The What's For Dinner Thread - May '09(recipe index in OP)

[FormrCastMbr]

Welcome to the World Baby Emma!​

Congratulations Mom, Dad and Big Brother, Luke!!!​

 

[Glynis]

I just spoke with Ron, baby Emma was born at 3:24, weighing 7 lbs 5 oz. Mom & Emma are both doing great!!!!!

Yay!!!! I'm so glad they are doing well! Good size baby!!! Thanks for updating us, Kathy!

 

[Glynis]

Congratulations!!!

Dinner tonight will be fish and something else, not sure what yet. Dessert will be strawberry shortcake on a chocolate dessert cup, going to head to the store and get some Cool Whip.

If you can find some chocolate Cool Whip, that is super with strawberry shortcake on the chocolate cups!

 

[Glynis]

It's time for the Day 6 pictures. I don't have many, so please forgive me!

I also need to let everyone know that I will be gone from Thursday of this week, to Wednesday of next week. We are going to my dad's house to attend the Utah Shakespearean Festival!!! Love it! I'm going to finish up the TR today and tomorrow. Gotta do it before all the details are long gone from my mind!

Anyway, on to the pictures.

The view from the Mark Twain:

Timothy having a snack, and very content afterward:

Misc. pictures of the kids on the Mark Twain:

Next up: Mary battles the forces of evil!

 

[Glynis]

Mary battles Darth Maul and Darth Vader:

Leslie visits Pixie Hollow:

 

[Nancyg56]

I just spoke with Ron, baby Emma was born at 3:24, weighing 7 lbs 5 oz. Mom & Emma are both doing great!!!!!

Welcome Baby!!!!!!

If you can find some chocolate Cool Whip, that is super with strawberry shortcake on the chocolate cups!

Yummmmmmm

Glynis- every picture has smiling kids! Love that!

 

[LBKB]

GLYNIS--Just had to tell you I love seeing all the pictures and trip report

LAURA-- Hope Liam wins tonight.

Welcome to the world Ms. Emma we all have been waiting for your entry.

Thanks Kathy for keeping us updated you do such a great job.

If anyone can say an extra prayer for my mother-in-law it would be greatly apprciated. She has been having pain in her hip (she has had both hips replaced years ago) Well they did surgery yesterday and took out old hip replacement along with a liter of yucky infection. We will find out in a couple days if it is mersa or what it is. They have put a temporary hip joint in. A year and a half ago she almost died from staph infection all through her body. My Dr. is in the same office as her Dr and when I went today to see my Dr. I asked about me going to see her and my Dr. said NO he does not even want me to go see her my immune system is up to par after 2 major surgeries recently. So I am feeling like a really bad daughter-in-law right now.

 

[Nancyg56]

If anyone can say an extra prayer for my mother-in-law it would be greatly apprciated.

So I am feeling like a really bad daughter-in-law right now.

Prayers offered for your MIL's speedy recovery. Please do not feel so badly that you cannot visit your MIL. I am a Mother and a MIL and I can assure you that if my beloved DDIL's health would be jeopardized by visiting me I would bar the door! You can support your MIL by doing what you are already doing, say prayers, stay in touch, stay strong for her son and take care of yourself. That is what a mother wants from her childen.

I understand that you wnat to be by her side, my Mom was sick and my sister adn I each took turns getting that nast stomach virus that went around and then a bad cold. Her immune system could not tolerate any of our germy selves in there but it was not easy knowing that while one of us was parked on the sofa the other was doing double duty. The only one who was okay with it was my Mom, except she just wanted us to get better and not be sick.

WEll I messed up my dinner plans tonight. I thought that I had half of he package of steak in the meat drawer so I went in to take it out to season it. Where is it?????????????????? I am not an organized homemaaker and so I never remembered that I had popped it in the freezer. I usually forget to separate mat so I end up having the same protien days in a row.

Revised meal plan for tonight: Huge salad, steamed Haricots Vertes, the leftover chicken and tabouli salad for me. The chicken was good so Buddy will like it. If not I will use my old standby and tell him I am trying to make sure I use all of the food I buy, no wasting meat!

I haven't said that for a while so maybe he will not give me that look that says he knows what I am up to


I had a good friend who lived by her house budget and she could make her money stretch like my Mom could do. Well she loved to travel and when she wanted to take extra trips she would stretch her food budget by telling her DH that she was cooking all his favorites and that he was one lucky man. Not all women would spend all of their house money making their DH's favorite meals. Then she would tell him how expensive his cookies were.

Well, she was 5' tall in heels and one tiny little peanut of a gal. He was well over 6' and a big burley man who adored his wife but was a little afraid of her. I guess he knew all along that she was buying very budget cuts of meat and was saving her food money on the side but he never let on. I have to add that she was the best cook I ever met and what she did with a humble cut was no less than mouth watering, but we sure did chuckle when she gave him creamed chipped beef and told him that he would get it for a long time so enjoy every bite, after all, did it not remind him of when he served in WWII?

 

[Glynis]

Day 7:

Our goal today was to finish up the Fantasyland rides, and hopefully, get Jacob a chance at Jedi Training Academy. I got everyone up (this was becoming harder to do as the week progressed), and dressed, and we went for breakfast. I think Mary really found this the best part of the day! She loved the fact that she could help herself to the Froot Loops. This is not something I buy at home, so she made the most of it here! As we were finishing up brushing our teeth, I noticed that my wedding ring was not where I had left it. I began to panic! We tore the room apart, but couldn’t find the ring. I was kicking myself for even bringing it. Ever since my gastric bypass surgery, my ring has been too big for my finger! I tried to be optimistic, but was positive that I’d never see my wedding ring again. As we crossed the street to the Main Gate, I remembered that I had taken some trash out to the garbage can outside our room that morning. I mentioned it to Alan, and he simply handed the stroller to me and ran back across the street. Have I mentioned what a wonderful guy he is?

We headed toward Fantasyland, and part of the crew decided to ride the Matterhorn again. I was too upset to do a ride here, so I just cruise around by the teacups waiting for Alan and hoping for the best. The rest of the group got off the Matterhorn and got in line for Alice in Wonderland. As they were in line for this ride, Alan came up and just shook his head. I was so bummed! Alan got in line with the rest of the group, and I took Timothy for a diaper change. I was in the bathroom, going through the diaper bag and I FOUND MY WEDDING RING!!!! It must have fallen off my finger when I was packing the bag up for the day! I was so excited! I finished the diaper change, and raced back to Alice in Wonderland! They were just entering the ride, but I managed to get Alan’s attention and yell to him that I found the ring! Let’s just say that the mood of the day changed dramatically after that!

We now headed over to the Finding Nemo submarines. There was a wait of about 30 minutes, which wasn’t too bad, so we waited! We enjoyed our undersea voyage, and Timothy was absolutely fascinated by the bubbles, and the fish he could see out of his window!

Next up was a ride on the Carousel, a trip through Pinocchio’s ride, and Snow White’s Scary Adventure. There are never lines for these rides, so we were able to accomplish this within a relatively short time! I think it’s really odd that on the Snow White ride, she’s only in 2 of the scenes. It really ought to be called the Wicked Queen’s Adventure, since she’s in almost every scene! Anyway, it’s still really fun, and the kids think it’s really cool to rub the brass apple out front and hear the witch cackle.

Dad left us at this point to head over to DCA and stake out a spot in line for Aladdin. This is, hands down, his favorite thing in DCA, and this was the only day it was showing while we were there. He hurried over, and Alan took several of the older kids for a ride on Toy Story Midway Mania, since he had stayed off the night before. My brother, Addison, and I stayed in DL with Jacob, Leslie, Shaun and Emilee, and our 2 babies. We decided to try for the Jedi Academy. We got there early, and staked out a spot right in the front and center. The boys were told to jump up and down and do anything they could think of to get the Jedi’s attention. Emilee was terrified that she would be chosen, so we told her to just sit there, and they would not choose her. As the show started, Jacob, Leslie and Shaun began to jump up and down (along with all the other kids there!). Unfortunately, they were not chosen for this time. They were disappointed, but still sat there and watched the whole thing. I got really upset at the “stage mother” that had her son right next to our kids. She literally pushed her son’s way into the show, even though you could tell that he didn’t want to do it. After he had been picked and given his robe and training light saber, he started to cry, so they escorted him back to his mother, who began to berate him in front of everyone. She threatened to take him back to the hotel for the day, because he had just ruined the whole day for her. Nice, huh? Later that day, we saw them again at DCA, and she was still yelling at him about the Academy.

Anyway, the training academy was still cute, and Darth Maul had a great time growling at our little boys who were yelling at him the whole time. He would get right in their faces, and snarl at them, and Jacob and Shaun would snarl right back. We thought it was really cute, until Emilee came up to us afterward and said, “Daddy, Darth Maul growled at me.” My brother replied, “Well, did you spit in his eye? Did you growl back at him?” Emilee burst into hysterical tears, screaming, “NO!” Poor little thing had been terrified of him, but didn’t let on during the whole thing. Addison just gathered her into his arms, and let her cry for a while. When she calmed down, he apologized for making her feel badly. He’s such a good daddy!!!

We headed over to DCA and met up with Alan’s group at Grizzly River Run (of course). They took a couple of runs on the river, and then we headed over to the Hollywood Backlot for the Aladdin show. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to get to where my dad was, so we were separated from half of our group for the show. It was a great show, as always, and we got a much different perspective from the balcony. We usually sit on the ground floor, so this was new to us. We loved it, though! I think this was the first time we’ve seen the show that all the kids stayed awake. The little girls were entranced by it!

After the show, Dad wanted us all to hurry back to DL to see Billy Hill and the Hillbillies at the Golden Horseshoe. However, the kids didn’t want to sit through another show. So, we compromised. We decided to stay in DCA for lunch, and do some rides we hadn’t done, and then go to the Golden Horseshoe for the 4:00 show. Dad was ok with that (as long as we promised not to miss the show), and we all headed to the Pier area. On the way, I stopped in at the Baby Care Center to feed Timothy. While I was doing that the rest of the gang toured the tortilla factory and got a yummy warm tortilla to munch on! I caught up with them after that, and we headed into the Sourdough factory for that tour. I’ve never done this one, and it was very informative. My kids loved it, since their Daddy makes sourdough bread. They liked the video that explained the whole process. Of course, the yummy sample helped, too!

Next up, lunch! Dad had seen corn on the cob that he really wanted, and so we headed to the Pier to find it! Luckily, it was at the same place where hot dogs were sold. We loaded up on hot dogs and corn on the cob, and enjoyed a peaceful few minutes of eating. I don’t usually like hot dogs, but this one was really good! I think we were all really hungry!

After lunch, we headed toward Flik’s Fun Fair. First stop: Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train! I really wish this were a longer ride. It’s so much fun!!! Timothy liked it, and so did all the rest of the kids. After that, Timothy napped in his stroller, while the other kids went on Francis’s Ladybug Boogie (just like the teacups), then did Tuck and Roll’s Bumper Cars. At this point, Dad and I peeled away from the group to go to the Golden Horseshoe to save some tables for our group. It was nice to be just Dad and me! We made it back to Disneyland quickly, and were able to snag 5 tables in the middle of the room. We plunked backpacks and jackets on the tables, and then ordered ourselves some cold lemonade. The day had gotten very hot, and that tasted so good! The rest of the group straggled in, and we got ready for the show. I hadn’t seen it in about 20 years, so I was excited to see it again. No one else had ever seen the show. Should be fun! The kids were hungry, so I ordered a hot fudge sundae for them to split, and an order of chili fries for us all. The sundae was huge with 2 gigantic freshly made chocolate chip cookies. The kids devoured it. The fries were good, too! Large platter, with wonderful chili! My sister’s kids helped us eat all of this, so my sister ordered another sundae, strawberry, this time. It was a nice break! The show here was SO FUNNY! I wish I’d taken some pictures, but by this time, that was the last thing on my mind!

After the show, we all split up. Alan was on the hunt for a turkey leg, and then we planned on taking the kids back to the hotel for a swim. We found a turkey leg vendor on Main Street, right by the Partner’s statue, so Alan was happy. He and the kids split this and we made our way, slowly up Main Street. As we passed the silhouette shop, we decided to stop and have one done of Timothy. We had done one of the other 4 kids a couple of trips ago, so we needed Timothy to complete the deal. I’m always amazed at the talent here! We bought frames for both images, so we could give one to my Dad, as well. Then it was off to the hotel for a rest and a swim.

DL was going to close early tonight for Grad Night, so we weren’t sure that we would even head back there, but Jacob was absolutely dying to get a light saber! So, after a couple of hours in the pool, we made our way back to Tomorrowland. Alan took the kids on Star Tours, while I stayed off with Timothy. After their ride, they spent about an hour making light sabers for Jacob and Mary. They were both thrilled with their souvenirs! Leslie also found a Baby Minnie wrapped in a blanket that she chose for her souvenir, and Katie found some Tinkerbelle earrings.

Once all this was done, we met up with my brother’s family for a late night ride on Splash Mountain, and some more rides on Pooh Bear. These 2 rides never seem to get old!

At this point, we split up again. Katie had 50 dollars burning a hole in her pocket, and was dying to head into DTD for some shopping. I took her, my Dad and my niece, Marina and off we went. The rest of the gang went back to the hotel where they ordered pizza and watched Underdog. We had a great time at DTD. First stop was World of Disney, where I could easily go nuts! I did manage to restrain myself, however. I came out of there with a Mickey Mouse trivet, a spatula and some crystal earrings for Katie’s birthday. Dad loaded up on Christmas presents for his staff, and some baby outfits for the next baby to be born (this December!!!!). Marina found some stuff she liked, but wanted to bring her Mom back to look at, but poor Katie couldn’t find anything she wanted. She was coming to the conclusion that it’s much easier to spend your parent’s money, than it is to spend the money you’ve worked so hard for!

Next stop was Build A Bear Workshop. Katie was hoping to find some exclusive DL merchandise for her bear. She found some pink Mickey ears and as she was getting in line to buy them, my dad grabbed them out of her hand and bought them for her, along with some sandals for the bear. Can we say, “spoiled???” My brother met us there. He had brought his daughter Emilee in to pick out and make a bear. He was still feeling guilty for her scare earlier in the day, and this was his way to make it up to her!

We left and began to make our way out of DTD, however, we had to stop at Jamba Juice for a smoothie. These things are my dad’s weakness, and I have to admit that it was very refreshing.

As we headed back onto the plaza, we could see the Grad Night crowds gathering, and we thanked our lucky stars that we were not going to be in that crowd! We made it back to the hotel in plenty of time to share in the pizza and to watch a few minutes of the movie. As I finished my first piece of pizza, I looked around and noticed that with the exception of Katie, all my kids were sound asleep. Alan and I gathered up our kids, and made our way back to our own room. It took some doing to get everyone in their jimmies and brush their teeth, but pretty soon, they were all in bed again, and sawing those logs! All in all, a very nice day!

 

[Glynis]

Fantasyland pics:

Jedi Academy take 2 (the kids in the middle are ours):

Grizzly River Run:

Heimlich's Chew Chew Train:

Francis's Ladybug Boogie:

 

[Glynis]

Misc. Flik's Fun Fair Pictures:

Billy Hill and the Hillbillies:

 

[liamandcaili]

I just spoke with Ron, baby Emma was born at 3:24, weighing 7 lbs 5 oz. Mom & Emma are both doing great!!!!!

Wonderful news! Welcome Baby Emma, and congratulations Ron, Ann and Luke!

Great job on the trip report, Glynis. I love all the pictures. Have fun at the Shakespeare Festival!

Well, Liam's team lost tonight. He was really disappointed, mostly because he wanted to pitch in the championship game Thursday. The letdown will be brief...summer baseball begins Thursday. Thanks for cheering him on.

 

[shovan]

Evening Y'all,

WELCOME BABY EMMA!!!!! WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR YOU!!! It's wonderful that all went well & now Ann has another beautiful addition to the family!

I just spoke with Ron, baby Emma was born at 3:24, weighing 7 lbs 5 oz. Mom & Emma are both doing great!!!!!

Kat, Thanks for taking care of us!

If anyone can say an extra prayer for my mother-in-law it would be greatly apprciated. She has been having pain in her hip (she has had both hips replaced years ago) Well they did surgery yesterday and took out old hip replacement along with a liter of yucky infection. We will find out in a couple days if it is mersa or what it is. They have put a temporary hip joint in. A year and a half ago she almost died from staph infection all through her body. My Dr. is in the same office as her Dr and when I went today to see my Dr. I asked about me going to see her and my Dr. said NO he does not even want me to go see her my immune system is up to par after 2 major surgeries recently. So I am feeling like a really bad daughter-in-law right now.

So sorry that your MIL is going through this! Prayers are being said. I'm sad that this is so hard on you too.

Well, Liam's team lost tonight. He was really disappointed, mostly because he wanted to pitch in the championship game Thursday. The letdown will be brief...summer baseball begins Thursday. Thanks for cheering him on.

I'm sorry for Liam that the team lost! I know he must feel bummed. Good thing summer ball starts so soon!

Glynis, I love the pictures! The kids all look like they are having such a great time! I also really glad you didn't lose your wedding ring!!!


My dr. wanted me to have carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand along with the neck surgery. Bob & I have decided against it. We just feel it will make life too hard for us. Not including the carpal surgery will at least allow me to bath myself & warm up food. We just think it would be too great of emotional toll. Also the cp surgery can be done later & not under general anesthesia, an outpatient surgery.

I was all set & feeling right about everything. The aide came tonight & just told us the 3 aides we were supposed to meet this week (to take over when this one has her baby) is now down to just one aide. The new one that we haven't even met yet, only wants to accept weekdays & no weekends. Which as of now will leave us without help on weekends after our aide Miranda stops working due to the baby. I'm trying not to worry about this yet, because that could all change.

I'm also bummed because I got on the scale & my weight is up about 8 lbs! This is huge for me! In about 1 1/2 months I've gained it not normal for me at all. I was hoping to be skinny before undergoing surgery, that isn't going to happen.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Welcome Emma!!!!!!!!

 

[Nancyg56]

GLynis- Your story about the Jedi Mom made m so sad We see at least one of those mom's every trip and I cannot imagine the pressure these poor kids have. They are entirely responsible for making a vacation live up to whatever fairy tale parents have

I loved the picture of your sleeping Princess on her Daddy Just a note, my niece Kim works at the Sourdough factory. She also fills in at teh drink place across from the factory. She is so upbeat there, Disney has lit a candle in her towards the Hospitality industry and food service.

Laura- I am sorry that Liam's team lost, as much as you prepare yourself for the loss it is always so hard to watch the kids deflate. Yes, he does have the bug....and so you get the summer baseball flu too

Bethany- if you check in, I saw that you made it to NOLA! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sheryl- try to let the weight gain go, I think stress can have a lot to do with it, and your life has been stressfilled lately. I don't blame you for teh CP surgery decision. In a perfect world we all schedule procedures as soon as possible. In the real world everything is prioritized. I would put this one off for a bit too, you need to keep your options open incase you need to schedule your back procedures sooner ratehr than later.

Once again I am so sorry I am so far away. I have not figured out how I got so close to a group of women scattered all over the country but there you go.

Dinner is going to be a beef and bulgar casserole I think. I was going to make pork chops or grill that steak but I think Buddy needs more grains and he won't eat them on the side so I need to tuck them in a meal. I am going to hide them in the ground turkey so we'll see how later.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Good Morning,

Quick fly by...tonight will be swiss chicken casserole, rice and steamed broccoli.

Lauri, Prayers for your MIL and also for you.

Kat, Have a good time today! Is Johnny going too?

I will try and BBL...I have to get A to rec and the baby ready to head to the gym with me.

Have a great day all!

 

[OKWMom]

Welcome to Baby Emma!!!!!! Glad you decided to show up since we've all been waiting not so patiently for your arrival.

Kat - Thanks for keeping us posted. I hope you have a great day today at LSU. Can't wait to hear about it.

Lauri - Prayers for you and your MIL.

Nancy - The story about your friend cracked me up. It wouldn't work on Kenny, just this morning he said he didn't care what I cooked, but he was tired of sandwiches and cereal (and it has only been 2 nights).

Laura - I'm sorry about Liam's team. I'm sure he was disappointed. But he/they did really well and should be proud of making it that far.

Sheryl - Like Nancy, I wish I were closer.

Ladies, I have no idea what I'm making for dinner tonight but I know it's going to be easy. I planned to get in the bed last night early but the floor guy showed up at 7. Kenny asked if I wanted him to send him away, but I said "NO WAY". I figured I could catch up on my sleep tonight, but I want my floor done. He worked until around 10 and is almost finished with everything. He has some "cut work" left and the threshhold work. Also, he needs to do the molding, but said we needed to paint first.

 

[nucpharm29]

Welcome Baby Emma!!!!! Glad to hear that mom and baby are doing well! Congrats to the whole family!

Glynis--love the pics!!! Your family is beautiful!

Lauren--is your ribs in the oven recipe posted here? I still don't have any propane so I'll need to cook them inside.

WFD tonight will most likely be ribs and a side of some sort. Now it's time to hit the gym and pool. We had a storm come through yesterday and it's cooled things off a bit. So we can stand to be outside for more than 15min.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Good Morning All....

Sheryl, you know your in my prayers. Sending love & comfort.

Laura, so sorry for Liam. He did his best & I know your still a proud Momma.
~the video on FB was just beautiful, thanks for sharing.

Nan~how cool if there is a future "cast member" in the family.

Marisa~ How are you hanging in?????

Bethany, if you check in I wish you nothing but a wonderful new chapter in life...It was a long time coming!

Charlene~ we need a POOL party!!!!!!!!

Gretchen~ thinking & praying for you my friend. Get ready to read!

Kat, thank you for the "Emma gram", hope your having a better day today

Ellen~ so glad to see you back, I feel like I haven't "seen" you in such a long time

Vic~ I wish we could have connected....I felt like we were so close. Plenty of people on the QM2 from Scotland, we had fun in the pub Girl!

Dinner tonight will be spicy chicken sausage & peppers.
Last night was a roasted chicken & a candy bar from England, such good chocolate

 

[BigMama]

MARIA-- I don't think it is ever going to stop raining long enough to do that. We were out there 2 times since we opened it!! It is so frustrating!!

Would love to hear about your trip! I'm sure it must have been wonderful!!