DIS-functional Wonder Peeps Part III revisited

[ophie]

Where's the cage or moat around that one? It looks dangerous...

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I picked the worst picture to upload...but it took 20 minutes since we have basic DSL..the zoo lady was throwing them grapes..they were funny

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

 

[Anal Annie]

Looked like a nice day down there! I really didn't leave the house today...I ran out this morning to bring the garbage can back into the garage & to grab the Sunday paper inserts (we get that part on Sat.) and I 'bout froze. Then I ran out this evening to grab the mail...oh BRRRR!!

I started cleaning a little bit in my kitchen today to get ready for T-giving...we have what I will call the "snack corner" beside the frig. It was pretty piled up with 1/2 empty bottles of soda & tea & 1/2 eaten bags of chips & such. So I went thru all that crap & pitched some, cleaned the counters...took the stove apart & cleaned that. I still need to weed thru my pile of crap on the island tho. That accumulates crap DS brings home from school...junk mail that I want to read before I pitch it...see if it needs to be shredded...coupons that need to be clipped etc. I HATE going thru the stuff on the island. I don't know why I can't keep it cleaned off...it looks so nice when it's clean. This is one of my big downfalls.

Talked to a girl from my last job today. She was giving me the scoop on who all is gone now & what's going on. Sounds like they keep letting people go & a lot more consolidating going on. Shuffling duties around etc. I doubt I would be very happy if I WAS still working there...sounds stressful. She said she heard the Census Bureau is going to do some hiring in Rockville in preparation for the 2010 census...so I will look into that idea this week...

 

[Betsy's Mama]

It was nice today, as Betsy's pictures indicated. I walked to the bank and Walgreen's to pick up Rx. Perfect weather except I nearly blew away with the wind gusts. Got e-mail from daughter in SC and she said it was 20 last night there. My friend in Mich. said it was snowing yesterday too.
I started taking some of the things out of my kitchen cabinets and loading up the china cabinet in the dining room in preparations for the distruction. I won't do any more until after the holidays. Now it just looks piled up and not so neat but it will just have to look that way until the kitchen is finished. They aren't starting until Jan2. Betsy, Rick and Katy are coming for Thanksgiving so I can't do anymore now.

 

[Anal Annie]

It's only 23 out there this morning and not quite so windy! And we are supposed to hit the low-mid 40's later!

You sound excited Anne! I don't blame you! I have to make my grocery list today for T-giving dinner. I will go food shopping on Monday I think. I need to clean out the frig. first to make some room for that bird! It will just be 7 of us this year...smaller group than what we've had in the past now that our Grandma's have passed etc. Trying to decide what size bird to buy. I want leftovers for sure...I know they say 1 - 1 1/2 Lbs pp so I usually buy like an 18 Lb size. I suppose I will look for more like 16 Lbs this time. My parents are coming on Wed but they have to go home on Fri as my Mom has taken a weekend job caring for some 91 yr old woman. Since they won't be here for leftovers all weekend that cuts down on how big of a bird I need to buy. I usually have turkey, gravy, dressing, mashed pot, sweet pot, my broccoli casserole, a cranberry dish of some sort, deviled eggs, salad, rolls or biscuits and my Mom bakes the pumpkin pies. I am debating about skipping the salad & the deviled eggs this year... I will spend a good bit of Wed doing prep work. I use one of those big elec. Rival Roasters for the bird so I will dig that out of the basement...will chop my onion & celery for the dressing...cook the cranberries etc. I like to have as much done ahead of time as I can. I even set the table on Wed. I am not very coordinated in the kitchen. I have a timetable that I write out and use on T-giving day...I am afraid of forgetting something so I list out exactly what time I want to start the bird, what time to start the broccoli etc. It's anal but it works!

OK, so we know Bob is going home for T-giving and Betsy etc. is goin' to Anne's place...what is everybody else doing? Who else cooks dinner?

 

[CamColt]

Ok, again , gotta love those Florida peeps. Is Kate wearing boots...in 70 degree weather? I know those are the in thing and even the kids here start wearing them in like September when its still warm. It just gave me a chuckle in light of the conversation. She is very fashionable though and they look good.

Glad everyone plans are falling into place. Tuesday I start my cooking...sauce, meatballs, and cranberry breads. Those are my jobs. We all go to my parents house which is 1/2 mile around the corner. No big traveling for us. But our tradition, which Im sure I told you last year, is DH and I meet up with what used to be a bunch of friends, has dwindled down to 1 friend, at a local upscale restaruant for drinks. So we drop off the kids in the morning, meet at the bar at 11:00, then go back to my parents around 1:00 and chow. Its basically a day of eating and drinking...kind of like every day on the cruise.

 

[SueEllen]

Happy Anniversary to Steve & SueEllen!

Awww...I'm just catching up. Thanks everyone!!! We had an awesome trip.
I'm still trying to see what happened with everyone lately--how did C end up in a Cast and T in a brace? Cheri?

 

[SueEllen]

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to let everyone know that Linda is home from the hospital, and resting as comfortable as see can. All the tests they did came back negative, but she still has a lot of pain. The nurse practioner to the doctor came to see her to tell her all tests were negative and that she is a mystery, nice thing to tell a patient. Linda wanted me to pass along her Thanks for all the Pixie Dust and your prayers they were greatly appreciated...

(HUGS) to Linda!! I hope she is doing better. (Sorry, still catching up--reading backwards)

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

katie - the thing about being from florida..70 is cold to us.. It was windy and the zoo has lots of trees and shade. I had my matching boots on. They are just target brand Ugg knockoffs..I won't pay for Uggs since we only need them about 10 days a year..but when it is this dry and cool, sneakers just don't keep your toes warm

 

[CamColt]

katie - the thing about being from florida..70 is cold to us.. It was windy and the zoo has lots of trees and shade. I had my matching boots on. They are just target brand Ugg knockoffs..I won't pay for Uggs since we only need them about 10 days a year..but when it is this dry and cool, sneakers just don't keep your toes warm

LOL! Even for me 70 is getting chilly. I think I have Florida blood. But of course on a day when its 30 here, 70 sounds warm. Thats how we are with flip flops....stylish, but we dont get much use out of them.

And umm...you can pass some of that leftover chicken parm my way. Yummy! I actually tried a new veal scallopine recipe yesterday and it turned out pretty good. I was impressed.

So, how bout them Patriots! What a game!

 

[RonnieJo66]

Ok, soooooooooooooo



It's the clash of the holidays at our house. Beano & I just went to the storage place and got all our Christmas decor. The tree is already up in the livingroom. Why you ask.....?



so we can decorate when Bob is home in 2 days!!!!

 

[Anal Annie]

OK, I am lookin' thru the previous posts and I don't see any mention of chix parm....but so I guess you're mixin' your face book stuff in here again?! BUT just BTW, I LOVE veal scallopine so do share more about that recipe please!! I tried a new chix marsala recipe this week that turned out pretty good...I was thinking the sauce would be good on veal too...but chix is what I had in the freezer!


Just got back from takin' DS to see Bolt - it was cute... It was a hard choice for him between Bolt and Madagascar. We do not spring for movies out very often...it was sort of a treat for him for making honor roll this quarter. DH was GOING to take him but by the time we got home from swimming and he got his shower & we had lunch it was getting too close to the start of the movie...the next one would've meant he would miss the beginning of his Redskins game so I took him instead. Since we went soon after lunch we didn't need popcorn & I took some Halloween candy & small bottles of water in my purse so we didn't have to spend anything extra on all that crap.


OK, I accomplished NOTHING today other than folding a load of laundry...I should go do something I guess.

 

[Anal Annie]

so we can decorate when Bob is home in 2 days!!!!

Awwww! That's cool! I bet you can hardly sleep!

I see one of my neighbors is home...his oldest daughter was always our cat sitter...she goes to like Ithica(Itheca) (sp?) College in upstate NY or something...I can tell he was driving in snow 'cuz his truck is all salt covered...she gets to be home all week I guess but they drive her back & forth...not sure how far it is...7 hours or so I think he said once. I hope DS decides to just go to our local community college so I don't have to ever deal with this!!

 

[CamColt]

2 days for Bob!!! Woohoo!!!

Yep, Annie! I had read about the chicken parm on FB. You have to get on there, really....its fun!

Heres the recipe I found, only I added some fresh chopped spinach in at the last step before simmering and I didnt do the parsley.
http://www.momswhothink.com/dinner-recipes/veal-scallopini-recipe.html

Ok, just heard on the news...this was the coldest weekend since last February!

 

[Anal Annie]

OMG - That receipe is SO VERY similar to my Chix Marsala that I just did - except of course that I used a little EVOO and chix broth rather than beef broth and I cooked in 4 oz. of proscuitto and 8 oz of sliced mushrooms...and I used parsley 'cuz I already had it from where I also made my Penne A La Vodka last week (when I buy fresh herbs I try to figure out 2 things to make with them for the week so I don't waste ALL of it on just one recipe)! But that is so funny! Very much the same recipe! I am making a pork tenderloin tonight...with mashed pot & some sort of veggie.

I am so-o angry with DS right now...he worked on his homework for a long time Friday evening...then yesterday he played all day - as if everything was DONE. Then this afternoon, right before we went to the movie he said he had 1 or 2 things he needed to look up on the internet for his Social Studies Egypt project that they're doing. I figured OK, should not be a big deal for him to finish when we got home, right? NOW he all of a sudden also remembers something else that needs to be done for MATH class too. He piddled the whole day away yesterday. NOW, on Sunday evening he is crying and in a panic over how much he left to finish...nevermind that we have to start getting up 15 min. earlier tomorrow for the new bus schedule! GRRRR!! He has totally pissed me off.

One & 1/2 min. left in the Skins game....went into OT to break a tie....Skins are ahead 20-17....I hope they can hold onto their lead. OH NO! The Seahawks just got the ball!!

 

[CamColt]

OK, if I hadnt seen both Jared and Cam at the same dining table at the same time, I would swear they are the same kid. That was Cam last weekend...I know how ticked you are, Annie.

Do you have the penne alla vodka recipe? I love that and usually only get it at Mama Melrose and a couple places locally. I've never tried to make it...I probably should.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

thankfully, this year, Kate's teachers don't give homework on the weekend..Last year her HORRID math teacher would load her up every Friday..
During the week, she goes to homework club in aftercare..she comes home with it all done!!

 

[Anal Annie]

Do you have the penne alla vodka recipe? I love that and usually only get it at Mama Melrose and a couple places locally. I've never tried to make it...I probably should.

But of course my dear!! (It is not that difficult...and if you want to CHEAT you can use 28 oz of a good pre-made marinara sauce that you really like and add the heavy cream to that...but homemade is always best!)

Ingredients

Salt
(1) LARGE can (28 oz) Italian plum tomatos (preferably San Marzano) with the liquid
(1) pound box of Penne (I use Penne Rigate 'cuz I like it smaller)
1/4 cup EVOO
10 cloves garlic, peeled (if they're BIG I slice 'em in 1/2)
Crushed hot red pepper
1/4 cup vodka (I use 1/2 cup):rotfl:
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 TBS butter or olive oil for finishing the sauce (I use butter)
2 - 3 TBS chopped fresh Italian parsley
3/4 cup fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for passing
4 oz pancetta - optional (I usually use it)

(Makes 6 servings)

Pour the tomatoes and their liquid into the work bowl of a food processor or blender. Using quick on/off pulses, process the tomatoes just until they are finely chopped. (Long processing will aerate the tomatoes, turning them pink). (It really is just a few pulses!)

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over med. heat. Whack the garlic with the side of a knife (the "how & why" of this part escapes me) and add them to the hot oil. Cook, shaking the skillet / stirring until the garlic is slightly browned. Lower the work bowl with the tomatoes close to the skillet and carefully (else they will splatter) slide the tomatoes into the pan. Bring to a boil, season lightly with salt and generously with the crushed red pepper & boil about 2 min. Pour in the vodka, lower the heat so the sauce is at a lively simmer & simmer until the pasta is ready.

If adding the pancetta, slice into small, thin strips and warm slightly in a small pan / skillet just until it's warmed while you start the rest of the sauce. Add to the simmering sauce and let the flavors blend.

Cook the pasta according to package directions, until done, 8-10 minutes.

Just before the pasta is done, fish out the garlic cloves. (I put them on a paper towel & sort of wipe the sauce off a bit & I chop them up real fine & use them in a plate of olive oil with some italian seasonings to dip our bread in)! My motto is to waste nothing! Pour in the heavy cream. Add 2 TBS butter or olive oil. Swirl the skillet to incorporate into sauce. If skillet is big enough, put pasta into the sauce. If not, add sauce to drained pasta. Add more salt & crushed red pepper if necessary and sprinkle with parsley. Mix and add the 3/4 cup of grated cheese over the pasta - toss to mix.

 

[Anal Annie]

thankfully, this year, Kate's teachers don't give homework on the weekend..Last year her HORRID math teacher would load her up every Friday..
During the week, she goes to homework club in aftercare..she comes home with it all done!!

DS never had weekend homework in ES...MS is a totally different thing tho! He had homework in 5 subjects this weekend!