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

[Glynis]

Glynis - Glad to hear you're feeling better!! Not sure I'd like to be eating dinner during that particular movie, isn't it kinda gory??

Why yes, it was!!! Luckily, I know the story (saw it on Broadway years ago), so I knew when to close my eyes!

[Glynis]

Glynis - so glad it worked it's way out so quickly! We talked about seeing Sweeney Todd tonight at our favorite Movie Grill but I wasn't sure about eating and watching it at the same time. Heard it was gory. We farted around too long and missed the chance to go tonight anyways so I'd love to hear your review.

Well, you have to know going into this review that I LOVE the music!!! I also really love Johnny Depp. That being said, I felt like the movie was really well done, in a Tim Burton kind of way. I thought Depp was really good, but looked way too young to play Sweeney Todd. Helena Bonham Carter was wonderful as Mrs. Lovett. I didn't think I'd like anyone but Angela Lansbury in that role, but I thought this was spot on for what the director wanted. Alan Rickman was spectacular as Judge Turpin! Loved him!!!!

I knew it was going to be gory, and it was, so I just kept my eyes closed during the appropriate parts. I'm glad that we went, but I don't think it's one that I will buy to own!

[Glynis]

Hi everyone. Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I've had a really rough couple of days. My sister is having some serious problems with her husband and as you can imagine, my entire family has been on an emotional roller coaster. I spent last night with her and we were up past 2 am. Tonight my brother and SIL are at her house keeping her children and she is with a friend. I'm not sure what tomorrow is going to bring, or if I'll be able to check in.

Friends, please pray for my sister and her children. And if you can spare a prayer for me as well, I'd really appreciate it. We really need them.

My prayers are with you all!

[Glynis]

Aimee - I think you did the right thing! It was tough, but it had to be done. I think it's wonderful that you are trying to pay down some debt. DH and I are doing the same thing. It's tough, but oh, the feeling of accomplishment when you can cut up one of those cards!!!

Dinner tonight is my crockpot pot roast! We're also having brown rice and green beans with it. Dessert will be ice cream sundaes or shakes, depending on what the kids want.

[zipuzee]

Aimee - you did exactly the right thing. I've been in your shoes many times and it's hard; but maybe DH learned an important lesson with this!

Lindsay - Congrats to the SK's!! Too short a time frame? Not if you ask me. DH & I dated for exactly one month before he proposed. We'll celebrate our 25th anniversary this coming May.

Tonight's dinner is the maple balsamic pork that Aimee posted yesterday. We'll have mixed veggies and french bread as sides.

[OKWMom]

Thanks to everyone for their prayers and support. We're all doing somewhat better today and hopefully tomorrow will be even better. I guess it will just take time. My sister and her husband have separated and after she has gotten past the hurt, she has a big decision to make. My family is very close and she knows (and we told her) we will all support her no matter what decision she makes, but this feels like a death. I know that sounds strange, but that is the closest parallel I can draw. Anyway, once again, thank you to all of you for your thoughts and prayers.

Lindsay - Congrats to the SKs. As far as the timeline, I'm living in a glass house and wouldn't dare toss a pebble their way. Kenny and I were married five and one-half months after our first date.

Aimee - I know it was difficult to do, but I also believe you did the right thing. Don't worry about what the inlaws think, they aren't paying the bills.

Kathy - Thanks for the update on Lori. Now about your dinner. Is the Shrimp Monica posted? :goodvibes

Laura - Beautiful pictures of your angel! Thank you for sharing with us.

Stephanie - I don't know how much you'll be checking in before you leave, but have a great time and I hope you have a successful run. Or do I say good luck or be careful. Not sure. You're the only person I know who runs marathons.

Tonight's dinner has still not been fixed. I guess I better run and figure out what to feed the family. Hopefully I talk to all of you tomorrow.

[TigerKat]

Gretchen - I'm not sure if the Monica recipe is posted or not. I have the link saved on my computer. It can be done with crawfish, shrimp, crabmeat or oysters. This is definitely not for dieters:

http://www.cajuncookingrecipes.com/cajun/crawfish_monica.html

[HERSEY]

Gretchen Divorce or just a separation can be like a death. You go throught the same emotions

Stephanie Good luck!

tonight we are having sauted chicken breast with noodles and something green.

[Nancyg56]

Thanks to everyone for their prayers and support. We're all doing somewhat better today and hopefully tomorrow will be even better. I guess it will just take time. My sister and her husband have separated and after she has gotten past the hurt, she has a big decision to make. My family is very close and she knows (and we told her) we will all support her no matter what decision she makes, but this feels like a death. I know that sounds strange, but that is the closest parallel I can draw. Anyway, once again, thank you to all of you for your thoughts and prayers.


Gretchen- I am so sorry. I know that your family will support your sister while she decides her future. My prayers are with all of you.

[Aimeedyan]

Well, you have to know going into this review that I LOVE the music!!! I also really love Johnny Depp. That being said, I felt like the movie was really well done, in a Tim Burton kind of way. I thought Depp was really good, but looked way too young to play Sweeney Todd. Helena Bonham Carter was wonderful as Mrs. Lovett. I didn't think I'd like anyone but Angela Lansbury in that role, but I thought this was spot on for what the director wanted. Alan Rickman was spectacular as Judge Turpin! Loved him!!!!

I knew it was going to be gory, and it was, so I just kept my eyes closed during the appropriate parts. I'm glad that we went, but I don't think it's one that I will buy to own!

Thanks for the review! Maybe we'll catch it before it leaves the theater.

[Aimeedyan]

Thanks to everyone for their prayers and support. We're all doing somewhat better today and hopefully tomorrow will be even better. I guess it will just take time. My sister and her husband have separated and after she has gotten past the hurt, she has a big decision to make. My family is very close and she knows (and we told her) we will all support her no matter what decision she makes, but this feels like a death. I know that sounds strange, but that is the closest parallel I can draw. Anyway, once again, thank you to all of you for your thoughts and prayers.

Divorce is a death (of a relationship) and can sometimes be even harder if there are children involved because the closure doesn't come as easily.

I will be thinking of her - it's so wonderful she has a great support system.

[Aimeedyan]

Tonight's dinner is the maple balsamic pork that Aimee posted yesterday. We'll have mixed veggies and french bread as sides.

I hope you like it! I got it from the Dec Cooking Light magazine.

Tonight we had Italian Chicken in the crockpot - didn't somewhere here post that? Cream soup, cream cheese, italian dressing mix, white wine? I served it over angel hair pasta with garlic bread. Tasty!

Thanks for all the words of agreement :laughing: I am feeling a wee bit less guilty today and he hasn't mentioned it. Perhaps it'll be a lesson =)

[liamandcaili]

Aimee -- I think you did the right thing. DH and I have had a lot of financial issues over the years, and I have finally gotten us to the point where we are almost credit card debt-free (within the year). I would be so upset if he made any purchases to put us back in the hole!

Stephanie -- Have a great trip and a great run!

Gretchen -- I think you described the feeling precisely. I wish your sister the best in making the right decision for her and her children.

Lindsay -- Congratulations to Robin and Kevin! DH and I were married one year to the day of our first date.

Today was another day at the skating rink for us. Remember how I said I knew Caili's team would place first because they weren't competing against anyone? Well, when there isn't any competition, the team competes against the book...no idea what that means or entails...let's just say, the book won. The team placed second. It was their first competition this season though, and since I thought they were a complete mess a couple weeks ago, they looked pretty good today.

Becky was nice enough to provide me with a hearty cheesy pasta meal, bread and salad after the competition. I was starving, so it was just what I needed.

[Nancyg56]

Aimee- Don't feel too badly. In our family my DH is the money manager. I have never been very practical financially, so he keeps us on track. There were a few times when I was irritated with him but honestly I am very grateful that he is more disciplined than I. Your DH had good intentions and that is nice but I would bet you a buck that he is secretly grateful that you are as focused as you are.


Kathy- Thanks for letting us know how Lori is.

Laura- How on Earth do kids compete against a book?????? And then how does the book win???????? I protest!

In our family my DH got us on track. We don't have too much CC debt left and we are going to try to get rid of the rest of it so I know that I may be grumbling a bit this summer, but it is going to be worth it.

Becky- Chickroast :lmao::lmao::lmao: You kill me lady!

Lindsay- A wedding! You know that WFD crowd loves weddings!

Well today was a long day. My sister made waffles in this incredible contraption that she got from William Sonoma when her DD was working for Pottery Barn. Oh my goodness it was like magic. Then she cooked her bacon on a panini maker on steroids! t was a gadget lovers paradise in her kitchen this morning! We had a late lunch of warmed over pizza. I got home and DD and DGD made pizza for dinner. Thank goodness I love it!

[LindsayDunn228]

Tonight we had Italian Chicken in the crockpot - didn't somewhere here post that? Cream soup, cream cheese, italian dressing mix, white wine? I served it over angel hair pasta with garlic bread. Tasty!


I did!! This is one of my faves! :)

[Aimeedyan]

Thanks Lindsay for the recipe! Oh - and congrats to the lovely couple. I want details on this proposal! My own proposal STUNK so I have to live vicariously through others. ;)

[zipuzee]

I hope you like it! I got it from the Dec Cooking Light magazine.

Aimee - It was fabulous!! My DH & DD both loved it; it's definitely a keeper!

[LindsayDunn228]

Today my grandmother is coming over help me clean. I am making Glynis roast, carrots, and smashed potatoes. I can't wait for her to try it!

WFD at your house?

And now for an update on:

The Romance of the Smitten Kittens

Ever known a secret so huge that it actually hurts?? That's what lunch with my ILs and Kevin felt like yesterday. But I patiently waited, and waited, and waited. Robin told me he was going to tell just us yesterday, not his parents (I think they are going to get a ring first). Kevin told me he went to her house Saturday, watched some movies, talked awhile (and I know what about, was my thought. Seriously, I was hurting!!), and fell asleep watching something else and he didn't get home until 2 a.m. Which means Robin texted me the second he left, lol!

Anyway, back to lunch. Kevin has to catch a plane to Corpus Christi today so he said he had to get packed and everything yesterday afternoon. As we were leaving, Scott dropped a casual invitation to our house if he got bored. He thanked us, but turned us down because he was going to church with one of his friends that evening.

WHAT THE CRAP?!?!?!?!?!?

Knowing Robin is dying to know how it went, I sent her a text. She was as mystified as I was why he didn't tell us, or come to our house later to tell us. She didn't seem worried, so I just told her we'd talk later. No kidding, I pouted alllllllll afternoon. ARGH! I know this huge secret and he doesn't even know I know!!!

I never heard from Robin last night but I'm supposed to call her today to get our plans made for tomorrow. Hopefully I will find out what happened yesterday. I am thinking that he didn't tell us because he wanted her to be there with him when we "find out." That would make sense, wouldn't it?

I will let you know as soon as I know something. In the meantime, this secret is going to give me an ulcer!!

And there is your update on The Romance of the Smitten Kittens.

[nucpharm29]

Morning all---sorry a little MIA here, but with working all weekend and trying to get ready to leave on Thursday, leaves little room for much else. So, suffice it to say, not much cooking gonna happen between now and Thursday morning. I did make the Jambasta on Saturday, yummo! I'm headed out to work in a few minutes and I have no idea what we'll eat when I get home

Gretchen--I'm sending lots of hugs and prayers your way. We're dealing with the same situation here. A couple weeks before Christmas my dsis left her husband. It has been extremely hard on everyone. It seems that there were a TON of issues going on in their home that no one knew about. She was ashamed to tell anyone and just lived with it. He never physically abused her, but he was mentally crushing her. The hardest part is that they have a 2 year old daughter. So I know what you're going through.:hug:

Okay, gotta get kids outta bed!

[Nancyg56]

Gretchen--I'm sending lots of hugs and prayers your way. We're dealing with the same situation here. A couple weeks before Christmas my dsis left her husband. It has been extremely hard on everyone. It seems that there were a TON of issues going on in their home that no one knew about. She was ashamed to tell anyone and just lived with it. He never physically abused her, but he was mentally crushing her. The hardest part is that they have a 2 year old daughter. So I know what you're going through.:hug:

Okay, gotta get kids outta bed!

I am so sorry. You just never know what is going on in someone else's home, do you? My heart breaks when families go through this. :hug:

[FormrCastMbr]

Gretchen, my prayers are with everyone. Separation and divorce are such a hard thing. It is really hard starting over. I know how your sister felt about not telling anyone. I was ashamed of my ex alot of the time too.

Stephanie, have a great trip.

I am going to see my Mom today (never got there Friday). She is no longer driving so I will take her around. She still goes to visit the people in the nursing home where my Dad was so we will go there and then to see my Uncle who had a triple bipass before Xmas and is now back in the hospital with an infection...please say a prayer if you could.

We are having the sauce with whatever that we did not have yesterday...

Have a great day all!

[liamandcaili]

Nancy -- I don't understand how the whole competing against the book thing works either. All I know is that this is a group of 14 six year-olds...how do you explain that they lost to nobody? I don't think most of the girls really knew they weren't competing against any other teams, but Caili did, and she was definitely disappointed when she saw the red ribbon instead of blue.

Becky gave me some leftover pizza, so I think that is what is for dinner tonight. My clothes dryer died yesterday...it was leaking gas :eek: ...so I have to get a new one this afternoon and then Caili has skating.

[TigerKat]

Hi guys, got a PM from Wendie and she asked me to pass this on:


I have not forgotten about anyone, miss you all and think of you all daily......Vacation was long but wonderful, not even unpacked from that yet and then Kris and I went to Boston for our anniversary this past weekend......at midnight last night, my phone rang...it was my dad calling to tell me that my mother is in ICU in critical condition on a breathing tube. She was brought in by ambulance at 5pm......we do not know anything at this point.....I didn't sleep all night as I kept waiting for the phone to ring...Thank god it didn't! There is a red flag on her tox screens to the point that the dr asked if she had been drinking anitfreeze..wth? After talking with the Dr, It looks like it is from tylenol, as she takes it lately like a tic tac, and to much causes liver and renal failure etc etc....with her weak state and low weight to much is a critical issue.

I am hoping and praying she can once again fight this and win, but also am being selfish in praying that if she does not live though this, to please make it past the 8th as that is my wedding anniversary and I just don't know how I could handle having her die on that day......It kills me to know I even think that.....

Please any spare prayers or good thoughts you could send her way could be used....thank you all so much........

I have not had a moment until now to get on here...I hope everyone is doing ok....I will send an update when I hear something, and hope to try to catch somewhat up in a day or two......

[Nancyg56]

Thank you Kathy for passing Wendie's message on.

Wendie- don;t worry about us just do what you need to do for your family. Your Mom is in my prayers :hug:

[Glynis]

Thanks for the review! Maybe we'll catch it before it leaves the theater.

You should. I'd love to hear what you think of it!

[OKWMom]

Kathy, thanks for the link to the recipe. I've bookmarked it to go through the site later. Also, thanks for passing on Wendie's message. Please let her know I will be thinking of her and praying for her.


Laura - I was trying to find a nice way to say this, but what kind of person tells a group of six year olds that they lost against a book?!? I think that is just mean. They're children for heaven's sake. :sad2: I hope Caili is over it.


Nancy - the waffles and the bacon cooked on the panini maker sound fun. Not that I would try it. I don't get along with most fancy kitchen appliances. I have an unsteady truce with my electric mixer and that's about as far as it gets. The George Foreman grill and I definitely don't get along and don't even get me started on the food processor.


Stephanie - I'll be praying for your family as well. I hope your sister is doing well and finds the peace she needs to recover fully. :hug:

Lauren - prayers said for your uncle. And BTW, I think it is so very kind of your mother to visit people in the nursing home even though your Dad isn't there. And it is sweet of you to go with her.

Also, thank you again to everyone else for their kind words and prayers.

I think tonight's dinner will be baked ham and colcannon. That is the plan, but today is our kids' first day back at school and that tends to make things a little crazy.

Have a great day everyone!

[TigerKat]

Steph - My heart just aches for the kids when a couple separates. I'll keep your family in my prayers.



She still goes to visit the people in the nursing home where my Dad was so we will go there and then to see my Uncle who had a triple bipass before Xmas and is now back in the hospital with an infection...please say a prayer if you could.



Prayers for your uncle.:hug: I think your Mom is so sweet to go and visit the folks in the nursing home. Johnny has worked at a nursing home for about three years now and has developed relationships with many of the residents. Some of them are so lonely it breaks my heart. Whenever I make a big pot of gumbo or soup I package up a bunch of containers to take to them and they just love seeing me walk through the door. I think I enjoy it as much as they do.:goodvibes

Nancy -- I don't understand how the whole competing against the book thing works either. All I know is that this is a group of 14 six year-olds...how do you explain that they lost to nobody? I don't think most of the girls really knew they weren't competing against any other teams, but Caili did, and she was definitely disappointed when she saw the red ribbon instead of blue.



I agree with Nancy! I protest - losing to a book??? Hope Caili is OK today.:hug:



I don't get along with most fancy kitchen appliances. I have an unsteady truce with my electric mixer and that's about as far as it gets. The George Foreman grill and I definitely don't get along and don't even get me started on the food processor.



:lmao: Now how can you not get along with your food processor?

TONIGHT IS THE BIG GAME!!!!!! GO TIGERS!!!!

You'd think football munchies would be in order but my guys requested red beans & rice, we haven't had them in a while.;)

[OKWMom]

[QUOTE=TigerKat;22453356Prayers for your uncle.:hug: I think your Mom is so sweet to go and visit the folks in the nursing home. Johnny has worked at a nursing home for about three years now and has developed relationships with many of the residents. Some of them are so lonely it breaks my heart. Whenever I make a big pot of gumbo or soup I package up a bunch of containers to take to them and they just love seeing me walk through the door. I think I enjoy it as much as they do.:goodvibes



:lmao: Now how can you not get along with your food processor?

[/QUOTE]

I think your taking gumbo to the nursing home is just about the nicest thing I've heard in a long time. :lovestruc I'm sure they do love to see you coming.

As for the mutual dislike between me and my food processor, I have two words - Homemade Pesto. Trust me when I say it wasn't pretty. I don't think it or I have fully recovered. ;)

[Nancyg56]

Lauren- of course your uncle in in my prayers. :hug:

Ladies, I am an infomercials best customer. I should have meetings for support to stay away from In the Kitchen with Bob on QVC. I have not met a kitchen appliance that I don't want and that I then plunk on the shelf to gather dust. My sister is the opposite. He DH is worse than me but she is not a fan of gadgets so I was floored when she had her treasures out and was using them. The bacon was so good and looked like bacon you see in a magazine and I have never seen a waffle maker that makes them on two sides at the same time, but then I am too cheap to step foot into those fancy stores :lmao:

I understand the food processor thing, I can count on one hand how many times I have used mine. I love it when I need it but I don't drag that thing out often!

[TigerKat]

I think your taking gumbo to the nursing home is just about the nicest thing I've heard in a long time. :lovestruc I'm sure they do love to see you coming.

As for the mutual dislike between me and my food processor, I have two words - Homemade Pesto. Trust me when I say it wasn't pretty. I don't think it or I have fully recovered. ;)

Gretchen, they are so funny too. Johnny tells them when he gets to work what I cooked and that I'm coming. They get so excited they hunt him down all day and ask "Is she on her way yet?".

I now have a mental picture of you and the homemade pesto, enough said.:rotfl2:

[Glynis]

Thanks Lindsay for the recipe! Oh - and congrats to the lovely couple. I want details on this proposal! My own proposal STUNK so I have to live vicariously through others. ;)

MINE TOO!!!!! I guess Alan didn't do too badly, since I did marry him, but he did end up proposing 3 times to get it right!

[Glynis]

Hi guys, got a PM from Wendie and she asked me to pass this on:


I have not forgotten about anyone, miss you all and think of you all daily......Vacation was long but wonderful, not even unpacked from that yet and then Kris and I went to Boston for our anniversary this past weekend......at midnight last night, my phone rang...it was my dad calling to tell me that my mother is in ICU in critical condition on a breathing tube. She was brought in by ambulance at 5pm......we do not know anything at this point.....I didn't sleep all night as I kept waiting for the phone to ring...Thank god it didn't! There is a red flag on her tox screens to the point that the dr asked if she had been drinking anitfreeze..wth? After talking with the Dr, It looks like it is from tylenol, as she takes it lately like a tic tac, and to much causes liver and renal failure etc etc....with her weak state and low weight to much is a critical issue.

I am hoping and praying she can once again fight this and win, but also am being selfish in praying that if she does not live though this, to please make it past the 8th as that is my wedding anniversary and I just don't know how I could handle having her die on that day......It kills me to know I even think that.....

Please any spare prayers or good thoughts you could send her way could be used....thank you all so much........

I have not had a moment until now to get on here...I hope everyone is doing ok....I will send an update when I hear something, and hope to try to catch somewhat up in a day or two......

Thanks for posting this! I'll keep her mom in my prayers. If you hear from her again, please let her know I'm thinking about her.

[Glynis]

Ladies, I am an infomercials best customer. I should have meetings for support to stay away from In the Kitchen with Bob on QVC. I have not met a kitchen appliance that I don't want and that I then plunk on the shelf to gather dust. My sister is the opposite. He DH is worse than me but she is not a fan of gadgets so I was floored when she had her treasures out and was using them. The bacon was so good and looked like bacon you see in a magazine and I have never seen a waffle maker that makes them on two sides at the same time, but then I am too cheap to step foot into those fancy stores :lmao:



This had me laughing!!! Guess what my dad got me for Christmas??? The Magic Bullet!!! He's seen that infomercial for months, and is constantly saying how wonderful it would be to have one. Well, I guess he got tired of hinting around, and bought one for himself. He loves it so much that he bought 2 more sets; one for me and one for my brother in New York. I laughed so hard Christmas morning. I've used it twice since then, once to make smoothies, and once to make ice cream shakes. It worked ok, but nothing spectacular. It does take up less space than my blender, though.

[Glynis]

Dinner tonight is pure comfort food for me. I'm still not feeling 100% so I'm making tuna casserole. It sounds good to me, and if my family doesn't like it...that's just too bad!

It's a nice one pot meal, since I include lots of veggies, so I don't have to do too much to round out the meal!

[Nancyg56]

This had me laughing!!! Guess what my dad got me for Christmas??? The Magic Bullet!!! He's seen that infomercial for months, and is constantly saying how wonderful it would be to have one. Well, I guess he got tired of hinting around, and bought one for himself. He loves it so much that he bought 2 more sets; one for me and one for my brother in New York. I laughed so hard Christmas morning. I've used it twice since then, once to make smoothies, and once to make ice cream shakes. It worked ok, but nothing spectacular. It does take up less space than my blender, though.

My BIL bought them when they were advertised BOGO free! My sister has given up completely, she says she cannot hold him back, he watches while she is sleeping and he is all alone :lmao::lmao::lmao:I have to boycott this one though because my DH keeps watching the commercial and then asking me why I needed the Vitamix when I could have this little wonder instead :confused3 If I bring this little gadget into the house my poor unsuspecting Vitamix will shrivel up and burn under gaze :rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

[Aimeedyan]

MINE TOO!!!!! I guess Alan didn't do too badly, since I did marry him, but he did end up proposing 3 times to get it right!


:rotfl2: I have a friend that demanded her now DH repropose and gave him directions on how to do it. I didn't have the guts to do that but sorta wish I had since ours was so miserable. Oh well, we're married now so I guess it worked out!

[Aimeedyan]

Tonight's dinner is a ham and cheese twice baked potato thing. Recipe from my Rachael Ray cookbook I bought. We'll see how it tastes!

Think I'll serve it with a salad and bread.

[Nancyg56]

I forgot to post dinner. I made a pot of beans and will serve them with hot dogs and something.

[shovan]

Hi Y'all,

Wendie, prayers are being said for your Mom & your family.:hug:

I haven't read back on everything I've missed lately, so forgive me for not mentioning everyone.

Here's a pic of last night's dinner. It was easy & so yummy. I had ham in the fridge I needed to use up. I made a ham, potatoe and egg frittata with parmesan & monterey jack cheese. We had Becky's balsamic roasted brussel sprouts with it. We'll probably have the leftovers for dinner tonight too.

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p289/bshovan/What%20is%20for%20Dinner/IMG_0158.jpg

DH gave me two pasta making attachments for my kitchen aid for my birthday. I haven't told him, but I scared to death to try them out! :scared:

[shovan]

Hi Y'all,

Wendie, prayers are being said for your Mom & your family.:hug:

I haven't read back on everything I've missed lately, so forgive me for not mentioning everyone.

Here's a pic of last night's dinner. It was easy & so yummy. I had ham in the fridge I needed to use up. I made a ham, potatoe and egg frittata with parmesan & monterey jack cheese. We had Becky's balsamic roasted brussel sprouts with it. We'll probably have the leftovers for dinner tonight too.

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p289/bshovan/What%20is%20for%20Dinner/IMG_0158.jpg

DH gave me two pasta making attachments for my kitchen aid for my birthday. I haven't told him, but I scared to death to try them out! :scared:

[Glynis]

:rotfl2: I have a friend that demanded her now DH repropose and gave him directions on how to do it. I didn't have the guts to do that but sorta wish I had since ours was so miserable. Oh well, we're married now so I guess it worked out!

Well, I didn't demand Alan re-propose, I think his first proposal really caught him off guard. We were at my apartment, watching movies (ok, we were really making out!), and he just said, "So, you want to get married, or what?" I laughed and said, "Yeah, right!" Then, he got this really sad look on his face and I said, "You're serious??? Of course!!!!!"

Proposal number 2 came after he asked my dad for my hand (how sweet, right?). My parents took us all out to dinner afterward (to celebrate Alan surviving my father), and my dad made him ask me again, in front of all my family.

Proposal number 3 came when he got my ring. We were in a play together, and he showed up to rehearsal with a bouquet of 1 dozen pink carnations with a crimson rose in the center. The ring was wired to the rose. He stopped the rehearsal, got down on one knee and asked me again in front of all our friends.

I think I liked number 3 the best! But I would have married him anyway, even if I only got number 1.

Now, the wedding was a whole other disappointment! Let me just say this: never agree to a double wedding with your older sister who knows she is marrying the wrong man, but is determined to be married at the same time her little sister is getting married!

[liamsaunt]

Speaking of bad proposals, my DH proposed to me in a parking lot!

There is some background though. He had originally planned to propose to me while we were on a Disney trip in March, but the ring was not ready before our departure date (he had it made for me). So, he instructed the jeweler to fedex the ring to the hotel, and he figured when he got it he would propose. Well, for whatever reason, the hotel rejected the package and sent it back! Every day he would go to the front desk and look for that ring, and I never caught on! He would always bring back ice, so I just figured the ice machine was really far away! He had a plan all worked out too…he was going to propose at the (long-gone) fountain at the Pirates of the Caribbean since that was our first Disney ride together. But, as it worked out, there was no ring that trip.

Then, on my birthday a few months later, we came into the city for the day. Again, he had planned to propose. This time the plan was to propose at the art museum in front of our favorite statue. But, he forgot the ring in the car! So, we had a very romantic day, walking through the Fens and going to the art museum, etc. But, no ring. I have to admit that I was suspicious at this point. DH was so frustrated with himself for botching his proposal plan for a second time that when we got back to the car (parked in the Alewife parking garage) he just threw open the door of the car, grabbed the box, shoved it into my hand and yelled “Here!” Not even a “will you marry me?” It was actually really, really funny.

Now, here is what I have been cooking lately. This is the cheesy pasta Laura mentioned:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2420/2172529421_73b13645b4.jpg

Saturday I roasted a chicken:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2335/2172528845_abc7fb7bbd.jpg


that I served with some ricotta-stuffed gnocchi that i sauteed with butter and parmesean cheese:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2096/2173319014_77674ca1c7.jpg

and, for Zipuzee, here is the sausage pasta recipe. It's really easy!

Sausage, white bean, tomato pasta

2 links sausage (I used al fresco brand roasted garlic chicken sausage), casings removed (optional), sliced into rounds
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 28 ounce can chopped tomatoes with their juice
1 16 ounce can cannellini beans, well rinsed and drained
1 cup chicken stock
¼ cup parmesean cheese
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
12 ounces pasta
Basil for garnish

Cook pasta until al dente and set aside

Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp. olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onion and garlic until tender. Stir in the tomatoes, the beans, and the stock and simmer until the tomatoes are softened and the flavors meld, about 15 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Stir in the pasta and the cheese, garnish with basil, and serve.

[FormrCastMbr]

Wendie, Prayers said for your Mom...:hug:

Kathy, Thank you for passing along the info from Wendie.

Sheryl and Becky, great pics!

Thank you all for your prayers for my uncle. He is doing better and should be transferred to the therapy section of the hospital today/tomorrow. The infection was really bad and he is really sore but looks terrific.

I have not been back to the hospital since my father died and it brought back alot of memories of him so I have been a little sad. My aunt mentioned that a Nurses Aide that my father adored was asking for my Mom. Mom, of course, did not remember her but I did! She took great care of my Dad for years when he was in and out of ICU and cardiac care...it was like my father was flirting with her all the time in a cute old man kind of way (not the dirty way ;) ). I used to joke with my Dad that being in the hospital was like a vacation to him. Well, as soon as Tonya saw my Mom and I come out of the elevator she came right over to us...I was just so happy to see her again and we all broke down in tears. What a special woman.

We didn't go to the nursing home today since my Mom was just there on Saturday but I did bring her shopping for her to stock up on goodies to bring. She brings candies, cookies, chips.

I don't think most of the girls really knew they weren't competing against any other teams, but Caili did, and she was definitely disappointed when she saw the red ribbon instead of blue.

My clothes dryer died yesterday...it was leaking gas :eek: ...so I have to get a new one this afternoon and then Caili has skating.

Oh Laura, what a horrible thing to do to the girls. Give Caili a hug. I am sorry about your dryer too...glad you're safe though. :hug:


Lauren - prayers said for your uncle. And BTW, I think it is so very kind of your mother to visit people in the nursing home even though your Dad isn't there. And it is sweet of you to go with her.

I think tonight's dinner will be baked ham and colcannon. That is the plan, but today is our kids' first day back at school and that tends to make things a little crazy.


Thank you for the prayers. Mom is such a great person. For as long as I can remember my mother was always taking care of someone. We didn't get to the nursing home today but I will make it a point next time. It will be nice to see the residents that were there with Dad.


Prayers for your uncle.:hug: I think your Mom is so sweet to go and visit the folks in the nursing home. Johnny has worked at a nursing home for about three years now and has developed relationships with many of the residents. Some of them are so lonely it breaks my heart. Whenever I make a big pot of gumbo or soup I package up a bunch of containers to take to them and they just love seeing me walk through the door. I think I enjoy it as much as they do.:goodvibes

TONIGHT IS THE BIG GAME!!!!!! GO TIGERS!!!!


Thanks Kat! You're a sweet heart too for doing what you do...not many people do. It is sad to see the residents that do not get visitors...one of my Mom and Dad's friends live there and he actually called my Mom a couple weeks ago because he was worried that she did not show up one day. I really need to get to see him.

I have the game on...I think I am too tire to watch it though. I haven't been sleeping good and having nightmares lately. Even my trusty Ambien CR is not working...:sad2:


As for the mutual dislike between me and my food processor, I have two words - Homemade Pesto. Trust me when I say it wasn't pretty. I don't think it or I have fully recovered. ;)

I am not good with gadgets either...then again, I am just a klutz and not good gadgets, cars, appliances, etc!!!

Lauren- of course your uncle in in my prayers. :hug:

The bacon was so good and looked like bacon you see in a magazine and I have never seen a waffle maker that makes them on two sides at the same time, but then I am too cheap to step foot into those fancy stores :lmao:


Thanks for the prayers Nancy!

Now I want bacon!

[HERSEY]

Nancy I was watching the informercial Sunday morning and saw the Shark steam mop. I've been on the hunt for something to help clean my grout. Someone on the budget board sold me on the Shark ultra steam blaster, now I'll be able to clean my lawn furniture and grill too. :rotfl2:

I'm such a sucker for gadets.

Lauren Sorry to hear about your Uncle. I'll keep him in my prayers

Wendie I hope your Mom hangs on. She too is in my prayers.

Laura I'm sure who ever thought up that crazy rule had a good reason but come on what would be the harm in letting the girls feel like the winners they are and celebrate it?

Tonight we had my version of beef and brocoli stir fry. Sometimes I can get it to almost taste better than most chinese restaurants. Tonight the flavor was there but the beef needed more marinating.

It's thundering and lightening here and in the middle 60's. I think it is still January I have to keep checking the calendar.:rotfl:

[FormrCastMbr]

Thanks Janice!

What do you marinate the beef in? Do you use a recipe?

[HERSEY]

I use a little white wine, soy sauce, garlic(minced very fine) fresh ginger also minced. No actual measuring probably that's why sometimes its just good or very good.

For the actual stir fry sauce I like the Iron chef sauces my current fav is sesame and garlic

[liamandcaili]

I am glad that Becky told her proposal story, because I was sitting on my hands trying not to write it. Of course, my DH's initial proposal was along the lines of, "So, do you want to get married?" However, once he bought the ring, he took me to a spot on the water, got down on his knee and did it properly.

For all of you who visit or volunteer in nursing homes, that really is a wonderful and sweet thing to do. My mom has been working in nursing homes for probably 25 years, and the residents are so appreciative of your time. They even used to like my pretty horrible piano concerts when I was a teenager. Now, I just have to bring the kids, and they are happy...probably happier! :laughing:

As for Caili, she is fine. She was a little disappointed, but she has not been too excited about the team this year anyway. It has been a bit disorganized, and she can't stand that. Anyway, thanks for all the hugs for her. Next up is Lake Placid!!

And thanks Beck for the pizza! It was fast and yummy.

[Aimeedyan]

Oooh, I love the proposal stories!! So funny. I guess it's true there are rarely movie perfect proposals.

That stuffed potato was really good! I stuffed them with chopped ham, some kind of stinky cheese I had in the fridge leftover from a recipe, and thyme. Course, milk, butter, salt, pepper as well.

Whipped it up, stuff it back into a half of a potato shell, and broiled.

DH loved it - and he HATES the stinky cheese. Guess you couldn't smell it by the time it was baked up.

I was afraid it wouldn't be filling enough but he ate two halves and declared he was full. I ate one, and really want another because it was good, but I think I'll stop for now.

[TigerKat]

I am so nervous about this LSU game I'm about to throw up!:scared:

[shovan]

I am so nervous about this LSU game I'm about to throw up!:scared:

I don't think Kathy will be puking tonight!!! WOOOOOHOOOOOO GEAUX TIGERS!!! #1 BCS CHAMPIONS :worship: :banana: :cheer2:

[LindsayDunn228]

Robin is coming over today and I'm not sure what we're having. She is bringing the items to making peach bellinis. After discovering on NYE that I really like champagne, I am looking forward to trying a bellini :)

WFD at your house?

And now for an update on:

The Romance of the Smitten Kittens

Kevin called me around 10 a.m. yesterday. He said he had some news and Robin just didn't like us not knowing, and he told me he had proposed. He said they aren't telling anyone until April. They are very worried people will give them a hard time about it being so soon and all. I totally understand that.

So he called Scott at work and told him. He also asked him to be his best man. I knew he would :) So it looks like sometime in April or May there will be a wedding! :) It's so cool that my husband and I are standing up with them. It is such an honor.

I will probably have ton to report in the morning after spending the day with Robin. But for now, there's a little update on The Romance of the Smitten Kittens.

[Mermaid02]

OMG! Take a break for a couple of days and come back to find out the SK's are getting married???? WOW!! Congrats to them!

Well, I have some news. My manger and supervisor approached me at work last week and informed me that my job hours are changing to 12-4. I don't mind that, but it means Jack will have to go to afterschool care for 45 minutes every day and it will cost us $35 a week- not bad until you figure out that's $140 a month. I wish I could just quit. I'm going to have to budget meals and plan and use the crock pot and really be disciplined. That is something I have always had a hard time with. Any advice is appreciated.

[FormrCastMbr]

Loreli, Sorry your hours are changing...I am also trying to budget and be more organized in the kitchen. Here are a couple things that I have been doing:

Make a list and stick to it. I always tended to buy what looked good too. Make sure to shop the circular and base meals around what is on sale.

Try and not be too fancy in the kitchen. Make it easy and quick and try and plan weekly dinners.

Freeze stuff. I am not great at this but trying.

I am eager what the other ladies say to do...like I said, I need help too! :)

*******
Tonight we are having patty melts (the boys have been asking for these) and I am not sure about the sides...maybe a big chopped salad and soup (Progresso).

Have a great day all!

[FormrCastMbr]

Yeah Tigers!!!

[HERSEY]

Robin is coming over today and I'm not sure what we're having. She is bringing the items to making peach bellinis. After discovering on NYE that I really like champagne, I am looking forward to trying a bellini :)

WFD at your house?

And now for an update on:

The Romance of the Smitten Kittens

Kevin called me around 10 a.m. yesterday. He said he had some news and Robin just didn't like us not knowing, and he told me he had proposed. He said they aren't telling anyone until April. They are very worried people will give them a hard time about it being so soon and all. I totally understand that.

So he called Scott at work and told him. He also asked him to be his best man. I knew he would :) So it looks like sometime in April or May there will be a wedding! :) It's so cool that my husband and I are standing up with them. It is such an honor.

I will probably have ton to report in the morning after spending the day with Robin. But for now, there's a little update on The Romance of the Smitten Kittens.



I'm glad Kevin finally told you and Scott. I could stand the wait till April though.:eek:

I am so nervous about this LSU game I'm about to throw up!:scared:



Breath and release repeat as necessary.

[nucpharm29]

Morning all. Last night's dinner ended up being snacky foods while watching the game. Glad to hear that LSU won--fell asleep before it ended. But don't tell DH I said that, he's from Ohio and his whole family are HUGE Buckeye fans. But I find it hard to root for a Big 10 team living here in SEC country.

Dinner tonight is up in the air--I've got a tex-mex chicken crock pot thing I could do. But I'm neither inspired nor willing to get it together right now. I still haven't begun to pack, so that's topping todays agenda--at least I have laundry started, right? Now if the darned weather in FL will stop changing so I can figure out what to pack!

[TigerKat]

Great morning isn't it??????? I survived the big game, but I have to admit I was crying like a baby at the end, tears of extreme joy!

Loreli - Lauren gave you some good advice. The only thing I can do is say planning weekly menus is absolutely necessary.

WFD - Becky's Balsamic Lemon Mustard Roast Chicken(I think that's pretty close to the name), pasta and broccoli.

[Glynis]

OMG! Take a break for a couple of days and come back to find out the SK's are getting married???? WOW!! Congrats to them!

Well, I have some news. My manger and supervisor approached me at work last week and informed me that my job hours are changing to 12-4. I don't mind that, but it means Jack will have to go to afterschool care for 45 minutes every day and it will cost us $35 a week- not bad until you figure out that's $140 a month. I wish I could just quit. I'm going to have to budget meals and plan and use the crock pot and really be disciplined. That is something I have always had a hard time with. Any advice is appreciated.

I've got quite a few crockpot recipes that we really like. If you want, PM me your email address and I'll get them to you! I love using my crockpot!

I'm sorry that your work is throwing your schedule (not to mention your finances) off! Wish I lived closer so I could help!

[Glynis]

Make a list and stick to it. I always tended to buy what looked good too. Make sure to shop the circular and base meals around what is on sale.

Try and not be too fancy in the kitchen. Make it easy and quick and try and plan weekly dinners.

Freeze stuff. I am not great at this but trying.



These are great suggestions!

Our ads come out on Mondays and Tuesdays. So, Tuesday nights, I sit down with my recipes, and the ads and see what I can put together. We budget 150 dollars a week for food, and doing it this way, I can get all the food we need, plus a few extras as well.

I also plan on 2 nights a week where there's nothing fancy. Friday night is always soup and sandwich night, and Saturday is Mac N Cheese night. When stores have case lot sales, I stock up on soup (tomato, chicken noodle, etc.) and macaroni and cheese.

I keep a shopping list on my fridge, and when I go to the store, I do not deviate from the list. Sometimes it's really hard, but having the list helps me a lot! It also means I don't have to rely on my aging brain. Definitely not the thing to do!

I'll try to think of other things, but having a weekly menu plan is one way of really helping you budget your time and money. I post my weekly menu on the fridge, and have the recipes in a binder on the counter. That way, everyone knows what we are having, and if DH gets home from work and I'm not there, he can start dinner since the recipe is right there.

[Glynis]

Dinner tonight will be baked chicken reubens!!!! Can you tell I'm excited??? I love this recipe, and when chicken went on sale, I knew it was going to be on the menu!!! I'll do corn and either noodles (lemon spaghetti) or rice to go with it!

I won't be around tomorrow, as I'm going to see my parents. I don't know if I've told you about my dad or not. He's the founder and executive producer of the Utah Shakespearean Festival. It's a HUGE thing in our state! Well, the annual meeting of the Shakespeare Theater Association of America is going to be at my dad's theater starting tomorrow, so I'm going to help with the opening ceremonies! Should be a lot of fun, but it's a quick trip. Down tomorrow, home on Thursday!

[Aimeedyan]

Lindsay - I am so excited about their engagement!! I also understand why they want to wait to tell others, but am glad they told you =)

Glynis - I need the recipe for the baked chicken reuben. Sounds delish!

Loreli - $140 a month would make a big budget issue for us, too, so I understand your frustration. I have a HUGE word file of Weight Watchers crockpot meals if you want me to email it to you. They have all been so tasty - its' about 140 pages, with 3-4 recipes on a page. I can't do crockpot everyday but it does help to do it a few times a week.

Tonight's dinner is a crockpot salsa chicken. I've made a salsa chicken before and it was 'okay' but I found this one on SparkPeople (my new obsession) and it looks promising. And low calorie!

[Glynis]

Lindsay - I am so excited about their engagement!! I also understand why they want to wait to tell others, but am glad they told you =)

Glynis - I need the recipe for the baked chicken reuben. Sounds delish!

Loreli - $140 a month would make a big budget issue for us, too, so I understand your frustration. I have a HUGE word file of Weight Watchers crockpot meals if you want me to email it to you. They have all been so tasty - its' about 140 pages, with 3-4 recipes on a page. I can't do crockpot everyday but it does help to do it a few times a week.

Tonight's dinner is a crockpot salsa chicken. I've made a salsa chicken before and it was 'okay' but I found this one on SparkPeople (my new obsession) and it looks promising. And low calorie!

I got the baked chicken reuben from this thread! I love it!!! I think either Kathy or Lauren posted it early on. Seriously, one bite and you'll think you've died and gone to heaven! My kids don't like the sauerkraut, so I do one half without. Works great for us. Check the front page of the thread and you'll find it pretty quickly.

[shovan]

Don't know what's for dinner. I opened the freezer & it was dripping. It's running & the food is still frozen though. So I just closed it & am waiting to see if maybe the door wasn't fully closed. (This is the fridge in the garage, thank goodness.)

I can't decide what to fix, I'm really having a hard time getting back into the swing of things since the holidays.

Loreli, Sorry to hear about the job problems.:hug:

Lindsay, That is great news for the happy couple!

[FormrCastMbr]

Yes, the chicken reuben is a Kathy recipe. It is great! Very easy too. Andrew does not like the kraut either and I add caraway seeds to mine.

Glynis, have fun tomorrow.

I am typing from bed. I guess I came down with some bug or allergy/sinus thing. My eyes are killing me...it hurts to move the muscles and I cannot get the chill out of me and its warm here today. I laid down for a while and now I am trying to get motivated. The house is a mess and A comes home soon.

[Nancyg56]

Kathy- Your Tigers did well I see! I don't follow football but I had to pay attention this morning to see how "you" did! :cool1:

Loreli- That is a big change! Between the childcare issue and that cost and the meal thing it is drastic, I think. I'm paying attention to the suggestions as well. I have not been very resourceful lately an my food bill is sky high so I need to make some changes. I used to make a hearty soup once a week and when I was running late or just running I had that to fall back on. It made a big difference because I used to clean out the fresh veggies I had on hand, toss in leftovers if I could and use up meat if I had not cooked it. It was a lifesaver when I ran late becasue I did not stop for take out.

A gal I worked with used to cook once a week. She froze each entree and planned sides ahead of time. Then she posted the menu on the fridge. She did this after she went back to work full time and saw that she used a good chunk of her paycheck that first month on take out. Her kids would sometimes rearrange her daily plan but they stuck to the basics. She went back to it after she came to work with us. She was eating out and I was not, ( I never let work cost me money, I brought my lunch) and her food bill was atrocious so she got her plan in place and told me the stress was gone.
Good luck as you adjust to this!

Glynis- Your family sounds like so much fun! Have a great time!

Stephanie- You will get it all done, don't worry. I am a little jealous of your trip, I want to run away from all of my things I have put off and that are now biting me in toe!

Lauren- Get some rest, this bug thing can linger if you are tired.

Sheryl- The fridge thing is catchy down there??? Seriously, I hope it was just a glitch!

Dinner tonight is going to be a breeze for me. We are going to my oldest son's for Chinese! I don't know if I can drag Buddy out once he gets home. He can have a sandwich if he stays in.

[TigerKat]

Lauren - I'm sorry you're not feeling well, take care of yourself and REST!

Nancy - I'm sure Buddy will be happy with a sandwich.:laughing:

[Nancyg56]

Nancy - I'm sure Buddy will be happy with a sandwich.:laughing:

I think I am playing right into his plan!!!!!!! :rotfl::rotfl:

[liamsaunt]

Lauren I hope you feel better soon.

Tonight I am heating up a pot of short ribs that I cooked on Sunday for DH. I braised them in some red wine, port, and beef stock. I am serving them with garlic mashed potatoes and pan roasted root vegetables. I'll just eat the veggies and the potatoes since I don't do red meat.

Last night we just vegged in front of the TV and I made panini--they were turkey, sharp cheddar, and a fruit chutney that I am not sure of the ingredients. It's kind of like a major grey's chutney but not as spicy.

[shovan]

Lauren, So sorry your feeling so crummy. Stay in bed & take care of yourself.:hug:

The drips in the fridge are freezing now. DH came home for lunch & thinks we need to adjust the level things on the bottom, cus the doors not staying closed tightly. The good thing is he's picking up Outback for dinner!

[liamandcaili]

Lauren -- I hope you feel better!

Loreli -- Good luck with the changes. I have such a hard time with food budgets, but when I do need inexpensive meals, I turn to pasta, breakfast for dinner, homemade pizza, or black bean burritos. If I know I have a lot of budgeting ahead, I make things for the freezer like pot pies, meatballs, pasta sauce, soups, lasagna, etc, and I make sure my stock items like pasta, oils, rice, etc are full. That way, if I find myself short one week, I can live out of the freezer and pantry.

I had to wait around most of the day today for my new dryer to arrive and then for the plumber to hook it up so no grocery store trip. Dinner was kielbasa, potato pancake, spinach and baked apples.

[TigerKat]

Becky - I've got to tell you once again how awesome the Lemony Balsamic-Mustard Marinated Roast Chicken with Rosemary and Garlic is!!! Thanks so much for sharing this with us.:goodvibes

[Aimeedyan]

Tonight's dinner was yummy - DH wants it regularly now *shrug*. I also added some black beans, and I think corn would work too but it's high in calories so I left it out.

Slow-Cooker Salsa Chicken

Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup salsa
1 package reduced sodium taco seasoning
1 can reduced fat cream of mushroom soup (condensed)
1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream

Nutritional Info
Fat: 3.3g
Carbohydrates: 6.7g
Calories:157.2
Protein: 24.3g

Add chicken to slow cooker.
Sprinkle taco seasoning over chicken.
Pour salsa and soup over chicken.
Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.
Serve with rice.

Number of Servings: 6

[OKWMom]

Lauren - Get better soon. Take care of yourself and don't try to do too much until you feel better.

Kathy - Congrats to your Tigers! Like Stephanie, I couldn't watch the entire game. I tried, but I finally gave up after I fell asleep on the couch twice.

Sheryl - I hope your freezer situation resolves itself. We replaced our fridge less than a year ago and it was a real pain in the rear fighting the old one.

Nancy - I hope you had a wonderful evening with your son.

Loreli - Like Glynis, I check the grocery ads each week when they come out and plan my menus accordingly. I also do a weekly menu and DH will take any leftovers to work with him for lunch. With some meals, I will double the recipe and freeze one so that I have something quick for emergencies.

Glynis - I hope you have a great time with your parents.

Becky - Thank you for sharing your proposal story. Kenny and I laughed out loud when we read it. Not that Kenny's proposal was much better, but at least your poor husband tried really hard to make his romantic. It is such a cute story and I'm sure Laura was dying to tell it. (I would have been too).

Tonight's dinner was Coca-Cola BBQ chicken, rice pilaf, and salad.

[LindsayDunn228]

Tonight I am making chicken provencal stoup. I need some healthy comfort food. :)

WFD at your house?

And now for an update on:

The Romance of the Smitten Kittens

Well Robin came over yesterday. As I figured, we didn't get any movies watched. We sat and talked from 11:00-8:00. Cool, eh? Anyway, she spread a little light on why Kevin didn't tell us Sunday.

It turns out he was only going to tell ME on Sunday. Isn't that nuts? Knowing that, no, he didn't have a good opportunity Sunday. Robin thinks he thought Scott would be all, "it's too soon," "you sure you want to do this so suddenly," etc. He knew for a fact I wouldn't. It turns out Kevin and I were texting her after lunch at the same time. She told him to call us ASAP and share the good news.

We need to have a talk with Kevin about that, LOL!!

[TigerKat]

Good morning - Tonight we're having pork roast, chorizo hash browns and roasted brussel sprouts.

[HERSEY]

Tonight we are having taco salads.

[FormrCastMbr]

Good Morning All!

Thank you for all the well wishes to feel better. I am not 100% today but I did go back to bed for about an hour after I dropped A at the bus and I am feeling a bit better.

I am going to do Aimee's Maple/Balsamic Pork but I am going to keep it as a tenderloin roast and cook it in the crock pot. I will serve left over macaroni and cheese pie from last night (I LOVE this stuff), brown rice if needed and broccoli.

Have a great day all!

[FormrCastMbr]

Just wanted to also say that I am going to make Laura's wicked apples tonight too. :)

[Aimeedyan]

Tonight is a big night for me - I am a little leery to share online what exactly is going... but tonight I'll be meeting with members/leaders of the church and will have to answer any questions they might have - about church, my faith, Bible, my job, etc. Little daunting to not know what to expect but I'm preparing as best I can.

I teach a class from 6-7 (which is what I'm preparing for right now) and then this starts at 7 so I won't have much downtime in between. Actually the only downtime I'll have is the elevator ride, if I get it to myself =)

I keep telling myself that I've been through worse, LOL!

So, long story short, I'll be getting home late tonight. The youth are having pizza so I'm going to eat a few slices before my stuff starts. DH is going to eat Taco Bell on his way home. I don't think pizza works REAL well with my diet but you gotta do what you gotta do, you know?

[Nancyg56]

I don't think pizza works REAL well with my diet but you gotta do what you gotta do, you know?


Aimee- pizza is just what you need tonight, IMO! I will be thinking of you this evening, but I know that you are going to do well! Stop back when you can and let us know.

Dinner tonight is Swedish Meatballs over farfalle pasta and snap peas. I found some frozen MB's that have no egg or dairy in them so I am going to give them a try. No one likes my homemade. Risa is going to need to find something to go with her pasta.

[TigerKat]

Lauren - Glad you're feeling better, take it easy girlfriend.:goodvibes

Aimee - I'll be thinking good thoughts for you, I'm sure you'll do great!

Nancy - I have a question for you about the Greek Potato recipe you posted. Did you use the bouillon cube and if I cut the recipe in half (there's only three of us) should I half the liquids too?

[shovan]

Lauren, Glad you're feeling a little better!:hug:

Aimee, Prayers that your meeting goes well!:flower3:

Kathy, Your dinner sounds wonderful! On the chorizo hash browns, do you have recipe or just throw in the sausage with the has browns? I have 2 packs of chorizo in the freezer.

I think I'm just fixing a salad with the leftover Outback Steak & mushrooms for dinner.

The freezer seems fine, as long as I make the door is shut. That darn thing as been nothing but trouble, it's only about 2 years old. Bought after Katrina, and already replaced the seals & the freezer door while it was still under warranty. I'm sure it's no longer under warranty.

[TigerKat]

Kathy, Your dinner sounds wonderful! On the chorizo hash browns, do you have recipe or just throw in the sausage with the has browns? I have 2 packs of chorizo in the freezer.



Basically, here it is:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1058064&page=844

[Nancyg56]

Nancy - I have a question for you about the Greek Potato recipe you posted. Did you use the bouillon cube and if I cut the recipe in half (there's only three of us) should I half the liquids too?

I used chicken base. I would reduce some liquid. I added some because I made enough for Christmas dinner. You can always add some, but remember that the liquids are all absorbed into the potatoes. They get nice and crispy.

[liamsaunt]

Kathy I am glad you like that chicken dish! I think it has a lot of flavor. Sometimes chicken can be a little bland.

Tonight I am making the baked egg dish, with a crusty baguette and some mixed salad greens topped with blood oranges.

[TigerKat]

I used chicken base. I would reduce some liquid. I added some because I made enough for Christmas dinner. You can always add some, but remember that the liquids are all absorbed into the potatoes. They get nice and crispy.

Thanks Nan!

Kathy I am glad you like that chicken dish! I think it has a lot of flavor. Sometimes chicken can be a little bland.

Tonight I am making the baked egg dish, with a crusty baguette and some mixed salad greens topped with blood oranges.

That chicken dish has a ton of flavor! Kyle was licking his fingers.;)

[shovan]

Thanks Kathy!

Alexis & I are making some spiced pecans for our salad.

Using this recipe:

Spiced Pecans
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbs water
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp cayenne
1/2 can pecans

Dissolve sugar in water, add spices and toss nuts.
Spray a cookie sheet with nonstick vegetable spray, place nuts
in single layer and roast for 5 minutes in medium oven.

edited to add: Warning this recipe would be REALLY HOT! I used 1 lb of pecans & only 1 tsp of cayenne & they have a real kick at the end. Even for this cajun girl, I would think that 2 tsp would be way too hot.

[lucas]

Tonight we had scrambled eggs with shrimp, cubed/roasted potatoes, roasted asparagus, and canned refrigerated biscuits with strawberry preserves. It was a good combo!

[TigerKat]

Tonight we had scrambled eggs with shrimp, cubed/roasted potatoes, roasted asparagus, and canned refrigerated biscuits with strawberry preserves. It was a good combo!

That sounds so darn good to me!:woohoo:

[liamandcaili]

I hope you like the apples, Lauren. The apples I used last night were a little tart and probably could have used a little brown sugar, but the kids loved them anyway.

Aimee -- I hope everything went well tonight!

Dinner tonight was pasta with red sauce and garlic bread. Let's just say we have no fear of vampires tonight. :laughing:

[Aimeedyan]

Whew - I'm home and things went well. I wasn't throw any doozies and after awhile, it turned into a 'praise Aimee' time. It's always nice to hear you're doing a good job, but it becomes uncomfortable after awhile.

Thanks for the kind thoughts and prayers.

Oh - that pizza was DARN good! =)

[LindsayDunn228]

We were supposed to have leftover chicken provencal stoup, but someone's husband forgot to put the leftovers in the fridge last night. *sigh* So we are having tomorrow's dinner today- breakfast. I'm making scrambled eggs with crumbled turkey sausage and biscuits. Mmmm mmmm mmmm! :)

WFD at your house?

[Nancyg56]

Whew - I'm home and things went well. I wasn't throw any doozies and after awhile, it turned into a 'praise Aimee' time. It's always nice to hear you're doing a good job, but it becomes uncomfortable after awhile.



Oh - that pizza was DARN good! =)

Not uncomfortable for us! We knew you would do a great job!

[FormrCastMbr]

Aimee, Glad things went well last night! :cool1: The pork roast in the crock with your maple/balsamic sauce was really yummy! :thumbsup2

Laura, The apples were a hit! I did put some sugar on them...I had a taste after the first round in the microwave and they needed it...super easy! :thumbsup2

We are having chili mac tonight and a tossed salad. I am going to throw the chili in the crock pot.

Have a great day all!

[TigerKat]

Good morning everyone!

Aimee - We knew you'd do great, glad you got to enjoy the pizza!;)

We're in store for a lot of rain this evening so comfort food is in order - meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn!

[HERSEY]

Good morning!

Aimee Glad things went well. I agree it does gets uncomfortable when someone gushes.

I'm not sure what dinner is tonight. Maybe takeout

[shovan]

Morning,

I think I'm going to fix some kind of soup, chili or stew today. Looks like we're going to have some bad thunderstorms today & even though it's not cold it still feels so damp & yucky.

Aimee, So glad that went so well!

Lauren, Sounds like you're feeling better today. I hope so!

[OKWMom]

Aimee- pizza is just what you need tonight, IMO!

That's just what I was thinking. Nothing like fat and carbs to make you feel better. It works for me, maybe too well. ;)



The freezer seems fine, as long as I make the door is shut. That darn thing as been nothing but trouble, it's only about 2 years old. Bought after Katrina, and already replaced the seals & the freezer door while it was still under warranty. I'm sure it's no longer under warranty.

That is such a pain. I seem to have similar luck with appliances. Kenny and I were just talking last night about our bad appliance luck. We have been saving for a new mattress and every time we think we have the $$$ to go and get it, something in the house dies. Last spring it was the fridge, November it was the dishwasher. Now it looks like the dryer is on its last. It is taking way to long to dry the loads and consequently, pulling too much electricity. :sad2: I guess our mattress will have to wait again.


Tonight we had scrambled eggs with shrimp, cubed/roasted potatoes, roasted asparagus, and canned refrigerated biscuits with strawberry preserves. It was a good combo!

Lucas, that sounds wonderful to me. I've never done shrimp with scrambled eggs, but I think I'm now going to have to try it.


Whew - I'm home and things went well. I wasn't throw any doozies and after awhile, it turned into a 'praise Aimee' time. It's always nice to hear you're doing a good job, but it becomes uncomfortable after awhile.

Oh - that pizza was DARN good! =)

Glad to hear everything went well (and that the pizza was good). If you're going to go off your diet for a meal, it's nice that the extra calories were worth it.


We were supposed to have leftover chicken provencal stoup, but someone's husband forgot to put the leftovers in the fridge last night. *sigh* So we are having tomorrow's dinner today- breakfast. I'm making scrambled eggs with crumbled turkey sausage and biscuits. Mmmm mmmm mmmm! :)


That happens all the time at my house. So much that I've secretly begun to think he does it on purpose when it was a meal he didn't particularly enjoy (like most any chicken). :laughing:


Laura, The apples were a hit! I did put some sugar on them...I had a taste after the first round in the microwave and they needed it...super easy! :thumbsup2


There you go - I guess it's true about an apple a day.... They do sound yummy and with both you and Laura talking about them, I'm getting tempted to make them myself although my kids won't touch them.



We're in store for a lot of rain this evening so comfort food is in order - meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn!

Oh No. I guess it's headed my way next. Just in time for the weekend. Sigh.

Have you heard anything from Wendie (not that you wouldn't pass it along, but I've been thinking about her a lot this morning)?



I'm not sure what dinner is tonight. Maybe takeout

One of my personal favorites. ;)

Tonight's dinner is a quicky because I'm meeting a friend after work for drinks to celebrate the anniversary of her 35th birthday. She's not telling what anniversary it is, and being the good friend that I am, I'm not asking. So tonight when I get home, my cooking time will be cut way short. I hate for the kids to eat late, so Kenny will probably pick up fast food for them, which they would rather have than anything I'm cooking. Heathens. :laughing:

Anyway, I'm trying something new for Kenny and I. It's a beef and cabbage stir fry. I'll post it if it's good and if anyone wants it.

Have a great day everyone!

[shovan]

Here's a pic of last night's salad:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p289/bshovan/What%20is%20for%20Dinner/IMG_0164.jpg

It turned out darned good considering the pecans turned out pretty spicy. And that I was using Outback leftover steak & mushrooms.

[Nancyg56]

Sheryl- that salad looks delicious! I just replaced my spare refrigerator before Christmas. I tried to baby that thing along but took advantage of a Black Friday sale. Thank goodness, it kicked the bucket for good about two days after I turned the new one on. It went out in a blaze of glory though, one minute it was running and the next there was a huge puddle of water on the floor! Now I buy the extended warranty because every appliance I buy seems to have a death wish :confused3

Gretchen- We don't have any luck with mattresses either. We finally bought a new one (for the third time in three years) because every time we went shopping Buddy kept drifting in the sleep centers like a zombie. It is getting so that I think I have some sort of purchase jinx, I buy it...it either dies or we hate it :upsidedow


Lucas- I love breakfast for dinner!

We are getting grinders tonight. I finally am taking the Christmas things down. It takes me a few days to put them up and taking them down is not pretty :rolleyes1

[Aimeedyan]

Tonight is pancakes and eggs - simple and cheap =)

[liamsaunt]

DH is at a business dinner tonight so I am making my favorite dinner that he hates--sauteed mushrooms and shallots piled on a baguette with gruyere cheese and dijon mustard, then heated through.

[shovan]

Gretchen & Nancy, I can sympathize on the mattress troubles. We hunted & hunted for the one we bought just a few years back. But we both hate it! But we can't believe how much a freakin mattress costs these days! Ridiculous! :confused3

[liamandcaili]

Sheryl -- I agree with you on mattress prices. We got a new one last year, and the thing should be stuffed with money for what we paid for it.

I think I am making a roast chicken. I haven't gone to the store yet, but we have been eating out of the pantry all week, so I want something good tonight.

[Nancyg56]

Sheryl-I am sick over what we have spent on mattresses. This last time we went to a local store Bob's discount furniture. He was the only one who would take a no questions asked return without charging a $400 fee. We bought the insurance (can you see a trend with us?) because I have 4 animals, a DGD who falls asleep on the bed, and a clumsy DH who has spilled things so for an additional $60 I can get the thing replaced if there is ever a stain in the next ten years. DH doesn't like this one either, but I think it is just him this time ;)

[Zandy595]

I have Ropa Vieja in the crockpot right now. I found the recipe in my new Cooking Light mag and have always wanted to try it. Not sure how it's supposed to be eaten but I'm going to serve it with warm tortillas. The only problem with cooking stuff in the crockpot is I have to smell it all day and by the time dinner comes along I'm so tired of smelling it that I don't have any desire to eat it. Guess I'm just wierd that way. :rolleyes:

[THE HAT]

Afternoon all----Just wanted to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers....Things are not good......We will be stopping life support in the next day or so....my mother suffered a massive stroke, Monday they put the phone to her ear and she opened her eyes and when asked by the nurse if she knew who it was she nodded, and when the nurse said your daughter in Maine my mother nodded again....that is my gift....she then that night drifted off into a coma only responding to pain and after last night her vitals dropped and responds to nothing.....a brain cat scan shows that she is having internal seizures in her brain causing strokes and she is only breathing because of the ventilator. We are waiting on eeg results to finalize it all...my dad signed a DNR and my brother is driving down tonight to be there for the finally part...I can't get there.....it would cost over 1500 for me to get there for a day, as my grandmother is having surgery next week that I have to be here for...my mother would never want that....I will take care of her burial here this spring.

I got a nice letter in the Mail from her on Tuesday that she had mailed out last week...I will cherish it always.......I have to face another hard part as my birthday is Monday.....I have already come to terms that she might die on this day and if that happens I will take comfort that she found peace on it.

Just so hard to know that I won't talk to her ever again.......my Dad is a wreck and full of guilt that he is killing her even though these are her wishes and we all know the right thing to do........we don't wish anyone death, but she has suffered so much she deserves peace......and to be painfree......

Thanks for listening my friends.....sorry to dump this on you all......

I hope you all are doing well...I will try to catch up in the next few weeks.....

[shovan]

Sheryl -- I agree with you on mattress prices. We got a new one last year, and the thing should be stuffed with money for what we paid for it.
I think I am making a roast chicken. I haven't gone to the store yet, but we have been eating out of the pantry all week, so I want something good tonight.

:laughing: Really funny, if only it wasn't so true!!!

Sheryl-I am sick over what we have spent on mattresses. This last time we went to a local store Bob's discount furniture. He was the only one who would take a no questions asked return without charging a $400 fee. We bought the insurance (can you see a trend with us?) because I have 4 animals, a DGD who falls asleep on the bed, and a clumsy DH who has spilled things so for an additional $60 I can get the thing replaced if there is ever a stain in the next ten years. DH doesn't like this one either, but I think it is just him this time ;)

$60 bucks & you can replace it because of a stain?! Wow that discount dealing Bob has some pretty good bargains!!! So I guess if he's really sick of it, your DH will become even clumsier!


Oh and, I've changed my mind on dinner. Gonna try something new I saw on Simply Delicioso over the weekend, Chipotle Tamale Pie with ground turkey. If it's yummy, I'll post the recipe.

[TigerKat]

I heard from Wendie. In case she can't make it here I'll ask for prayers for her. They are taking her Mom off of life support this weekend. My heart is just aching for her. Please pray for her.:grouphug:

[FormrCastMbr]

Wendie, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...:hug: :hug: :hug: Please let me know if you need anything.

[TigerKat]

Just so hard to know that I won't talk to her ever again.......my Dad is a wreck and full of guilt that he is killing her even though these are her wishes and we all know the right thing to do........we don't wish anyone death, but she has suffered so much she deserves peace......and to be painfree......

Thanks for listening my friends.....sorry to dump this on you all......

I hope you all are doing well...I will try to catch up in the next few weeks.....

Wendie - He will feel this way for a very long time. He will know in his mind that is not the case, but his heart is telling him something different. Just be aware that the emotional roller coaster he's about to embark on is a very, very difficult one. I will say extra prayers for him.:hug:

[shovan]

I have Ropa Vieja in the crockpot right now. I found the recipe in my new Cooking Light mag and have always wanted to try it. Not sure how it's supposed to be eaten but I'm going to serve it with warm tortillas. The only problem with cooking stuff in the crockpot is I have to smell it all day and by the time dinner comes along I'm so tired of smelling it that I don't have any desire to eat it. Guess I'm just wierd that way. :rolleyes:

Sandy, I've made Ropa Vieja often and have served it several ways. In cuban rests. it's usually served with black beans & tortillas. It also makes great enchiladas & really yummy barbecue sandwiches later. Just drain the sauce from the meat & toss with a little barbecue sauce.

I just started getting Cooking Light magazine & wanted to mention that I love it! A while back someone here had posted a poll on cooking mags & that one had such a high rating, I ordered it! Really great recipes in there, I'll have to go look for that lighter version of Ropa Vieja right now! :goodvibes

[shovan]

Afternoon all----Just wanted to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.........

So sorry to hear this. Our prayers will be with you and your family!:grouphug:

[lucas]

Wendie, so sorry to hear the news. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. :grouphug:

[TigerKat]

I have Ropa Vieja in the crockpot right now. I found the recipe in my new Cooking Light mag and have always wanted to try it. Not sure how it's supposed to be eaten but I'm going to serve it with warm tortillas. The only problem with cooking stuff in the crockpot is I have to smell it all day and by the time dinner comes along I'm so tired of smelling it that I don't have any desire to eat it. Guess I'm just wierd that way. :rolleyes:

I thought I was the only one like that!:lmao:

[Mermaid02]

Afternoon all----Just wanted to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers....Things are not good......We will be stopping life support in the next day or so....my mother suffered a massive stroke, Monday they put the phone to her ear and she opened her eyes and when asked by the nurse if she knew who it was she nodded, and when the nurse said your daughter in Maine my mother nodded again....that is my gift....she then that night drifted off into a coma only responding to pain and after last night her vitals dropped and responds to nothing.....a brain cat scan shows that she is having internal seizures in her brain causing strokes and she is only breathing because of the ventilator. We are waiting on eeg results to finalize it all...my dad signed a DNR and my brother is driving down tonight to be there for the finally part...I can't get there.....it would cost over 1500 for me to get there for a day, as my grandmother is having surgery next week that I have to be here for...my mother would never want that....I will take care of her burial here this spring.

I got a nice letter in the Mail from her on Tuesday that she had mailed out last week...I will cherish it always.......I have to face another hard part as my birthday is Monday.....I have already come to terms that she might die on this day and if that happens I will take comfort that she found peace on it.

Just so hard to know that I won't talk to her ever again.......my Dad is a wreck and full of guilt that he is killing her even though these are her wishes and we all know the right thing to do........we don't wish anyone death, but she has suffered so much she deserves peace......and to be painfree......

Thanks for listening my friends.....sorry to dump this on you all......

I hope you all are doing well...I will try to catch up in the next few weeks.....

I'm so sorry Wendie. :grouphug:

[Mermaid02]

I tried a new recipe tonight (Weight Watchers) and it was really tasty. It was Chicken with Honey Balsamic glaze. Here's the recipe:

1 pound boneless chicken breast (I cut it into bite size pieces)
1 1/2 t thyme
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper

rub this all over the chicken and then cook in 1 tsp Olive oil until done. remove and put on plate.

In pan stir together 2 T balsamic vinegar and 2 T honey.... cook over med low heat until slightly thick. Spoon over chicken.

I put my chicken pieces in a salad and then spooned some of the glaze on as a dressing. I also put on some feta cheese. It was really delicious!

[Glynis]

Afternoon all----Just wanted to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers....Things are not good......We will be stopping life support in the next day or so....my mother suffered a massive stroke, Monday they put the phone to her ear and she opened her eyes and when asked by the nurse if she knew who it was she nodded, and when the nurse said your daughter in Maine my mother nodded again....that is my gift....she then that night drifted off into a coma only responding to pain and after last night her vitals dropped and responds to nothing.....a brain cat scan shows that she is having internal seizures in her brain causing strokes and she is only breathing because of the ventilator. We are waiting on eeg results to finalize it all...my dad signed a DNR and my brother is driving down tonight to be there for the finally part...I can't get there.....it would cost over 1500 for me to get there for a day, as my grandmother is having surgery next week that I have to be here for...my mother would never want that....I will take care of her burial here this spring.

I got a nice letter in the Mail from her on Tuesday that she had mailed out last week...I will cherish it always.......I have to face another hard part as my birthday is Monday.....I have already come to terms that she might die on this day and if that happens I will take comfort that she found peace on it.

Just so hard to know that I won't talk to her ever again.......my Dad is a wreck and full of guilt that he is killing her even though these are her wishes and we all know the right thing to do........we don't wish anyone death, but she has suffered so much she deserves peace......and to be painfree......

Thanks for listening my friends.....sorry to dump this on you all......

I hope you all are doing well...I will try to catch up in the next few weeks.....

Wendie - my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. It's so hard! If there is anything that I can do for you, please let me know.:grouphug:

[Glynis]

Hi, everyone! I'm back from visiting with my parents. It was nice to get away for a little while.

Anyway, it's a freezing day here, but I'm too tired to cook, so we're having leftover baked chicken reubens and macaroni and cheese. I just want to crawl into bed.

[lucas]

I tried a new recipe tonight (Weight Watchers) and it was really tasty. It was Chicken with Honey Balsamic glaze. Here's the recipe:

1 pound boneless chicken breast (I cut it into bite size pieces)
1 1/2 t thyme
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper

rub this all over the chicken and then cook in 1 tsp Olive oil until done. remove and put on plate.

In pan stir together 2 T balsamic vinegar and 2 T honey.... cook over med low heat until slightly thick. Spoon over chicken.

I put my chicken pieces in a salad and then spooned some of the glaze on as a dressing. I also put on some feta cheese. It was really delicious!


This sounds yummy! I'm gonna try it soon.

[HERSEY]

Wendie I am so sorry to hear about your Mom.:hug: I hope her suffering ends soon. My stepbrothers and I had to do the same thing with my Step mom.

[Mermaid02]

This sounds yummy! I'm gonna try it soon.

I was very pleasantly surprised! It was quick and easy with minimal mess too! I need some recipes like this to help me lose some weight... cause no matter how low the calories, if it doesn't taste good- I ain't eating it!:lmao:

[Nancyg56]

Wendie- Your know your family is in my prayers. :hug:

[Nancyg56]

Okay my NOLA friends, are you all okay there? We have been hearing that there were tornadoes in LA but the weather folks did not sway where. I have been a little worried about you all.

[THE HAT]

Thank you friends, for your prayers and thoughts......
things are quite a roller coaster right now, and we have some more DR's coming in and giving some new opinions this evening......
I ask please that you could all pray some more for my mother, as hope and prayer are all we have right now.................I am emotionally(sp) exhausted today....35 phone calls so far.......my brother is headed down with my sil tomorrow and we will be doing a family confrenece call on Sat with the dr on where things stand........
we have been given a glimmer of hope...that I am quite scared to grasp onto to be honest............if you all don't mind listening here goes:
They are now saying that there has been no stroke.....just from her orginal one back in the early 80's showing on the CT.....there is definte (sp) signs on the EEG of internal brain seizures........her vitals are near perfect and her electrolytes and enzymes are now stable after being bottomed out. her resting pulse is 66 and her blood pressure is 110/57....her dr talked to my brother and said that she is responding to pain with eye flutters where the nurse said she was not. (I won't go into how this nurse for the past 2 days has been awful...though after my brother talked to the charge nurse he is a bit better...the first ones we had were beyond kind)....but she is not waking up at all, and that is where the dr's are confused.....it does not make sense....they think that she is not waking up due to the seizures and that with meds this might be able to be reversed........the dr said that if she does wake up she will be fine mentally, but if she does wake up and IS in a vegatative state we will (dad brother and I agree) pull the feeding tube and I will go down and sit with her until the end.............so that is the latest..............Prepare for the worse and hope for the best......(I am scared to breathe that I know)......I am beat.......to all who have lost a loved one and gone through all of this.....what courage you all have!! Noone gets it until you have gone through it yourself.....this is nothing like losing my grandfather, and I held him while he took his last breath....................
If I still have your attention....thank you so much for listening.....you are all the best........Please keep praying...good thoughts!!

*Please excuse my spelling errors....my eyes are full of grit and I am to beat to think straight.....

[FormrCastMbr]

Still praying and will continue Wendie. :hug: There is nothing I could really say right now to make you feel better. I just hope that you find comfort in the friendships that you have made here and that that makes it a little easier for you.

[HERSEY]

Thank you friends, for your prayers and thoughts......
things are quite a roller coaster right now, and we have some more DR's coming in and giving some new opinions this evening......
I ask please that you could all pray some more for my mother, as hope and prayer are all we have right now.................I am emotionally(sp) exhausted today....35 phone calls so far.......my brother is headed down with my sil tomorrow and we will be doing a family confrenece call on Sat with the dr on where things stand........
we have been given a glimmer of hope...that I am quite scared to grasp onto to be honest............if you all don't mind listening here goes:
They are now saying that there has been no stroke.....just from her orginal one back in the early 80's showing on the CT.....there is definte (sp) signs on the EEG of internal brain seizures........her vitals are near perfect and her electrolytes and enzymes are now stable after being bottomed out. her resting pulse is 66 and her blood pressure is 110/57....her dr talked to my brother and said that she is responding to pain with eye flutters where the nurse said she was not. (I won't go into how this nurse for the past 2 days has been awful...though after my brother talked to the charge nurse he is a bit better...the first ones we had were beyond kind)....but she is not waking up at all, and that is where the dr's are confused.....it does not make sense....they think that she is not waking up due to the seizures and that with meds this might be able to be reversed........the dr said that if she does wake up she will be fine mentally, but if she does wake up and IS in a vegatative state we will (dad brother and I agree) pull the feeding tube and I will go down and sit with her until the end.............so that is the latest..............Prepare for the worse and hope for the best......(I am scared to breathe that I know)......I am beat.......to all who have lost a loved one and gone through all of this.....what courage you all have!! Noone gets it until you have gone through it yourself.....this is nothing like losing my grandfather, and I held him while he took his last breath....................
If I still have your attention....thank you so much for listening.....you are all the best........Please keep praying...good thoughts!!

*Please excuse my spelling errors....my eyes are full of grit and I am to beat to think straight.....

Wendie We are always here for you. I am usually here in the early evening . I come and peek to see if anyone is here in between my paperwork. Which I should be doing. I hope the Doctors and Nurses start coordinating their information better for you all.

[TigerKat]

Wendie - I just picked up the phone to call you but I know how tired you are, so I PM'd you.:hug:

[Aimeedyan]

Wendie, my prayers and thoughts are with you.

[Nancyg56]

I ask please that you could all pray some more for my mother, as hope and prayer are all we have right now.................I am emotionally(sp) exhausted today

Oh Wendie, your Mother is in my prayers and I will continue to ask Him to take care of her. And you as well. I know that asking you to sleep is probably not realistic but please try to get a little rest. She is in good hands, your friends and family are praying for you and your brother is looking after your dad. If you can rest you can think a little clearer and you will be able to support yoru Grandmother.

[FormrCastMbr]

Ladies...

Amazon has an amazing deal on a fondue pot!!!!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/goldbox/ref=cs_top_nav_gb27/002-9419423-8843216

I just ordered one...never had fondue before....guess I need recipes! hint hint!

ETA: IT IS ONLY GOING FOR ANOTHER 20 MINUTES...

[liamsaunt]

Wendie, I am so sorry. I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts.

[liamsaunt]

Lauren, I will post my favorite fondue recipe for you and your new pot tomorrow. I love fondue, and have had a cool red pot for a couple of years. Here are some recent dinner photos:

short ribs with mashed potatoes and pan-roasted root vegetables:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2079/2184659642_b3953a7474.jpg

Salad with blood oranges:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2115/2184659528_51107d4f55.jpg

gratineed eggs with herbs and parmesean:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2332/2184659898_e43e21d110.jpg

and, tonight's mushroom sandwich:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2351/2184660176_b69bb404c6.jpg

[LindsayDunn228]

Since we are off one day because of ruined leftovers, we are going out to eat tonight and to get our groceries. So I get a day off :)

WFD at your house?

ETA: Wendie, you and your family are in our prayers. Please let us know if any of us can help in ANY way :grouphug:

[Mermaid02]

Ummmm I need the recipe for that mushroom sandwich! OMG that looks so good.

I have some frozen NY strip steaks in the freezer... I think we'll have those and some mushrooms and onions.... mashed potatoes, whole green beans and salad. Hopefully the weather will be good enough so that we can use the grill. Supposed to get some ice today- I prefer the 50* we had Wednesday.

Hang in there Wendie- like you said, "prepare for the worst and hope for the best" :hug:

[HERSEY]

I still didn't get my "real" takeout. I forgot I had to go to Costco so I picked up their rosterie chicken and made some sides.

I still have to get a few things tonight that I don't get a Costco so we are having Chinese come hell or high water,which about 40 miles south of me they have;).

Kathy So where were those tornado's?

Wendie I really hope you were able to sleep last night. I know it's hard to think about you when so much is going on, but take care of yourself. It's very hard for us to let God do is work. :hug:

[FormrCastMbr]

Morning all!

Becky, I would LOVE your recipe...thank you!

We are having grilled steak, teriyake noodles and broccoli.

Have a great day!

[cajunmommy]

Morning everyone. I see Kathy hasn't responded yet, so I'll jump in and update y'all on the tornadoes from yesterday. Hope she doesn't mind - don't want y'all worrying needlessly.

From last reports there were 2, possibly 3, tornadoes that touched down yesterday, but none were near Kathy's neck of the woods. One was near the LA / MS state line in Jackson, the other two were northwest of Baton Rouge (St. Francisville / New Roads area).

We got lots of rain and wind, but thankfully nothing worse. I believe Kathy & Sheryl had much of the same.

I haven't posted in a while, but I do have a recipe to share if anyone's interested. (Lindsay - hint, hint) It's a Stuffed Bell Pepper "stoup" from Rachael Ray's newest cookbook. It was very easy, and pretty tasty.

Wendie-Know that even though I don't post often, I still think about all of you in my thoughts and prayers daily. Stay strong.

[cajunmommy]

OK, found the recipe on her website. It's also in her latest cookbook, which I received for Christmas, but I can't remember the title!

Stuffed Pepper Stoup (Rachael's word...somewhere between stew & soup)

Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 1/2 pounds ground beef sirloin
Salt and black pepper
1/2 teaspoon allspice (eyeball it)
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large onion, cut into bite-size dice
3 green bell peppers, seeded and cut into bite-size dice
1 bay leaf
1 quart chicken stock
1 can crushed tomatoes (28 ounces)
1 cup orzo pasta
12-15 basil leaves, shredded or torn
Grated Parmigiano Reggiano, to pass at table

Preparation

Heat a medium soup pot over medium-high heat with the EVOO. When the EVOO is hot, add beef and season with salt, black pepper and allspice. Brown the meat for 5 minutes then add garlic, onion, peppers and bay leaf and cook for 7-8 minutes, until tender.

Stir in stock and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook to al dente, 7-8 minutes. Turn off heat. Fold in basil.

Serve in shallow bowls with grated cheese.


I'm surprised she used sirloin instead of ground turkey. I cut back to two bell peppers as the kids & DH aren't so fond of them. I refuse to not cook with them, so I dice them large and tell them to pick 'em out! Oh, I couldn't find orzo (small town groceries), so I subbed alphabet pasta. It was the closest I could find in a similar size.

[Nancyg56]

cajunmommy- thanks for letting us know. I am abysmal with geometry so even if the news guys tried to get specific I would never have been able to place them.

Now, please post more often, and feel free to respond to anything. There is no formality here.

[TigerKat]

Good morning!

cajunmommy - Thanks for providing the tornado update!:goodvibes

Lauren - I brewed my first pot of coffee with the Gevalia coffeemaker. It's really nice, but I'll like it even more when I brew my NOLA coffee & chicory in it!!:thumbsup2

Take-out for dinner tonight.:cool1:

[Nancyg56]

Stuffed Pepper Stoup (Rachael's word...somewhere between stew & soup)


I'm surprised she used sirloin instead of ground turkey. Oh, I couldn't find orzo (small town groceries), so I subbed alphabet pasta. It was the closest I could find in a similar size.

I am going to try this one. I think she used the beef because she is trying to vary the same ingredients a bit. She made a chili with some ground lamb the other day. It looked good but my picky family would not have even tried it.

I never use orzo in soup and sub any small pasta for it. I don't like the texture for some reason.

Okay Becky- I have got to stop drooling over your pictures :lmao:! Your meals really are magazine cover quality :thumbsup2

Lauren- thanks for the fondue pot tip. I have been toying with buying one but I am going to wait until I put some of the stuff I have out away. My DH threatened to get rid of my Christmas things, because "all you really need is a bell and a bow" :scared1: This is the same guy who could not understand why I tossed out a box full of school bus yellow three handled coffee mugs shaped like balls, advertising some electrical supply shop that he brought home :rotfl:What on Earth would anyone do with those???????

I am still reclaiming my house today so hopefully I will have the great room, the kitchen and the bathroom all done and can make a pot of soup. If not it is going to be tuna sandwiched with tomato soup.

Kathy- where are you?????

[TigerKat]

Kathy- where are you?????

Look up, I'm right on top of you!:rotfl2:

[Nancyg56]

Look up, I'm right on top of you!:rotfl2:

:rotfl2::rotfl2: .

Lauren- i just went up to check the link... I missed it, just as well. think I want to stay married for a little while ;)

[LindsayDunn228]

Stuffed Pepper Stoup (Rachael's word...somewhere between stew & soup)


Thanks for posting this. It looks yummy and I think I'll make it next week :)

Look up, I'm right on top of you!:rotfl2:

Hey hey hey, you two. Knock it off or get a room!

:lmao::lmao::lmao:

[HERSEY]

:rotfl2::rotfl2: .

Lauren- i just went up to check the link... I missed it, just as well. think I want to stay married for a little while ;)

Is this like having your glasses on your head and searching the house for them :rotfl2:

[Glynis]

Oh Wendie, your Mother is in my prayers and I will continue to ask Him to take care of her. And you as well. I know that asking you to sleep is probably not realistic but please try to get a little rest. She is in good hands, your friends and family are praying for you and your brother is looking after your dad. If you can rest you can think a little clearer and you will be able to support yoru Grandmother.

Nancy said this so well, I just wanted to ditto it! Wendie, I'm here for you if you need me. Your mother continues to be in my prayers, as is the rest of your family. I hope that you all can find peace with whatever happens.:grouphug:

[Glynis]

Ladies...

Amazon has an amazing deal on a fondue pot!!!!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/goldbox/ref=cs_top_nav_gb27/002-9419423-8843216

I just ordered one...never had fondue before....guess I need recipes! hint hint!

ETA: IT IS ONLY GOING FOR ANOTHER 20 MINUTES...

I have several good fondue recipes. I'm heading to bowling, but I'm leaving myself a reminder to post the fondue recipes when I get back.

We love fondue!!! It's our New Year's Eve tradition, and it is so fun and yummy!!!

[Glynis]

Dinner tonight will be Lindsay's Smoky Turkey Patties!!! Yummo!!! By the way, I'm serving them with tater tots and a Utah original: Fry Sauce!!! Can't wait.

DH and I are also hitting the sale at Kohl's tonight. They are having a gigantic sale, and since DH only has one pair of pants that actually fits him, we're going to see what we can find.

Have a great day everyone! I'm off to bowling!

[FormrCastMbr]

Lauren - I brewed my first pot of coffee with the Gevalia coffeemaker. It's really nice, but I'll like it even more when I brew my NOLA coffee & chicory in it!!:thumbsup2


It is nice right? Sheryl had some samples of that coffee sent to me AND...WE LOVE IT!

If anyone is interested, Gevalia sends out a coffee pot for about $12 with a thermal carafe and travel mug and 2 things of coffee. You have to sign up for the coffee service but you can cancel it! :thumbsup2

Sheryl, thank you so much! I will be ordering more! :cool1:

:rotfl2::rotfl2: .
Lauren- i just went up to check the link... I missed it, just as well. think I want to stay married for a little while ;)

You can get the bar set for $14.99 though!!! :lmao:

I have no room for the thing either...we are bargain hunters here and I am a pack rat! Still have these darn boxes of garage sale stuff sitting in my office...:rolleyes1


Hey hey hey, you two. Knock it off or get a room!

:lmao::lmao::lmao:

My thoughts too! :rotfl:

Is this like having your glasses on your head and searching the house for them :rotfl2:

:lmao: I guess we're all guilty of this one!

I have several good fondue recipes. I'm heading to bowling, but I'm leaving myself a reminder to post the fondue recipes when I get back.

We love fondue!!! It's our New Year's Eve tradition, and it is so fun and yummy!!!

Can't wait for the recipes! :thumbsup2 Thanks!

[Nancyg56]

Is this like having your glasses on your head and searching the house for them :rotfl2:

You have no idea what a day being me is like :sad2:....that's why I have a glass of wine :thumbsup2

[shovan]

Morning Y'all,

cajunmommy, Thanks for keeping everyone from worrying! :goodvibes

We did have some really heavy rain yesterday but nothing more! And it brought in cooler dryer & a much prettier day today!

Lauren, Glad you liked the coffee! Samples should be arriving soon to everyone who was on the Christmas card list! (except for my fellow Louisiana gals, CC would only send it out of state)

The Chipotle Tamale Pie I fixed yesterday turned out well. Even though I left the cheese out, cause I was REALLY allowing Alexis to help fix the dish! Following a recipe & cooking with a 5 year old is tough! She really wants to actually cut the veggies herself, put the ingredients in the pot, stir it in the pot, etc.! Keeping her safe & doing a new dish is just too hard! But she loves it, she pretends she is either Rachel Ray, Paula Deen or Linguini from Ratatouille! Can you tell watch TV station is usually on in my house?

As frazzled as I was trying to allow her to help & not get hurt, it was worth it. While we are cooking she stops, looks up at me & says with this really heartfelt expression "Nana, I love you so much!" I said "Why's that sweetie" and she replied "Because you let me really cook!" Aww, what's a Nana to do!

Here's the Chipotle Tamale Pie & Guacamole Salad Alexis & I fixed yesterday:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p289/bshovan/What%20is%20for%20Dinner/IMG_0167.jpg

The cheese that should have gone in the middle, ended up being put on top. I also some on the plate & dished out the pie on top of that. It was really yummy.

[liamsaunt]

Glynis, do you bowl regular or candlepin? John and I took Liam candlepin bowling on Sunday. I honestly think that candlepion bowling is an exercise in futility! I was pretty bad...I think my highest score all afternoon was around 76. I've only been regular bowling once since candlepin is so much more popular here, but I think I liked the regular bowling better. At least I could knock all of the pins down once in a while.

One funny aside about the bowling...both John and Liam kept forgetting to reset the pins! They are obviously too used to wii bowling!

I'm not sure wfd yet...I was planning on making dh a shepards pie with the leftover short ribs and their sauce, potatoes, and veggies, but his business dinner last night was at Morton's steakhouse, and I don't like him to eat very much red meat....ideally no more than once per week. Since he had the short ribs earlier this week, and a steak last night, I might try and come up with something else. I did take some chicken out of the freezer last night, but I don't know what to do with it...it's boneless skinless chicken, so basically a blank slate. I also can't remember what vegetables I have at the house. :upsidedow

Here is an easy cheese fondue recipe:

Cheese Fondue

1 clove garlic, halved
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
1 tbsp. cornstarch
1 lb. cheese--I use a mix of half gruyere and half emmenthaler
1 tbsp. kirsch

Rub the garlic clove all around the inside of your fondue pot and then discard

Coarsely grate the cheese and toss with the cornstarch to coat.

Add the wine to the fondue pot and bring to a simmer. Add the cheese, a handful at a time, while stirring in a zigzag motion. As the cheese melts, add more until it is all in the pot.

Add the kirsch, and simmer for at least 5 more minutes, until the fondue is thickened to your liking. If it gets too thick, add more wine.

Serve with crusty bread cut into chunks, blanched vegetables, etc. for dipping.

As you eat the fondue, make sure to stir the mixture with your fondue pot, and dig down towards the bottom of the pot as you do so, to keep things well mixed.

I have heard that you can make this recipe subbing in chicken stock for the wine if any of you don't like wine. I've never tried it that way so can't vouch for how it would taste.

Don't forget: If a lady loses one of her bread cubes off her fork into the fondue, she has to kiss the man sitting next to her. If a man loses a breadcube in the fondue, he has to buy another bottle of wine for the table. ;)

This makes enough fondue for at least 6 people. Leftovers are good melted into an omelet or stirred into mashed potatoes, etc.

[shovan]

Becky, You are once again, AMAZING!!! I'm wowed everytime I see your creations!!

Is the gratineed egg recipe posted here? Also how did you fix the mushrooms for the sandwich? It all looks so delicious!

[TigerKat]

Hey hey hey, you two. Knock it off or get a room!

:lmao::lmao::lmao:

:rotfl2: :rotfl2:


As frazzled as I was trying to allow her to help & not get hurt, it was worth it. While we are cooking she stops, looks up at me & says with this really heartfelt expression "Nana, I love you so much!" I said "Why's that sweetie" and she replied "Because you let me really cook!" Aww, what's a Nana to do!


That is soooooo sweet!!!:goodvibes


If anyone is interested I fixed a new meatloaf recipe last night that was the best one I've ever made. Martha Stewart's Mom passed away and Martha did a show featuring all of her Mom's best recipes. This was really good:

http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=af7b9a79b9b65110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCR D&autonomy_kw=meatloaf%20101&rsc=header_1

[Nancyg56]

Hey hey hey, you two. Knock it off or get a room!

:lmao::lmao::lmao:

You're feeling sassy today, Lindsay :lmao::lmao::lmao:



We are getting the rain today. It is so hard to stay motivated when I really want to curl up with a cup of tea and a book under a blanket.

Your Alexis just melted my heart. When those little Cuties say "I Love You" with their sweet little faces it is all over. What ever they want.......



[quote=TigerKat;22527718]


If anyone is interested I fixed a new meatloaf recipe last night that was the best one I've ever made. Martha Stewart's Mom passed away and Martha did a show featuring all of her Mom's best recipes. This was really good:



I make her Mom's Babka but I never tell Buddy that it is her recipe. He absolutely hates her! He refused to sleep on sheets that had her trademark :rotfl2:, and they were nice sheets :confused3:rotfl:

[Aimeedyan]

Now I'm craving fondue. Wonder how I could make a meal out of cheese fondue... =)

Tonight we're having yet another SparkPeople low cal dinner. Pulled pork sandwiches in the crockpot. If it's good, I'll post the recipe tonight. It got good reviews but you never know. i'm going to make sweet potato fries to go with it.

[TigerKat]

You're feeling sassy today, Lindsay :lmao::lmao::lmao:


Nancy, did you ever in your wildest dreams think we'd be confused with the Smitten Kittens?:lmao:

[shovan]

Don't know what dinner will be tonight. Have to go get a haircut at 2 and then hopefully my car will be ready as promised & I can pick it up. Which also mean returning the rental car too. So dinner will either be the leftover tamale pie or something take out or maybe eat out!

Nancy, Great way to spend a rainy day, go have your tea & read your book!

Buddy is too much!:laughing: Won't even sleep on those nice sheets cus their Martha's! I guess you could cut out the insignia & patch the darn things. Would that make him feel better about it?! :confused3 :laughing:

Nancy & Kathy, Yeah the child :cutie: has her Nana wrapped that's for sure.;)

Aimee, Dipping some bread & veggies into that cheese would be a great dinner to me!

[liamsaunt]

Is the gratineed egg recipe posted here? Also how did you fix the mushrooms for the sandwich? It all looks so delicious!

Yes, it is listed on the recipe index as "egg dish." I don't know what page it is on. The way I posted it is the basic method, but I've since refined it to get my eggs EXACTLY the way I like them (fully cooked whites, thick but runny yolks). It has a couple of extra steps but I doubt anyone wants to be as fussy as me! If you make it the way it is posted your yolks will come out fully cooked--not "hard boiled" cooked, but not at all runny either.

The mushroom sandwich is the easiest thing ever! Just slice up some mushrooms (or buy the pre-sliced ones), dice one small onion, melt a little butter, saute until everything is cooked, season with salt and pepper, pile on some bread spread with dijon mustard, top with cheese of your choice, and heat through. Easy as pie!

[THE HAT]

Afternoon my friends-----I want to thank you all for your prayers, good thoughts and kind and wise words.....I ask that you please keep praying for my mom.....
Not much news to report on as of yet today.......my brother is about 2hrs away from getting there.....I will feel better once I know he arrived there safe, as I know how tired he is and stressed.......my father will do a bit better though having him to lean on for a few days........
My mothers heart rate is up a bit, and they think it is due to her having a low grade temp, that they do not know what is causing it. She had some vent issues today that were taken care of with a minor adjustement, but my dad walked in as she was having some labored breathing, so that threw him for a loop to start the day...her bp and such are fine, and like the nurse said.....on paper she is great.....the answers lie in the eeg report....that is finally in BUT the attending dr and nurses can not read the neurologist's hand writing so the dr is trying to reach him........
I had some issues with the night nurse last night, (to heart wrenching to type, but just cruel) and my dad had an issue with the day one this morning, (again)....my brother called the charge nurse once again, and told her what he thinks of their bedside manner to his family, as they are possible on the last days of his mothers life......should be interesting once Billy arrives there........my brother is 47 yrs old, 6ft tall broad shoulders, and spent 24 years in the army...part of it as a drill sargent.....they have no idea what is coming their way..........

All I want is peace for my mother......whichever way that may be..............just some peace.....

I have nothing to post for wfd.........the boys have been on their own this week, and I have been living on coffee and red bull.....I did eat a piece of corn bread yesterday that Kris picked up at the grocery store for me....wasn't really hungry, but he was so pleased that he stopped and picked up something he thought I might eat, I had a bite of it......nothing really settles well right now.......and trust me I won't wither away, lol...............

again thank you all for listening to me............it means so much!

[TigerKat]

Guys - Please keep Wendie in your prayers right now. She is having a very difficult day, she just got a birthday card in the mail from her Mom that was mailed before she went into the hospital. They've also had some horrid nurses they've had to deal with. It's so sad, please pray for her.:sad1:

[Glynis]

Glynis, do you bowl regular or candlepin? John and I took Liam candlepin bowling on Sunday. I honestly think that candlepion bowling is an exercise in futility! I was pretty bad...I think my highest score all afternoon was around 76. I've only been regular bowling once since candlepin is so much more popular here, but I think I liked the regular bowling better. At least I could knock all of the pins down once in a while.

One funny aside about the bowling...both John and Liam kept forgetting to reset the pins! They are obviously too used to wii bowling!

I'm not sure wfd yet...I was planning on making dh a shepards pie with the leftover short ribs and their sauce, potatoes, and veggies, but his business dinner last night was at Morton's steakhouse, and I don't like him to eat very much red meat....ideally no more than once per week. Since he had the short ribs earlier this week, and a steak last night, I might try and come up with something else. I did take some chicken out of the freezer last night, but I don't know what to do with it...it's boneless skinless chicken, so basically a blank slate. I also can't remember what vegetables I have at the house. :upsidedow

Here is an easy cheese fondue recipe:

Cheese Fondue

1 clove garlic, halved
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
1 tbsp. cornstarch
1 lb. cheese--I use a mix of half gruyere and half emmenthaler
1 tbsp. kirsch

Rub the garlic clove all around the inside of your fondue pot and then discard

Coarsely grate the cheese and toss with the cornstarch to coat.

Add the wine to the fondue pot and bring to a simmer. Add the cheese, a handful at a time, while stirring in a zigzag motion. As the cheese melts, add more until it is all in the pot.

Add the kirsch, and simmer for at least 5 more minutes, until the fondue is thickened to your liking. If it gets too thick, add more wine.

Serve with crusty bread cut into chunks, blanched vegetables, etc. for dipping.

As you eat the fondue, make sure to stir the mixture with your fondue pot, and dig down towards the bottom of the pot as you do so, to keep things well mixed.

I have heard that you can make this recipe subbing in chicken stock for the wine if any of you don't like wine. I've never tried it that way so can't vouch for how it would taste.

Don't forget: If a lady loses one of her bread cubes off her fork into the fondue, she has to kiss the man sitting next to her. If a man loses a breadcube in the fondue, he has to buy another bottle of wine for the table. ;)

This makes enough fondue for at least 6 people. Leftovers are good melted into an omelet or stirred into mashed potatoes, etc.

I bowl regular! I only started bowling 4 years ago, so I'm not very good, but I do enjoy it! At least my average is well over 100. Considering I started with an average of 62, I guess I'm improving!

[Glynis]

Now I'm craving fondue. Wonder how I could make a meal out of cheese fondue... =)

Tonight we're having yet another SparkPeople low cal dinner. Pulled pork sandwiches in the crockpot. If it's good, I'll post the recipe tonight. It got good reviews but you never know. i'm going to make sweet potato fries to go with it.


It's easy to make a meal out of cheese fondue. Simply boil some tiny red potatoes, steam some broccoli and cauliflower, and cube some french or italian bread. Presto, dinner is done!!!

[Glynis]

Afternoon my friends-----I want to thank you all for your prayers, good thoughts and kind and wise words.....I ask that you please keep praying for my mom.....
Not much news to report on as of yet today.......my brother is about 2hrs away from getting there.....I will feel better once I know he arrived there safe, as I know how tired he is and stressed.......my father will do a bit better though having him to lean on for a few days........
My mothers heart rate is up a bit, and they think it is due to her having a low grade temp, that they do not know what is causing it. She had some vent issues today that were taken care of with a minor adjustement, but my dad walked in as she was having some labored breathing, so that threw him for a loop to start the day...her bp and such are fine, and like the nurse said.....on paper she is great.....the answers lie in the eeg report....that is finally in BUT the attending dr and nurses can not read the neurologist's hand writing so the dr is trying to reach him........
I had some issues with the night nurse last night, (to heart wrenching to type, but just cruel) and my dad had an issue with the day one this morning, (again)....my brother called the charge nurse once again, and told her what he thinks of their bedside manner to his family, as they are possible on the last days of his mothers life......should be interesting once Billy arrives there........my brother is 47 yrs old, 6ft tall broad shoulders, and spent 24 years in the army...part of it as a drill sargent.....they have no idea what is coming their way..........

All I want is peace for my mother......whichever way that may be..............just some peace.....

I have nothing to post for wfd.........the boys have been on their own this week, and I have been living on coffee and red bull.....I did eat a piece of corn bread yesterday that Kris picked up at the grocery store for me....wasn't really hungry, but he was so pleased that he stopped and picked up something he thought I might eat, I had a bite of it......nothing really settles well right now.......and trust me I won't wither away, lol...............

again thank you all for listening to me............it means so much!

Wendie - you and your family continue to be in my prayers. Please take care of yourself. Let Kris take care of you. He's got to be feeling helpless at seeing you in this turmoil! I'm so glad that you can come here and talk to us! We are here for you, and want to support you! Know that whatever happens, you are in all of our prayers!

[Glynis]

Ok, Lauren, here are all my fondue recipes.

Cheesy Pizza Fondue
Makes 4 cups

1 jar meatless spaghetti sauce
2 C. shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/4 C. shredded Parmesan cheese
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried, minced onion
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 unsliced loaf Italian bread, cubed

In a 1 1/2 quart slow cooker, combine the spaghetti sauce, cheeses, oregano, onion and garlic powder. Cook for 4-6 hours or until cheese is melting and sauce is hot. Serve with bread cubes.

Note: I like to make this in a saucepan on the stove and transfer it to a fondue pot or small crockpot to serve. I also use breadsticks and meatballs as dippers.


Woodward Cheese Fondue

1 1/2 C. white grape juice
2 pounds Velveeta, cubed
3/4 C. green onion cheese
1/2 C. sour cream
1/2 C. butter

Place grape juice in a crockpot and bring to a boil (or get it really hot). Add cheeses and stir occasionally until melted. Add sour cream and butter. Cook, stirring occasionally until smooth. Serve with cubed french bread, steamed broccoli and cauliflower, boiled new potatoes.

Note: If you can't find green onion cheese (you can order it from several dairies), you can make your own by using Monterey Jack cheese and chop up several green onions into the crockpot.


Butterscotch Fondue
Makes 4 cups

1/2 C. butter or margarine, cubed
2 C. packed brown sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 C. light corn syrup
2 Tbsp. water
1/4 C. English toffee bits
1 tsp. vanilla
Angel food cake cubes and fresh fruit

In a large saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, milk, corn syrup and water. Cook and stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from the heat. Stir in toffee bits and vanilla. Transfer to a fondue pot or mini slow cooker; keep warm. Serve with cake and fruit.


Warm Strawberry Fondue
Makes 1 1/2 cups

1 pkg. frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed
1/4 C. half and half cream
1 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
Angel food cake cubes and fresh fruit

In a food processor or blender, combine the strawberries, cream, cornstarch and lemon juice; cover and process until smooth. Pour into a saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Transfer to a fondue pot or a mini slow cooker; keep warm. Serve with cake and fruit.

[Nancyg56]

Nancy, did you ever in your wildest dreams think we'd be confused with the Smitten Kittens?:lmao:


Now I'm afraid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

[TigerKat]

Now I'm afraid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

:lmao:

[Nancyg56]

Afternoon my friends-----I want to thank you all for your prayers, good thoughts and kind and wise words.....I ask that you please keep praying for my mom.....



Wendie- no thanks necessary, we are all here for you. Thank God your brother is going to address the nurses. They sometimes are so dispassionate and I just don't get it.

I am praying for your Mom and think you may find a little peace for yourself if you give it up and place her in His hands. Somehow, when I did that I was a little easier. Don't give up though, my Mom was so sick and we thought she was going to leave us but she did not. We had her for another 18 months.

Once again, try to eat a little and get a little rest. :hug:

[HERSEY]

Still no Chinese for me, But we did get takeout Popeye's chicken for Alex and shrimp for me and fake red beans and rice.


Wendie Please take care of yourself. Red bull and coffee even on a good day is yucky. I'm glad your brother is going to the hospital. Having someone who can take charge and be the spokeperson for the family can be very helpful. I hope your mom gets some nurses who will work with you. They are probably overworked there like they are here. :hug: I will continue to pray for your Mom and you.

[FormrCastMbr]

Glynis, thanks for the recipes! I will not have a problem finding the cheese since my SIL is a cheese maker in VT and makes a GREAT Green Onion Cheddar...award winning too!

Becky, thank you as well!

Wendie, Please stay strong. I know its difficult but we are here praying for you Mom, you and your family.

Kathy, thank you as well for keeping us posted.

[liamandcaili]

I will not have a problem finding the cheese since my SIL is a cheese maker in VT and makes a GREAT Green Onion Cheddar...award winning too!

You're planning to send us all some right? ;) Seriously, what is the brand, I will seek it out!

Wendie -- My thoughts are with you and your family in this difficult time.

We had homemade pizza tonight. Caili had cheese, no sauce, and Liam and I had mushroom (with sauce and cheese, too).

[FormrCastMbr]

You're planning to send us all some right? ;) Seriously, what is the brand, I will seek it out!


With my luck, I would send it, it would get lost and become a stinky mess! But here is a link...my SIL, Melissa, is in alot of the pics and they do have some stores in MA carry the brand.

http://www.neighborlyfarms.com/index.html

I've had them all except the sage and jalapeno...the green onion is my fav!

Let me know if you find it...:)

[Aimeedyan]

Oooh, that strawberry fondue looks delicious.

[LindsayDunn228]

To celebrate the Smitten Kitten's engagement, we are taking them out to Kanpai of Tokyo today. I asked them where they wanted to go and that's where Robin picked. I really wanted to get them an engagement gift but the idea hit me yesterday and I didn't have time to go get anything, let alone come up with something. *see below* I mentioned it to Scott who shrugged and said, "We're taking them out. Isn't that enough?" :confused3:lmao:

Anyway, after we eat they are going ring shopping. Just like me, Robin knows what ring she wants. Kevin is going to be shocked when he finds out he isn't going to be making payments on it for 10 years (shocked because Robin's a shopper and her taste can be expensive, lol!). **see another note below**

I will give you guys a full update :)

WFD at your house?

ETA: *my note*

Robin and I talked a LOT about her plans when she was here the other day. Surprisingly, she doesn't want a shower. Between the two of them they have everything they need. In the lingerie department as well. But I HAVE to do something nice for them and I have no idea what.

Sadly, Robin's mom, so far, is not being very supportive. Long story short, of the people they have told, Scott and I are the only ones behind them. And I mean we have REALLY fussed over them and made this a HUGE deal, which it is. I want to make sure they know AT ALL TIMES that we have their back. I want their gift to reflect that.

Any ideas you guys can give me would be really appreciated!!

**my other note**
After thinking about it, I figured you guys might be curious to know what ring Robin wants. This isn't the exact ring, but it's close. It isn't an engagement ring I would wear, but it's going to be a gorgeous on Robin. It's totally her!!!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y102/LindsayDunn228/31OeqMGlDlL_AA250_.jpg



I will not have a problem finding the cheese since my SIL is a cheese maker in VT and makes a GREAT Green Onion Cheddar...award winning too!

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

You have NO idea how jealous I am!!!!!!!!!!!

[HERSEY]

Lindsay How about a Themed shower like say kitchen. Everyone could use something new. Also have people bring favorite recipes and a story about it why it became a family favorite.

I think tonight we be crockpot something with leftover chicken.:lmao: I have to go through my recipes and come up with something.

My NY resolution this year is to waste less and try to go to the store less too.

[FormrCastMbr]

Morning All!

Lindsay, The ring Robin has picked out is gorgeous! I have come to realize that in life you cannot please everyone so I hope Robin and Kevin stay positive. It is really great that they have you guys for support. My parents were engaged a few months after dating and people thought they were nuts (especially since Dad had 1 child and Mom had 5 :scared1: ). They had a wonderful 35 years together with me being a bonus ;) !

I will keep thinking of a gift idea for them as well.

Neighborly Farms will ship cheese if you are interested...:)

**************
We are taking a road trip since Harbor Freight is having some sales that Tom would like to take advantage of (they are about 30 - 45 min away) so we are going to take advantage of an Olive Garden gift cert that we recd for Xmas.

I have not been to OG in a while so if you have any suggestions, please let me know. I am so used to homecooked italian so I don't want to be disappointed.

Have a great day!

Oh, we are pouring concrete today as well to close the shower drain that had to be moved for the bathroom renovation! :woohoo:

[LindsayDunn228]

Neighborly Farms will ship cheese if you are interested...:)

You know I'm interested!!!!!!!!!!

[FormrCastMbr]

You know I'm interested!!!!!!!!!!

They have the gift basket page on the website, look there and if you have a prob let me know. :)

[TigerKat]

Good morning everyone.

I just read a PM Wendie sent me during the night last night. They are meeting with the neurologist as I type this for his evaluation so that they will know where her Mom's situation stands. She got to have a nice "chat" with her Mom last night, the nurse held the phone to her Mom's ear and she opened her eyes and nodded as Wendie spoke to her. I think Wendie is at a peaceful place right now and is just ready for her Mom to be at peace, whatever that may be. Please keep her and her family in your prayers today and I will update when I hear from her.

[FormrCastMbr]

Good morning everyone.

I just read a PM Wendie sent me during the night last night. They are meeting with the neurologist as I type this for his evaluation so that they will know where her Mom's situation stands. She got to have a nice "chat" with her Mom last night, the nurse held the phone to her Mom's ear and she opened her eyes and nodded as Wendie spoke to her. I think Wendie is at a peaceful place right now and is just ready for her Mom to be at peace, whatever that may be. Please keep her and her family in your prayers today and I will update when I hear from her.

Kat, again, thank you for keeping us posted.

Wendie, I am so glad that you got a chance to talk to your Mom and that she responded to you. I continue to pray for you and your family. :hug:

[TigerKat]

Lindsay - That ring is gorgeous!!!!!!

WFD - Baked redfish with lemon butter sauce, rice pilaf and parmesan cream cheese spinach.

Baseball has begun, we'll be at school for a little while today for their fund-raiser "Hit-a-Thon".:thumbsup2

[HERSEY]

I just finished watching Paula. I think she was talking to me :rotfl: she was making chicken florentine. Ok guess now what we are having.:rolleyes1



Wendie all I can say is :hug:


Kathy Baseball already it is freezing out.

[TigerKat]

I just finished watching Paula. I think she was talking to me :rotfl: she was making chicken florentine. Ok guess now what we are having.:rolleyes1



Wendie all I can say is :hug:


Kathy Baseball already it is freezing out.

I saw Paula, she was talking to me too.:rotfl:

Not freezing here, going up to 65 today.:;) The baseball season doesn't officially start until 2/16 but scrimmage games start next week!:banana:

[liamsaunt]

Wendie, I am thinking of you.

I did end up making DH the shepards pie last night. I was just out of ideas. I layered the leftover short ribs, shredded, with their gravy, then the roasted root veggies, then mashed potatoes, and cooked it until browned. Here it is with a salad:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2330/2187910422_7efc5d7120.jpg

I made myself some pasta:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2032/2187123313_841b6b808a.jpg

And this morning I made huevos rancheros:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2051/2187910084_1d5769eb4d.jpg

Still thinking about WFD.

[TigerKat]

Janice - I printed out the recipe, let me know if it was as good as it looks.;)

[TigerKat]

GOOD NEWS UPDATE FROM WENDIE !!!!!



I am at a loss for words, as it is true that God is great.......the power of prayer and positive thinking is a strong force........we were told at the meeting this morning, all that was wrong and going on with my mama, then he said these words to us....THE GOOD NEWS IS.......this morning when he went in, she was awake, alert and following commands of lifting right hand, or leg etc....she knew who he was, so last night with my phone call she really did open her eyes, smile and nod her head. She pointed to her vent, and he explained to her about it and to be patient, and she smiled and nodded, he did have to have soft restraints put on as it is a normal reflex when sleeping to go to pull this out.....................she will be weaned of the vent in the next 48 hrs, if all goes well she should be in rehab in 2-3 weeks.
Please give my love and thanks to everyone, for their strong prayers, and support. I don't like to use the word miracle, but this is pretty darn close I feel.

They did think she had a massive seizure, as that was what it looked like, and she was to ill to do a ct scan on, that is why they had us making final preparations etc.....the CT was finally done and was normal.

What a rollercoaster ride of hell.....but to have the same outcome I would ride it again........I am aware that she is still very sick.....and we are not 100% out of the woods, BUT this is much better then how things were on Thursday.

I honestly feel, that without everyone's prayers and good strong positive thoughts, my mother would be leaving us today..............I owe you all so much and thank you from the bottom of my heart from myself and my whole family.

[Disney8704]

WFD 2night - Just left over hamburger helper from last night. Only 11 days to go until DH comes home from deployment and then I can finally start cooking everything from spagetti to chicken to crockpot stuff.

Oh yeah I came up with a new dish a few weeks ago. Well its not really new, cuz Ive made it before, but added a whole new spice and boy did it make a huge difference! It tasted SO much better!! Heres the recipe:

Beef & Rice Dish
1 lb of hamburger
1 box of beef flavored rice
season all
ground cinnamon (the new spice ;) )
1 beef bullion cube
1/4 cup of water

Cook rice as directed on package; in the mean time brown hamburger

Once hamburger has browned, drain; spinkle season all and ground cinnamon over hamburger. Stir hamburger around to help mix up the seasonings.

Put 1/4 cup of water in a small bowl and put the beef bullion cube in the water. Microwave HIGH for 1 minute or until bullion cube has been completely disolved.

Pour water mixture over browned hamburger. Put heat on LOW. The water will help keep the hamburger from over cooking, drying out and will add more beef flavor while rice is finish cooking.

Once rice is finished cooking, use a spoon to take the hamburger out of the pan (dont drain the water, just take a spoon and spoon the hamburger out) and mix it in the rice.

Makes at least 4 servings.

[Glynis]

Oooh, that strawberry fondue looks delicious.

It is! It's especially good with angel food cake!

[Glynis]

Dinner tonight is soup and sandwiches. DH and I may go out. Not sure yet!

Wendie - I'm thrilled with the news on your mom!!! We will continue to keep her in our prayers. I'm so glad you got a chance to talk to her! This news just makes my day!!!!

[TigerKat]

Aimee - Are you familiar with the Kingwood, TX area? I believe it's near Houston. We just found out today that Kyle's going to be pitching the premier game in a tournament there next month. Three TX colleges will be scouting him so I think we're going to go. If you have any info about the area, hotels, restaurants etc. I'd appreciate it.

[lucas]

Aimee - Are you familiar with the Kingwood, TX area? I believe it's near Houston. We just found out today that Kyle's going to be pitching the premier game in a tournament there next month. Three TX colleges will be scouting him so I think we're going to go. If you have any info about the area, hotels, restaurants etc. I'd appreciate it.

Wow - how exciting! Congrats!! :)

[TigerKat]

Wow - how exciting! Congrats!! :)

It's all kinda scary for me, to be honest. Not sure if my nerves can handle it, and the coach told us today this is just the beginning...:scared1:

[Aimeedyan]

and parmesan cream cheese spinach.

How do you make this?

[Aimeedyan]

Aimee - Are you familiar with the Kingwood, TX area? I believe it's near Houston. We just found out today that Kyle's going to be pitching the premier game in a tournament there next month. Three TX colleges will be scouting him so I think we're going to go. If you have any info about the area, hotels, restaurants etc. I'd appreciate it.

I'm really not. I'm sorry. I think there are some Houston area Disers on here so you might want to start a thread and see. I've stayed in Houston a few times but not in Kingwood.

Congrats to Kyle - that is SO exciting!!

[Aimeedyan]

I don't know what is for dinner. I was good and ran errands, bought a suit for my 'big day' in a couple of weeks, ran to Sams, and then washed and waxed my car for 1.5 hours. I'M TIRED!

DH is golfing, but will be home in about an hour. We may grab fast food. I forgot to eat lunch so other than the Starbucks latte (they have SKINNY lattes now that are just 90 calories!!) and the 2 samples I ate at Sams, I've had nothing. Which also means I have calories to spend! =)

[HERSEY]

Aimee - Are you familiar with the Kingwood, TX area? I believe it's near Houston. We just found out today that Kyle's going to be pitching the premier game in a tournament there next month. Three TX colleges will be scouting him so I think we're going to go. If you have any info about the area, hotels, restaurants etc. I'd appreciate it.

:cool1: Congrats to Kyle. I not sure I want Alex to go away to college, like I have a choice.;)



Wendie Never underestimate the power of prayer. I am sooo happy about your Mom.:hug:

[TigerKat]

How do you make this?

It's a Rachel Rey recipe:

Creamy Parmesan Spinach:
3 boxes frozen spinach, defrosted
2 (3-ounce) bricks cream cheese
1/2 small white onion, finely chopped
2/3 cup grated Parmesan, 2 rounded handfuls
1 teaspoon coarse black pepper

Place spinach in microwave to defrost. Place boxes on a dish to defrost the spinach because it will leek. While spinach defrosts, place cream cheese and onions in a medium sauce pot over low heat. While cream cheese is melting and spinach is defrosting, continue forward with meal prep then return to spinach. When the cream cheese melts, add Parmesan and black pepper to the cheese. Drain spinach in clean kitchen towel, wringing it out until dry. Stir spinach into sauce, season with a pinch of salt, to taste, if necessary and let the spinach sit over lowest heat possible 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.


:cool1: Congrats to Kyle. I not sure I want Alex to go away to college, like I have a choice.;)


I don't want Kyle to go away either, it would have to be a very good scholarship offer for it to happen because there are too many really good local programs available, we'll see.:guilty:

[Nancyg56]

I wanted to catch up but I can't get past Wendie's update! :worship: Prayers answered! Wendie- I'll continue praying for more good news.

[Nancyg56]

Three TX colleges will be scouting him so I think we're going to go. If you have any info about the area, hotels, restaurants etc. I'd appreciate it.

:cool1::cool1::cool1: You are in for a wild ride I think! Congrats to Kyle!
:cool1: Congrats to Kyle. I not sure I want Alex to go away to college, like I have a choice.;)




You never know.



I don't want Kyle to go away either, it would have to be a very good scholarship offer for it to happen because there are too many really good local programs available, we'll see.:guilty:

Both of my sister's girls kept talking about going out of state but both wound up at Central, about 25 minutes from home. I'm betting Kyle wioll not want to go too far either.

I think we are having leftovers tonight. I cleaned and then headed over to my Aunts, DD and family had a late lunch at Olive Garden and DH is hungry for the leftover tuna :thumbsup2

Disney8704- that beef dish looks good. I would make it with ground turkey for my bunch.

We are looking at a big storm heading our way tomorrow evening. Storm Chris :lmao::lmao::lmao: Gotta call him :rotfl2:

[LindsayDunn228]

I am thinking I am may make the stuffed pepper stoup mentioned the other day. I got all the items to make it and if we don't go out to lunch with anyone after church, that's what I'll make.

WFD at your house?

ETA::cheer2::cheer2::cheer2::cheer2: Wendie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And now for an update om:

The Romance of the Smitten Kittens

Per Scott's request, Kevin came over early yesterday. Scott wanted a chance to talk to Kevin one-on-one. The spent almost an hour in our office talking. Then he came out and the two of us chatted. Tee hee, at one point I realized that Robin has yet to tell Kevin a few things that she's told me. Which, to be honest, made me feel good knowing she could confide in me. Anyway, it was nothing huge. Kind of "what he doesn't know yet won't hurt him" things.

He rode with us to Chattanooga and left his car at our house. They were coming back to his house anyway so there was no sense in taking 2 cars, not to mention I think he wanted to yak :)

Anyway, he made the sweet point that he has never really considered me his SIL, just his sister. As someone who doesn't really share feelings like that with us, I was obviously very pleased. He talked a lot about their wedding plans. Knowing Robin didn't really even want a ceremony and wanted to elope, I suggested to her why not get married in someone's house? You know, just have her parents, Kevin's parents, her brother and his wife, and us, just to hang out, have a cookout or something. Then have her pastor knock on the door later and BOOM, get married. She LOVED the idea.

Well, she pitched the idea to Kevin and now they are considering it. Now Robin is a HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE Disney Haunted Mansion fan, so they may be getting married on Halloween at a Halloween party. Cool eh?

Now onto lunch. *sigh*

For those who may not know Kanpai of Tokyo is a hibachi-style restaurant. We sat and talked and had what I thought was a really good time. About midway through the meal, Robin stopped talking. I didn't think a lot about since she mentioned she is on call this weekend and had been awakened at 5 a.m. to fix something for work. I'd be tired and a little moody myself.

So when lunch was over, we stood outside for a few minutes. Knowing how eager the both of them were to get on with the ring shopping, I wasn't going to try to keep them there a long time. So we jawed about me and Scott possibly going to a movie and letting them get on their way. We told them, "Congratulations, again, you guys. We are so excited for you," and such. Shy grins follow. Then what?

"Well, see you guys later."

We just ended on a very strange note. We took them out to celebrate the announcement for their engagement and I really felt like the tone was off. And this is not a big deal, I promise, just something I noticed: they didn't thank us for lunch. I thought that was a little odd, especially for them.

I'm really wondering if Robin had been arguing with her mom that morning and was just having a bad day. I know for myself, if someone has upset me or made me mad, I try to put it on hold and enjoy the people I'm with. I don't know. Like I said, we just left on such an odd note. I don't know if I will ever know what was going on yesterday, but I guess you could say I was a little disappointed in how the "engagement celebration" went.

I don't know. :confused3 Thanks for letting me vent.

[TigerKat]

WFD tonight is Glynis' Roast, Nancy's Greek Potatoes and my(:laughing: ) smothered green beans.

[FormrCastMbr]

Quickly checking in since Tom is downstairs struggling with mixing concrete...:)

Wendie, so glad your Mom is doing better...still praying.

Kathy, Great news about Kyle!

Well, our day yesterday did not go as planned...just a few bumps and we didn't get the concrete poured yesterday so we are doing it today. We wound up getting rear ended yesterday. We get out of the car and its a nine month pregnant girl, balling her eyes out!!! :scared1: No damage to out car, her bumped was cracked in half (she got attached to the trailer hitch) and she was feeling OK...thank God!

I am not really cooking anything too extravagant today. I am making subs to watch the Giants and will have grilled cheese and soup later if we get hungry.

Have a great day all!

[TigerKat]

I forgot to mention the Rachel Rey spinach recipe was terrible. It was so dry I had to add margarine and sour cream and it was still not good:confused3 . That recipe's going in the trash.

[THE HAT]

Hello there my friends!

Thank you so much Kat for passing along my Great news, and thanks to everyone!!! You are such a great friend!!!:hug:
Thank you ALL again for your prayers and thoughts. It means so much to me!:goodvibes :grouphug:

What a looooong week, I think almost every emotion you can have I went through......Couldn't ask for a better ending though!!

I did mess up one thing in my PM to Kat, that she passed on for me, they thought she had a Massive Stroke (not seizure) but that was not it.....she had a Massive Infection that caused all of this. Everything just sort of snowballed.
I am happy to tell you that my brother said today when he went in to see her, that she was sitting up, and she waved to him when he came around the door. She is breathing on her own 70%, and they hope to take the vent out as soon as later this afternoon!!! She has paper to write a bit on, and my brother wrote a few things done on it for her....cold, mouth hurt, etc...so she can just point, as she is getting frustrated. The poor things mouth is just so sore. :sad1:
Billy is going to stay until around 11am tomorrow then he has to head back to N.C. He just wants to make sure things go Ok with the vent removal etc.

After I sent the PM to Kat, I made phone calls, then showered and went to bed and didn't wake up until midnight, I called to check on my Mom and then went back to sleep until this morning. I was exhausted!!

I know I have missed a ton of things going on in everyone's lives...and I do apologize. I have thought of you all and wanted to catch up and just couldn't...though you all understand I know.
Starting tomorrow I will read back and see what has gone on with you all!

I am finally able to post WFD here!!!!!!! :woohoo:
I have put a whole chicken in the crock pot with thyme, and lemons. We will have it with mashed potatoes, squash and corn. MMMM comfort food!!! We have a pretty big storm headed our way for tomorrow, and this would have been perfect for then, but I need to cook for my boys, and tomorrow is my b-day and if the storm has moved on by supper time we will go out for Lobster!!:yay: (actually we will prob go anyway, as Kris' truck is HUGE!)

I hope you all are enjoying your Sunday.....and I know that I could not have made it through this week without all of you, so once again thank you!

[Glynis]

Dinner today is Melt In Your Mouth BBQ Ribs with brown rice and a green salad. For dessert I'm trying an experiment. I'm taking the recipe for Warm Winter lemon cake and making it with a spice cake and pumpkin spice pudding mix. We'll see if it's any good!

Wendie - I'm so thrilled that things are still good for your mom. Have a very happy birthday! You've got a lot to celebrate!

[TigerKat]

Yeah!!!!!:yay: :yay: Wendie's back! I'm so happy to hear that you got a lot of rest, you really needed that. I'm thrilled that Mom continues to improve, I know she'll feel so much better after the vent is removed.:hug:

[THE HAT]

Just wanted to jump back here real quick and let you all know that my mother had the vent, and feeding tube removed. She is on an O2 mask just to help her a bit as her larynx is very sore, and a bit swollen as to be expected. She is quite tired, but feels pretty good considering. They will start her on some soft solids tomorrow!!
Now if we can get my father to stop telling her how close to death she was it will be great.......the man has no bedside manner, the good thing is after 41 yrs she is used to him, :rotfl:

I will call her around 10ish tonight and by then Billy thinks she might be able to talk to me a bit!! I can not wait!

Glynis--I can't wait to hear how your cake comes out!!! I think I will go bake something as well!

[TigerKat]

Just wanted to jump back here real quick and let you all know that my mother had the vent, and feeding tube removed. She is on an O2 mask just to help her a bit as her larynx is very sore, and a bit swollen as to be expected. She is quite tired, but feels pretty good considering. They will start her on some soft solids tomorrow!!
Now if we can get my father to stop telling her how close to death she was it will be great.......the man has no bedside manner, the good thing is after 41 yrs she is used to him, :rotfl:

I will call her around 10ish tonight and by then Billy thinks she might be able to talk to me a bit!! I can not wait!

Glynis--I can't wait to hear how your cake comes out!!! I think I will go bake something as well!

:lmao: That sounds soooooo much like something my Dad would have said.

[Aimeedyan]

Yeah Wendie!! I am so glad she did such a turn around this week. What an emotional rollercoaster you must have been on.

Today after church we did a big lunch and took a large group to see a great exhibit at a local museum. We had a HUGE success, though we still ended up with some no-shows and had extra food. We ordered in Subway trays.

So, I took a tray, youth minister took a tray, and our building administrator took one.

Tonight's dinner will be turkey and swiss on wheat! =)

It really is a blessing, though, as we had to make our quarterly tax payment and are really low on funds. So we were struggling to figure out how to stretch our food until Friday. This will give us dinner tonight, DH lunch for two days, and I am going to put out the rest of the trays at work Mon and Tues so I will have lunch as well!

I may never want to look at a Subway sandwich again, though ;)

[liamsaunt]

Wendie, I am so glad your Mom is doing better! You must be so happy.

And good luck to Kyle with his games being scouted! Great name for a pitcher.

Yesterday I made comfort food, we had a good friend over for dinner and the game. his Dad, who he has been caring for, passed away last Sunday at the age of 90 so I wanted to make something he would like. This is chicken, stuffed with proscuitto and brie, served over pasta with a sauce asparagus, white wine, chicken stock, and parmesean cheese. We also had garlic bread (not pictured):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2354/2190814322_e09521bf44.jpg

Not photoed are all the crazy snacks I made to go with the game! The biggest hit, as always, was the buffalo chicken dip. I swear, if you want to make a man swoon at your feet, you should make buffalo chicken dip. My DH literally kissed my feet after eating some of it! I also had three other dips, all dairy based (onion, hot pepper, and herby scallion), with chips, and I also made nachos, and put out honeyed bourbon chicken wings (I did not make the wings, I bought them from my local store). It was all yummy, and of course the Patriots won, hooray!

Here is today's dinner. Some nice, refreshing, healthy salad, with radish, carrot, red onion, pistachios, gouda cheese:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2190/2189995365_1a63a02706.jpg

lasagna! here is the meat one:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2244/2189994941_d056433403.jpg

It has ground beef AND sausage in it.

The vegetable one, with spinach and mushrooms:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2181/2190782366_97c31f6904.jpg

and, more garlic bread:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2255/2189994823_ea46b87a38.jpg

[TigerKat]

Great pics Becky! Could you please share the recipe for everything in the first photo, OMG, that looks amazing!!!!!!!
I also have a question about the buffalo chicken dip. I fixed it once, not sure where I got the recipe but the chicken was very stringy, tough & dry. What did I do wrong?????

[liamandcaili]

Only 11 days to go until DH comes home from deployment

:cool1: You must be so excited!

Wendie -- I am so glad to hear the good news about your mom. You've had a rough week...try to make some time for yourself in the next few days to relax and catch your breath.

Kathy -- Congratulations to Kyle! I can't believe baseball season is starting already. Becky posted her buffalo chicken dip recipe on here before. I could be wrong, but I think she poaches the chicken to cook it, then shreds it and adds to the recipe.

Becky already posted our dinner from today. It was yummy, and very garlicky. I am glad I didn't need to stop at any stores. I may have cleared the place with the amount of garlic exuding from my pores. :laughing:

Yesterday, I made a chicken pot pie.

ETA: Lauren, thanks for the information on your SIL's cheese. Becky stops at one of the stores that carries it every time she visits her ILs, so I am going to have her get me some. I can't wait to try it!

[Nancyg56]

Just wanted to jump back here real quick and let you all know that my mother had the vent, and feeding tube removed. She is on an O2 mask just to help her a bit as her larynx is very sore, and a bit swollen as to be expected. She is quite tired, but feels pretty good considering. They will start her on some soft solids tomorrow!!
Now if we can get my father to stop telling her how close to death she was it will be great.......the man has no bedside manner, the good thing is after 41 yrs she is used to him, :rotfl:

I will call her around 10ish tonight and by then Billy thinks she might be able to talk to me a bit!! I can not wait!

Glynis--I can't wait to hear how your cake comes out!!! I think I will go bake something as well!

I can't stay on, just wanted to check on your Mom. I am thrilled with her progress, I can tell it is good, you are finally eating! I'm glad that she was able to get off the vent so easily, my Mom had a terrible time. She also had a very sore mouth. I can't tell you how happy I am for your family.

I'll talk to you all tomorrow, I'll have time I expect to be snowed in

[HERSEY]

Wendie I'm glad your Mom continues to improve. :cool1:

Tonight I made Paula Deen's recipe for chicken florentine (mine with brocolli)

Alex didn't like it, he is not a curry kind of guy. I may try it again except with paprika and see it he likes it better. I thought it had a good taste. Curry is like cilantro either you like it or :confused3.

Aimee I don't like tax time either I have some budget stretchers if you want. Casseroles mostly.

[TigerKat]

Nancy - :worship: :worship: :worship: Those Greek Potatoes are awesome! We were fighting over them, next time I'm doing a full batch. I really love the way the lemon & oregano come through, excellent!

[Aimeedyan]

Aimee I don't like tax time either I have some budget stretchers if you want. Casseroles mostly.

Would love anything you care to share! Thanks!

Tonight's dinner plans changed, as my ILs were in town for the stockshow and took us to dinner at Cotton Patch Cafe. Man, their menu was HARD to find something healthy on. It's a home cookin place. I finally settled on a grilled chicken sandwich, which I healthified, and replaced my fries with steamed veggies. Everything was good, though I know I went over my calories for the day. Oh well!

[LindsayDunn228]

Tonight it's leftover stuffed pepper stoup. Boy was it good!!!!!!

WFD at your house?

[FormrCastMbr]

Happy Birthday Wendie!!!

Morning All!

We lucked out in Jersey and didn't get any snow. We were supposed to get 3 - 7 inches. I am upset for Andrew though since we haven't had snow that he could actually play in this year. I hope all of you up North are doing OK today with the storm.

We are having Glynis pot roast with potatoes and carrots thrown it. I would love to try Nancy's potatoes but Tom thinks he's allergic to oregano! Don't know how that could be since I cook with it all the time!

Yeah Giants!

Have a great day all!

[cajunmommy]

Tonight it's leftover stuffed pepper stoup. Boy was it good!!!!!!

WFD at your house?

Funny, when I tried the recipe, I immediately thought it had your name written all over it! I had to come here and post it!

DH is out of town tonight, so it'll probably be either leftover chili & cornbread or shrimp fettucine.

Wendie - glad to hear your mom is doing so much better.

[TigerKat]

WENDIE -

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j138/wardeciple76/HappyBirthDay.gif

[OKWMom]

Happy Birthday Wendie! I hope you have a great birthday and I'm so very glad to hear your mother is doing better.

I've had to be in lurk mode for the past couple of days. Now is a very busy time for me as I am working on the end of year payroll and 1099s. Next will come the busy time of preparing all the returns themselves. When you add this to the continuing saga of family drama, It doesn't allow much time for me. Oh well.

Tonight's dinner is a new one, some sort of pork stir fry. I managed to make a big pan of pasta fazool over the weekend and we ate three meals from it. I feel terrible about serving nothing but leftovers all weekend, but it was that or take out. I just had time to get the laundry done with all the other responsibilities and fall into bed at midnight. The theme for this week's dinners will be fast and easy.

Have a great day everyone!

[Nancyg56]

Wendie-

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!! You sure got a wondrous gift!

Lauren- sorry about the snow. I know that as much as I hate the mess and inconvenience, I do like a snowstorm or two. Do you want me to do a snow dance for Andrew? I agree that he needs enough to build a fort or two :thumbsup2

We are not in bad shape here. It is not as much as was predicted and the worst came in over night and early morning. Looking at another for Friday but i am not going to think about that one yet.

Kathy- Those potatoes are the best, aren't they? I made a lot so I fried the leftovers with onions and boy oh boy were they good!

I have a big chicken poaching right now for a chicken pot pie that I intend to make this afternoon. I also want to make a chicken meatball soup with the stock.

Aimee- I have been short on grocery money as well so I have been using up things here and refusing to make more until the leftovers are gone. January is a killer for me anyway but add that to the oil bills we had the past two months and I am sick! I am not going to complain because while I am cutting back on some things to compensate for the oil and the electricity, I know that there are a lot of folks on real fixed incomes and they are struggling. I admit that we almost had a rebellion here this week though. I guess that there are leftovers and then there are leftover leftovers.

Well I am back to trying to catch up with some of the things I overlooked during the Holidays. They did not go away they just multiplied under the clutter :confused3

[liamandcaili]

Happy Birthday Wendie!

It is still snowing here, so it is looking like leftovers for dinner here. I have some of the lasagna from yesterday or the chicken pot pie from Saturday.

[Aimeedyan]

Happy Birthday Wendie!!!

Tonight we're having swedish meatballs. I had all the stuff on hand and it sounds yummy =) I think it's a recipe from one of y'all that I saved awhile back - I can't remember. I've never made it so let's hope I can pull it off!

[THE HAT]

Afternoon all,

Thank you all so much for the b-day wishes!! You all are just the best!!

Gretchen- I am so sorry that things are so hectic for you right now, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you go through these trying times. I hope that things do work out for everyone. Please try to find a moment for yourself...I know easier said then done, but even if it is just 15min and a glass of wine, it might recharge you.

Lauren--I agree A needs at least one good storm to get out and play in!!

Kat--A big congratulations to Kyle on what seems to be quite a year of baseball for him!! I meant to mention it over the weekend, and just kept spacing on it...I am sorry.

We are in the middle of a huge storm, already at least 7inches on the ground and more to come, they say it will snow until 1am in my parts.....I am trying to not even listening to the fact that more is headed for Friday (and might be an ice event, eek).
If our fav little seafood place is open this evening, we will go there for lobster stew and lobsters...if not we will wait until tomorrow for my b-day dinner out.

I suppose I should at least get dressed.........my brother had to head back to NC as my sil has to be at work tomorrow. My mother is doing a bit better, off the O2 mask and just the small one in her nose. She did fail the swallow test so no food yet, they say in a day or so her voice and throat shuold be much better. She can have ice chips so that makes her happy. I talked to her last night, and she tried to talk, I told her to rest her voice and I would do the chatting. Her nurse said she mothed I love you to me, that made me so happy. I had the nurse ask if she was happy and he said she nodded yes that her tears were happy ones not sad. ( I could tell she was crying when we talked) It was a wonderful b-day gift, there is no gift that could ever top this or ever will. I am so gratefull.

I hope you all are having a nice afternoon.

[shovan]

Afternoon all,

Thank you all so much for the b-day wishes!! You all are just the best!!

Gretchen- I am so sorry that things are so hectic for you right now, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you go through these trying times. I hope that things do work out for everyone. Please try to find a moment for yourself...I know easier said then done, but even if it is just 15min and a glass of wine, it might recharge you.

Lauren--I agree A needs at least one good storm to get out and play in!!

Kat--A big congratulations to Kyle on what seems to be quite a year of baseball for him!! I meant to mention it over the weekend, and just kept spacing on it...I am sorry.

We are in the middle of a huge storm, already at least 7inches on the ground and more to come, they say it will snow until 1am in my parts.....I am trying to not even listening to the fact that more is headed for Friday (and might be an ice event, eek).
If our fav little seafood place is open this evening, we will go there for lobster stew and lobsters...if not we will wait until tomorrow for my b-day dinner out.

I suppose I should at least get dressed.........my brother had to head back to NC as my sil has to be at work tomorrow. My mother is doing a bit better, off the O2 mask and just the small one in her nose. She did fail the swallow test so no food yet, they say in a day or so her voice and throat shuold be much better. She can have ice chips so that makes her happy. I talked to her last night, and she tried to talk, I told her to rest her voice and I would do the chatting. Her nurse said she mothed I love you to me, that made me so happy. I had the nurse ask if she was happy and he said she nodded yes that her tears were happy ones not sad. ( I could tell she was crying when we talked) It was a wonderful b-day gift, there is no gift that could ever top this or ever will. I am so gratefull.

I hope you all are having a nice afternoon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

So glad it's a good one! I'm so happy for you that your Mom is doing better! I can't imagine a better birthday gift than that!:grouphug:

[zipuzee]

Happy Birthday Wendie! I can't think of a better birhtday gift than the one you received. I hope the weather holds enough so you can get your lobster dinner tonight.
Stay warm - that goes for all you ladies in the path of this storm. They were talking about it on our weather down here, so I knew ya'll were in for a lot of white stuff!

Lindsay - don't read too much into the SK's departure from lunch. Especially if Robin is having problems with her mom, and if others are giving them a hard time on the speed of things. Just be there and be the great friend that you have become, supportive and a good listener!

Becky - thanks for the bean and sausage recipe! It looks really easy, and I picked up the ingredients while at the grocery yesterday, so it'll probably be dinner one night really soon!

Don't know WFD yet, DH is home today and he said he would put something together.

[Nancyg56]

Gretchen- I know that you cannot change the pace you have for a while but Wendie is right. Try to take a few minutes for yourself so that you don't rundown. And the family drama is what it is. Your sister has to let her emotions run their course before she can even think as hard as that is, so if you can let some of it run off you it will be easier.

Wendie- My Mom was really emotional when she came off the vent. She actually was euphoric, and for my Mom that just was not like her. She felt like she had a second chance, it was nice to see her laugh and smile so much more than she had before.

Lindsay- I meant to respond to the shower for the SK's and forgot. :upsidedow I would not have one if they don't want one. I would host a nice cocktail party or something like that. When it is a little closer to their date and the fuddy duddies have gotten over their snit, then I would plan a celebration.

I have some news as well. I don't know how much I explained my family situation, but I was married before. After Don died I remained very close to my former IL's, they are really the IL's I generally talk about if it is nice ;) ( I have a whole other set and they are different) Anyway, my Sis IL told me she chose an engagement ring and her soon-to-be fiance will give it to her on Valentine's Day. They are both going to try to have their previous marriages annulled as both were married to freaks, and then will set a date. I am going to stand up for her. She was alone for so very long so I am very happy for her. My MIL, her mother is happy but I think a little scared. She lost two sons, a daughter and her husband so she is going to be alone after Janice leaves. She is incredibly strong so I know that it will all work out.

[Glynis]

Great pics Becky! Could you please share the recipe for everything in the first photo, OMG, that looks amazing!!!!!!!
I also have a question about the buffalo chicken dip. I fixed it once, not sure where I got the recipe but the chicken was very stringy, tough & dry. What did I do wrong?????

Whenever I make the buffalo chicken dip, I use a large can of chicken instead of cooking my own. It's quicker, and I don't have to worry about the chicken being undercooked, overcooked, etc.

[Glynis]

Happy Birthday, Wendie! You have already received the best gift, now enjoy it!!! I'm so happy for you and your mom!

The cake last night was spectacular!!! The spice cake with pumpkin pudding was amazing!!! I wish that pudding flavor was not seasonal! Next up, I'm going to try strawberry cake with cheesecake pudding! Sounds yummy, huh?

Dinner tonight will be Lindsay's Kitty Chili with cornbread muffins. I'm also baking some potatoes, since DH and several kids like to put their chili on the taters. It's cold here, so it should taste good!

[Aimeedyan]

Hey Foodies!

Care to help me build a menu?

I was selected to host a Lipstick Jungle house party in a few weeks. It's a new show from the author of Sex and the City, and has a similar feel to it.

The party is at 6pm on a Sunday night, just for my girlfriends (no kids or husbands!), and is based around conversation and watching the pilot episode.

I want to do foods heavy enough to make a meal, and girly drinks.

Unfortunately I'm on a business trip the few days prior so I will just have Sat night and Sunday afternoon after church to get ready.

What are some girly/Manhatten-y foods and drinks you'd suggest? Recipes would be grand as well. I thought maybe a signature cocktail, bottle of white and red, and a non-alcoholic drink as well. What do you think?

I don't want to be playing bartender all night if I don't have to.

(I'm inviting 15 ladies, though they may not all come of course)

[Nancyg56]

Whenever I make the buffalo chicken dip, I use a large can of chicken instead of cooking my own. It's quicker, and I don't have to worry about the chicken being undercooked, overcooked, etc.

I don't know why but the chicken and the ham in cans work well in that kind of recipe. I use the chunk ham and broccoli in scalloped potatoes and it is always moist.

[FormrCastMbr]

Wendie, Hope you got to go for you bday dinner!

Nancy, So glad to hear about your Sis IL!

Gretchen, I hope you do find some time for yourself...don't burn out. :hug:

Laura/Becky, Let me know if you find the Neighborly Farms cheese. It really is good IMO.

************
Aimee, your party sounds like so much fun! Now to planning...when I think of the city, I think of so many different types of foods...street vendors, little italy, chinatown, jewish deli's, etc.

It sounds like you want to do easy stuff since you will be away before hand...how about stuff like (you can have a menu displayed in a frame and make up names like...don't laugh at me or my names :)):

Carnegie Deli appetizer reubens
Broadway Kosher smoked salmon, cream cheese on crackers
Little Italy bruscetta (sp)
Aimee's Shanghai mini egg rolls
New York Corner mini hot dogs
Ali Babba hummus and crackers
quiche de Paris
then fill ins like cheese plates, veggies, chips and dips
Lipstick Jungle italian pastries amd or cheesecake

as far as drinks, maybe have 1 signature drink like a cosmo, sangria or bellini (make pitchers of it or have the instructions how to make them displayed on the bar area) and then beer, wine, sodas, etc.

Hope this helps and you like some of these ideas. Let me know if you need any recipes, etc.

[HERSEY]

Wendie http://bestsmileys.com/birthday1/7.gif

I wish you the best of birthdays :hug:

[Nancyg56]

************
Aimee, your party sounds like so much fun! Now to planning...when I think of the city, I think of so many different types of foods...street vendors, little italy, chinatown, jewish deli's, etc.

It sounds like you want to do easy stuff since you will be away before hand...how about stuff like (you can have a menu displayed in a frame and make up names like...don't laugh at me or my names :)):

Carnegie Deli appetizer reubens
Broadway Kosher smoked salmon, cream cheese on crackers
Little Italy bruscetta (sp)
Aimee's Shanghai mini egg rolls
New York Corner mini hot dogs
Ali Babba hummus and crackers
quiche de Paris
then fill ins like cheese plates, veggies, chips and dips
Lipstick Jungle italian pastries amd or cheesecake

.

Lauren- you have missed your calling. I think you are a party planner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Aimeedyan]

Awesome Ideas, Lauren!!! I'm totally stealing your labels. THANKS!

[THE HAT]

Due to snow, my birthday dinner out has been rescheduled until tomorrow night, lol. "The Lobster Trap" (catchy name huh?,lol) is closed until tomorrow at 11am.
It is ok by me....just makes 2 nights I don't have to cook....the little local pizza shop was open tonight. I don't mind celebrating my b-day 2 days in a row as long as I don't have to age any more, lol!

Aimee your party sounds like sooo much fun.....all I know is that you have to have pink drinks!!!

[LindsayDunn228]

Hey folks, has anyone noticed what page this is??? :cheer2:

Tonight I am making jambasta :)

WFD at your house?

[FormrCastMbr]

Lauren- you have missed your calling. I think you are a party planner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Awww, I am glad you liked my ideas!

Awesome Ideas, Lauren!!! I'm totally stealing your labels. THANKS!

Steal away...whatever you decide to do, have fun!

Due to snow, my birthday dinner out has been rescheduled until tomorrow night, lol. "The Lobster Trap" (catchy name huh?,lol) is closed until tomorrow at 11am.
It is ok by me....just makes 2 nights I don't have to cook....the little local pizza shop was open tonight. I don't mind celebrating my b-day 2 days in a row as long as I don't have to age any more, lol!

Aimee your party sounds like sooo much fun.....all I know is that you have to have pink drinks!!!

Celebrate away!!! :) Pink is good!

***************
Tom has been asking for chicken ala king for a while now, so that is what I will be making. He is not a big fan of alot of veggies though so I have to alter the recipes I have. I will serve with either toast or rice and a salad.

Have a great day all!

[TigerKat]

WFD - Chicken with mushrooms and artichokes, pasta and green beans.

[Nancyg56]

Page 1000!

Wendie- My SIL has a birthday month every year. Not a birth Day not a birth Week...no...................it lasts all month long! Enjoy your two days!


Dinner last night was good. I am getting used to no butter in the sauces and gravies I make, although a cream sauce made with olive oil is just not the same :sad2:. I made a chicken and white bean soup with chicken meatballs as well and it was good. I think it needed tomatoes but was outvoted. My neighbor was sick so Buddy took a pot pie down to her family along with a pot of soup. Now I just need to get a pie to my Aunt along with some soup and I done.

I am not sure about dinner tonight. I need to clean out my refrigerators and wash them out. I will pick a protein up at the store when I run out for laundry soap that I forgot to buy on Sunday.

Now I need some input. We are thinking of a family trip to Disney in November, the weekend after Thanksgiving. It is not set in stone yet, we need t get Buddy in board and now everyone down to Kady has orders not to let the cat out of the bag. I have to find a way to convince him that it is okay for him to take a week out of work ;). I know that Kathy and Gretchen have gone down this week. How are the crowds and what are some of the highlights? I have read about the Candlelight Processional but know nothing about it.

[FormrCastMbr]

Nancy, How exciting that you may be going to Disney!

I have never been there at that time so I cannot give any advice on crowds but when we were there during Xmas 2006 we really enjoyed the Candlelight Processional and Osborne Lights at MGM...I also believe they have Xmas story tellers around the world in EPCOT.

All ears has alot of info:

http://allearsnet.com/tp/holiday.htm

[Glynis]

I don't know why but the chicken and the ham in cans work well in that kind of recipe. I use the chunk ham and broccoli in scalloped potatoes and it is always moist.

I totally agree! As an added bonus, it really cuts down on the prep time!

[Glynis]

Lindsay - can I just say that your kitty chili ROCKS!!!!! It was so incredibly yummy! Even my 2 pickiest eaters cleaned their bowls! Definitely a keeper. It was really easy to throw together, too. I think that next time I make it, I will start it earlier in the day and let it simmer a bit longer to thicken up a bit more!

WFD? Leftover kitty chili!!!!! DH wants me to make macaroni and cheese to mix with it, so I will. Anything to stretch the leftovers! I will not be eating with the family, as I have a dinner with our women's church group tonight. It won't be wonderful, but at least I won't have to cook. Katie can handle warming up the chili and making a box of mac and cheese!

Lauren - Your ideas for Aimee's party sound so cool! I agree with Nancy. You should open up a party planning business with Lindsay as a caterer, and the Liam sisters as well! What a success that would be!!!!

[liamsaunt]

Wendie, happy birthday one day late!

Aimee, I would go with cosmopolitans for your cocktail. You can make up a whole pitcher of them in advance. Plus, they are pink!

Nancy, the week after Thanksgiving is when Laura and I went three years ago. It was the first trip I took the kids on. It's a great time to go. The arks are dead. We never waited more than 10 minutes for any ride, even Space Mountain (we did use fastpass for some stuff though, like Soarin'). We were able to book a pontoon to watch illuminations from, we got all the adrs we wanted without booking a zillion years in advance, we got to go to the Christmas party, the weather was great...that's the week we are going down in 2008. Maybe we will see you there!

Kathy, the chicken and pasta dish was very easy. I just kind if made it up as I went along, so you might want to taste for seasoning since I did not measure anything. Here is the recipe:

Cheese-Stuffed Chicken with Asparagus pasta

For thie chicken:

Four boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 slices of proscuitto
4 ounces of brie, rind removed, divided into 4 equal portions
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/3 cup parmesean cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. oil

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Combine the breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and parmesean cheese on a plate.

Cut a pocket in each chicken breast. Stuff the pocket with the proscuitto, then the cheese, and press to close.

Dip the chicken in the egg, then the crumbs, pressing lightly to coat.

Melt the butter and oil in a skillet large enough to hold the chicken. When the butter foams, swirl the fat to coat the pan and put in the chicken. Cook, turning once, until both sides are golden brown, about 3-4 minutes a side. Place the skillet with the chicken into the preheated oven and cook until chicken is just done--about 10 minutes longer (more if your breasts are big). Serve over pasta.

For the pasta

12 ounces pasta
1 bunch asparagus, woody ends removed, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 tbsp butter
2 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup white wine (optional)
1/4 cup parmesean cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. When there are about 3 minutes left, drop in the asparagus. Drain the pasta and asparagus and toss with the sauce.

Sauce

Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the wine (if using). Reduce the wine by at least half, or more if you have time. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Boil until the sauce is reduced by 1/3. Toss the pasta with the sauce until well coated, stirring in the parmesean cheese as you toss. Use enough sauce to melt the cheese and coat the pasta.

Serve on plate with chicken, garnished with extra cheese and chopped herbs to taste.

[liamsaunt]

My other post was getting too long, but here are pictures from last night's dinner. This is a straw potato cake:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2310/2193456519_5e01acdfd2.jpg

Very thin and crunchy. And this is a goat cheese souffle:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2118/2194241484_e8fb7b9418.jpg

As you can see it overflowed! It was really tasty though. We also had a salad, which I firgot to take a picture of.

Tonight is TV night so I am making us sandwiches of the leftover brie chicken, sliced really thin and put on a baguette with artichoke pesto, thin sliced red onions, and arugula.

[liamandcaili]

Aimee -- Your party sounds fun. Lauren had some great ideas.

Nancy -- Like Becky said, the week after Thanksgiving is great. I highly recommend MVMCP. I know it is another expense, but we think it is worth it. The parade is great, the fireworks are completely different from regular Wishes, and it snows (soap) on Main Street. The only problem with that week is it is tough to pack for it. We had some days where we were wearing shorts, and other days we were wearing our winter coats!

I'm not sure what is for dinner yet. I have to go to the store. Caili has been asking for lamb chops, so I am tentatively planning lamb chops, rice, green beans and broccoli. Of course, now that I said that, I will go to the store and they won't have any lamb.

[Aimeedyan]

Tonight we're going to the stockshow to see the Extreme Bull Riding - I am STOKED! I love me some violent sports.

We'll be dining at our favorite mexican place beforehand with the ILs. They have the BEST salsa.

[TigerKat]

Lauren - You really are great at the party planning!!:thumbsup2

Nancy - The week after Thanksgiving is a great time to go. We got there the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the crowds were very low through Wednesday after that it picked up quite a bit, about a 30-45 minute wait on the popular attractions. I enjoyed the Candlelight Processional a lot more than I thought I would, it is beautiful. The Osbourne Lights are also worth seeing and if you haven't been to Disney during the holidays you should go resort touring to see the amazing decorations. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Becky - Thanks for the recipes, I appreciate it!