Mandy's Chicken Casserole, black eyed peas, and broccoli. The casserole is easy and makes a buch! We'll be eating on it for quite a few days this week.

Mandy's Chicken Casserole
2 cups cooked shredded chicken
bag of rice cooked
can mushroom soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
chopped onion
salt and pepper to taste
3/4 stick butter
one sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed

Combine the chicken, rice, soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, and onion together. Salt and pepper to your taste. In the casserole dish you plan to use (I use a long pyrex dish), melt half of the butter then crush half of the sleeve of Ritz crackers and spread across the bottom of the pan. Put the chicken mixture on top of the butter and crackers. Melt the other half of the butter and pour over the top of the chicken mixture and top with the other half of the crackers. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-45 minutes until hot and bubbly.

I boil a few chicken breasts for my shredded chicken and then throw the bag of rice in at the end to cook. I also save a little of the chicken broth to mix in if the chicken mixture seems too dry. I really don't measure the mayo and sour cream but just put in a couple of spoons of both.

[jonestavern]

Good day diners!

Not that we'll be having them exclusively ;) for dinner, but would anyone have or know of a thread I could go to, for the recipe for a Sunken Treasure drink as served at the Gurgling Suitcase or at AKL?

I used 'search' and Googled, trying several cocktail recipe sites, but w/o luck.

Thanks in advance!

Jean

[jonestavern]

Wha' the heck?

I should never have insulted the Search function! :rotfl2:

Jean

[liamandcaili]

Hi Everyone!

We're back! We had an awesome time, and California Grill last night was absolutely delicious. My parents were so impressed with everything that we stayed there for more than three hours and got to watch Wishes from the balcony.

I'll post more details in the coming week. Right now, I have suitcases to unpack, a dinner to make and a Pats game to watch. I hope everyone is doing well, and I'll catch up with what is going on hopefully tomorrow.

Dinner tonight is homemade pizza and eggplant sticks...and maybe a spinach salad. I am suffering from a severe lack of vegetables. I love WDW, but apparently they haven't heard that french fries don't really count as a vegetable.

[HERSEY]

Hello I'm back home now. I hate scrapping the ice of my car. Tonight I'm making Le Cellier cheddar soup. Perfect for a cold night.

liamandcaili the lack of vegies is why we do more table serve than counter. I love my veggies and salad.:thumbsup2 Glad you all had a great time.

Off my make the soup.

[Mermaid02]

We just had tacos.... they were actually kinda gross. How do you ruin tacos???:confused3 I'm jumping back on the WW bandwagon... so I'll need to start planning... I'm really bad at that.

[Aimeedyan]

We're having pot roast. I just got in from work but DH threw it in the crockpot when he got in from church (he left right after worship to watch the Cowboys). I have no idea what he put in it. I wanted to try Glynis' pot roast but didn't think to write down what I needed for my grocery store trip and I didn't have the packets on hand. Oh well - next time!

We're having potatos with it, maybe spinach if he wants it.

[HERSEY]

Here is the recipe for the Potato chip cookies

2 1/2c sifted flour
1 egg yolk
1 c butter
1/2c sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2c finely crumbled potato chips
1/2c chopped nuts
1/2c semi sweet chocolate chips

Sift flour once and measure set aside. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add unbeaten egg yolk and vanilla; beat to blend. add flour about 1/2 c at time work into the dough. Next add potato chips and nuts, mix well. break off dough into small pieces and work 2 or 3 chocolate chips into each piece while shaping into a ball the size of a walnut. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 350 degree for about 20 minutes or until lightly browned. make 5 dozen cookies.

I warn you now this cookies are dangerous. Since they are small you lose count how many you eat.

[TheBeadPirate]

Well, Thursday night I had my post all typed out and everything to get caught up with everyone and somehow the DIS ate it. And then I couldn't remember what all I wrote.:lmao: My "old timers" has set in early apparently.

So be assured everyone that there were witticisms abound for everyone but I'll be darned if I can remember any of em!

Welcome home Kathy and Becky and Laura.

Sheryl- the bakery is up on Magazine St. I think it's La Boulangerie or something like that. I have a hard enough time with English nowadays so don't even make me try French!

And we had a no cook weekend here also. Morton's Steakhouse on Saturday night and Dominoes today.

I'm back in NOLA till we head to WDW- Rick heads back to Detroit tomorrow(So I can bring that doggy bag of prime rib from Morton's out of hiding for dinner tomorrow night):rolleyes1

I'll be working on moving but to unwind in the evening I'll be baking. My Grandpa is all upset with this being the first Holiday without my Grandma so I'm making a big box to send to him- bourbon balls, muddy buddies, spiced almonds, and cookies-oatmeal raisin, choco chip, snickerdoodles, sugar with sprinkles, peanut butter. And I thought I'd throw in an orange to cut into that sugar coma!:lmao:

[Nancyg56]

WOW! One day away and pages and pages to catch up on!

Kathy- It is never fair to come home from vacation adn get sick. I hope that today finds you feeling better.


Stephanie- You are going to love Christmas Eve at home.I have done appetizers and I have also made a turkey and stuffing casserole for dinner which was very good, or the lasagnas, veggie and meat. We always did a buffet. For me if it is easy and relaxed it is fun.

Janice- It's time to check with the Dr. If this was common for you that would be one thing, but it is not. Better safe and with medication to help.

Loreli- What does the Dr want to look for? You have been sick for a while now. :hug:

Glynis- The bread bowls sound good! I'm glad that you had a great time at the concert.

Wendie- A new baby! What a wonderful Christmas this is going to be for them and for you as well.

Becky and Laura- Welcome home!

Ugadog and Jonestavern- It's good to "see" you again!

Lindsay- Lovebirds! We generally just listen to the "afterdate" stories until they cool off. My Sis IL is in love and we are tickled for her but we tend to stick to family gatherings. She told me she was going to make time for all of her friends but I told her that there is only one beginning of the romance, enjoy it with each other, we'll all be around later on. Honestly, it is easier all the way around. They are happy, we are happy.

We had a nice weekend. Well buddy had a partially nice weekend. He hated the Nutcracker :lmao:! Dinner Friday night was Olive Garden. I tried the apricot chicken and I was disappointed. The chicken tasted like an already cooked chicken breast that is heated up like at Costco. I usually like the meals there so I think it was a fluke. They made a portion of bread sticks for Kady, which was very nice. Saturday night after the ballet was Friendly's which was Kady's choice. It was okay. Last night we had dinner at the Texas Roadhouse. I had never been and was not disappointed, it was very good! There were 14 of us so I was expecting that we would have service slowdown, but our waitress was phenomenal! The food was good as well. My no-cook weekend was fun. Now back to business.

[LindsayDunn228]

I have an extra pizza crust so tonight I am making chicken parmesan pizza. Yummy :)

WFD at your house?

And now for a semi-update on:

The Romance of the Smitten Kittens

Scott and I spent yesterday hemming and hawing over what to do about our crappy day we had Saturday. Do we say anything? Do we just let it go? Do we just find an excuse not to go on long car rides with them anymore? What do we do? We decided not to do anything and to just sleep on it.

Well, I had to text Robin yesterday afternoon and tell her she left a shopping bag in our car. We ended up texting back and forth for about 30 minutes. She finally texted me back saying what a blast she had and we just had to plan another trip up there to eat at The Spaghetti Factory.

That settled it for Scott and I. They were totally oblivious that we were upset about anything. *sigh* I absolutely HATE feeling like a 5th wheel. Hate it, hate it, hate it!!!!!!!!! And that's exactly what Scott and I felt like. It was all Kevin's idea that we do this, so it wasn't like they didn't want to go with us or anything, know what I mean?

If you want more detail of what exactly happened Saturday I'd be glad to explain. I'd really like some advice from a 3rd party. What do you say guys? Would ya help a fellow WFD friend?? :-)

Here are some pics from The Spaghetti Factory:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y102/LindsayDunn228/2007_1208_140822Ab.jpg


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y102/LindsayDunn228/2007_1208_141322AA.jpg

Oh FYI, I don't have a funky right eyebrow. That's a birthmark in the corner by my nose :)

And there's a mini-update on The Romance of the Smitten Kittens.

[Nancyg56]

What happened Lindsay?

[LindsayDunn228]

What happened Lindsay?

Did you read what I posted yesterday morning? If not, check out my post from this link and come back.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1058064&page=935

Ok, now for some more detail. Get a cup of coffee, this is going to be a long one. :surfweb:

The Complete Tale of the Honked Off Pooh and Kitten




Hee hee :)

Ok here we go. We (me, Scott, and Kevin) leave for Robin's about 9. I am soooooooo excited at this point because a.) it's a trip to Nashville, and b.) looking forward to spending some time w/ the SKs, hopefully using the long drive to "bond," if you will.

While doing some Christmas shopping the other day I came across some Jack Skellington winter gloves. Knowing that this is Robin's favorite movie, I picked her up a pair. I put it in a little gift bag and put it in the car. When she gets in I give it to her saying, "This is just a little something I came across while shopping the other day and thought you might like them. I hope you don't already have them, hee hee!" Her response after opening them, "Oh cool. I lost my gloves and couldn't find them this morning so you did me a favor." Um, ok. You're welcome? I don't give gifts with the expectation of praise and gratitude, but I was a little disappointed her reaction. I mean who doesn't like "just thought of you while shopping" gifts??

Ok, so now we are on the interstate heading for Nashville. Like I said before, it's about a 2 1/2- 3 hour drive, depending on the weather and traffic. During the 1st thirty minutes of the ride I didn't say much because the 3 computer nerds in the car were chatting about work, computers, geeky movies, geeky books, geeky people, etc. No big deal there, that's happens all the time. I just go to my "happy place" and tune them out, hee hee.

The more we drive, the less they talk to us. Now I know for a fact that you can her the front seat loud and clear from the back seat, so not hearing us wasn't an excuse. They just kept quietly talking amongst themselves. Now I'm kind of getting peeved at Scott because I'm holding his hand and giving him the hairy eyeball that something was wrong. At the time, I didn't think he knew what was going on.

So as we go along, Scott and the SKs keep talking, nothing to do with me or anything I can contribute to. All the while I'm praying and thinking, "Why the heck am I here?" We get to Murfreesboro and Scott looks at me and I mumble, "This is what a 5th wheel feels like." They couldn't hear me, they were yakking away in the back. Turns out, Scott knew all along what was going on and that I was upset.

So I though maybe this is all me and I just need to be a little outspoken, if you will, and just start talking about something again. We got on the subject of their Dollywood trip the day before and when was the last time we were there. Scott point out that the last time we were there it was a group trip and he was so mad at one of our friends for suggesting it. Why? everyone was asking. Laughing, Scott tells them that he was planning on proposing that weekend and it would be really suspicious if he tried to talk me out of going.

So I bust out laughing and start telling the story of our proposal and oblivious I was that it was about to happen. It's a hoot of a story. So I begin with, "Oh my gosh!! Scott took me to pick out a ring so I knew the proposal was inevitable. So he calls me and says 'hey let's go look at houses.'" Then Kevin starts talking to Robin about something else in the back seat.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-kay!!!!!!! That was rude! They finished there conversation and I never picked up where I left off, nor was there anything like, "I just totally interrupted you. You were saying?" "Go ahead Lindsay, so you were going to look at houses?" You know what I mean? In his own little world. (By the way, I HATE it when people interrupt you like this. I don't care who it is)

So here I am, tired, frustrated, and wishing I had not agreed to come on this trip. We get to the Spaghetti Factory. Scott goes to pay for the parking and it's just the 3 of us. Robin compliments me on the top I was wearing. I thank her, no biggie. So we go to the restaurant and it's not open yet so we just start walking down the street to look at shops. Most of them we stop at all have a stair or 2 to get into them.

Just what I DIDN'T need. You guys, I am totally cool with my disability. But this was not a good time for this to happen. I really feel like a drain on a group when situations like these arise. I sent them all in and just waited outside. Scott and Kevin could have easily gotten me up 1-2 steps, but none of the stores were worth the trouble to me.

So we get back to the restaurant and wait outside for it to open. We were sitting on a bench. It was me in my chair, then Scott, Robin and Kevin. Scott gets up and sits on the other side of Kevin and starts talking to him about something and Robin and I begin chatting. Ok, I'm thinking. Now this is more of what I was hoping for. All of us yakking without any of us feeling left out.

We get seated. Dinner was awesome. We laugh and had an awesome time. I'm thinking, "Ok, maybe it was just the drive up and things will get better now." We head over to Opry Mills and notice the line to the ice show was a mile long so we decided to just go shopping and check the line later. We girls split from the guys since they just go get coffee at Barnes and Noble and we gals enjoy the shopped. We had such a blast!! I'm feeling much better at this point and am really enjoying the day.

We meet up later with one of our friends who lives in Nashville that Scott and Kevin grew up with (I think I have mentioned her before. She was a groomswoman in our wedding, hee hee!). We walk back over to the ice show. Seeing the line was still a mile long we decided to just go over to the Opryland Hotel and look at all their Christmas lights and such. It's not a very good place to just hang out. It's loud and crowded, which I expected. We stopped at a quiet spot and started talking about what we wanted to do next. Amanda said, "Come on, Lindsay. We need to gossip," an proceeds to just push me away with her. Laughing my head off I said, "So whatcha wanna gossip about?" She stops, looks me dead in the eye and says, "So what's wrong?"

So relieved that someone could tell I was upset about something, I fill her in on what was going on. She totally knew that's what was going on. They girl is perceptive, I tell ya. After venting to her I felt a lot better. So blah blah blah, we spend some more time with her and then head for home. It's 9 at this point I am pooped.

My husband is exhausted and says, "Let's do a 'name that movie' quote to keep me awake." So from Nashville to Monteagle Mountain (about an hour or so) we are cutting up doing that. I jokingly and laughingly said, "The ride home is a lot more fun when the backseat will talk to you!" I actually said it to Scott, Kevin said what? And I repeated it. Giggling followed.

So we stop on the mountain to fill up the car. That's when it all went downhill from there. Back to the way it was on the ride up. And Scott was even saying, "You guys are going to have to talk to me to keep me awake. Come on now!!!" Nothing.

So we drop Robin off and head for home. All I'm wanting to do is cry at this point. Halfway there, Kevin says, "Well I hope you guys had a really good time," something he never says. Had it not been close to midnight, I might have responded with, "It would have been a lot more fun if we hadn't felt so isolated up here." But I didn't. I just said we did. All I'm wanting to do is get home, shed a few tears of frustration and hurt, and just go to bed.

So yesterday Scott and talk about the situation. I cannot, absolutely cannot spend another 6-hour round trip with those two like this. I can't do it. I really felt like we were just a way of getting to Nashville. But like I said in my above post, they both have told us they had such a good time and wanted to go back. I truly cannot understand how 2 people can be so head over heels that they can't tell when one of their friends/brother/sister-in-law is upset about something. I never treated my friends this way when Scott and I were first dating. Never!! I always made sure my friends were comfortable and having a good time.

I toyed with the idea of just forgetting Saturday ever happened and go back on a trip with them. If it starts to look like this is happening all over again, laughingly say something like, "I know it may be hard to hear back there, but it's starting to feel like an us verses them conversation in here, ha ha ha! Come on, talk to us!" or something.

I really need some opinions from people who aren't directly involved in this. Reading this post I know I sound really selfish and self-absorbed. I totally am not and hope you guys don't think I am. But being a 5th wheel totally sucks and I don't want to go through this again. BUT I do want them to somehow know what's going on and to be aware.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

If you made it through this LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG post, I thank you :hug:

[Nancyg56]

I'll try to explain what I think.
First, there is nothing like being trapped in a closed space when things are not cozy to make you crazy, is there? Lindsay, I think that a few things happened here that made what would have been a nice day become uncomfortable. I think that is what you were, not selfish or self absorbed, just uncomfortable.

There are several relationships that are evolving here and they are all changing at once. The SK's know where their relationship is....they are so enchanted with each other and so much involved it the relationship a bus could run them over and they would just be happy if they got squished together. Thats one.

Now there is your relationship with them as friends. That is changing as well. You are all still friends, but now you are two couples who are friends, not four friends hanging out together. Only thing is your relationship with Scott is already established and you are ready to include others into it. The SK's are two friends who are now a couple and are still trying to figure out how to include others into their fold, sort of. They are not even established as a couple so they are still falling all over each other. Awkward for anyone who has to deal with it and downright annoying at times.

It would not be so bad but add Scott, who shares an interest with two of them. And then the shopping on top of it all! One or two incidents you would not really notice, but by then you were truly isolated, and after that any slights just added up. I'm not going t tell you to let it go, but I'll share my "first years" story.

My Buddy knows everybody. I am not exaggerating, I don't care where we go when we go or how far away we are, he runs into someone he knows. I am more insular, and have always been. Not a big social life and at that time my interests were more around my family. We were fine when our dates were "controlled" and I knew where I stood, but there were some times when we would be around his friends and even though I knew them and was comfortable with them, conversations turned to subjects I was not originally part of so I was left out. One was a road trip to an air museum in New York. Lindsay, it was the longest day of my life. I had been looking forward to it but by the end of that day I was never going to go anywhere with him again. Like your day, parts were so much fun, but there were times when I was just not included. They all were either dating, related, dating a friend of a relative....and all of the men were firefighters, their partners the auxiliary and then me. I was a misery by the end of the day because there was no escape.....like you. Stuck in a car and no way out.

The difference here was that Scott knew you were upset and Robin knew. Buddy did not nor did the rest of the group....Lindsay we were about 10 people. I was really an odd duck. You were able to talk to them about it. I was not, so I simmered for a long time.

I think that if you try to remember that the dynamics of this entire relationship is changing and anytime change occurs their is upset you will be able to be less hurt. They are going to have to find their way to behaving more outside the relationship when they are with others, and you will have to find a way to distance yourself from their private time, which incidentally should not have happened in a car with their BIL and SIL, JMO.

I would avoid long road trips for a while. They might have good intentions but unless it is boys in front and girls in back, you are fighting a losing battle until the blush wears off a bit. I would suggest movies, dinner and time at your house, they can snuggle up and you and Scott won't notice if they forget you are there because it won't be as obvious. You cannot do that in a car. The silence becomes deafening.

So, I agree that you got blindsided, they did not even realize that it was not a fun trip for you and they are going to want to do it a gain. You probably will feel the same if you do. They are still too new to change, and you are a sensitive person, it will hurt you even if you decide that it will not. I hope that I explained what I am thinking, it's hard in writing. :hug:

[FormrCastMbr]

Hey All!

I'm am busy packing Ebay stuff that we sold and trying to get the house in order after the weekend. It seems that when the boys are home, my house is turned upside down.

Good news, we have a plumber here today to move pipes and drains for the bathroom!!! :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: We also had a GC come and look at the work we want for the family room. That work should get started in Jan. Tom will be doing the tile work in the bathroom and the fireplace.

I am making sausage, peppers and onions on rolls and a salad. I am making myself brats. I par boil them in beer and onions, then grill and I'll have them with the peppers and onions too.

Have a great day. I'll check back later to read what I missed. I hope all is well.

[OKWMom]

Good morning everyone! Sorry I haven't posted but I have been BUSY taking care of sick kiddos. They all seem fine now and I am thankfully back at work so I hope things will be back to normal.

Friday I made a pasta fazool for dinner and because they were sick, only Kenny and I ate it. Thankfully we had leftovers Saturday and last night because the only other thing I managed to get done was bake one batch of cookies, wrap some presents, and do the laundry. Everything else on the agenda was out the window.

Tonight after work I'm running by my sister's house to drop off BIL's bday present. Then I hope to get to the gym before running home to start dinner - some type of pork chops I just haven't decided yet. I think I have the ingredients to make Lauren's new recipe, but I'm not sure.

Have a great day everyone!

Gretchen

[FormrCastMbr]

Gretchen, If you are running around, the other recipe may be easier. The new recipe is easy but you have to be at the stove a little more. Glad the kids are better.

Janice, thanks for the recipe! I am going to try them...you know me a baking!

[FormrCastMbr]

Nancy, glad your weekend was fun! We went to Texas Roadhouse for the first time a few weeks ago and we LOVED it!!! The steak was great!

[TigerKat]

Good morning guys. Still sick, fever's back, got a Dr. appt for tomorrow morning.:sad2: Everyone's fending for themselves for dinner, I haven't been able to eat much since Friday.

[Glynis]

I have an extra pizza crust so tonight I am making chicken parmesan pizza. Yummy :)

WFD at your house?

And now for a semi-update on:

The Romance of the Smitten Kittens

Scott and I spent yesterday hemming and hawing over what to do about our crappy day we had Saturday. Do we say anything? Do we just let it go? Do we just find an excuse not to go on long car rides with them anymore? What do we do? We decided not to do anything and to just sleep on it.

Well, I had to text Robin yesterday afternoon and tell her she left a shopping bag in our car. We ended up texting back and forth for about 30 minutes. She finally texted me back saying what a blast she had and we just had to plan another trip up there to eat at The Spaghetti Factory.

That settled it for Scott and I. They were totally oblivious that we were upset about anything. *sigh* I absolutely HATE feeling like a 5th wheel. Hate it, hate it, hate it!!!!!!!!! And that's exactly what Scott and I felt like. It was all Kevin's idea that we do this, so it wasn't like they didn't want to go with us or anything, know what I mean?

If you want more detail of what exactly happened Saturday I'd be glad to explain. I'd really like some advice from a 3rd party. What do you say guys? Would ya help a fellow WFD friend?? :-)

Here are some pics from The Spaghetti Factory:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y102/LindsayDunn228/2007_1208_140822Ab.jpg


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y102/LindsayDunn228/2007_1208_141322AA.jpg

Oh FYI, I don't have a funky right eyebrow. That's a birthmark in the corner by my nose :)

And there's a mini-update on The Romance of the Smitten Kittens.



I'd be happy to listen and offer advice, if I have any.

I love the pictures of you and your hubby! You guys are so cute together and you always look so in love! What a wonderful thing! You guys make me smile!

[Glynis]

Lindsay - First of all my heart goes out to you! It sounds like a really crappy way to spend a day that you had looked forward to.

I think that Nancy really gave you some good advice. Limit the amount of time that you spend with them, for a while. I wouldn't make too big a deal of it to them, as they are so oblivious to anything right now. Let things kind of smooth out for a while, and then take it one activity at a time.

I think you are so fortunate to have such an understanding husband. I think that my Alan would be more like Buddy. I know he loves me, but things like this are a bit out of his area of expertise!

:hug: to you! I'm glad you feel like you can come here to vent!

[Aimeedyan]

Just a quick check in -

We're having chicken and sausage gumbo in the crockpot. A new recipe, and it took 20 min of prep this morning (making me REALLY late to work) so it'd better be good. I much prefer crockpot meals that you just toss in and go.

[TigerKat]

Just a quick check in -

We're having chicken and sausage gumbo in the crockpot. A new recipe, and it took 20 min of prep this morning (making me REALLY late to work) so it'd better be good. I much prefer crockpot meals that you just toss in and go.

If it's good would you share the recipe?:goodvibes

[shovan]

Morning Y'all,

I'm ALIVE!!! Yes I'm feeling better! Finally.

( I don't know if I told y'all, I went to the Urgent Care center on Friday & got some antibiotics & prednisone.)

I'm still coughing & my throat hurts a bit, but overall feeling a whole lot better. We didn't go out of the house all weekend, took it easy, so that probably helped. I actually cooked something last night! I had taken pork chops out of the freezer to thaw on Friday but felt too bad to fix them. So I cooked them in a tomato cream sauce & served them with spaghetti.

Lindsay, Sorry you're outing went so badly.:hug: I agree with Nancy & Glynis, just don't go on anymore long trips with them for a while. I wouldn't say anything to either of them, that would probably just cause hard feelings & make the relationships more difficult. Just wait it out, they'll get back to normal in a few months.

Kathy, So sorry you're feeling so bad now!:hug:

Janice, Have they done a chest x-ray on you already? I'm wondering why the dr suggested a cat-scan, unless he already did a chest x-ray & didn't find anything. I know this thing I had turned into a sinus infection too, but the cough & chest congestion were really bad & hard to get over. Maybe you just have a really bad virus/flu with a sinus infection & it will takes some time to get over it. But call your doctor back & let them know you're not doing any better! :hug: Hugs for you, I hope you start getting better soon.

Laura & Becky, Welcome Home!!!! I want to hear all about your trip! :goodvibes

Lauren, Glad to hear you have a plumber!!!:banana: I know it feels good to see something happening on the house!

Lori, Thanks for letting me know about Boulangerie. My hair stylist is right near there, but I've never gone in, I will definitely head over there next time I'm in that nieghborhood!

I just listened to a message on my answering machine from my doctor's office! They must have called when I was putting the laundry to wash. No explanation, apology or even asking me to call them back. All she (receptionist not the dr.) said was they were going to call in another antibiotic for me!!!! I could have croaked waiting on them! ARGHH, they make me so mad! :mad:

And Alexis's mommy just called, she didn't take Alexis to school, she's home with her Daddy. She was complaining of stomach pain for a couple of hours during the night and they were ready to take her to the ER. But then she vomited & seemed to feel better. She seems to be doing better this morning.

I won't be doing any cooking today, have leftovers from last night & Bob might be going out to a work dinner.

Y'all have a good day!

p.s. I've done hardly any Christmas shopping but Bob & I know what we are getting for us! He ordered a new Sony 52" tv last night from HSN! :cool1:

[TigerKat]

I just posted pics of our Blue Zoo meal on the NOLA thread, didn't want y'all to miss out!!!!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=22112245#post22112245

[FormrCastMbr]

Sheryl, I cannot believe that doctor!!! :scared1: :scared1: I would rip them like there's no tomorrow. I am glad that you were able to get some meds prior to them calling you back...:confused3 I hope you and ALexis are feeling better this afternoon. Yeah for the TV!!!

Kathy...OMG! When are we going to Blue Zoo??? ;) :) That food looks AMAZING!!! Thanks for sharing...BTW, you forgot the pics of Joey and Drew...;) :goodvibes

[shovan]

Sheryl, I cannot believe that doctor!!! :scared1: :scared1: I would rip them like there's no tomorrow. I am glad that you were able to get some meds prior to them calling you back...:confused3 I hope you and ALexis are feeling better this afternoon. Yeah for the TV!!!

Kathy...OMG! When are we going to Blue Zoo??? ;) :) That food looks AMAZING!!! Thanks for sharing...BTW, you forgot the pics of Joey and Drew...;) :goodvibes


Lauren, Doesn't that look delish! :goodvibes

Yeah the dr really ticks me off!

And now I'm in a really foul mood. This morning I was really hoping & praying I wouldn't have to go to DH's business dinner. I'm still not feeling great & really didn't feel up to entertaining a couple of foreigners who are hard to talk to.
BUT the business dinner tonight is at one of our city's best restaurants!!! And I'm not included! Usually when one of the company's big clients come to town, he's the designated guy for taking them out to dinner & none of the other engineers in the office ever want to go. So Bob & I will take them out. Well for some reason the owner & another guy in the office has decided to go. And the owner decided on going to Bayona (chef Susan Spicer)!!! I mean WTH!! They usually take guys out for boiled seafood not our top restaurants! I know I'm a petty jealous wife! :sad1:

[TigerKat]

BTW, you forgot the pics of Joey and Drew...;) :goodvibes

I'm still patiently waiting for Miss Abigail to get them to me!:rolleyes1

[nucpharm29]

Hello all! No cooking from me this weekend--so nothing to post. I'm falling further and further behind for Christmas this year. I have nothing wrapped, nothing shipped--aaahhh!!! My Christmas cards haven't even come in yet--oh BTW--Lori, thanks for the lovely card! DH and I are training for the Disney marathon which is in early January. So with that and just life in general, I can't seem to keep my head above water. Tonight I'm FINALLY going to make the chicken enchiladas I posted about a week ago that I was going to make. And the only reason I'm cooking them tonight, is that's the only option!

Kathy--that food looks AWESOME!!!! Unforunately, I'll have to put that restaurant on the back burner for the time being. With the kidlets in tow, it would be a disaster in the making! We're more of the Chef Mickey's set right now!:rotfl: :rolleyes: We're taking them to Spoodles and Rose and Crown this next trip and I'm sure they'll both eat french fries. Why didn't my "foodie" gene get passed down to them?;)

[TigerKat]

Kathy--that food looks AWESOME!!!! Unforunately, I'll have to put that restaurant on the back burner for the time being. With the kidlets in tow, it would be a disaster in the making! We're more of the Chef Mickey's set right now!:rotfl: :rolleyes: We're taking them to Spoodles and Rose and Crown this next trip and I'm sure they'll both eat french fries. Why didn't my "foodie" gene get passed down to them?;)

Ahhhh, my new favorite mussel place...they're in a saffron cream sauce spiced with chorizo. They were wonderful!!!!

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i300/TigerKat_2006/WDW2007161.jpg

[TheBeadPirate]

--oh BTW--Lori, thanks for the lovely card! DH and I are training for the Disney marathon which is in early January

Gosh, it got there awfully fast! I wanted to say that you and I are probably the ones out of all of us that have been there "together" the most by accident- and have never met.... I'll bet we passed by each other about a 100 times and never knew it!:lmao: But I figured I should stick to the traditional Holiday stuff.:santa:

Wendie- Thanks for the card. I picked it up in my mail today. I told Rick about it but he said I could keep it for him for awile. He's getting better a teensy bit every day- but it's slow going. Tell Ross thanks for the note! It made me feel extra extra special and made me smile.

Tonight is moving some boxes (Sheryl have Bob drop you off at my place on his way to Bayona- I'm only a couple blocks away!) and pulling out the left over Prime Rib from Morton's with some frozen veggies and left over Black Forest Birthday cake!:woohoo: :woohoo:

Sometimes it's good to be the Queen!:rotfl2:

[HERSEY]

Hello peeps!

Sheryl glad you finally are on the mend. I would definitely be looking for a different dr. You should let the doctor know that his office staff stinks at getting him his messages. He probably doesn't even know.

Lori Thanks for the card I'm still working on mine. Perhaps you will get it after Christmas. ;)

Tonight we are having pulled pork ala costco. We are expecting another ice storm. What the heck! :confused3 I can't remember a winter with so much ice in I don't know when.:mad: Alex may not have school tomorrow if it going to be as bad as they say. Also his teachers maybe going on strike this week too.

Kathy Regarding your food all I can say is WOW:eek: I may have to go rob a bank or two.

[LindsayDunn228]

Thanks you guys for all of your advice. I'm feeling a little better today. Robin is off tomorrow and the two of us are going to watch eye candy movies all day. Here's my question: suppose she says something like, "That was so much fun. We defintely need to do that again soon. When do you guys want to go back?"

Having decided to avoid the car rides with them for awhile, I figure these are my options:

"Oh, I don't know. We'll have to get with the guys and decide." A bit evasive. Not rude but not committing to anything specific.

"Anytime you want to go." Suck it up and just deal with the SKs attitude once again.

"Do you really want us around so much when you two guys are just getting to know each other?" Sounds a little fake concerned.

"Hmm, I don't know." I can't even think about using that one. Seems like I am really not interested.

She may not even bring it up tomorrow. I will just have to wait and see. Any advice? Also, what do I say in the event she asks, "I was just curious. Was something wrong on Saturday?"

Do I lie?? How do you answer that one?

[TigerKat]

Lori Thanks for the card I'm still working on mine. Perhaps you will get it after Christmas. ;)

Tonight we are having pulled pork ala costco. We are expecting another ice storm. What the heck! :confused3 I can't remember a winter with so much ice in I don't know when.:mad: Alex may not have school tomorrow if it going to be as bad as they say. Also his teachers maybe going on strike this week too.

Kathy Regarding your food all I can say is WOW:eek: I may have to go rob a bank or two.

I was hoping to start my cards today, but I'm feeling worse as the evening wears on.:sick:

Regarding your ice storms, they scare me but we're breaking records with the heat down here, it just doesn't feel like the holidays at all.:sad2: Stay safe my friend.:hug:

This was a once in a lifetime "food trip" that I saved for for a long time. Can you believe the night we were at Chefs, Abi said "I miss Taco Bell". I almost choked her.:eek:


Lori - Thanks for the card my friend, you probably won't get mine before you leave, just know that my intentions were good.:goodvibes

[HERSEY]

Lindsay Robin may not bring up the subject. If she does say something non commital like" we are still a lttle tired from that car ride. I remember when we were dating, we wished we had more alone time. It is ok with us if you two want more time together."

I am so not a person who is good at expressing myself. I was in that same position many times my ex is a police officer and we would go out with his friends from work. Needless to say there was much time spent in my "happy place". :hug: I hope things get better and more comfortable for all of you.

[Aimeedyan]

If it's good would you share the recipe?:goodvibes

It was tasty! Here is the recipe, taken from Beter Homes and Garden Cookbook

1/3 C all purpose flour
1/3 C cooking oil
3 C water
12 ounces cooked smoked sausage links, quartered and sliced lengthwise
1.5 C chopped cooked chicken or 12 ounces BLSL chicken breasts or thighs cut into 3/4 inch pieces
2 C sliced okra or one 10 ounce pkg frozen sliced okra
1 C chopped onion (1 large)
1/2 C chopped green sweet pepper
1/2 C chopped celery (1 stalk)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
3 C hot cooked rice

1. For roux, in a medium heavy saucepan stir together flour and oil until smooth. Cook over medium high heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium. Cook and stir constantly about 15 minutes or until a dark reddish-brown color is reached. Cool.

2. Place water in 3.5 or 4 quart crockpot. Stir in roux. Add sausage, chicken, okra, onion, sweet pepper, celery, garlic, salt, black and red pepper.

3. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-3.5 hours. Skim off fat, serve over hot cooked rice.

[shovan]

Stephanie, Don't feel bad, I really haven't even started shopping. I had bought Bob one thing & a couple of little things for Alexis and that's it! Nothing else! I haven't even looked at a single Christmas decoration yet! Being sick pushed my normal procrastination off the charts!

Kathy, Those mussels look delicious!

Lori, You're lucky I didn't see your invite before Bob left! I would have had to come over & eaten your prime rib!

[shovan]

Hello peeps!

Sheryl glad you finally are on the mend. I would definitely be looking for a different dr. You should let the doctor know that his office staff stinks at getting him his messages. He probably doesn't even know.



I'm working on a letter to the dr! I write it and then I have to rewrite it & make it not sound quite so ugly.;)

[Nancyg56]

Morning Y'all,

I'm ALIVE!!! Yes I'm feeling better! Finally.



:cool1: I am so glad you are feeling better....no thanks to your Dr!

We are saving for a big screen TV, but we cannot decide what we want. Buddy wants one as big as he can find, I want one I can see the fireplace at the same time. So far we don't agree so we have the little one :confused3

I just posted pics of our Blue Zoo meal on the NOLA thread, didn't want y'all to miss out!!!!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=22112245#post22112245

Kathy- that food looks amazing! Strangle the Taco Belle Gal!


I'm falling further and further behind for Christmas this year. I have nothing wrapped, nothing shipped--aaahhh!!! My Christmas cards haven't even come in yet--

You and I are in the same boat! The few gifts I bought I farmed out to poor Erica to wrap. She is the family wrapper, thank goodness!

We are expecting another ice storm. What the heck! :confused3 I can't remember a winter with so much ice in I don't know when.:mad: Alex may not have school tomorrow if it going to be as bad as they say.

I feel your pain. We dodged this one but the we are supposed to get two more this week, I think we get the storms after you. It has been a long time since we had ice like this, and it is scary.

I was hoping to start my cards today, but I'm feeling worse as the evening wears on.:sick:


Forget the cards and rest. Whatever is going around is nasty so try not to overdo. Everything will be there in a day or two.

Lindsay Robin may not bring up the subject. If she does say something non commital like" we are still a lttle tired from that car ride. I remember when we were dating, we wished we had more alone time. It is ok with us if you two want more time together."



That's good advice.

Lori- I got your card today :goodvibes. You are one gal ahead of the game!

We were supposed to get a storm last night so I made our storm dinner....American Chop Suey. WE have had this for snow storms ever since the kids were little. Well the weather was not too bad but I made it anyway. I told Buddy i needed to think of something that will hold in case we get that bad ice storm Thursday, and he said he wants me to make the goulash again :lmao:. This crowd is such creatures of habit :lmao:

Stay safe all you in the storm path!

[OKWMom]

This was a once in a lifetime "food trip" that I saved for for a long time. Can you believe the night we were at Chefs, Abi said "I miss Taco Bell". I almost choked her.:eek:


That's so wrong on so many levels. :sad2: So sorry Kathy.

Tonight ended up being take out. I had too much to do to cook tonight. I ran the gift for BIL by my sister's house, ran to the store, didn't make it to the gym, and finished the Christmas mailing to all of you. Maybe tomorrow night I'll make the chops.

[LindsayDunn228]

Robin is off today and is coming over here. We are watching eye candy movies all day: The Rock (Nicholas Cage, Ed Harris, and the all sexy Sean Connery!!), Mobsters (She wants me to see it since I like McDreamy, hee hee!), Original Sin (Antonio Banderas and one HOT sex scene, a-woo-hoo!!), and a few others. We won't get them all watched, be we have a collection to chose from.

Anyway, I am making Rachael Ray's ravioli lasagna for us today :)

WFD at your house?

[Nancyg56]

I have a few errands today, my sister was able to get a sick visit for my Aunt so that is the first and then to the grocery for some kind of protein for dinner. I think it will end up to be chicken. Then a stop to find some adapter to fit multiple cords into a generator and then laundry. Laundry seems to be the last priority lately :rotfl2:. Anyway dinner will be whatever looks good at the store.

[HERSEY]

Well morning everyone! I would say "good" morning but I would be lying. The storm has arrived. School is cancelled so one person should be happy in this house. Good thing I went to the store last night.

I will take it slow and steady the salt trucks have been around. If you have a spare prayer say one or two for the people who have to been in this stuff all day , Firemen and Police. pixiedust: pixiedust:

I'll be fine, I say as far away from stupid people as I can.

Sheryl, Kathy and Loreli I hope you all are feeling better with each day.

Lindsay Good luck today and have fun. The movie I like with Antonio is the one where he is the dance instructor for troubled kids I forget the name.

Ok off to get ready for the frozen tundra :woohoo:

[Nancyg56]

Well morning everyone! I would say "good" morning but I would be lying. The storm has arrived. School is cancelled so one person should be happy in this house. Good thing I went to the store last night.

I will take it slow and steady the salt trucks have been around. If you have a spare prayer say one or two for the people who have to been in this stuff all day , Firemen and Police. pixiedust: pixiedust:



Prayers said. Please be careful, ice is treacherous!

[THE HAT]

Morning all--I missed yesterday....I will try to catch up later this afternoon...those who are still under the weather I do hope this passes quickly for you all!! No fun being sick during the holidays!

It is 2* here right now and we have freezing rain and snow in the forecast for the evening commute...I already told Ross he might not get to karate because I will not drive in it if I don't have to. During the daylight hours it is one thing, but once the sun sets it is even tougher to do!

I have a Dr appt at 8:30 and a hair appt for 10am...that pretty much takes care of my day.
Supper tonight will be Shepards Pie...Kris' fav and so perfect for a day like this...(plus it uses up my potatos in the cupboard)

Last night we went out to Ruby Tuesday's with the inlaws.

[FormrCastMbr]

Janice, prayers said for all that have to be out in that horrible weather. I also wish you not to have to deal with stupid people.:hug:

Lindsay, Have fun. I wouldn't really make too big of a deal about Sat. They are in young love...remember those days? In the future, you can say something like...you guys were so smitten :);) with one another, it was like we weren't even around...

I have been on an eating frenzy since we have been back from WDW so I need to get back on track as best I can during Xmas, so we are having grilled chicken and salad...I may do a piece of fish for me.

Have a great day all!

[HERSEY]

I made it in to work. It wasn't too bad just walking to and from the car. No valet here. ;) Talk to you all later.

Wendie Be careful tonight

[shovan]

Morning Y'all,

Prayers for all of you running around on snow & icy streets!:flower3:

I haven't decided WFD yet. I'll have to go dig in the freezer & see what interests me.

My girl made to school this morning, her tummy is better, but she sounds all stuffy again. My throat is still hurting & I'm really tired. DH didn't come in til almost midnight & Alexis was awake at 5:30 this morning. In fact, I think I'm gonna go lay down & see if I can catch a few more zzz's.

Lindsay, Have a fun chick flick day!

I hope Kathy's dr. takes good care of her & gives her some meds to get her well fast! :wizard:

Loreli, How are you feeling?:flower3:

Lauren, Please let's not talk about diets!!!! ;)

Have a good day friends!

[TheBeadPirate]

Hello peeps!
Lori Thanks for the card I'm still working on mine. Perhaps you will get it after Christmas. ;)

Also his teachers maybe going on strike this week too.

Well gals, I gotta tell you I cheated on the cards. I bought them in Detroit and worked on them while I was waiting to transcribe Rick's work cards.:lmao: So I got paid to fill them out too! And all of Rick's customers are gonna think he has girly handwriting.:rotfl2:

Oh, and A-man....don't get excited if they end up on strike- you'll prolly have to make all those days up at the end of the year or over Spring Break.

Here's my question: suppose she says something like, "That was so much fun. We defintely need to do that again soon. When do you guys want to go back?"


She may not even bring it up tomorrow. I will just have to wait and see. Any advice? Also, what do I say in the event she asks, "I was just curious. Was something wrong on Saturday?"

Do I lie?? How do you answer that one? I finally gotta chime in now. Please don't lie. Just be honest. "well, I kinda felt left out on Saturday since I'm not into the same geek stuff as the three of you are and as much as I like you I'm not really into cuddling in the car with you either." That may get the basic point across if she says anything.

And as far as when you want to do it again... "Maybe after things settle down from the Holidays. It's just so hectic this time of the year." Gives them time to get used to each other(and that "new car smell" to wear off) and time for you (and Scott) to re-evaluate if you want to try again.

I read your's and Nancy's stories and felt for ya. When Paul and I started dating(we worked together before) we went out with another newly formed couple. When they got in the car and he sat down next to her and said "gee your hair smells good." I lost it. Completely lost it and started into hysterical laughter. Couldn't help it- sounded like a shampoo commercial. I turned around in the seat once I regained my composure and told them since we knew both of them from before them dating I would be glad to tell them when they were being stupid- and if I heard one more thing that sounded like it should be in a commercial they'd be walking.:rotfl2:

Lori, You're lucky I didn't see your invite before Bob left! I would have had to come over & eaten your prime rib!
I hope he brought you left overs at least. Tonight is leftover Morton's ribeye and sweet potatoes and the last piece of birthday cake.:eek:

I may have to celebrate again just for more cake (and I'm not really a sweets kinda person):rolleyes1

[Aimeedyan]

We're having manicotti tonight - it's a new recipe from an old Kraft magazine I found on my shelf. Sounds yummy!

[nucpharm29]

Hello all. Tonight is gonna be some Zatarains Jambalaya and skillet cornbread (if I remember this time :rolleyes: ) I did manage to get the "out of town" gifts wrapped and boxed for shipping last night. Now, I just have to brave the post office--which I'm sure I'll postpone for at least another day or so. Hoping my xmas cards arrive today so I can get started on them as well. I just got back from the grocery store with loads of baking supplies, but not much in the way of "real food". DH is gonna die when he sees the bill and still has to get takeout this week, cuz I didn't buy anything to eat!:rotfl:

Kathy--Um, Taco Bell????:sad2: Poor, poor child--give her a little knock on the head from me!

Hope those dealing with the icy mess are doing okay. It was almost 7 years ago to the day that we had our first of 2 major ice storms here (the 2nd coming the week before my wedding :scared1: ) and I know what havoc the ice brings!

[shovan]

I finally gotta chime in now. Please don't lie. Just be honest. "well, I kinda felt left out on Saturday since I'm not into the same geek stuff as the three of you are and as much as I like you I'm not really into cuddling in the car with you either." That may get the basic point across if she says anything.

And as far as when you want to do it again... "Maybe after things settle down from the Holidays. It's just so hectic this time of the year." Gives them time to get used to each other(and that "new car smell" to wear off) and time for you (and Scott) to re-evaluate if you want to try again.

I read your's and Nancy's stories and felt for ya. When Paul and I started dating(we worked together before) we went out with another newly formed couple. When they got in the car and he sat down next to her and said "gee your hair smells good." I lost it. Completely lost it and started into hysterical laughter. Couldn't help it- sounded like a shampoo commercial. I turned around in the seat once I regained my composure and told them since we knew both of them from before them dating I would be glad to tell them when they were being stupid- and if I heard one more thing that sounded like it should be in a commercial they'd be walking.:rotfl2:


I hope he brought you left overs at least. Tonight is leftover Morton's ribeye and sweet potatoes and the last piece of birthday cake.:eek:

I may have to celebrate again just for more cake (and I'm not really a sweets kinda person):rolleyes1

Lindsay, Leave it up to Lori to find a great & humorous way to handle things!!!

Lori, The man didn't bring home a morsel for his poor wife who sat at home waiting for him!!! :confused:

[TheBeadPirate]

Lindsay, Leave it up to Lori to find a great & humorous way to handle things!!!

Lori, The man didn't bring home a morsel for his poor wife who sat at home waiting for him!!! :confused:

Shame on him! He could have at least stopped off and brought you a sundae or something from the drive thru! (I'm so easily pleased obviously!):lmao:

Tell him he better be good, Santa hasn't brought him that Aquos yet!:rotfl2:

[OKWMom]

Hi everyone.

Sheryl - Glad to see you posting with more frequency. I hope this means you are finally well or really close to it. I can't believe Bob didn't return with ANYTHING for you. If that were Kenny, it would cost him. ;)

Prayers for all friends affected by the ice storms. Please be careful. It terrifies me to think of driving in snow, I cannot imagine driving in ice. It is hard for me to imagine your temps right now. I just got out of my car and had to run the A/C. It is warmer than normal, but for goodness sakes, I'm sweating in December. :sad2: But then again, it could just be my hormones. :rolleyes1

Tonight I'm finally going to make the chops. Still haven't decided how yet. I also want to preview a new recipe for scalloped potatoes so I can decide which recipe to make for Christmas.

Have a great day everyone!

Gretchen

[zipuzee]

Hi all -
I might actually be able to start posting WFD again, now that there's someone home beside me! DD returned from college for the holiday break so I'll actually do meals instead of just digging thru the pantry or fridge. Tonight we are having stuffed pork chops, corn on the cob and salad.

I hope everyone dealing with ice and snow has save travels and stays warm. Like Kathy said earlier, we are dealing with record heat. Its been hot and the humidity is at 100% which makes lots of wet and fog!

Also hope that everyone that's not feeling well gets better soon:sick: :hug:

Lindsay - I've enjoyed the SMK stories. This may come too late since you are spending today with Robin, but if she asks, I'd say let her know that you really felt left out. I think you could do it diplomatically by saying that you know they are enjoying new romance, but you felt hurt by being ignored. I would say that traveling with them would be better in a few months when the newness of their relationship wears a bit.

[THE HAT]

Goood afternoon my friends...a quick check in....no word yet on how Kathy is feeling...hmmmm, I hope this means she is resting!!

I just realized we leave in 4 days.....Holy Moly...I am pretty much packed, but there is still a ton of things to get done. I have to go through the shoes I packed and make sure I am happy with all choices, I need to Iron all the long sleeve/pants we are taking, ( I have put this off as we have been wearing them) and I do need to do socks/underwear packing as well.
This is such a busy week as well..(though I did tell them at school that I would see them after the 1st, so that is one less thing to deal with).Today I had 2 appts, tomorrow I have 1 (unless it is still Icy then I will cancel) Thursday I have to run to the store for last min things for what we are taking in the truck down with us, I also have to go to the bakery to pick up some goodies for Friday night(my wrist can't handle mixing to bake right now AND I don't have the time). Friday I have a nail appt, and then my gram is coming here for the afternoon, before we go to my inlaws to exchange gifts and visit. Sat, the dog will go to the boarders amd Ross will go to karate, while Kris and I pack up the truck, they will get haircuts and then we have a christmas party we have to stop in at for a bit on Sat from 1-2 before we hit the road...I know it will all come together and work out but at this moment it sure doesn't feel like it!

Lori--I hope that the card didn't upset you, not my intention at all. Ross loves you dearly, and is a very sensitive kid, (which takes people by surprise as he is so big, and such a jock) he was in tears for you all, and when he saw the card he just went right over and signed it and then walked away. Not a word to me, lol.
I put your numbers into my cell, so that is all set! I am really looking forward to getting together!

Sheryl--I am happy to hear that Alexis is feeling a bit better with her tummy!

Janice--glad to know you made it in to work ok..let us know when you get home!

Lindsey--let us know how it went today with Robin...I didn't get a chance to post in time, but my suggestion was along the lines of Lori's...if asked if anything was wrong just say, it wasn't what you thought it would be, but that it has been awhile since you were in the "new" love stage, and that it was just an awkward left out feeling you had.
On making plans again, well hey you have the holidays to blame and just say "let's look into it after the first of the year" Take it as it comes, be honest without, being brunt.
I am sure you two had a fun day watching your films!!

Ok the bus is on the way with Ross..where the heck did the day go?!!? I must get something done!!

[TigerKat]

Hi y'all,

I'm back from the Dr. with a trio of meds already pumped into me. I've got a nasty case of the crud that's going around. Looks like I'll be taking it easy for the next few days.

I'm so sad:sad1: , I went searching through my vacation pics to find the one of Gretchen & I to post and it along with a block of 8 others are missing.:confused3 As y'all know I'm no camera wiz but how can you lose a group of pictures?

WFD will be whatever junk Kyle decides to get for himself. Hopefully I'll be able to hold down a piece of toast.

Prayers for all who are out in the nasty weather.

[shovan]

Kathy, Glad your doc took care of you! Hope it works quickly!:hug:

Wendie, Hang on soon you'll be out of the ice & into a warm & Happy place!!!! :wizard:

Gretchen & Lori, I can't be too mad at my DH. He had to eat plenty cause the boss ordered wine & Bob was driving. And it's been many years since he's been able to go out on his own at all & without me (to help in & out of the car) so I have to cut him some slack! I tried to pout last night so he'd realize he should have brought me something, but then I just got too excited hearing all about the meal to act grumpy!;)

[Glynis]

Robin is off today and is coming over here. We are watching eye candy movies all day: The Rock (Nicholas Cage, Ed Harris, and the all sexy Sean Connery!!), Mobsters (She wants me to see it since I like McDreamy, hee hee!), Original Sin (Antonio Banderas and one HOT sex scene, a-woo-hoo!!), and a few others. We won't get them all watched, be we have a collection to chose from.

Anyway, I am making Rachael Ray's ravioli lasagna for us today :)

WFD at your house?

Is the ravioli lasagna recipe posted? Sounds yummy! Have fun with the eye candy!

I must say, I never really got the McDreamy thing. I don't watch Gray's. However, when I saw him in Enchanted, I GOT IT! Yes, I could handle those eyes looking at me! Woohoo!

[Glynis]

Lindsay Good luck today and have fun. The movie I like with Antonio is the one where he is the dance instructor for troubled kids I forget the name.



I love this movie!!! So different than what I thought it would be!

Take care in the ice!

[Glynis]

No cooking for me tonight! We are going out to a Mexican place to celebrate my SIL's 40th birthday. Hooray for no cooking!

[liamandcaili]

Janice -- One year, I sent my Christmas cards out for Groundhog's Day. Last year, I didn't get them out at all. This year isn't looking good so far either. That's why I didn't add my name to your card list.

Lindsay -- I hope you had a nice visit today. Like everyone else has said, give your SKs time. New couples have the tendency to drift in and out of private moments in public company. It will get better.

I hope everyone is starting to feel better! There are some nasty bugs making the rounds.

Here's where we ate and what we ate while in Disney:

Rose and Crown -- appetizers: smoked salmon (this was more like a mousse than the traditional smoked salmon slices with cream cheese and capers) and a mushroom dish. The smoked salmon was delicious. The mushrooms were okay. Everyone had fish and chips for an entree. This was very good, and the kids loved it. Even better, we were seated at the two best tables to view Illuminations. Dad was so impressed, he asked us to make a reservation there again a few nights later. (Same food, without the mushrooms).

Raglan Road -- appetizers: smoked salmon (traditional) and fried calamari. I thought the coating on the calamari was undercooked. Entrees: fish and chips, shepherd's pie and chicken and mushroom pot pie. The fish and chips was good. The fish was very fresh. Dad did not like his shepherd's pie because it was not what he was expecting. The potato top was molded and soft rather than crispy and brown. The meat was nicely flavored though. Becky thought her pot pie was okay, but much too large.

Shark's Grill (at SeaWorld) -- no appetizers. Entrees were grouper served with a sweet potato cake, red snapper with creamed spinach, sea scallops in a cream sauce, and salmon with a spicy butter sauce and poblano mashed potatoes. I had the salmon thinking maybe Caili would eat some of it. She didn't, and I wished I hadn't ordered it because it was completely overcooked. Dad and BIL had the grouper, which they didn't like because it was overpowered by the coating on it. They did like the sweet potato cake. Becky's snapper was very good. Mom had the sea scallops, and she ate them all before anyone else could taste them. Overall, we were very disappointed, especially since we had an excellent meal here two years ago. We all agreed that we wouldn't go back, but we will definitely return to SeaWorld.

O'Hana -- Character breakfast. This was fun, just like last year. Foods included a basket of sweet bread (Caili ate most of this), eggless waffles for Liam, regular waffles for the rest of us, biscuits, scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon and sausage. Everything was tasty, but the overall favorite was the juice. It was a blend --guava, papaya and orange, I think...we all had four glasses!

Jiko -- Just me, Beck and BIL. Appetizers: Taste of Africa (a bread sampler with three sauces. We all liked the red curry-type sauce the best), a chanterelle soup with truffle cream (YUM!), a green salad with watermelon salsa (refreshing, and more importantly...GREEN), and BIL got some meaty thing that I don't remember. For an entree, we shared the black cod in vegetables of the moment because we were still stuffed from our not as satisfying meal at Sharks Grill. I would definitely return to Jiko.

California Grill -- As usual, it was delicious. Appetizers: Spicy Sensation sushi rolls; mushroom and gorgozola cheese flatbread; angus beef, pommes frites and carmelized onion flatbread; foie gras and a quail dish. The last two combined for BIL's entree. Becky and I both had the petite chicken with gnocchi and root vegetables; Dad had the veal (which wasn't the same as he gets at home, so he was disappointed), and Mom had the pork tenderloin. I liked the chicken, but I don't think I would get it again. I mostly ordered it because I wanted to drink red wine, but I didn't want any of the meatier choices. I really enjoyed the flatbreads and the sushi, although next time, even though you are supposed to eat the whole thing at once, I am taking smaller bites.

Counter service we visited: Cosmic Rays (MK) -- NEVER AGAIN!!; the sandwich shop in France -- very nice fruit and cheese plate, tasty; Tangerine Cafe (EPCOT) -- tasty; Germany's Biergarten -- not good.

After Cosmic Ray's bellybomb, we vowed we will never eat in MK again.

Okay, thanks for reading. Tonight, I was lazy and didn't go to the store, so I am making some kind of pasta. I better get moving on that.

[Aimeedyan]

Laura - sounds delicious. We have found Columbia Harbour House in MK to be the best CS option. They have good sandwiches.

You ate at several of my faves - glad you had a great trip!

[FormrCastMbr]

I tried to pout last night so he'd realize he should have brought me something, but then I just got too excited hearing all about the meal to act grumpy!;)

Ohhhh, maybe your absence and excitement will get you a dinner in the near future...:goodvibes :)

Laura, Thanks for the restaurant reviews!

[Nancyg56]

Before I forget, dinner was sandwiches. We were going to go to Bright Nights this evening so I was not going to cook. DH did not think he would make it so he was going to suffer through his sandwiches and chips:rolleyes1 and we girls would get something to eat out. Well it was pouring when DD got home so plan B went into effect. Sandwiches for us and Dino nuggets for Kady.

Lori- I love your advice! :lmao::lmao:Somehow I should have realized that you would take the "direct" approach!

Sheryl- I could not have gotten mad either. Bob must feel like he has wings now :thumbsup2

Kathy- I am still voting for strangle if that poll is still open. I hope that you are feeling better soon now that you have some Meds!

Laura- What a food fest!

Wendie- Your weather is really out of control! We are supposed to get some patchy icy stuff maybe tomorrow. Depends on the elevation, we are a little high here. Down the mountain where Kady goes to school it is like another climate. I saw that you are going to get the brunt of this weather maker so stay safe. I am not looking forward to the major Nor'Easter the weather guy is predicting for the weekend :headache:

[HERSEY]

Hi honey I'm home! It is so far above freezy slightly. I'm hoping the rain stops and we don't have any more tonght. I don't think that is possible but I still believe in Santa.:rotfl:

We had leftover pulled pork for dinner. Maybe I'll cook tomorrow night. We are having a pot luck at work tomorrow. I'm bringing in cinnamon apples and breakfast sausages in my slow cooker.

[FormrCastMbr]

Hi honey I'm home!

Thank you for checking back in dear...its bedtime now...Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite! :hug: ;)

[Aimeedyan]

The Easy Baked Manicotti was really good - though I was REALLY ticked off trying to fill the pasta. Almost all of them tore on one side so I just squished the stuff down the middle and rolled it myself. Truth be told, once you smother it in tomato sauce and bake it, you can't tell. But it was a pretty messy first attempt.

Maybe I overcooked the pasta?

That said, after tasting them I decided I would bother again. They were really good. DH asked if we could make them again with sausage. WTH? What is with men and meat?!

I may have used more sauce than they called for - I just bought a can of cheap Hunts or whatever sauce and use the whole thing. We like sauce so none went to waste.

Manicotti

Prep Time: 25 min Total Time: 1 hr 5 min
Makes: 6 servings, two manicotti each

2 cups spaghetti sauce, divided
1 egg, lightly beaten
1-3/4 cups POLLY-O Original Ricotta Cheese
1-1/2 cups KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 cup KRAFT 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese (I forgot to do this!)
1/4 cup pesto (optional - I just put some jarred basil in it)
12 manicotti shells, cooked, rinsed in cold water

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Spread 3/4 cup of the spaghetti sauce on bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish. Mix egg, cheeses and pesto until well blended. Spoon cheese mixture into large resealable plastic bag. Using scissors, cut off small hole from one of the bottom corners of bag.

FILL manicotti shells, one at a time, squeezing cheese mixture into both sides of each shell. Place manicotti over sauce in baking dish; pour remaining 1-1/4 cups spaghetti sauce over manicotti. Cover with foil.

BAKE 40 min. or until heated through.

DH picked up cheesy garlic bread to go with it.

[THE HAT]

Janice--Glad to know that you made it home safe and sound!! Winter is here to stay I think!

Ross got to Karate just fine and Kris was home in time to pick him up. The weather didn't start in here until around 9ish. It is snow right now, but will be changing over to freezing rain in about 20 min, should be a mess in the morning of crusty slippery snow!! School is a toss up in the morning, it will depend on how quick it clears out.

Nancy--Yep we have a messy week ahead of us, every other day it is going to be hitting us. It is predicted for 12-24 inches for Sunday......Kris said we will be looking at it in our rearview mirror, as we will be into Ga/Fl by the time it is hitting Maine.

Lauren--I had to laugh at your good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite........Ross and Kris always say it to each other except they end it with "LET" the bed bugs bite....When Ross was about 3 he watched a discovery chan. show on mites in the mattresses and how they are beneficial to the human body as they eat away the dead skin cells etc....(and on the show they called them a sudo bed bug) so that night when Kris said goodnight to him, he did the whole "actually daddy...we want them to bite us" sooo fast forward to now and they still say it to each other, that I tend to forget how it really goes, lol.

Aimee--I made manicotti 1 time and had the tubes do the same thing to me...it tasted fab, but after that I do the same recipe in jumbo shells, much much easier and just as yummy!!!

Ok I better head to bed.....night all!...."Good night, sleep tight, LET the bedbugs bite!":)

[Nancyg56]

The Easy Baked Manicotti was really good -



Night owl? You are up way past my bedtime.



Ross got to Karate just fine and Kris was home in time to pick him up. The weather didn't start in here until around 9ish. It is snow right now, but will be changing over to freezing rain in about 20 min, should be a mess in the morning of crusty slippery snow!! School is a toss up in the morning, it will depend on how quick it clears out.

Nancy--Yep we have a messy week ahead of us, every other day it is going to be hitting us. It is predicted for 12-24 inches for Sunday......Kris said we will be looking at it in our rearview mirror, as we will be into Ga/Fl by the time it is hitting Maine.


Ok I better head to bed.....night all!...."Good night, sleep tight, LET the bedbugs bite!":)

Bedbugs and Boys will be boys :lmao::lmao::lmao:

Good think you are going to be on your way! Better to be seeing in in your rearview mirror than looking for it in your windshield! Two years ago we left on New Years Day around 4 Am. It started storming the night before but we were fine going to the airport, it is only 15 minutes away. Our town got hammered with a huge storm with over 2 feet of snow, which is a lot for us. I was sitting on the balcony at AKL gazing at giraffes while chatting with my frozen Popsicle o fa neighbor :cool1:

We are looking at snow tomorrow afternoon and are under a storm watch. We have tickets to take Kady to Kidzbop in Wallingford so I am not happy, and then a major Nor'Easter for the weekend. Buddy is bringing the generator home from the farm and he asked me to have more water on hand because our electrician was not able to change the wiring on our pump so we could hook it up. Ever since we lost power for 6 days I am gun shy in storms so I am making run to the grocery store and Buddy is fueling up the vehicles. (Yeah, I am one of THOSE people :lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao:)



Hi honey I'm home! It is so far above freezy slightly. I'm hoping the rain stops and we don't have any more tonght. I don't think that is possible but I still believe in Santa.:rotfl:


"Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Clause."


We are going to try to go to Bright Nights this evening. I am going to pop chicken in the oven with some sweet potatoes in case Buddy is hungry. The rest of us will probably get something quick out.

[LindsayDunn228]

Tonight we are having leftover ravioli lasagna. Boy was it good! Recipe below.

WFD at your house?

Ravioli Lasagna

1 (10-ounce) packages chopped frozen spinach
1/4 stick butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 quart milk
Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
Salt and pepper
3 cups ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 packages large fresh ravioli cheese, wild mushroom or spinach stuffed varieties
2 (15-ounce) cans artichoke hearts in water, drained and thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Bring a large pot of water to a boil for pasta.

Place oven rack in middle of oven and preheat broiler or oven to 425 degrees F.


Defrost the spinach in the microwave for 10 minutes on high.
While spinach defrosts, heat a medium sauce pot over medium heat. Cut butter into small pieces and melt. Whisk in flour and cook a minute or 2 then whisk in milk. Bring sauce to a bubble, as it begins to thicken, drop heat to low and season it with nutmeg, salt and pepper, to your taste.

Combine ricotta cheese, a little salt and pepper, lemon zest and garlic in a bowl.

Cook pasta to al dente, 5 to 6 minutes in salted water.

Remove spinach from the microwave and wring it completely dry in a kitchen towel. Open the towel and separate the spinach with your fingers. Pile up the sliced artichokes on your cutting board. Drain pasta well. Ladle just enough white sauce in the bottom of a lasagna dish to lightly coat it. Top with 1/3 of the pasta. Top the pasta with a layer of half of the ricotta cheese dotted with half of the spinach and artichokes. Thinly cover the veggies with more white sauce then top liberally with grated cheese. Repeat these layers then top your lasagna with the remaining 1/3 of the cooked ravioli, the last of the white sauce and some grated cheese.
Place under hot broiler or into a preheated 425 degree F oven until sauce browns and bubbles, 3 minutes.

***I did not make the bechemel sauce. I just used jarred spaghetti sauce. It turned out awesome. Also, I made the lasagna in the morning, didn't bake it, and put in the fridge. Later I put it in a 350 oven for about 45 minutes. Worked great!!***

Onto what I know you are all wanting to hear about. Yesterday with Robin :) Well, our eye-candy day took quite a turn. We only got one movie watched and we started watching it at 6:30 p.m.! She got here at 10:30. Yes, we chatted 8 straight hours. How cool is that?

We talked, and talked, and talked. And I mean about EVERYTHING!!!! The subject of Saturday came up somehow and I danced around the subject a little bit, laughing about Kevin and Scott in their geek talk and how I've learned to tune them out. Do you want to know why we didn't talk in the car Saturday?

Scott AND Kevin told her I sleep in the car. In the midst of the geek talk I wasn't saying anything. She thought I was asleep the whole ride!!! Dang those Dunn brothers!! The way she was sitting in the back seat, there was no way she could tell I was awake. I felt so much better after that. After our day yesterday, I have no worries about taking another road trip with them. It's all good now :)

She is not as much of a girly girly as I am, so I never expected her to ever get very deep with me. But yesterday I learned soooooooooooo much about her. I know her on a whole different level now. She confided a lot in me. She left at 9 last night and boy did I feel better about the whole thing. She is truly my girl and now I don't think I'd ever have any problems telling her things that are on my mind.

She is coming to my ILs on Christmas Eve. We always to our Christmas then. We get together mid-afternoon and open gift with my mother and father-in-law. Later the rest of the family comes over and we have dinner. We had decided last Saturday that the two of them would come over to our house before Christmas and the four of us would open our gifts there. We were discussing when last night. She suggested New Years Eve. I had thrown out the idea of doing NYE at our house. Just dinner and watching movies or something and hanging out. They seemed interested. So now the 4 of us our doing our gifts then. Cool eh? New Year's Day we are talking about going out to eat and going to see National Treasure 2.

So as you can see, everything is cool. I feel so much better about everything and am not worried about going on trips with them anymore. Thanks so much for all of your advice and just listening to me vent. I just love you guys. You're the best :)

[Nancyg56]

So as you can see, everything is cool. I feel so much better about everything and am not worried about going on trips with them anymore. Thanks so much for all of your advice and just listening to me vent. I just love you guys. You're the best :)

:thumbsup2 And right back at cha Girl!

[HERSEY]

Wendie I can't think of a better way to leave a snow storm.;)

Well Santa has proven his existance to me NO ICE :woohoo: :dance3:

I'm cooking apples and sausage this morning for the hungry savages at work. I hope I still hungry when I get there.

Aimee Small spoons work best fill one side than flip and do the other. If you have a pastry bag,or a ziplock with the corner cut off works to and faster.

Ok back to the sausages and to drink more coffee. I'll be back later with our dinner.:confused3

[HERSEY]

Linsday We love you too. I am so glad you two had a marvelous day.

[THE HAT]

Lindsey--I think you are just great as well!!! Glad we could be here to be your sounding (off) board! We love you too! No matter what, we are here for you!
I am so glad you had a nice day with Robin, and were able to have Sat. cleared up. It is so wonderful how you are becoming such close friends! Your holiday plans with them sound super fun! Enjoy yourselves!!

Nancy--This is one reason I am glad we are driving down this year...if we had been flying out it would have been out of Logan, and right in the middle of the storm so I am sure it would have messed up our flight! I am anxious to call back home and see how it is going around here, lol. Good thing my neighbors have a great sense of humor....that and they do the same thing to us!

There is school this morning, as the weather cleared up around 4am, the roads are still in need of one last plow, but the ice isn't to bad on tree limbs(my big fear after 8 days without power in '98!!) I have no where to go today, so I will stay in and do the last of the packing etc.

Janice--I am glad your weather is a bit better today as well!

We have a big storm looming over us for tomorrow night, into Friday morning. I will run last minute errands in the am before it hits us.

Ok this is fun, but it is not getting anything done around here!

Have a great day all!!

Supper tonight will be
steak strips with sbr's couscous and peas.

[nucpharm29]

Morning ladies! Geez, ya'll are up early! Here's me:surfweb: but I need to be gettting the kids ready to leave. Got 3 more minutes! Tonight is going to be make your own pizza night. Something the kids can help with, and more importantly, will eat! Have a great day all--stay safe those with icky weather. We were at 45 degrees on Monday, 70 yesterday, and now 50s and raining today--with a chance of SNOW on Saturday!:scared1: Yikes! I moved south for a reason ya'll!

[FormrCastMbr]

Hey Guys! I want to respond to a few posts but I have Tom home (gottao use up those vacay days) and a contractor coming in a few minutes.

Andrew and I will be going to my Mom's after school so no ccoking for me. We will probably take her out. Tom will be working on the bathroom and putting the plow on the tractor.

Have a great day...I'll be back later!

[TigerKat]

Good morning everyone!

I'm feeling a lot better today, hopefully tomorrow I'll be up to making a trip to the grocery store and start cooking again. I just sent Johnny to the store to get what I need to make a pot of red beans, we'll see what he comes home with.:rolleyes1

Laura - Thanks for the yummy food reviews, we loved JIKO too! The only CS we'll do at MK are Columbia Harbour House or Casey's for a good ole hot dog.;)

Aimee - I've always had the same problem with the manicotti, I think we're cooking them too long. My guys are the same way - they like meat in theirs, I usually do a mixture of ground beef & Italian sausage. Thanks for the crock-pot gumbo recipe, but I must agree that's a lot of work for a crock-pot recipe.:confused3

Have a great day everyone!

[Aimeedyan]

Night owl? You are up way past my bedtime.

I am a night owl, but I only posted at 10pm my time last night - I usually go to bed around 1am or so. Y'all post at 4am my time when I'm fast asleep ;)

This place does slow down around 11pm Central. When I was doing all nighters thanks to Prednisone, there was very little activity on the board and I was BORED.

[Aimeedyan]

Aimee--I made manicotti 1 time and had the tubes do the same thing to me...it tasted fab, but after that I do the same recipe in jumbo shells, much much easier and just as yummy!!!

Oooh, good idea. I'll just do shells next time (and add meat so he'll be happy!). I used the ziplock with the corner cut off and everything but most of them broke before I even touched them so I guess I did overcook them. Oh well, I'll use shells next time and not worry about them breaking!

[Aimeedyan]

Tonight's dinner will be beef/bean burritos. New recipe again, we'll see how it works out. I'll be getting in late but DH may just start it without me.

[TheBeadPirate]

Kathy!!!!! (impatient foot tapping smilie here)

I can't believe with as sick as you've been you made out cards and sent them!

(still furious toe tapping)

And I saw the postmark so I know you were doing them while you were sick!

(Still tapping)

Shame on you!

:sad2:

But I love them! I'm taking it home to the new apartment and putting it up- my only Christmas decoration so far this year.

:lmao:

I hope you're feeling better. (and thanks for keeping that toast down when you signed mine!) You are a great friend and I thank you for introducing me to this thread and the NOLA thread.

[liamsaunt]

Aimee, another trick you can try is to cut the manicotti lenghtwise not all the way through, just one side, and then put in the filling and roll the pasta around it.

Laura left out a few things...

I did get to Caseys for hot dogs for Liam...he ate two!
We also got some fruit etc at the Anaheim produce company and Harabe at AK.

Words cannot describe how disgusting Cosmic Rays was. Luckily for all of you, I have a photo, so you can see for yourselves, ha ha!! (Posting tonight)

I also had my first funnel cake at the Magic Kingdom. It was interesting. Caili ate most of it though!

We cooked at the house a couple of nights--barbequed chicken with scratch mac and cheese and asparagus one night, another night pasta with portobello mushroom-tomato sauce and garlic bread and a salad.

Recent meals since I've been back...

Last night was panini. The night before we had a roasted cajun-injected turkey breast, with parmesean orzo and roasted winter squash. Sunday we had turkey pot pie and for me sauteed mushrooms on country bread with gruyere because I was not in the mood for pot pie. Tonight I am making short ribs for DH over mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. I am having apple-sage flavored chicken sausage in a cider-onion sauce with the same sides as DH.

I have some photos to share, hopefully tonight.

[robinb]

I just wanted to pop in and thank Lindsay and everyone else for a great thread :).

I made Chicken in basil cream on page 155 last night. Of course, I modified it ;). I try to eat low(er) carb so I don't even have any bread crumbs in my house. Instead, I coated the chicken breasts with grated parmesan cheese. I fried then up with a combo of olive oil and butter so the butter wouldn't burn. I also didn't have any pimentos, so I substituted about a cup of frozen cut-up red/yellow/green peppers from Trader Joe's. I also added about 2 cups of frozen TJ artichoke hearts as suggested. We have a foot of snow outside the house, so my fresh basil is gone! I added 2 T of dried instead. I cut up the chicken breasts width-wise into pieces and put them back in the sauce to warm up.

It was very yummy! I just nuked up some left overs for lunch and I still have some for tomorrow's lunch.

Maybe I'll get brave and post one of my favorites soon.

[shovan]

Hi Y'all,

I didn't read through everything so forgive me. I'm not feeling great & didn't wake up until 11. Oh I see Laura did rest. reviews, I'll have to go back & check that out.

Kathy, Glad you're feeling better! :goodvibes

Lindsay, I did see that recipe & wanted to say thanks for that one! It sounds delicious! I can't wait to try that! Glad to hear your day with Robin went so great! Nothing like having a best girlfriend!

Last nights dinner ended up being Domino's. Just not feeling good enough to bother. I have an appt with a new doc next week but may not make till then.

You girls dealing with the snow & ice, be safe out there!

Have a good day!

[TigerKat]

Kathy!!!!! (impatient foot tapping smilie here)

I can't believe with as sick as you've been you made out cards and sent them!

(still furious toe tapping)

And I saw the postmark so I know you were doing them while you were sick!

(Still tapping)

Shame on you!

:sad2:



But I love them! I'm taking it home to the new apartment and putting it up- my only Christmas decoration so far this year.

:lmao:

I hope you're feeling better. (and thanks for keeping that toast down when you signed mine!) You are a great friend and I thank you for introducing me to this thread and the NOLA thread.

I can see your foot tapping now....:laughing: Unfortunately I only got out the cards that needed to be delivered quickly, hoping that Wendie gets hers before she leaves. I'm glad it will be a decoration for y'all.:goodvibes

[zipuzee]

[QUOTE=HERSEY;22133701I'm cooking apples and sausage this morning for the hungry savages at work. I hope I still hungry when I get there.
[[/QUOTE]

This sounds yummy! Is the recipe posted? (hint, hint)

[OKWMom]

Welcome Robin - jump right in, we're a pretty friendly group.

Kathy and Sheryl - Y'all work on getting better, ok? Let everything else take a back seat to your getting well.

Wendie - be careful on the roads Saturday. And dress in layers. By the time you hit SC, you won't believe there is ice anywhere in the continental US. I'm sitting at my desk now in short sleeves and capris with a fan blowing on my legs. Seriously.

Lori - Got your card. Thanks. :hug: It was really sweet, but I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed when you get mine.

I didn't really write much of anything in any of them. I know you won't believe it since I'm so chatty here, but I froze up when I went to sign all of the cards. I waffled between telling each of you how much you have meant to me and trying to be funny or cute and I think I took the safe approach. I hope I didn't offend anyone.

On that note, to the girls on the Christmas Card list - expect FedEx to be delivering a small something to you tomorrow. I hope it makes it to everyone and it is really a small something and I feel like Wendie ;) because I feel like I'm babbling, but I was nervous before I sent the packages out because my husband who is normally fine, but who was a pain in the rear this time, made me feel stupid about the whole thing.

I just wanted to send each of you a small token and when I asked him to help me tape the boxes together he wanted to know what I was doing, so I told him and he looked at me like I had sprouted another head. He said "you're sending these to people you don't know?" :sad2: Proving once again that men just don't get it. When I showed him the packages and tried to explain, he then said I was ruining the card exchange by including the (VERY small) gifts, that you would all then feel pressured to respond in kind.

So now, instead of being excited, I've been sitting here all day hoping I haven't ruined the exchange or made anyone feel bad or like they have to send something, well, you know. :guilty: So if I've messed this up, please forgive me.

Gretchen

[TigerKat]

Welcome Robin - jump right in, we're a pretty friendly group.

Kathy and Sheryl - Y'all work on getting better, ok? Let everything else take a back seat to your getting well.

Wendie - be careful on the roads Saturday. And dress in layers. By the time you hit SC, you won't believe there is ice anywhere in the continental US. I'm sitting at my desk now in short sleeves and capris with a fan blowing on my legs. Seriously.

Lori - Got your card. Thanks. :hug: It was really sweet, but I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed when you get mine.

I didn't really write much of anything in any of them. I know you won't believe it since I'm so chatty here, but I froze up when I went to sign all of the cards. I waffled between telling each of you how much you have meant to me and trying to be funny or cute and I think I took the safe approach. I hope I didn't offend anyone.

On that note, to the girls on the Christmas Card list - expect FedEx to be delivering a small something to you tomorrow. I hope it makes it to everyone and it is really a small something and I feel like Wendie ;) because I feel like I'm babbling, but I was nervous before I sent the packages out because my husband who is normally fine, but who was a pain in the rear this time, made me feel stupid about the whole thing.

I just wanted to send each of you a small token and when I asked him to help me tape the boxes together he wanted to know what I was doing, so I told him and he looked at me like I had sprouted another head. He said "you're sending these to people you don't know?" :sad2: Proving once again that men just don't get it. When I showed him the packages and tried to explain, he then said I was ruining the card exchange by including the (VERY small) gifts, that you would all then feel pressured to respond in kind.

So now, instead of being excited, I've been sitting here all day hoping I haven't ruined the exchange or made anyone feel bad or like they have to send something, well, you know. :guilty: So if I've messed this up, please forgive me.

Gretchen

You stop it right now girlfriend!!! You haven't ruined anything, hell you've got me looking forward to something for the first time since Disney!:laughing: MEN DO NOT GET IT !!!!!! What you did is just another example of just how sweet you really are and I love you for it!!!:hug:

[OKWMom]

You stop it right now girlfriend!!! You haven't ruined anything, hell you've got me looking forward to something for the first time since Disney!:laughing: MEN DO NOT GET IT !!!!!! What you did is just another example of just how sweet you really are and I love you for it!!!:hug:

Thank you so much. :hug: I really needed that.

BTW- Has Johnny made it back from the store? I'm dying to know how he did with his shopping errand. If I ever send Kenny for ANYTHING in the store, I almost have to include a map of where to find it.

[TigerKat]

Thank you so much. :hug: I really needed that.

BTW- Has Johnny made it back from the store? I'm dying to know how he did with his shopping errand. If I ever send Kenny for ANYTHING in the store, I almost have to include a map of where to find it.

Funny you should ask. Between him not knowing squat about cooking and being blind without his glasses it's always an experience for him. Luckily for me he remembered his glasses and got all the right stuff.:rotfl: My red beans are cooking now. Kyle will be happy to walk in from school and smell food cooking for the first time in a long time.:goodvibes

[shovan]

Kathy, Glad Johnny did such a good job but you should be resting, not cooking!

Laura, I just read your reviews! Thanks for telling us all about it. Bob still talks about that red curry dip in the Taste of Africa, and we haven't been there since last January!

Nancy, Bob was really happy to have been able to go out "like normal people"! (his words) Even though he did have to call the rest first & found out he had to bring in his own portable ramp. to get in. He also had to call the parking garage & make sure they would have room for him to park & unload. But it's more normal than anything he's been able to do for a long long time! So I just couldn't be a grumpy witch!;)

Aimee, My DD makes a yummy manicotti that she now uses the giant size shells instead. A lot easier to stuff!

[THE HAT]

Ok I told myself I wouldn't pop on here until this evening after I did some more packing, as I am running out of time, BUT I had to stop in, and I am glad I did after seeing Gretchen's post!!!

First of all, you just ignore your hubby on this, what you did was such a sweet thing, and you have not ruined a darn thing!!! We are all to close of a bunch to ever offend any of us!!! We love you!!

Kris doesn't think anything of me doing these things anymore as I have a some friends that I met on a Big Brother chat about 4 years ago, and we exchange cards and such through out the year. I have one who has become one of my best friends, and she lives in Hawaii. The first year we did this he thought I had two heads as well, but now just goes along with it with a smile!;) (pretty smart man huh?!!?:))

I only wrote a short note in some and felt the same as you Gretchen...and we all know I can "TALK", ;), lol....I wasn't sure what route to take with the cards as well, heartfelt or funny etc....I was just so happy that I actually got them sent out before we left. I was worried I would end up mailing half of them out on the road. Heck, some of your states I will be passing through, you all are just lucky I am not punching your address into the GPS and hand delivering them, :)......

Gretchen--We are wearing shortsleeves under sweaters or sweatshirts and will have jeans or wind pants on....As soon as it is in the 50's my socks and shoes are coming off, and I am getting my tootsies out!! I hate socks, lol. (but living in Maine they have to go on come Nov. or the toes will start to fall off;))
Looks like we are leaving here around 9am Sat. now as we will hit some nasty weather around PA and DC....

Kathy--You should not have worried about getting out the cards in a hurry, I care more about your health then I do about getting a card on time!! I am very worried about you, and Sheryl, and all I want for Christmas is for the two of you to get some rest and feel better!!!

Janice--I would love the apple and sausage recipe as well pretty please!!

Lori--Thank you so much for the card....Ross talked about you at school today during their "share" time.....

Glynis--Thank you for the card as well....What a great picture of the kiddos!! I just loved it!! Ross thought it was awesome!

Becky-Looking forward to your photos!!! Just another excuse for me to check back in later tonight, lol!!

Ok all I better go pack some more..time is a ticking!

[Nancyg56]

I just wanted to pop in and thank Lindsay and everyone else for a great thread :).
Maybe I'll get brave and post one of my favorites soon.





Robin- Welcome and thanks for stopping in. Please feel free to post any recipes you care to share, we all love new ones to try. We also are a chatty bunch so jump in and join us.

[Glynis]

You stop it right now girlfriend!!! You haven't ruined anything, hell you've got me looking forward to something for the first time since Disney!:laughing: MEN DO NOT GET IT !!!!!! What you did is just another example of just how sweet you really are and I love you for it!!!:hug:

Amen! I will ditto everything that Kathy said!

[Glynis]

Robin - Welcome to our group! Join in and share your favorites. We are a fun group, and love to have new friends join us!

As for my cards, I never write anything! I don't know why...I'm afraid of coming across as wierd, I guess. So, all you get is a picture of my kiddies. I think they speak for themselves!

Dinner tonight is chicken and dumplings. It's all in the crockpot, and smelling wonderful!

[Glynis]

Lori - I just got your card! Thank you so much! What a wonderful card!!! I'm so grateful for the chance to get to know you here! Maybe someday we'll meet in person!

[shovan]

robinb, You don't need to be brave to post here. Just jump in cus we tend to chat about anything & everything! We all love new recipes, so post anything, anytime! We all really appreciate Lindsay and the great job she does of organize the recipes for us! Thanks again Lindsay!

Friends, I'm sad now that my years of laziness prevented me from getting on the Christmas list! Bob & I have gone round & round every year over Christmas cards. I hate doing it & he'd begged so I would finally send them being a total grinch about it. Last year he sent some out to business aquaintances himself. But this year I didn't bring it up & neither did he. But if I would have gotten on the WFDT list, it probably would have caused a divorce! The man would have been spitting mad!

[Nancyg56]

Kathy!!!!! (impatient foot tapping smilie here)

I can't believe with as sick as you've been you made out cards and sent them!

(still furious toe tapping)

And I saw the postmark so I know you were doing them while you were sick!

(Still tapping)



Kathy- I cannot believe you were writing cards and you are sick! Lori- add my foot tapping to yours!

I am glad that you are feeling up to cooking a bit but please take it easy.




Friends, I'm sad now that my years of laziness prevented me from getting on the Christmas list! Bob & I have gone round & round every year over Christmas cards. I hate doing it & he'd begged so I would finally send them being a total grinch about it. Last year he sent some out to business aquaintances himself. But this year I didn't bring it up & neither did he. But if I would have gotten on the WFDT list, it probably would have caused a divorce! The man would have been spitting mad!


Honey- never apologize to us! I had stopped cards for years and when I started them again I cut put most of the little notes I had added before. And I still cannot get them out in a timely manner. I have started getting some and have been too embarrassed to comment because mine are still in their boxes on the table :guilty:


L

I didn't really write much of anything in any of them. I know you won't believe it since I'm so chatty here, but I froze up when I went to sign all of the cards. I waffled between telling each of you how much you have meant to me and trying to be funny or cute and I think I took the safe approach. I hope I didn't offend anyone.



He said "you're sending these to people you don't know?" :sad2: Proving once again that men just don't get it. When I showed him the packages and tried to explain, he then said I was ruining the card exchange by including the (VERY small) gifts, that you would all then feel pressured to respond in kind.

So now, instead of being excited, I've been sitting here all day hoping I haven't ruined the exchange or made anyone feel bad or like they have to send something, well, you know. :guilty: So if I've messed this up, please forgive me.


Gretchen, my friend, please stop worrying. You could never offend nor could you ever ruin anything for us. We are friends so anything you do we love. :hug:

My family does not get this thing either. If I hear "Oh your virtual friends" one more time I think murder will be committed! They don't get it and I don't care anymore.

So, all you get is a picture of my kiddies. I think they speak for themselves!


I got it any they certainly do speak for themselves! They are beautiful, Glynis.

Kathy, Glad Johnny did such a good job but you should be resting, not cooking!



Nancy, Bob was really happy to have been able to go out "like normal people"! (his words) Even though he did have to call the rest first & found out he had to bring in his own portable ramp. to get in. He also had to call the parking garage & make sure they would have room for him to park & unload. But it's more normal than anything he's been able to do for a long long time! So I just couldn't be a grumpy witch!;)



You tell her and then you need to follow your own instructions. Sheryl, this has gone on much too long. Please don't let yourself get any sicker.

I know how much this means to you as well as to Bob. "Normal" people don't even think about how independent they are and it must have been liberating for Bob to be able to get to the restaurant with the guys. I think he must be happy that he is able to help you as well, especially now that you are not feeling well.


Dinner is roasted chicken thighs and curried sweet potatoes along with a chopped salad. I stayed home with Buddy and the girls and Jeff went to the light show at Goodwin Park in Hartford.

I know I missed a lot, I'm sorry.

[nucpharm29]

Gretchen--please don't worry about offending anyone! I started my cards today, but who knows when they'll actually be put in the mail! I used to send a xmas letter with the cards every year, but now it's just "Happy Holiday from the Thompson's" and I leave it at that!

Oh, and I also get the :sad2: when I mention my "on-line" friends. Besides ya'll, I have a great group of WISH Dis friends as well as a group of mommy friends I met on-line. I talk about ya'll and my other friends and I get the reaction of "You are actually going to meet someone you met on-line" Geez, not all of us are wacko! Hopefully, I'll get to meet some of ya'll soon--my best bet is Lori--since we happen to be in WDW at the same time!

Well, our pizza just came out of the oven, and DD did a great job! She's really proud of her handiwork--maybe I'll go throw in some cookies for dessert (don't be impressed by my impromptu dessert making--it's cookie dough out of a tub!)

[HERSEY]

Please don't stress about the christmas cards or the little extra's. I feel we are all friends here. Here I had the bright idea about the cards list and my cards keep following me back and forth to work with only the envelopes addressed.

Wendie Lori looks like you both will get them upon your return. Please know my heart was in the right place.

Maybe we should have a Christmas in July card exchange since to add new and old friends to the fold who may have not had the time?

Tonight Alex is having tilapia I am having a small salad. I snacked to much today.

The Apples and Breakfast sausage is so easy it's embrassing.

1 can of Apple pie filling 1 package of breakfast links. Brown the links add to the apple pie filling sprinkle a little cinnamon and bake for about 30 minutes. You can do this in a crock pot too. I usually use Stouffers apples instead of the pie filling.

If you use the pie filling add 1/4c of water so it is not so thick.

[Glynis]

I got it any they certainly do speak for themselves! They are beautiful, Glynis.



Aw, thanks, Nancy! I think they're pretty ok.

I guess I'm pretty lucky. Alan used to roll his eyes when I'd talk about my DIS friends, but he's seen how much happier I am now, and he's just grateful that I have you guys to talk to. Now, he asks me how you all are when he walks through the door. He loves that I hang out on this thread, as our meals have significantly improved since "meeting" all of you!

[Glynis]

Wendie Lori looks like you both will get them upon your return. Please know my heart was in the right place.

Maybe we should have a Christmas in July card exchange since to add new and old friends to the fold who may have not had the time?

Tonight Alex is having tilapia I am having a small salad. I snacked to much today.

The Apples and Breakfast sausage is so easy it's embrassing.

1 can of Apple pie filling 1 package of breakfast links. Brown the links add to the apple pie filling sprinkle a little cinnamon and bake for about 30 minutes. You can do this in a crock pot too. I usually use Stouffers apples instead of the pie filling.

I like the Christmas in July thing! I would definitely be up for that!!!

Thanks for the sausage recipe! That sounds perfect for Christmas morning! I'm making an overnight french toast and I think this year I'll use apples and cinnamon, so the sausage would go perfectly with this! Yummmmm!

[Nancyg56]

He loves that I hang out on this thread, as our meals have significantly improved since "meeting" all of you!

I find this hard to believe since we are all using your recipes :rotfl: Actually you are a Goddess in my house :thumbsup2

Janice- I love the Christmas in July idea. I could be on time with that one, I think ;)

[robinb]

Thank you for the welcome :).

I can't post today's menu because I ordered in pizza (there goes the low carb thing!). I was tired and cranky and hormonal and I made it all the way to the grocery store and realized I left my bag at home. *sigh* Did I also mention that I am pre-menopausal?

I hope I won't be shunned for my lapse :eek:.

[TigerKat]

Thank you for the welcome :).

I can't post today's menu because I ordered in pizza (there goes the low carb thing!). I was tired and cranky and hormonal and I made it all the way to the grocery store and realized I left my bag at home. *sigh* Did I also mention that I am pre-menopausal?

I hope I won't be shunned for my lapse :eek:.

:lmao: You're going to fit right in here!

[HERSEY]

robinb We never forget anything except to remember.;)

We have a standing joke at my house. My son doesn't understand why I make lists because either I forget the list or forget to add something to the list :rotfl2:

[Glynis]

I find this hard to believe since we are all using your recipes :rotfl: Actually you are a Goddess in my house :thumbsup2

Janice- I love the Christmas in July idea. I could be on time with that one, I think ;)

And I routinely use other recipes from here. It's a good thing we all found each other. It looks like our families are getting out of their food ruts.

[Glynis]

Thank you for the welcome :).

I can't post today's menu because I ordered in pizza (there goes the low carb thing!). I was tired and cranky and hormonal and I made it all the way to the grocery store and realized I left my bag at home. *sigh* Did I also mention that I am pre-menopausal?

I hope I won't be shunned for my lapse :eek:.

No shunning allowed here!

We all have those days!

[THE HAT]

Robin--Welcome aboard.....your meal for today proves that you will fit right in with us......The food is a front...the friendship is what we are consistent on!!! Thank goodness for Lindsey, she somehow is able to keep right on top of things on the recipe front for us all!!!! Yeah Lindsey!!!:)

Janice--That is a super recipe!! I don't care how easy it is just how good it will be!
I love the Christmas in July thread....Maybe Ross' school photos will be in by then....GRRRRRR...that is a whole other topic...GRRRR

Sherly--I meant to mention(but got more caught up in the fact that you are still ill) how wonderful it is that Bob was able to go out on his own...except for a few bumps it seems like it went rather well! I am so happy for him!!!

Ok I came to check out food pics from Becky, but nothing yet...that is fine by me just another excuse to check in later on!!! I am getting all the laundry caught up and will spend tomorrow morning running errands before the snow flies again and then the afternoon ironing anything else that needs it.

I will be back later on.......My goodness am I chatty?!!? It will be a nice change for the next 2 weeks for you all when I am gone, lol!

[liamandcaili]

If I ever send Kenny for ANYTHING in the store, I almost have to include a map of where to find it.

What is it about men and the grocery store? Greg will always bring home the wrong thing/wrong brand/too many things that weren't on the list...etc. He also never buys the brand I buy. I think he does it on purpose.

Maybe we should have a Christmas in July card exchange since to add new and old friends to the fold who may have not had the time?

I might be able to manage cards between now and July. ;)

I hope I won't be shunned for my lapse :eek:.[/SIZE][/SIZE]

I served my kids chicken nuggets, nachos and carrot sticks for dinner. No shunning here! I had some broccoli soup (I made it and froze a serving at least a month ago) and since I didn't have any bread, I had some nachos as my starch. I really needed to go to the store two days ago, but I haven't been yet.

[Aimeedyan]

Robin, welcome!!! I post when we eat out, or get fast food, and just share what we ordered :rotfl: So, what kind of pizza did ya get?

Tonight we had Burritos El Grande, from Kraft magazine. DH made it while I was at work, it was tasty but a little spicy for me because of the salsa. We used medium, I would have been happier with mild.

Prep Time: 20 min Total Time: 20 min Makes: 6 servings

1 lb. ground beef
1 jar (16 oz.) TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa
1 medium green pepper, chopped (we didn't use)
1 cup instant white rice, uncooked
1 can (16 oz.) TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Refried Beans, warmed
6 flour tortillas (10 inch)
1-1/2 cups KRAFT Mexican Style Shredded Cheese
1-1/2 cups shredded lettuce
1-1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
1/3 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream

BROWN meat in large skillet on medium heat; drain. Add salsa and green pepper; mix well. Bring to boil. Stir in rice; cover. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 min.

SPREAD beans evenly down centers of tortillas; top evenly with the meat mixture, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.

FOLD in opposite sides of each tortilla, then roll up burrito-style. Serve with the sour cream.

[bear74]

I like the Christmas in July thing! I would definitely be up for that!!!

Thanks for the sausage recipe! That sounds perfect for Christmas morning! I'm making an overnight french toast and I think this year I'll use apples and cinnamon, so the sausage would go perfectly with this! Yummmmm!

Glynis what is the recipe you are using for your apple and Cinnamon french toast bake?

How is Jacob feeling?

[Nancyg56]

I hope I won't be shunned for my lapse :eek:.

Nope, no shunning from me. Our go-to meal is pizza or sandwiches. I tell my DH that I am doing it "for him" because i know how much "you enjoy them". If you really want to make us happy, you can tell us whenever you don't cook :rotfl::rotfl:

[Nancyg56]

Laura- Nuggets! My DGD would be freaking out because that is all she wants lately. She won't take a sandwich to school anymore "It hurts my tummy" :confused3 so she eats a banana and soy milk, comes home starving and begging for Dino nuggets! I told her to eat an apple and she complained that I never feed her!!!!!!!!!!

I won't send Buddy to the store, he goes to the mini mart! This is the same man who says he like to "eat cheap" and then will spend $5 on a jar of mayo so he doesn't need to hit the grocery!

Wendie- 2 Days! :cool1::cool1::cool1: It is getting so close!

Aimee- That sounds so good. WE all like Mexican type meals so this would be a winner in my home.

Glynis- I love the recipes from everyone here. I have some sort of disorder, I'm sure it has a name, and cannot follow them completely but they have gotten me out of the rut as much as I can get out of a rut.

Well it is going to snow here, Kidzbop has been canceled already, a lot of schools are already canceled and so I am making the storm meal. Yup we are having American Chop Suey again! I will spend at least some portion of the day on cards.

Last week we had a quick storm go through and the schools were surprised. Some poor kids were stuck on buses until 10 PM, no bathrooms no dinner no nothing! I think the schools are just not taking chances because the heavy stuff is going to hit us by 1 Pm which is the early release time.

[LindsayDunn228]

Tonight I am making us breakfast for dinner. Scrambled eggs, turkey sausage, and biscuits.

WFD at your house?

ETA: Hey! I want in on the Christmas card business!!! Send me addresses!!

[FormrCastMbr]

Morning All!

I am not awake so please forgive me if I forget something.

We are getting a storm here today as well and they already closed the schools. I think I am going to make chili with all the fixings.

Nancy, I am sorry Kidzbop was cancelled. Is Kady very upset?

Robin, Welcome!

I cheated and did what Kathy did with the cards. I mailed Lori and Wendie's last night and the rest should go tomorrow. I am not that great of a greeting card writer so I did not write too much either...;)

Glynis, your kids are gorgeous...God Bless. Thanks for the card.

Lori, Thanks for your adorable card as well. I made a boo boo on yours...I didn't know you hypenated your name and I think I wrote the card to Lori and Rick D...Sorry...I hope Rick doesn't mind...:)

Have a great day all!

[THE HAT]

Morning all--
I am heading out to run all last minute trip errands as soon as Ross heads out on the bus, as the storm that Nancy is talking about is going to hit us this afternoon. We are leaving at 9am Sat morning, and Friday night we are having our Christmas with my inlaws and grandmother, so I will lose those hours on getting things done.
Ross just left so I am out of here as well! Have a great day my friends!

oh dinner is a big question....I took out some hamb. so that is as far as I have got on that front...it is karate night, so whatever it is will be quick.

[Nancyg56]

Yesterday this storm was a 3-6 inch storm so not really a problem. As the day went on it got a little more pronounced and by last night it was bigger. DD still was planning to go to Wallingford for the show and DH was totally opposed. He is not worried about snow but he does worry about inexperienced drivers in the snow. Anyway the schools were all closed this morning and the show canceled so we are not going to remind Kady. My CC is going to be credited so I think I will use the money to order an American Girl doll and a few accessories for her for Christmas.

I hope DH gets out early. He pulls heavy equipment and is a good driver, but he has been running all over the state and during a storm the drivers on 84 can be tough on truckers!

[nucpharm29]

All ya'll in the path of the winter storm, stay safe and warm! WFD here is up in the air. DH left for a day/business trip to St. Louis this morning. But he won't be home until after dinner, so I suppose I should make something child friendly--we'll see-it probably will involve noodles or the dreaded nuggets!;)

Nancy--sorry the concert had to be cancelled--but better safe than sorry. I'm sure the American Girl doll will be a great substitute, though. DD is getting one from MIL for xmas this year, the Kit doll. I can't wait to see her reaction!

Robin--No shunning here! As you can see my dinner plans are less than stellar!

Okay, gotta start some xmas baking today! I have to bring a goodie to a party tomorrow night. And I offered to bake the cut out cookies for DD's preschool class, so they can decorate them as part of their xmas party next week.

[TigerKat]

Good morning everyone!

Nancy - Sorry the concert was cancelled, you guys up there please stay safe.:hug:

Wendie - 2 weeks without you? I'm going to miss you!! I'm so excited for you!!!!

I've got to get to the grocery store today. We need everything and I can only trust Johnny with a teeny tiny list. At DS's request dinner tonight will be Company Beef Casserole which is posted here, corn and salad.

[TheBeadPirate]

Lori - Got your card. Thanks. :hug: It was really sweet, but I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed when you get mine.

I didn't really write much of anything in any of them. I know you won't believe it since I'm so chatty here, but I froze up when I went to sign all of the cards. I waffled between telling each of you how much you have meant to me and trying to be funny or cute and I think I took the safe approach. I hope I didn't offend anyone.

On that note, to the girls on the Christmas Card list - expect FedEx to be delivering a small something to you tomorrow. I hope it makes it to everyone and it is really a small something and I feel like Wendie ;) because I feel like I'm babbling, but I was nervous before I sent the packages out because my husband who is normally fine, but who was a pain in the rear this time, made me feel stupid about the whole thing.
Gretchen
Well Gretchen, you never disappoint me. You are a great person with such a big heart and loads of understanding. Tell Kenny thanks for his imput but you asked him to tape, not comment. Put his nose back in his beeswax cause he might need it in the future to breathe.;) :rotfl2:
ohhh, goodies! I can't wait now!

Lori - I just got your card! Thank you so much! What a wonderful card!!! I'm so grateful for the chance to get to know you here! Maybe someday we'll meet in person!
Since Shannon left BYU I don't make it to Utah much but I'm up for skewers at Bengal Barbeque!:lmao: Or if they really do take it out we can have a small memorial service and have Dole Whip floats!

Lori, Thanks for your adorable card as well. I made a boo boo on yours...I didn't know you hypenated your name and I think I wrote the card to Lori and Rick D...Sorry...I hope Rick doesn't mind...:)
No problem! He's the Eichmann part, Paul was the Dinkel- but I started the business and owned the house in Dinkel and it was such a hassel to change all that paperwork for just a name- so I never changed mine. Now the house is gone and we're closing the business. So I guess I can officially change my name after the new year! (I mean we've only been married ummm 5 years):rotfl2:
Besides IF he even looks at the front of the cards that's about as far as it goes. Last year he stood there with the card from his Dad and said "this is a nice card. who's it from?" Duh! You're holding it. Open and see-it's not written in code or anything. :idea: Now I've gotta go back and find all the onsie and twosies I have left from past holidays and sign them in some kind of code. If I leave them up till February surely he'll try to look at them by then and wonder.....
:rotfl2:

If he ever lost his mind I wouldn't have anything to play with anymore.

[TheBeadPirate]

Oh, and I meant to add about the "online friends" thing. I broke Rick of it over F&WF. After he met Sheryl and Laurie and the crew he says not one disparaging word against my online friends.

(I think he thinks it's a good thing the DIS keeps the crazies corraled on the internet:lmao: )

He actually saw I wasn't obsessing over people I didn't "Know". I was obsessing just as much as the others and we really did know each other pretty well!:rotfl:

Sheryl- It took me forever to convince him that we hadn't met before. He wanted to know when I was galavanting around NOLA without him!:rotfl:

[zipuzee]

The Apples and Breakfast sausage is so easy it's embrassing.

1 can of Apple pie filling 1 package of breakfast links. Brown the links add to the apple pie filling sprinkle a little cinnamon and bake for about 30 minutes. You can do this in a crock pot too. I usually use Stouffers apples instead of the pie filling.

If you use the pie filling add 1/4c of water so it is not so thick.

Wow! this is great! I was thinking that I shouldn't even ask for the recipe because of all the chopping and peeling of apples :rotfl: Can't wait to give it a try. Thanks!

[OKWMom]

Nancy, Bob was really happy to have been able to go out "like normal people"! (his words) Even though he did have to call the rest first & found out he had to bring in his own portable ramp. to get in. He also had to call the parking garage & make sure they would have room for him to park & unload. But it's more normal than anything he's been able to do for a long long time! So I just couldn't be a grumpy witch!;)


Sheryl, we don't have the same problems going out like "normal people" that Bob does, but I can relate somewhat. With Hailey, sometimes she is perfectly fine, others can certainly be considered "adventures in autism". The first time we went to a restaurant and were able to make it through the entire meal without a meltdown or having to get up to take a break felt incredible. I'm really happy for Bob (and you). I really am.


Gretchen--We are wearing shortsleeves under sweaters or sweatshirts and will have jeans or wind pants on....As soon as it is in the 50's my socks and shoes are coming off, and I am getting my tootsies out!! I hate socks, lol. (but living in Maine they have to go on come Nov. or the toes will start to fall off;))
Looks like we are leaving here around 9am Sat. now as we will hit some nasty weather around PA and DC....


You be careful on the roads. I hope you have a wonderful vacation in WDW and visiting your brother. :goodvibes

As for my cards, I never write anything! I don't know why...I'm afraid of coming across as wierd, I guess. So, all you get is a picture of my kiddies. I think they speak for themselves!


Your card was in the mail when I got home last night. The picture of the children is precious and certainly does speak for itself. Thank you for sending it.


My family does not get this thing either. If I hear "Oh your virtual friends" one more time I think murder will be committed! They don't get it and I don't care anymore.


Thanks Nancy. I appreciate that. I really should just ignore him when he gets like that. He thinks I'm strange for this, I think he's strange for watching the weather channel so much. I mean not just when there is a storm or something like that, he watches the shows and has seen some of them several times. :rolleyes:


Well, our pizza just came out of the oven, and DD did a great job! She's really proud of her handiwork--maybe I'll go throw in some cookies for dessert (don't be impressed by my impromptu dessert making--it's cookie dough out of a tub!)

I love tub cookie dough. :love: Raw, cooked, doesn't matter. I try not to buy it though - I don't have that much self control. :guilty:


Please don't stress about the christmas cards or the little extra's. I feel we are all friends here. Here I had the bright idea about the cards list and my cards keep following me back and forth to work with only the envelopes addressed.
Maybe we should have a Christmas in July card exchange since to add new and old friends to the fold who may have not had the time?


Thanks Janice. Don't you feel badly either. You did the hard part assembling and distributing the list. Actually, I kind of like having the cards spaced out instead of getting everyone's all at once. It gives me a good reason to be excited going to the mail box.



I can't post today's menu because I ordered in pizza (there goes the low carb thing!). I was tired and cranky and hormonal and I made it all the way to the grocery store and realized I left my bag at home. *sigh* Did I also mention that I am pre-menopausal?

I hope I won't be shunned for my lapse :eek:.

Honey, I think you're going to fit right in here. :rotfl:


What is it about men and the grocery store? Greg will always bring home the wrong thing/wrong brand/too many things that weren't on the list...etc. He also never buys the brand I buy. I think he does it on purpose.


Probably. Feigned helplessness is one of Kenny's favorite tactics too. ;)


Nope, no shunning from me. Our go-to meal is pizza or sandwiches. I tell my DH that I am doing it "for him" because i know how much "you enjoy them".

:rotfl: You are my hero. :rotfl:


Last week we had a quick storm go through and the schools were surprised. Some poor kids were stuck on buses until 10 PM, no bathrooms no dinner no nothing! I think the schools are just not taking chances because the heavy stuff is going to hit us by 1 Pm which is the early release time.

:scared1: That is horrible! Those poor children! After that, I would hope the school wouldn't take the chance of that happening again.


Well Gretchen, you never disappoint me. You are a great person with such a big heart and loads of understanding. Tell Kenny thanks for his imput but you asked him to tape, not comment. Put his nose back in his beeswax cause he might need it in the future to breathe.;) :rotfl2:


:rotfl2: Thanks. I can't wait to tell him you said that. Really, I can't. :goodvibes

I hope everyone in the way of this storm takes extra care. I'll be thinking of each of you and praying for you and your families.

Last night we had the Almost Chicken Dianne I posted here. Tonight we are finally having Lauren's new pork chop recipe with rice and some sort of veggies.

Have a great day everyone and thanks to everyone for making me feel better about the card/goodie situation. :grouphug:

Gretchen

[zipuzee]

I'm not sure whats for dinner; I'll either pull steaks out of the freezer when I get home or pick up some fried chicken. Depends on the traffic and how long it takes to get home; yesterday for some reason (christmas, maybe?) it took me an extra 40 minutes and we didn't eat until 8:30.

robinb We never forget anything except to remember.;)

We have a standing joke at my house. My son doesn't understand why I make lists because either I forget the list or forget to add something to the list :rotfl2:

Saturday both times I left my house for errands I forgot the lists. Fortunately, DH was home and I keep a notepad and pen in my purse!!


Maybe we should have a Christmas in July card exchange since to add new and old friends to the fold who may have not had the time?


Count me in for July!


Oh, and I meant to add about the "online friends" thing. I broke Rick of it over F&WF. After he met Sheryl and Laurie and the crew he says not one disparaging word against my online friends.

(I think he thinks it's a good thing the DIS keeps the crazies corraled on the internet:lmao: )

He actually saw I wasn't obsessing over people I didn't "Know". I was obsessing just as much as the others and we really did know each other pretty well!:rotfl:

Sheryl- It took me forever to convince him that we hadn't met before. He wanted to know when I was galavanting around NOLA without him!:rotfl:

Lori - same here for me!! Bob now asks how "our" Dis friends are:lmao:

[Aimeedyan]

I can't believe all the snow y'all are getting! Stay warm and safe!

Tonight's dinner will be Whateveryoucanfindinthefridge, it's my house speciality. We have a hodge podge of leftovers we need to eat, and DH will be playing basketball until 9pm and I need to eat earlier than that =)

[Nancyg56]

I am supposed to be busy right now but I am enjoying the snow.

Gretchen- I got your package! You are so sweet and you made my day. I saw the FedEx truck and I was like a kid in a candy store, the deliveries are never for me. I am not going to say more because I don't want to ruin it for anyone else, but thank you so much.

:lmao: about the Weather Channel thing. Buddy lives to watch the Weather Channel. He will call me to ask me to watch for updates just to compare them to the radar pictures they have at work :confused3

Donny just called, he left work about an hour ago. His coworker called him and told him that Interstate 91 was a parking lot with a lot of accidents so he should take Rt 5. He has been sitting for 45 minutes and has not moved more than 1/4 mile. He has a 45 minute commute anyway so he is grouchy.

Buddy told me he might make it home a little early but that they were still working. I don't dare call again because he won;t use an ear piece. The thought of him trying to answer the phone, shift and steer while watching out for traffic is not a pretty one.

[nucpharm29]

Gretchen--Thank you so much for the goodie box! I was stalking the FedEx guy. You wanna hear something funny. My BIL used to live on Johnnie Dodds in Mt Pleasant--think he moved this year to North Charleston-but I looked at the return address and was really confused. B/c I knew BIL was sending the kids xmas gifts but I knew had he moved. Small world! Thanks again--DD is going to be in heaven!:hug:

[TigerKat]

Nancy - I know you'll rest easier once everyone gets home safely.:hug: All this talk of snow has me remembering the last time it "snowed" here. It was Christmas day 2004, it was like a miracle, snowing on Christmas in New Orleans. We sure enjoyed it, not realizing it was the "When hell freezes over" warning that Katrina would be coming the following August.

Lauren - I'm so excited!!!! I just went to the grocery store and bought all the fixins for your Spaghetti sauce with sausage & meatballs. I'm going to fix it Sunday.:goodvibes

Gretchen - I'm like a little kid looking out the window for the FedEx man. Like Nancy said - the packages are never for me.:banana:

[LindsayDunn228]

I'm pouting. I want cards, too! LOL!

[HERSEY]

Lindsay Ck your PM"S

No storms for us. Stay safe for all of you east of me.:hug: It sounds like you are in for a big storm.

[LindsayDunn228]

I did. Just had to share my pout :)

[TigerKat]

Gretchen - :yay: I got my delivery!!!!!!!! Be sure & tell Kenny "This is why we love you". Um, this is not meant to be shared with the guys, right?;)

[shovan]

Hey Y'all,

See what happens, I listen to my friends & get myself to the dr. & y'all chat so much while I'm gone I can't keep up!!!!:laughing:

I was in the dr. office almost 3 hours! Crazy huh! Anyway I have more meds, so hopefully I will get better soon. My blood pressure was up though, he said it could be some of the meds I've been on, but that I have to go back next week to get it checked. And of course my weight was up too. All the fast food we've been eating lately.


Honey- never apologize to us! I had stopped cards for years and when I started them again I cut put most of the little notes I had added before. And I still cannot get them out in a timely manner. I have started getting some and have been too embarrassed to comment because mine are still in their boxes on the table :guilty:

You tell her and then you need to follow your own instructions. Sheryl, this has gone on much too long. Please don't let yourself get any sicker.

I know how much this means to you as well as to Bob. "Normal" people don't even think about how independent they are and it must have been liberating for Bob to be able to get to the restaurant with the guys. I think he must be happy that he is able to help you as well, especially now that you are not feeling well.


Dinner is roasted chicken thighs and curried sweet potatoes along with a chopped salad. I stayed home with Buddy and the girls and Jeff went to the light show at Goodwin Park in Hartford.

I know I missed a lot, I'm sorry.

Nancy, before I forget, how do you do those sweet potatoes? Are those Becky's roasted ones or something different?

Nancy, You see I behaved myself & went to the dr., just like you told me to do!!;)

Bob has been really pleased with himself, let's see he's pick up roast beef po-boys, chicken & gone to the drugstore! It's made him happy & me too! It's funny the few stores he's gone to, he comes home & comments about all the new things on the shelves these days & of course how much everything costs!

I find this hard to believe since we are all using your recipes :rotfl: Actually you are a Goddess in my house :thumbsup2

Janice- I love the Christmas in July idea. I could be on time with that one, I think ;)

I agree with Nancy, I'll bet everyone of us uses some of Glynis's recipes on a regular basis now!

I love the July card idea too! Then Bob couldn't fuss about it!

Thank you for the welcome :).

I can't post today's menu because I ordered in pizza (there goes the low carb thing!). I was tired and cranky and hormonal and I made it all the way to the grocery store and realized I left my bag at home. *sigh* Did I also mention that I am pre-menopausal?

I hope I won't be shunned for my lapse :eek:.

Let's see this week I've add pizza two nights & DH's leftovers from his lunch out yesterday! So there will not be any shunning here!

Sherly--I meant to mention(but got more caught up in the fact that you are still ill) how wonderful it is that Bob was able to go out on his own...except for a few bumps it seems like it went rather well! I am so happy for him!!!



Thanks! :goodvibes It's so nice that you all care so much about us!! ( See my above comments to Nancy, about all the little things he's been able to do lately!)

Oh, and I meant to add about the "online friends" thing. I broke Rick of it over F&WF. After he met Sheryl and Laurie and the crew he says not one disparaging word against my online friends.

(I think he thinks it's a good thing the DIS keeps the crazies corraled on the internet:lmao: )

He actually saw I wasn't obsessing over people I didn't "Know". I was obsessing just as much as the others and we really did know each other pretty well!:rotfl:

Sheryl- It took me forever to convince him that we hadn't met before. He wanted to know when I was galavanting around NOLA without him!:rotfl:

Lori, Bob had commented that we all looked like a bunch of sorority sisters who'd known each other forever! But I'm ready to go galavanting around NOLA!!! We need to plan something after the holidays!


Count me in for July!

Lori - same here for me!! Bob now asks how "our" Dis friends are:lmao:

Lauri, Tell Bob that "your" friends said to tell him Hi! :goodvibes

I have to go clean up, & find something easy to cook for dinner. We can't eat anymore fast food!

[Glynis]

Glynis what is the recipe you are using for your apple and Cinnamon french toast bake?

How is Jacob feeling?

Hi, Jennifer. I'm using the peach french toast recipe (I think you already have that one), but I'm using apple pie filling, or frozen apples if I can find them. I did find some canned apple slices that I may use. It's going to be an experiment. Christmas morning is one that I can experiment, because my family are in such good moods, that they won't fight about the food!

Jacob is much better. Not sure what he had, but it seemed to run it's course, and hasn't hit anyone else. Knock on wood!

[TigerKat]

Sheryl - Glad to hear that you made it to the Dr. Hopefully you'll be feeling better soon.

It must seem like a whole new world has opened up for Bob, getting around on his own and being so helpful. That's got to be an awesome feeling for him.:goodvibes

[Glynis]

Glynis, your kids are gorgeous...God Bless. Thanks for the card.



Aw, thanks! Since they were so hard to come by, I'll keep them. Although, after our day yesterday, I'm considering renting them out!:rotfl:

[Glynis]

Since Shannon left BYU I don't make it to Utah much but I'm up for skewers at Bengal Barbeque!:lmao: Or if they really do take it out we can have a small memorial service and have Dole Whip floats!


Sounds good to me! Definitely someday!!!

[Glynis]

Your card was in the mail when I got home last night. The picture of the children is precious and certainly does speak for itself. Thank you for sending it.

I love tub cookie dough. :love: Raw, cooked, doesn't matter. I try not to buy it though - I don't have that much self control. :guilty:

Gretchen

You are certainly welcome!

I'm with you on the cookie dough. It's just too easy to open and dig into with a spoon. At least if I make it, I figure I went to all that trouble, I ought to at least cook one or two!

[Glynis]

I'm pouting. I want cards, too! LOL!

Keep watching your mailbox!!

[shovan]

I know that you girls up in the frozen north aren't to thrilled with your icy, snowy weather, but I know us Southerners would love to see some home pics of what a real snowfall looks like!!! :goodvibes Anybody have some to post?

[Glynis]

Dinner tonight will be enchilada chicken soup with mini cornbread muffins. It's a blechy, cold day, and that sounds good to me!

[Aimeedyan]

Dinner tonight will be enchilada chicken soup with mini cornbread muffins. It's a blechy, cold day, and that sounds good to me!

Is the recipe posted?

[Glynis]

Is the recipe posted?

I think so. Not sure, though. If you can't find it on the front page, let me know and I'll post it. It's sooooooo EASY!!!

[THE HAT]

Afternoon all--It is some cold here today 3* with the windchill..snow is just starting to fall.
Sheryl--My new years resolution on here is to figure out how to post a picture, once I do that I will be sure to get a great photo of a true Maine snowfall for you! I am glad that you finally gave in and went to the Dr. fingers crossed that these meds do the trick for you!

Gretchen--My fed ex man just stopped by...I was like a kid at christmas, had the door open before he even got out of his truck,lol. He looked frozen and Ross and I had just made hot cocoa so I handed him a cup of it with a candy cane, and took my package and ran, lol! Thank you so very much...you are just to sweet!!! Ross thinks so too;) You made my day!!! I agree with what Lori said....you asked Kenny for helping packaging it up, you didn't ask for comments!!:)

Nancy--Prayers for all of your "gang" out on the roads, let us know that they get in safe and sound!!

Ok, I better get cracking on things around here....I have been going nonstop and it still doesn't look like I did a darned thing!!

[TigerKat]

Thanks to my friends on this thread I'm actually starting to enjoy the holidays again. I almost tripped over the dog to get to the mail to see who I'd gotten cards from.:laughing:

Glynis - You & Alan do good work ;) your kids are beautiful!!!!!! Thanks so much for the card.

Wendie - What a handsome guy you've got there, he's got such a beautiful smile. Thank you guys so much for the card....Have a wonderful vacation!!!

[liamandcaili]

Sheryl -- Ask and ye shall receive. Here is what things look like here right now:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/2108775167_114c37342e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2358/2108775195_cc6b18012a_b.jpg

We're all staying safe and warm. Caili didn't have Kindergarten this afternoon and Liam got out a couple hours early, so aside from a trip to the grocery store that took way longer than it should have, we are just enjoying the first big snowfall.

I am starving since I've been running all day, so that means a big, comfort meal: roast chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes, roasted brussels sprouts, maple glaze carrots, mashed turnips and broccoli. Time to go get the chicken out of the oven!

Stay safe and warm, friends!

[TigerKat]

Sheryl -- Ask and ye shall receive. Here is what things look like here right now:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/2108775167_114c37342e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2358/2108775195_cc6b18012a_b.jpg



Laura - It looks like pics out of a magazine. I've never seen anything like that before, it's amazing!!!:goodvibes As I sit here with the A/C on...:sad2:

[Glynis]

Thanks to my friends on this thread I'm actually starting to enjoy the holidays again. I almost tripped over the dog to get to the mail to see who I'd gotten cards from.:laughing:

Glynis - You & Alan do good work ;) your kids are beautiful!!!!!! Thanks so much for the card.



Aw, shucks, ma'am! Thanks!!! I think they'll do!

[Glynis]

Gretchen! Holy Cow!!!! You are amazing!!!!

Your package arrived, and my children now think you are the bomb!!!! I can't thank you enough for restoring order in what was quickly becoming fight central!!!

[zipuzee]

Sheryl -- Ask and ye shall receive. Here is what things look like here right now:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/2108775167_114c37342e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2358/2108775195_cc6b18012a_b.jpg

We're all staying safe and warm. Caili didn't have Kindergarten this afternoon and Liam got out a couple hours early, so aside from a trip to the grocery store that took way longer than it should have, we are just enjoying the first big snowfall.

I am starving since I've been running all day, so that means a big, comfort meal: roast chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes, roasted brussels sprouts, maple glaze carrots, mashed turnips and broccoli. Time to go get the chicken out of the oven!

Stay safe and warm, friends!

I LOVE THE PICS!! Wow, that is really beautiful. Course, I don't have to live with it:lmao: I have pics from our "White Christmas" that Kathy mentioned. I'll post a few this evening so you can see what we think of as a major snowfall!

[robinb]

Stay safe everyone! That storm went though Wisconsin a couple days ago. I just hunkered down and stayed inside. My car is CRAP on snow/ice so I didn't want to risk getting stuck while my DH is out of town.

No plans yet for dinner. I'll be doing a grocery stop while my DD goes to swim team practice.

[Aimeedyan]

That snow is so pretty! I lived in Ohio as a child and grew to hate the snow. Pretty to look at, not pretty to live in. Plus I remember it as very dirty after a day or two, course we lived at a deadend and the plow left the pile there in front of our house and it WAS dirty.

We had freezing fog this morning, whcih caught EVERYONE off guard because there wasn't true precipitation (rain/snow/sleet) but when the fog touched the ground, it froze. Evidently a rarity in N Texas. Lots of accidents this morning on bridges as people didn't know to look for it.

I never get into work that early so it was just an eery cold low fog when I drove in.

[nucpharm29]

Love the snow pics! But I recall all too well why we moved back south. 4 years in NE Wisconsin will rid you of a desire for cold and snow. Our last winter there we had a blizzard--55mph wind gusts, 13 below air temp, and snowing--YUCK! They even closed DH's work, which never happens in WI--I remember blasting the fireplace wondering how soon we could move!

[TigerKat]

I LOVE THE PICS!! Wow, that is really beautiful. Course, I don't have to live with it:lmao: I have pics from our "White Christmas" that Kathy mentioned. I'll post a few this evening so you can see what we think of as a major snowfall!

Great, this should be funny!:rotfl2:

[FormrCastMbr]

I know that you girls up in the frozen north aren't to thrilled with your icy, snowy weather, but I know us Southerners would love to see some home pics of what a real snowfall looks like!!! :goodvibes Anybody have some to post?

I would love to share but I am not going outside, well, I have to get Riley out so I will try to take a pic of what a mess it is. It is a sheet of ice...it hasn't really snowed here all day; much rather freezing rain.

I had to go to the store this AM...it started raining around 9:30 and by the time we came home, cars were skidding backwards on the hill I live on...YUCK!

Wendie, what a beautiful son you have. Thanks so much for the card and the pic...

I wish your family and Lori and Rick a very happy Christmas and hope that you guys have a blast! :santa: :santa: :santa:

[TigerKat]

Lauren - I have a question about the spaghetti sauce, please clean out your PM's!!

[Nancyg56]

Nancy - I know you'll rest easier once everyone gets home safely.:hug: All this talk of snow has me remembering the last time it "snowed" here. It was Christmas day 2004, it was like a miracle, snowing on Christmas in New Orleans.

Kathy- he left work at 11:45 and just got home! He was stuck and ended back on 91 which promptly stopped dead. When he moved a bit my poor direction challenged son called Buddy (we call him the map) and he got him off 91 and weaving through Hartford. 6 hours and now 91 is closed in both directions for an overturned tractor trailer.

I know that snow storm must have seemed like a prelude to a hellish hurricane but it must have been beautiful at the time.





Nancy, before I forget, how do you do those sweet potatoes? Are those Becky's roasted ones or something different?

Nancy, You see I behaved myself & went to the dr., just like you told me to do!!;)
Lauri, Tell Bob that "your" friends said to tell him Hi! :goodvibes

[/quote

I'm glad that you went to the Dr. Now I want you to feel better!

The potatoes are Becky's curried sweets and they are a favorite here!

Laurie you can say "Hi" to Bob from me as well!

[quote=THE HAT;22151363]Afternoon all--It is some cold here today 3* with the windchill..snow is just starting to fall.
Sheryl--My new years resolution on here is to figure out how to post a picture, once I do that I will be sure to get a great photo of a true Maine snowfall for you! I am glad that you finally gave in and went to the Dr. fingers crossed that these meds do the trick for you!

Gretchen--My fed ex man just stopped by...I was like a kid at christmas, had the door open before he even got out of his truck,lol. He looked frozen and Ross and I had just made hot cocoa so I handed him a cup of it with a candy cane, and took my package and ran, lol!

Wow that is cold! My Fedex man did not even see the door opening and closing, I was like a flash because I knew it was for me. I feel a little badly, he just got a Thank you" and no cocoa :guilty:


I have to learn to post pics as well. I thought I was the only one who was in the dark about them.

Thanks to my friends on this thread I'm actually starting to enjoy the holidays again. I almost tripped over the dog to get to the mail to see who I'd gotten cards from.:laughing:



:hug: Janice had a great idea!

Sheryl -- Ask and ye shall receive. Here is what things look like here right now:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/2108775167_114c37342e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2358/2108775195_cc6b18012a_b.jpg




Gosh, your little girl is adorable! She could be a post card.



We had freezing fog this morning, whcih caught EVERYONE off guard because there wasn't true precipitation (rain/snow/sleet) but when the fog touched the ground, it froze. Evidently a rarity in N Texas. Lots of accidents this morning on bridges as people didn't know to look for it.


I never heard of freezing fog. It sounds scary to me.



I made the American Chop Suey and a big pot of beef barley soup. I used a chuck roast like Kathy, made the stock yesterday so that I could defat it and then made the soup today. It hit the spot while watching the snow.

Now my gang is playing Uno (even Kady) and I am trying to catch up here. Erica is home which seems strange. Dan did not want to drive up the mountain and then back to Windsor for work.

[FormrCastMbr]

I took the Ri-Man out and what a nice surprise it was to have a box from Gretchen...thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Tom and Andrew thank you too! You are so sweet!

Lauren - I have a question about the spaghetti sauce, please clean out your PM's!!

Ask away sista! You would think I get PMs from other DISers besides you with the way I am always full! ;)

Kathy- he left work at 11:45 and just got home!



Wow, thank God he is home safe.

OK, here is the best picture I got of the "snow" we had. Doesn't it make you want a snow cone...or a Kaki Gori in Japan??? :)

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l145/atomsdepot/ril002.jpg

And here are a couple from Thanksgiving:

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta:

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l145/atomsdepot/Ebay007.jpg

And the turkey that I am soooooo proud of. It was so moist and delicious. Doesn't it look good??? YUM! I used a chop stick to release the skin from the meat (like the liposuction you see on Dr. 90210 :lmao: ) and them rubbed a butter/spice blend under and on the skin. ***That round spot by the leg is where I had the oven thermometer...that thing also worked great!

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l145/atomsdepot/Ebay009.jpg

[TigerKat]

Janice - Just wanted to thank you for a wonderful idea with the card exchange. It's made the holidays a bit more cheerful for me.:hug:

[HERSEY]

Laura Calli looks like Lucy in Narnia. I sorry to say this but I'm glad there is none of that white stuff here.

It feels like Christmas here. I got my shipment of Pumpkin wine and Apple Cinnamon wine, and the box from Gretchen Thank you very much. Kenny did a great job in taping.

Tonight we are having a strange dinner Alex is having pizza while I'm having tortellini soup.

[HERSEY]

Janice - Just wanted to thank you for a wonderful idea with the card exchange. It's made the holidays a bit more cheerful for me.:hug:

Your welcome. It was purely selfish on my part, I wanted mail that wasn't a bill :rotfl2:.

I'm glad we all could have fun with this.

[TigerKat]

Laura Calli looks like Lucy in Narnia. I sorry to say this but I'm glad there is none of that white stuff here.

It feels like Christmas here. I got my shipment of Pumpkin wine and Apple Cinnamon wine, and the box from Gretchen Thank you very much. Kenny did a great job in taping.

Tonight we are having a strange dinner Alex is having pizza while I'm having tortellini soup.

OOOOHHHH, that sounds soooooo good!!!!!!!

[LindsayDunn228]

Man, how did I miss this exchange??

[OKWMom]

:lmao: about the Weather Channel thing. Buddy lives to watch the Weather Channel. He will call me to ask me to watch for updates just to compare them to the radar pictures they have at work :confused3


:lmao: :lmao: I read this to Kenny and he says that he is not "that bad". I think it is only because he hasn't thought of it. :rotfl:


Gretchen--You wanna hear something funny. My BIL used to live on Johnnie Dodds in Mt Pleasant--think he moved this year to North Charleston-but I looked at the return address and was really confused.

Wow, it really is a small world. And I thought it was amazing that I lived 2.5 hours from Wendie's brother in Wilmington, NC. This has that beat for sure.


Um, this is not meant to be shared with the guys, right?;)

I knew there was a reason we are friends. We think so much alike. ;)


Sheryl -- Ask and ye shall receive. Here is what things look like here right now:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/2108775167_114c37342e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2358/2108775195_cc6b18012a_b.jpg

We're all staying safe and warm.

You make sure you stay safe and warm. Those pictures really are amazing and like the other southern girls, I can't really wrap my mind around the reality of it. Not to rub it in, but I'm sitting in shorts at my computer looking at them with the A/C running. It was 80 degrees today. It is supposed to drop to 60 on Sunday and will be only 56 on Monday before it gets back to the mid 60s Wednesday.

Feel free to brag about your lovely weather in August when it is 1 million degrees with 200 percent humidity here. :lmao:

My favorite part of the pictures, BTW, is the precious look of excitement on your beautiful daughter's face.

I LOVE THE PICS!! Wow, that is really beautiful. Course, I don't have to live with it:lmao: I have pics from our "White Christmas" that Kathy mentioned. I'll post a few this evening so you can see what we think of as a major snowfall!

I'm sure your idea of a major snowfall is kind of what mine is. We had a "major snowfall" in the winter of 1999 - 3 to 4 inches!!! Everything closed - schools, bridges, some roads, most businesses, grocery stores. I'm sure you know just what I mean.


I had to go to the store this AM...it started raining around 9:30 and by the time we came home, cars were skidding backwards on the hill I live on...YUCK!


Be careful out there girl. That sounds way to scary to me.


Your welcome. It was purely selfish on my part, I wanted mail that wasn't a bill :rotfl2:.

I'm glad we all could have fun with this.

:lmao: :lmao: Seriously though, thanks for coming up with the idea and organizing it. I have enjoyed this so very much.

I'm glad everyone got their packages and that you are all pleased and no one was offended and that my husband was WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. (not that I would point that out to him being the wonderful, loving wife I am) :lmao: :lmao: I hope with the hot weather the chocolate didn't melt and ruin the pecans. I LOVE those things and could eat an entire bag in one sitting.

Now for the funny part of the packages. I was trying for a SC Christmas kind of theme. You know - the pecans grown in SC, Carolina BBQ. Well, my favorite BBQ sauce is my Dad's, but he won't give us the recipe. He said it will be our inheritance. :laughing: He offered to make sauce that I could send each of you, but I couldn't figure out how to get it there without it leaking everywhere. So I searched and found what looked like the closest to Dad's sauce starter. If anyone needs any ideas, give me a yell.

Lauren - I still didn't make those chops. I went for a haircut after work and they had an apprentice who did the blow dry after the cut. He took forever and it was all I could do not to jump out of the chair and run for the door. I was in there for over an hour. That left no time to cook dinner, so tonight ended up being take out and hopefully the chops will be tomorrow.

Good night everyone!

[OKWMom]

Man, how did I miss this exchange??

I don't know, but heaven knows we are so chatty sometimes that it is easy to miss a post or two. PM me your address and I'll be glad to include you.

[LindsayDunn228]

The SKs are coming over for dinner tonight!! Kevin e-mailed me the other day saying his plane was getting in around 3 and he would make it for dinner. I said, "So are you guys not going out then? Hey, feel free to bring Robin. The more the merrier!" (I asked because on Friday nights we always get together to watch Heroes. Because of the writer's strike, we are done for now). He responded with, "We will be there at 6." LOL!

Anyway, we are having Glynis roast with carrots, mashed potatoes, and bread. Yummy, eh?

I will update you on the SKs tomorrow :)

WFD at your house?

[Mermaid02]

I don't know wfd... yes I do- left over american chop suey. I made a really great one last night.:thumbsup2 Maybe I'll get some rolls to go with it and make a salad.

How did everyone make out with the storm yesterday? We only got a couple of inches here in my part of Maine.... but looks like Sunday will make up for that. Of course it's my Sunday to work... :lmao: DH might be taking me to work in the truck!!

[Nancyg56]

:lmao: :lmao: I read this to Kenny and he says that he is not "that bad". I think it is only because he hasn't thought of it. :rotfl:












I'm glad everyone got their packages and that you are all pleased and no one was offended and that my husband was WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. (not that I would point that out to him being the wonderful, loving wife I am) :lmao: :lmao: I hope with the hot weather the chocolate didn't melt and ruin the pecans. I LOVE those things and could eat an entire bag in one sitting.

Now for the funny part of the packages. I was trying for a SC Christmas kind of theme. You know - the pecans grown in SC, Carolina BBQ. Well, my favorite BBQ sauce is my Dad's, but he won't give us the recipe. He said it will be our inheritance. :laughing: He offered to make sauce that I could send each of you, but I couldn't figure out how to get it there without it leaking everywhere. So I searched and found what looked like the closest to Dad's sauce starter. If anyone needs any ideas, give me a yell.




I hope that I did not give him ideas. All summer long I get those calls and there is not a lot of charm in them after the first few times. DH is on my DS cell phone bill. DS can add family on for $5 a month and a small fee per minute after a the included minutes are out. Donny said he turns into "Chatty Cathy" and that DH bill skyrockets after June 1st!

Now I can talk about your package! Kady flipped over the ring pops. We were both trying to get through the tape (Kenny did a great job) and while I was salivating over the pecans she was hovering over the pops. The BBQ sauce is going to be a treat when I make my very rarely made ribs, so thank you once again. I felt like a kid in a candy store and could not resist asking a certain family member who thinks I spend to much time talking on "that television" what he thought about my "virtual" friends now????? :rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

In all fairness DH likes to tease and I tell him that I share everything about him with you all :lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao: If the camera comes out when he makes a sandwich I think he will have a stroke!

[Nancyg56]

I don't know wfd... yes I do- left over american chop suey. I made a really great one last night.:thumbsup2 Maybe I'll get some rolls to go with it and make a salad.

How did everyone make out with the storm yesterday? We only got a couple of inches here in my part of Maine.... but looks like Sunday will make up for that. Of course it's my Sunday to work... :lmao: DH might be taking me to work in the truck!!

We got about 13 inches here. Sunday looks like a snow event for a few hours and then our weather guy says it is going to turn to an ice and wind event. Not much fun.

[THE HAT]

A quick good morning my friends!! Due to the impending weather situation it looks as if we are leaving here tonight. This is a huge issue as we were supposed to go to my inlaws to celebrate christmas tonight, and they are much to selfish of people to understand that for safety reasons we need to leave earlier then planned. We will go down to my grandmothers to visit with her and give her the gifts we have, and she will understand without an issue at all. Kris is hoping to get out of the office around 10am so that he can get things done around here before we leave...(which includes snowblowing out the driveways as we ended up with 5 inches last night and only were thinking 2, lol), get the dog dropped off. Hopefully we have some time to stop at the inlaws on the way, if not we will have to see them when we get back. You would think that they would want us to be safe, but it doesn't work that way. (whatever)

On the Pictures in the cards.(thanks, I think he is pretty handsome, :))...I did not get pictures to all as I ran out of football ones, and figured I would put school ones in the others, well....we still have not received those yet, (grrrrr) which is a whole other issue, sooo once we do have them I will send them out to those I missed....so sorry!


I want to wish all of you a wonderful Christmas! You will all be in my hearts this holiday, enjoy your families!! To those who have been under the weather, get some much needed rest, don't push!
I will "see" all of you in 2008!!!

Merry Christmas!!! Hugs and Love to you all!!

[TigerKat]

Good morning guys!

I've got to get into work for a bit this morning. I haven't been since before Thanksgiving, I'm sure I'll have to dig my way to my desk.:scared:

Wendie - Be careful & stay safe my friend and most of all "Have a great time"!!

I'm making the velvet shrimp & pasta tonight, something I've been craving.

Have a good one!

[OKWMom]

Nancy I'm glad Kady liked the suckers. That's why I asked you about her being able to have chocolate, I REALLY wanted to make sure there would be something in the box she could have. It would have broken my heart to have found out later I messed it up.

Wendie I don't know if you will read this before you leave, but I hope you have a wonderful time and please, please, please be careful on the roads. I'm sorry your outlaws aren't understanding, but after everything else you've told us, I'm not surprised. For what it's worth, I think you are making the wise choice.

Kathy Good luck finding your desk. I had that problem and I was only gone for a week. You may have to rake a path from the door. :rotfl:

Tonight I am determined that we are having Lauren's chops. White rice and steamed veggies.

Tomorrow morning I'm going to help my sister set up for my niece's birthday party and will stay til the party is over at 3:00. After that, laundry and who knows what for dinner.

Happy Friday everyone!

Gretchen

[Nancyg56]

I am also heading out this morning but I want to wish Wendie a safe drive.

Wendie- too bad about your IL's, they will get over it.The storm is promising to be nasty so it is important to get away from New England before it hits. My DH is not a worrier about winter storms, he laughs at me and he is already nervous about it. Have a wonderful trip and take lots of pictures!

[nucpharm29]

Kathy--I've been craving the velvet shrimp as well. A couple of days ago I was thinking how good that would be on a cold night!

Wendie--Have a great trip! And drive safe!

Gretchen--DH thanks you for the chocolate covered pecans--he's in heaven--and DD LOVED the ringpops--even DS had one. Gotta love sticky fingers all over the place. Thanks again. What a sweet thing to do!:hug:

WFD tonight is up in the air. Our small group from church is having a Christmas party tonight and everyone is supposed to bring a goodie. I'm making the Candy Cane Swirl Cheesecake that's on the candy cane hershey kiss bag. I love those kisses, so making them into a cheesecake sounds yummo!

Well, need to go check on the kiddos--they are being awfully quiet!

[liamsaunt]

Cute Caili pictures!

I have been remiss this week with this thread but I am just so busy! I promise I have lots of photos for you guys and I will get them up this weekend. Here is a photo in the meantime but not of food, it is my Christmas tree!:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2413/2107935947_6703e9ce09.jpg

It's KIND OF food related because there are lots of food ornaments on it. I have a pickle, orange, bananas, grapes, lobster, bbq grill, apple, pear, lemon, chef, strawberries, and a bunch of other foods.

Last night we had leftovers from Wednesday's meal because it was so good. I made the leftover mashed potatoes into parmesean-crusted potato cakes, and then just reheated the short ribs and the sausage and apples. I also made some brussel sprouts tossed with roasted pecans and balsamic vinegar.

I'm not sure wfd tonight...probably some kind of soup--maybe onion, or else corn chowder. I think I might also make some stuffy mushrooms. Otherwise it might be stuffed shells and garlic bread, with a salad. I am also thinking I might make a hot toddy to deal with my cold...not sure on that one though, it sounds kind of gross.

[shovan]

Gosh, Y'all are chatty!:goodvibes

Morning Girls, I'm feeling a little better today. Good thing cus I made an appt to get the roots colored & they need it badly! Really need to try to do some shopping while I'm out, but not sure I'm really up to it. I did cook last night. Lucas's Chickpea & Romaine Soup.

(Lucas, I tried to kick it up a notch & should have left very good alone. I added some chorizo to it & wasn't really an improvement, sort of messed up the fresh taste of the soup. )

Wendie, Be safe on the roads!!! After your through dealing with the outlaw issues, you'll be heading into the WARM & HAPPY PLACE!!! Be safe & have a great time, you deserve it!!! :goodvibes

Kathy, I hope you can find your desk!:goodvibes

Sheryl -- Ask and ye shall receive. Here is what things look like here right now:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/2108775167_114c37342e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2358/2108775195_cc6b18012a_b.jpg

We're all staying safe and warm. Caili didn't have Kindergarten this afternoon and Liam got out a couple hours early, so aside from a trip to the grocery store that took way longer than it should have, we are just enjoying the first big snowfall.

Stay safe and warm, friends!

Laura, Thanks my friend, SHE is Beautiful!! And the snow looks wonderful too!!! :goodvibes Be safe over there, I just heard that y'all are expecting some really heavy storms this weekend.

I
OK, here is the best picture I got of the "snow" we had. Doesn't it make you want a snow cone...or a Kaki Gori in Japan??? :)

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l145/atomsdepot/ril002.jpg

And the turkey that I am soooooo proud of. It was so moist and delicious. Doesn't it look good??? YUM! I used a chop stick to release the skin from the meat (like the liposuction you see on Dr. 90210 :lmao: ) and them rubbed a butter/spice blend under and on the skin. ***That round spot by the leg is where I had the oven thermometer...that thing also worked great!

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l145/atomsdepot/Ebay009.jpg

You be careful stomping through the snow with Riley! He's too cute! Wow I'm really impressed with your turkey!! What a great job! Y'all stay safe!

Cute Caili pictures!

I have been remiss this week with this thread but I am just so busy! I promise I have lots of photos for you guys and I will get them up this weekend. Here is a photo in the meantime but not of food, it is my Christmas tree!:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2413/2107935947_6703e9ce09.jpg

It's KIND OF food related because there are lots of food ornaments on it. I have a pickle, orange, bananas, grapes, lobster, bbq grill, apple, pear, lemon, chef, strawberries, and a bunch of other foods.

I'm not sure wfd tonight...probably some kind of soup--maybe onion, or else corn chowder. I think I might also make some stuffy mushrooms. Otherwise it might be stuffed shells and garlic bread, with a salad. I am also thinking I might make a hot toddy to deal with my cold...not sure on that one though, it sounds kind of gross.

Becky, What a pretty tree! Love the idea of a food themed tree! Of course it really fits you!

Sorry to hear you have a cold too! Take care of it! Lauren had suggested a hot toddy for me last week. So, after I had made a herbal cold tea, that was orange & lemon flavored, I threw a little splash of cointreau in it! Don't think it helped much other than I did sleep well that night!!:laughing:

[shovan]

Nancy, Those roasted curry sweets have become a regular over here too! They are so good, it had me wondering if there were more ways to fix sweet potatoes with curry? Maybe something mashed? Too weird? :confused3

[QUOTE=LindsayDunn228;22155495]Man, how did I miss this exchange??

Lindsay, I'm with you, sad that my laziness over the years as caused me to miss out on all the fun!

I don't know, but heaven knows we are so chatty sometimes that it is easy to miss a post or two. PM me your address and I'll be glad to include you.

So, Gretchen, Can I be a totally selfish Grinch & get in on that? Pleeeze!

Can I get the Christmas address list? I can't send out cards, but right now our local Coffee company will allow me to send out free sample sizes of fav coffees. (While supplies last.) I have already sent this to Nancy & Wendie, who I promised coffee to months ago. :sad2: See why I can't get on the card list! I'm terrible with mailings. If there isn't one list, everyone who wants some coffee, pm me with your address. I just have to type it in & they will send it out for me!! That I can manage! ;)

[Aimeedyan]

Good morning!

Everyone dodging winter storms, please stay safe and update us when you can!

I have to go see a performance of Oliver tonight, one of my kid's is in it. Community theater so hopefully it'll be good. I am going to dinner beforehand with 2 collegues - we're going to Ruby Tuesday. I've only been there once years ago.

Anyone eat there regularly?

[OKWMom]

Gretchen--DH thanks you for the chocolate covered pecans--he's in heaven--and DD LOVED the ringpops--even DS had one. Gotta love sticky fingers all over the place. Thanks again. What a sweet thing to do!:hug:

Well, need to go check on the kiddos--they are being awfully quiet!

Yes, especially with the sticky hands. Sorry for that. :rolleyes1

You are very welcome. Merry Christmas!




I have been remiss this week with this thread but I am just so busy! I promise I have lots of photos for you guys and I will get them up this weekend. Here is a photo in the meantime but not of food, it is my Christmas tree!:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2413/2107935947_6703e9ce09.jpg


Your tree is lovely. I spent a long time looking longingly at the picture. Mine looks like my 9 year old decorated it (because she did). But it made her very proud to do it and I honestly can't do much better so what the heck. Yours however, looks fabulous.

Sorry about your cold. I hope you get to feeling better.



Lindsay, I'm with you, sad that my laziness over the years as caused me to miss out on all the fun!

So, Gretchen, Can I be a totally selfish Grinch & get in on that? Pleeeze!


Certainly. PM me with your address.

[TigerKat]

Well I found my way to my desk and managed to clear up the backlog in three hours.

Now I'm ready to hit the kitchen in a bit and whip up some yummy velvet shrimp.

Gretchen - I had to break down and let the guys in on the chocolate pecans or I'd have eaten the whole bag - they are delicious!:cloud9:

Lauren - Your Riley looked so adorable in that pic and you should be very proud of that turkey, it looked great!!!!

Here's a pic we took of our tree:

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i300/TigerKat_2006/021.jpg

[robinb]

I just made Southwestern Chicken Salad for lunch. I got the recipe from allrecipes.com and it was pretty yummy :). I added a dash of lemon juice (less than 1/4 t) and 2 T chopped red onion to the recipe. I also didn't measure the mayo, but just added some until it was the right consistency.

INGREDIENTS

* 2 boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and cubed
* 3/4 cup mayonnaise
* 1/4 cup chopped celery
* chopped fresh cilantro to taste
* 1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken, mayonnaise, celery, cilantro and seasoning mix. Mix well.
2. Cover bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour.

[TigerKat]

I just made Southwestern Chicken Salad for lunch. I got the recipe from allrecipes.com and it was pretty yummy :). I added a dash of lemon juice (less than 1/4 t) and 2 T chopped red onion to the recipe. I also didn't measure the mayo, but just added some until it was the right consistency.

INGREDIENTS

* 2 boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and cubed
* 3/4 cup mayonnaise
* 1/4 cup chopped celery
* chopped fresh cilantro to taste
* 1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken, mayonnaise, celery, cilantro and seasoning mix. Mix well.
2. Cover bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour.

I LOVE chicken salad and this sounds great, thanks!!

[zipuzee]

Hi all -
As promised, pics from our White Christmas. My internet at home is down so I couldn't do this last night.


I'm sure your idea of a major snowfall is kind of what mine is. We had a "major snowfall" in the winter of 1999 - 3 to 4 inches!!! Everything closed - schools, bridges, some roads, most businesses, grocery stores. I'm sure you know just what I mean.

No - this isn't even that much. I don't remember what the measurements were, but I doubt is was more than an inch or two.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2264/2110457455_f3c25c0662.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2286/2110457351_29bfc7af34.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2156/2110457313_2b4e340321.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/2111235578_f1e6c7e814.jpg


Wendie - to heck with the in-laws! You all have a great christmas and enjoy your vacation!

WFD - We're going to dinner tonight at Mortons, a great seafood restaurant near my house. Hopefully... work is crazy today - our IT person is out, I'm her backup (with very limited knowledge) and our computer system is having problems. I'm waiting for our computer guy to arrive, wave his magic wand and make it better.

[TigerKat]

Lauri - Thanks for posting the Nawlins version of a "White Christmas"!!!!!!:rotfl:

[nucpharm29]

Since we're sharing Christmas tree photos here's ours
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j57/nucpharm29/DSC00793.jpg
The kitchen tree--we figured since we worked so hard painting the blasted room, it needed a tree!

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j57/nucpharm29/DSC00795_edited.jpg
The Living Room tree--just disregard the crazy ribbon placement at the bottom. My sweet poochie decided to jump in the tree when the UPS man arrived

[HERSEY]

zipuzeeOh you are so funny :rotfl2: I had to clean off my computer screen. We call that "snow" powdered sugar.:rotfl:

[TigerKat]

zipuzeeOh you are so funny :rotfl2: I had to clean off my computer screen. We call that "snow" powdered sugar.:rotfl:

Janice - You would had to have been here to believe it. EVERYONE was outside making snowballs and throwing them at neighbors. It was all over the news - bridges were shut down, streets closed. It was a "huge storm" here.:lmao:

[TigerKat]

Steph - Did you say your pooch JUMPED into the Christmas tree??????????

[nucpharm29]

Steph - Did you say your pooch JUMPED into the Christmas tree??????????

As much as she possibly could--she's not terribly big, but she tries to attack (through the window:rolleyes: ) anyone that comes to the door--well, now between her and the window is the Christmas tree. I come out to find the ribbon all over the place, ornaments broken and needles all over the floor. Crazy dog! Needless to say, we've removed all fragile ornaments from the lower branches--I've had two keepsakes broken already:sad2:

[TigerKat]

As much as she possibly could--she's not terribly big, but she tries to attack (through the window:rolleyes: ) anyone that comes to the door--well, now between her and the window is the Christmas tree. I come out to find the ribbon all over the place, ornaments broken and needles all over the floor. Crazy dog! Needless to say, we've removed all fragile ornaments from the lower branches--I've had two keepsakes broken already:sad2:

My beagle attacks :rolleyes1 too. Even when the doorbell rings on TV.:lmao:

[FormrCastMbr]

Hey Guys! Sorry I have been MIA...Andrew had a delayed opening and I had to go to the Laundramat to do clothes since my laundry room is being ripped apart...:eek: :eek: :eek: I then went to target...

I have no idea what is for dinner. Whatever I throw together. I have to get A ready to go with the donor now but I will be back.

Thanks for the kind words on Riley and my turkey.

Steph, just as I was ready about your furbaby, I heard a ball drop from my tree. Riley and the cats are driving me nuts taking aff the garland and ornaments.

I will take a pic of the tree later.

Aimee, I have been to Ruby's a couple months ago. Love their salad bar. THe crab cakes look really good on the commercial. I never had a bad dish there but can't remember what I've eaten.

Feel better Becky...yeah, have a hot toddy!!!

Laura, Caili is adorable in that pic!!!

OK, I am going a mile a minute here...can you tell??? :)

[liamsaunt]

[quote=nucpharm29;22162676]Since we're sharing Christmas tree photos here's ours
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j57/nucpharm29/DSC00793.jpg
The kitchen tree--we figured since we worked so hard painting the blasted room, it needed a tree!

I like your trees! What paint is that on your kitchen wall? I think I just did my home theater the same color...aura cailente? And, I have that same print! It's over my wine locker. :)

[robinb]

The "dusting" of snow pictures crack me up. We have a bunch of it here in Wisconsin. Here's a picture of my DD taken outside. She made the box from one of her Hanukkah presents into a robot.

http://personalpages.tds.net/%7Erb/DIS/CeliaRobot.jpg

As you can see, the snow is piled about 3 - 4 feet high.

[nucpharm29]

Becky--the color is Briquette by Behr--took me 6 months to decide to paint and then 6 more months to decide what color to choose--so many reds, so many possible wrong choices!;)

Robin--LOL on the robot! And I thought 2 year olds were the only ones that liked the box more than the toy that came in it!

Wendie, Glynis, and Kathy--Thanks for the cards! Made for a great mail day!

[HERSEY]

I am making Jambalaya for dinner. I figure it will warm me up enough to forget about it being so cold out.

I would take a picture of our snow for you all but when we had rain the other day most of it disappeared. Don't fret I hear we will get more tomorrow.

Tonight I'm baking key lime cheesecake cups, brownie truffle cups too for tomorrow nights family party. I'll post recipes in the morning.

[shovan]

Hey What are y'all laughing at? That was a serious snowfall!!!! :laughing: ;)

Lauri, Thanks for posting our once in a lifetime NOLA Christmas Day!

Robin, I love your DD's robot! It figures, give a kid a present & they play with the box even more than the gift!!! Wowee, now that is a real snowfall!

No cooking tonight, we'll eat leftover soup. It took hours to get my hair done today. I went to the Aveda school (cus I save so much money) and got a newbie, my appt was for 12 & I didn't get out of there until after 4. So I didn't get to do any shopping again. And I still do not have a tree up, so sorry I can't post snow or even a tree!

I probably won't check in tomorrow. DD is graduating during the afternoon & we will have a large crowd going out to dinner after! :cool1:

p.s.If anyof you not on the Christmas Card list wants to receive some New Orleans coffee samples, pm me your address. Community Coffee seems to be allowing me to send as many as I want to anyone out of state.

[TigerKat]

If anyone's interested I started a dining review. It's not witty or funny just what we had & pics and our thoughts.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1661247

[liamandcaili]

Thanks everyone for the nice comments about Caili and the snow. It was a little winter wonderland here last night...not so much for the people who had 7 hour commutes though -- I'm not kidding. One of my neighbors works in Boston, about 17 miles from here, maybe less, and it took him 7.5 hours to get home. Crazy!! We had about 8 inches on the ground this morning, but the kids still had school. I guess we're in for more stormy weather on Sunday. I am hoping for a white Christmas. Even in NE, we haven't had one in recent memory.

Wendie -- Have a safe, wonderful and magical trip!

Dinner tonight was lamb chops, rice, leftover mashed turnips, spinach and rolls.

[liamandcaili]

Sheryl -- I forgot to add, big congratulations to your daughter! :cool1:

[Nancyg56]

The "dusting" of snow pictures crack me up. We have a bunch of it here in Wisconsin. Here's a picture of my DD taken outside. She made the box from one of her Hanukkah presents into a robot.


Your DD is cute in her box. I was also chuckling over the dusting and thinking how the state shut down :lmao:Those southern Gals need to visit us here for a real sleighride!




I probably won't check in tomorrow. DD is graduating during the afternoon & we will have a large crowd going out to dinner after! :cool1:



COngradulations to your DD. She sure has worked hard.

Thanks everyone for the nice comments about Caili and the snow. It was a little winter wonderland here last night...not so much for the people who had 7 hour commutes though -- I'm not kidding. One of my neighbors works in Boston, about 17 miles from here, maybe less, and it took him 7.5 hours to get home. Crazy!! We had about 8 inches on the ground this morning, but the kids still had school. I guess we're in for more stormy weather on Sunday. I am hoping for a white Christmas. Even in NE, we haven't had one in recent memory.



I am looking forward to a white Christmas as well, it has been too long since the last one.

Laura, my son was in traffic for 6 hours last night to make a 45 minute commute. My DH cousin stood on a bus from Hartford for 4 1/2 hours to make what is normally a 20 minute commute. It was nuts! Today the governor is trying to come up with a "solution" to the problem. Can't wait to see what reaction comes of this!

I went shopping with the girls tonight, I finally did some Christmas shopping. Marisa took us to dinner at Red Robin. I had the chicken pizza burger thing. Oh my it was good!

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. I have some errands to run and I need to make sure my Aunt is all set, then make sure the house is clean. The storm still is looking like a big ice storm so I need to be ready. I'll probably make something with the ground beef I have in the fridge.

[Aimeedyan]

Robin - love the snow pic of your daughter! What a ham!

Shovan - I hope that haircut was worth the time! That is nuts! Also, congrats to your daughter!


Well, we ended up stopping at Outback instead of Ruby Tuesdays since traffic was so bad. You certainly didn't hear complaining out of me since it was on an expense acct! ;)

I had the blue cheese encrusted filet, loaded baked potato, and salad with blue cheese. I LOVE my blue cheese! Yum Yum.

[LindsayDunn228]

Today we are going to my stepfather's family for their Christmas. The live in Blue Ride, GA, so it's a pretty, but curvy, drive. We are eating lupper there, plus there is leftover Glynis roast if we are hungry when we get home.

WFD at your house?

And now for an update on:

The Romance of the Smitten Kittens

As I mentioned yesterday, the SKs joined us for dinner last night. I made an awesome dinner of Glynis roast (that's what we call it, hee hee!), carrots, and potatoes. Thankfully, my roast turned out to be MEGA-tender!! Woo hoo! Everyone loved the dinner.

After I cleaned up, we adjourned to the living room. Would you believe that from about 7-midnight the 4 of us just sat and yakked? Our plan was to restart season 1 of Heroes and get Robin caught up, but we didn't. Yes, all is well with the four of us and I'm so glad. I think we are really starting to comfortably become 2 couples hanging out. They sure are loosening up around us, no pun intended. Instead of sneaking smooches when they think we aren't looking, they just do it in front of us. Yes, "get a room," is appropriate, but meh, you just deal with it. It's awesome to see both of them so happy. They really deserve it.

Robin is on call every other weekend (she is a gas scheduler). She had to bring in her laptop and do a few minutes of work. We all went in our office while she did what she had to do. We laughed and joked and had a good time. Kevin and I had a little too much fun playing with the cameras on our cell phones. I will post our pictures later :)

Since she is on call she needs to be able to access her laptop, so Kevin is going over to her house today to watch movies. Robin has something up her sleeve for the day. She was about to tell me when Kevin walked in the room. She stopped and said, "I'll e-mail you, muahwahahahah!!" Don't you know that little info is driving me nuts! :lmao:

Anyway, Robin is now coming over on Friday nights with Kevin. I think I'm going to start calling us the Fearsome Foursome.

And there is your update on The Romance of the Smitten Kittens.

popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::

[HERSEY]

Good morning. It's lightly snowing here I hope we are on the light side of this snow. Downstate and into Indiana and Michigan should get the heavier amounts.

This afternoon is my early Christmas with my family. I hope to find out my Aunt and Uncle are not going to drive out east. I worry about them driving out in this weather. Snow is one thing but lake effect snow is awful. We drove to Detroit one year in that stuff you couldn't see past the hood of your car. :eek:

I better get in the shower and wash my hair so it dries by tonight. Yes my hair takes that long, it is too thick.

My little box of Zatarains jambalaya turned out pretty good. Alex and his friend really liked it. I just used chicken and smoked sausage not too spicey since Alex never had that kind of spice before.

Do you southern ladies have a good recipe for more authentic Jambalaya?

[liamsaunt]

Robin that is a really cute photo!

OK, I finally have pictures for you guys! I am not posting the astroburger though. Just looking at it again made me want to hurl, so I deleted it!

The last meal I made before Disney. It's mutter paner and naan, though as you can see I had no peas, so I guess it's just paneer and naan. Nothing green, a perfect setup for what I would be eating at Disney!:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2105/2112102483_078a98f687.jpg

Here is the cajun turkey, parmesean orzo, and winter squash from Monday:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2350/2112102661_468965f3ca.jpg

Short ribs with mashed potatoes and creamed spinach from Wednesday:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2059/2112102159_d80c801255.jpg

The shepard's pie from Raglan Road (remember, my Dad thought it was not good):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2260/2112880128_5e4d7933d0.jpg

Caili eating a Napoleon from Patiserrie Boulangerie (yes, we are in Morroco. I brought in food from other countries! Gasp!):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2345/2112101809_876e12c389.jpg

An assortment of panini from one night before we left. There are three kinds...scrambled eggs, chilis, and sriacha on baguette, a simple proscuitto-fresh mozzarella-salad greens one, and the wrap has smoked turkey, cheese, and bacon. The sauce in the middle is for dipping that sandwich into--it's raspberry chipotle with some sour cream.

Schwarma plate from Morroco--half eaten, I was STARVING. This was excellent, by the way:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2420/2112101455_ac5394785f.jpg

Cheese fondue from last night...YUM! Excuse the messy kitchen please...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/2112101385_218666b706.jpg

Gratineed eggs with sweet basil bacon, toasted baguette, and mache salad (I forget which night this was!!):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2297/2112101321_6261904642.jpg

Parmesean potato pancakes from Thursday:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2335/2112879870_7666bc9743.jpg

Brussel sprouts with roasted pecans and balsamic vinegar from Thursday:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2353/2112879472_012f2cb400.jpg

Chicken apple sausage in a cider-apple onion compote, with mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. I had this the night I made DH the short ribs (Wednesday):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2205/2112101145_18e40a81ab.jpg

Leftover sausage with the potato cakes, sprouts and Mom's famous eggplant sticks (Thursday):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2284/2112101561_7ea653f582.jpg

Leftover short ribs with the same sides (Thursday):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2358/2112102321_bb490cb3f8.jpg

OK, I think that brings me up to date!

Tonight I am making linguini with cod and tomatoes, a salad and some crusty bread.





http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2365/2112101725_87cfbf010c.jpg

[TigerKat]

My little box of Zatarains jambalaya turned out pretty good. Alex and his friend really liked it. I just used chicken and smoked sausage not too spicey since Alex never had that kind of spice before.

Do you southern ladies have a good recipe for more authentic Jambalaya?

There's a ton of variations out there. I have tried this one before and it's very good:

http://neworleanscuisine.blogspot.com/2005/05/shrimp-and-chicken-jambalaya-recipe.html

Becky - Awesome pics!!!!! Glad to have your porn back!!;)

WFD tonight - Omaha steaks, stuffed sole and au gratin potatoes!

[Aimeedyan]

Becky - great pics!

Tonight we will probably eat out, though we were going to grill hamburgers at home. I offered to pick up a relative at the airport and his flight comes in at 630 and he'll probably be hungry so we're going to bank on eating with him instead.

[lucas]

There's a ton of variations out there. I have tried this one before and it's very good:

http://neworleanscuisine.blogspot.com/2005/05/shrimp-and-chicken-jambalaya-recipe.html



TigerKat, that recipe sounds fantastic. I'm gonna make it either today or in the next couple of days. :thumbsup2

The website looks great, too. I've got to go back and check out some of the other recipes. Thanks for posting the link.

[HERSEY]

There's a ton of variations out there. I have tried this one before and it's very good:

http://neworleanscuisine.blogspot.com/2005/05/shrimp-and-chicken-jambalaya-recipe.html

Becky - Awesome pics!!!!! Glad to have your porn back!!;)

WFD tonight - Omaha steaks, stuffed sole and au gratin potatoes!

Thanks for the link. I think that will be our New year day menu item. I have to think of a menu so I can do the black eye peas like my MIL did.

I cheated on the dessert for today's get together I started not to feel well last night so I didn't finish my baking like I wanted. I went to the bakery for some cannoli and cookies. I did make the key lime cheesecake and rice krispies treats oh and the cathedral windows (melted chocolate with mini colored marshmallows). It made a nice looking tray if I say so myself.

I feel much better I think just ate too much junk food at work. I'll be glad when the holidays are past me.

[TigerKat]

TigerKat, that recipe sounds fantastic. I'm gonna make it either today or in the next couple of days. :thumbsup2

The website looks great, too. I've got to go back and check out some of the other recipes. Thanks for posting the link.

I hope you like it!! Do you remember the Back-a-town chicken recipe? I know you tried it. I posted it on the stop-smoking forum I'm on and they're all going crazy over it!!

Thanks for the link. I think that will be our New year day menu item. I have to think of a menu so I can do the black eye peas like my MIL did.



Every New Years Day it's the same thing here - Pork roast with cabbage and black-eyes.:thumbsup2


Steph - Thanks for the lovely card!!!!!!:goodvibes

[LindsayDunn228]

My stepsister is in from Albuquerque this week. My stepsister and BIL are also spending the weekend with my parents (they live in Knoxville, about 1 1/2 hours from here). We are getting together with them today to eat and exchange gifts. Going against traditional holiday foods, we are grilling hamburgers and hot dogs :)

WFD at your house?

[HERSEY]

Good morning!

Kathy I was thinking about a pork roast too. The black eyed peas and greens would go better. I don't have much time anymore to make greens. How do you do your peas?

Lindsay Grilling sounds really good I would have to shovel my way to the grill only to scrape it off. Darned snow.

We had a great time with my family last night. My cousin who had a severe stroke 3 years didn't look good. He doesn't even try to communicate anymore. My aunt and uncle will try either tomorrow or tuesday for their drive to Ny. I hope the weather clears out east to make their drive safe.

[FormrCastMbr]

Hi All,

Sorry I have been MIA...we went to my sisters yesterday for my nephews bday and today BigMama and Clark-Kent are coming over to help with the bathroom. I think we will just to some sort of take out.

Will check back when I have a few more minutes.\


Have a great day!

[TigerKat]

Good morning!

Kathy I was thinking about a pork roast too. The black eyed peas and greens would go better. I don't have much time anymore to make greens. How do you do your peas?



I cook the peas the same way I do my red and white beans, which is posted here. But I'll bet that site I posted yesterday has a good recipe, gotta check it out!

Glad to hear you had a good time yesterday. Sorry about your cousin, I'll keep him in my prayers.

I'm getting ready to get started in the kitchen. I'm making a big pot of Lauren's spaghetti sauce with sausages and meatballs. I made my meatballs yesterday(the raw mixture) and put them in my frig in the garage. The whole garage smells like garlic this morning!:laughing:

[liamandcaili]

We're having a big winter storm here today -- not at all pretty like the other day -- so the kids and I are staying home, making some Christmas cookies and watching the Pats. I'll make pizza for dinner.

[HERSEY]

laura Stay safe that stuff sounds fierce.

Since the dogs and the plows had me up early I decided to take a little nap. I was woken by my neighbors shoveling my drive. I'm am glad I have such energic neighbors.

I still have to decide what I'm making for dinner since I'm working this afternoon.

[OKWMom]

The "dusting" of snow pictures crack me up. We have a bunch of it here in Wisconsin. Here's a picture of my DD taken outside. She made the box from one of her Hanukkah presents into a robot.


She is precious! And wow, is that a lot of snow.


I probably won't check in tomorrow. DD is graduating during the afternoon & we will have a large crowd going out to dinner after! :cool1:


Congrats! I hope everything went well yesterday.


Your DD is cute in her box. I was also chuckling over the dusting and thinking how the state shut down :lmao:Those southern Gals need to visit us here for a real sleighride!


I know this southern girl would like the sleighride part, but not the 8 hours stuck on the snowy road part. If I had that much snow, I would be so scared to drive I'd become a hermit in the winter. It sure is pretty though.


Well, we ended up stopping at Outback instead of Ruby Tuesdays since traffic was so bad. You certainly didn't hear complaining out of me since it was on an expense acct! ;)

I had the blue cheese encrusted filet, loaded baked potato, and salad with blue cheese. I LOVE my blue cheese! Yum Yum.

I haven't eaten at Ruby Tuesdays in years, but it certainly sounds like you got a better deal at outback. ;)


We're having a big winter storm here today -- not at all pretty like the other day -- so the kids and I are staying home, making some Christmas cookies and watching the Pats. I'll make pizza for dinner.

Stay warm and safe. It does look like you will be having a white Christmas this year.


laura Since the dogs and the plows had me up early I decided to take a little nap. I was woken by my neighbors shoveling my drive. I'm am glad I have such energic neighbors.


How sweet of them! Stay warm if you can.

I didn't check in yesterday because like I posted earlier, I was helping my sister with my niece's birthday party. Well, I think my sister was doing her best to kill me. ;) I seriously don't know where she gets her energy. We starting setting up at 9:00 for the 1:00 party. After cleaning up, it was close to 4:00 when I got home. I collapsed on the couch for about an hour then made the creole shrimp bake for dinner. I was exhausted, but I told Kenny I would make it if he would peel the shrimp.

Tonight I'm making a baked spaghetti.

[TigerKat]

Lauren - I followed your recipe to a "T" and it was fantastic!!!!! It makes a ton and I think Johnny ate 1/4 of it.:laughing: It reminded me so much of my Mom's, she used to put the meatballs in raw and it does make a big difference. I loved the pork ribs in there. It was just a big pot of yumminess!:cloud9:

[Nancyg56]

Hi!

Just checking in. I spent a good portion of the day on my Christmas Cards. I misplaced one of my address books when I moved my desk out and now I am stuck :headache:. I called a cousin and she sent me some addresses but I am going to have to wing the rest. I hope that I don't forget anyone. I'll finish tomorrow and pop them in the mail.

Talk to you all in the morning.

[Aimeedyan]

We had a wacky food day. After church, we didn't have afternoon activities so I actually got to eat at home so I made us grilled ham and cheese sandwiches with tater tots.

Then we had a party from 4-7 with my kids, where we had hot dogs, smores, nachos, etc. I ate half a hot dog and some nachos but nothing else because I was still full from lunch.

Then we ran to another party, this time with "big people" from 7-9. They had ham, turkey, etc but I still wasn't hungry.

I'm finally home and drinking a pumpkin spice cappucino and wondering if I'm going to get hungry at some point. DH took advantage of all the food ;)

[LindsayDunn228]

I went to my parent's house yesterday with the intention of going grocery shopping after we left. I marched right out of my house with no idea WFD this week or a grocery list. I do NOT wing it in the grocery store, I always have a list. So my scatterbrained mind worked w/ what I knew I had here at home. On that note, we are having breakfast for dinner again: scrambled eggs, hash browns, turkey sausage links, and biscuits. It's going to be a very cool day so some comfort food will be yummy :)

WFD at your house?

And now for a mini-update on:

The Romance of the Smitten Kittens

Tomorrow is Robin's birthday. Yesterday her family took her out to lunch at The Olive Garden and Kevin was invited. I got a really cool picture from Robin this morning of the SKs and her brother and SIL. My, my, my...they are really turning into a handsome couple. The picture was taken in someone's home, so they went with her family somewhere after dinner. :)

Robin decided she would start coming over with Kevin to our house on Friday nights. Well, we semi-invited her anyway, but whatever. So I will see her again Friday and we are taking her out for her birthday Thursday. After spending alllllllllllllllllllllllll day with her last Tuesday, we have gotten to be really good friends :)

And there's your semi-update on The Romance of the Smitten Kittens.

[Nancyg56]

Hi All!

We got a lot of snowy stuff here yesterday. I have no idea how much or what it turned out to be because I was hibernating indoors. The kids have a late opening today so I am a little off kilter. I'll finish the cards, pick up a few things at the store, make a Shepard's Pie for dinner and then tonight DH and I are going to a Reconciliation and Penance service at church. Have a good day everyone!

[FormrCastMbr]

Morning All!

I am a little blah today but ok...just that TOM!

I really need to get my shopping done this week and bake some cookies...my house isn't the neatest it could be since the work is still in progress down stairs. We did get the shower walls up and the plumber and electrician are coming this week to get some stuff done.

Sheryl, Congrats to your daughter!!!

Stephanie, I am making your recipe for the Main St French Toast this evening! I cannot wait.

OK, I am off to get some stuff done...sorry if I missed anyone...I am crampy and my ****s are killing me...I know, TMI!

Have a great day all!
Lauren

[TigerKat]

Good morning all!

WFD tonight - Roast Beef po-boys and sweet potato fries.

Have a good one!

[liamandcaili]

Janice -- I am glad you have helpful neighbors too!

The storm was pretty messy yesterday -- snow all morning, then rain all afternoon -- which led to heavy, wet snow on top and slush on the bottom. I was just about at my shoveling limit yesterday evening (I refuse to shovel until the storms are over...I am NOT shoveling twice!) when one of my neighbors came by and helped me finish. Thank goodness I did it last night because during the night the temperature dropped about 30 degrees and now everything is solid ice! I better go put some sand out so my mailman doesn't break something trying to get to the mailbox.

I think I am going to make corn chowder for dinner tonight. After sitting in the ice rink for two hours, I am going to need something hot.

[zipuzee]

My internet's still down at home so I'm catching up from the weekend. Hope everyone had a good weekend. We did a lot of shopping. Have one or two more things to get and we'll be ready for Christmas.

Becky - great pics as usual. How do you cook Gratineed eggs? It looked really good!
And tell your Mom (thanks to you as well) for the roast cooking instructions. I did a rump roast last night and it came out perfectly rare!


Hey What are y'all laughing at? That was a serious snowfall!!!! :laughing: ;)
Lauri, Thanks for posting our once in a lifetime NOLA Christmas Day!


I knew it would bring a laugh, especially from the girls who get real snow. But if you would have seen us playing in it; we stopped opening presents to go outside. Christmas became the side item on that day!!


My little box of Zatarains jambalaya turned out pretty good. Alex and his friend really liked it. I just used chicken and smoked sausage not too spicey since Alex never had that kind of spice before.

Do you southern ladies have a good recipe for more authentic Jambalaya?

Glad to see Kathy got you hooked up. I cheat and use a mix by Oak Grove. If fact thats WFD tonight; jambalaya and corn bread.

Hope everyone stays warm and toasty!!

[TigerKat]

And tell your Mom (thanks to you as well) for the roast cooking instructions. I did a rump roast last night and it came out perfectly rare!


Lauri - Do you know what page that is on? I printed it out and now I can't find it.

[zipuzee]

No - but I saved on my computer here at work. Here you go:

For all roasts, coat with flour and season well with salt and pepper. Mom also either adds garlic powder or makes small slits in the roast and inserts garlic slices. She puts fresh rosemary on top. She roasts in a regular baking dish.

Cook a rump roast for 26 minutes/pound at 325. Rest, loosely covered with foil for 20 minutes.

Cook sirloin roast for 21 minutes/pound. Rest, loosely covered with foil for 20 minutes.

Cook tenderloin roast 21 minutes/pound at 325. Rest, loosely covered with foil, for 10-20 minutes.

Serve with gravy.

(Liam Sisters)

[shovan]

Afternoon My WFD friends!

Becky, Love the pics!! How were those brussels sprouts? Can you give me a little detail on how you did them?

We had a great time Saturday! I have some pics for y'all! We had a crowd show up to celebrate DD's graduation (22 of us.) We went to a great Italian rest. in the Quarter. They had opera singers during dinner that were really excellent & really added to the ambiance.

Unfortunately my poor DD came down with a really bad stomach flu yesterday. (Thank the Good Lord that happened Sunday & not the day of graduation.) Thank goodness she was able to get in to see a dr this morning.

Don't know if I'll cook today. DH has been on a spending spree, yesterday he decided we were going to buy an entertainment center to house the new tv that should come in today. It is a huge piece of furniture, so then he got on the phone to see if he could get the sheetrock done on that wall before it (ent. ctr.) arrives on Friday. Just found out that Mario is on hold on his other job & will come tomorrow to do it. So I'm going crazy trying to clean up DD's old room to hold all of Alexis toys that are in the den. ( My DD has been married for 2 years & there is still a ton of her stuff here! :confused3 )

Anyway, back to good stuff, here's Grad. Day pics!

The Grad, her proud husband & the proud parents!
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p289/bshovan/IMG_0098.jpg

The Grad
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p289/bshovan/IMG_0083.jpg


My two favorite girls!
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p289/bshovan/IMG_0103.jpg

And because we all love food porn, tiramisu from Cafe Giovanni:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p289/bshovan/IMG_0104.jpg

Stay safe & warm y'all!

[TigerKat]

No - but I saved on my computer here at work. Here you go:

For all roasts, coat with flour and season well with salt and pepper. Mom also either adds garlic powder or makes small slits in the roast and inserts garlic slices. She puts fresh rosemary on top. She roasts in a regular baking dish.

Cook a rump roast for 26 minutes/pound at 325. Rest, loosely covered with foil for 20 minutes.

Cook sirloin roast for 21 minutes/pound. Rest, loosely covered with foil for 20 minutes.

Cook tenderloin roast 21 minutes/pound at 325. Rest, loosely covered with foil, for 10-20 minutes.

Serve with gravy.

(Liam Sisters)


Thanks so much!!!!!

[Aimeedyan]

I've been feeling pukey since last night. I ate brown rice and wonton soup for lunch and even it doesn't seem to be settling well.

I have a meeting tonight so I think I'll just fast. DH is going to make a sandwich at home.