The All-New What's For Dinner Thread!!(recipe index in OP)

[paintnolish]

Hi, ladies! Been a busy weekend! Restaurant's last day is today, so they have been partying it up there. I made the mistake of going out with college kids (my coworkers) on Friday night. I had a few drinks, then made the mistake of doing a shot. Things went downhill pretty quickly. I spent most of yesterday curled up on the couch feeling like I got hit by a truck. Dfiance got me some medicinal McDonald's in the afternoon, and that helped! I had to work last night, too. Ugh. Much too old for that!!!
Today, I swear, I am starting my favors. Less than 2 weeks! Eek! Tonight the restarant is having a big party. It will be fun, but I feel really bad for the family. They are great people. It is too bad things turned out like this. Their food is absolutly delicious!!!
Frmr- Ooh! That worms and dirt sounds good. I only made it with regular old pudding topped with oreos. Adding cr ch to anything makes it better!
Lindsay and hersey- The gas prices are outrageous! Dfiance drives about 60 miles round trip for work, but luckily, he's a teacher, so he will get a break from that soon enough. And, well, I don't drive anywhere for work now!!!
Tiger- Hope the house sells! I know it is really bad right now. My neighbor had her house in CA up for sale forever. i think they finally foreclosed.
Okay, better try to be productive today, since I pretty much wasted yesterday! Darn Sambuca!

 

[liamandcaili]

Did anyone see the turkey burger recipe that Oprah had on this week?

Thanks for the recipe. I want to try turkey burgers...regular burgers have been upsetting my stomach lately.

My parent's house has been on the market since Feb and we've just reduced the price for the second time.

I hope you get an offer soon!

Tonight is something since my car is not on the same page as me. It thinks it need to go to the repair shop. I could use some major prayers it isn't big $$.

My car needed to go in this week too, but fortunately it was a minor repair. Hopefully, yours is too.

Cook with less meat more fillers...

That's the first thing I do when I need to cut the food budget. We have more vegetarian meals. I also stock the freezer.

My DN's softball team won last night 4-3... it went into OT. She pitched the whole game and got 5 hits, this keeps them in 1st place still!

That's terrific!

Liam's team won yesterday too, 3-2. They are the only undefeated team in the minors.

Today we have Caili's ballet recital, so my parents and Becky are coming here to eat afterwards. Becky is making her curried chicken salad, and we'll have a tomato/mozzarella salad and a baguette with it.

The pictures I took of my little ballerina didn't come out that great yesterday, so I will take more this afternoon.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Dinner plans have changed. Tom said he wanted "dinner" not chicken fingers... WTH???? So, now he is taking me out. Not a bad deal. We are going to the local Italian place that we love.

I have been in a rutt lately trying to get everything in order so getting out will do me good...and then my baby comes home... Even though he's getting to the stage where he doesn't like to hang out with Mommy too much, thats OK cuz he's close enough to get a hug here and there. That he does not mind doing...

 

[Aimeedyan]

Long story number 2.
My husband was talking to me a few weeks ago about the rising gas prices. He has about a 30 mile drive to work and we are feeling the pinch. I told him I really couldn't worry about it too much. He had to go to work, you know? Furthermore, I don't drive around aimlessly, and when we are together we try to conserve gas by not driving as much, taking the best route to get places, etc.

Also, he was concerned about the rising cost of food. I, again, rationalized that I don't buy us unnecessary junk, we don't throw away food, I don't look for the most expensive items, etc. Try to relax, I said!

Well, I saw a bit on our local news last week. They did a piece on foodbanks, both here and in other states, including one in NYC. Their shelves are bare. People cannot afford to donate food right now and hungry people are being turned away. That hit me really hard.

So in an effort to contribute, I am trying not to cook every single day and use my crockpot more, my oven less. For example, I am only cooking 3 days this week. Each meal I cook will feed us 2 days, and 2 of the meals are crockpot. Make sense?

I am hoping this helps in some small way. I feel bad not doing anything to try and cut back in SOME way.

Any thoughts or comments, you guys?

Sounds like a great idea, Lindsay!

That's great! I'll be praying too. If you have an extra prayer to spare I could use one. My parent's house has been on the market since Feb and we've just reduced the price for the second time. We REALLY need to sell fast because Kyle & I are sharing a vehicle until I can afford to buy a new one, which isn't going to happen until the house sells. It's so unfair to him at this time in his life to be sharing a car with his Mom.

Most definitely.


I'm making fish tacos with black bean rice and some homemade pineapple cilantro salsa. I have no idea if any of it will turn out but I'm going to give it a shot!

 

[TigerKat]

Change in plans here too. Not feeling good at all, I think the graduation depression has gotten to me. Getting take-out and hopefully cheering up a bit by watching Extreme makeover, it's the season finale which was shot a few miles from us NOLA gals here in Westwego.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Oh Kat, I have not been there yet but I can imagine how you must feel with Kyle graduating. You have done a wonderful job at parenting and you have a wonderful boy so try and rejoice in all that is happening. Another chapter is about to begin.

I am here if you need me...Love your friend, Bob!

 

[liamandcaili]

I had a few drinks, then made the mistake of doing a shot.

I don't do those anymore. However, shots did give DH the courage to kiss me for the first time, so I can't say they are all bad.

As promised, here is a picture of my little ballerina.

She was so great...and Nancy, she definitely didn't trip over her tutu.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Change in plans here too. Not feeling good at all, I think the graduation depression has gotten to me. Getting take-out and hopefully cheering up a bit by watching Extreme makeover, it's the season finale which was shot a few miles from us NOLA gals here in Westwego.

My colleague has 1 child and she's graduating in a couple of weeks, too. They are like Gilmore Girls; inseperable. I am worried about how she'll handle dropping her off at college in August.

I don't do those anymore. However, shots did give DH the courage to kiss me for the first time, so I can't say they are all bad.

As promised, here is a picture of my little ballerina.

She was so great...and Nancy, she definitely didn't trip over her tutu.

Oh, she is GORGEOUS!!! What a beautiful ballerina!

 

[liamsaunt]

I agree about the catering, but it sounds like you have a good story to share. So share. Please.

Laura, with your permission, I'll share...

Tonight's dinner is fried tempeh sticks.

I LOVE tempeh! Are you a vegan? I'm not vegetarian any more but was a lacto-ovo for about 10 years, and a vegan for one. Tempeh used to be my favorite protein. My husband even likes it a lot.

Any thoughts or comments, you guys?

Any bit you do that makes you feel better is a good thing.

I am still working on editing our vacation photos, including all the food ones, but here are a couple of recent meals since we've been back...

Wednesday we had tropical pineapple chicken with summer squash and some yellow rice with red and green peppers and cumin:

Friday we had chicken fajitas:

And, here is a picture of Caili in her costume....Laura might have a better one:

Thanks for all of the birthday wishes, everyone. I was amazed to turn 29 again...but I did.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Hi, ladies! Been a busy weekend! Restaurant's last day is today, so they have been partying it up there. I made the mistake of going out with college kids (my coworkers) on Friday night. I had a few drinks, then made the mistake of doing a shot. Things went downhill pretty quickly. I spent most of yesterday curled up on the couch feeling like I got hit by a truck. Dfiance got me some medicinal McDonald's in the afternoon, and that helped!

I totally missed this post until Laura just brought it up...kudos to you for doing shots...I love them but they do not have the same effect on me the day after like they did in my younger days. Gosh, I drank tequila like it was water...Ugh! But Mickey Ds was usually what we were eating at 2am!!! Either that or breakfast at the 24 hour diner...nothing like being drunk and eating eggs and corned beef hash! I can puke just thinking about it.

I can't wait for wedding pics!!! What are you doing as favors? We had a candy buffet...I still have some left. I guess I should chuck it....

[QUOTE=liamandcaili;25185680
As promised, here is a picture of my little ballerina.
[/QUOTE]

Absolutely beautiful!!! I screwed up the quote thingy so thought I'd make it a pretty pick font!

 

[Hedy]

Becky and Laura-Caili is adorable!

Becky-I'm an ovo-lacto vegetarian, but Dniece doesn't eat eggs, so I'm always looking for vegan recipes.

 

[THE HAT]

Hello....Weekend check in........I am doing much better emotionally(for now, )
Things have just been out of control busy....gettting ready for my dad to come stay for a month (we pick him up a week from today in Boston!!)
This is also a very busy time of year for Kris work wise as well. He has put in 20 hour days all week.....and I stay up in the family room until he gets home. We are both up at 6am and then he goes to the office (he works as a buyer and deals with issues at 8 locations of a local Maine lumber yard) I am either at school or running errands, then Kris leaves the office around 6:30 and heads out for job sites for the business we own. We (Kris does the manual work and I do the paperwork) do spec homes, remodels, new kitchens,window replacements, garage doors, and dock installs. (one of the products Kris buys is shoremaster docks that is what started this part, I won't tell you his nickname or I will get points )
This time of the year is dock season, and ice went out late and memorial weekend is a week early. We have 130 camp clients and about 40 want them done for that weekend. So after he leaves the office he and our employee, head out. They work until midnight, sometimes later, (they use huge lights at the site) and then Kris heads home (most sites are 30min to an hour away). While Kris is doing this, I am doing the Ross runaround, supper and then the paperwork for each job site he is at. If I didn't do it as he went, I would be so behind.
When he gets in, we talk while he eats, and then we would normally go to bed...but we somehow came up with the bright idea to remodel the kitchen and finish the bath before my dad comes, So we are trying to get one or two things done a night. We had new appliances delivered yesterday, and Kris spent the evening hooking up the water line for the fridge, which went great until we sprung a leak in the basement at 3am, a glass of wine kept my nerves at bay as water was spraying 10feet across the basement!! It is all set now, and Ross is having a blast with the water and crushed ice, ugh! (we used to have a top/bottom with just an ice maker in it, now it is side by side) He can't hook up the dishwasher until the new countertops come in. He will get them from work, and should be in this week. (well 2 of them, the bar is odd shaped and will take an extra week) SOOOO that is our life right now...we get to bed around 2am, except last night as it was 5am and getting light out. ( we did sleep until 8:30 and then Kris left for the day for more docks) He will put up a new ceiling fan in my dad's room tonight, and maybe the new steam fan for the bathroom.

Phew----I think that is all that is going on! Tomorrow I will get my grams groceries, take them to her and then go up to school to help with the book fair. Ross will meet me there afterschool and he will break the bank on me, he is a wicked bookworm, I love this fair though as it is buy 1 get 1. I have set his limit at 150.00, which would equal 300.00.

Now on to important things....all of you!!!

Kat--I can't even begin to imagine how you are feeling right now, I know it is a bittersweet time in your life, but be so very proud of the amazing job you have done with that sweet baby boy of yours, where it is scary to send them out into this world, take heart in the fact that he will go on with such wonderful upbringing in his back pocket, and his Mama always having his back, (and a plate of supper always ready!!)
Prayers said that the home sells fast for you.


Becky--Happy belated Birthday!!! I hope you had a wonderful time celebrating 29, Looking forward to your vacation pictures!! How was the trip?

Laura--What a sweet (as always) photo!!! I also must add that the planter was soo pretty!! Did your mom love it?

Aimee--I hope things go well for dh and the job!

Lindsay--glad that they can make the boxspring work for you!! Kris wants to redo our bedroom as well, but this will have to wait!! I can go for a week without a dishwasher, I can't go for a week with out a bed!

Lauren--I love your new fireplace!! Great job on it!!

Nancy--I did read your posts on the recent funeral you had to attend, I send you hugs and prayers.

Ooohhh shoot a rutabaga...I had a whole sheet with everyone I wanted to post a note to, and I have lost it!! GRRRRRR! If I missed something really really major...I am sooo sorry, someone please let me know if I did!

I will leave you with this amusing story that happened Tuesday night at Ross' concert....It was a little Jazz concert with a skit. Well of course all the kids that practice at school, don't all show up that night of it.....making it so that other kids have to pick up the lines.......................well this one little boy is going right along, doing great having just learned this line 30 seconds earlier, when he goes and gets tongue tied......and right into the microphone out come the words "OH CRAP".....well poor thing turned bright red, threw his arms up in the air and walked off stage, and we the audience just about died laughing and clapping.....it was the highlight of the night, as it was very very boring until then,


Hmmmmm I guess I have been very chatty here....that is what happens when I don't get on for a few days....sorry about the rambles

Supper tonight was fresh green beans, chedder rice, and chicken breasts with a dry rub under the broiler.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend!!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Tonight it's leftover cheesy chicken pasta and bread.

Have a great day all!

ETA: We went to the mattress store yesterday. Good news!!!! The are going to exchange our box springs for the low-profile one, which is 4 inches shorter. The best news? It will be delivered on Wednesday! Woo hoo!! For now, when I am home alone, I will do my dressing and whatnot in our spare bedroom. The bedroom suit in there is what was in my old room at my parent's house, so it will work fine for me

 

[THE HAT]

Morning all---

Lindsay--sorry you have to wait until Wed. but glad it is being taken care of for you!!

I have errands to run for my grandmother this morning and a few for us as well. I used to enjoy running errands..........but............I also have to get gas today, and that will suck the joy out of it right there............I would give them my only child, but that will only get me 1/4 of a tank nowadays,

I have no clue what is for supper tonight......we will have salad for sure, will see if anything at the grocery store inspires me.

I will be back later today....have a good Monday all!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Wendie, My goodness, you have been busy. Your post made me tired! I am glad that its getting closer to the day your Dad arrives!!! The story about the boy at the recital was hilarious! Gas prices are another story...

I think I am going to do a version of Frikadellers (a danish meat patty like meatloaf in a meatball/patty form), some kind of potato and whatever veggie I pull out of the freezer...

Have a great day all!

 

[TheBeadPirate]

Long story number 2.
My husband was talking to me a few weeks ago about the rising gas prices. He has about a 30 mile drive to work and we are feeling the pinch. I told him I really couldn't worry about it too much. He had to go to work, you know? Furthermore, I don't drive around aimlessly, and when we are together we try to conserve gas by not driving as much, taking the best route to get places, etc.

Also, he was concerned about the rising cost of food. I, again, rationalized that I don't buy us unnecessary junk, we don't throw away food, I don't look for the most expensive items, etc. Try to relax, I said!

Well, I saw a bit on our local news last week. They did a piece on foodbanks, both here and in other states, including one in NYC. Their shelves are bare. People cannot afford to donate food right now and hungry people are being turned away. That hit me really hard.

So in an effort to contribute, I am trying not to cook every single day and use my crockpot more, my oven less. For example, I am only cooking 3 days this week. Each meal I cook will feed us 2 days, and 2 of the meals are crockpot. Make sense?

I am hoping this helps in some small way. I feel bad not doing anything to try and cut back in SOME way.

Any thoughts or comments, you guys?

This got me. We're on our second week in Michigan this week. I took all my coupons that are getting ready to expire(and ALL the junk food ones-we're back on Alli again) and went to the Kroger down the street here. They're remodeling and have carts of stuff 75% off. So with that, and doubling the coupons, and the $$ from can/bottle deposits Rick's taking a few bags of stuff to the drop off in Detroit on his way into the contractor's office today. I spent $32 and the receipt says I saved over $100! Now if only I could shop like this in NOLA!

Thanks for the heads up Lindsay....I guess I've just had my head up my rear and.....well, thanks for reminding me to think of what I do have and not what I don't have. It's been a challenge lately.

Hiiideee Ho neighbors!

I've been lurking but being on the road not really cooking. But yesterday I convinced Rick to get on the scale in the exercise room-and well, we're back on the Alli program and working out again. "We" had to go get new work slacks for a big meeting today and well, Mr Bigshot was devesatated to find he needed a bigger size. (shhh! don't let him know I told) He took it worse than most women I know.

But from the last time we were on it I stayed at the same weight, eating everything in sight I think, so I don't feel that bad- I know I was a bad girl. But Rick gained some and he knows it now.

So last night was spinach salad, bakers, and shrimp with cocktail sauce.

My lunch today is spinach salad and butternut squash soup with creme fraiche.

Dinner will prolly be steamed veggies, baked sweet potatoes, and the rest of the shrimp- since our next hotel room may not have a fridge.

And if all goes as planned I will have been home a whole 5 days for the month of May. But we're paying off some of our debt!



Looks like the next stop for us will be Wisconsin- so Janice you may very well be hearing from me cause you're between me (Detroit-for now) and there....and we're driving!

 

[TheBeadPirate]

Oh, I forgot to ask. Anyone going to be in the World June 15-22? That wouldn't mind doing me a favor?

My cousin(raised more like a niece) and her soon to be hubby are heading down for their honeymoon and I'd like to suprise them with something.



Not sure what yet, but I'm working on it.

 

[TigerKat]

Quick check-in to tell Laura how BEAUTIFUL Caili's picture is, she's an awesome ballerina!!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Oh, I forgot to ask. Anyone going to be in the World June 15-22? That wouldn't mind doing me a favor?

My cousin(raised more like a niece) and her soon to be hubby are heading down for their honeymoon and I'd like to suprise them with something.



Not sure what yet, but I'm working on it.

Hey Girl! I will be arriving on the 22nd...will that work?

 

[shovan]

Morning Y'all,

We had a nice weekend. Great weather! DD & I went to a huge Jewelry Show. Which I don't know why it's called that, because they had tons of other things. I bought clothes, a fleur de lis address sign for the house, a wine coaster & few other things but no jewelry.

I didn't do too much cooking this weekend. Grilled some steaks Saturday evening. Yesterday we went out for a late lunch, so dinner last night was hummus & pita chips.

I have this week off. The Princess is off galavanting around WDW this week with her parents. I had found them points for rent a while back at SSR. They checked in early & were given a room in the Springs (closest to the main pool & restaurant's) with a lake view! Sis-in-law was so excited! When I spoke to them yesterday, Alexis was having a blast! She is finally 40 inches tall, so that opened up a whole new world of rides for her. She told me the Dinosaur ride was "really really scary!".

Did y'all watch Extreme Makeover last night? The Usea family lives in my hometown. I boo-hooed through the whole show. I promise y'all most of us around here, don't have accents that heavy! Really I'm telling y'all da truudt!!

Kathy, I hope Kyle's Graduation Day is wonderful!

Aimee, Good Luck to you & your DH on his job search.

Wendie, Good luck with the renovations! Hope the rest of the work goes smoother than the fridge installation!

Lindsay, Sorry about the mattress & box springs! Frustrating how the least little change can make a whole lot of difference, I know. Glad you were able to get it to work out for you!

I don't do those anymore. However, shots did give DH the courage to kiss me for the first time, so I can't say they are all bad.

As promised, here is a picture of my little ballerina.

She was so great...and Nancy, she definitely didn't trip over her tutu.

Oh Laura, she is so beautiful! I'm sure she must have been great! That tutu is really pretty too!!

Laura, with your permission, I'll share...

Any bit you do that makes you feel better is a good thing.

I am still working on editing our vacation photos, including all the food ones, but here are a couple of recent meals since we've been back...

Wednesday we had tropical pineapple chicken with summer squash and some yellow rice with red and green peppers and cumin:

Friday we had chicken fajitas:

And, here is a picture of Caili in her costume....Laura might have a better one:

Thanks for all of the birthday wishes, everyone. I was amazed to turn 29 again...but I did.

Becky, Belated Happy 29th Birthday!!

and Welcome Home!!!! I know I've missed your pics & food inspiration! I hope you enjoyed the trip, I can't wait to see your pictures!